20 Questions Author Interview with Javan Bonds
I did write in my younger years, but it was never more than something I did in passing. About 10 years ago I started going legally blind and listening to audiobooks. My dad came to me one day and said “You know, after listening to all these books, you’ve probably got a story in your head.” I looked at him and answered, “Yeah, I do.” He then said, “So write it.”
Were you an avid reader as a childActually, in kindergarten and 1st grade I read a lot. But later on I was the typical American kid who got all my entertainment through a digital screen. Now, I wish I had read rather than be just as dumb as everybody else. Better late than never, I guess.
What was the first thing you had published?
Free State of Dodge. It was a dystopian/prepper novel. After going back through it I realized it was horribly presented and decided to rewrite the entire book. I’m in the process of republishing it now as Blood of Tyrants Book One of the Free State of Dodge Saga. The story was good, so that’s the same. I just feel I’m a better writer now than I was only three years ago.
When you decided to start writing did you have a plan in place or did you just jump in and learn as you go?As an independent, all you can do is learn as you go. And I’m still learning. I write and promote everyday and discover something new at each turn.
What is one of the biggest hurdles you had to overcome in starting your writing career?Being vision impaired. I use Dragon NaturallySpeaking to write absolutely every word. It makes it impossible to do any of my own formatting. I wouldn’t have a chance if it wasn’t for my dad.
If you could give new or aspiring authors one piece of advice, what would it be?Go independent. Stay independent. It takes years to get on with a traditional publisher if ever and even if they deem your story fit for reading, they own you.
Are there other genres that you would like to write in aside from your current genre?Still Alive is zombie apocalypse. I’m starting a series in a post-apocalyptic dystopian America. I would like to one day try my hand at fantasy. That is, if I ever get the chance.
Who are some of your favorite authors?Mark Tufo, Bobby Adair, Shawn Chesser, Peter Meredith, RR Haywood, David Simpson, and more than I can name.
Is there any one author that directly inspires your work?Mark Tufo was the original inspiration for my series. I try to do dark comedy in a similar style. So far people think it’s worth reading.
What is your favorite work you have published?At the moment, Still Alive Book 6, Zombie Paradise Lost. I love each book more because I follow new people with every volume.
If a movie were made of your favorite published work. Who would be the lead?Lucas Black would play Mo Collins. I’m not certain of some of the other main characters, but I can imagine him as Mo.
If you could ask one literary figure from the past advice, who would it be?
Just one question? I would ask JRR Tolkien what I need to do to get Peter Jackson to make my Still Alive series into a movie.
What goals do you have for your writing career?As of now, my goals are getting Zombie Perdition, the 7th book in the Still Alive Series published and publishing Blood of Tyrants. After that, my goals will be finishing and releasing Book 8: Zombie Insurrection, Book 9: Zombie Revolution, Book 10: Zombie Deliverance and I’m sure there will be more
When self-publishing what do you think the most important aspect is to having a successful release?Promote. Nonstop. Amazon ads don’t cut it. I call it “whoring yourself.” Just get your name out there. Be active on social media and interact personally with the readers.
Describe your writing process. Do you outline your book first? Do you write start to finish then edit or do you edit each chapter?I write the book by the chapter. There are usually chapters I go back in and add to it. I don’t think I could write without editing as I go.
Do you have a set word count you try to maintain or a set time you put aside for writing or is it different?
I don’t really have a set word count. Because of my vision impairment the writing is excruciatingly cumbersome and painful to watch. On most days I like to get a thousand, but it’s probably not near that.
When researching for your book how important are the details for you as a writer?
I tried to stick with the details closely on things like caliber number or the actual names of weapons. I’m not so worried about things like grain count or velocity of a bullet.
How do you deal with writer’s block or has this ever been an issue?
I’ve never experienced it. Knock on wood.
Did you have any fear of putting your work out there for the world to see? If so, how did you get past it?
In 2015 I was told I had “six months to two years to live.” I was going to get my story out there, no matter what. I did and obviously I past my expiration. Now that I have made changes to my book, I’m not ashamed that I released it, I’m just happy to have grown in my writing.
How do you deal with derogatory or uncomplimentary reviews?
I take them with pride. Someone gave me a review and said I was too descriptive of violence. Apparently, some people don’t like a play-by-play of a penis being destroyed by a bullet. And my best bad review was when someone called me “not socially conscious.” I don’t think I could ask for a better one star.
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BOOK THREE: ZOMBIES ON A PLANE
BOOK SIX: ZOMBIE PARADISE LOST
The Official Javan Bonds Fan Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/1446780428741620/
Javan Bonds Author Page: https://goo.gl/bg3dcU
Bio
Javan Bonds is the author of the apocalyptic zombie series STILL ALIVE, and the bestselling Free State of Dodge. Bonds has had to overcome numerous obstacles in writing as well as just living his daily life. Diagnosed at the age of 11 with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA), (a progressively degenerative neuromuscular disease under the umbrella of the Muscular Dystrophy Association), he has slowly been robbed of his physical abilities through the years. Bonds became wheelchair bound in 1999, but that was only the beginning of his setbacks. His sight began to diminish in 2010 and he is now legally blind. His hearing began failing to the point he now can’t distinguish individual voices in a noisy room. In spite of all of this, he continued to consume three to five audio books a week as well as work on his novels.
Bonds never lets his disability rule him; he has lived fully, loved, and laughed often. Reading and writing has long provided Bonds with both pleasure and a creative outlet. He began blogging at a very young age and has published articles and letters for his local newspaper. In 2010, he discovered a passion for writing novels and with help of Nuance’s Dragon Naturally Speaking, he writes every day.
In late 2015, at only 28 years old, Bonds was told he may have only a short time left due to the ravages of FA on his heart. Since learning this, his goal has been to complete a significant, lasting body of written work before his time in this world runs out.
In mid-2016, Bonds published his first full length novel: FREE STATE OF DODGE, the first in a dystopian series about an America in decline and its rebirth.
He is currently working on future books in his zompoc humor series, Still Alive. The series is currently has six books with many more in the works. Javan and his publishing team hope you enjoy his work and all of the upcoming books in the Still Alive series.
Javan has these words of wisdom to offer others stricken by a life-shortening illness:
”Live your life. Light your candle on both ends and let it burn. It may burn out faster, but your flame will burn brighter than some who live much longer”
Keep an eye on his flame, watch it burn!
Sling
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