Interview with J R Simpson

Published 2015-06-12.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I was born in Memphis, TN, and WWII took us to FL, TX, AZ, and CA. My parents considered the farm near Waverly, TN to be home, but my dad's primary occupation was carpentry, and we traveled about from job to job adding OH to the list of states. The moving created a strong wanderlust, and I continued to be mobile as I have been. I grew up poor, but we were never hungry or without shelter. I attended the first and second grades in the same one-room country school as my dad.

The American Dream was alive then and jobs were plentiful. Liberty was taken for granted and school prayer, and the pledge of allegiance were the start of each school day. The America I knew back then exists no more. I love science fiction, and I write to influence the reader to evaluating our present society.

I worked my way through college with a wife and two children, and unlike most youngsters today, I emerged from college debt free.
When did you first start writing?
I started my first novel while I was a coast to coast truck driver. The travel allowed me to earn a good living while feeding my wanderlust. The laptop on the steering wheel helped pass away many long hours of otherwise idle time. My writing took on a higher priority when I retired. My first novel, "WHEN THE gODS GO ASTRAY" was published under the pseudonym OF Curtis Hatch. I learned that writing, editing, cover design, and self-publishing is much easier than selling the book.
What's the story behind your latest book?
Tyranny rules on the planet Nibiru. The ruling elite makes the life-and-death decisions for the rest of the population while living extremely well themselves. The population is so desperate that a revolution breaks out. The revolutionaries are ill quipped and must rely on their intellect and cunning to survive. A young couple, from opposite sides of the conflict, fall in love. She was raised in wealth, and he was a poor farmer. Their lives become so entwined that they become major players in the resistance movement.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I have always had a, deep down, desire to write novels, but circumstances didn't allow the time. I thought that retirement would provide all the time I needed, and writing would keep me from getting bored, but it brought on new challenges. I still find it difficult to put time aside to write...there are too many distractions. Being a do it yourself type fits in well with the indie author lifestyle. It has been quite a learning experience.
What do your fans mean to you?
Fans are truly important to me for several reasons. They provide useful and encouraging feedback as well as some that are brutal. As a member of FanStory.com, I've had more than fifty chapters critiqued on my page http://www.fanstory.com/curtis_hatch. Their frank and honest feedback has helped me hone my skills as a writer. It's the duty of a serious writer to engage the reader and leave them wanting more.
What are you working on next?
At present, I'm working on a trilogy. The first book, 133,000 words, is finished. The sequel manuscript, 134,000 words, is complete except for final editing, formatting and cover design. My wife encouraged me to complete book II. She refused to read the first word until she had the completed manuscript. Beyond book III, I'm not sure where I'll go next. The underlying story reflects life and is therefore, ongoing. There could be a book IV.
Who are your favorite authors?
I am a fan of off-world science fiction. As such, Gene Roddenberry and George Lucas are my two favorites. I'm impressed with their ability to take fiction to new heights.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
My body is programmed to an eight-hour sleep cycle. I could lie and think for hours except for five little rescue dogs. One has diabetes and must have her insulin on schedule...the other four are demanding breakfast. I'm a political activist, and the first few hours of each day are spent taking care of my furry friends and responding to emails.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
When not writing, I have a wealth of activities to keep me occuppied. My 93-year-old father is in a nursing home in Tennessee, 460 miles from here. His health is declining rapidly, and I make the trip about once a month, occasionally on my motorcycle. Sheron and I are planning a trip to Mount Rushmore and then on to Glacier national monument. The round trip will be more than 5000 miles, and our motor home, like us has many miles on it. I am going through the coach with a fine-toothed comb making sure it's ready for the trip. We also spend about a week of each month at the lake in the RV. I get some of my best writing done there. On occasion, I go out alone for a week and just write.
How do you approach cover design?
I believe the books cover is the most important element for selling a book. The use of colors and imagery must bring the book off the shelf or screen at the expense of the competitors. There is a real challenge for the cover to be colorful but not to be gaudy, and it must make one or more promises to the reader, and the book must keep them.
Describe your desk
I have two desks positioned at a ninety degree angle. My favorite for writing is equipped with a flat screen monitor, a computer with a quad core processor and dual hard drives. I have a five speaker surround-sound system that works well when I'm arranging music. I also like music in the background when I'm writing. There is an ink-jet printer, scanner, modem for the satellite Internet, router for my wireless network and more paper piled around than necessary. When traveling, I have a flip-up table in the motor home that works just right for my laptop and phone with a mobile hot spot. I would not win the Mr.Tidy Award.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
I have only known about Smashwords for as short time. A lady at church brought her visiting son over to meet me. He is writing a historical fiction novel, and he asked me if I had heard of Smashwords. He suggested that I look up the web site, and here I am. What I have read gives me hope. My first e-book is in the approval stages for the Premium Catalog; So far, I am pleased.
What is your writing process?
I picture a scene in my mind, complete with the characters. Considering the situation, I put myself inside the heads of each of the characters and share their relevant thoughts and dialogue.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I don't recall. There have been too many years between then and now.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
My favorites are the eight books of "The Earth Chronicles" series by Zecharia Sitchin.

I enjoy science fiction and most of my reading, television, and movies are related. I find the world to be a hectic and stressful place. The genre gives me a temporary escape from the unrest and uncertainty of today's world.

I do, however, stay abreast with current affairs in the United States and around the world.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
My newest e-reading device is a Dell Venue 8 Pro, which I'm still trying to master. My present device is my ThinkPad PC.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I write to inform my readers of underlying real or potential contemporary issues, which can have a dramatic impact on the lives of them and their loved ones. I find a story, fable, or novel can do the job very effectively.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Books by This Author

Nibiru-The Revealing-
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 131,960. Language: English. Published: September 10, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Apocalyptic, Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
A world war, ignited by a hi-tech accident, created an extinction event on Nibiru. Scores of millennia passed, and life struggles to exist. The tyrannical rulers have pushed the people to the brink of revolution. Against the odds, a love grows between Kia, of wealth, and Jadan, from a poor farming family. Their romance produces dire results, and change is coming to their world and culture.