Today we are talking with Jim Stewart, the author of Ochoco Reach.

Tell us something unexpected about yourself!

A band I was in opened for The Turtles at San Clemente High School in 1968. I was also part of a group called the Colorado Purple Gang that did part of the sound track for a great surf movie called “Pacific Vibrations.”

What kind of books do you write?

I have written a debut novel called Ochoco Reach. It’s a suspenseful thriller with a quirky PI as its central character. Adventure, a love story, and memorable characters all wrapped around with a thread of magic realism.

What inspired you to write?

Not really sure that ‘inspired’ is the right word. I have always written: poems, short stories, essays, letters, and now a novel. Like music, it’s in my bones.

What makes your writing stand out from the crowd?

I don’t know. Does it? I’d like to think my writing stands out because I have a good ear. Reviews have said that I turn a phrase very well and keep the pages turning. I like to surprise readers with humor. I also make sure they get to use their own imaginations and try not to insult them with stereotypes and characters who don’t breathe.

What is the hardest part of writing – for you?

Selling it. If I have a project going, I am perfectly happy to sit and work when I can make the time to get stuff done. I’m not real temperamental about it. But after editing, when it’s ready for readership, that’s when things get really hard for me.

Where do you like to write – what is your routine?

I am able to write most anywhere. I prefer working in my home office, aka “man cave.” I usually use a computer, but can work longhand if necessary. I am a morning person. It’s usually dark when I begin for the day. When it’s going well, I will work four or five hours and then get up to take a walk. Later, I’ll return and edit what I did that morning. If it’s not going well, as William Stafford advised, I lower my expectations and muddle through. I learned that when working a novel I had to at least touch it every single day. Momentum is important, I think.

What do you do when you are not writing – do you have a day job?

I make a living as a technical writer and editor for a biomedical company.

Do you work with an outline or just write?

For me, writing is a voyage of discovery. If I’ve created good characters, they will help me determine the action. I might use an outline, but only after the initial structure is in place. Sometimes that will help sticky spots. But mostly, I just write and adjust as I go. I like the puzzle-solving nature of that.

What advice would you have for other writers?

Stay true to yourself. Write what works for you and means something. Be stubborn, but not too stubborn. And most important: FIND AN EDITOR.

How important is marketing and social media for you?

At first, I was very resistant to the whole concept of social media. Marketing, obviously, is very important if you’re going to sell any books. The combination has always daunted me. Fortunately I’ve found some savvy professionals to help, notably Mindbuck Media and Both/And Media. One of my mottoes for a long time has been: “if you want professional results, hire a professional.”

What's your next step?

Finish the next novel while supporting the one that's out there. It's difficult, but really worth doing.

Ochoco Reach by Jim Stewart is available here.

If you are interested in book promotion, please visit http://thebookpromoter.com