Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
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Exclusive Interview with
S. L. Jackson
When did you start writing?
I started writing as a kid, I was introduced to writing creative stories and writing rap lyrics around the age of nine or ten years old. So I've been writing my whole life.
What makes writing your passion?
Writing isn't my passion. My passion is business and filling voids in business. At this moment in my life the universe led me to write an urban fantasy novella, "Animal Instincts: The Urban Jungle" which actually won an award for "Best Short Story Fiction" at the 2020 eLit awards.
How long have you been writing?
Again, I've been writing my whole life, to me writing is just as natural as breathing. I always catch myself tossing around ideals in my head or just jotting things down.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
The feeling I had after I published "Animal Instincts: The Urban Jungle" was a feeling of accomplishment. I set a goal and completed that goal, it was also a feeling of wanting more, set more goals, accomplish more goals.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
The story behind "Animal Instincts: The Urban Jungle" is a family of outlaw rabbits that control the animal underworld in a jungle setting. Most of the characters are based on deceased loved ones of mine in a way. For example it's a dove, but he's "Black" and he protects "Leaps" and "Jumps" who are identical rabbits and heir to the underworld throne. Well in real life I had a first cousin LaVell "Blac" Jackson, and I have an identical twin brother, and my older cousin always look out for us and now he's looking over us. So I based characters on the personalities of a lot of people I"ve come in contact with over the years.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
I don't find anything annoying about writing. I understand this is a business, so once I'm done with the creative process, I switch into business mode, I have the full understanding that writing books and putting books out are too different things.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
I never get writers block, by the time I sit down and start writing, I have already written the story in my head a million times, so when I cut on the computer to write, it's "go time" so to speak.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
Honestly I keep going because writing isn't my main source of income so I don't feel any pressure. I don't write for the money. I write for the love of creativeness, doing that means I write when I want too.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
If I could go back and talk to my younger self, I'd tell a younger S.L Jackson "The highs ain't so high, and the lows ain't so low".
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Yes I read all my book reviews and I don't think any review is bad. Everything ain't for everybody, so if "Animal Instincts: The Urban Jungle" isn't for you, I can't be mad at that. At least you took the time out to read it.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
I feel the same way with good reviews, I don't put too much in someone praising my work, or not liking my work, it's all a matter of opinion.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Yes. "Animal Instincts: The Urban Jungle" has a lot of things from my real life in it, even though it's an urban fantasy novella based on animals. That's the creative part about it.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
Leaps and Jumps, they are identical twin rabbits, I have an identical twin brother.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
You can't judge a book by it's cover!
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I have no problem connecting with readers however they want to connect, I enjoy conversations.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
I don't feed to much into any of that. I don't need anyone to validate me or what I'm doing, I know I provide good, creative content.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
I don't have a "favorite" so to speak, I'm just a fan of good work.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
I'd never compare any one else's "success" to mine. I'm in my own lane, I have my own goals, so I could never look at anyone else and say I want what they have.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
No I would never re write anything once it's been placed into the universe. Once it's out there, it's out there.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
NO ONE!
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
The only "trolls" I know are "Poppy" and "Branch" and that's because my daughter Shelby and I love the movie "Trolls world tour".
What would you say to your readers?
I'd like to say to anyone reading this, I'm the first debut author to write a novella, have that novella win an award and turn that award winning novella into an animated series. "Animal Instincts: The Urban Jungle ANIMATED" will be released in 2021 and here is the first look at the official trailer:
https://vimeo.com/461451424/description
and if you'd like to order a copy of the novella "Animal Instincts: The Urban Jungle" you can by visiting www.1sljackson.com
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I'm from Inkster Michigan and I have a 4 year old daughter.
What is your day job if you have one?
I'm a business man
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy cooking, working out, bike riding, martial arts, reading ect. So I don't really have "free time".
Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes, my childhood was a good. My parents allowed my siblings and I to be who we were and that molded and shaped us in the best way.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
My older cousin Blac was into rap music and I wanted to be just like him, so I started to write rap songs. Around that same time I was in the 4th grade and introduced to creative writing and I've been writing ever since.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
Nope, no unpublished books.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
I self educate my daughter, that's what's missing, people are under the misconception that it is up to society to educate their child. That responsibility falls solely on the parents.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
I'd wish for unlimited wishes
What is your favorite music?
I love all music, like really. Music is a mood driven thing, so different moods calls for different music.
Share a secret with us 🙂
A wise man never tells secrets.