Interview with Ward Jones, Author of The Way Up

Reading and Writing Addiction was able to catch up with Ward Jones, Author of The Way Up for an interview. We are excited to share this interesting interview today with our readers.

RAWA: When did you first discover that you were a writer?  

Ward Jones, Author of The Way Up

WJ: 1995 when, tired of being a lawyer, I took a writing class at Rice.

RAWA: What is your favorite part of writing?

WJ: My favorite part of writing is when thoughts flow and it’s like taking dictation once your imagination shows you the character, the place, time.

RAWA: What do you think is the most challenging aspect of writing?

WJ: Writing in the afternoon. Most of mine is in the morning when the hours go by faster. Helped by coffee, of course.

RAWA: Tell us about your latest release.

WJ: The Way Up is the story of a working class boy, the son of a plant foreman who through hard work graduates from college and an inner city law school. His search for a job leads to a small law firm, and later a girl, an associate with the largest firm in Houston.  As strong willed as his father, if not as cruel, she and her family change his life. As will an older man who befriends him. Over two decades the narrative is set in the eighties and nineties.

RAWA: How did you come up with the title of your book?

WJ: The title, I felt, reflects the climb to success people like John strive for day after day, year after year.

RAWA: Who are some of your favorite authors?

WJ: Alice Munro, William Trevor, Richard Ford, Walker Percy, to name a few.

RAWA: What do you think has influenced your writing style the most?

WJ: The prose of those above, and others like them.

RAWA: As a writer what is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

WJ: The publication of my short story, Joe Bugle, in a literary journal.

RAWA: How did you get published?

WJ: I submitted it to the journal’s editor in New York.

RAWA: Do you have any advice for writers looking to get published?

WJ: Target your audience.  Your chances are better if you pick a specific genre and stick with it. Literary writings are, even for established authors, difficult to sell. Even the small publishing houses have become obsessively selective. In this market they have to. But if you’re like me you keep writing, submitting, publishing.

The Way Up by Ward Jones is available on Amazon.com