Today, we’re talking with Harker Jones about his book, Never Have I Ever
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I’m in Mensa. I took the test on a lark, and holy wow! I got in!
Why do you write?
To reach people. Whether they laugh or cry or throw the book across the room in anger, that means they were so moved that they had a visceral reaction. They’ll remember the story and the characters forever. And that’s priceless. Don’t get me wrong, I want money and awards, too! But that’s gravy!
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
I liked slasher movies and was a bored 17-year-old living on a dirt road in Michigan and, being a writer, I had quite an imagination, so I just went with it! I then turned it into a screenplay and have just turned it back into a novel. That’s why my inspiration came when I was 17, and it is also my current book! The journey has been fascinating, with these characters and their world. They changed a lot through the years yet also remained steadfast in what they always were.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
I don’t have just one genre, but I enjoy the same thing about all of them: telling good stories with memorable characters, whether it’s horror, comedy, children’s, or drama. I enjoy creating the worlds and the characters and setting them off on fantastic travels because I get to take those journeys with them. I’m just along for the ride as the characters reveal everything to me!
How would you describe your writing process?
I sit my butt in the chair and do it. That doesn’t mean I incite inspiration on command, but once I am inspired, I just sit down and do it. I always have a number of projects in the mix, so I can rotate them, coming at each of them fresh. Sometimes it’s a first draft, sometimes it’s a full edit, sometimes it’s inputting notes I’ve taken. It’s always fun no matter what part of the process I’m in, though!
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
I think it’s a great way to connect with both readers and other authors. There’s a huge support system out there, and you might as well take part in it. We all need support sometimes!
What advice would you have for other writers?
Sit your butt in the chair and do it. Don't wring your hands and go on social media and moan about how you can't come up with a name for your character or your blinking cursor on a blank page is taunting you. Put in a placeholder name and just start. You’ll likely toss much of it, but you'll find something in there worth keeping. There's no excuse for not doing it. Just START. Soon, you’ll find that the train has truly left the station, and you’re on the journey.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
The titles just come to me based on the material. I do steer away from generic titles like “The Title” and “The Book.” You know what I’m saying. I don’t want to say the name of any real projects with titles like that, though I probably couldn't, because they are so forgettable! I scour the internet for images that reflect the book’s tone and story and then purchase them and send them to a graphic designer to tweak so that they even better reflect the project. I go back and forth with the designer on the font, size, and placement of the text so that it’s just right. I’m really surprised by how many books out there — both self-published and traditionally published — have covers that scream AMATEUR. It doesn’t take much time, effort or money to get a professional-looking cover, and it matters SO MUCH, just as the title does! Create a title that stands out. It doesn’t have to be a crazy, weird title, but something with a little panache that still represents your story.
What's your next step?
My next step is getting my children’s book “The Bird Who Was Afraid to Fly” designed and published. I have the illustrations, it's simply having the time to prioritize it! I also will be doing interviews for “Never Have I Ever” and pitching my screenplays and we’re in pre-production on a comedy short I wrote. It never ends! (In a good way!)
What book do you wish you'd written?
So many! I guess I'll go with “House of Leaves” by Mark Z. Danielewski. It was endlessly creative. I would never in a million years have thought to structure a story the way he did!
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
Well, it starts with a dopamine rush because it’s like Christmas morning when you’re 8. Then there’s a rush of anxiety because I don’t know what the review will be. And then I celebrate when it’s positive, telling friends and family via social media, and just move on when it’s negative. Not everyone is going to love you and that is OK. Though it does suck every time!
