J. Brandon Boron
Author Interview - J. Brandon Boron
Author of Santa's 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel-Sleigh
The synopsis on the back of the book says it best:
With the reindeer sick and Christmas on the line, how on Earth will Santa get all of those toys to those good girls and boys? With a little help from his friends, 18-wheels, and some milk and cookies!
Climb aboard and join Saint Nick and his pals as they make the most important delivery of the year...in a magical, flying, 18-Wheel big rig!
Author Interview - J. Brandon Boron
Author I draw inspiration from:
As far as inspiration for children oriented literature and books, it's Shel Silverstein for me. I love all of his books (and songs), from "Where The Sidewalk Ends" to "The Giving Tree". There are of course plenty of others, but Silverstein has been such a huge inspiration to me, my song writing, for this book, and, quite frankly, my general approach to life.
Author Interview - J. Brandon Boron | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
Sitting next to our RV (affectionately named "Baloo"), in a camping chair, by a lake somewhere.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Holden Caulfield, "The Catcher in the Rye", J.D. Salinger. I think it would be really interesting to see, now as an adult, and especially stuck in an elevator, how I would perceive and be perceived by a young man like Holden (that I related to so much when I was younger). I wonder if I could, through my youthful charm and charisma, get him to open up and relate to me? Or perhaps, through extremely uncomfortable silence, or even worse, indifferent small talk, that he would revel that he perceives me as he sees most adults...Oh no, maybe I'd find out I turned into one of those!
Author Interview - J. Brandon Boron | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I took several courses in college, way back when, that required a bit of writing (which at the time for me, like most of my classmates, illicited a huge "ugh"). But, despite my initially displeasure with the effort it requires, my professor's encouragement planted a seed in my mind that someday I may apply that ability and do some writing. As a musician, I naturally have invested my time in song writing, but this book, my first publication, is perhaps the cross-roads between the two art forms for me.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Hardback- this is a keeper, but more expensive. Paperback- I can bring is with me, folder it up, give it away to inspire and enrich others. Audiobook- great for driving. Ebook- not really into them (unless it's instruction manual).
The last book I read:
"Zen and the Art of Writing", Ray Bradbury. As a song writer (and now, wow, published author), I have been really interested in other creative writers and their approach to the craft. I have many books by song-writers on the subject, but this the first book I've read by an author of Mr. Bradbury's caliber on the subject of writing and his approach. I found the book not only informative, but inspiring, practical, and entertaining as well.
Author Interview - J. Brandon Boron | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
I prefer writing with pen and paper, particularly when it come to song writing. I like crossing out, writing above or below old lines, being able to see initial words and thoughts after meandering down different roads. I like adding doodles or having the flexibility to make it whatever "format" I want, not constricted by my Microsoft word or typing skills, or lack thereof! I love having little note books of my ramblings that I can pickup and thumb through, years after written. I get excited every time I buy a little note pad "of promise", hoping it will inspire me to fill the pages with drawings, musings, inventions, and verse.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Jesus, the Bible. As I get older, I appreciate and value friends that encourage (force) me, either through words or actions, to be a better person. Better to myself, to those around me, and to strive to live a meaningful life (whatever that means). Though I'm not a "religious" person, I certainly imagine being buddies with Jesus, or some like character, would have a profound influence on the trajectory of one's life. I think he would've been a good friend.
Author Interview - J. Brandon Boron | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
I'd be a musician. And what do you know?! I am!. And so cool it actually is my dream career.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
That would have to be the 70's for me. Kind of anything goes. I think yellow and brown do go together quite well and I love the look of bell bottoms.
Place I’d most like to travel:
I've been very fortunate to have lived all over the states and in Germany and Belgium, but I would really love to travel with my wife to Japan. It's just so radically different than the west and the people there seem very fun, friendly, and mutually fascinating.
My signature drink:
I stopped drinking alcohol several years ago (it and the lifestyle simply lost its allure), so now it's coffee and tea for me- and lots of it! I'm a sucker for ice lattes with way more espresso and heavy cream than should be in one drink. No sugar or flavorings, just ice, espresso, and heavy cream.
Favorite artist:
This changes often, but the go-to answer would always be, collectively, The Beatles. They did so much for music, fashion, art, culture, society. Pretty mind boggling actually. I think one could argue that they, as the most popular music group of our time, are actually under-rated.
Number one on my bucket list:
As I find myself saying so often, I've been so fortunate to have done so many fulfilling things in my life so far, my bucket is pretty full. That said, I think the next adventure for me is starting a new chapter after I finish my Army career (In addition to writing and being a musician, I also just hit 19 years as an active duty US Army Soldier). I would really love to start my own business or enterprise, helping others along the way, whatever that business or enterprise may be.
Anything else you'd like to add:
I encourage anyone reading this that, if there is something you've been wanting to do but just can't get started, get started! That is the hardest part. But if you do that, the rest will follow...and you'll be grateful that you did.
Find more from the author:
About J. Brandon Boron:
Author Interview with J. Brandon Boron
Brandon was born in Great Falls, Montana, but has spent most of his life traveling, living, and working across the United States and beyond.
After studying art, music, and biology at Colorado State University, UMass, and UNLV, Brandon joined the US Army where he has spent the last two decades serving as a military musician in Germany, the middle east, Belgium, and currently back here in the U.S. just outside of our nation’s capital.
In addition to his military service, Brandon enjoys writing and performing music with his wife Thordis and camping together with their dog, Tjindu.
