A Conversation With
James Wittenborg
What is the first book that made you cry?
Although many books have stirred my emotions, I must confess that I can’t honestly remember any book bringing me to tears. One came close, and the movie certainly did (and still does). It’s Brian’s Song; a true story about two professional football players, one black, one white, who compete with each other on the same
team. The story takes place in a racially divided time which only fuels their differences. But when one of them is diagnosed with terminal cancer, what becomes more important than football is the bond of friendship and love between them.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
It’s not knowing when good is good enough. The minute I decide to reread a paragraph or chapter, I find myself finding a better way to say something, a better word to use, or a little something that could be added “just because.” I have even found that when I pick up and read a book I have already published, I stop along the way and think about how it could be different.
​
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
A little of both. I wrote my first book purposely planting a seed that the story could have more to it. It led to a second, and then a third book. At that point, I wrapped it up and left it so that it could end there, or not. I am currently writing a story that has no ties to the first three, allowing me to introduce a new set of characters in a different genre.
​
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
It opened my eyes to the complexity of the process and just how much I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I learned the importance of having trained professional assistance (read that as Diana Kathryn Penn!) to hold my hand through each step of the process! Just as a toddler teeters and wobbles before walking with confidence, I too, am taking that literary journey in the same fashion.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
Probably the polar bear. I lived in the Arctic for a few years where they were prevalent and, although I never encountered one, found them to be highly independent and powerful creatures, traveling through and overcoming a harsh environment.
​
What did you edit out of your books?
I write to appeal to as many readers as possible. And although torrid sex scenes and crude language may appeal (or at least not overly offend) some, I choose to leave it out of my books. I do sprinkle in the occasional cuss word only because, in reality, it’s normal language for certain characters to express themselves using that language. My goal is simply not to offend.
What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Finding time to write. Frankly, I need more hours in the day (8 to 10 more would be nice). If you’ve read my personal bio, then you already know that I still work full-time supporting NASA. Family, two dogs, and a plethora of home projects also put in their demand for my time. And then when I finally do find time to write, I’m not always mentally “there.”
​
What is the easiest part of your writing process?
Creating characters. I grew up in a suburb on Long Island with a graduation class of over a thousand. This group by itself would provide an ample array of personalities and characters to choose from. In addition to this, I have lived in Houston, Colorado, California, Greenland, Montreal, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Alabama. If that doesn’t represent a diverse supply of material for fictional characters, I don’t know what does!
​
A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that?
If that is true, then there’s really no hope of me becoming an author. I’m called many things but socially inept is not one of them. I thoroughly enjoy engaging with people and find that even my saucy New York sarcasm seldom turns people away.
When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an author?
In grade school I wrote a few poems here and there because it was fun and friends seemed to enjoy them. Then, in my freshmen year at college, I wrote a term paper of the tragedy on the Kent State University campus in 1970. After much research, I wrote what I thought was a masterpiece, both from a factual and technical perspective. The professor thought otherwise, grading it a D+. Amazing how that can stay with you fifty years later. Fast forward to five years ago. One day, a concept for a story pops into my head. I developed the storyline, created characters to carry the story, and figured out how the story could end. Once I had all of this, I asked myself, “well, do you want to commit the time and effort to do this?” And when the answer was “yes,” an author was born.
​
Who are your biggest literary influences?
The two authors that had the most influence over me were Robert Ludlum and James Patterson. Government conspiracies, international scandal, and expertly concocted “who-done-its” were just the types of subjects I wanted to get involved with. From a writing standpoint, Patterson’s “short chapter” technique appealed to me. Whereas some authors pad chapters with excess pages that rarely seem to advance the story, I feel that James Patterson always gives you plenty to digest in just a few pages. I hope to do the same.
​
Could you be housemates with your characters? Why or why not?
This one is easy. Yes, of course, absolutely! The fascinating thing I have learned in the writing process is that the characters become real people to me. I know their personalities, their issues, what they like, and what they don’t like. Some of my characters drip with sarcasm and humor, something I can relate to. One in particular, is Alec Devers. Brilliant, unkempt, humorous, observant, caring, and a true friend. How could I not want to be housemates with this?
​
What’s your typical writing routine or schedule?
I wish I had a routine. When I do write, I prefer to work in a room that’s well-lit and as quiet as possible. A cup of coffee nearby also helps.
​
Do you prefer music or silence when you write?
I’ve tried to write with music playing, but find myself tuning in to the melody rather than a dialogue I need to develop in my story. The only sound I can work with is the gentle breathing of my two dogs sound asleep by my feet. They are also good foot-warmers which helps!
​
Which celebrity would you choose to narrate your audiobook?
I would choose Morgan Freeman. His narration in Shawshank Redemption is spot on. He’s serious, compassionate, and funny. And his voice is easily recognizable.
​
What do the words “literary success” mean to you? How do you picture it?
Literary success to me comes about when someone reads my book and then takes the time to write a glowing review or tell me in person, that they thoroughly enjoyed where the story took them. I’m sure we’d all like to be on the Times best seller list or prominently displayed up front on the shelf of major book stores. For me, knowing that someone spent a few hours of their time traveling through a story I’ve written and telling me it was worth it, is all the reward I need.
What is a favorite location you’ve written about? Have you visited that place? How did you choose which details to include?
I enjoyed writing about the Raleigh, North Carolina area. I lived there for three years, so it was easy to describe the area and some of the entertainment venues. In my first book, there was a scene taking placing at a downtown Starbucks. To ensure accuracy, I researched where exactly Starbucks was located and what type of street it was on. If you’re writing about a fictitious town, you can get away with fictitious businesses, streets, etc. But if you’re basing your story in a real city, including businesses that actually exist allows the reader to become more engaged.
​
Any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors?
Yes. Have fun with it! If you are even giving it a thought to be an author, it means that swirling around in that grey matter are stories you want to share. Know that an idea or burst of creativity can happen anytime, anywhere. If you can, write it down. Draw on your experiences as a child, a student, a teenager, a young adult, a parent, whatever. Write your story. But the most important piece of advice I could give is….find yourself a reputable editor who will answer your questions, polish the rough edges, and pull you out of the literary potholes we tend to fall in.