JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Jason A. Grant, author of My Life, My World, My Truth
(AuthorHouse)
My Life, My World, My Truth is a collection of poetry by Jason A. Grant that reveals the author’s soul as he negotiates through life and reflects on all that makes up the world he inhabits.
From the self-affirming “I am Africa” to the combination of rage and hope displayed in “The Last Poem,” My Life touches on a variety of thoughts and emotions, including love, vibrantly exhibited in the chapter “Scorpio.”
This collection of poetry represents poems written during Grant’s teenage years through his present young adulthood.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write My Life, My World, My Truth?
Jason A. Grant: My poetry is about life, living, loving and what’s going on in the world. My emotions and feelings about all these things inspire me to write.
I have wanted to have my poetry published since I was in high school, so I have been driven for years to put this book together. When it was finally published, it was quite fulfilling.
JP: What sets My Life, My World, My Truth apart from other books in the same genre?
J.A.G.: Much of the poetry in my book is very personal, whereas many other books of poetry are created in the abstract. Also, I try to use different styles of writing in my poetry. So, some of my poems are written more like lyrics and verses to a song, than like stanzas of a poem. I think these different styles of writing give each poem in my book a unique flavor.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to My Life, My World, My Truth getting out to the public?
J.A.G.: Well, I started researching ways to self-publish my book. With self-publishing, the author has so much more control over the vision of the book. From there, it’s just figuring out how to finance the project for as low a cost as possible and then producing material that hopefully the public will enjoy.
To market the book, I always try to have a few copies of my book with me to sell and to introduce people to my book. I also enjoy performing my poetry at open mic events to get interest in my poetry and receive feedback from my peers.
I also promote and connect with the public through Facebook and Twitter. And finally, I have to hope that family and friends support the book and promote it to their friends and family.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish My Life, My World, My Truth?
J.A.G.: With my poems, an idea will come to me at random times – while I’m trying to sleep, while I’m taking a shower or while I’m walking to work or school etc. I don’t really have that much control over it, but it usually deals with something or someone who has been on my mind. From there, I’ll start composing parts of the poem in my mind and figure out a title. Then I start putting pen to paper and write the poem.
This book took about two years to complete. I had most of the material written, but I had to put it all together, add new poetry, do some editing, and then some more editing after that until I was satisfied with what I had.
JP: What’s next for Jason A. Grant?
J.A.G.: I don’t know exactly what will be next. I do want to start putting together some new poetry for my next book of poetry, but that’s farther down the road. I just finished writing a manuscript for a graphic novel/comic book that will hopefully be completed and published this year. That will probably be the next artistic project for me.
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