TRUCK STOP JESUS - Buck Storm - One Free Book

Welcome, Buck. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

The answer probably should be none—it’s all imagination, right? But truthfully I’m sure some of

me winds up in my characters. The good, bad, and ugly.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

This is a hard one. Musician, diver, traveler—I’ve lived a quirky life. Been around the world,

done so many things. As a starving young songwriter in Los Angeles I got a job as a singing

telegram guy for a couple weeks. That was definitely cringe worthy.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Probably about the same time I discovered I loved to read—loved story. Looking back over my

life I realize that I’ve never been a good sideline guy. I might start out as a watcher and admirer

but it doesn’t take long for me to have to be a doer. As a kid, half an inning into a baseball game

on TV I’d be out in the yard tossing up a ball to hit. I’d see Jacques Cousteau exploring the ocean and I’d have to become a diver (something I wound up making a living at for much of my life).

When I heard the radio and music I wanted to write songs (this eventually became my career).

So, for me, Louis L’Amour, J.D. Salinger, Mark Twain, C.S. Lewis—so many more—these guys

inspired me to want to do more than just read. I had to write.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I’m one of those people who will read the back of a cereal box if nothing else is around. I love

books, especially novels. I do love the classics but all kinds, really. I’m not picky or lofty with

my reading list. I leave yard sales with stacks of books (too many!). Old and new. I read for

enjoyment but also, these days, for expanding my knowledge of the craft.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

In a word, Jesus. Remembering what is important—above success, sales, marketing, the next

project, etc. I truly find peace in the storm with God. He is safe harbor and all the matters.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Hmm. They usually come to my head with names so I don’t. Sometimes I’ll peruse the internet or ask my family for suggestions for side characters.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

My wife and son and daughter—and now a new daughter-in-law—without a doubt.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

A dolphin. I’d hang out in the waves all day and always have a smile on my face!

What is your favorite food?

Mexican

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you

overcome it?

During my third novel I went through a real stretch of wrestling with storyline. I eventually

realized the problem was two-fold—I was putting time pressure on myself, and I was trying to

force my original storyline idea into the work when the book needed to go another direction. I

took a step back and remembered what was important and good. Family and faith! Books are just

books, why stress? Then the story flowed.

Tell us about the featured book.

TRUCK STOP JESUS is essentially a quirky road trip novel. A life collision between a

struggling, eccentric actress and a washed up professional baseball player. Some road trips take

you places you never expected!

Please give us the first page of the book.

East of the Sun, West of the Moon

Paradise Jones woke with a start, mouth stuffed with bitter cotton. She squinted an eye against the morning glare and looked around the room for the swarm of bees.

A dream? It must have been a dream.

Then why did she still hear them?

Reality wormed its way slowly into her sleep-addled brain. Not bees. Her cell phone vibrating. A glance told her it wasn’t on the nightstand. Where was the stupid thing? It stopped.

Peaceful silence filled the room. Paradise flopped back onto her pillow and pulled the sheet over

her head.

Bee-free bliss.

The bees kicked in again and she groaned. The cell had to be under the blanket somewhere. It took four vibrations but she peeled back layers until she found it. She tapped the screen with her thumb and pushed a tangle of blond hair out of her face. “Ash, this better be good. It’s the middle of the night. I’m asleep.”

The Boston tinged accent on the other end of the line shot back unapologetic. “It’s almost noon. Why can’t you wake up in the morning like normal people?”

“We played at Jack’s last night. I didn’t get home till after three. The guy from Virgin Records was there.”

“He say anything?”

“Yeah, right. He said I’m gonna be huge. Nah. I don’t think it was his cup of tea. He left before the last song.” Paradise pulled the sheet back over her head and the world shrunk to a manageable pink cocoon. A steady drone of street noise shoved its way through the bedroom

window. On the other side of the wall was Silverlake, Los Angeles, California, United States,

Planet Earth.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.buckstorm.com  - lots of other links there as well

Thank you, Buck, for sharing this book with us. I’m eager to read it.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Truck Stop Jesus - paperback
Truck Stop Jesus - Kindle

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