By way of introduction, here is J.S. Frankel’s bio.
J.S. Frankel was born in Toronto, Canada and grew up there, receiving his tertiary education from the University of Toronto and graduating with a double major in English Literature and Political Science.
After working at Gray Coach Lines for a grand total of three years, he came to Japan at twenty-six and has been there ever since, teaching English to all students who enter his hallowed school of learning.
In 1997, he married Akiko Koike. He, his wife and his two children, Kai and Ray, live in Osaka. His hobbies include weight training, watching movies when his writing schedule allows, and listening to various kinds of music.
Now that I’ve introduced you to J.S., let’s get to know him a little better.
Hello, J.S., welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you for having me.
What inspired you to be a writer?
I had an idea one day a few years ago for a story, and something inside me compelled me to put pen to paper. I think people are natural storytellers, but I wanted to do something special, and so… here we are!
Is writing your full-time profession?
No, not yet, anyway. I work as an ESL teacher and edit on the side. I’d love to become a full-time author, but those funds have to roll in first.
How long have you been writing?
Only about six years.
Have you won any awards?
I’ve won a few minor awards, but those are nothing, really. My biggest ‘award’—or reward,—is if someone says, “I loved your book!”
How many books have you written?
So far, thirty-five. I’ve got more on the way.
Which genre do you write?
YA Fantasy, with a lot of action, a bit of romance, and usually a happy ending.
What do you find most challenging writing for this genre?
There are a lot of tropes in any genre. I try to subvert those tropes if I can, or make fun of them in some way. What I really want is to make each book unique and fresh.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m editing an old story of mine and cutting it down. I may self-publish it or submit it. I haven’t decided.
Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
I look at the world around me, the events unfolding, and I let my mind wander where it will. Inspiration is all around us; you just have to think about it.
What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
Having people compliment me on my style and stories. That’s good enough for me.
What advice would you give to authors just starting out?
Cliché time: don’t give up. I was rejected over fifty times before someone took a chance on me. Keep writing, study the art, and improve. Let no one dissuade you from achieving your goal!
Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?
I’m not very exciting; I don’t go on Bond missions every single day, except in my head. Hmmm… well, I’m a resident of Japan and I speak the language well enough. My wife is Japanese, and we make our home in Osaka. That’s about it, really.
What message are you sharing in your books?
Essentially that you can overcome the odds if you work hard enough at it. All my characters are underdogs, the fringers of society, and they have an every person quality to them. No person is a failure as long as they try. It’s a cliché, yes, but one I wholeheartedly believe in.
What are your favorite books/authors?
Favorite authors would be Robert McCammon—Gone South is his best work, in my opinion, and Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. Inferno stands alone in sci-fi/fantasy, to me, anyway.
What are your favorite movies, TV shows?
I watch little TV these days, but I love the original Star Trek.
Movie-wise, anything superhero. Ironman, Batman, Wonder Woman…they all rock.
When you’re not writing where can we find you?
I’m usually on Facebook or Twitter.
A movie producer wants to turn your book into a movie and you get to make a cameo. What would you do in the movie?
Anything is okay, as long as I don’t end up as the first victim!
An elf named 12-25 approaches you. He’s sneezing, wheezing, coughing and there’s a strange tattoo of a snoring dog on his cheek. What do you do?
Run like crazy and hope I don’t mutate!
Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?
I’m on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007640056961
Where can we find your books?
You can find them here!–> (Amazon) https://www.amazon.com/J.S.-Frankel/e/B004XUUTB8/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Or here http://www.devinedestinies.com/js-frankel/
Thank you, Jesse, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success and lots of luck!
Osaka