Fantasy Author Jesse Nolan Bailey #Interview
Jesse Nolan Bailey Interview
1. Congratulations on the release of your debut fantasy novel The Jealousy of Jalice (A Disaster of Dokojin Book 1)! Please tell us a little about this book.
Thank you! This adult dark fantasy begins with a pair of women determined to somehow overthrow a tyrant chief who has plagued the land with violence and chaos. Afraid of his aether magic, they opt for kidnapping his wife. But astral demons and forest monsters stalk their every move, and secrets of the past threaten to undo their schemes. This story explores how sins of the past haunt the present, and that is better to face one’s mistakes than try to bury them in denial.
2. If your book were made into a movie, who would you want to play Annilasia, Jalice, & Delilee?
Annilasia would be played by Frieda Pinto
Delilee would be played by Bonnie Wright
and Jalice would be played by Karen Gillan
3. Without giving away spoilers, what was your favorite scene to create in this book?
That’s a tough question, there’s so many scenes that were so fun to write. Without giving away spoilers, I’d say the scenes of Jalice interacting with the Black House and what resides inside it were probably my favorite. That setting is quite different than what the rest of the book contains aesthetic wise, so I liked exploring that.
4. Let’s talk a little about writing. What would you say is your writing kryptonite?
Distraction or stress. If there’s too much external stimuli happening around me, I can’t concentrate and get the right words down. If I’ve got emotional stress going on, that’s another quick way for me to hit a sense of writer’s block. I can’t write when I’m upset or stressed.
5. There’s a theory floating around the artist community that creative people need to experience suffering in order to write about suffering. True art comes from suffering. What do you think of this idea?
I think that’s a bit of an overstatement. It’s certainly valid that an author’s personal experiences are a huge component of what they put into their works. Emotions and experiences shape us, and often art is a way of expressing those. My book contains bits and pieces of me and my story, no doubt about it, and many of the emotions embedded in this book are from a source of hurt and pain. But I don’t think art is contained to suffering. Joy and peace can produce just as beautiful a work as the traumatic moments of life.
6. How much of your work is autobiographical?
I haven’t encountered an actual demon in real life, and I haven’t kidnapped a tyrant’s wife. With that disclaimer, the basis of the story stems from some personal traumas I went through as a teenager regarding my sexual identity and how others around me reacted to that. This particular lens of the story probably isn’t immediately seen by the average reader, but with a little insight such as my explanation here, I think other readers will see something deeper going on in the book.
7. You’re a self-professed geek. When did your geek-ness first develop? Also, feel free to use this space to defend your love of The Phantom Menace LOL
Listen, the Star Wars prequels are far from perfect. As an adult, they’re cringe-worthy at moments, especially the acting. But there’s so many other gems to be found in those movies and the stories they tell. For one thing, the music produced by John Williams for these are masterpieces. Even if someone doesn’t like the films, I doubt they’ll go so far as to say the accompanying soundtracks are bad too. Then there’s the Darth Maul. Some people complain about how he had so few lines in the movie, but I think that only added to his ominous presence whenever he showed up on screen. And come on…he’s got a double bladed lightsaber.
Ok, I’ll stop. I’m sure half of your readers have dropped off now.
As far as being a geek, I’ve always gravitated towards that subculture. Scifi and fantasy books, movies, shows, games—they’ve been a part of me since childhood. The moment a dragon, laser gun, or alien show up to the party, I’m there.
8. What’s next for you? Any projects you can discuss?
I’m currently working on a stand alone novella, unaffiliated with A Disaster of Dokojin. It’s weird, hopefully in a good way, and mixes science fiction with fantasy. I’m going for a M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village meets Sherlock Holmes meets Alien. I’m hoping to have this out before end of year, and then my focus will be entirely on a sequel to The Jealousy of Jalice.
9. Where can people find you online?
My website is jessenolanbailey.com , and my email is jessenolanbailey@gmai.com. If you’re on social media, follow me at Twitter or Instagram
10. Last chance! Anything else you’d like to say?
To all those out there working on their first novels, and think it’ll just never happen: please don’t give up. I wanted to so many times. But I stuck with it, and eventually got a place where I was sick and tired of not being published, so I wrote nearly everyday until I had that dang manuscript done. Someone out there needs and wants your story. Now, sit down, and finish writing it.
