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Above The Fold - September 10, 2010
E. JOHN LOVE
Imaginative Author & Designer
With Quite The Fertile Imagination
In E.John's Own Words:
"I’m an artist, designer, and writer living in Vancouver, BC.
As a writer, I’m always looking for ways to weave together stories from disparate elements: snippets of personalities I’ve known, moments of tension, or moments of love and pain. The characters in my stories are inspired by real people, and in some cases, are thinly-veiled composites of multiple individuals.
There’s probably an element of 'adrenalin junkie' behind some of my themes. When your early life is coloured by drama, upheaval or tragedy, stress and turmoil become defining benchmarks – sign posts that help you to recognize life.
My fiction tends to combine adventure, offbeat humour and intense drama. I enjoy placing working-class heroes into unlikely situations, and seeing how it transforms them and causes them to grow.
In my world and in the ones I create, people are measured by how well or how poorly they deal with adversity."
To learn more about E. John, visit:
www.ejohnlovebooks.com/BOOK VIDEO TRAILER:
Owe Nothing
(E. John Love)
Owe Nothing
(E. John Love)
Official Apex Reviews Interview: E. John Love (Owe Nothing)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, E. John. We're looking forward to sharing more about you with our readers.
What inspired you to craft this quite entertaining story?
EJL: I'd been blogging about my life experiences and family history since about 1998, and slowly developing my confidence in descriptive writing by volunteering social or policical commentaries or reviewing graphic novels for various websites. In 2002, during a long and bleak lay-off from my day job, I began re-reading my favourite Ian Fleming James Bond novels, and I decided to write my own parody: a detective novel or thriller set in blue-collar Vancouver. But as I fleshed out the characters, the story ended up becoming more personal than that - it ended up turning into an offbeat family adventure-drama.
AR: What's the significance of the book's title?
EJL: The phrase "Owe Nothing" refers to a number of things. Firstly, of letting go of past guilt and lingering obligation - of allowing yourself to have a new start. That's the opportunity that the main character, Jack Owen, must finally consider. Phonetically, the title also remind us of poverty ("own nothing") and the character's struggle with achievement or diminished sense of self ("owen, nothing").
AR: Is Jack based on real life people you actually know, or is he a complete creation of your imagination?
EJL: A similar name, Owens, is in my family, and Jack is a nickname for John, my middle name. Some aspects of Jack's appearance and values match my personality, or reflect how I wish I had been when I was Jack's age. When the chips are down, he's probably braver and more assertive than I was at his age, but this makes him a more interesting character, I think.
AR: Your reviewer mentioned how much of a relatable, average everyman that Jack is. Was it your intent to craft him in such a way?
EJL: Well, actually, I see Jack as someone who has a lot of internal turmoil and lots of decisions to weigh. He might be an "everyman" in that he is a bit common and approachable, but he's got his own internal landscape, which I do hope does come through in the book. I still enjoy reading about superheroes, but I've only ever known the flawed, multi-faceted human kinds of heroes that Jack and his family and friends represent. To me, there's nobility is being able to survive and succeed - to not lose yourself - in the midst of personal tragedy. That's nobility. Jack's home and his neighbours are all based, in one way or another, on actual people and places that I knew when my family lived in the real Mountain View and Peacock Court Motels, on Kingsway during the 1970s. Lucien, the dog, and the car wash were practically transplanted from life into this fictional context.
AR: What really motivates Jack and Parm to join their boss' surreptitious nightly activities?
EJL: For Jack, it's being involved with something bigger than himself, something that's exciting and which helps him to fulfill his own hero fantasy of being a "good guy". Parm acts as if he's mostly inspired by the prospect of earning extra money, but he becomes just as committed as Jack towards the end. Initially though, Jack and Parm kind of talked each other into becoming Insiders after their meeting with Bill. One guy definitely wouldn't have done it without the other guy being there.
AR: Once involved, how do they manage to keep themselves going - despite getting in a bit over their heads?
EJL: I think the reality of it all - the covert notes, the high-tech equipment, and the mysterious "Ed" - all created a momentum that propelled them into action.
AR: What kinds of responses has the book generated thus far?
EJL: I've been focusing on online marketing thus far, so Owe Nothing hasn't had that much exposure yet, but I have received some very positive reviews from readers. Some enjoy recognizing the images of the people and places around Vancouver - a city which has recently received so much international attention from the Winter Olympics. Other readers have enjoyed being able to empathize with Jack and his family, or recognizing familiar themes from their own lives. Those emotional connections are the most rewarding kinds of comments for me personally, and that's the level at which I'd like the book to succeed most of all.
AR: How has your publishing experience been thus far with Trafford?
EJL: The initial publishing process was a bit harrowing and uncertain for me as a first-time novelist, but ultimately, it was very rewarding. I haven't used Trafford's post-publishing marketing services, but I think I'd recommend them to new authors who want to self-publish. The quality of the printed end product and the included marketing materials was very good, and their publishing packages have recently become more economical.
AR: What are your future writing/publishing aspirations?
EJL: I'm thinking of approaching traditional publishers to see if I can get a second edition of Owe Nothing published and promoted. I'm also currently writing the sequel, tentatively called "The Two Sisters". I have no huge expectations at this point, but I do think that Owe Nothing could make an excellent TV movie or maybe a graphic novel. But, I'll have to learn how to write a screenplay first...
AR: How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
EJL: That's easy. The best way is to join FaceBook and become a fan of "Owe Nothing - a novel by E. John Love". You can also follow my tweets at http://www.twitter.com/ejohnlove or visit my Owe Nothing home page at http://fiction.ejohnlove.com.
AR: How can they contact you directly?
EJL: Email me at ejlove@shaw.ca or direct message @ejohnlove on Twitter. I'm happy to respond to any questions.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?
EJL: If I can reach Vancouverites, Canadians or anyone else who'd enjoy Jack's story - if Jack's misadventures and values can resonate with a reader personally - then I'll consider the work to have been a creative success. It's already a personal success to me: my first personal goal was simply to tell Jack's story and have his novel sit on my bookshelf alongside my favourite detective and thriller authors. Everything beyond that has been a bonus.
AR: Thanks again, E. John, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
EJL: Thank you very much for this opportunity!
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, E. John. We're looking forward to sharing more about you with our readers.
What inspired you to craft this quite entertaining story?
EJL: I'd been blogging about my life experiences and family history since about 1998, and slowly developing my confidence in descriptive writing by volunteering social or policical commentaries or reviewing graphic novels for various websites. In 2002, during a long and bleak lay-off from my day job, I began re-reading my favourite Ian Fleming James Bond novels, and I decided to write my own parody: a detective novel or thriller set in blue-collar Vancouver. But as I fleshed out the characters, the story ended up becoming more personal than that - it ended up turning into an offbeat family adventure-drama.
AR: What's the significance of the book's title?
EJL: The phrase "Owe Nothing" refers to a number of things. Firstly, of letting go of past guilt and lingering obligation - of allowing yourself to have a new start. That's the opportunity that the main character, Jack Owen, must finally consider. Phonetically, the title also remind us of poverty ("own nothing") and the character's struggle with achievement or diminished sense of self ("owen, nothing").
AR: Is Jack based on real life people you actually know, or is he a complete creation of your imagination?
EJL: A similar name, Owens, is in my family, and Jack is a nickname for John, my middle name. Some aspects of Jack's appearance and values match my personality, or reflect how I wish I had been when I was Jack's age. When the chips are down, he's probably braver and more assertive than I was at his age, but this makes him a more interesting character, I think.
AR: Your reviewer mentioned how much of a relatable, average everyman that Jack is. Was it your intent to craft him in such a way?
EJL: Well, actually, I see Jack as someone who has a lot of internal turmoil and lots of decisions to weigh. He might be an "everyman" in that he is a bit common and approachable, but he's got his own internal landscape, which I do hope does come through in the book. I still enjoy reading about superheroes, but I've only ever known the flawed, multi-faceted human kinds of heroes that Jack and his family and friends represent. To me, there's nobility is being able to survive and succeed - to not lose yourself - in the midst of personal tragedy. That's nobility. Jack's home and his neighbours are all based, in one way or another, on actual people and places that I knew when my family lived in the real Mountain View and Peacock Court Motels, on Kingsway during the 1970s. Lucien, the dog, and the car wash were practically transplanted from life into this fictional context.
AR: What really motivates Jack and Parm to join their boss' surreptitious nightly activities?
EJL: For Jack, it's being involved with something bigger than himself, something that's exciting and which helps him to fulfill his own hero fantasy of being a "good guy". Parm acts as if he's mostly inspired by the prospect of earning extra money, but he becomes just as committed as Jack towards the end. Initially though, Jack and Parm kind of talked each other into becoming Insiders after their meeting with Bill. One guy definitely wouldn't have done it without the other guy being there.
AR: Once involved, how do they manage to keep themselves going - despite getting in a bit over their heads?
EJL: I think the reality of it all - the covert notes, the high-tech equipment, and the mysterious "Ed" - all created a momentum that propelled them into action.
AR: What kinds of responses has the book generated thus far?
EJL: I've been focusing on online marketing thus far, so Owe Nothing hasn't had that much exposure yet, but I have received some very positive reviews from readers. Some enjoy recognizing the images of the people and places around Vancouver - a city which has recently received so much international attention from the Winter Olympics. Other readers have enjoyed being able to empathize with Jack and his family, or recognizing familiar themes from their own lives. Those emotional connections are the most rewarding kinds of comments for me personally, and that's the level at which I'd like the book to succeed most of all.
AR: How has your publishing experience been thus far with Trafford?
EJL: The initial publishing process was a bit harrowing and uncertain for me as a first-time novelist, but ultimately, it was very rewarding. I haven't used Trafford's post-publishing marketing services, but I think I'd recommend them to new authors who want to self-publish. The quality of the printed end product and the included marketing materials was very good, and their publishing packages have recently become more economical.
AR: What are your future writing/publishing aspirations?
EJL: I'm thinking of approaching traditional publishers to see if I can get a second edition of Owe Nothing published and promoted. I'm also currently writing the sequel, tentatively called "The Two Sisters". I have no huge expectations at this point, but I do think that Owe Nothing could make an excellent TV movie or maybe a graphic novel. But, I'll have to learn how to write a screenplay first...
AR: How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
EJL: That's easy. The best way is to join FaceBook and become a fan of "Owe Nothing - a novel by E. John Love". You can also follow my tweets at http://www.twitter.com/ejohnlove or visit my Owe Nothing home page at http://fiction.ejohnlove.com.
AR: How can they contact you directly?
EJL: Email me at ejlove@shaw.ca or direct message @ejohnlove on Twitter. I'm happy to respond to any questions.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?
EJL: If I can reach Vancouverites, Canadians or anyone else who'd enjoy Jack's story - if Jack's misadventures and values can resonate with a reader personally - then I'll consider the work to have been a creative success. It's already a personal success to me: my first personal goal was simply to tell Jack's story and have his novel sit on my bookshelf alongside my favourite detective and thriller authors. Everything beyond that has been a bonus.
AR: Thanks again, E. John, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
EJL: Thank you very much for this opportunity!