Interview with Jake Webber

http://lafittesblackbox.blogspot.com/

Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

I never really thought about writing when I was younger or even in college. Writing was not something that I envisioned myself doing. I was so focused on getting ready for a career. I’ve always been a reader. Writing is something that I recently discovered that I enjoy doing.

Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?

Several years ago I attempted to write a story that had been in my head for quite awhile. It was my first attempt at writing a novel. I sat down and began the first chapter which meandered aimlessly. After a few days, I gave up in frustration. About two and a half years ago, the premise and story for LAFITTE'S BLACK BOX came to me during a night of insomnia. It was completely different than what I had attempted to write before. The next morning I began exploring the methods of writing and formed a plan and began my research. This time the story flowed out of me. It took me about 11 months to finish it and another few months for the first and second revisions. I shopped the manuscript around several places including Llumina Press. They were really excited about what I had written and we put together a book that I think people will really like.

Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one thing about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?

My book, LAFITTE'S BLACK BOX is an action/adventure aimed at teens and young adults that is set in New Orleans. I think many readers will be able to relate to my main character, Devereaux Parker, and his struggles of moving to a new place and moving from a town he really loved. He quickly finds himself immersed in an adventure that will take the reader on a journey into the past to mysterious places and with unsavory characters. New Orleans is a place of mystery and intrigue. I think readers will come away knowing a lot more about New Orleans and Louisiana.

What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?

My own childhood adventures inspired this book. I spent a lot of time making forts and exploring when I was younger. My friends and I spent many hours exploring many of the places that are mentioned in my book.

Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!

I am married to a wonderful woman, my college sweetheart. I have a son who just started college at LSU here in Baton Rouge and a fifteen year old daughter who is in 10th grade. They’ve been very supportive and little bits and pieces of their personalities and experiences are in my characters. My mom and dad are retired and live up in north Louisiana. They have a house with a great view overlooking a lake. I enjoy relaxing up there with them when I get a chance. They’ve both been very supportive. I have a sister in Monroe and another sister who lives in New Orleans.

Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?

Cereal, specifically Peanut Butter Captain Crunch.

What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?

Wake up my daughter, make coffee, and shower.

If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise me the most?

There’s an Elvis outfit hanging in my closet.

Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to know: If you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?

I like the color green. Green is a calming color and there are so many shades of it in nature. Green looks great with other colors.

Who is your favorite cartoon character?

Foghorn Leghorn. Older people know who that is. Just Google the name.

Which cartoon character is most like you?

George Jetson

If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in history, where and when would it be—and why?

I would like to go back and look at Rome at its height. I would like to see the city before the ruins. I would like to travel across the empire and see the old Seven Wonders of the World.

So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while you’re writing?

I mostly like 70’s and 80’s music. I guess that would now be called classic rock. My favorite musical artists are the Beatles, Peter Frampton, the Scorpions, Weezer, and Duran Duran. I don’t listen to music when I write but I think I would like some classical music or smooth jazz on in the background. Thanks for the idea!

Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again?

My favorite shows are The Office, Seinfeld, Andy Griffith, and Mad Men. Movies that I like to watch over and over again include The Last of the Mohicans, The Wizard of Oz, Shaun of the Dead, Ace Ventura 1 and 2, and The Naked Gun.

You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?

Enjoy school and being a kid. Don’t try to grow up too fast, adulthood and the responsibility that comes with it arrives soon enough.

One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?

I’m working on some short stories that I’d like to make available some time in the future. There will be at least two more books featuring Devereaux Parker and his adventures. I will introduce some new characters in the next two as well as keep most of the current ones.

Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!