Welcome, J B. Tell us how much of
yourself you write into your characters.
When I write, I
try to get myself out of the way. Every character may have some little piece of
me, but there are also pieces of those around me and of universal human nature.
I’m fascinated by personality types, and these can play a big part in figuring
out who a character is. At the end of the day, if a character can’t hold his or
her own outside my mind, that character won’t add much to a story.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever
done?
I like running.
I like biking. I like Sparta .
So a couple years ago, when a friend and I signed up for a “Muddy Buddy” trail
race, we decided this couldn’t be just any race. This was a race for Spartans.
We donned scarlet togas and charged through the forest and mud pits. We may not
have made the cut for 300, but it was pretty epic … and quirky.
When did you first discover that you were
a writer?
I went to law
school with a goal of sharpening my writing skills. Then, about seven years
ago, late one night, I was toiling over a legal brief and asking myself hard
questions: “Who am I, why am I here, what am I doing?” An answer flashed in my mind
like a bolt of lightning: “You are a writer.” It took me a while to lean into
that calling, but ever since, I’ve felt peace when filling a page with words.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books
you enjoy reading.
I try to read
too many books at once. So, I’m sticking to four books of four different types.
Here are the types with a recent example each: (1) Non-fiction on personal
growth and faith (Celebration of
Discipline); (2) Historical or religious fiction that teaches me something
I need to learn (The Lion’s Gate);
(3) Epic, complex, and long fiction (The
Wheel of Time); (4) Fun and fast fiction, often Young Adult (The Fault in our Stars).
How do you keep your sanity in our run,
run, run world?
I start with a
quiet time every morning. I drink coffee, then I write. Things get hectic from
there: three kids under age five, an intriguing day job, and sweeping events of
the world. But my morning ritual anchors me down. Even if I’m crazy by the end
of a day, I can try again the next day, starting with quiet time, coffee, and
writing. It’s all about the process—“running with endurance the race that’s set
before us.”
How do you choose your characters’ names?
First, it’s a
gut instinct. Often the names are symbolic or representative of a character
trait. But I’m not wedded to the initial name I use. Several characters’ names
have changed through the editing process. (For those who have read my Gloaming
books, you’ll never guess Andor’s original name…)
What is the accomplishment that you are
most proud of?
Marrying my
wife. She’s the most amazing person I know. I wouldn’t be anywhere close to the
person I am today without her in my life.
If you were an animal, which one would
you be, and why?
Speaking of my better
half, I asked her this question. Her answer: a puma. The Wikipedia description
is pretty spot-on: the puma is “crepuscular” (there’s your word of the day—it
means most active at dawn and dusk), “capable of sprinting,” and “typically an
ambush predator.” That’s me, a crepuscular ambush predator!
Thanks for the new word of the day. I’d
never heard that one, and I have a rather large vocabulary. What is your
favorite food?
Does coffee
count? No? Well, then, I like salty more than sweet. I eat an unusual amount of
tasty chips. Favorite kind: Red Hot Blues.
What is the problem with writing that was
your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Creating the
habit of writing every day. It took me years to write my first book. It took me
a couple months to write the first draft of Unbound. Writing is so
much better when it’s regular. Two books had huge impacts on me in this area: On Writing by Stephen King
and The War of Art by
Steven Pressfield. If you’re serious about writing, they’re must-reads.
Tell us about the featured book.
Unbound started with little questions about
a huge idea. The book of Revelation says that, after one thousand years bound
in chains, “the dragon, that ancient serpent ... must be released for a little
while.” That’s hard to understand. Why would anyone unleash the bad guy? What
would the bad guy do, and how long is a little while?
I began writing
about this and, pretty soon, the characters spun the story into a trilogy. National radio host Hugh Hewitt describes the
story as “The Da Vinci Code meets The Hunger Games meets Left Behind.” It has elements of all of
those. My aim was to make it a gripping, thrilling read, and readers seem to
agree. A common thread of readers’ reviews is that Unbound offers a fresh look at the end times—and it’s hard to put
down.
Here’s the back
blurb:
He must be released for a little
while.
But the one who sees doesn’t believe.
Elijah Goldsmith has nightmares he needs to ignore. Why would a rich kid fromManhattan dream three
straight nights about a dragon and the destruction of St. Peter’s Basilica? He’s
never even been to Rome .
It’s bad timing, too. He’s graduating soon and applying to be a spy in the International Security Agency. That’s where he meets Naomi. She’s the kind of girl who makes boys like Elijah want to share their secrets. Were they brought together to learn what his secrets mean? There’s more to their sparks than they think.
This is 2066, the year the world ends.
But the one who sees doesn’t believe.
Elijah Goldsmith has nightmares he needs to ignore. Why would a rich kid from
It’s bad timing, too. He’s graduating soon and applying to be a spy in the International Security Agency. That’s where he meets Naomi. She’s the kind of girl who makes boys like Elijah want to share their secrets. Were they brought together to learn what his secrets mean? There’s more to their sparks than they think.
This is 2066, the year the world ends.
Sounds intriguing. Please give us the
first page of the book.
My pleasure!
Here it is (plus a little extra):
I stood in the
piazza facing St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome .
Bodies pressed around me and a pope’s voice boomed in my ears. The ground began
to tremble, as if aching under the crowd’s weight. The cobblestones lurched
under my feet. I staggered, tripped over someone, and fell flat on my back.
People started running and screaming.
The sky darkened
like nothing I’d ever seen. Lightning rolled through black clouds that were not
there a moment before. A bolt struck the center of the piazza, hitting the
cross atop the towering obelisk. The thunderclap was deafening. The obelisk
tilted and fell, taking the cross down with it. Just as it crashed on the
ground, the piazza split open—as if a giant had grabbed the colonnades on
either side and ripped them apart. Hundreds of people plummeted into the chasm
as I scrambled away to the piazza’s far edge.
The splitting
earth spread to the Basilica. Spider-web cracks splintered over the dome. The
ancient stone groaned, swayed, and then imploded on itself. An enormous cloud
of dust and debris billowed out into the chaos.
Then a shape
rose from the chasm. Where the obelisk had been, a creature hovered low in the
sky. It was like a dragon, but no storybook dragon. Ribbons of shadow and smoke
coiled and danced around its long, slender form. Above its sentient face, onyx
horns the size of trees stabbed into the sky. Its wings covered the entire
width of the piazza.
A man walked
toward the creature and paused at the chasm’s edge. The creature fixed its red
eyes on him as if seeing an old friend. He was a stunning man, with a flawless
face and dark hair to his shoulders. His gray suit showed no blemish or
wrinkle, despite the wind and the chaos. I knew him, but I could not name him.
I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t move. I could only feel the
blackness, feel the end. It had to end.
And then it did.
I woke up covered in sweat.
This was three
nights in a row. Three nights of the same stupid nightmare. It had come from
nowhere. I’d never even been to Rome .
I sat up, rubbed
my eyes, and ran my hands through my hair. Today of all days, I could not have
these visions in my head.
Wow! Just wow! How can readers find you
on the Internet?
The best place is my website: www.jbsimmons.com.
I’m also on Twitter @jbsimmonslight
and Facebook.Thank you, J B, for sharing this book with us. It sounds powerful. I know my readers will like it.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Unbound (The Omega Trilogy) (Volume 1) - Paperback
Unbound (The Omega Trilogy Book 1) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
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14 comments:
would love to win. Angela from Ky
I've read your book & enjoyed it.. looking forward to the next one :)
don't enter me I have a copy.. Dee
UNBOUND sounds amazing! I would love to read it.
Lena, thanks for the giveaway.
Caryl in TEXAS
I agree, it does sound intriguing.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Ooo this looks good! And I love the cover!
Sierra
Indiana
Wow! I would love to read this. Sheila in OR
Sounds very intriguing. Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth in Montana
Enter me your book looks great!!
Conway, SC.
Sounds intriguing (and scary)--I'd like to read it!
-Melissa M. in TN
Seriously WOW! That sounds wicked awesome! I am most definitely going to need to read this book! J.B. has definitely got my attention and I can't wait to read all of his work.
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
Wow. Sounds awesome! Please enter me!
Blanch, NC
Wow this sounds like an Awesome read! Its going on my Must Read list. Thank you for your gifted writing & sharing it with us. God Bless.
Unbound sounds like a book I would enjoy.
Beth from IA
Thanks so much, Lena, for having me on your site, and for the great questions!
Thanks as well to everyone for the excitement about Unbound. I can't wait to see who wins!
- J.B.
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