Author spotlight with Jon Bradbury

Dear Jon,
First, thanks for agreeing to the interview.
Tell us, what has been your biggest influence on becoming a writer?
Not so much what as who. Five people, my high school English teacher, Mr. Sorgent, was the first person to make me realize I could be a writer. My college Journalism Professor, Francis Garland, and two guys I both knew and worked with on the college newspaper, Don McGee and Steve Elliot, plus a drama professor, Jerry O‘Donnell.

How did you feel when you got your first publishing contract?
It was very exciting, but anti-climactic as well. I didn’t even speak to the person on the phone. All contact was through email. I submitted the manuscript. I got an email back saying, We like it but we need you to make changes. I made the changes and sent it back in. Then I got an email back saying, Here’s your contract.

What makes a book great in your eyes?
A book needs primary characters someone can relate to and imagine knowing. Strong vivid writing to place the reader in the moment as the events in the story are happening. Strong character and plot development.

What is the biggest piece of your advice you can give a beginning writer?
Read as much as you can from as many different sources as possible—books, magazines, newspapers, online articles, blogs, to get exposure to as many different writing styles as possible.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?
Baywatch.

What influences your writing? And why?
A lot of pop culture, like music and music videos, gives me material for stories. Personal experience or that of others.

Name one thing readers don’t know about you.
I love cartoons—Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, ect.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on several stories right now—a sequel to Diamonds Are Forever, a story called One Good Reason, about two people in the Air Force who meet in Paris, and several other stories in various stages.

Who is your favorite all-time author?
Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park

Are love scenes easy/difficult to write?
Love scenes are usually difficult to write, but fun. You would think love scenes would be easy to write, but there are a lot of details involved. Much like porn movies, you have to plan the situation, where they’re at, what they’re wearing, positions, what they do, ect. It’s fun but it can be difficult.

Do you write in one genre or several different ones? And why?
I write urban contemporary romance, but I am interested in branching out into swords-and-sorcery stories, and I have an idea for a vampire story. I don’t want to muscle in on anyone‘s action, I just think it would be fun to write other types of stories. Maybe one will see the light of day.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
Anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere. Or maybe just Baja LOL.

How do you deal with the dreaded writer’s block?
I recognize that I’m trying too hard. I give myself a break and do something completely different to give my brain a vacation.

Do you have another career besides writing? What is it?
Well, as of this interview, I am unfortunately not employed. But for the last several years I have worked in call centers.

What’s your biggest reward in being a writer?
Knowing people are reading my books. Hopefully they like them.

To date, which is your favorite story? Which one did you have the most fun writing?
Wow, that’s a tough one. But I would have to say my favorite would be Midnight Blue. The one that was most fun to write was Infidelity. I let my inner bad boy out to play.

How do you go about developing your characters and setting?
I start with a character, either male or female, and put them in a situation, either good or bad, one they want to stay in or get out of, then take the plot from there, and add in lots of details.

If you had the opportunity to say one thing to your readers, what would that be?
Thank you to everyone who has bought my stories. I appreciate all the support, and there is more coming!

Visit Jon at:http://hstrial-jonbradbury.intuitwebsites.com