JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Jamie I. Hall, author of 7 Deadly Women
(iUniverse)
My book, 7 Deadly Women, is about dating and disaster. The main character, Jason Mytez, constantly battles with his own flaws and the flaws of women he chooses to have around him. In his pursuit of love, he finds pain on a physical and emotional level that so many of us wish we couldn’t—but definitely can—relate to.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write 7 Deadly Women?
Jamie I. Hall: My inspiration could only come from one place—experience. I’ve dated the cream of the crop and women I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. I’ve experienced extreme highs and remarkable lows. The biggest difference between myself and the main character, Jason, is that I don’t let the disastrous circumstances I find myself in, take me over.
I would tell my dating stories to friends, and they could often relate. After years of writing for myself, I finally felt like I had a story that is both relatable and humorous enough to share with the world.
JP: What sets 7 Deadly Women apart from other books in the same genre?
JIH: This is a tough question, as I don’t know of too many loath stories out there. My publisher characterized the book as General – Humorous Fiction. I guess in that regard, the dark sarcasm is far more explicit and vivid than I’ve read in a lot of books.
I felt like there are enough love stories out there for people to choose from. This is a story about self-loathing and the long-lasting loathing that people experience in those that they date.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to 7 Deadly Women getting out to the public?
JIH: I have a great base in my home town. I sold hundreds of books at my release party, and that translated into plenty of people sharing their love for the story with their friends and family from all over the world.
I’m from Canada and my top-selling city—outside of my hometown—right now is Kiev, with Las Vegas in third. In this world of social media, Facebook and twitter have, of course played a large role in the success of 7 Deadly Women.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish 7 Deadly Women?
JIH: 7 Deadly Women took me roughly a year to write. A friend of mine that took care of all the publishing expense and issues for me gave me advice in the beginning that saved my sanity, “Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, structure, none of it…that’s what editors are for. You just worry about the story.”
That is what I did, and that’s how I was able to finish the book. In terms of my more intimate process, I got out my laptop and put on some OST music and wrote till I couldn’t write anymore.
When I was stuck in regards to what a woman would do in certain situations I tested some female friends of mine to figure out what they would do.
JP: What’s next for Jamie I. Hall?
JIH: Well, right now I’m tryna sell 7 Deadly Women. Not an easy task, but I will not waver in the face of limited means.
While I do that, I have been writing the book from the position of the women, instead of the main character which is quite the challenge. I plan on releasing those chapters in a web series.
I’ve got a graphic novel called Thce Evolved Hero and another novel on the go called No Heroes. While these storylines are very different from my first offering in 7 Deadly Women, I believe people will find the humour, darkness and sarcasm to be recognizable.
http://7deadlywomen.com
http://projectsbyjamie.com
http://twitter.com/jamieianhall
https://plus.google.com/116275594279466365260
As a club promoter or music producer, I found that everyone was a critic. Nothing was ever good enough for anyone. They judged your work down to the very last detail.
As a writer, I find people are congratulating me and they haven’t even read my work yet. They feel writing is a huge accomplishment regardless. I know the writing is hard, the block can be frustrating and developing a cohesive story is hard, but damn, please congratulate me after you’ve read the book and like it.
If you don’t like it, I’ll tell you what I tell everyone. Keep that sh@t to yourself. 😉
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Great read! Highly recommended.
Boy oh boy, could I relate to this story. From the woman’s perspective I have worn a few of these faces. From the male perspective I’ve seen my brother go through some of this. The part with the cheating was gut wrenching. Trying so hard to be someone that he clearly isn’t. Poor Jason.