Author: James Ross

ISBN: 9781933449876

Publisher: Nightengale Press

Click Here To Purchase Opur's Blade

Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, James Ross author of Lifetime Loser, Finish Line, Tuey's Course and his most recent novel, Opur's Blade.

Good day Jim and thanks for participating in our interview

Norm:

What do you want your novels to do? Amuse people? Provoke thinking?

Jim:

My characters represent a cross section of American life. They have comments and opinions about social issues and trendy topics that affect all of us. I try to use the principles associated with the game of golf like honesty, respect, integrity and perseverance to combat the evil forces that cause distractions in everyday life. There is humor as we live day to day. My characters have a sense of that.

Norm:

Opur's Blade is your fourth novel. Did you do anything different in writing it than the other three?

Jim:

Over the course of churning out a book a year for four years now I have found that it is easy for me to slip into my comfort zone which is the golf clubhouse. The eclectic characters that visit that location have a voice. I use their dialogue to tell the story. If there is a feature that I enjoy, then it is the use of dialect.

Norm:

Is your work improvisational or do you have a set plan?

Jim:

When these projects start I have a beginning, middle and end pictured in my mind. During the actual writing my concentration is alive dreaming up characters and situations that I can place them in. I have no idea what they are going to say when they congregate. However I do want the scene to make a statement and drive the story.

Norm:

What do you feel makes a good story?

Jim:

Intrigue. Interesting characters. A universal theme. The trick is learning how to end the chapter to keep the reader glued and ready to go to the next one. That's what keeps the pages turning.

Norm:

In fiction as well as in non-fiction, writers very often take liberties with their material to tell a good story or make a point. But how much is too much?

Jim:

That's the beauty of having little to no censorship. People and readers want controversy. That is what drives the story. If the protagonist has a difficult journey as opposed to smooth sailing, then those battles will keep the reader interested. Sometimes an author has to get a little over-the-top to deliver those moments.

Norm:

As a follow up, it is said that writers should write what they know. You clearly know about golf. Were there any elements of the book that forced you to step out of your comfort zone, and if so, how did you approach this part of the writing?

Jim:

There is no question that the golf course and the clubhouse is my comfort zone. When the characters are in those places it is like I am positioned on a ceiling fan and looking down on the action that is going on below. When I have to get out of those elements then research and life experiences play a big part in putting words in a character's mouth or providing background information.

Norm:

Are experiences in Opur's Blade based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Jim:

I've always been fascinated by a coach or a mentor's approach to teaching life lessons to younger students of the game. A lot of time experience is the best teacher, as we all have heard so many times before. In the heat of battle I've felt that a caddy is the player's best friend as the competition stiffens. In Opur's Blade I tried to expand those roles.

Norm:

How did you go about creating the character of Opur?

Jim:

Owen Purler, Jr. was a child raised under modest means. However, he had a talent that was God-given. Opur was a nickname given to him by the regulars at the golf course. It's a combination of his first and last names. This child used the game of golf to develop confidence in life. From there he honed his skills until he got the opportunity to display his talents on the highest stage.This character needed to stay strong against-all-odds. His path in life is a rag-to-riches story.

Norm:

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Jim:

The use of dialogue and dialect. Conversation seems to be easier to read than narration. The characters have a point of view and an opinion. I try to let their voices tell the story.

Norm:

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

Jim:

I've fallen in love with the characters.

Norm:

Where can our readers find out more about you and your books and is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Jim:

My website is http://www.authorjamesross.com/

As all of this has unfolded the Internet, search engines and social networking sites have proven to be invaluable. Each title, as well as my name, has a nice Google presence. Facebook provides exposure. Reading sites such as Shelfari and Goodreads provide friendships. On Twitter I am known as @golfnovels and @JamesRossBooks.

The first three books were self-published through Xlibris. Opur's Blade is published by Nightengale Press.         

Norm:

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors

CLICK HERE TO READ NORM'S REVIEW OF OPUR'S BLADE

Click Here To Purchase Opur's Blade