Do
you plan for any follow ups to Not
Just Passing Through?
Something that could be a series?
I’m
currently working on a sequel to my first book, but no plans yet for
a sequel to NJPT. I’m hopeful for an idea to make a sequel work,
though because I’d love to revisit those two.
What
do you think makes a great story?
Likable,
relatable characters and good world building. I want to be immersed
in the story and I want the characters to be people I’d want to
hang out and have a beer with. I hope I’ve done that with Chase and
Avery and the Red Ram Motel.
What
inspired you when writing Not
Just Passing Through?
The
idea that a person can be so different from the way the world
perceives them. The way that some people put on an act in order to
protect themselves.
What
are your ambitions for your writing career? Full time? Part time?
I’ve
been a full-time freelance writer since 2007 and I was first
published in 2015. My goal is to eventually support myself with my
published books only.
When
did you decide to become a writer?
I
don’t think it was a decision so much as a realization. I’ve been
writing stories of one kind or another since before I knew how to
spell anything. I was about 13 when I realized writing books was what
I wanted to do with my life.
When
writing Not
Just Passing Through
did anything stand out as particularly challenging?
Trying
to describe the world as clearly as I saw it. This particular story
came to me almost whole. It played in my head like a movie, and I did
my best to capture Chase, Avery, and their surroundings just as I
experienced them. It wasn’t always easy.
How
did you come up with the story of Not
Just Passing Through?
I
went on a road trip and stayed in a few old school motels. After
that, the story wouldn’t leave me alone.
What
do you like to do when not writing?
I love cooking, and pretty much any
artistic activity. Painting, sculpting, you name it. I love creating
things with my hands.
They can follow me on my
website, or on my Facebook, Twitter, and
Tumblr feeds where I’m listed as JamieDeanWrites.