J.K. Raymond Interview Published on: 12, Jun 2024

My high school art teacher had taken interest in my work, she had gone to Fontbonne herself and recommended it. The school was small and had an excellent student to teacher ratio. I found its quaintness suited me. I also enjoyed that it was located near a mecca of culture, just walking distance or a short drive to museums, parks, restaurants, venues, and bars. It was the very best of two worlds.

Until I resided at Fontbonne as a student I had zero exposure to culture. I came from a very small rural town and had spent my whole life there. The exposure to other cultures opened my eyes to worlds that had previously only existed on tv. That said, I didn’t go to Fontbonne for writing. The most advanced class I took for writing at the collegiate level was English 101/102, which were required for my degree. My degree is in Fine Art and Education, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpting, design, ceramics, basketweaving, etc. additionally child psychology, child development, behavior management etc. I also obtained two Missouri Teacher Certifications in Art Grades k-12 and Elementary Education Grades 1-5.

My mom had bought me a journal when I was fourteen and I poured my heart out on its pages. I consistently wrote in journals from then on, including during my college experience. My vocabulary bloomed at Fontbonne. From day one I was writing words from daily lectures I didn’t understand in the column of my notebook to look up later in an encyclopedia or dictionary (pre internet days.) Everyone seemed so much smarter than me and I didn’t want to be made to look like a fool. So, I made sure to use any new words I learned regularly in my journaling and then subsequently in everyday life so that the words would stick with me. I still do something similar to this day. Words have always held a special kind of magic that speaks to me.

I don’t. My husband balances everything! It wasn’t always this way, but after being hit with one surgery after another and multiple chronic illnesses, my ability to balance anything disappeared with my health. Now I participate when I can. But the bulk of the load is carried by my husband. Without him I wouldn’t have the beautiful family life I enjoy today, and I most certainly wouldn’t be a published author.

Absolutely. My husband and I often brainstorm the big picture and plots together in rapid fire conversations. I adore this childlike part of the writing process. We get to play make believe together as if we were children and the sky is the limit. Many of his ideas have made it into my writing. And as most authors will tell you, there is a little bit of truth in every story. I can attest that this holds true in my storytelling. As for characters in my books being inspired by pets or family members, I can reveal that Creak, is one hundred percent me, if I were a male Grinx from Satera. Are there others? Yes, but I think I’ll keep those secrets close to my heart.

I had always wanted to write a book, but never had the time. When I became ill all of that changed. Suddenly physically limited, my soul still yearned to create. So, instead of art, which takes a lot of physical ability, I decided to try writing. It’s still very taxing, don’t get me wrong. But it’s something my body can handle, and it satisfies that unrelenting need to create. It didn’t take long before I had a story going that could really be something. It was then that it occurred to me that I may just be able to attempt publishing it when I was finished. I just didn’t know how to go about it.

Well, I’ve answered the family life question already. That said, I work through writer’s block by journaling. I just open a new page for the day and just start journaling to my characters as if they are real people. Asking them what they are up to today? Why haven’t they shown up for work? LOL, things like that. Usually that sparks something. Sometimes it doesn’t and that’s ok. Tomorrows another day. Honestly my biggest challenge is whether my body is up for writing on any given day. Sometimes the will is there, but the ability isn’t. Those days can get a little dark. But I just ride it out and get back on the horse as soon as I am able.

I am a huge fan of Chrisopher Moore, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.

I’m what the writing community calls a “pantser.” Which translates to having no real plan, just flying by the seat of your pants. So, I don’t really have a plan. I just throw something at the wall and see what sticks. It’s funny that I’ve always said that because in a recent article Neil Gaiman one of my favorite authors listed above who co wrote Good Omens, said something similar when asked about his writing process. Publication for me came differently than most. I only ever approached one publisher and I was signed the next day. I got lucky. This never happens and why it happened to me, I’ll never know. I know writers in my circle who attempted getting published for over a decade and they eventually got there because they never gave up. And that is the only real way to get there. Not every manuscript you turn is going to be what a rep. is looking for, or they may have already accepted something similar and can’t accept another like it. There are a host of reasons your manuscript may not be accepted by a publisher that has nothing to do with how wonderful your writing is, and that is what you have to remember. I have received a rejection letter after publication for another work. And that isn’t uncommon either. Just because you are published doesn’t mean all the doors to publishing your next book will fly open. You just have to try again…again. And the cycle continues.

“Infinite Mass” is like a triple entendre if that’s a thing. LOL. My book crosses genre’s and plays with the idea that science, religion, and magic are sort of the same thing in different stages of development. However, to date, people have discovered only the littlest bits and pieces of each and then claimed them for their own agendas. The title “Infinite Mass” plays on the idea that “infinity” and “mass” are terms often used in religion, science and magic. Each for reasons that benefit the group utilizing the terms. But in the book, I suggest the individual definitions may not be as different as previously thought, once you stop separating them for individual agendas. After I plant that seed, I begin mashing them all up together as the whole, as if that were the way it was always meant to be, with no walls separating the three. In my book you go on a wildly ride, entertaining ride that subtilty reveals a series of little “Aha” moments, sprinkled like philosophical breadcrumbs throughout. But, the book is built to be an entertaining, whimsical and outrageous ride even if the reader never finds the breadcrumbs. But they are there, buried in the pages and if you find them, they may just make you go…hmmm?

That it’s ok to question everything, that it’s ok to laugh in the darkest of times, and that nothing is black and white, only shades of gray.

My characters just sort of come to me when they are needed. And they arrive with an entire backstory, which enriches the little peccadillos that make them interesting.

I’m currently working on book two of the “All Saints Series.” “Infinite Mass” is book one of the series. I’ve also been working on several short stories and am a Guest Anthologist for “Tenpenny Dreadful…Tales as Hard as Nails,” a horror anthology, which will also feature my short story “Uncle Hallofax,” as a contributing author. Coming October 2024, from Wild Ink Publishing. I’m particularly proud of a blog piece I wrote for WIP’s blog (available at wildinkpublishing.com) called “A Court of Pen and Pain,” which dives into the world of fantasy while explaining what it like to be a writer with chronic illness. Other short stories coming soon in publications where I’m featured as a contributing author are “Clio and Cleo” featured in “Cleos Curious Dash Trough Time, a middle grade anthology” coming in July of 2024 and “Hushed Whispers” featured in “Uncensored Ink, a banned book anthology,” coming in October of 2024, both published by Wild Ink Publishing.

Again with the balancing family responsibilities? Do you ask that of male authors as often, or is it just us ladies? My advice for aspiring authors no matter their responsibilities, as we all have many are as follows. Number one: Just do it. A little bit at a time is ok, there is no rush. If you put one word after another you will get there. Number Two: Do not worry about what others will think of your writing. Don’t think about anyone’s opinion. If you do, you’ll never find your true voice and you won’t be writing your book, you will be writing theirs. Number Three: Get into as many writing circles as you can on social media. All of the good, solid information is available through networking. It may take a while to get into a solid circle you can trust, but once you do…doors will appear before you that you would never have known existed otherwise.

I have been with AllAuthor for six months. I’ve found their promotional tools very user friendly and they make cross promotion across many social media platforms easy to use. I think the Cover of the Month contests are fun and if used correctly can bring a lot of exposure. All in all, I would say they are a solid choice to promote your book(s).