Interview with author Jimmy "J.D." Gordon

Today's guest is author Jimmy "J.D." Gordon. He's just starting a virtual book tour for his novel Dartboard.

Bio:
Firefighter and paramedic-turned-author Jimmy (J.D.) Gordon was born and raised in Chicago where he developed a taste for the finer things that the Windy City has to offer - pan pizza, live blues, and the Cubs. Jimmy loves spending time in the Florida Keys and the Caribbean. He now lives with his wife and children in Glen Ellyn, a suburb of Chicago.

Jimmy basically dropped into the world of literature, literally. After falling off a train and breaking his knee, Jimmy had to spend quite a bit of time recuperating. While visiting the firehouse his peers asked what he planned to with all that time away. This is when Jimmy said the words that he now claims to have changed his life.

"I should write a book."

Despite some skepticism from his peers ("You don't even use punctuation on your run reports!"), he completed a novel, Island Bound, and made it a point to use punctuation throughout.

After another injury, sustained on the job, prematurely ended his career, Gordon decided to try writing full-time

Welcome to Reviews and Interviews, Jimmy. Please tell us about your current release, Dartboard.
This story was best described by a fellow named Paul Kemprecos. He is one of co-writers for Clive Cussler. The story is mix between Carl Hiassen and Treasure Island. The story is an action adventure set in the Caribbean. It’s centered around the information leading to the location of, of course, buried treasure, which fell into the hands of museum curator at the Field Museum in Chicago, who then passed that information and a boat, along to a family member of his. The story lays out how several different parties, from a nutty museum assistant, to a crazy peg-legged pirate try to get their hands on the gold. They all end up on one small island in the middle nowhere to shoot it out.

What inspired you to write this book?
Honestly, I don’t do inspirations. I was ready to start another book. I had just finished three books centered on one character, a guy named Eddie Gilbert. It was a trilogy, again, set in the Caribbean. I wanted to stick with the tropical flavor but move along to a new character, so Dartboard was born, along with Jimmy Quigley, the main character.

What exciting story are you working on next?
Well, I’ve just finished up a story titled "Field of Screams." It’s the sequel to an earlier story I titled "Kritterkreep." In addition to writing adventure stories for adults I also write paranormal stories for middle school kids, ages 9 to 12. So, I’m at the point where I am deciding what to write next. I’ll either go with another adventure story or the next kids book. If it's the adventure story, I’m still floating ideas around in my head. If it’s the next kid’s book, that will be titled The Pumpkin Jamboree and the Legend of Stumpy Scout.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Oh my gosh, I’ll have to let you know when the day comes. I’ve written seven novels now, I even wrote for a newspaper for a while. I still don’t consider myself a real writer. I’m not sure why. I just feel like a guy who types.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I’m a parent first. My injury with the fire department really changed my life. My wife, honestly, had always been the real bread winner. I was hurt in the line duty so I was pensioned off, meaning I still receive some sort of compensation. Though getting hurt sucked it did leave me with the time to take care of my kids while my wife works. I’m a mister mom and proud of it. I start my day off getting the kids together and ready for school. I drop them off, then I go off to the fitness center to keep the injury in check with exercise and stretching and so on. Then the rest of the day is spent writing. Until I pick the kids up. Once everyone settles down and goes to bed, I’m back on the computer to the writing. So, much of my day is spent typing away.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Um, I like writing with a martini sitting next me, in the next seat of course, right……

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
That changed on a monthly basis, I wanted to be a soldier, I wanted to fly a helicopter, I wanted to be a marine biologist, I wanted to be a realtor and that continued into my adult life. Maybe that’s why writing fiction seems to be working out? If I feel like something, I just add it the story.

Thanks for stopping by, Jimmy.

Folks, if you'd like to learn more about Jimmy and his writing, you can follow his tour.