Justin Edison Interview Published on: 14, Feb 2018
What is the name of your hometown? What three words would you pick to describe your childhood?
Seattle is home, now. My childhood was vanilla, quiet and isolated.
When did you first seriously start considering writing as a career? What did you do for work before then?I've been writing books since my 20s, but I'm not sure I ever thought of it as a career. Jobs have included journalism, print and website work.
Often times, the genre picks the author rather than the other way around. What do you make of this sentence? Do you agree or disagree?Yes, I'd agree with this statement. The stories called to me. They happen to be suspense thrillers and sci-fi/war, but there was never a day where I got up and decided I was going to write a __ book.
Who are your favourite thriller or suspense authors? In what ways have they inspired or influenced you?Turow and Baldacci, as "Presumed Innocent" and "Absolute Power" occupy a pinnacle in my mind. I want to write books where, when people finish, they just sit and say, "Damn."
How did you come up with the idea for "The Churning"? Do you think an event like this could happen in real life?"The Churning" came from a lot of what-ifs, like all my stories. Given the tremendous passions that swirl around and through professional soccer, it seemed like a natural story. Yes, unfortunately, I think it could happen.
Who designs your book covers? Which book cover of yours are you most proud of so far?My designer is Greg Simanson, simansondesign.com. Obviously, he does amazing work, and his covers for "Endgame" and "Tempest Road" are both incredibly evocative. I gave him concepts and he worked the magic.
What kind of research was involved when writing the book "Tempest Road"? Have you ever been to Colombia?"Tempest Road" was a lot of reading about the history and current state and lots of photos of the country. I haven't been to Colombia, but it has often occupied a place of danger and mystery in my mind. The idea of being lost in the jungle, of course, terrifies me.
Do you prefer working in a more peaceful or busy environment? What are your favourite places to read and write?Peaceful or busy depends on the time of day. I can do great work at a crowded coffee shop--I love being around people--yet I can hardly accomplish anything with my kids running around the house. But I also love early mornings, just me and the cat and the dark quiet.
What real life location served as the inspiration for the place "Preciless 75"? If you were trying to convince someone that's not a fan of suspense or science fiction to read this book, what would you tell them?I've hiked to a number of snowy spots in the Cascades--lakes beneath towering granite spires and all. Just as much inspiration comes from the amazing work of intrepid photographers. Through our computers, they bring us the impossible. "Endgame" is as much about war and the characters within it. I don't think someone has to be a fan of sci-fi at all. As long as they can get into an adventure/survival story, and buy such elements as fragments of a cruiser dropping from the sky (still one of my favorite scenes to write) then they'll love the book. The local wildlife becomes essential to the tale, as well, so it has an environmentalist bent.
What are the pros and cons of being an author? Do you ever miss your old day jobs?The pros of being an author, of course, is the creative outlet and the autonomy that goes with it. Until I become an agented author, I guess, nobody will tell me that 'this' doesn't work or 'that' idea is stupid. The cons are, naturally, the 'waiting' and the frustration of mistakes which isn't mitigated by a nice monthly paycheck. There's very little money in this gig, unless you're both very good and very lucky. As far as a day job, I miss the people more than the paycheck. I'd probably be happier in an office. Family duty calls, though.
When you get an idea for a new book, what are the parameters you establish first and last?A new book, for me, springs up as a concept attached to a scene or two. Thoughts click and the premise kind of blooms all at once. I'm extremely lucky that way. I had the opening ideas for "Endgame" long before I had any idea how the story would resolve. "Tempest Road" burst to life almost like a film trailer, and I had to scramble to jot everything down. It was a happy mess for a long time.
What body part would you sacrifice if it meant becoming a better author?Better or more financially successful? (I'm sure everyone asks that question.) I'd certainly give up a few of my left fingers, because I could still hike and play soccer and parent without them. As far as being better, it's something I'm always striving for. We don't stop learning.
If you and your family were given a million dollars to spend on the perfect vacation, what would you do and where would you go?I'd like to go to Italy and hike through the Dolomites and into the Swiss Alps. But I'd also like to take half that million dollars and put it to scholarships and charity. There's so much need out there, and so much good you can do with money. I'd feel like a selfish jerk if I blew it all on the family.
