Interview with Jesse Clary, Author of Convergence

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Convergence?

Convergence was a story two years in the making all in my head. It comes from many years of dealing with interpersonal grief and how I learned to overcome that. It is based off the relationship between my wife and I, and how we’ve both dealt with her diagnosis of a progressive heart disease. Those who know me personally will immediately recognize that the main character, Jay, is based on my personality, life, and experiences.

It is both a cautionary and informative tale about how the loss (or prospective of loss) of a loved one can truly twist one’s reality. I was inspired to write this novel in the hope that those who have felt this grief will find solace in knowing they are not alone.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Convergence, what would they be?

As I was writing, I kept daydreaming of an emotional trailer for my book featuring Jay, the main character, set to “Future Days” by Pearl Jam. Benu, his traveling partner, would definitely have her theme be “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” by R.E.M.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Horror and Sci-Fi are the two I read the most. If both are mixed in a compelling way, then you’ve got the perfect book for me. I’m mainly planning to specialize in writing horror.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I still have the final Dune book in the original 6 to finish. Right now I’m reading Neil Gaiman’s “Neverwhere” which has been excellent. American Psycho by Bret Ellis has been sitting on my desk for a while… hopefully I can get to it before the library bars me from another extension.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

About two-thirds into the book, there’s a very quiet scene where Jay nurses Benu back to health with the aid of an insightful motherly figure. I really enjoyed the ideas and scenes I formed between the three of them, and I think the messages I was trying to get across came through in an interesting way. Also, the finale of this arc contains a twist that none of my readers saw coming!

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I love cats and own three. So, you will always find at least one cat in my stories. It isn’t entirely unique, but I tend to make them godlike figures.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Oh, “Live, Laugh, Love” for sure… But in all seriousness, I suppose I live by the philosophy of “being on time means being 15 minutes early.” This basically translates to having the principle of always being prepared and forward-thinking in all aspects of life, that way you’re ready for anything in life. Well… mostly anything!

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

There is a quote from my book that I feel everyone needs to remind themselves of, especially in times of hardship: “You’ve already done everything you need to by simply existing.”

Jesse Clary is the author of the new book Convergence

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