Interview Q&A with James Dean Collins
@TheGigconomist
We offer our first and exclusive Q&A Interview with James Dean Collins, a writer whose literary works have been featured on our Spillwords pages as well as being Author of the Month of August 2018.
- What does it mean to be selected as Author of The Month?
It’s an honor, of course. I’ve worked on this story for months and I’m glad it was so well received by my peers.
- How have your friends and/or family influenced your writing?
My best friend Amy was the one who started me back into literature by encouraging me and giving me my first idea, And Lo, A Black Horse.
My friends Lauren and Sińead also motivate me these days through A LOT of encouragement.
- What inspires you to write?
My bipolar disorder and the schizophrenic traits that come with it are my main inspiration. I’m also inspired by old tales of supernatural disappearances and modern populist issues.
- What was your writing catalyst?
The band “Ludo” was. I was 33 and going nowhere in life and I heard a song they put out a long time ago, “Lake Pontchartrain”. The song is a musical ghost story.
- Tell us a little bit about your writing process?
I have a lot of old ghost stories and urban legends cataloged in my brain. Usually when I’m driving somewhere in Delaware County I’ll find some old building that inspires me and it’ll connect back to the ghost stories in my mind.
I also try to work social issues into my writing wherever I can.
- What would you say is most fulfilling about writing?
Interacting with the audience once they read it. I love when people come and discuss my work with me.
- Does the addition of imagery help to tell your story?
It might, it doesn’t hinder it in any way. My brain usually provides its own imagery.
- What is your favorite reading genre?
Supernatural horror.
- What human being has inspired you the most?
I’ll point to my friend Amy again, she never gave up on me.
- What message would you have for the Spillwords Press community that voted for you?
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything. I can’t think of a better source for a writer of any level.
- What would you like your legacy as a writer to be?
My epitaph will be, “Don’t worry, I won’t tell you how it ends.”
- Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’m breaking ground on my first novel this month! I’ll let you all know soon.
- Ghost Tour - October 24, 2021
- Epitaph - August 7, 2021
- Tuesday’s Gone - July 28, 2020
