Guest Post, Mysteries

A Visit with Jason Powell

Cynthia here–at Left Coast Crime, I had the great fortune to meet the wonderful Jason Powell, who kindly agreed to visit us and answer some questions about his book No Man’s Ghost, which is out now. Please join us in welcoming Jason!

  1. What made you interested in writing this particular story?

I’m always glad to answer this question because it gives me the opportunity to set facts straight. I’m a New York City firefighter. The story is about a New York City firefighter. People often assume, “okay. This is a write-what-you-know situation.” Those people aren’t wrong, but I think they don’t always know my motivation for wanting to tell this story. There’s a lot of lore and awe and admiration surrounding firefighters. I won’t say whether or not it’s deserved, but I will say that firefighters are just people. The fact is, the fire department  and the fire service is nothing like I expected it to be. It’s not perfect but it can be great. The camaraderie, the life lessons learned at the kitchen table or in the training area down in the basement, or out in the field at a fire… They’re all lessons valuable to everyone regardless of what their occupation is. I wanted to tell a story about the firehouse and firefighters to show how much being a member of the fire service is a mirror to being a part of a society. How even though most people are fighting battles that you know nothing about, they’re probably battles you could help with. Because they’re battles you’ve fought yourself.

  1. How did you develop the main characters? Did you know everything about them upfront, or did they take any unexpected turns?

Honestly, I don’t like to admit this but, honestly, the main character is based on me. The book spans a week and it’s the first week of Charles’s career as a firefighter. His experiences aren’t mine, but his background is. His family make-up is. So I kind of cheated, in that way. But Alan, the antagonist, was my attempt to create the opposite of Charles. The other side of the coin. Charles comes from a big family, two parent home. Alan is an only child raised by a mother who resents both him and his dad who left. Charles’s closest relationships are with his mother and his girlfriend, where as Alan has no respect for the woman who raised him and cheats on his wife. Charles is self conscious, Alan: cocky. Whatever characteristics Charles has, Alan has the opposite. Both good and bad. Creating him was easy and fun. I was sort of creating a darkside for myself.

  1. What’s your process for writing a novel? Were there any surprises encountered along the way?

Have you guys ever read or seen the movie “Misery” by Stephen King? You know how the main character Paul Sheldon, a writer, has a routine where he smokes one cigarette and drinks a glass of wine once he finishes a manuscript? I loved that movie and the book and I knew once I had an idea for a novel that I would want to have a routine like that. You know, in case I too get a stalker one day. Alas, I don’t smoke or drink, and the things I enjoy for snacks seem to change from month to month, so that routine never happened. As far as the process though, I just make sure that I write every day. I devote two hours every day to my work in progress. All that time isn’t necessarily putting words to paper, but my focus is on the book. The surprises come when I’m writing, though and the characters or story starts to go places I hadn’t foreseen. I love that though. I get to feel, maybe, what the reader will, and it’s exciting to discover.

  1. Whom would you cast as your main character in an adaptation and why?

Michael B. Jordan. He’s a fine actor and I’m certain he’d do a great job, but more than that, people love his looks. Fans of thrillers and action movies and the fire service would probably want to watch the movie because of the premise, but for everyone else, let them come to see him. Everyone’s happy,

  1. Are your approaches to writing short or long fiction different?

They are. Generally I think short fiction is about the story whereas long fiction is about the characters. That’s a pretty broad statement, but that’s generally how it is for me. When I write short stories, I want the character to be interesting, but the situation they experience is what I want the reader to talk about afterwards. For the novels, I want the reader thinking about and discussing the characters. I want the reader to feel as if they’d gotten to know them, and so care about what happened or what will happen to them. Incidentally, I’ve had several short stories published. Every one of the main characters in those stories make an appearance in one or several of my books.

  1. If your book was an appetizer or a dessert, what would it be and why?

As much as I would love to be a dessert, I’d probably be an appetizer. No Man’s Ghost is an easy, fun read. It doesn’t take much energy or emotion to read, and after a satisfying ending, you’ll be ready for book 2; either mine or whatever’s next on your TBR. When you’re done with a dessert, you have to sit with it. Lean back and spread your legs. You might do that after NMG, but it won’t be my doing. So… appetizer.

  1. What’s next for you?

In my immediate future? Deep fried oreos. But professionally, my agent and I are on submission with book 2. It features some characters introduced in No Man’s Ghost, but it isn’t a sequel, and doesn’t revolve around the firehouse. I’m currently writing book 3 which does go back to the firehouse, and once again follows Charles, although he’s no longer a probationary firefighter. But first, and most importantly, deep fried oreos.

Jason Powell is an author and FDNY firefighter whose work has been published in Slate, and numerous online writing outlets. When he isn’t at the firehouse or at a desk, he can usually be found in the streets of New York city with his backpack full of snacks or lost in the pages of a novel. No Man’s Ghost is his first novel.

 

26 thoughts on “A Visit with Jason Powell”

  2. So glad we got to meet at Malice Domestic, Jason, and welcome to the Chicks! I’m one of those people who are a little in awe of firefighters (fire! fighting it! yikes!). So this book, in which we get to know the backstory of a firefighter, sounds truly wonderful. Congrats on the publication, and thanks so much for visiting us today!

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    1. I enjoyed sitting in on your panel in Denver! Very glad we got to meet. Hope you’re doing well and thank you for this opportunity.

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  3. Hurrah, Jason! (BTW, I also met Jason in person at LCC and agree with Cyn–he’s wonderful!)

    Anyway, I loved getting to know the inspiration behind No Man’s Ghost, and I appreciated the insight into short stories vs. novels.

    Enjoy your deep-fried oreos! Will that be your go-to celebratory snack after finished manuscripts?

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  4. JASON: Congratulations on your debut novel!

    I do trust Cynthia’s book recommendations, and also those from fellow Chick Ellen Byron. I will check out NO MAN’s GHOST.

    Sorry I missed meeting you at Denver LCC! I was there.

    I do enjoy reading books with a firefighter protagonist. I read the Mac Fontana books, with an ex-firefighter turned arson investigator lead, by Earl Emerson. Emerson worked many years as a firefighter in WA.

    P.S. I have never eaten deep-fried Oreos. What am I missing?!

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    2. Grace, we actually shook hands at LCC. I congratulated you after your reward. But I was one of several and we didn’t converse really, so I don’t blame you forgetting. Thank you for this. As happy as I am to visit with you all, I’m pretty distraught that you haven’t had the pleasure of a deep fried Oreo in your life. It’s like a little bit of heaven.

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      1. Awww crapola, my memory of Denver LCC is a total blur!

        If we had talked longer, I’m sure I would have remembered meeting you!

        As for trying deep-fried Oreos, maybe it will be served at a summer fair or festival.

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  5. Grace, Jason will have to defend those deep-fried Oreos because in my book, you’re missing nothing.

    I just started reading No Man’s Ghost and I already love it! I’m so proud to see my native city represented by someone like Jason – one of New York’s Bravest. (He corrected me at LCC when I accidentally called him New York’s Finest – that’s the NYPD!)

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    1. Ellen… Ellen.

      Ellen. Nabisco and I forgive you about your crazy Oreo statement.

      I’ve seen you at every LCC I’ve been to. Unfortunately for you the two things are synonymous now. You have to attend every one I do, going forward. Sorry but those are the rules,

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      1. Rules are rules, Jason. And I’m holding you to it. See you at Bouchercon! And Left Coast. And… Malice! That’s right, I want you to come. An easy trip from NYC and they’d love you.

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  6. Jason, thanks for visiting us Chicks today! Loved this interview and huge congrats again on No Man’s Ghost. All best wishes on sub for Book 2 as well. I don’t think I’ll ever forget your story on a panel (LCC? Bouchercon?) where you told us about the events of your first week on the job. Everyone was riveted, as your readers will continue to be into your bright future!

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    1. Lisa! I remember our pizza dinner on the eve of Bouchercon last year. Thanks for being so kind and motivating. The writing community is amazing because of people like you.

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  8. Hi Jason: It was fantastic to meet you at LCC! Thrilled that you were able to visit us today (thank you).

    Fascinating to hear more about No Man’s Ghost--wishing you much success! I’m interested to see where Charles goes after fire fighting.

    And I love the idea of having a treat waiting at the end of a book. 🙂

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    1. I feel like writing is work and the Oreos are the payment. Only seems fair.

      Thank you again for this opportunity, Cynthia. I had a great time with this.

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  9. Congratulations on your debut novel, Jason! And best of luck to you and your agent for a short wait until someone says to book 2. Cheers!

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  10. Congratulations on your debut Jason and I’m adding No Man’s Ghost to my TBR! Thank you for your service and for writing! Hmm…I think I may try deep fried Oreo. – Emily

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