and

"The Latest" with AJ

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Update:

AJ and his friends have started a new venture of running a YouTube channel all about RC cars, called AJJAMStudios. This venture goes in depth about what is on the market and how well these machines hold up to actual hardcore testing. This type of media, Video creation, is new to AJ, and he has found a way to express his passion for his hobby that is aimed at helping others getting into the hobby. In the YouTube app search @AJJAMSTudios and it will take you directly to the page.

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We're hoping to catch up with AJ for another of our interviews, but as yet, we've been unable to pin the guy down. AJ has been a busy man running his YouTube channel, @AJJAMStudios, and trying to keep up with his writing. 

 

Interesting note:

Beyond running his YouTube channel, AJ's been building guitars. Playing guitar has always been a kind of passion for him along with his hobby of RC cars, and if you ask him he will tell you he's just okay, but I've heard him play and I think he gets by just fine. I've had the chance to see his studio and -I take a deep breath as I say this- the guy has some really cool stuff. I had no idea he could do things like that. I mean, I knew he could write, but his artwork is pretty cool too. Perhaps I will ask a few questions about that during our next interview.

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Interview with AJ Graham 2019

Dane Malloy, and Kurt Thompson: Website Administrators for AJ Graham.net

 

It’s deep in the month of February and we finally got the chance to sit down with AJ again. It’s been two years since our last interview and we think it’s time we did this sit-down again.

Joining AJ at his home in Spokane, our two editors had a chance to visit with the author and pose several of our fan’s questions; plus a few of their own, of course.

Sitting in AJ’s mid-sized front room, my colleague, Dane, and I got comfortable before asking, “The fans would like to know why you haven’t produced any new stories lately? Are you feeling ill or something?”

AJ smiled at the question before replying, “No, I’m not sick. I’ve just been busy lately and my life has changed a lot in the past year or so.”

“How so?”

“I’ve taken up the art of guitar building and I’m afraid I’ve let that intrude on my writing. I know I shouldn’t have done it, but I needed a mental break. I’ve spent so much of my time working on these books that I was beginning to lock up. Building guitars seems to help with that.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“No, not really. I’ve got other issues as well. As you two know, I work for a living.” (AJ stopped to chuckle.) “Most artists are considered Starving Artists. Not only that, but I have a rather tough job on most days. I run a concrete installation crew and the work can be rather demanding. Last year –or was it two- I can’t remember, but I hired on a friend of mine who happens to live near me. He hates driving and comes to my house in the mornings. The thing is; I used to write in the mornings, before work, during lunch, and after work, but now that I’m no longer alone in the cab I can’t seem to get into the writing the way I used to. I still love the art-form, and I am working on several projects –one of which is Lassiter 6- but time is precious and I have to budget carefully. When you think about it; I began writing as a means to get my stories written down before I forgot them entirely, not as a way to make a million dollars. I love writing, and I will not stop.”

“So you do have new story lines in the works then?”

“Oh, definitely. I have several, plus a possible screenplay. I know that sounds grand, but it’s simply another writing format to try. The story has promise, but I still need to flesh it out before I can start on the project.”

“Can you give your fans a few hints as to what might be in the pipeline for the future?”

“You two know I usually don’t give out that kind of information; I see it as a death sentence for the story, because it makes me feel like I have to stick with what I tell you and that prevents me from letting the story tell itself. The thing is; I like it when the story tells me what is going to happen next; it’s like watching TV for me. But I do have several stories in the works, and several that are already written but need that polish. I can tell you about those.”

“I’m sure the fans will appreciate anything you can tell them.”

“Very well. You should already know I’m working on Lassiter 6, but did you know book 7 is already written?”

“I heard a rumor,” said Dane.

“Not only that, but I have a book called Knockout that is written as well, however, that one ran long and I’m in the process of splitting it into two books.”

I asked, “Why two books, is it really that big?”

“It’s an involved story that affects everyone in a certain family. I tried to make the story fit the single book format, but it kicked, bitched, and fought me all the way. So, when I get to it, Knockout One will be on the hit list.”

My interest peaked, I asked, “Does Knockout One have an official title yet?”

“Not yet. Like I said; It’s a working title. As a matter of fact, all of these will be working titles until I get them completed.”

“What can you tell us about this story-line?”

AJ stood up and walked over to his fish-tank as he replied, “I got the idea for this story from a friend of mine. He and I talk about writing a lot, and one day, he brought this premise to me. The story revolves -initially, at least- around a man named Brock; who is a grandfather. We get to know him and his family dynamic. Then-.”

AJ paused and gave us both a look that shouted Trouble.

“I can’t tell you the whole premise to the story; that would spoil the fun, but I can say that Brock becomes the center of the first book, and his family will stop at nothing to find him.”

“Find him? Does he go missing?”

AJ smiled again before admitting, “You might say that.”

Dane asked, “What else do you have on the burner?”

AJ looked excited as he said, “I’ve got this new one ready for the re-write called, The Fatal Game, and that is the actual title for the book.”

I asked, “What can you tell us about that one?”

“You know, I saw a TV show that had a premise of a fantasy vacation brought to your life, so you wouldn’t have to leave home to experience it. I love the premise and the subject kept swishing around back and forth in my mind. As it began to coalesce I started to have certain desires for the story. I wanted it to be a surprise, I wanted it to be something worthy of my twisted imagination.”

Impatiently I pressed, “And…”

“And, I think I pulled it off. The story is thick with possibility, ripe with drama, and filled with the unexpected. Our hero is no hero at all, but he has no choice. He signs up for this (Vacation) while he’s blackout drunk, and has no recollection of the transaction at all, but while he’s on this web-site he somehow manages to hit a series of keys that take him to a different web-site that is not on the normal web. He somehow manages to take out a hit, or contract, on himself while signing up for this vacation. In the morning he goes on as usual, but a day or so later…”

At this point AJ just winked at us. Knowing how he likes to write I would estimate that this is where the story kicks off for the hero. I asked, “Is that all you’re going to tell us about it?”

“That’s it,” he confirmed. “But I’m not done yet, because I have another one on the stove, so to speak.”

Dane asked, “What can you tell us about that one?”

"This one has a working title of Tether 187. It’s a time in the future when mankind has overpopulated the planet and the only way for usto survive is to move out from earth.”

“So this is a future, space thriller then?”

“It sure is, Kurt. I got the Idea after seeing a friend of mine swinging a ball on a tether. He swung the ball and I noticed how it pulled away from him straightening the rope. I thought; wouldn’t it be cool if we had cities on tethers whirling out above the atmosphere. And wouldn’t it be cool if we could ride the tether up and down from the planet? Rockets would no longer be necessary. My mind began thinking of ways to achieve this future, and I began seeing the future taking shape in my mind. Each city would have its own fighter wing, designed to protect the planet from several species of alien we have confirmed to the public. Also, I wanted this to be more of a pinwheel story so it is being told from three separate perspectives.”

I couldn’t help myself, so I asked, “Why three? And can you explain what pinwheel means?”

“Sure, Kurt. I want to express the idea that one man cannot do it alone. I wanted to push the point that we are always stronger when we work together; even if we have to fight the odds. And to answer your second question: A pinwheel story is like three separate stories that interlace throughout the book culminating in a seamless ending involving all three individuals. In my story we get a convict, a shut-in, who’s only fifteen or so, and a pilot in the city defense force. The city in question is based in the Northwest and has the name Freedom.”

“Can you tell us something about the story; or is that a closely guarded secret?”

“As science fiction goes, this is a fairly straight forward story, but it has a few AJ twists on it. I wouldn’t say it is so twisted you won’t be able to track the story in your mind, but it won’t go where you think it will. As usual, it will have rich characters, and fantastic places, but it will also have a war we may not win. Are you getting the idea?”

Dane replied, “I get it,” with a wide smile on his face.

I knew what he meant as well. I asked, “What have you done lately that is new to you?”

“That’s an odd question,” AJ replied. But he went on to say, “I guess it would be my new fascination with hot sauces.”

Kurt asked, “What brought that on?”

“A friend of mine brought a bottle of hot sauce to work and I tried it. I have to say; the stuff was brutal – one million scoville. I ate it, and got it all down, we mixed it with chili, but I think it killed my pain receptors, a little anyway. That stuff was nothing but pain in a bottle, but it left me wanting hot sauce in my diet. I bought several new brands –not nearly as hot- and began taking the stuff to work. Now I have about thirteen different types, ranging from mild to really hot, like ghost pepper hot, Carolina Reaper hot. Just for kicks I bought a bottle of the stuff my friend had and tested it: Still un-cool as hell. I’ve reeled it back in a bit, but I’m afraid hot sauces will forever be in my future.”

Knowing we were out of time, for AJ had another appointment this afternoon, we asked, “Is there anything you want to tell the fans?”

AJ got serious and said, “Patience is golden. Sometimes the things we want the most are worth waiting for. I am working on these stories and they will –God permitting- be completed as soon as possible. Like I said, I don’t really see myself as a creative man, I just listen to my imagination and take notes. When the time is right I write it all down, and then sort it all out later; which seems to take the most time. I wrote –from conception to completion- Black Stallion, Lassiter Three, in two weeks, and it wasn’t a small book. But the wind had been blowing and my mind had been active, so I wrote everything down to share with you. So remember this: You can’t force an animal to drink, but you can kick him in the balls if he doesn’t. The trick is; not getting bit in the process.”

We thanked AJ for his time, shook hands and followed him to the door. AJ has a nice place, but not overstated. He lives comfortably, but works very hard to afford it. It was a shame we didn’t get to talk with Christina –AJ’s wife of thirty-five years- but beggars can’t be choosers and all that. We left his place and Dane and I discussed the interview. We agreed; AJ is a very busy man.