I’d like to welcome author, J. R. Sanders, to the blog for #WriterWednesday.

Things that hamper your writing: Interruptions. My two dogs are the worst offenders; they think whichever side of the back door they’re on is the wrong one.

Things you love about writing: Being in the zone. Research. Getting a project to the finish line.

Things you hate about writing: Outlining. Writing synopses. Any of the mundane grunt work that takes away from the actual writing of a project.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Writing requires more self-discipline than I have naturally. It’s never been my strong suit, particularly avoiding the tendency to procrastinate. (I answered this question last.)

Easiest thing about being a writer: The solitude. I’m sort of a lone wolf by nature, so spending so much time working solo is a breeze for me. Not that I’m unsociable - just not overly social. I’m the kind of guy who’ll go to a party and spend the whole evening in the corner, playing with the dog.

Words that describe you: Tall. Freakishly long arms. Irreverent.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn't: Pessimistic. I’m usually a glass-is-half-empty sort, unless things are going exceptionally well. Then I’m suspicious.

Favorite foods: Hard to narrow down to a manageable list. Tacos, pizza, avocados, fresh-baked bread. Never met a tiramisu I didn’t like.

Things that make you want to gag: Mushrooms, and most seafood.

Favorite beverage: Perrier with lime is my go-to. An ice-cold beer when I’m in the mood.

Something that gives you a sour face: Buttermilk – gack! Fine pancake ingredient, nauseating beverage. Might date back to childhood trauma when I poured some on my Cap’n Crunch by mistake.

Something you're really good at: Word games, particularly Boggle. Always been a word nerd.

Something you're really bad at: Finding things I’m good at.

Something you wish you could do: Play guitar. I have no measurable musical talent.

Something you wish you'd never learned to do: Algebra. Tortured myself for three years trying to master it, have never once used it since.

Last best thing you ate: Grilled tri-tip. About half an hour ago.

Last thing you regret eating: Gave tofu a try. Never again.

Things you always put in your books: I like to work in a favorite weird word here and there. Things like “gongoozler” and “hooptedoodle.” Just to see if I can get them past the editor.

Things you never put in your books: Deep symbolism. Because readers who aren’t into symbolism likely won’t spot it, and those who are into symbolism will find it whether it’s there or not.

Things to say to an author: “I pre-ordered your new book.” (but only if it’s true). Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: “I’d write, too, if I only had the time.” Runner-up: “Oh, I never read.” (generally spoken with an inexplicable air of pride).

Favorite places you've been: Vienna, top of the list. Budapest. Canada (Alberta and British Columbia). The San Juan Islands. Colonial Williamsburg, watching my wife seeing her first fireflies.

Places you never want to go to again: High school. Wouldn’t be 18 again for all the gold in Fort Knox (although it would be nice to be young enough to still know everything).

The nicest thing a reader said to you: “I liked your book (article, etc.) a lot.” May not sound like much, but to a writer it’s sweet music. Never gets old.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: “I only read Louis L’Amour.”

About J. R.:

J.R. Sanders is a native of Newton, Kansas – one of the original “wild and woolly” cowtowns - whose deep interest in Old West history dates back to childhood visits with his family to the Dalton Gang hideout, Abilene, and Dodge City.

J.R. regularly writes nonfiction articles for a variety of periodicals, among them Law & Order and Wild West magazines. He has authored books on topics as diverse as Southern California apple farms and Old West lawmen killed in the line of duty. His most recent book, published in March 2020 by Level Best/Historia Books, is Stardust Trail, a detective novel set among the B-movie cowboy productions of 1930s Hollywood.

J.R. is an active member of the Western Writers of America and the International Thriller Writers.

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