10 Questions with Jason Meuschke
1. What made you decide to start The Sample Chapter Podcast?
JM: First off I want to thank you, Carl, for asking me to come on and do this! It is such a privilege and great fun to do this! Ok now for your questions: To be totally honest at first it was a platform for people to get to know who I am as a writer. Long ago I was interested in radio and had been a deejay for a few years at a club. When podcasting came along I felt drawn to it and began to correspond with the hosts and learn from them just like we learn from other writers. For over a year I considered doing my own but didn’t know what it would be about until a few months before my book came out. Then it hit me, “What if my show featured a new author each week that read a chapter from their book?” Thus the show was born.
2. Who has been your biggest influence as a writer?
JM: Hmm, tough question. Author-wise I’d have to say various Robert McCammon stories and my local writing group who I absolutely adore! In my personal life it would have to be my wife. She’s pushed me for years, decades really, to reach for my dreams of being a writer and has always believed in me. She’s also my toughest critic!
3. How close to reality is the urban legend you depict in Nine-Mile Bridge?
JM: Hahaha, great question! It sort of depends on who you ask. My first chapter is very similar to my first trip to the bridge back in the late-80s. The upper classmen who took my friends and I couldn’t agree on what the legends were so in that first night alone we heard many depictions of it. Later, when my friends and I developed a story around all of the legends we heard, perhaps added a few more details and maybe embellished on some other bits. Still, there was always a creepy vibe coming from the place and many people swear by encounters they’ve had while visiting.
4. Who is your favorite writer?
JM: I’d definitely have to say Robert McCammon. Stories like, Boy’s Life and Swan Song are not only epic but they make you believe that the fantastic, or even supernatural, are really happening within a real world environment. Plus, there’s The Wolf’s Hour! A British Secret Service spy who is a werewolf during WW2? C’mon how is that not awesome?!
5. What was the most surprising moment you have had in hosting The Sample Chapter Podcast?
JM: First one that comes to mind was just a few weeks ago when 80’s actress, Diane Franklin, came on to read from her books and she told me this was her first ever public reading of her book! I was so flattered! But the biggest surprise has to be in myself. By making myself available to hear many different types of stories, I’ve discovered treasures I wouldn’t have normally picked out for myself, you know what I mean? Like going to the store pre-show, I may have passed right by this author, or that story, but because of the show I’ve developed a real appreciation for all types. I genuinely look forward to hearing what each author has to read!
6. What current writing projects are you working on?
JM: I have two I’m actively working on and one that I dreamed up the other day that I’m frantically scribbling notes about. Of my actives, the first is an alien invasion adventure that takes place originally in the 80’s with a young man who is obsessed with the action heroes of the period. I’m currently reworking it. My second is another scifi but in the near future with another young man about to inherit his deceased father’s fortune along with control of his company on his 18th Just as attempts are being made on his life, he gets a message from his father through a computer simulation.
7. How has your life changed since publishing your first novel?
JM: It’s funny, before you publish you say you’re a writer and people (maybe) politely nod and just smile. Once you’re published, the same people suddenly come to life and have lots of questions for you and where to find your book haha. I’m certainly more confident as a writer now and feel even more obligated to encourage others. I mean hey, if I can do it so can you!
8. What made you start writing?
JM: I have always been telling stories. Back in school, I’d write action-adventure epics about my friends and I fighting off invasions like in the original movie Red Dawn, or some other crazy story. Many times over the years I’d start writing notes to flesh out an idea to start a novel only to feel lost after with where, and how to begin. Flash forward a few decades and I learn I’m to be a Grandpa! That was the final straw. I starting making the time to write, found the local writers group, and got serious. I started treating it like another job and eventually got the first book done!
9. What made you choose to have a high school girl as your main protagonist in Nine-Mile Bridge?
JM: My original concept for it was to be like an old slasher-style horror so having a female protagonist fit the trope. Even as the story evolved, other characters came and went, my main character stayed the same, though a few things about her did change as did her eventual fate.
10. If you could invite five people to a dinner party (alive or dead, real or fictional) who would you invite?
JM: Just so you know, this question kept me up for several late nights working out the guest list but I think I’m ready now, haha! Let’s go with Mark Twain, Michael Gallatin (spy/werewolf from The Wolf’s Hour), Captain Malcom Reynolds (Firefly), Eric Clapton, and of course my wife who knows how to keep a dinner party lively. Thanks for having me on Carl, this was fun!
JM: First off I want to thank you, Carl, for asking me to come on and do this! It is such a privilege and great fun to do this! Ok now for your questions: To be totally honest at first it was a platform for people to get to know who I am as a writer. Long ago I was interested in radio and had been a deejay for a few years at a club. When podcasting came along I felt drawn to it and began to correspond with the hosts and learn from them just like we learn from other writers. For over a year I considered doing my own but didn’t know what it would be about until a few months before my book came out. Then it hit me, “What if my show featured a new author each week that read a chapter from their book?” Thus the show was born.
2. Who has been your biggest influence as a writer?
JM: Hmm, tough question. Author-wise I’d have to say various Robert McCammon stories and my local writing group who I absolutely adore! In my personal life it would have to be my wife. She’s pushed me for years, decades really, to reach for my dreams of being a writer and has always believed in me. She’s also my toughest critic!
3. How close to reality is the urban legend you depict in Nine-Mile Bridge?
JM: Hahaha, great question! It sort of depends on who you ask. My first chapter is very similar to my first trip to the bridge back in the late-80s. The upper classmen who took my friends and I couldn’t agree on what the legends were so in that first night alone we heard many depictions of it. Later, when my friends and I developed a story around all of the legends we heard, perhaps added a few more details and maybe embellished on some other bits. Still, there was always a creepy vibe coming from the place and many people swear by encounters they’ve had while visiting.
4. Who is your favorite writer?
JM: I’d definitely have to say Robert McCammon. Stories like, Boy’s Life and Swan Song are not only epic but they make you believe that the fantastic, or even supernatural, are really happening within a real world environment. Plus, there’s The Wolf’s Hour! A British Secret Service spy who is a werewolf during WW2? C’mon how is that not awesome?!
5. What was the most surprising moment you have had in hosting The Sample Chapter Podcast?
JM: First one that comes to mind was just a few weeks ago when 80’s actress, Diane Franklin, came on to read from her books and she told me this was her first ever public reading of her book! I was so flattered! But the biggest surprise has to be in myself. By making myself available to hear many different types of stories, I’ve discovered treasures I wouldn’t have normally picked out for myself, you know what I mean? Like going to the store pre-show, I may have passed right by this author, or that story, but because of the show I’ve developed a real appreciation for all types. I genuinely look forward to hearing what each author has to read!
6. What current writing projects are you working on?
JM: I have two I’m actively working on and one that I dreamed up the other day that I’m frantically scribbling notes about. Of my actives, the first is an alien invasion adventure that takes place originally in the 80’s with a young man who is obsessed with the action heroes of the period. I’m currently reworking it. My second is another scifi but in the near future with another young man about to inherit his deceased father’s fortune along with control of his company on his 18th Just as attempts are being made on his life, he gets a message from his father through a computer simulation.
7. How has your life changed since publishing your first novel?
JM: It’s funny, before you publish you say you’re a writer and people (maybe) politely nod and just smile. Once you’re published, the same people suddenly come to life and have lots of questions for you and where to find your book haha. I’m certainly more confident as a writer now and feel even more obligated to encourage others. I mean hey, if I can do it so can you!
8. What made you start writing?
JM: I have always been telling stories. Back in school, I’d write action-adventure epics about my friends and I fighting off invasions like in the original movie Red Dawn, or some other crazy story. Many times over the years I’d start writing notes to flesh out an idea to start a novel only to feel lost after with where, and how to begin. Flash forward a few decades and I learn I’m to be a Grandpa! That was the final straw. I starting making the time to write, found the local writers group, and got serious. I started treating it like another job and eventually got the first book done!
9. What made you choose to have a high school girl as your main protagonist in Nine-Mile Bridge?
JM: My original concept for it was to be like an old slasher-style horror so having a female protagonist fit the trope. Even as the story evolved, other characters came and went, my main character stayed the same, though a few things about her did change as did her eventual fate.
10. If you could invite five people to a dinner party (alive or dead, real or fictional) who would you invite?
JM: Just so you know, this question kept me up for several late nights working out the guest list but I think I’m ready now, haha! Let’s go with Mark Twain, Michael Gallatin (spy/werewolf from The Wolf’s Hour), Captain Malcom Reynolds (Firefly), Eric Clapton, and of course my wife who knows how to keep a dinner party lively. Thanks for having me on Carl, this was fun!
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