Tell us a bit about your most recent work.
My most recent book is hard boiled detective novel called Moonlight in the Tombstones. I tried to channel the feeling of the old film noir stories like The Maltese Falcon. The detective is wearing a fedora, the dialogue is often quick and sarcastic, there is a beautiful woman who we have no clue whose side she is really on, plenty of twists and turns, and a couple good gun fights along the way!
What are the themes and subjects you tend to revisit in your work?
I am a pretty eclectic writer in terms of genre. I have a detective novel, fantasy novel, short story collection that has various genres, a little poetry book, and a history book. Ultimately, what I like to usually say is most often I write of the fantastic, whether that is fantasy, science fiction, southern lit, or any other genre.
What hapened in your life that prompted you to become a writer?
I can't think of a time I have not enjoyed telling stories. I remember, when I was little, my Granny typing as I told her a story about a lava monster on her typewriter, and then putting it in a little plastic page protector thing. I got to make a cover and in some ways it was my first book. But I was writing stories all through elementary. I like to describe myself as an older kid still just telling stories...and I don't think I will ever grow out of it!
What inspires you to write?
The love of a good story is why I write. I remember Tolkien and Lewis one time talking to each other about how writers weren't writing stories they wanted to read, so they were just going to have to write the stories like they wanted. I feel like that is what I do. It doesn't matter the genre. Do I like the idea? Do I want to read the story? Then let's write it!
What of your works has meant the most to you?
That is like asking which of your children is your favorite. Both of my novels grew out of particular moments in time and I consider them both pretty darn good stories. There are plenty of my stories that are important to me for their own reasons. "The Symphony of Rosaline" was the first story I had with a byline in physical print, so that was just fantastic! One of my favorite things I wrote is my narrative poem "The Chains of Camelot" and that little book Grain of Sand was originally a gift from brother, and led me to start publishing my books. So I can't say just one...yeah sorry about that!
If you have any former project to do over to make it better, which one would it be, and what would you do?
I don't think of my projects like that. I am proud of how my stories have come out. Not every one of them is the greatest story ever, but each were a product of where I was in life and talent at the time, and I don't regret a thing about them.
What writers have influenced your style and technique?
I have to say there are three that are particularly influential, though I am sure I can do more, but here are the big three: Tolkien taught me that stories could happen on grand scales and even smaller stories can feel like they are in a wide world. Michael Shaara, whether in his scifi stories or novels, taught me that prose can be beautiful and create original worlds, but with simple yet beautiful language rather than florid prose. Charles Williams taught me that you can create heightened emotions around dramatic images trying to get at stories on a spiritual level, and yet it still be everyday life.
Where would you rank writing on the "Is it an art or it is a science continuum?" Why?
I'm not sure how writing can be a science. Stories of any kind have to have some kind of heart. Even if you are a formulaic writer, and there are plenty of them, but there is nothing more than all you have is volume. For stories to connect and find a readership, there has to be some kind of heart in there, and that is where it can become art. Also, is this really a debate? I never really have anyone bring it up to me as a debate anyone was having.
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
I always like to say the two hardest parts of writing are starting and finishing. You have to find the idea that you are convinced is worth telling, and then you have to endure the highs and lows. Get through the writer's block and ride the waves of creative explosions. Just stay with it until it is done. It is never as easy as it looks from the outside.
How do your writer friends help you become a better writer? Or do they not?
Having writer friends is good because you always need someone else's eyes on your work. What are the plot holes? What doesn't work? What typos have you completely missed? Plus bouncing ideas off someone before you start writing or when you are feeling your way through the plot can help clarify what the story will become next.
What does literary success look like to you?
I want to finish my stories and I want someone to read them. Sure I would love for a book to take off and sell the movie rights. Who wouldn't? But ultimately, I love to tell stories, and I just want people to read and enjoy them. And I hope my circle readers, no matter how big or small it may be, will enjoy the stories!
Any other upcoming projects you would like to plug?
My short stories that have found homes in magazines the last few years, plus some unpublished stories, will be coming out in my second collection of short stories called Shoreless Seas & Stars Uncounted. Should be out in the next month or so! Keep an eye out!
For more information, visit:
- jbriceodom.com
- Facebook at J. Brice Odom
- Bluesky at jbriceodom_author
- There is a YouTube Channel by the same name that has some old series of book-related content and interviews, plus more recent interviews loaded up as well!
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