Lee Thompson Interview jan 1

Lets welcome Lee Thompson to Julie's Book Review. Lee is giving away your choice of Paperback or Kindle version of Jeremy’s Kiss, so don't forget to check out the rafflecopter to the right of the pg.

Welcome to Julies Book Review. Can you tell me a little about yourself?
Hi Everyone.  I am a new author who is learning so much about what it means to be an author.  Currently I provide Quality Assurance for a manufacturing company, and I hope someday I can be a full time writer.  I was born in Georgia, but now I live in Washington state.  I published my first novel April 2012 (Jeremy’s Kiss).

What kind of books do you write? Newest release?
I like to write Fiction – Thrillers with elements of other genres (such as Romance, Mystery, Action, and more).  Jeremy’s Kiss is still the newest release.  I am currently working on a novella that is more likely to fit Romance than thriller (but it won’t read like a Harlequin Romance).

What should we expect in your book? Action/sex/drama
I consider Jeremy’s Kiss to be rated R for sexuality and violence.  You will find elements of drama and action.  There is some romance.  In the end there are several twists and turns, some things are resolved and some things are left open for a possible sequel.

How do you get ideas for your books?
Jeremy’s Kiss was born from two different ideas.  The first came through playing games with friends.  I developed a story line for one of our games and that became the foundation for Jeremy’s Kiss.  Later I started writing a short story and I realized it would merge very nicely with the foundation I had developed, so I did merge them and it was an amazing success.  That short story gave me what I needed to start developing characters that I needed to be able to write the book.
The next book I am writing comes from my own need to deal with some difficult emotions.  It is accumulation of personal experiences that I am rolling up into two characters.
I have another story idea to be written at an undetermined date.  I don’t recall exactly how I got the idea, but it was a bunch of ‘what if’ questions that led to a thought that I realized was very original.  I want to see it written and available.

Anything in your stories based on real experiences?
My thrillers (Jeremy’s Kiss, Jeremy’s Kiss sequel – pending, and Immortals – pending), are not based on my personal experiences.  The next work I will publish (Island of Regrets) is based on an accumulation of my personal experiences.

Toughest criticism? Best compliment?
The toughest criticism I get at this point is that there is an error in the book such as a misspelling or a grammar mistake.  My best compliment.  A newspaper reviewer printed that he hopes I find a representative and a publisher very soon.

any advice for aspiring authors?
The first advice is write for yourself.  I didn’t write Jeremy’s Kiss for anyone but me.  It was my story and I wanted it to be good enough for me (I am also an avid reader).  I didn’t write for a publisher, or even with the dream of seeing it published (that came later). 
The next advice is never be afraid for your story to take a direction you didn’t expect.  Maybe your subconscious has come up with an idea that will have a huge impact on the story.  Sometimes you just have to follow through and see what happens.

How about some fun stuff?
I can play the violin.  I am taking lessons, but I have reached the point where I feel comfortable to say that I can play.  I am also an avid Football fan, I am one of those guys who can have games on all day long on Sunday (and keep up with my college team too).  I am also a hunter during hunting season, and I love camping.

Dogs or cats?
Sadly I have 3 cats.  I don’t really want 3 cats, but they came with the family and it isn’t up to me to say whether or not they stay.

1 Fav book? why?
Catch 22 by Joseph Heller.  Wow, that was an amazing story.  I was completely shocked by how much I enjoyed that book, and at the end of the story I found that I wanted to cry.  Talk about pulling on emotions, books don’t do that to me.

Favorite place to travel?
In the US – just let me get away to the mountains, forest, hills, or wherever it is that is away from people, or crowds, or tourist attractions.
Outside the US.  I like England.  I can’t explain it, but I feel so relaxed and comfortable there.

1 fav author? Why?
Robert Jordan.  Author of The Wheel of Time series.  Jordan has an amazing way of weaving an incredibly intricate story with amazing characters and places.  The series will span at least 14 long books, and he was not able to see it to the finish.  Another writer has stepped in and is doing an admirable job of completing the story.

Is this your full time job? if yes, anything else you want to do? if no what else do you do?
I wish this was my full time job.  I have so much in my head that I simply need to get written, and it’s really hard to find free time.  My full time job is in Quality Assurance in a manufacturing company.  I am also a husband and father, and those take my time as well.

Where can we find you and your books?
Jeremy’s Kiss (and all future books at this point) are available on Amazon.com in print and on Kindle, and are also available for Nook.  Jeremy’s Kiss is also available through other online retailers, and hopefully someday will find space on bookstore shelves.

 http://www.amazon.com/Jeremys-Kiss-Lee-Thompson/dp/144146820X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355145560&sr=8-1&keywords=jeremy%27s+kiss

 http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Thompson/e/B007WDA2FQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1355145741&sr=8-1

 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jeremys-kiss-lee-thompson/1110020731?ean=9781441468208

Thank you for coming on Julie's Book Review. I wish you lots of success and hope you and your families all have a Great New Year.
Have a wonderful NEW Year!!
Julie Ramsey
juliesbookreview.blogspot.com