An Interview with Jon Gibbs

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Story Characters, Writing, Writing Conferences, Writing Craft

Author Jon Gibbs has been a mainstay for the GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™ for several years. In addition to his Saturday morning session – “Are Your Characters Right the Part”, Jon will conduct a two-hour workshop – “The Seven Sentence Solution”.

 Tammy Burke had a chance to ask Jon a few questions.

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Could you give us a little teaser about your two-hour workshop “The Seven-Sentence Solution” and also a teaser for “Are Your Characters Right for the Part?”

There’s a classic summary-tool used by great story-tellers like the folks at Pixar Animation.

In The Seven-Sentence Solution, I’ll be showing how to apply that same tool to sub-plots and individual characters in a way that can really help bring a book, and the people in it, to life.

In the Characters workshop, we’ll be working through some subtle techniques that can make the people in stories even more memorable/relatable to readers.

If you wrote a letter to your younger self about the writing journey, what would it say and what advice would you give?

There’s always going to be a great excuse for not writing, something that seems more important, more urgent, or simply more enticing. The question is: Would you rather look back in twenty years and have a body of work to be proud of, or a long list of great excuses?

Basically, don’t let your ‘but’ get in the way of your dream.

On your website I see you do Classroom talks with 3rd graders on up and I see one of your talk modules is entitled “Terrific Titles.” Titling for anyone can be challenging in of itself. What are your techniques for titling your works and what advice would you give an aspiring author?

I always start with the title because I suck at coming up with one after I’ve written the story. If you brainstorm titles before you start writing, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to come up with something eye-catching. As an added bonus, a great title can be a huge inspiration for characters and/or plot.

It’s always interesting to learn how other writers juggle writing time with family and work commitments. What strategies work best for you?

I try to get my writing done in the mornings because I have to fit my schedule around my twin daughters. They’re both severely autistic which makes for a lot of unexpected excitement (and plenty of sleepless nights). If I’m not careful, days, even weeks, can go by without me doing much on the productivity front, but I’ve learned to make the most of it when things are going well, and not to beat myself up when I hit a rough patch.

What resources do you use to research? How long do you typically spend researching before beginning a book? And what are you working on currently?

Mostly, I use Google, but I rarely do much research until I have the initial story down. My first drafts are riddled with notes like: INSERT: check this, INSERT: research needed (not to mention INSERT: witty line here or INSERT: write this gooder!).

Currently I have five projects on the go: I’m seeking representation for my middle-grade novel, ABRAHAM LINCOLN STOLE MY HOMEWORK. I’m revising two other novels: DEAD DORIS (MG), and a thriller, WAKING UP JACK THUNDER. For my next wip, I’m bouncing around ideas for two MG novels, GLASS-HEAD, and #MY_SUCKY_LIFE – I’ll decide which one to focus on when I have their outlines finished.

When did the “writing bug” bite you? And what was your favorite genre and/or books at that time. Why? 

I was in my 40s when I started writing. Before then, I hadn’t written a word of fiction since leaving school – unless you count tax returns. That changed when I started walking my son, Bill, to his primary school in England. He’d pick an animal, and I’d make up a story about it, with Bill as the main character (I still remember one about a giraffe who was afraid of heights).

I’ve always been an avid reader. At the time, my favorite author was probably Terry Pratchett. I love books that make me laugh, especially when they also put you through the emotional wringer, which Pratchett’s books often do.

And finally, is there anything that you would recommend giving up to become a better writer? Is there anything you’ve given up in order to become one? 

I would recommend that anyone serious about writing gives up complaining and/or arguing online. Social media can be a beautiful thing, but if you’re not careful, you can get sucked into the ‘With us or against us’, ‘If you don’t think like me, you’re stupid/evil’ mentality that seems par-for-the-course these days. Some folks love to surf the web, trolling people they disagree with, or reading the spiteful back-and-forth of folks who probably wouldn’t dream (or dare) be so obnoxious in person, but that kind of bile is pure poison for creativity. In this digital age, we all have to get online, but if you ask me, the world would be a better place if the internet had more funny cat videos and less pointless arguments.

When I moved here from the UK in 2004, I made a conscious decision to give up music, and focus on writing stories instead. Before then, I’d been lead vocals and keyboard player in a rock band since the late eighties. As far as fame and fortune goes, we were very much a legend in our own lunchtime, but we had a lot of fun, especially writing and recording songs.

I don’t know if giving up singing has made me a better writer, but I’m sure my neighbors are happier.  

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John Gibbs

Born in England, Jon Gibbs now lives in New Jersey, where he lectured on Creative Writing at Georgian Court University from 2014-2017. Jon is the founder of The New Jersey Authors’ Network (www.njauthorsnetwork.com), his middle-grade fantasy, Fur-Face (Echelon Press), was nominated for a Crystal Kite Award. The sequel, Barnum’s Revenge (also from Echelon Press), was published in 2013.

Jon has a website: www.acatofninetales.com and a blog: http://jongibbs.livejournal.com. When he’s not chasing around after his three children, he can usually be found hunched over the computer in his basement office. One day he hopes to figure out how to switch it on.

 

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Article by Tammy Burke

Tammy Burke, past GLVWG conference chair and  president, has published over 400 articles in daily newspapers, newsletters and regional magazines. She is shopping her first YA fantasy manuscript, Hazel Lies, and is revising her second book. In addition to writing, she spearheads marketing for a fire and security systems company, raises a brilliant ADHD middle-grader, fences with rapier swords in  the Society of Creative Anachronism (SCA), and considers herself a student of the fantastic and mundane.

 

Meet Jon Gibbs — Speaker GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™ 2019

Tags

Story Characters, Write Stuff, Writing, Writing Conferences, Writing Craft

Article by GLVWG member Tammy Burke

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As you probably guessed from the wording on his favorite mug, he are a writer. And GLVWG knows, Jon are also an in-demand conference speaker and will be presenting the following topics at the GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™ on March 23, 2019:

Are Your Characters Right for the Part?

When you create a character for a book or story, it’s tempting to stick with the first ‘person’ who turns up to audition, but what if he/she isn’t really right for the part? How can you make sure the ‘actor’ you end up using is the best one for the role? Join New Jersey author, Jon Gibbs, for a fun, informative, workshop on auditioning potential characters. Also, there may be candy.

Please note: This is a hands-on session. Attendees should bring pens and plenty of paper to work with.

The Seven-Sentence Solution.

Can you tell your novel’s story in seven sentences? What about your characters? Can you tell their arc, and how the story has changed them, in seven sentences? Join New Jersey author, Jon Gibbs, to learn how applying the Seven-Sentence Solution to your story (and to the people who take part in it) can make writing your book a lot easier, and reading it a lot more fun. This is a two-hour session. Also, there may be candy.\

A writer of thrillers, fantasy, horror, etc. (most of it for Middle Grade), Jon’s middle-grade fantasy, Fur-Face (Echelon Press), was nominated for a Crystal Kite Award.

Jon was ‘Author in Residence’ at Georgian Court University, in Lakewood, New Jersey, from 2012 – 2017.

In addition to his Fun with Fiction School program, Jon is the founder of The New Jersey Authors’ Network (NJAN). He has appeared with fellow NJAN members at panel/Q&As in libraries around the Garden State. He has also given numerous solo presentations and workshops on writing and blogging, as well as the occasional after-dinner speech. Jon’s 60-minute presentation, GETTING PUBLISHED: 10 Things Every Writer Should Know was broadcast on local cable TV in the Fall of 2012.

Born in England, Jon moved to New Jersey with his wife and children in 2004. He became a US citizen in 2016.

When he’s not running around after his special-needs children, Jon can usually be found in his basement office, staring at the computer – one day he hopes to figure out how to switch it on.

To read more about Jon, visit:

• Website: http://www.acatofninetales.com
• Blog: http://jongibbs.livejournal.com

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Tammy Burke, past GLVWG conference chair and  president, has published over 400 articles in daily newspapers, newsletters and regional magazines. She is shopping her first YA fantasy manuscript, Hazel Lies, and is revising her second book. In addition to writing, she spearheads marketing for a fire and security systems company, raises a brilliant ADHD middle-grader, fences with rapier swords in  the Society of Creative Anachronism (SCA), and considers herself a student of the fantastic and mundane.

Meet Suzanne Kuhn from SuzyQ

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GLVWG, SuzyQ, Write Stuff

 

GLVWG’s Tammy Burke spoke with Suzanne Kuhn, better known from her “SuzyQ4U” site, about joining this year’s Write Stuff Conference.

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 It is thrilling that you are joining us at this year’s GLVWG “Write Stuff” conference and what amazing information you will be bringing!  

Suzy Kuhn: I feel very honored to have been asked to join the conference faculty this year. I’m a Pennsylvania girl, I always love “going home”.

I was hoping you wouldn’t mind giving us a teaser about the “Author Promotion Boot Camp” workshop you will be leading on Friday, April 8.  

Suzy Kuhn: I am the originator of Author Boot Camp, which I began several years ago at a retail event. Because other Author Boot Camps have sprung up, I now call mine “SuzyQ Boot Camp”.

At GLVWG I will be covering the topic of engagement in these three areas: Author Etiquette, Social Media and Retail Relations. Because of my approach, SQBC is great for conferees who are just beginning to think about writing all the way up to NYT best selling authors. We will have plenty of time for Q&A along the way AND I plan to add a bonus segment on Branding.

Meet 2016 Keynote Robert Liparulo

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Comes a Horseman, Dreamhouse Kings, GLVWG, Keynote, Liparulo

Hi Robert,

We are thrilled to have you join us as our keynote speaker for this year’s Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group “Write Stuff” conference along with teaching “From Mind to Manuscript: The Making of Your Masterpiece” and “Thrillers and Mysteries: How Knowing the Difference Will Help You Write a Great Story” for the pre-conference workshops.

Would you mind giving a teaser of what you’ll be covering during the preconference workshops and your keynote speech?

Robert Liparulo:  First, I’m excited to be a small part of this conference. I’ve never attended, but have run into people who have and have loved it, all the learning and networking—oops, I mean socializing.

My full-day workshop will be a nuts-and-bolts analysis of what it takes to take your story idea from your head to a published book, in the hands of readers. A lot of books and seminars offer a sort of recipe or step-by-step guide to getting published, but really, it doesn’t work that way. If it did, everyone who’d read one of these books or attended one of these seminars would be published. Storytelling in a way that involves the publishing industry is an art—way too subjective for cookie-cutter recipes—and everyone attempting it is unique, with his or her own set of skills and motivations and styles and hang-ups and frustrations and moments of brilliance and . . . you get the idea. My workshop will approach the process of writing and getting published—as well as what comes after—with this practical, real-word writing-as-art (i.e., subjective), writer-as-artist (i.e., unique) perspective. Forget the books, forget step-by-step; here’s what it’s like to really do it, in the heat of the battle, what they don’t tell you. I don’t like lectures—they’re boring and the topics of writing and publishing are way too expansive and complicated for one person standing at a podium to address all the issues meaningful to attendees. So while my workshops will have a semblance of structure, and I’ll have important points to address, I’m counting on the attendees to let me know what’s important to them about a specific subject, to make our time time very interactive and meaningful—conversations rather than presentations.

Meet Catherine E. McLean, Author, Writing Instructor & Workshop Speaker

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GLVWG, Write Stuff, writerscheatsheets

Hi Catherine! It is exciting that you will be with us this year for the conference.

I was wondering if you could give us a little teaser about what you will be covering during your Friday workshops, “Cause and Effect Sequences: Pace & Flow” and “Becoming a Storyteller, not just a Writer.” They both sound intriguing! Your Saturday sessions “View, Verbs, and Vividness—A Different Way to Look at Show-Don’t-Tell” and “Revision is a Process: Simplified” also sound extremely craft-worthy and informative as well. 

Catherine E. McLean:  A little teaser for “Cause and Effect Sequences”? How about— what was meant wasn’t what was written?

Writers are warned not to do anything that takes a reader out of enjoying the story world. Putting the wrong sequence of actions down or leaving out a sequence of actions, reactions, or responses nets a very confused reader who stops reading.

Keep in mind that readers are not mind readers. They only have the words on a page to go by. Should the reader stop to reread, then guess what was meant, and discovers later they guessed incorrectly, well, the reader is miffed. If the writer does this enough times, the reader quits reading, never to buy from that author again.

Meet Gabriela Pereira, Creative Director and Instigator of DIY MFA

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DIY MFA, Gabriela Pereira, GLVWG "Write Stuff"

by Tammy Burke

Welcome! It is so exciting having you as one of our presenters for this year’s “Write Stuff” conference. It’s always intriguing meeting someone like you who thinks “outside the box” and what a fascinating concept creating the DIY MBA for other writers is.

I suppose the first question I’d like to ask is if you can tell us a little bit about DIY MFA. In your words what exactly is it? What was its inspiration? Where do you see it going or evolving? Greatest joys…greatest challenges?

Gabriela Pereira: DIY MFA is the do-it-yourself alternative to a traditional MFA in writing. This was an idea that came to me as I was sitting in graduation to receive my own MFA in Writing. I was reflecting on the amazing experience I had had in the MFA program, but I knew many other writers were not so fortunate and couldn’t get an MFA, despite being very serious about their writing. How could I help these writers get some of the benefits of an MFA if they couldn’t go to school, I wondered. This idea stuck with me and I ended up writing a post on my small personal writing blog about a do-it-yourself concept for an MFA. The response was HUGE. People started coming out of the woodwork left and right and leaving comments. This told me that I was definitely onto something with the idea so after testing the idea some more, I put that personal blog on hiatus and started blogging full time at DIYMFA.com. The rest, as they say, is history.

Meet Alexander Slater, Literary Agent from Trident Media Group

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Alexander Slater, GLVWG, Trident Media Group, Write Stuff

by Tammy Burke

Hi Alex,

We are thrilled to welcome you to this year’s GLVWG’s “Write Stuff” conference which is in its 22nd year. Your expertise both internationally and domestically makes you such a wonderful addition to our conference faculty.

Alexander Slater: Thank you! It’s an honor to be here.

So… Can you tell us what your favorite thing about being an agent is? What is your least favorite thing?

Alexander Slater: My favorite thing about being an agent is being blown away by outstanding fiction that millions of people deserve to read but haven’t yet. I truly can’t think of a least favorite thing.

How would you describe your ideal relationship between an author and yourself? What are your expectations? And what “sparks” you most when working on a project?

Alexander Slater: My ideal relationship would be one with an author who respects my time as much as I respect hers. I look for clients who are hardworking, creative, and willing to fight for their work as much as I am. I want authors who have something to say in a new and amazing away, writers who have faith, and writers who can teach me something I did not expect. What sparks me most is usually a story that insists I keep turning the pages, and language that makes my mind crackle. I am continually surprised by how many writers there are, so I’m looking for a partner who knows why her voice deserves to contribute.

Meet Steven H. Wilson

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GLVWG "Write Stuff", Steven H. Wilson, The Arbiter Chronicles

SF and comics author Steven H. Wilson is one of our presenters at this year’s conference and we are excited to have him. In addition to teaching a session “Character Development as World-Building” he is also teaching how to produce an audio version of your work with “Steps to Recording an Audio Book & Podcasting.” Please enjoy all the good information in his interview with our conference chair, Phil Giunta.

by Phil Giunta

Tell us how Prometheus Radio Theatre and The Arbiter Chronicles began and your personal fascination for the medium of audio.   What other audio material can be heard on Prometheus Radio Theatre?

Steven H. Wilson: Prometheus began, unnamed, because I was in charge of programming for the Farpoint convention back in October, 2000. There was an hour free on the main stage, and we wanted to do something different. A couple years earlier, my friend John Vengrouskie, an amazing audio engineer, had mounted a half-hour radio Western at the same con, and I’d played the lead. It was great fun, and it showed me the potential for live radio theatre. (I still call it “radio theatre.” That offends modern purists. They’re welcome to sneer at me. I’ve been at this since before most of them could shave. In those days there was no podcasting!) Adding to my inspiration, the Christmas prior, Bill Pullman and an all-star cast had performed “Merry Christmas George Bailey” as a radio play live at the Kennedy Center. I was particularly taken by the fact that a script had been dropped–pages everywhere!–and the cast had kept going while they held back tearful laughter. So this live radio theatre thing sounded fun.

I turned to John V. and said, “How do we do this?” He muttered something about not being able to teach me a lifetime craft in the space of a week, but we did it anyway. I dusted off an old novel proposal that had never sold, and created the characters and situations which would later be christened The Arbiter Chronicles. The audience loved it, and, when asked, “Do you want more?” applauded loudly. And here we are. I’ve written two dozen adventures of the Arbiters, as well as quite a number of ghost stories for audio. In 2005, I was invited to start podcasting with the Radio Nostalgia Network. Our podcast has also hosted author readings of the books published by Firebringer Press, including my own works.

What began my personal fascination for audio? Well, my youngest uncle was (and still is) an avid collector of 1940s nostalgia. He introduced me to both comic books and Old Time Radio–“Lights Out!”, “Dimension X”, “The Shadow” and “Amos and Andy.” After that, Nimoy, Shatner, Clarke and Asimov began recording abridged books and stories for Caedmon Audio. Long before Audible and Books-on-Tape, I was an audio addict. I even recorded episodes of Star Trek, Lost in Space, and Space:1999 in the days when a home video recorder was a luxury only for the rich.

Meet Keynote Kristen Lamb, Social Media Jedi!

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GLVWG "Write Stuff", Kristen Lamb, Rise of the Machines–Human Authors in a Digital World, Social Media Jedi

We are truly excited to have this ‘Social Media Jedi’ who is the author of several best-selling books, founder of the WANA movement and has helped hundreds of writers achieve amazing results with her savvy with today’s social media. Our conferees will have such an amazing opportunity to interact with her during this year’s conference because not only will she be mesmerizing us with her keynote speech “Boy Am I Glad I Didn’t Get a ‘Real’ Job” but she will be leading Thursday’s all-day workshop, one of Friday’s afternoon workshops and one of Saturday’s morning conference sessions.

So…without further adieu, please enjoy the interview between our very own conference chair, Phil Giunta, and this year’s keynote speaker Kristen Lamb!

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by Phil Giunta

What obstacles did you face in your transition from international sales to author and freelance editor?

Kristen Lamb: What obstacles DIDN’T I face might be easier to answer. LOCUSTS. The answer is locusts. There were so many external obstacles when I made the decision, like actually knowing how to um, WRITE for starters.

Who knew?

Back then publishing was a world where gatekeepers ruled and yada yada yada and none that is really salient these days.

External obstacles that ARE salient look a lot like family and friends. They couldn’t “get” why I’d leave a real job to become a writer.

My decision sounded a lot like, “Blah blah, throwing away a $45,000 degree and a lucrative job with an expense account to blah blah join a cult in New Mexico that’s promised to school me in the lost ancient art of Ninja Kegels blah blah…becoming a writer.”

I had a LOT of pushback from well-meaning loved ones and even had family members who didn’t talk to me for years. Others believed since I didn’t have a real job, I was therefore available to babysit at all hours of the day with no notice. This is why I blog A LOT about setting boundaries.

Meet David E. Fessenden, literary agent from WordWise Media Services

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agent, David E. Fessenden, Fessenden, GLVWG "Write Stuff", WordWise

By Tammy Burke

Hi David,
We are delighted to have you join us for the 22nd annual GLVWG “Write Stuff” Conference. With your twenty-something years of experience with editorial management, in addition to your writing, speaking, consulting, and also representing — you indeed wear many hats and obviously bring a lot of knowledge for our conferees to enjoy. Welcome!

If I might say your blog “Concept to Contract, Tips on Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book” is a wonderful resource. What was the inspiration behind it? How does it tie in with your book “Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book?” Any new topics coming up soon?

David E. Fessenden: The blog/website (www.fromconcepttocontract.com) is an outgrowth of my book, Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract. That book, in turn, was the result of 20 years in book publishing, and is sort of my magnum opus. I sometimes say, “It’s everything I know about writing—and more!” Some of my blog posts are borrowed from the book, but others are things I wish I had included in the book.

Speaking earlier of hats, you list the different “ones” you currently wear (editorial coach, publishing consultant and academic literary agent) in your blog. I’m sure you find enjoyment wearing all three but if you had to choose a favorite “hat” which one would it be? And why?

David E. Fessenden: I really like all of those roles, because in each of them, I am helping authors craft their message and get it published. If I had to choose the one I like best, it might be literary agent. And don’t be scared off by the “academic” label. I am representing some academic authors, but I am trying to work with authors of more popular material as well.