Questions Frequently asked Jack Weyland

QUESTIONS MOST OFTEN ASKED
JACK WEYLAND?

When did you first know that you liked to write?
Did you continue writing in high school?
What about in college?
Where do you get ideas for your books?
Why do you write books for youth?
Are you going to write more books?
How did you get started publishing your work?
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to be a writer?
Are any of your books based on true stories?
How do you decide on the settings of your stories?
How long does it take you to write a book?
Where do you get the names for your books?
Do you have any children?
What do you like most about writing?
Do you have a favorite author?
Which of your books is your favorite?
What is your favorite snack?
Do you have any hobbies?
Why are all of your characters associated with the Mormon church?

When did you first know that you liked to write?
It was in ninth grade. I was on the staff of our school paper. I wrote a story which ran for several weeks. I can’t even remember what the story was about, but I do remember how much I enjoyed writing and being read. Top
Did you continue writing in high school?
No, I didn’t. In high school I was in a dance band with some friends. That took a lot of time. Top
What about in college?
I was very fortunate in college. On my first semester of my freshman year I was enrolled in a freshman English course. It met three or four hours a week. There was a textbook for the course, and writing assignments, and exams. After a week or two of class, my instructor asked if he could meet with me after class. He told me he was starting a special section of the class composed of five or six other students. He said, “We’ll only meet once a week. Everyone will get an automatic A. There won’t be any tests. Are you interested?” Top
My first thought was, Are you crazy? Of course I’m interested. This is going to get me out of a lot of work. But he knew what he was doing. This class and teacher changed my life. The instructor appreciated my writing and was always ready to help. Top
Where do you get ideas for your books?
Depending on the book, my ideas come from life, or from my imagination. Sometimes, I am approached by someone who has a story to tell, and with their permission, I write a book on it. Other times, I just think “What if...” and write a story to fill in the gaps. Top
Why do you write books for youth?
I write for youth because I hope that I can make a difference. I remember the struggles of growing up and I hope that my books give youth something to relate to. This is a tough time to grow up in. I try to give whatever help I can through my writing. Top
Are you going to write more books?
Yes, I am always working on a book. I write every day (except Sunday). Top
How did you get started publishing your work?
I wrote a story and sent it to The New Era Magazine. They accepted it and sent me money. I thought, this is great! So I wrote another story and sent it in. I’m not recommending that everyone send their stories to The New Era, just send it to someone. How can a publisher run your work if they never see it? Top
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to be a writer?
The best advise that I can give anyone who wants to do anything, including writing, is to DO IT! Just try out for that team, write what you feel, apply for what you want. If you want to be a writer, start writing and don’t stop for anyone or anything. Write down the things in your mind and heart and don’t worry about what other people think. Top
Are any of your books based on true stories?
Yes, some are. If someone tells me of an experience that can help someone else, I may ask them to let me write about it, and they help me along the way. Several of my books are based on true stories. Sara, Nicole, Kimberly, Brittany, Stephanie and Emily are all based on people’s experiences. Even in the books not based on true stories, some events in the story are true. For example in Pepper Tide, I had a friend whose dad was convicted and served time in prison, but not under the same circumstances as in the book. Also, in Charly, I had a friend whose wife died and that inspired the book, but it isn’t based on his experience. Top
How do you decide on the settings of your stories?
I don’t have a particular method for selecting a setting. I write the story and just put it into the town it best fits. Generally, my settings are places I’ve been to and know enough about to place the story there. Top
How long does it take you to write a book?
From first draft to finished manuscript a book takes me about a year to complete. I write early every morning all year long and then work with my publisher through five or six re-writes to get the book on the shelves. Top
Where do you get the names for your books?
I have a baby name book and inter-net site that I use to get ideas for names. I write the character and then choose a final name. I usually start out with a name, but it changes throughout the book until I’m all done developing the character and story. Top
Do you have any children?
I have five children, two daughters,three sons. All of them are married and two are in graduate school. Top
What do you like most about writing?
It’s like reading a book, but the story always turns out exactly the way you want it to. Top
Do you have a favorite author?
My writing has been inspired by the plays of Neil Simon. When I was young I enjoyed Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck. Strangely enough, at the present time, I read mostly non-fiction books. Top
Which of your books is your favorite?
Usually, the one I’m working on. Of the ones which have been published, the one I enjoyed writing the most was A New Dawn. Top
What is your favorite snack?
I really like apples. They are red or green, portable, and nutritious. What more could you want from a fruit? Top
Do you have any hobbies?
I like to play racquetball, run and hike. I love music, performing and listening. I’m always eager to learn new sports or talents. After all, life is a pursuit of knowledge. Top
Why are all of your characters associated with the Mormon church?
I write about what I know. I grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Mormon church. Because of that, I can relate and depict a Latter Day Saint better than anything else. Top

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QUESTIONS MOST OFTEN ASKED JACK WEYLAND?

QUESTIONS MOST OFTEN ASKED
JACK WEYLAND?