Interview with John Shors

Not surprisingly, I don’t spend a whole lot of time in front of the television. Sure, I have my must-see TV shows like Desperate Housewives, The Young & the Restless, and Survivor. (C’mon! What’s not to like about Jeff Probst? He even won his first well-deserved Emmy!) But all kidding aside, I truly believe there’s really nothing better than reading a poignant love story. The sheer essence of the author’s words beautifully depict what we all desire… to be loved. That in itself is pure heaven.

John Shors, this month’s highly anticipated Jen’s Jewel, dares to cross racial boundaries in his powerful second release entitled BESIDE A BURNING SEA. As in his first novel, BENEATH A MARBLE SKY, John combines extensive research with eloquent prose that manifests itself into a compelling love story filled with heartache, new discoveries, and unforgettable characters. Set on a remote Japanese island during World War II, he pens a poetic love story between an American nurse and a Japanese prisoner-of-war. Mark my words. This book will sweep you away.

As part of this interview, John has generously donated five copies for you, my readers, to win. (Thank you, John!) So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. Go ahead and grab something warm to drink on this crisp, fall day and get to know my very gifted friend, John Shors.

Jen: Your path to becoming a writer took many fascinating turns which most certainly has attributed to your success as one of the brightest, rising stars in fiction. Please tell us a little bit about your educational and professional background so that my readers can have better understanding of the man behind the words.

John: I think the most important thing in my life, in terms of how and why I ultimately became a writer, was the fact that when I was eight or nine, my father put a lock on our television set. I therefore grew up reading, usually devouring at least one book a week. This went on (and continues to go on) for many years. Aside from my love of reading, I was an English major at Colorado College, and then I became a newspaper reporter. As a journalist, I learned quite a bit about the craft of writing. My editor encouraged me to create a unique style, and I think that this style is still with me today. Of course, I’ve expanded upon it, writing much more lyrically than I was able to as a journalist.

Jen: Incorporating your extensive travels into a work of fiction must be a very rewarding, yet challenging part of the writing process. In your debut novel, BENEATH A MARBLE SKY, you chose to capture the essence of the Far East within the bounds of your poignant love story. What attracted you most to this locale? And specifically, what technical aspects of your storytelling enable the reader to feel a connection with your characters?

John: I have been lucky enough to spend three years in Asia. I love this part of the world, and my goal was always to try and utilize my understanding of Asian cultures in creating novels that occur in places like India, the South Pacific, Vietnam, etc. In terms of BENEATH A MARBLE SKY, which recounts the wonderful story behind the creation of the Taj Mahal, it was my visit to the Taj that inspired the novel. After seeing the Taj, and realizing that no one in the West had ever written a novel about it, I felt compelled to begin BENEATH A MARBLE SKY. I’ve been delighted with how readers all over the world have embraced this novel. It’s now in eighteen languages and we’ve sold the movie rights to Hollywood.

Jen: Unlike your first novel which is told through the eyes of a woman, your latest release, BESIDE A BURNING SEA, centers around the plight of a Japanese prisoner of war named Akira. First of all, how did you arrive at the premise? Secondly, why the shift in focus from a woman’s perspective to a man’s? Was it intentional or was it simply how the story evolved?

John: I don’t know if there was an intentional decision on my part to shift voices. For me, the story comes first, then I worry about the voices. After living in Japan for two years, and becoming intrigued with why Japan was in WWII, I thought it would be fun to create a classic love story set in the South Pacific at the height of the war. I decided to give this story a twist—a Japanese soldier who falls in love with his American nurse. This was a challenging and rewarding relationship for me to bring to life. I’m really happy with how it turned out.

Jen: For a story such as yours to ring true, a certain amount of research must take place in order to establish credibility with the reader. Approximately how much research went in to this novel? And, what was the most fascinating tidbit you unearthed along your journey?

John: The most important thing to me is visiting the place that I write about. For BENEATH A MARBLE SKY, I spent a month in India. For BESIDE A BURNING SEA, I spent a couple of months in the South Pacific. Aside from that hands-on research, I read a great deal about the cultures that I’m trying to put on the page. I interview people, I look at photos. I want the reader to close my novels thinking that she or he has learned a few things about the cultures that I set my stories around.

Jen: The character I was most intrigued with was Annie, the love interest of the main character Akira. Throughout the novel, we witnessed her transformation from a timid lady to a self-assured and confidant woman. How does her relationship with Isabelle, her older sister, inhibit her in respect to her vulnerability towards others? In your opinion, when is the defining moment in her metamorphosis that ultimately enables her spirit to be set free?

John: The relationship between the two sisters in BESIDE A BURNING SEA is complicated. At a young age, Annie became quite sick, and for many years Isabelle looked after her. Therefore, Isabelle sometimes is overprotective of Annie, which doesn’t always sit well with Annie. About halfway through the novel, Annie begins to fall in love with her Japanese patient, Akira. Annie wants to feel vulnerable. But Isabelle feels the need to point out the danger of such a relationship. She doesn’t want Annie to be hurt. I think the reader will be able to empathize with both women in this situation. As far as when Annie’s spirit is finally freed, I believe it’s when Akira encourages her to overcome her fear of the deep water (she almost drowns at the start of the book) to go swimming with the dolphins.

Jen: Every story needs its despicable villain in order for the reader to sympathize with the protagonist’s set of circumstances. Your Roger takes the cake as one of the meanest characters out there! Bravo! What was the best part about creating this evil person? Did he live up to your expectations or did he take on a life of his own?

John: Like you, I enjoy a good villain. I think most readers do. As a writer, I like to create unique voices, whether it’s an Indian princess or a Japanese soldier or a villain who is at war with the world. For me, these are all enjoyable challenges. I’d rather create such characters than more nondescript ones. So, for me, it was fun to bring out Roger’s evil, to watch him disintegrate as the novel progresses.

Jen: I think what sets your novels apart from the rest are the little touches that you add that make the reader stop and think….this is a fine example of modern day fiction. For example, at the beginning of each chapter is a beautifully crafted haiku that not only ties the story together, but also moves the plot along. Is poetry a passion of yours? What made you include the haikus in your book?

John: I’ve always enjoyed poetry, but it’s not a passion. A lot of BESIDE A BURNING SEA is told from Akira’s perspective, and since he is a poet, I thought it would be neat to start each chapter with a haiku that is written from his perspective. Readers seem to really enjoy what I’ve done with these. In fact, many readers have emailed me haikus that they’ve been inspired to write after finishing my novel. So I’m glad that this idea popped into my head. Writing the haikus was one of the most enjoyable things that I did during the creation of the novel.

Jen: A question I just have to ask…BENEATH A MARBLE SKY and BESIDE A BURNING SEA… both start with a B prepositional word. Was this intentional? And if so, what significance does it have? Will your next book start with perhaps BEYOND?

John: I don’t know why this happened. The original title of BESIDE A BURNING SEA was THE POET MAKERS. But my publisher didn’t think that title had enough of an edge, so I created the new title. I like it, and I think it works well with the cover of the book (which I love). The title of my third novel (which I’m working on) is IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DRAGONS. For my fourth book, I’m going to get away from the preposition theme, I promise.

Jen: Unfortunately writing a phenomenal book does not guarantee book sales. As you well know, in order to achieve a recognizable amount of success, there must be an aggressive marketing plan put into place. I think your personal story best illustrates this. Please tell us about your mission to make a name for yourself which ultimately led to your appearance on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.

(Here is the link if you’d like to see John for yourself.)

John: My goal was to help promote my first novel, BENEATH A MARBLE SKY, and to give something back to readers. So, in the back of the trade paperback version of the novel, I decided to add a letter that invited book clubs to invite me to their evenings. I told book clubs that we could have a nice chat via speakerphone, and I encouraged them to email me (I included my contact info). The result of this offer has been quite extraordinary, I think. To date, I’ve spoken with approximately 1,300 book clubs about BENEATH A MARBLE SKY. These book clubs have been all over the U.S. and Canada, as well as from places like Zambia, France, and Columbia. Book clubs have really enjoyed the interaction, and almost of them say it’s their first such experience. Many of the groups go all out, dressing in saris, hiring henna painters, eating Indian food, etc. Groups seem to have a lot of fun with the evenings.

Jen: With that being said, are you making the rounds for your latest release, BESIDE A BURNING SEA? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling an author phone chat?

John: I’m definitely still making the rounds, as it’s important for me to connect with the readers who support me. All I’m asking is that two book clubs get together for each call. I can be reached at [email protected].

Jen: Do you have a website? Mailing list? E-mail notification of upcoming releases? Do you participate in a blog? Any upcoming appearances?

John: I have two web sites: www.beneathamarblesky.com/ and www.besideaburningsea.com/. Occasionally, I’ll send book clubs a little update, but I don’t have any sort of real newsletter. But if readers have any questions, I am always happy to answer them via email.

Jen: Are you currently at work on your next masterpiece (my words…not his!)? If so, what can you tell us about it? And, when can we expect to see it on the bookstore shelves?

John: I am really excited about my third novel, IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DRAGONS. This novel will be released in September of 2009. Here’s what we’re saying about it: “Set in modern-day Vietnam, IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DRAGONS tells the tale of two Americans, who as a way of healing their own painful pasts, open a center to support and educate Vietnamese street children. Learning from the poorest of the poor, the most silent of the unheard, the Americans find themselves reborn in an exotic land filled with corruption and chaos, sacrifice and beauty. Resounding with powerful themes of suffering, love, and redemption, IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DRAGONS brings together East and West, war and peace, and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit.”

I think that this novel will really resonate with readers. After spending several years on the streets of Asia, and interacting night after night with homeless children who are out at all hours of night selling postcards and flowers, I felt compelled to bring their stories to life. I couldn’t be happier with how IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DRAGONS is unfolding.

Jen: In a sense, I feel as if you are an old friend because I knew you back when we both started out in this business. What a journey it has been thus far! It has been an absolute joy to finally be able to share your work with my readers. (Sorry it has taken so long!) What a true jewel in the making! From the bottom of my heart, I wish you only the best.

John: The pleasure is all mine, Jen. It’s been a delight to participate in this discussion, and I’m excited that you’re showcasing my work to your many wonderful readers. I hope that your readers enjoy my novels, and I wish everyone the very best.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with John. Please stop by your favorite bookstore or local library and pick up a copy today!

Better yet, how would you like to win your very own copy of BESIDE A BURNING SEA? Enter John’s Fresh Fiction contest with the correct answer to the following question and you could win! FIVE lucky names will win!!!!

Name the title of John’s upcoming release.

Later this month, I will be bringing to you my interview with New York Times Bestselling Author Allison Brennan. You won’t want to miss it!

Until next time…Jen

When a twist of fate landed Jennifer at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would essentially be over. Instead, she figured out a clever way to combine her love for reading and writing and "voilà" She became a book reviewer and columnist with www.freshfiction.com. On the sidelines, her parents secretly hoped that her French degree from Vanderbilt would one day come in handy and Jennifer is happy to report that the phrases ‘Je ne sais pas' and ‘C'est incroyable!' have been quite useful when reviewing certain selections! As is typical in her whirlwind life, one thing led to another and soon she found herself facilitating a popular moms' book club and writing a column she cleverly named Jen's Jewels. (Jewelry is one of her many addictions, as is the color pink and Lilly Pulitzer, which when you think about it, would probably make for a good story! Hint! Hint! ) To keep herself away from her favorite retailer, Ann Taylor, she serves on the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library in Maryland. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Classes, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. When asked how she manages to do all of these things and actually get some sleep at night, she simply replied, "It's just Par for the Course." Hmm! Now where have we heard that before?