Interview with J.K. Jones, Author of Years of Silence
12 Jan 2021
What can you tell us about your new release, Years of Silence?
It’s raw. Gritty. An unapologetic story about a character coming to terms with himself. Zander Wright is formidable, reliant, also insecure, and downright belligerent. He is equal parts of the villain as he is the protagonist. Three friends, two lies, one truth. It’s not only the tagline of the story but exactly what it is about. What if your best friend was also your rival? What if that same friend is trying to kill you? This book is more of a psychological thriller than anything else, elements of floral horror and magical realism.
What or who inspired you to become an author?
I’ve been writing since I was a child. Cliched I know, but to put things simply I’ve always been a writer. In High School I failed English three times, and in that failure, I was determined to do better—to be better. If I could pinpoint things back, I guess it would be when I was in night school, redoing an English course that I had failed. My new English teacher happened to be a Drama teacher, and he made the characters come alive for me in ways I never thought possible.
What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Fall on your knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Heaven’s Officials Blessings Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?
That’s a good one. Probably, Vladimir Nabokov. My first question would be: why doesn’t Humbert get a happy ending? Also, what inspired you to write such a provocative novel?
What’s your favorite thing about writing?
Nothing. I hate it. Just kidding! Everything. I love everything about writing. It takes a lot to sit down and write a full-length novel. Most people will never understand how much research it takes or even the struggle to get your book recognized. My favorite thing is creation. The idea that someone that be created from just a simple thought or idea, and brought to life seamlessly by my imagination.
What is a typical day like for you?
A typical day for me involves a warm, steaming cup of coffee. By then I feel much more human. Afterward, I usually work full time, which takes up most of my days.
What scene from Years of Silence was your favorite to write?
My favorite scene was honestly the ending. I love writing it because Zander finally came to terms with something he’s been struggling with his whole life. It was such a catharsis moment, for him and for me. I found there was so much beauty in that.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
“I need you, the reader, to imagine us, for we don’t really exist if you don’t.” ― Nabokov Vladimi, Lolita
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