Interview with Author Andrew Jalbert

Author Mini-Bio Andrew Jalbert

Although I was born, raised, and currently reside in Madison, Wisconsin, I’ve spent the last 15 years working on dive boats, jumping around the Caribbean and writing for scuba and travel magazines. If I’m not writing about tropical subjects, I’m usually photographing them, both above and below the water. If you’re interested in the tropics or just want to stop by and say hello, please feel free to visit me at: www.jalbertproductions.com.

Between trips to the warmer latitudes, I work as an archaeological consultant in the Great Lakes region. Exploration of any kind seems to be in my blood and I enjoy few things as much as traveling to a location I’ve never visited. I was recently married for the first time aboard a sailboat off of Key West. The charming Florida island has always been a favorite destination of mine and is the setting for my novel, West Across the Board.

I hope for a future filled with travel, new freelance projects, and more novels set in the tropical environments I’ve come to love so much.

Author Interview

It's rare today to find an author who does nothing but write for a living. Do you have a 'real' job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some other jobs you've had in your life:

Andrew Jalbert: My full time career is archaeological consulting. On the side I teach scuba diving and do freelance writing and photography for several magazines. I also sell my photography at art shows, online, and through a stock agency.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Andrew Jalbert: I’ve wanted to write in some capacity since I was a child but I became much more serious about it in my early twenties when I started spending time in the tropics.

Are you currently working on any writing projects our readers should watch for release soon?

Andrew Jalbert: I am working on another novel right now, however I need to visit a couple of places for research before finishing it. I hope to have it completed early next year.

How did you feel the day you held the copy of your first book in your hands?

Andrew Jalbert: The first thing I felt when I opened up my box of author’s copies and picked up the book was relief. I was relieved that it was finished and that I’d seen it through. West Across the Board had made the transformation from an idea to a reality and that was somehow calming. Writing fiction for the first time was an interesting experience for me. To be honest, with so much non-fiction publishing under my belt, I thought it would be a little easier. But writing is like anything else: the harder you work at it, the better the result and the easier the process. Early in the project, I often thought it would never be finished. So to hold a copy of it in my hands for the first time was a weight off my shoulders.

What type of music, if any, do you listen to while you write?

Andrew Jalbert: When I’m writing non-fiction magazine articles, I tend to keep the music off so I can concentrate more on my work. However, when I was writing my novel West Across the Board (which takes place in the southern Florida Keys and Cuba in the 1930s) I found that listening to Cuban music (The Buena Vista Social Club, Ruben Gonzales, etc.) put me in a great frame of mind to create my settings.

What about your family? Do you have children, married, siblings, parents? Has your family been supportive of your writing?

Andrew Jalbert: I am recently married to a wonderful woman who, much like my brother and mother, are incredibly supportive of my writing.

The main characters of your stories - do you find that you put a little of yourself into each of them or do you create them to be completely different from you?

Andrew Jalbert: I based my two main characters in West Across the Board on other people and by doing so, assumed that very little of my own opinions seeped into the story. But how wrong I was! I can vividly remember when, during a re-read I realized that I’d managed to subtly inject my own viewpoints into the book. I’m currently writing another novel and have found the same thing to be true.

What about now: who is your favorite author and what is your favorite genre to read?

Andrew Jalbert: I read a little bit of everything (both fiction and non-fiction,) but I particularly enjoy Randy Wayne White’s novels. His series of books are often set in the same tropical environments that have influenced me so much. I also enjoy Hemingway, Gary Paulsen, and non-fiction books about east Africa such as Out of Africa and West with the Night.

Bring us into your home and set the scene for us when you are writing. What does it look like?

Andrew Jalbert: I have three specific phases of writing. The first typically begins with a notebook (this is no doubt a carry-over from freelance writing about subjects far from home.) I use the notebook to jot down ideas, reminders, outlines and occasionally scenes. The second phase is done at my desktop computer. I have a home office/library complete with reference books, maps, and photos. Because I like to use geographically and historically accurate backdrops for my stories, the reference materials are priceless. Finally, I print hard copies of what I’ve been working on and re-read them. This too is done in my office, but in a big leather chair I have in the corner. No if only I had the same setup next to the ocean…

Do you watch television? If so, what are your favorite shows? Does television influence of inspire your writing?

Andrew Jalbert: I love the History channel and Discovery. As far as series go, I enjoy Law & Order, Dexter, The Sopranos, and Magnum P.I. re-runs. I don’t think much of my writing is influenced by television but I have gotten valuable information for articles and stories from documentaries. I tend to use television (especially before bed) as a way of shutting my brain off.

How long did it take you to write your most recent (or first) book? When you started writing, did you think it would take that long (or short)?

Andrew Jalbert: West Across the Board got shuffled to the backburner more times than I can remember while I was working on other projects. Consequently, from the time I started writing it until its publication, nearly five years had passed. That was far too long but it taught me a lesson about writing discipline. I am currently writing another book and I make myself write something daily. As for backburners, sometimes it’s a necessity (to complete paying magazine projects in particular) but the time away from the story can be minimized.

Is there anyone you'd like to specifically acknowledge who has inspired, motivated, encouraged or supported your writing?

Andrew Jalbert: My mother, my wife, and my childhood friend Steve.

Now, use this space to tell us more about who you. Anything you want your readers to know?

If you’re reading this right now, it no doubt means that you’re an avid reader, writer or both–just the people whose feedback I value most. You can find more information about West Across the Board and contact me through my website, www.jalbertproductions.com. The site contains reviews, a synopsis, and book club questions. I would love to hear from you. Also, if you’re on MySpace, drop me a line at: http://www.myspace.com/andyjalbert