Interview with JB Morris, Author of The Beijing Memorandum

Can you share a bit about your journey to becoming a writer/published author?

I wrote my first poem in high school and continued writing poetry for many years. A publisher offered to print my material providing I had 100 poems. I had 25. That took care of my poetry career. 

Years later, I wrote articles for a statewide recreation organization. My story on the Oregon Trail in the 1800’s confirmed by commitment to write. I have been writing novels for the past six plus years with some success

How does the writing process work for you? Do you schedule a time every day, work madly when inspiration hits or ? What do you enjoy the most? What do you like the least?

I write five plus days a week and set aside the weekends to take care of family matters. I love to write and editing is my least favorite.

The Beijing Memorandum is your 3rd book and according to your website you have 2 more titles on the way. Where does inspiration come from for you? Is it easy or hard to keep finding new, fresh story ideas and characters?

Review HERE!

I wish I knew the answer to your question. The first two novels related to a character named Seth. For whatever reason, he showed up in my imagination and demanded I tell his story. Other times, I see an incident and it triggers a story. And sometimes I’m in bed or watching TV when an idea demands attention.

With an international thriller that spans 4 countries and the politics in 3 of them, how much and what kind of research did you have to do to create a more accurate portrayal?

I am disabled so much of my research is done on the web. Google maps is a tremendous tool to walk on city streets in much of the world. I have a political background which gives me an understanding of political leaders. I also traveled to Tijuana to observe site locations. The city is one scary place.

This is a darker book with lots of blood shed, characters with little regard for human life, a woman abused and political subterfuge that leave a lot to be desired. How did this affect you emotionally? What did you do when you quit writing for the day to lift your spirits so you didn't take it with you?

I worked in the funeral industry for many years. I saw the worst of the worst. You train yourself to forget it at the end of the day and return home. Failure to do so will drive a person mad. So it was with my writing. There is one exception. Some of the characters became personal to me and remain with me. I loved Captain Drummond and Angel in Seth. Pamela is one of my favorites in Love Revisited.

Coming Soon!!!!!

Can you share a little teaser about the next 2 titles you'll be releasing - Angel: No One Escapes and The Rescue of Liddie MacArthur? 

Angel is a conflicted character. She is the best at what she does, assassinations of tyrants and evil dregs on society. She is also lonely and aches for love in her life.

Liddie is an innocent bystander caught up in a world of CIA assassins and White House villains. All she wants is her life back.

When you're not writing, what type of books do you like to read? Do you have a favourite author?

I cannot get enough of Daniel Silva’s novels. I have set the goal to read the twenty or so of his stories. He is an excellent master on how to write a thriller.

Other titles by author JB Morris.

In closing, what would you most like readers to know about you?

I swear I have lived multiple lives. I was raised in a funeral home and became a funeral director before moving sideways to run a cemetery. I have served as a TV weatherman, government bureaucrat, commanding officer in the Army Reserves, and elected to a local city council position and served three terms in the legislature. Now I am a full time writer. If I could walk, I’d come up with another career.