Intimate Conversations with James Lee Nathan III
James Lee Nathan III (JLN3), is the self-published author of two novels and nine novellas, spanning many speculative fiction sub-genres. JLN3 is best known for his scifi erotic crime drama series Robert Manis and No Brakes, both of which are bestsellers on the leanpub author platform. His latest works,CRIME-PHYTER, and Ibrahim Unites, introduce readers to hisNext Level Fiction experience. James is also the #1 bestselling author of erotic crime dramas on leanpub.com.
James is a retired US Air Force veteran, and currently works as a senior systems integrator for a large telecommunications corporation.
BPM: How did you get to be where you are in your life today? Who or what motivated you?
To answer your first question, more than one person has prayed for me throughout my life. I guess that is how we all survive or perish in this world, through the love, grace, and mercy of others. My motivations have always been to improve upon my family name, and to live a life worthy of remembering. I never sought glory only respect and appreciation.
BPM: Who does your body of literary work speak to? Do you consider authors as role models?
I write in three specific genres, and sometimes all in one. My stories are what they are, if one decides they are scifi, urbanfantasy, erotic crime dramas, or suspense thrillers then so be it, but I typically try to tell a good tale that takes the reader on a journey. One in which they ask themselves the very questions I pose in my tales. So if you are of the mind to question the known and seek to understand the unknown, then this is for you. 'Writers as role models' hmmm I think we should expand this construct and say 'Artisans' because I believe that all 'free thinkers' and creators in society, deserve to be recognized for what they bring to our culture. Remember, if you destroy the art, the words, and pictures, you can remove a culture or race from existence.
BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book? Why now?
O-M-GEEE, so this book is the culmination of about five years of effort and wrestling with doubt. Two things are important here; my daughter's inquisitive mind after she read the first unfinished work and asked 'Are there no more Dragon Warriors?' and then being compelled to write a tale of struggles and triumph that restore balance to the universe. But before you can write about balance you must be in balance. Once my life eased into a stable state, the words flowed.
BPM: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
The characters gave me great pleasure. There is a sense of DEPTH to them, even the ancillary ones offer you a sense of complexity.
BPM: Where do your book ideas come from? Are your books plot-driven or character-driven? Why?
I am asked this question often, and I truly cannot narrow it down to any one thing other than I draw stimulation from many sources. There can be an interaction at a grocery store between two people that catches my eye, and I will create a scene, a story, a title out of just that one random thing. So in this regard, I seek out situations for my characters to be in and then write to that.
Each reacts to situations and stimuli differently, however, all are in proper context to the story/plot I am developing. I have actually changed my mind about a quarter way through a novella and moved the protagonist through a series of plot devices to support where I wanted the tale to evolve. All stories have a beginning , middle, and end, but not all stories move you to finish each with lust for the next. So that is what I strive for in my plot, to make you anxious about turning to the next page, or frustrated in how the last chapter ended so you read more and then you're hooked.
BPM: Could you tell us something about your most recent work? Is this book available on Kindle?
Yes my latest book, Ibrahim Unites, is the conclusion to 'Are there no more Dragon Warriors?' however, you do not necessarily need to read the other two books to appreciate this release. It did'nt start off that way, but somewhere around the 100th page, I realized that this was actually a standalone piece. Now there is a large gap in the timeline that I do address in the supplemental bonus chapters called 'Tales of Valor', but readers are all advised to read CRIME-PHYTER for even more backstory (it is a darker tale with some graphic violence and sexual situations, not erotica just a bit more than you will see in Ibrahim). Now Ibrahim Unites is available on ebook (with CRIME-PHYTER as a bonus all three formats for ebooks) and in print through AMAZON, go here.
BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters or speakers. What makes each one so special?
The three strong tenets that weave their way through the story are INTUITION, Siobhan struggles with reconciling what she knows and what she is feeling, which will cost many lives; HATE and the blood oath of Ibrahim's ancestors still lives and breathes within him. It also infects all it touches; and finally HOPE manifested in Zion Rivers, who must balance hope with faith lest it becomes pretentious in nature.
BPM: How does your book relate to your present situation, spiritual practice or journey?
It speaks to many questions I had early in my life, and how I came to believe in a universal consciousness for all.
BPM: What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
My intentions with Dragon Warriors as a whole was to interject little-known bits of information on historical figures and cultures into the plot and then speculate on if they were indeed aliens. By the time I write Ibrahim, that is still the intention, however, I now have this notion of balance and retribution.
BPM: What projects are you working on at the present?
Right now I am storyboarding my next two novellas 'Robert Manis: Kill Something He Loves' and 'Me, Jesus, and the Bodega Murders', both should be out in the Summer and Fall.
BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Twitter: @nykingmd
Instagram: @nykingmd
Purchase Books: https://leanpub.com/u/jamesleenathaniii
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/jameslee.nathaniii
Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/James-Lee-Nathan-III/e/B01DWNFUYM
Ibrahim Unites Print Edition is now available, check it out:
http://www.amazon.com/Ibrahim-Unites-There-Dragon-Warriors/dp/1483566471
