Monday, March 9, 2015

Interview: Author J. E. Plemons

 Meet J. E. Plemons


Biography:
J. E. Plemons aka Jay Plemons’ life is nothing short of ordinary. From an aspiring chef, carpenter, educator, musician, husband, and father, nothing ever seems too busy when adding yet another hat into the mix as a fiction novelist. With a degree in music business, and a minor in English from Middle Tennessee State University, the aspirations to continue his journey in the arts, has followed Jay to write the Last Light Falling series, which has not only touched on some of his personal experiences, but has also helped him further explore the heightened convictions of faith. Though his first love is music, writing has profoundly changed the way he expresses himself to others, which has recently impacted his son to follow in those same emotional footsteps. When Jay isn't drumming, writing is his cure to life's distractions

Jay's only philosophy is to enjoy whatever time you can whenever you can, with whoever you can, because the uncertainties that tomorrow may bring will have a profound impact on how you give your time today. If we could all just stop for a moment and enjoy the little things in life that make the big things worthwhile, our troubles would all seem inconsequential.

Blurb:
If your fate has already been chosen for you, would you change it? For Gabriel and Arena, life has been short of exciting, but when they receive a special letter on their fifteenth birthday, history will forever change. Nations have fallen, economies have collapsed, and half the world's population has been wiped from the earth. The prophecy of the end is near and it's up to Gabriel and Arena to help prepare the world's demise by the wrath of God. Souls will rest in the providence of these ordinary twins put in an extraordinary situation, but when fate chooses them, they will have to accept their destiny changing their lives forever.

Last Light Falling - The Covenant - Book I:


Last Light Falling - Into The Darkness - Book II:

Teaser:   
Note: This is a teaser for Last Light Falling - Into The Darkness , Book II (Spoiler Alert)

"WHAT EVIL THIS WAY COMES, INTO THE DARKNESS MY HEART SUCCUMBS."

 Arena has left the nation's administration with a dead president, and a weakened military. While the tragic memories continue to scar her, Arena has left her mark on the American government and an impending seed of doubt to its survival. Russian leadership soon to take control.

While the government struggles to regroup without its leader, there's much less to revel about for the people who remain in hiding, and with Russian ties now leading the country, the nation's hope of recovering is grim.

After months into hiding, Arena and her brother, Gabriel, fight to survive the aftermath while they trudge through unkindly terrain across the country back home to rejoin their friends, but what they soon discover may staunch their journey. The government's failed attempt to rebirth a new nation has caused extreme exile of its people, and civil unrest like no other.

After returning home, Arena's decision to stay changes when she discovers the secrets of a refugee camp behind a clandestine group of rebels, known as the Southern Resistance. With an opportunity to escape to a permanent safe haven, Arena risks her life to lead a new fellowship, but the darkest days are upon them, and with a new war brewing, Arena's path will take a dark turn as her fate begins to slip away.

Into The Darkness captures the truth behind our darkest secrets which may often cause us to question our faith. In this graphic second installment of the Last Light Falling series, J.E. Plemons continues the grim story of Arena Power's fate, testing her faith while she and her brother search for an answer to their survival in a brooding world filled with chaos.

Buy links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/14eyjJZ

Social Media:
Twitter: @lastlightfallin
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/lastlightfalling.Plemons
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8062911.J_E_Plemons
Website: http://www.lastlightfalling.com/
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1sgyIHb


Interview:
1. What inspires your writing? Reading works by other authors who create unique people and personalities. I'm also a daydreamer by heart, which contributes to most of my ideas. Problem is, I don't know when to stop. But when it comes down to it, it's real people with real problems that drive me to create a fictional story with fictional characters.

2. Have you always wanted to be an author? Nope, I've been everything but up until a year ago. I always wanted to be a professional drummer or a late night talk show host.

3. Who are your favorite authors? Stephen King books have been in my hand since I was 12, butC.S. Lewis and Tolkien without a doubt for their courageous unsolicited effort to go against the pretentious grain of the book publishing world during their time. They both have created timeless characters and stories to which have inspired many to follow in there writing footsteps.

4. What would you say to someone who is just starting out as a writer? Don't stop writing, even if you get discouraged. Learn to differentiate the constructive criticism from the negative criticism, because
in the end, you won't be able to please everyone. Don't write what's popular. Be original and unique. Write what you like and not what you think people will like. This is your craft, your art, your story. Let your editors massage the story for you.

5. Do you ever put any part of yourself in you characters? Ha, all the time. Last Light Falling is much about my personal experiences growing up. I just thought it would be more interesting to live them vicariously through a 15 year old girl.

6. How old where you when your first book was published? 41 and proud.

7. How many books have you written? What are their titles? Two so far. Last Light Falling - The Covenant and Last Light Falling - Into The Darkness, which launches in March.

8. Do you have any more books coming out? What are their titles? Last Light Falling - Kingdoms Of The Ten is in its first proofing stage. Book III is probably the most I'm excited about.

9. What do you hope readers take from your books? I want them to be in love with my characters. I want them to be emotionally attached to them so they can relate to some of the more serious issues the characters face. It should feel real, but knowing that it's still fictional.

10. What do you do to get ready to write? Coffee, coffee, coffee...did I say coffee already?

11. Do you ever get writers block? What helps you get past it? Of course, it's pretty common, but I don't get too discouraged. I'll usually watch a movie, binge on Doctor Who episodes, or exercise.

12. What is your favorite type of book to read? Does that type influence your books? I love psychological thrillers that have an unpredictable ending and odd characters. Dystopian books with a flare of horror.

Tell us about your new novella/novel:
My debut novel, Last Light Falling - The covenant, is the first of a four book series I have been developing for the past five years.

This story has turned into something bigger than what I had planned. After a brief stint negotiating a deal with a well-respected Marvel comic book artist, I finally decided to shelve the idea of the Last Light Falling comic and focus solely on the novel, which I began in March of 2012. My original inspiration behind this series came from this comic book concept about two unlikely heroes battling the normal mundane trials of teenage experiences in high school. But the true inspiration falls back to my very own kids, Gabriel and Mikaela—my two unlikely heroes in this novel. The characters created are solely based on my children's personalities, and it's scary how close they really are

This graphic and raw character driven story focuses on the trials and tribulations of Arena and Gabriel power, twins born into a world of cruel and relentless tragedy where nations are being absorbed by other nations, including America.

Instead of driving too heavily on the big story, I've tried focusing more on the main character, hoping that the layers of the plot will gradually unfold until the last book. This is very much a character driven story and focuses on the raw emotions this young girl has had to endure, but it also uncovers the layers of common struggles we see in our lives today. Whether or not it's aimed to prod into controversy or provoke questions rather than answers, this series has led me to shed more light on my own convictions.

Fun Facts:
1. Favorite food Mexican
2. Favorite color Black, yes technically that's a shade and not a color.
3. Favorite sweet treat Oatmeal Raisin cookies
4. Favorite mixed drink I'm Irish, I drink whiskey.
5. Favorite thing to shop for I'm a show whore
6. Lucky number 6
7. Favorite book To Kill A Mocking Bird
8. Favorite movie Boondock Saints
9. Favorite song "Typical" by Mutemath or "Where The Streets Have No Name" by U2
10. Favorite sport College Football

What is something everyone should know about you?   I have been fortunate enough to experience many things in my life, some of which were humbling, others fulfilling, and because of that, I've grown to be patient and content. I'm willing to struggle, fail, sacrifice, and fall before I learn to move on from those experiences. I'm not afraid to die, but willing to live as long as I'm able. Even though I'd like to see my kids grow old, I understand that every day is precious, yet uncertain. I live with the best intentions that everything is going to be okay until it isn't, and when that happens, I'm free to just let go.

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