Interview with Author Johnny J Rodriguez

Author Johnny J Rodriguez

1. Tell me about yourself.  What are your favorite books to read?

I was born in New York City and raised in Brooklyn. After High School, I really had no plan for life.  I knew I needed college, but had no way to pay for it.  So I joined the Coast Guard.  This was the best thing to ever happen to me.  I traveled the world and was exposed to many different people and cultures.  It was in the Coast Guard where I got the idea for the book I am currently writing.

I love to read Hard Sci-fi.  Books rooted in actual science.  “Artemis” by Andy Weir, is one of my most recent favorites. 

2.  When did you decide you were going to write a book?

It was actually a challenge from a friend.  I always wanted to write about the idea I had in the Coast Guard.  I started a few times but didn’t get far.  After my friend challenged me; I was all in.  I guess I needed that push.  It was also something I had to show I can do.  I am dyslexic and reading had always been challenging to me.  I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.

3. How did you come up with the name of your books?

“In a Bold Manner”  Is the title of the book that I am writing.  It is nearly complete.  The name was actually a combination of two operations I was involved within the Coast Guard.  Operation Bold Compliance and Operation Able Manner.  In the book, “In a Bold Manner,”  the main character is a school teacher that becomes an international terrorist.  The challenge was how do you send a character down this path and make it realistic and plausible.  I am really happy with the result.   

4. What are you working on for 2019?

I am working on a few things.  I plan to finish the book this summer.  I will look to be traditionally published.  I have not ruled out self-publishing however, I want to give the traditional route a try first.

5. How long have you been writing?

I have been writing on and off for a decade.  However, I have accelerated my writing in the last year.  I started a blog, I also wrote several short stories that I have released on my website www.KIDINTHEWINDOW.com.  Writing to me is like a muscle.  I have seen dramatic improvements in my writing since I have been doing this consistently.  

6. What advice would you give other authors? 

My advice would be very simple.  WRITE!  Bad writing is way better than no writing.  You can make bad writing better, but you can't make no writing better.

7.Where can people find you online?

You can find me at my author site www.KIDINTHEWINDOW.com I am also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorJohnnyJRodriguez

8. Do you plan on making more books in the future?

I have so many ideas rattling around in my head that I feel I have to write them. I just don’t know which one to write next. 

9. How many books have you written?

I am still working on my first book.  I have several short stories and my blog.  So I am doing a lot right now.  However, my book is taking priority.

10.  Did you go to college to be a writer?

Nope.  I was a business major.  I wish I knew that I would develop this passion for writing back then.  I would have cultivated it better.  Oh well.  Better late than never.