About J.Z. Pitts:
J.Z. Pitts' journey into the world of words began at the cusp of his teen years. One day he opened a book and was sucked into a portal, transporting him to far-off lands and thrilling adventures. It was addicting. Inspired by the fantastical worlds and thrilling adventures between the pages of his favorite books, he soon began to craft his own stories.
After a brief stint at his high school newspaper, where he honed his skills writing everything from news copy to opinion pieces to book and movie reviews, Pitts turned his attention to short stories. His writing soon became known for its vivid imagery, empathetic characters, and thought-provoking themes.
When he's not writing, Pitts enjoys spending time with his family and friends, reading, or watching movies.
His debut novel, Virtual Rebel, is the first in a planned trilogy.
What inspires you to write?
If I didn't, I wouldn't know what to do with myself. I am a storyteller. Stories are my passion. In these times of much division, one thing that unites us, and has for centuries, is storytelling. That's such a powerful and fascinating fact. In my own small way, I like being part of that. But I also like when readers share how my writing makes them feel, especially when those feelings mirrored mine when writing whatever scene or moment they're describing to me.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
I don't have a particular favorite, but I've really been enjoying a lot of Stephen King, Joe Abercrombie, and Terry Pratchett lately.
Tell us about your writing process.
I do a bit of outlining and a bit of making it up as I go along. My outlines aren't super detailed, maybe a dozen pages at most, and covers the main plot. Sometimes my outlines go into a little detail about the characters, but usually no more than a paragraph. I prefer to discovery-write scenes and characters, so it's almost like I'm telling those parts of the story to myself. It keeps me engaged and entertained.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
No, but I do try to put myself in their shoes, as best I can. That way I can write my characters honestly, understanding thier motivations and perspectives.
What advice would you give other writers?
Do the work. Keep learning. Keep pushing. Don't be afraid to go outside your comfort zone.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
For many years I've wanted a career in telling stories. I know the odds are against me to make a living, but I've got to try. It would torment me for the rest of my life if I never tried.
I went the self-publishing route because I felt it offered me the most control over my potential success or failure. Of course, this has drawbacks, but for better or worse, it's on me.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
Good question. It's hard to predict. The ebook and self-publishing revolution shook things up quite a bit. Reading books isn't as mainstream as it used to be, and it's been this way for many years now.
There's always going to be a need for writers and storytellers, even with the advent of AI. AI might eventually reach a point where it can tell an entertaining story, but it'll be soulless. Writers in the future will really have to know how to convey human thought and emotion to compete, to offer readers something compelling about the human experience.
What genres do you write?: science-fiction, fantasy
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
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All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
