Jason’s Comments (group member since May 27, 2012)

Jason’s comments from the Q&A with Jason J. Cross group.

The quote is meant as far as how you write the story, not the story itself. Sorry for the confusion.

I guess I should have stated that the no rules above is a quote from someone else - not sure old but I have heard it many times. Not my quote.

Thank you, Uvi. I am glad you liked it and thank you for letting me post it on your Q&A. Feel free to post about your book in my Q&A as well.

This story is online for the next month. Please vote and review it. Thank you and - if you can - pass the link on.
http://indieebooks.co.uk/SS_1.php?AR=...

Read this short story for free on your computer or any eReader device. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

Read the first few pages of my short story, "Promises." http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/3...

Promises

To me there are many elements that add to a good story but there are 3 that are really needed. 1-The main character should not be the same person they were in the beginning - for better or worse. The journey should have some kind of impact on their lives. 2-The main character has to face something bigger than themselves. I mean the bad guy has to be stronger or better than the main character so this gives them something to over come. If the bad guy doesn't stand a chance from the get go then you really don't have any conflict. 3-The main character should be flawed. If the main character is too perfect then we can't really relate to them. What are your thoughts on this? Am I missing any other element that adds to a great story?

We orginally were going to turn this novel into an animated movie - we got as far as animating the first chapter - but had to put it on the back burner for now. We had unexpect guests come while we were working on it. Those guests are the greatest in the world, my twin daughters. I am watching them now, snacking on apples. BEAUTIFUL!!!

For me, I always find the book better than the film with some rare exceptions. One of those exceptions would be the last Star Trek Movie. There were some great jokes that were in the movie that were not in the book. This is one of the very few times where I could say the movie was better than the book.

I think we all can agree that when a movie is made based on a book, it can never live up to that book. Which movie adaptations do you think worked really well and which ones completely missed the mark?

Hi Miranda, I am so sorry I missed your comment when I was looking at this before. Since I believe that - as authors - we should support each other, please feel free to tell us more about yourself and your current projects.

People always ask me how do I write my novels/screenplays. I tell them there is no rules or guidelines when it comes to write. What might work for some doesn't always work for all. With most of my stories - not all mind you - I get an idea for an ending of a story. From there I work backwards. First I create the characters involved with this ending and then the journey they must go to in order to reach this ending. What is your writing process?

Thank you. I love animation. Mostly because I can create a whole world to look exactly like I see it in my mind. In film, you are limited by budget and sometimes you just have to work around things because of it. In writing a novel you are completely free to create a world with your words. In animation, however, you can see the world that you have in your head. Awesome. I use a program called iClone, which is a fairly cheap program and easy to use. By itself you have some limitations but when you combine it with other editing programs it is pretty niffty. Though it is awesome to be able to create, visually, what it is in your head you have to have a lot of patients. Creating the sets can take weeks - and sometimes more depending on how detail the sets is. Also, animating is very time consuming and can be very frustrating. One little mistake can destroys hours worth of work. I don't remember how long it took to make the first book preview - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9S2tx... - but the second one - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUmgJH... - took me about 2 full days to complete. It was actually my wife's idea to have all those people running behind them at the end. So, to answer your question, animation takes a lot of prep work and a lot of time to complete.

Thank you Uvi.

Hi there, Uvi, nice to speak with you again. Is your Q&A still going? If so, please leave a link here. I loved reading through it and think other people would enjoy it too. I saw your other question in animation and I will answer it shortly. Honestly I wanted this to start tomorrow - since I am out with the family most of the day - but I guess I hit the wonr button or something. Enjoy your day and please leave that link.

I have done some films and short stories which you can see or learn more about on my website www.foursidesofcross.com

As a police officer, Debbie seeks justice against criminals. After capturing a thief and helping him turn to Jesus she receives the calling. As a reporter, Elizabeth seeks the truth in what she does. When she is fired by her boss for refusing his advances she receives the calling. As a nurse, Anna seeks mercy to all her patients. After saving the life of a gang member she receives the calling. God has called upon all three of them to be his angels on earth. Guided by a strange junk food addict, the three women seek out to find and save a man that the world has forgotten . . . but God hasn't.

When it comes to writing there is only one rule . . . there are no rules. What are your thoughts or questions about the writing process?

In 2009, Anna, Elizabeth and Debbie were called upon, by God, to do His will. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they were able to save many souls and perform supernatural feats. They give all the glory to God and operate through the power of prayer. They are called Jesus’ Angels. Their latest mission is to save a 15-year old girl named Astrid. A strong believer in Christ, she is in a constant struggle with her backslidden parents. To make matters worse, Astrid has been targeted. The Jesus’ Angels are being watched by someone only known as the Hooded Man. Knowing everything about them, he waits patiently for them to make a mistake. When the sin of pride, fear and putting a relationship above God creeps its way into their hearts, the Hooded Man knows that it is time for his attack. Now, the Jesus’ Angels must find a way to get over their sin and get back in God's grace so they can fight the Hooded Man and save Astrid from a horrible life. That can only be done by facing their Inner Demons.

Jason J. Cross is an Independent Filmmaker and Author. Though he has written numerous scripts he felt inspired to write the “His Calling” series in novel form. While in film school, he met his future wife and they had twin daughters together. They currently live in Brooklyn, NY.