Introduce yourself; who are you and what types of books do you write?
Longtime listener, first time interviewee… I’m a writer, editor, and small-press publisher with two publishing houses, Flinch Books and Becky Books. I do adventure fiction (i.e. pulp) and pop culture non-fiction (i.e. geek/nerd).
What are your books about?
My fiction covers a lot of genres—adventure, horror, SF, mystery, even a little humor (and we all need a little humor in our lives)—but I guess the most direct description is that my books are about things I find interesting. A lot of what I do is inspired by the books and comics and movies and TV shows I loved as a kid and I try to channel some of that passion into my work. Much of it is nostalgia-based, but I also love blending tropes and cliches into new combinations to see if they’ll fall apart under close scrutiny. Sometimes they don’t.
What was the inspiration behind writing your first book?
My first book, Sgt. Janus Spirit-Breaker, was my yearning to create a character in the (jugular) vein of the classic early-20th century occult detective Karnacki, created by William Hope Hodgson. I found the nine original Karnacki stories via Alan Moore’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and was so taken by them I wanted to play in the sub-genre myself. The key to Sgt. Janus working was uncovering a new way to present the stories, something that hadn’t been done before in occult detective fiction: an epistolary vehicle of other people telling the sergeant’s adventures.
What did you learn while writing your second book?
That I should’ve given up after the first book! But seriously, folks; I’ll be here for the rest of the interview… Okay, I think I learned the most important thing of all for a first-time novelist: I Could Do It. I have no formal writing training. I always loved creative writing in school, and when I flunked out as a visual artist, I went with what I felt was my second strength. Fortunately, twenty-three years later after my first professional sale, it seems to have worked out. Readers don’t complain, at least. Not much anyway.
What is the most rewarding part of being an author?
This is an easy one, and I thank you for asking it. My reward is holding the actual book in my hands when Amazon decides to finally ship my copies. I can’t stress this enough: There is no other feeling like it in the entire world. The stress, the strain, the blood (Oh, God, Mother! The blood!) and the tears…it all goes away when you have absolute confirmation that you’ve crossed the finish line and the work is now out there for public consumption. And then all the stress and strain, blood and tears starts all over again…
What elements do you think make for a good story?
Interesting characters saying and doing interesting things. This can cover a multitude of sins and cliches. I have found that if the plots are simple, they can also be of comfort to a reader aching for escapism. As long as the characters and their situations are worthy of a reader’s time, you should be okay. Mostly.
What is the hardest part of being an author for you?
Writing. And I’m being serious again. There’s an old saying: “I hate writing but love having written.” That’s pretty much me in a nutshell. I usually go kicking and screaming to the computer screen, but several months later when it’s done and I’m basking in the glow of a newly printed book or rave review (when I can get ‘em), then the pain of actually writing goes away until I get stupid enough to try to do it again. And again. And again.
What is your current writing project?
I’m currently editing and contributing to a love letter to comic book legend Jack Kirby that will be published under my Becky Books imprint.
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
“Don’t do it.” Um, let’s see… I think the best advice out there is A.) “Finish something.” Stop leaving a trail of unfinished work behind you like half-baked loaves of bread that even birds won’t bother with. And B.) “Don’t have your mother read your stuff.” She’s only going to lie to you and tell you how wonderful it is, and then you’re going to believe it and make a fool of yourself in front of a lot of people who aren’t your mother and will eat you alive.
Where can readers discover more about you and your books?
I’m glad you asked! Most people want to pay me to stop dropping links. Me and my books can be eyeballed at:
www.Amazon.com/author/JimBeard
www.Facebook.com/TheBeardJimBeard