The first time I met Jason was as part of a threesome – on Twitter, that is. I recall I was having a conversation with another author, and he butted in, or at least, that’s my recollection. He’ll probably tell you a different story.
As it’s customary for me to do when I don’t know someone, I checked out Jason’s bio for a better sense of who he was. He was an author—good. He liked music—good. He was also Canadian—nice. His profile depicted a serious-looking man, almost “dignified,” I told him. He laughed and directed me to one of his “In the Dark” videos.
“Tell me if you still feel that way after viewing it,” he said.
And so began my education of Jason McIntyre.
There are three things that impress me about Jason. He is funny, and I mean REALLY funny. He doesn’t take himself too seriously and his videos certainly prove that. Secondly, he is an incredible writer. Having read On the Gathering Storm, I’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of his work, but he is truly brilliant in his ability to create suspense that is palpable. Finally, what endears Jason to me the most (he’s going to laugh when he reads this) is his humility. For such an accomplished author, he is incredibly down to earth and approachable. He shares his knowledge, his time, and has a warm and generous spirit.
I dubbed June the month that would heat you up. Well … Jason will do that to you. He’ll either scare the pants off you with his stories or make you laugh aloud with his off-the-wall humor. Either way, he’s an über-talented author definitely worth knowing. Please welcome the very “cool” Jason McIntyre.
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Born on the prairies, Jason McIntyre’s observation of vibrant characters and vivid surroundings help populate the worlds inside his stories. Before his time as a writer, editor and communications professional, he spent several years as a graphic designer and commercial artist.
His novel ON THE GATHERING STORM is cited by readers as an “uncomfortably thrilling” read. Some tell tales of fainting spells, vomiting and self-mutilation as they read the harrowing ordeal of Hannah Garretty.
His current full-length novel in release is the suspense-mixed-with-coming-of-age thriller, THALO BLUE, a dark, fantastical thriller mixed with surreal family drama. Sebastion Redfield’s home life is messed up beyond repair, but that’s nothing next to what happens when a strangers breaks into his house one cold winter morning. No word on any faintings just yet.
Jason is the author of more than two dozen short stories, several novellas and full-length fiction. Currently, Jason is hard at work on a follow-up novel series about THE NIGHT WALK MEN and the anthology BLACK LIGHT OF DAY.
Jason loves talking to his readers and you can connect with him at his website – www.theFarthestReaches.com
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Inside Jason McIntyre’s Mind
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Getting it done. And doing it the way my gut tells me it should be done.
What turns you on creatively? Two parts to this. One, doing something or creating something in a way that I’ve never seen been done before (and in a way I’ve never done it before). Two, having a creative person that I respect notice that it is indeed done in a new and exciting way.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? So. Basically. After all. Fantastic. A kind of.
What quality do you most admire in a man? A quietness that comes from the inner knowledge that he is living right, doing right, and is absolutely certain of it. He can be as loud and boisterous as he wants in a fun setting, but alone or in private, he is confident with himself, who he is and the decisions he makes as a man and a person.
What quality do you most admire in a woman? See the answer for my most admired quality in a man.
What is your greatest regret? I sincerely hope this doesn’t come off as arrogant. I’m young yet so I don’t have any substantial regrets. Mostly they are small ones. “Sonova! I wish I would have had the nerve to say that to him!” “Bugger! I wish I would have brought an umbrella.” “Crap! The burger here is excellent. Why did I decide today’s the day to try vegetarian lasagna?”
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My soft-spoken nature. In my tone, I’m agreeable by virtue and people take this to mean I am a push-over or a weakling. I’m not. I’m quiet and introspective. Make no mistake. I have a solid idea of what I’m capable of and I know how to handle a lot more than others have given me credit for.
What is your greatest fear? Failure as a father.
Which living person do you most admire? In a professional sense? Steve Jobs (or at least my idea of him). In a personal sense? My mom. Don’t everybody go “awwwwww” at once. In a creative/writerly sense? Halfsies between Jeffrey Eugenides and Paulo Coelho.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Filmmaking.
If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? Happy constantly.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Being happy most of the time.
What is the trait you most deplore in others? A tendency toward looking for how things will go wrong or what could have been done better. It’s also the same trait I hate about myself when I veer toward it.
What is your greatest extravagance? My writing gear.
What is one thing you want to do before you die? There are more than one, but I’ll say one that is ridiculous, just for fun: I want to have five top-ten bestselling novels. There. Written down. You can’t say I don’t vocalize goals.
What is your present state of mind? Calmer than I should be, given what still needs to be done before I can sleep. The same as a small, delicate bird in the rain. Cold, but at the same time, refreshed. Looking for my next opportunity for flight, but wary that a predator is lurking.
What are some of your favorite curse words? I like silly ones, and because I have two small children I manually cut and paste the goofy ones in for the ones I’d really like to say. So it’s “Dang!” “Dagnabbit!” “Sonova!” “Oopsie!”
What is your motto? Two mottos: “Giving a no answer is better than giving no answer.” / “Do it until you bleed. Then do it some more. Again. Better. Faster. Do it until your guts start showing.”
Connect with Jason
Thank you Jason for being such a wonderful guest. I truly mean that. (For once I’m being serious with you). 😉
I invite all readers to leave Jason a comment or ask a question. He’s an incredibly charming man—really he is.
As far as my experience goes on Twitter, Jason McIntyre has a greater presence than the Bieber himself. He’s everywhere and he’s been everywhere and I’m sure he’s going to be everywhere… which is a little unnerving, but also something I respect and admire about him.
Fun interview and a great insight. Thanks for the read, both of you! 🙂
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Lovely Les , thank you so much for coming by to leave a comment for Jason.
Bieber! Hah! I had such a good laugh over that one – all I can say…Jason has much better taste in music.
eden
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I do have good taste in music but young Justin has better hair.
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Another fascinating guest, Eden. Thanks.
Jason, keep the positive attitude and you will go far. Good to see you are a happy chappy! 🙂
Your books make people faint and vomit? Being curious by nature I will have to add them to my tbr list!
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Glynis, you must check out Jason’s books. Though I neither fainted nor vomited from On the Gathering Storm, I’m not surprised that some people have.
Stop eating at least an hour before reading!
eden
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Great interview – both questions and answers! Jason is a dear and a wonderful writer – I had the honor of reading one of his short stories in an early format. I”m a big Jason fan!
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Alison, thanks for being such an avid supporter. We should form a cheerleading squad for J. I’ll bring the pom-poms!
eden
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Eden with pom poms and cheerleading just for me. When? Where? I think I had a dream about this once. 🙂
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OMG now I have to watch his videos… how fun is that? My mind is churning… 😉
Loved this interview–and Jason–only FIVE? Dude. World literary domination. Think about it.
Wicked post, Eden!
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Hah! Patti, you’re such a wildcat! Yes, J’s In the Dark videos are funneeee! For someone who writes so scary, he’s got a wicked sense of humor. Thanks for your ongoing support. 🙂
eden
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Someone (maybe it was even you, Eden) once told me they’d be worried if I wrote such edgy stuff and DIDN’T have a decent sense of humour. THEN the world should have reason to worry about me.
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Eden as always it hard to take my eyes off of you, but Jason puts a man to thinking- about how I can do better. I’m really impressed the the soft-spoken, well liked and admired man you are. And a great writer! Great interview.
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Dannie! Hello my lovely friend in Thailand. I appreciate you traveling the long distance to leave a comment here for Jason.
Your words are golden, thank you.
eden
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I’m under the weather the last few days so I’ve been absent from the magic of the Twitterverse and the Interwebs at large but I dropped in to visit Eden here knowing that this interview would be running today.
Wow, everybody! What kind and encouraging things you’ve said today. I’m feeling healthier already.
Les — I hope I’m not annoying with my Bieber-like presence. My primary hope is to grow my hair like Bieber’s but use less product. My secondary hope is to be ‘gently’ available rather than ‘in-your-face’ here on the web. I’ve never liked the hard sell, from cars to candy bars to phone solicitors. I don’t like buying anything (ideas or items) from someone’s who’s a nag. Hopefully I’m not one of ‘those guys’.
Glynis — Yes, my dour black and white head shot leads people to believe I’m down or very serious most of the time. I thought the IN THE DARK videos might help even some of that out. I’m a pretty even-keeled fella. And yes, some folks have read my stories and vomited or pulled out their hair or had to stop eating for a while. There are a lot of tears too. My writing is not ‘torture porn’ or gruesome in the least, but I think some of the stories are stress-inducing and tackle some uncomfortable things. Not everyone has the same reaction, of course. You might really like my book SHED to start with.
Alison — What can I say? You are a champ and a wonderful new friend. Thank you for stopping by to say hello. Can I tell you that I had shivers when I discovered that you, Alison DeLuca, liked my story?
Patti — World domination, eh? I have that as a goal too but thought better of sharing it here. Whoops. Just did. …Oh wait. You said World LITERARY domination. Mistake number two. I’m getting way ahead of myself here.
Dannie — I can’t take my eyes off Eden either. Your words make me blush but, truly, I’m a pretty regular guy. Maybe my ideals are lofty but I’m fairly ordinary. Thanks for coming in to offer your positive mojo!
Eden — you champ, you one-in-a-million, you jump-from-the-roof-with-goodness gal, you. Thanks for having me here, for always being a supportive pillar, for being gracious, sweet and available. You are wonderful.
Seriously. Thanks everyone!
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Holy frijoles, I knew you were a champ J, but even you take the cake in composing a long comment while under the weather. Hope you feel much better very soon, cuz as you can see, your FANS love you!
Thanks for gracing my site with your presence. Seriously, you’re cooler than cool can be.
eden
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Aww. But seriously, all the good energy from your visitors pulled me up by my bootstraps and I simply HAD to respond to all these fantastic people.
You have some awesome visitors to your website!
(But I am starting to feel healthier today, too!)
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Another great interview, Eden. Jason is an interesting man. Good luck in all you do, Jason. I have a feeling you will claw your way to all those bestsellers soon enough 😉
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Max, thank you for your kind comment. I can definitely see Jason clawing his way to the top. Great visual, by the way…
eden
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Thanks, Max!
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Jason is one of those folks you find on twitter who you just have to follow for all the reasons you list and more. (the best of which is that he’s Canadian. *waves* hi fellow Canuck)
Sometimes you come across folks on the internet that make you feel at home and Jason is exactly like that. Plus, he’s a great writer. You can’t beat that with a stick.
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Thea, Thea, Thea! That I’m a great writer — your comment fills my sails, dear. But that I make you feel at home, somehow that comment is even more special to me. Incredible of you!
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Hi Thea *waves* to fellow Canuck! Great to see you here supporting Jason. I agree, we shouldn’t beat him with a stick . 😉
eden
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Another great interview….Jason, it is nice to meet you…
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Hi Savannah, thanks for dropping by…yeah, Jason is worth knowing, as a person and an author.
eden
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Eden, I heard some Canadians like that kind of thing. You might ask Jason first, lol I am really enjoying this string and Jason’s comments– along with everyone elses
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Getting hit with a stick? People are into that, are they, Dannie? I suppose if Eden wanted to try it I would be open but otherwise, uh, no, no thanks. 🙂
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My pleasure meeting you Savannah — hold on a sec. You look really familiar. Do we work out at the same gym?
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Awesome interview Eden and Jason! Sounds like a very interesting mister and I’ll be sure to check out the works of Jason McIntyre! Rebecca x
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Cheers Rebecca, and so nice to see you here again! Jason is a cool mister indeed.
eden
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Right on, Rebecca! Thanks for stopping in. I may get a t-shirt that reads “Interesting Mister”. I like that a lot!
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Great interview Eden! Jason, I am with you – getting it done the way your gut tells you, the quietness resulting from inner knowing and confidence in ones self. I think a soft spoken nature is an asset and reflects these qualities that you value. The power is in how we say what we say, and softly spoken, and quietly confident are awesome in my book. I love men ( and women ) who are strong in their core and don’t need to prove anything. I also appreciate your ‘don’t worry be happy’ ( old Aussie song ) outlook.
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Michelle, you are a very wise woman. Thanks for your comment here for Jason.
eden
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Ah, Michelle, my thanks to you. “Don’t worry, be happy”. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could live that way 100% of the time? Trying and succeeding most of the time will have to do.
The gut. I only fail badly when I ignore it. Oh wait. Sometimes I fail spectacularly even when I follow it. Here’s hoping you find your way well enough by listening to yours, Michelle. 🙂
Thanks again!
j. //
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Eden, Bunny, I love this post. You know how I feel about “our” guy, and you seem to bring out the best in him.. I am always humbled by the authenticity and sweet nature of you both.
Jason, love that you address every single comment with charm and style. I am honored to know you, and I look forward to reading your words from now until you the day you stop putting them down….World and Literary Domination I think is absolutely in your future. I will enjoy being a witness to it all.
Thank you both for sharing your gift with the world.
~k
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Miss Kim, you’re so lovely to visit Jason and me! Thanks for your support always xoxox
eden
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