3Q’s – J.R. McConvey and his different beasts!
Hello, my name is Steve Stred… and this is… 3Q’s.
Today, we have a fellow Canuck who frequently asks Elon Musk for $1,000,000 on Twitter.
That’s right. I’m talking about the Notorious J.R. Mc.
I’ll give you a second to check the O.R. You like it so far?
Welcome, J.R.
Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try and write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?
J.R.: To my discredit, I don’t have a regular writing routine. I’ve tried—time, word count, what have you—but I find that life, so to speak, often derails my efforts, and also that rules around my writing often just creates feelings like stress or guilt, which are counterproductive. Writing doesn’t give me much, materially—the work is the reward. So I treat it as such, and weigh how rigid I am with it against all the other rigidities I have in my life, and try to find a balance that results in the most enjoyment.
That said, currently, my thing is: shower, then an hour. I get lots of good ideas in the shower, so this is an attempt to try and translate them to the page right away.
Steve: Out of all your releases, do you have a favorite character you’ve written?
J.R.: Tough call. I don’t know if I have a favourite, per se. It’s usually more about whether or not they’re doing the job they’re supposed to. To that end, I’m proud of the unnamed narrator of “The Streetcar Goes Sideways Down Cherry Street.” On a zanier level, it always amuses me to revisit Dale Westin, the mayoral hopeful from “The Last Ham”, who is based on the Ford brothers. I keep meaning to write a sequel to that story called “You’ll Never Believe What Happens Next”, in which Dale’s brother shows up to sleepy Bedford and is probably eaten, or something.
Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!
J.R.: Technically, I guess, my latest release is a flash story called “The Infinite Shape of Regret,” which you can find as part of Dread Stone Press’ Dose of Dread series here. I am not nearly as efficient or productive as many horror writers in terms of published output, so my sole book remains my collection, DIFFERENT BEASTS. I like to think it lives in a world where not much fiction does—weird, unsettling, moving, horrifying, unafraid to nose around in a few different genres, and filled with references to heavy music. The Winnipeg Free Press compared it to “Stuart McLean channeling H.P. Lovecraft,” which I think is a fun description, although I would add J.G. Ballard, Karen Russell and Kafka to the mix. Also, Steve Stred gave it five stars, and this man knows books!
Steve: Bonus Question! What is your favorite album?
J.R.: Impossible to name just one, so I’ll bend the rules and give you my top three. My teenage self says The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails. Its sounds and words are inscribed on the inner walls of my guts. From early adulthood, Shine a Light by the Constantines. An air-tight classic, maybe the last great rock n’ roll album. For the last few years, I’ve lived and died by The Congos’ 1977 album, Heart of the Congos. It’s producer Lee “Scratch” Perry’s masterpiece, one of the most transcendent albums ever made. And it has an amazing guest vocal by a cow. Honorable mentions: London Calling by The Clash, Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos, Young Team by Mogwai, Bordeaux by Robin Guthrie and Harold Budd, Avanti by Alessandro Cortini… then there’s metal, and country… we could go year by year…
Thanks so much, J.R.!
Links to the good stuff!
Website: jrmcconvey.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jrmcconvey
