Author Profile – Jim Magwood: Sanction
Q: Why did you decide to write this book?
A: I read Ayn Rand’s great book, Atlas Shrugged, while still in High School and, fifty years later, realized that the world we are living in is still the same world she described. One full of chaos and terrorism and with “something” leading it down the path to destruction. SANCTION came about not as a sequel to her book, but as a mystery looking at our world today and what’s behind our problems.
Q: Do you have any secret writing tips you’d like to share?
A: Only one: We all likely have a story in us that needs to come out. Whether it’s from our own life or something we’ve seen or thought of. Don’t let ANYONE stop you from writing that story. You may not ever publish it, or it may become a best seller, but it needs to be written, and all the naysayers around you should not stop you from putting that story on paper. DO IT.
Q: Tell us a quirky or funny story about you!
A: All I can really think of is that I live on a little ranch in the middle of nowhere and spend a lot of my time feeding the birds, rabbits and coyotes and have great friendships with them. They constantly remind me that “nature” lives so much more realistically than humans do, and that causes me to write the things I do.
Q: Have you ever battled writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
A: Stop writing. Go away. Do something different. Read another book. Get away from the struggle of trying to think of what to write and let your mind clear. I learned years ago to not fight sleeplessness but to just get out of bed and do something until sleep comes about. It’s the same with writing. Don’t fight it. Get away and let the mind begin to refocus. Keep something close all the time to write notes on so when that thought comes back, you can grab it.
Q: What’s your favorite quote?
A: Some goals are so worthy that even to fail is glorious.
Q: Who inspires you the most?
A: Jesus Christ. If we look closely at His life and teachings, we will see that He speaks about every area of our lives, is always positive and optimistic about our plans and future, and is always willing to help us pick up the pieces and get back on our feet after problems.
