First Jeremy, tell us a little about you:
I was born and raised in Texas (not hard to tell after reading my stories), and currently live in North Texas with my wife, two daughters, and a son who currently resides in a small apartment in my wife’s womb, and will be moving in to his already-prepared bedroom at the end of October.
My life was fairly peaceful and uneventful growing up. I don’t have any traumatic or life-changing anecdotes to share from my childhood, but I believe aspects of it definitely come through in my writing--most times without my realizing it.
What is your story about?
“Here and Gone” is a collection of short stories about the ability of a brief encounter to have a lasting impact on a person’s life. The stories are all linked by this theme--a quick interaction or experience that changes how we think, how we live, and how we exist.
How did this story come to you?
I think of this collection as “The Big Purge.” It was this exercise where I needed to get rid of these things that reside in the part of your brain where, though you don’t consciously think about them, some action needs to be taken. I tend to write something, then when I’m done I’ll read it and think, “Yeah, ok, I know where that came from.” Like I said, it’s a purge.
What compelled you to write it?
The better question may be, ‘What compelled you to write at all?’, and the answer is: my wife. I struggled with trying to understand what I wanted to be when I grew up well into my twenties. My wife would just shake her head and say, “You should write. You’re good at it.”
Let me save the men who are reading this interview a little time. Just listen to your wife. She’s always right.
Jeremy, you will stay happily married a long time with that attitude.
Who is your favorite character?
Annabel Shay, hands down. It was the first story I wrote, and her character still resonates with me. Whether I am reading or writing, a strong no-nonsense female character is what I am drawn to. You see that a bit in Ceely Dawn as well.
What was your favorite scene to write?
Tough one. Probably the rail car scene in “The Reflection, Only Hers” with Annabel and Mr. Cottle. Strategically it worked out just like I wanted it to. Rarely does a scene end up on paper the way you see it in your head--this was one of the few times it did.
How long did it take you to write the story?
I wrote the collection over a stretch of about eight months. I abandoned a story or two, then came back and tied them together. “The Guest” was written over half an hour with my wife cooking dinner and my kids watching Sponge Bob with the surround sound at full volume.
Do you have a release date?
The Collection will be available through Ether in the coming weeks. The paperback version was just recently released.
How will it be available?
eBook and Print
Where can we find?
“Here and Gone” has been picked up by publisher Ether Books located in the UK, and is available through their mobile publishing app. Ether is on the forefront of an exciting change in the way people consume literature, and I highly suggest people check them out. Ether can be found in the app store, and you can learn more about them at http://www.etherbooks.co.uk./
The paperback version of this collection can be found here.
What has your publishing experience been like?
I am hesitant to answer this question due to the millions of war stories out there from writers trying to get published. I self-published briefly, then saw an article about Ether, submitted some work, and they grabbed it. It moved much quicker for me than I anticipated. I am in talks now with a few agents about a print version of the collection. I’m taking baby steps in this area--I want an agent for the long-term and am proceeding with caution. If I have my way I’ll be able to say, “Glad that’s over. Now back to writing.”
Where we can we find you online?
I am using Social Media exclusively right now. I feel a bit closer to the reader this way, and I may move to a website at some point, but for now people can track me down on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.
Facebook: Jeremy Lane
myspace.com/jeremymarklane
twitter.com/jeremymarklane
Are there any “Words of Wisdom” you’d like to share with our readers and fellow authors?
Well, I can share a suggestion and a belief.
Suggestion:
Be creative without over-creating. I think it is near impossible to write fiction without at least some small scene or the most minor character stemming from something or someone you know. Don’t fight this. Scenes and characters are more alive when they are fueled by experience.
Belief:
Attention all Short Story writers: The reason agents, publishers, and writers say there is no market for Short Stories anymore is because very, very few people know how to write them well. If you can write in both quality and quantity things will happen for you. Stay relentless.
Do you have any upcoming publicity events you’d like to share?
I’ll be joining Tony Kay on the Author’s First Radio show in October, and will be on Book’s-n-Authors Radio after the first of this year. I am lining up more radio and blog interviews all the time. I will be keeping Page Readers up to date as we go along.
A note to the reader – Jeremy has graciously offered his work as a prize to subscribers as Promotion a la Carte. Visit Promotion a la Carte and subscribe as a reader to be entered into the monthly drawings.
Thank you Jeremy for stopping by Page Readers to share with our readers. Keep up the great work!
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