SPARK received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author J. A Brooks.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
My inaugural entry into the novel world is titled SPARK and was released at the end of 2021.
What’s the book’s first line?
I am the world’s best failed abortion.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Twelve year old Jonah is looking for a friend but finds a father-figure in Mack, a person who is definitely not responsible enough to be giving advice, let alone raise a child. As Jonah craves to learn about what it means to be alive, Mack sees his relationship with Jonah as an opportunity to leave a legacy, as he’s decided to end his life. Dilemmas ensue!
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
There’s a point in time in many peoples’ lives where the child becomes the parent and the parent the child. On reflection of my life, I realised this happened very early on, and I wish I had a proper father figure in my life. Speaking to others’, this issue is not uncommon. If I could help people to see the necessity for positive role models in life, then that would be my helping hand to the world to improve other people’s lives, whilst offering value-for-money/time/choice entertainment.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
If you’re a parent or guardian and want to have the young adult in your life talk about their feelings, their situation, their future or any topics that are difficult to discuss, this book might bring out the conversation from their curiosity. Moreover, coming of age tales can be enlightening to read for seasoned audiences to reflect and help reason with their life and for younger audiences to receive a cautionary tale.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
The most distinctive characteristic about Jonah is his unwavering curiosity. The detective, the creative, the thinker, they all have that curiosity to find out more about their world and how to navigate within it. Jonah’s curiosity leads him to be influenced remarkably easy for such a thinker as the need to know of the outcome of his advice and guidance far outweighs the red flags of getting it.
There’s little known history of Nikola Tesla as a child, and the theme throughout the book is about electricity with Jonah researching the life of Tesla. I asked myself, what led Tesla to be so prolific in his inventions, having such a dramatic impact for generations to come, and yet die so penniless and alone. Jonah is my interpretation of a possible version of a modern day Tesla.
When did you first decide to become an author?
After years and years of writing and editing screenplays, I wanted to be free of the binds that screenwriting holds and express more with the written word. The research is the same, the methodology is very similar, and therefore the transition wasn’t too difficult. I’ve been writing and causing eyebrows to raise with my work since the third grade when I had my short story banned from the classroom. It was then I knew I wanted to write in some way.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Yes, this is the first completed book. I’ve written numerous short stories to keep the mind-muscles fit, and they will probably never see the light of day, however, I will continue to write novels as I do love the form, and the reaction from readers to the impact of my work.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
Currently I’m a Staffing Manager for an event company and volunteer to work with underprivileged youth. Both worlds apart form storytelling in written form, however, so rewarding to work with so many people who appreciate being given the opportunity to prove their worth to themselves and others.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
Depending on what stage of the project, I spend a minimum of 2 hours every day either reading, researching or writing. Gearing up for the actual body of the work, I’ll spend upward of 6 to 8 hours a day writing – I take leave and get away from all distractions. Then once the first draft is complete, it’s several hours a day rewriting and editing until I cannot polish anymore without third party input. Then I rewrite some more.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part is the surprise reaction from those who haven’t heard of you react positively to your work. There’s no contracts I’m bound by, there’s no marketing spin, there’s just the pudding that has the proof in it.
The hardest part is beginning everything yourself. As a creative it can be difficult to put on the business hat, when all you want to do is wear the creative hat. However, going through the process each step of the way is a learning curve to gear up to whatever the future publication journey of my life holds.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Never give up. Getting rejected is way more common that being accepted. Being a screenwriter is brutal when it comes to rejection, so I’m used to it. However, if I know I’ve got a worthwhile project, someone out there will listen. Those who say no have their reasons, and you can use your creativity to find a door that will open for you.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I would consider any option that is put in front of me and consider it on its merits. The main reason I would go traditional would be if I had a guarantee of P&A to reach the right audience.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
I’ve always had people reacting to my stories and sharing how much they were impacted by them; from school projects, to commission pieces to passion projects, I love the reactions.
Knowing the impact a story can have makes me want to share them to enliven, enrich and entertain is motivation enough.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Narrowing down to one is difficult, however when questioning admiration, I’d have to say I admire Stephen King. Not for his content but the way his career has grown as a writer and his prolific nature of output is nothing short of astonishing. He puts his heart and soul into his work and that I admire.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
Narrowing it down to one would be Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk. I read it at a time where it hit me in the guts and I needed it; to open my eyes to who I was and what I was capable of. I’m a fan of classics like Heart of Darkness, The Godfather and almost all Charles Dickens, so when I read Fight Club in 1997 at the age of 19, it was profound. I was saying aloud “Yes! That’s it (how I feel)!”. The other commuters on the train probably thought I was loopy, but every epiphany witnessed must be strange to the observer.
Although the content of the author can be polarising and I read his work at the right time, I cannot discount the profound effect it had on me. I hope my work has the same effect on someone like that one day.