Thomas Jast's Blog

Almost time for NaNoWriMo!

Another year, another NaNoWriMo!

I'll be writing something this year and I hope all of you join me!

Are you ready?

It's summer, which means only two things: increased energy bills... and writing!

Next week, please join me in reading a sample of my newest work! I'm excited to hear your feedback as I continue work on my newest project. It's not what I originally planned, but I felt it was time to get it going after my extended break.

See all of you soon!

Oh, hey... it's almost time...

About to start writing a new book! This was the longest break I've ever taken from writing, but I sense it's going to be worth it once I start up again.

So what's it gonna be?

Stay tuned!

Derrick Must Die is now available!

The long-awaited collaboration between Vito Andrews and myself is finally available! A dark comedy that combines early 90s surrealism with a heartbreaking post-coming-of-age story that will incite as many gasps as it will laughs.

Go ahead... read that sample on Amazon. Derrick *dares* you.

GR Link > Derrick Must Die

The reaper cometh soon!

In mere weeks, something new and wonderful is coming. I don't want to spoil anything, but... let's just say it's a been a long time coming. The very definition of "passion project."

Calculated Regrets is free this weekend on Kindle

For the first time ever, indie darling "Calculated Regrets" is free on Kindle, only this weekend. It's basically Black Friday PART TWO. Go grab it before it's too late.

And then buy all the other books, of course!

Link here:

https://www.amazon.com/Calculated-Reg...

NaNoWriMo!

I'm not doing any NaNoWriMo stuff this year. It's a strange feeling, really, to not be frantically writing the next thing you might read one day!

Here're my previous entries: https://nanowrimo.org/participants/th...

Best of luck to anyone participating this year! Keep up the great work!

Does reading ever make you feel guilty?

Does reading ever make you feel guilty, like you should be doing something else with your time? Is it the one activity that is truly leisure, or is filling one's mind with wonderful ideas and emotions by reading as valid as cleaning the house or calling an old friend to see how they're doing?

Where do people come up with character names?

I've always found the best source of names to be coworker/company directory names. It's the only time I can truly say that "Yes, this is totally a realistic name and I know such a person actually exists."

Your move, Eduardojama.

What are your reasons for re-reading a book?

I often hear people say things like, "Oh, I read the crap outta that book, like, a *dozen* times."

But why, exactly? Surely the suspense is gone. The ending is spoiled. The characters are suddenly predictable. Barely any music playing and the pages are all wrinkled and dog-eared. Spine is cracked.

I have my own reasons, now, as a writer. I'm going back to books I loved "pre-writing" to see how I feel about them. See what I see now, with a critical eye. See what inspired me. See what I was wrong about. See if my tastes have changed. See what I could do to make my influences proud if they ever saw my work!

What are your reasons for re-reading a book? Let me know in the comments!