#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with James M. Jackson
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James M. Jackson
I’d like to welcome the multi-talented James M. Jackson to the blog today for #ThisorThatThursday.
Favorite thing to do when you have free time: Sit outside, listening and watching the birds while reading a book.
The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: Washing the car.
Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: Keyboard, display, computer, and quiet.
Things that distract you from writing: Any birds outside my window.
Hardest thing about being a writer: Marketing, hands down.
Easiest thing about being a writer: Procrastinating on marketing. Joking aside, it’s being grateful for all the support I’ve received in my writing journey.
Things you will run to the store for at midnight: Absolutely nothing. The nearest store open at midnight is an hour and a half away.
Things you never put on your shopping list: Snacks—and yet, somehow they sneak into the shopping cart.
The coolest thing you’ve bought online: Chaco sandals that I custom chose the colors and (since I had gotten birthday money for it and had some left over), I had them stitch “Right” and “Left” on the heel straps for people walking behind me to read. I’ve had lots of fun interactions from that purchase.
The thing you wished you’d never bought: Dragon dictation software—does not fit my style of writing, which I learned is very visual.
Something you’re really good at: If you want to pack a ton of stuff into your car, truck, or trailer, I’m your guy. I lay it all out so I can visualize it, and if it’s possible, I can figure out how to do it. Just stay out of my way and don’t offer to “help.”
Something you’re really bad at: Jigsaw puzzles. Go figure.
Something you wish you could do: I've always wanted to hike the entire Appalachian trail.
Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Curse as proficiently as I can.
Last best thing you ate: Every Saturday night Jan makes an awesome cheese, pepperoni, and black olive pizza.
Last thing you regret eating: A dish with green peppers; it takes me a day to recover.
Things to say to an author: I loved your book AND I wrote a review that I posted everywhere AND I told all my friends to read your book.
Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Why don’t you do something useful with your time?
Most daring thing you’ve ever done: I went parasailing in the Virgin Islands. (It’s only daring because I have a healthy fear of heights.)
Something you chickened out from doing: Bungee jumping from the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge in New Zealand
Best piece of advice you received from another writer: “Don’t listen to the naysayers.”
Something you would tell a younger you about your writing: “Mom and Dad were wrong when they told you to never promote your accomplishments.”
Recommendations for curing writer’s block: I specifically give my subconscious the problem to solve and then don’t worry about it. The answer will come to me while I am out walking, or taking a shower, or watching birds.
Things you do to avoid writing: The ways are too numerous to mention, but one of the worst is doomscrolling on my phone.
About Jim
James M. Jackson writes justice-driven thrillers with “brains and bite.” His Niki Undercover Thriller trilogy, completed with Niki Unbound, stars Ashley Prescott, an undercover federal agent fighting domestic terrorism of all kinds. He also writes the award-winning Seamus McCree series, which explores financial crimes, family relationships, and their deadly intersection across eight novels, two novellas, and several short stories. A life member of Sisters in Crime and past president of its Guppy Chapter, Jackson calls home the deep woods of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. When he’s not tormenting his characters, he’s likely birdwatching, hunting for moose sheds, or tracking wolves. Find news, extras, and upcoming events at https://jamesmjackson.com.
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