3Q’s – J-F. Dubeau is the absolute most Canadian of super heroes!
Fun one today friends! You may notice the green 3Q’s logo – cuz I like switching things up and don’t want a bajillion of the same color!
Also a fun one as we have an author whose work I really enjoy and he’s a fellow Canuck!
Please, do welcome J-F. Dubeau!
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-F: When I’m in the weeds of a project, trying to get that first draft down, I aim to write about 1500 words in a day. Often I’ll do more, depending on how interesting the scene I’m working on is. I have a rule of thumb that, if I didn’t enjoy writing a particular portion, I’ll revisit it later. Usually, if something wasn’t interesting to write, it won’t be interesting to read either.
As for ritual, I don’t have any worth speaking of. I’ve trained myself to write almost anywhere and anytime. I do have certain preferences – coffee shops, while a cliché, are great for writing. A constant carrousel of people, accessible food and drink, etc. – but the fewer obstacles and requirements between me and my writing, the better. Knowing how finicky I can get with rituals, if I were to need my favorite desk, and my favorite chair, and that one brand of tea I like, and exactly the right amount of rain, and only during the hours of twilight? I’d never get anything done.
Steve: You end up at an estate sale and discover an unpublished manuscript from an author you love. Do you keep it just for yourself or do you share it with the world?
J-F: That’s a tricky question. It depends on the author. I like to think that, under such circumstances, I would do my best to respect what that author would have wanted. Not everything I write is something I want the world to read. I know that there’s this thing about popular artists that the world is entitled to their work, but I disagree with that. Intent is everything in art, and if an author wrote something they did not intend to publish, I would want to abide by that intent. The same way if I concluded that this was work meant for an audience. In that case, I would gladly share it.
Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!
J-F: I’ve got three things worth mentioning.
1. I have a short story titled The Ozymandias Crucible coming out this October as part of the Fear Forge anthology, published by Horrorsmith Publishing. Each story in the anthology is themed around the concept of a ‘forge’. What they are, what they create, etc. The book has a gorgeous cover by the talented Francois Vaillancourt.
2. Song of the Sandman is the latest book I’ve published, though that was a year ago if I’m not mistaken.
3. Anyone wanting a sample of my writing for free can go listen to Achewillow. It’s a fiction podcast I write and is narrated and produced by the astounding Amy Frost. It’s a cozy horror story about witches, coffee, demons and baking, in a small town on the border between Quebec and Vermont. We’ve got five seasons done so far and it’s available on any podcasting platform.
Steve: Bonus Question! You wake up in a comic book. What is your comic book character and what is your super power?
J-F: I’m not very skilled at fantasizing about myself that way. I’ve always healed pretty fast, so I guess I’d have a healing factor. Otherwise I’d probably just be known as Annoying Sasquatch Man. Tall, hairy, terrifying and likely fiction. I could see myself opening doors for people and helping old ladies cross the street. Just the absolute most Canadian of super heroes, but in the least glamorous way.
Ha! That’s a great choice and maybe a comic book you’ll need to write!
Thanks again, J-F!
To find more of his work;
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/J-F-Dubeau/e/B00PLWKQRY/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jfdubeau
Website: http://www.jfdubeau.com/
