Author Interview Jay Got Married
- What inspired you to start writing career?
I enjoyed writing, even in grade school and high school. I majored in English in college with the intention of writing fiction as a career at some point or a least finding a job in the writing field. But I got married at age 24 and had three children causing me to put any writing aspirations on hold.
Once my children got older, I began writing in earnest at age 45. I published my first book—a non-fiction book on the perils of midlife—in 2012. I titled it: Fighting the Effects of Gravity: One Man’s Journey Into Middle Life and based it on the premise of a pair of jeans of mine that suddenly didn’t fit my falling behind.
- Is this book a stand-alone, or is it part of a series?
The book is a stand-alone.
- How does your book stand out from others?
My book is a non-fiction book of essays, each of which centers around my views on life written in humorous, tongue-in-cheek style. The book also includes anecdotes from my life experiences and pictures chosen to comically drive home my points. My book is very different in content and style. No other book, from my experience, can match my wit and content.
In an essay entitled, Big Brother Isn’t Among Us, for instance, I satirize George Orwell’s 1984 and conclude that Big Brother is, in fact, not watching us as Orwell insisted, but that we, in fact—with our cell phones and surveillance cameras—are ore own big brothers. Humorous pictures illustrate the facts throughout.
- Are any of the situations/characters in your book inspired by real events?
I would say real events and personal anecdotes are used to reinforce and amplify whatever assertions I make. For instance, I relate a story about an old friend who left a DVD player on a cart in Sam’s parking lot. Surveillance cameras showed that a good Sam’s customer found the player on the cart and took it rather than return it to the store. I consider this stealing. Sam’s Club saw it another way, however. They gave my friend another DVD player and said nothing to the perpetrator. In this case, Big Brother—in the guise of Sam’s Club—was watching, he just chose to look the other away.
- Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Unless you’re either very intelligent or hit the wants and desires of the reading public on the head the first time out, get ready for a long ride. Writing has to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’m on my 7th book and I think I’m just now getting the hang of using the proper punctuation and using it to my benefit.
Don’t write to make money. Because I only know a few people that do. Write because you enjoy it. For me, writing is a passion; it’s the thing I do well. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. It’s hard work. And most times, it’s a real pain in the butt.
As I have been told many times: writing isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Stay in the race and don’t get discouraged. Just keep writing. Even if you don’t sell anything, just keep writing. Find people who enjoy writing like you do and get into writing groups.
Find a good professional editor and listen to him or her. I used to think I knew best. But now, when I find a good editor, I usually accept what they have to say. I figure: Oh, well, they know more than I do. This type of attitude comes with maturity.
Good luck. I hope that I have been helpful.
About the Book
Title: Jay Got Married
Author: James Robinson Jr.
Genre: Non-Fiction Humor
Jay Got Married consists of 9 humorous and, at times, poignant essays chronicling the ironies of everyday life in word and picture. Take for example the lead essay, aptly titled, “Jay got Married,” where I find myself mired in a horrendous dream.
In the fantasy, my aging father–dressed in his favorite Champion t-shirt with stains covering the front–marries my wife and I like he did 42 years ago but, this time around, the my 92-year-old ex-clergy dad forgets his lines causing me to coach him through the event with hints like: “ask for the rings, ask for the rings.” All the while, my best man sings Sonny and Cher’s, “I Got You Babe.”
Finally married, my wife and I end the ceremony with a kiss. But as I turn to exit, my eyes catch a glimpse of the bridesmaid who is no longer my wife’s best friend but now Gal Gadot from Dell Comics and Wonder Woman Fame. She is dressed in full Wonder Women regalia and looks totally shocked by the whole affair.
My mother turns to my father (now in the audience) with a quizzical look and says, “Dad, look at that bridesmaid. Isn’t that Superman?” She doesn’t get out much.
As we exit the church, and the bubbles fill the air–no one uses rice anymore—my wife ignores the limo and takes off on a sleek motorcycle, leaving me in the lurch—hence the cover.
Sure, it’s sounds crazy. But, in truth, isn’t the world of marriage crazy these days? In my case, what would one do when faced with the prospect of losing their beloved wife after 42 years? At age 67, would they remarry? Would they even want to remarry? These and other marital tidbits are discussed with humor and as much reverence as I could muster.
P.S. The author pairs up with Wonder Woman again in a final bit of photo wizardry Why? How? How are tricky copyright infringement laws avoided? Read Jay Got Married and find out.
Links
Get “Jay Got Married” from Amazon