Tuesday, November 11, 2008

INTERVIEW With Jeffrey B. Allen

It is with Great Pleasure to present Author Jeffrey B. Allen to Today's Interview! Geri: When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer? Jeffrey: When I was just a boy, elementary school age, I started a local newspaper. Nella News it was called. Nella being backward for Allen, of course. I have also been blessed with a very overactive, and some say, strange imagination. That imagination led me into painting, instead of writing, although I remained an avid story teller.The decision to write GoneAway came after much prodding from my two grown children. Once I got started, I knew I wanted to be a writer. Geri: What type of books do you enjoy writing? Jeffrey: I write a form of fantasy that mixes with reality. Geri: Did a special person in your life inspire you to become a writer? Jeffrey: My father inspired me in so many ways. Also, my wife, daughter, and son. Geri: Have you written any books based on a true life story? Jeffrey: True life comes out in every author's work. In my case, GoneAway is about me. Every story I write will be about me. Geri: Who is your favorite author? Jeffrey: Hemmingway, Frank Herbert, Arthur C. Clark Geri: Are your characters created from people you've known in real life? Jeffrey: Both, I am inspired by people I meet, good and bad. I use them as skeletons for my characters. Geri: How many books have you written? Jeffrey: GoneAway is my first published novel. Geri: Where can your books be purchased? Jeffrey: Amazon, Barnesandnoble, and all online book sellers. Geri: Describe how you felt the first time you were published. Jeffrey: When I picked up my book for the first time, it was as if my baby was just born. Three and a half years of writing, and a year to find a publisher was one of the most difficult things I had ever done in my life. Geri: Do you have any current work in progress? Jeffrey: Yes! My next novel "Beneath The Quarry Waters" is almost complete. Geri: What are some links to your websites? Jeffrey: www.jeffreyballen.com Geri: Do you have goals set for the future? Jeffrey: I want to reach to the highest peak I can. Why not? I think GoneAway would make a fantastic movie. Geri: Are you exactly where you want to be in your writing? Jeffrey: I want to achieve notoriety for my writing. I must keep writing! Geri: What can help authors reach their dream? Jeffrey: Work hard, work regular, work when you don't want to work. Read a lot, observe everything! Geri: Have you ever experienced writer's block? Jeffrey: No! Writer's block is an excuse, like I can't come to work today, because I have a cold. Geri: What can prevent it? Jeffrey: Take the words out of your vocabulary! Geri: As a child, did you have favorite books? Jeffrey: My mother read me, "Little Red Riding Hood, Mother Goose, The Brothers Grim." I read Hunter Thompson, Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and more. Geri: As a child, did you enjoy reading a lot? Jeffrey: Most of the time, I went in stages. It was in high school that I really began to read. Geri: If you had the opportunity to one day live the life of a famous author, who would it be? Jeffrey: Besides Jeffrey B. Allen? I would have to say Shakespeare! Geri: Many authors feel a sense of self-satisfaction, self-achievement after publishing a book, can you relate? Jeffrey: Absolutely! Writing a good novel that people will read, finish, and enjoy is one of the hardest things a person can do. If one achieves that, the author has experienced much more. Geri: How do you balance occupation with writing Jeffrey: For twenty-eight years, I owned my own business. After selling it, I coasted for about a year. I finished GoneAway just after I sold the business. It's harder now, but I still write several hours a day. Geri: How did you feel at your first book-signing? Jeffrey: Kind of strange at first, but I am a born ham. I love attention, and I love to talk about my book. I love book signings, and I wish I could do more. Geri: If you won the lottery tomorrow, would anything change? Jeffrey: Nothing, except that I would have more time to write. Geri: As writers, we begin with a manuscript, and end with promotions. What was your most difficult task? Jeffrey: I thought writing the novel was hard work, but promotion is even harder. I am the first to admit that I need help with it. I'm actively looking for someone to promote my work, while I write. Geri: Some writers need to listen to music, or look at the ocean while writing. Do you have a particular scenery? Jeffrey: No, none at all. I pound away at the keyboard in short sentences. One on each line. That's how I stream my thoughts on to the page. Geri: If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be? Jeffrey: I like true science fiction, such as Arthur C. Clarke, or Michael Crichton. I would probably write in that genre. Although, I like the stretch that Larry Niven puts on it as well. Geri: It's been a pleasure, and delightful to work with you! Jeffrey: Thankyou! Geri:

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Jeffrey B. Allen at his book signing at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania's Musikfest last August. After buying and reading his book, it sits on my coffee table, asking to be read again. I'll find it an easy temptation to give into!

Author Geri Ahearn said...

It's Awesome to meet the author
of a book you especially admire.
I just received his book for Review,
am reading it Now. Can only say,
It's hard to put down!

Jeffrey B. Allen said...

Dear cth,
The Musikfest booksigning was my first. I enjoyed speaking with the many people who stopped by my table. Thank you for reading GoneAway and commenting on Geri Ahearn's interview site. I am sure she is happy to have readers such as you.
GoneAway is a Novel that lures you into thinking it is about one thing and then, as you are reading, you realize that it is about something completely different. I will be glad to discuss this with you and others on my website. Just stop by and post a comment and I will be glad to discuss any subject at all that concerns GoneAway.
Thanks again for your kind words,

Regards,
Jeffrey B. Allen
www.jeffreyballen.com