Monday, January 17, 2011

Guest Blogger: Author Lee Thompson

It is with tremendous pleasure I present to you the first-ever guest blogger here at Bookhound's Den: author Lee Thompson. Lee started selling his work last year and recently his novelette, As I Embrace My Jagged Edges, was published as an e-book and should be available as a deluxe hardcover in February. I recently reviewed this startlingly powerful work and wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wants to read a well-told story. Make sure you watch out for Lee's work in the future because I expect a lot of good things from him.

And now, here's Lee:

Big thanks to Neal for allowing me to spray dribble on his blog. I’ll try to avoid being tedious.
I’m happier than I can express that readers are enjoying the hell out of AS I EMBRACE MY JAGGED EDGES. (http://sideshowpressonline.com/?page_id=4&category=7&product_id=26)

That story has been through a number of frustrating drafts. When I’d first written it, the timing wasn’t right. I wasn’t right, or ready. I’m a firm believer that authors can try to tell stories too soon and the consequences are cruel. It’s hard not to rush, hell, with anything. We want people to read our latest work Right Now.

Finding others who love a well-crafted tale always thrills me—whether they’re in it solely for entertainment/as an escape from the sad monotony of everyday life, or if they want fiction to enlighten them and make them think, or both. When something moves us and our brains taste some small amount of magic, we end up wanting to share it with others in hope that they’ll experience that feeling as well. It’s a wonderful thing to see—one of my favorite parts of human nature and an example of really connecting with others.

I think I write weird. I’m definitely NOT big on being linear, or easy to understand. But looking at the WHY, I see it. I’ve been walking into writing from a different direction; a realization I’ve had recently and one I’ve come to appreciate.

Life Experience bleeds into The Work. A hell of a lot of it. Over the past year, as I’ve started finding my voice, I see how many things that are separate from writing, which came long before it for me, influence how I approach stories.

I’ve played guitar for a number of years (classical, blues, rock, rockabilly, folk, progressive) and when I sit down to create a story my brain automatically jumps to rhythm, harmony, phrasing, hooks, structure, and progressions. It’s been a revelation. And with martial arts (Jeet Kune Do) I embrace Bruce Lee’s philosophy to take from everything: the boxing arts, the kicking arts, the grappling arts, to be better-rounded and one step ahead of the opponent; to use rudiments until they’re second nature, to parry and attack simultaneously, to condition, feint, stop-hit, misdirect, use combinations, and sidestep.

This is how I write. I take from what I know, what I’ve been passionate about, and find ways to use the ideas in composing something new. On the surface I really have no idea what I’m doing when I approach a story. A lot of it is pure subconscious and training in music and martial arts that has wired my brain a certain way. What a revelation.

I imagine a lot of ‘creative types’ will read this. Find out what influences you, and your creations—what came long before the latest project. Hell, before the first project.

Even if you’re not creative, you can look back over your life, and learn what you’re good at.

Once you’re aware of them, use those strengths.


Blog: http://alongthispathsodarkly.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lee-Thompsons-Scary-and-Slightly-Sad-Stories/113352152049331

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/LeeThompson

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Please leave a comment by 12:00 p.m. January 20th to be entered for a chance to win an e-book copy of Lee's As I Embrace My Jagged Edges. I'll draw one lucky winner from those who leave a comment. Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you.

19 comments:

Lee Thompson/Thomas Morgan/James Logan/Julian Vaughn said...

Thanks so much, Neal!

Anonymous said...

From what I've read from Lee so far, I think he's got the jobs to go far in the genre. Good luck with As I Embrace My Jagged Edges, Lee.

T.T. Zuma

Lee Thompson/Thomas Morgan/James Logan/Julian Vaughn said...

Thanks for read and comment, T.T.! I appreciate the encouragement and support!

a paperback horror said...

By the looks of this guest post, I can already tell that the author has a lyrical way with words. I'm looking forward to checking out his wares.

Thanks for giving us an inside look.

C.

KB said...

Impressive blog. I enjoy catching a glimpse as to the machinations of writing and how those influences make you tick creatively.

Jamey said...

Nice blog. I'll be looking forward to your future posts.

Lee Thompson/Thomas Morgan/James Logan/Julian Vaughn said...

Thanks for the reads and comments Colum, KB, and Jamey! Good luck in the contest!

Unknown said...

Nicely done, Lee; some wonderful, sage advice :)

Lee Thompson/Thomas Morgan/James Logan/Julian Vaughn said...

Thanks for the read and comment Ladynyk! Good luck in the contest!

Bec said...

Thanks for the fascinating info on how you write, Lee. I need to apply your advice to my own writing!

Skip Novak said...

A big thanks to Lee for giving us an insight to his artistic process. Also, a big thanks to Neal for giving us all this opportunity!.

Nikki said...

I'll read whatever Neal tells me! I trust his opinion. And if I don't win the ebook, I'll certainly purchase it for myself :)

Unknown said...

Lee - this is so exciting for you, and I totally understabnd what you mean when you say how you came to writing and your approach to it. I've come from a fuzzy road myself, and am just so glad I am finally here.

Looking forward to reading more of your work.

Lee Thompson/Thomas Morgan/James Logan/Julian Vaughn said...

Thanks for reading and entering Bec, Skip, Nikki, and Gayle! Good luck to all. Keep rockin'. Write and read on if you write, read on if you read. :D

Bookhound78 said...

Wow! Thanks to everyone for the comments; I'm glad to see folks stop by and check out Lee's post. :-)

And Nikki, you're making me blush. Thanks for the confidence. And just for the record, I never told you to read the TWILIGHT series. :-P

-Neal

Kara McElhinny said...

Lee, I still say that you DO know what you are doing... just because you don't believe it, doesn't make it true. Hard work and talent have gotten you where you want to be. Keep it up and you can go even further.

(Hi, Neal! Nice blog!!)

Anonymous said...

My influences are alchohol, gravity and Lee Thompson. Keep kicking much ass my friend.

Lee Thompson/Thomas Morgan/James Logan/Julian Vaughn said...

Kara: :P Thanks for the comment sweets. I appreciate the support and encouragement.

Steve: Ha! Thanks, dude. I hope you have a helluva good year.

Good luck to you both in the contest.

MOG said...

Just made it in under the deadline.

Great post Lee and wonderful blog Neal. Keep up the great work guys!