As has been suggested, persistent and diverse reading and writing are essential to nourish one’s arsenal of creative thought, language, and narrative perspective.
J.D. Grubb – 24 November 2020
The Back Flap
She defied them with survival.
Prisoner 43-1-12 contends with the voices of her past, present, and future in the war-altered world of Illirium. From a ranch outside a rural town, to a prison formed from city ruins, and a wilderness marked by supernatural encounters, There was Music explores the struggle between identity and the cost of survival, the power of music and the hope of healing.
About the book
What is the book about?
The book is about a young woman’s struggle between identity and the cost of survival, the power of music and the hope of healing.
When did you start writing the book?
World building began about eleven years prior; the concepts for There was Music began in June 2010, though the actual process of writing the manuscript did not begin until January 2011.
How long did it take you to write it?
The original draft was completed in eleven months.
Where did you get the idea from?
Inspiration began with music, which is another passion. Ideas took form while I was playing classical guitar outside one morning in Colorado Springs, Colorado—the idea of trying to convey the power of music through prose—and then I had a vivid dream not long after that lead me to consider integrating the theme of the cost of survival.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Where, when, and how much world building to inject into the novel is usually the trickiest.
What came easily?
Exploring the raw inner dialogue and emotion of my protagonist.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
I always draw from my own life experiences, whether personal or inspired by the people I meet. No one character represents one specific person, however; and for the most part, a trace of me is in every character.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Absolutely. The captivating, layered worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien helped form the foundation of my imagination; though even more so, the meaningful depth of his characters inspire me. The legends of Arthur and Robin Hood also captured my wonder, and I have been heavily influenced by the psychological depth and beautiful melancholy of Fyodoro Dostoevksy, the thematic intimacy of Chaim Potok, Yann Martel, and Khaled Hosseini, the sociological awareness of Leo Tolstoy, sharpened poetic prose of Cormac McCarthy, and the narrative brilliance of Margaret Atwood and Christopher Nolan.
Do you have a target reader?
Generally, adults who enjoy both Fantasy and Literary Fiction—world conflicts at an epic scale, full of mystery, horror, and wonder, while also engaging with the intimate motivations and struggles of the individual.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I do not have a rigid process. With There was Music, especially, I explored a looser, more stream-of-conscious approach, though I did still briefly map out my heroine’s journey from start to finish (beginning with the end, actually). For an in-depth look at the history of and process for writing There was Music, check out https://jdgrubb.com/the-origin-of-there-was-music/.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Generally, I do outline. Sometimes it is detailed, including chapter headings and bullet points of elements to include, or even bits of dialogue; but at other times, such as with There was Music, it was more a three-paragraph summary with supplemental character and timeline notes.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I try not to edit extensively while I write, but it is often integrated to some degree. Mostly, I will review a chapter or section after it’s completed for sentence flow before moving on.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I recommend working with at least one editorial mind, but there are numerous progressive ways to approach that—e.g. writing critique groups, beta readers, an actual editor, and hearing the work read out loud by the audiobook narrator can catch some syntax errors.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Generally, no, for it would distract me in thought or mood. In artistic processes, I avoid lyrical words as they interfere with my own creative musings. But I am even careful with instrumental music, namely soundtracks, for they can trigger imagery from the films. I did listen to Bach’s “Prelude & Fugue” collection once or twice in this process, however, as it connects structurally and thematically. I also composed two soundtracks for There was Music, which influenced the musical elements and arch (check out https://jdgrubb.blogspot.com/p/myshkin.html for the free demo albums).
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
With There was Music, I did so in two separate waves (i.e. different years).
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
It was definitely a gradual process. Ultimately, as a result of extensive research, conversations, and reflection, I have concluded that for indie publishing provides the greatest potential for success in the long-term.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
Absolutely, I partnered with a cover artist—the wonderful Julie Bell–as well as a designer, Euan Monaghan. Though I am a visual artist, my level of skill on a computer is not strong enough, I felt, to create a cover that would look professional enough. As the cover is one of the most important aspects of marketing, I wanted to invest in the strongest prospective outcome.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Definitely. Not only have I released There was Music through as many aggregators as possible, but having it available in all major formats at the launch—print, eBook, and audiobook—was deemed essential by many accounts. Moreover, I have been building a platform as a writer for over ten years, establishing a kind of brand on the major social media platforms. This has provided a solid foundation from which to build the most valuable marketing tool: word of mouth momentum. Before There was Music was published, I had begun comprising a fan email newsletter list, and had recruited a number of them to read ARCs (Advance Review Copies) of the novel in order to be ready with reviews for Amazon, Goodreads, etc. on launch day. In all of this, and using social media, I was also able to garner a great turnout for a book launch party (virtual during this pandemic). Finally (for now), aiming to reach well beyond my immediate community, I have reached out to a list of online book reviewers (e.g. bloggers, vloggers). There will always be more to learn and try, but this has been promising start.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
As has been suggested, persistent and diverse reading and writing are essential to nourish one’s arsenal of creative thought, language, and narrative perspective. Studying the craft of writing and literary criticism can also be immensely valuable, opening one’s mind to new possibilities. But also take the time to truly research and keep researching the publishing industry, to understand what is available. The industry is ever changing, which can be both exciting and exhausting; however, it has elevated the potential for us indie authors, which is something to celebrate.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Growing up, I lived chapters in California, Colorado, and Germany.
Where do you live now?
San Jose, California
What would you like readers to know about you?
I love artistic collaboration, including not only networking, but editorial partnerships. I have a growing resume as an editor, and am happy to work with writers of any genre. On an entirely different note, I am an avid distance runner (and coach) as well as outdoor adventurer. My Instagram account mostly highlights this aspect of my identity.
What are you working on now?
I will soon delve into the editing process for my next novel, the first of my main series, which I intend to release within the next year. There was Music introduces the world of Illirium and points to this larger narrative, so I am excited to show readers more. Thanks for your support.
End of Interview:
For more from J.D. Grubb, visit his website, follow him on Twitter, like his Facebook page, and check out his channel on Youtube.
Get your copy of There Was Music from Amazon US or Amazon UK.