3Q’s – The kinetic power of JP Behrens!
Hey, hey! Look at this! A new 3Q’s! That’s right. As they roll in, I’ll be scheduling them! So, if you’ve been sent the 3Q’s questions, answer them and send them back! Sheesh! Lolol!
Today’s guest is a fun one. JP Behrens has released some scintillating short fiction and last August, saw the arrival of his debut novel!
Please welcome JP!
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?
JP: My process is always evolving as the demands of balancing life, family, and career forever fluctuate, especially with school age children.
I start the day with exercise and reading a short story. I’ve managed to read one short story a day since 2021, so I’m into my third year without missing a single day. The rest of the morning is for housework. After lunch, I write until I hit my goal for the day, no matter what. When putting down new words, the goal is 1000 words a day, but I’m hoping to work that up to 3000 over time. The project I’m working through right now is in the editing phase, so I aim for 10 pages per day or a full chapter.
Steve: You end up at an estate sale and discover an unpublished manuscript from an author you love.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?
JP: That would require a lot of research. If I discovered that this was some lost manuscript the author always regretted misplacing, I would absolutely reach out and share it with everyone. On the other hand, if this is a work that they wanted burned, I would never let it out into the wild. The controversy over GO SET A WATCHMAN and the final wishes of Terry Pratchett as performed by Neil Gaimen have influenced my opinion about posthumous works and the ultimate intent of the author. If one cares about an author, it’s best to respect their wishes as closely as one can.
Steve: Tell me about your newest release and why someone should read it!
JP: My debut novel, PORTRAIT OF A NUCLEAR FAMILY, is a cross between WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN and MOMMY DEAREST with taxidermy.
Wanda has discovered her eldest son, Nathan, is keeping a dark secret that threatens to tear apart the carefully constructed image of the perfect family she’s worked for years to maintain. After a tragic incident, Wanda becomes determined nothing with stand in her way to preserve the idealized version of family she’s always been taught to desire.
If you like psychological horror with characters who could be living right next door, grab a copy of this book. It’s dark, twisted, and pulls absolutely no punches. Be warned, there is a content warning.
PORTRAIT contains depictions of animal abuse (central to character development and plot and in no way glorified) and depictions of physical, emotional, and psychological abuse.
Steve: Bonus Question! You wake up in a comic book. What is your comic book character and what is your superpower?
JP: My character would be someone who doesn’t necessarily agree with the social pressures of society but has a very strict code of ethics to keep him from hurting people through impulsive reactions to everyday annoyances. Willing to suffer the consequences of his questionable actions, he is unwilling to allow anyone else to pay that price, even in a secondary way. I think how the public at large sees him could be interesting to play with and. The conflicts with that possible dynamic are legion.
His power is to control all forms of energy; kinetic, potential, psychic, magical. He can redirect or block energy, but if he loses focus it can explode with tremendous force, endangering whoever happens to be nearby. He is forced to maintain a mental and physical discipline that will be constantly tested.
Steve: That’s a great answer!
Thank you so much, JP for doing this!
To find more of his work, check the links!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/JP-Behrens/author/B004ZZP72C
Website: https://jpbehrensauthor.com/
