...JODY J. SPERLING!
Jody is an Omaha-based crime and thriller author I had the pleasure of meeting somewhere in Iowa. Davenport? Des Moines? Dubuque? The more I travel, the more the destinations blend together, but people like Jody, and his writing, stand out. You might think his debut novel, “The 9 Lives of Marva Delonghi” is a typical detective-with-a-murder-case story that could get lost in the sea of other murder mysteries out there. Well, let me assure you, this book, and its author, is anything but typical.
Here is her answers to the 7 Questions:
1. What writer/filmmaker/musician/artist first made you want to write?
I don't know who wrote or directed American History X, but that movie changed my life and set me on the path to write. Donald Miller had a huge role in my journey too. In his book, Blue Like Jazz, he introduced me to the books of Ethan Hawke. The Hottest State is the first book I ever read in a single sitting. Hawke is still the only author I've read in a single sitting. The emotion, the character, the heart, it ensnared me and wouldn't leave me.
2. What is the most fun part of writing for you? What is the least fun part?
Finishing is always my favorite part. It's when the story is ready for readers, and readers are who I do this song and dance for. Middles are my least favorite. I never care much for the moments of doubt where I fear my story stinks and no one will read it.
3. Your novel "The 9 Lives of Marva Delonghe" is a sort of Jack Reacher meets Groundhog Day story. If you had to replace your two main characters, Luke and Lyle, with two of Bill Murray's characters, who would you choose and how do you think they'd do?
Luke is a sharp-tongued, private eye with strong feminist leanings. She won't take shit from any man, and she's not afraid to throw elbows. The closest Murray character to her in spirit would have to be Phil from Groundhog Day. Like Phil, Luke doesn't give up when things get tough--and weird.
Lyle has a bottomless appetite and an unwavering loyalty to his partner, Luke. He's laid back, but he's got a great eye for detail, and tends to read others accurately, making his first impression sharper than most. He's very much like Steve Zissou from The Life Aquatic.
4. I first heard about Magdalene whisky in your books. Is that your drink of choice while writing? What is your go-to beverage when you sit down at the keyboard?
I hope Magdalene Bourbon exists in the real world! To the best of my knowledge, it's a fictitious brand. The slogan for the beverage is "Hold your rocks." It's a double entendre. Legend has it, Jesus stepped in to save Mary Magdalene from being stoned to death, and I thought having a bourbon meant to drink neat would be a funny deep cut for readers.
For me, beer is the finest alcoholic beverage, and I can put quite a few beers away in a day if I'm not worrying about my weight or sobriety. Sipping on scotch can be great too. I don't write better when intoxicated, but I often believe I do. Boozy vapors lie.
5. Any advice for new writers looking to get their feet wet?
The first draft should not be the final draft. Too many people write a story or a book and get enamored with their own work. They become blind to its flaws, typos, grammar violations, and missing information. No matter who you are, if you write something, you must edit it relentlessly. For me, that has always meant writing a first draft, starting from scratch and writing a second draft, and then finding readers and editors to get that bitch polished to a reflective shimmer.
6. Tell us about your podcast.
Becoming A Household Name is a chronicle of my efforts to become a better writer, and most importantly to find my ideal writer. From the beginning of this journey, I've wanted to be one of those authors who is spoken of by casual readers, disdained by niche authors for jealousy's sake and sometimes recognized about the town. In my podcast, I share solo episodes about the things I do to become well-known and widely-read. I also interview other authors about their process of becoming a household name. I've had folks like Steven Pressfield and Joanna Penn as well as people you've never heard of but hopefully will one day soon.
7. How can we find your books?
I'd prefer you buy direct from my Shopify. I have all three formats: ebook, audiobook, and paperback available, and when you buy from me, I can afford to buy my kids vegetables and bath soap. If you buy from Jeff Bezos or Barnes and Noble, I am still grateful, but my kids go hungry because the big box stores keep all the loot and pass on only the scraps to we lowly authors.
Here is her answers to the 7 Questions:
1. What writer/filmmaker/musician/artist first made you want to write?
I don't know who wrote or directed American History X, but that movie changed my life and set me on the path to write. Donald Miller had a huge role in my journey too. In his book, Blue Like Jazz, he introduced me to the books of Ethan Hawke. The Hottest State is the first book I ever read in a single sitting. Hawke is still the only author I've read in a single sitting. The emotion, the character, the heart, it ensnared me and wouldn't leave me.
2. What is the most fun part of writing for you? What is the least fun part?
Finishing is always my favorite part. It's when the story is ready for readers, and readers are who I do this song and dance for. Middles are my least favorite. I never care much for the moments of doubt where I fear my story stinks and no one will read it.
3. Your novel "The 9 Lives of Marva Delonghe" is a sort of Jack Reacher meets Groundhog Day story. If you had to replace your two main characters, Luke and Lyle, with two of Bill Murray's characters, who would you choose and how do you think they'd do?
Luke is a sharp-tongued, private eye with strong feminist leanings. She won't take shit from any man, and she's not afraid to throw elbows. The closest Murray character to her in spirit would have to be Phil from Groundhog Day. Like Phil, Luke doesn't give up when things get tough--and weird.
Lyle has a bottomless appetite and an unwavering loyalty to his partner, Luke. He's laid back, but he's got a great eye for detail, and tends to read others accurately, making his first impression sharper than most. He's very much like Steve Zissou from The Life Aquatic.
4. I first heard about Magdalene whisky in your books. Is that your drink of choice while writing? What is your go-to beverage when you sit down at the keyboard?
I hope Magdalene Bourbon exists in the real world! To the best of my knowledge, it's a fictitious brand. The slogan for the beverage is "Hold your rocks." It's a double entendre. Legend has it, Jesus stepped in to save Mary Magdalene from being stoned to death, and I thought having a bourbon meant to drink neat would be a funny deep cut for readers.
For me, beer is the finest alcoholic beverage, and I can put quite a few beers away in a day if I'm not worrying about my weight or sobriety. Sipping on scotch can be great too. I don't write better when intoxicated, but I often believe I do. Boozy vapors lie.
5. Any advice for new writers looking to get their feet wet?
The first draft should not be the final draft. Too many people write a story or a book and get enamored with their own work. They become blind to its flaws, typos, grammar violations, and missing information. No matter who you are, if you write something, you must edit it relentlessly. For me, that has always meant writing a first draft, starting from scratch and writing a second draft, and then finding readers and editors to get that bitch polished to a reflective shimmer.
6. Tell us about your podcast.
Becoming A Household Name is a chronicle of my efforts to become a better writer, and most importantly to find my ideal writer. From the beginning of this journey, I've wanted to be one of those authors who is spoken of by casual readers, disdained by niche authors for jealousy's sake and sometimes recognized about the town. In my podcast, I share solo episodes about the things I do to become well-known and widely-read. I also interview other authors about their process of becoming a household name. I've had folks like Steven Pressfield and Joanna Penn as well as people you've never heard of but hopefully will one day soon.
7. How can we find your books?
I'd prefer you buy direct from my Shopify. I have all three formats: ebook, audiobook, and paperback available, and when you buy from me, I can afford to buy my kids vegetables and bath soap. If you buy from Jeff Bezos or Barnes and Noble, I am still grateful, but my kids go hungry because the big box stores keep all the loot and pass on only the scraps to we lowly authors.