Author Bio:
J.R. Wirth is an award-winning author and native of Southern California. Raised in Azusa, he now hails from San Bernardino. J.R. is recognized for his extensive work in the helping field. He is a licensed psychotherapist with a long list of accomplishments, including a 15-year stretch as a domestic violence counselor and trainer, and head of a disaster response team. J.R. had a stint as a university professor, and even spent time as a child abuse investigator. Through all these duties, he continues to provide clinical supervision to young, aspiring therapists. J.R. currently supervises the therapy portion of a forensic psychiatric unit in Southern California. Above all, he is a spiritual man who is dedicated to his children, which often comes out in his writings.
Besides traditional publishing, J.R. has several pieces published—including a poem and several short stories in online venues. In all his works, J.R. combines ordinary people with extraordinary circumstances, to create characters that jump off the page and straight into the readers’ heart and psyche. He remains dedicated to the craft of writing, highlighting the conflict, frailty, and hero in all of us.
What inspires you to write?
Inspiration comes via several channels. It can be a dream, or nightmare, that needs to be put into a story, as in the latest—yet to be published work, “The Institute.” Or, it could come from a favorite song, such as the Dream Syndicate’s “Halloween.” Other ideas come from my work, but my kids and grandkids are the greatest inspiration, and make great characters. No matter where the notion comes from, It’s the process of writing that fuels the desire to keep writing and is a motivator in and of itself.
Tell us about your writing process.
There is nothing special about the process itself, I get an idea and start writing. As I write, more ideas seemingly come from nowhere, which happened with the latest Christmas Town tale, “The Christmas Town Calls.” I got the idea when Books To Go Now publishing contacted me, stating that they were still open to Christmas submissions. Immediately, I thought about adding a book four to the short story collection. As I started to write, it was as if the thoughts and words were my own—as if I was being directed by a supernatural being or occurrence. And the first draft was completed in less than a week (after work and weekends).
When the first draft is done, which is usually awful, the process of editing and expanding the story.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I do hear their words, and in the character's tone and fluctuation.
Who are your favorite authors?
I would have to say my favorites are: Dan Brown, John Grisham, and Dean Koontz.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I have published with several independent publishers. And with the help of Romance Novels Covers Now, I published an autobiography of sorts about my high school's historic, and very unlikely, undefeated season. I was able to get contributions from the head coach and an "all league" receiver/linebacker from the team. The latest is still undecided. I am leaning to trying to obtain an agent and see if the "big five" publishers might be interested…
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
We'll see…
What genres do you write?
Suspense, thriller, and a horror or two–all with a paranormal or supernatural element.
What formats are your books in?
eBook, Print, Audiobook
Website(s)
Follow J.R. Wirth On Amazon
Author’s Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
All information is provided by the author and is presented as it was submitted so you the reader get to hear the author’s own “voice” in their interview.