Reader Meet Author: Shane Jones

I have always been fascinated by the motivation of writers. True, it starts with an idea, a story, a desire to share on a broader level, but what keeps the writer moving forward and continuing on with projects. What drives Shane Jones is the thrill and challenge of utilizing a different style for each project. He has gone from a free photocopied short story (Gravity's Rainbow) to a beautifully constructed debut novel (Light Boxes) to the forthcoming collection The Failure Six, and for each project he has approached writing from a different perspective and the results have reflected that difference.

Recently, Shane was kind enough to answer a few of my questions.

Orange Alert (OA): Your new novel, The Failure Six is available for pre-order and is just starting to gain some attention online. I know the review copies don't come out until next month, but what can you tell us about The Failure Six?
Shane Jones (SJ): I wrote The Failure Six in November 2008. It feels like Kafka at a dance party. It’s 10,000 words and split up into 6 chapters. Each chapter tells the tale of how a messenger – sent to retell the life story of a woman named Foe – ultimately fails. The book has no beginning or ending. Like any book I write, I wanted this to be a new world that felt exciting and surprising and I think I accomplished that. It’s different than Light Boxes – more old-world storytelling and less fantasy.

OA: Do you feel Gravity's Rainbow and the way you released that story played a part in your success today?
SJ: Gravity’s Rainbow was a free chapbook I did in collaboration with Chris Killen. The idea was just to have fun and send people something free. I wrote half and he wrote half and the cover was a gchat conversation we had about making the book. I released 20 copies in the States; he did 20 in the UK. I don’t think it played a part in any success I have had. Maybe it gave my blog and writing a little exposure, but I remember it was hard to just give away 20 copies because no one knew who I was. I like giving away my writing and not having a price on it. It just feels good.

OA: Light Boxes was released through Publishing Genius this year. What was your experience like with them?
SJ: This is going to be a really boring answer – but it was great. Adam Robinson went from being my publisher and editor to one of my best friends pretty quickly. I think what was so amazing is looking back and realizing how much time he spent on my book. Just hours and hours of emails and edits and page layout. I probably have over 200 emails traded back and forth between me and Adam. Not to mention his own faith and financial resources into the book. I got really lucky with finding PGP. Recently, Adam flew me down to Baltimore for a reading/party and I got to hang out with the whole PGP crew and my brother came in from DC and it was a lot of fun. I think I sold four books.

OA: Light Boxes received some very positive reviews. Do you read reviews and how much stock do you put in them?
SJ: I read all of the reviews. I think the idea that someone took the time to not only read my book, but then write a review – bad or good – is humbling. So yeah, I read them all, and seek them out by searching online for them. I love reading what people have to say about the book and really appreciate anyone that takes that kind of time to say something.

OA: You recently posted on your blog that you not only enjoy visual art, but that the more visual aspects of your writing come from your appreciation of visual art. What is your writing process like and how do you incorporate art?
SJ: I read this question and thought “Jesus Christ.” My writing process is unpredictable and erratic. When I’m actually writing, it’s quickly and I get this “locked-in” feeling where it’s all I want to do. Often, I’m just daydreaming ideas. I have a deep respect for visual art and visual artists. I’m constantly blown away by what people can create on a blank canvas. The art aspect gets into my writing from just having a collage of images in my head that I use as a resource while writing. I figure, if my mind is full of art and what I’ve read, the writing will be easier in a way. If I could teach a creative writing class I think I would split it up 50/50 reading and looking at art. Then I’d be fired.

OA: What's next for Shane Jones?
SJ: I’m really not sure. I think 4-6 times a year this is my answer when someone asks me this question or “what are you working on?” I go through phases that now that I’m a little older are a bit more predictable. My next book is a full-length poetry collection called A Cake Appeared that Scrambler Books will publish in late Spring of 2010. After that, I have no idea. I’ll have three books out in under two years and be 30 years old. I’ll also be married. I don’t really know what that means. My next book after the book of poems might be a collection of these number stories that I’ve been writing or a novel. I’ve been thinking of ideas for a nice big and messy novel. I feel like I have a lot of time to do something new and different.

Bonus Questions:
OA: If you could sit down to coffee with anyone (alive or dead) who would it be?
SJ: My wife, Melanie. Matt Bell answered this question the same way. So, I guess we can have a double date: Me, Melanie, Matt, and his wife.

OA: What type of music do you enjoy and who are a few of your favorites?
SJ: Did we just meet in a dorm? Ummm, I’ll answer this question with what I listened to last night: Mogwai, Acacia Strain, Beach House, Wendy Sutter, and IO Echo.

For more information on Shane Jones please visit his blog.