MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR JASON HUFFMAN-BLACK

MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR JASON HUFFMAN-BLACK

What’s your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?

Hi. I’m Jason Bradley. My nom de plume is Jason Huffman-Black. My published book and my free short story are both contemporary gay romance.

Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?

Snakes Among Sweet Flowers is about an ex-con who moves to a small Georgia town. His plan is not to completely stop his evil ways, but maybe find some more innocent victims while also enjoying the slower lifestyle. I came up with the first scene while driving one day. I was alone and those quiet moments seem to be the best for me to use my imagination. Since I grew up in Georgia, it was easy to conjure the setting.

The story focuses on change, and not only in the main characters. Some welcome it; others fight it tooth and nail. It can be expected or totally out of the blue, but life is full of it.

How did you get interested in writing this particular genre (historical novels, mysteries, sci-fi, children’s books, etc.)?

I remember reading my grandmother’s romance novels while growing up. I would sneak them. J At that time, it never occurred to me that there should be books about two men falling for each other, but romance is for everyone. I don’t know that I will only ever write romances but any book I write will have authentic gay characters.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

I looked into the prison system and the parole system. I also looked into how police officers handle calls that cross agencies.

Can you tell me about your Series?

At this time, I don’t have a series. I have one published book. I have considered writing a sequel to Snakes Among Sweet Flowers but have not as of yet. At some point, I would like to revisit those characters.

What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

I’m an editor for several publishers and also do freelance editing through Superior Author Services. So most days are filled with that. I usually schedule a day of the week to write. This makes my writing process slower than many authors, but it gives me time during the week to imagine the scene or scenes I will write and plan them out a bit. It never fails, though, that once I sit to write, the characters take over and the story does a swerve from anything I planned.

Do you have a new book in the making and if so, what’s the name of your upcoming book?

I have several in-process manuscripts. Most don’t have names, but the one that does is: 25 Days to Christmas.

How important are character names to you in your books? Is there a special meaning to any of the names?

In Snakes Among Sweet Flowers, the names just came to me as if the characters were naming themselves. When I’ve written fantasy pieces, I’ve always looked up meanings for names, but not usually on contemporary.

Where do your ideas come from?

Dreams or listening to music. Driving alone in the car or in the shower or while falling asleep are good quiet times that my mind wanders.

Is there a genre that you’ve been wanting to experiment with?

Fantasy/sci-fi is a genre I really enjoy reading. It would be great to dive into a story in that genre.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Wrapping everything up at the end.

What do you think of book trailers? Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?

I have many friends and acquaintances who have book trailers, and I love them. I don’t have one for my book, though. It’s not something I ever considered, really.

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

I’m guessing you mean as an author… Snakes Among Sweet Flowers was a finalist in the 2016 Rainbow Awards for Gay Contemporary Romance. It was also nominated for the 2017 International Thriller Awards in the first novel category and nominated in 6 categories in the Goodreads M/M Romance Members’ Choice Awards.

What’s the best thing about being an author?

I have an outlet for all the stories in my head.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Oh boy. Umm… hopefully with at least a few more releases and still editing for everyone else.

Have you always liked to write?

I’ve always liked to create stories. At first, they were just in my head. Writing them down started later.

What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Keep extensive notes, research, just keep plugging, have a thick skin, and get a good editor.

If you didn’t like writing books, or weren’t any good at it, what would you like to do for a living?

What I do now. I would be an editor. I get paid to read. How could life get better than that?

Do you read reviews of your book(s)? Do you respond to them, good or bad? How do you deal with the bad?

I do read them. I don’t verbally respond, but I do usually like the review once I’ve seen it, whether good or bad. J I appreciate that the reader gave my book a chance and try to use any criticism to improve my writing.

What is your least favourite part of the writing / publishing process?

That’s a tough one. I enjoyed the entire process with Snakes. I guess writer’s block is my least favorite part of writing.

What are you working on now?

I have several unfinished projects. I am brainstorming ideas for the sequel to Snakes, and also working on 25 Days to Christmas. I’m also considering extending I Am the Highway, my freebie short story.

Can you give us a few tasty morsels from your work-in-progress?

Sure. This is from 25 Days to Christmas.

Let me preface this by saying it has not been edited, even by me. In this story, Brandon is a twenty-something guy who has been down on his luck. He was homeless for a while and now lives in a sort of halfway house. He has been given the opportunity to travel to visit his sister, who he’s been out of contact with. She and her husband are members of a local motorcycle club who focus on community service. In this scene, they are about to go on what they call a Santa run with Brandon in tow.

13 Days to Christmas- Saturday, December 12

By ten a.m., Brandon was ready to go on the Santa run. He’d woken to the smell of bacon and padded downstairs to find Britney setting the kitchen table, Dan and Dakota already seated and ready. It was fairly cool for the South, even in December—50 degrees for a high, only around 40 at the moment. So each of them made a point to wear clothes that would keep them warm while riding, which would make it feel colder than it actually was, Britney had explained. Like riding with the windows down times ten.

Brandon was just sitting down on the living room sofa, dressed in a fitted long-sleeved tee, a pair of jeans, construction worker type boots, and a thick hoodie, all new, when he heard the roar of multiple big bikes outside.

Dan walked through the room, grinning. “God, I love that sound,” he commented before throwing the front door open and stepping outside.

Britney came through the room, too, and waved Brandon to follow her outside.

Brandon paused on the front porch, taking in the amazing scene. There were ten huge bikes in the driveway, some with two passengers, others with only one. Along the curb, and continuing down the street for a ways, were all types of trucks and jeeps, with adults and kids piling out and heading toward the house, most wearing festive hats or brightly colored Christmas sweaters.

The most amazing part was Frank. He was stepping off a bright red Harley, the chrome shining so much it was close to blinding. If he’d looked like Santa yesterday, it was nothing compared to today. He was in a full red velvet Santa suit, no cheap costume for these guys, the pants tucked into tall black leather motorcycle boots.

“Mister Frank!” Dakota screamed as she ran past Brandon and down the driveway to throw herself into the big man’s arms.

“Ho-ho-ho!” Frank swung Dakota around, then set her down and said, “Remember, I’m Santa today, darlin’. No calling me Frank, okay?”

On closer inspection, it looked as if Frank had curled his beard. Maybe with a hot iron or curlers. Brandon grinned at the thought of the big biker going to bed with curlers in his beard, but it sure made him look even more like St. Nick. Frank had his beard pulled into a loose ponytail beneath his chin, Brandon supposed it was to keep it from getting in his face or messing up as he rode. When Frank removed his helmet, it revealed he had his pure white hair pulled back in a similar band.

The large group crowded together on the driveway and lists were pulled out and reviewed as they planned the day. Brandon stayed off to the side and watched, not because he felt unwanted, just that he wasn’t really part of the planning and he didn’t want to get in the way.

A few of the guys leaned over a map spread across the hood of one of the cars, deciding on the best route to take, when Dan stepped back and looked around.

“Where’s Jake?” Dan yelled.

“He called a minute ago, said he was on his way,” one of the women answered.

About that time, a bike rumbled down the street and Brandon turned to watch its progress. This Harley was black, and the guy on it was dressed all in black—well, not all… Most of him was covered in black leather—jacket, gloves, even pants—but from where his lace-up ankle boots ended all the way to his knees, it looked like he had on… knee-high Christmas socks?

The motorcycle came to a stop, and Jake stepped off. The man was tall, towering over most everyone as they stepped close to greet him. He took off his helmet… and holy shit! Dark hair, curly with a unique color that made Brandon wonder if he might be of mixed race, shoulders incredibly wide, golden skin, a rugged but beautiful face, legs that went on forever, and facial hair that just made it all even better and perfect. Brandon’s brain was short-circuiting.

With a big, deep, booming laugh, Jake explained he had bought some women’s Christmas legwarmers to use as his knee socks. Then he reached into one of his leather side pouches and pulled out an elf hat, complete with pointed ears sewn to the sides. Everyone clapped. Jake was the sexiest elf Brandon had ever seen. And probably the biggest too.

“I thought you might think so,” Britney said from beside Brandon.

Brandon jumped, not knowing she was there. Then stuttered. “Oh, god… Please d-don’t tell anyone.” He covered his face with his hands.

“Bran. I would never. I was just saying… He’s pretty hot, huh?” Britney nodded and gave him a knowing look.

Brandon laughed. “Yeah, I think I might be having some elf fantasies for a while.”

They were both laughing when Dan and Jake came strolling up.

“What’s so funny?” Dan asked.

Oh god, would she say something?

“Those socks, Jake! They are perfect.” And Britney saved the day. What a great sister.

Jake chuckled and struck a few poses with his elf hat still on. The guy thought he was being silly, but he was only enforcing Brandon’s need for a time-out to take care of some personal business.

A bear-sized paw was extended to Brandon, and Jake said, “Jake Collins.”

The big hand swallowed Brandon’s when he accepted the offer to shake. “Brandon Sutter. Nice to meet you.”

Why did you choose to write in your genre? If you write in more than one, how do you balance them?

I write LGBTQ+ fiction because I want those characters in my books. I aim to make those characters more accepted for everyone. Not just as comedic relief but as main characters.

Where did your love of books come from?

As a child, reading was my escape from a not-so-good home life. It took me to wonderful places and when I didn’t have a book, I made up my own stories, or imagined stories I had already read, added in my own characters, and made up new adventures.

Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

I have a long list of favorites. Trying to choose just one is so limiting. And once I starting listing my favorites, I tend to think of more and more to add. But for the sake of your question, I will give the answer Mary Renault. She was the first to make me aware of the possibility of a gay main character in a mainstream book. Her series on Alexander the Great is astounding. From that series, I’ll choose The Persian Boy as my favorite.

Of all the characters you have created, which is your favourite and why?

Hmm… I love them all. And there are so many that never made it to “paper,” but I supposed I should choose one so I will say Cam from Snakes Among Sweet Flowers.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

It’s according to whether the words are flowing for me or not. When I am struggling with a scene, it can be exhausting.

What is your writing Kryptonite?

Planning out a book. I can have a vague outline but if I do more than that, the words and ideas just dry up.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

Honestly, I just write the story what comes out. I have had readers want me to add a certain idea into my story, and it has made me stall out.

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

I’m friends with lots of authors, either as a reader, an editor, or a fellow writer. Just a few… I work with authors A. Fae and S.A. James at Superior Author Services. I first met Mickie B. Ashling as a reader and have since edited and beta read for her. She has also beta read for me, which was quite an honor. There are so many other authors that have cheered me on and chatted with me. I couldn’t possibly name them all.

If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?

A Series of Unfortunate Events? Oops! That name’s already taken.