Author Interrogation with John Buja aka. J. Edwin Buja

A Chat with John Buja

It was a privilege to interrogate, er...interview the magnificent, John Buja. I hope you enjoy our time together as much as I have.

Here's a little bio from John's Amazon Page to get you started: 

J Edwin Buja has spent his life surrounded by books and has written everything from children's novels to software technical manuals. With an MA in History, he discovered early on that researching and writing hold the key to happiness. Who else would think scanning through years of microfilm to index an old newspaper would be a dream job?

The King of the Wood is his first novel in the genre of magical realism, but it will not be his last.

For more than thirty years, he has been married to the most wonderful woman on the planet. He lives in a small village somewhere in Ontario.

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Fran Friel: Welcome, John! Thank you so much for joining me for a little chat. So, what are you working on at the moment? 

John Buja: Lots of things. I have two books of a proposed six-book set that I need to revise to make them less Canadian. They’re time travel/history stories for Grades three to six. The main reason I did them was to be able to do a lot of research. I love to research. 

There are two ghost novels that need to be finished, a humorous novel about mud that is an allegory for WW1, a YA book that is the first of a trilogy. All need to be cleaned up for submission.

FF: Wow, you have your hands full, John. So much good stuff on the deck getting ready for your hungry readers. And heck, leave the "Canadian" in there. We love Canadians!

Now, tell us something about yourself that few people know.

JB: I like to cook. I wish I could dance.

FF: Yumm! Next time I'm in the neighborhood I want to sample that Buja Canadian cuisine...and do a little dance.

Now, some geographic nosiness. Where are you from? And where are you living now? Where would you love to live?

JB: I was born in England and moved to Canada when I was eight. I now live in a small village in eastern Ontario where just about everyone but Dianne and I speak French but it works. 

If I could live anywhere, it would be somewhere that doesn’t have snow and sub-zero temperatures.

FF: I hear you on the temperature thing, John. I finally found my way to California for that reason. I'm getting soft though. 50 degrees Fahrenheit is starting to feel cold, especially when it's windy. Now, that's a fine California Whine for you. 

Most writers have their writing haunts, so where's your favorite place to write? 

JB: At my desk in the basement. It’s in a cozy corner, surrounded by books, and no one can see me.

FF: Sounds dreamy with a little Hobbit vibe. Nice. 

How about your dream place to write? 

JB: In a room with a huge window overlooking a lake and a forest. 

FF: Even better, John. I can feel the peace and quiet of it. Perfect!

So, in what genre do you write and what drew you to it? Also, do you have any non-fiction titles? 

JB: I try to write horror because I’ve been reading it since I was very young. Most of it ends up being funny. The children’s books are historical with the only fantasy element being the time travel. 

I have written about fifty software manuals that are incredibly boring but are sprinkled with references to Deep Purple because I don’t take things seriously.

FF: HA! Deep Purple in your software manuals? Brilliant. No doubt the best software manuals ever!

What other work have you done besides writing? 

JB: Fourteen years as a bookstore manager. Four years as an instructor for adults changing careers who thought there was tons of money to be made in high tech.

FF: I get the image of you in the mystical stacks of a little English bookstore, John, happy as a peach surrounded by all those delicious words.

When did you start writing? Has it always been a passion for you?

JB: The first stories I wrote were with a friend in school. We were about seven. They were about bomber pilots in WW2 and war in general. I’ve wanted to be a serious (?) writer since I was in high school, but I am easily distracted from writing by such things as full-time jobs, life, and food.

FF: Yeah, that food and shelter thing can be a drag, but I'm so thrilled you're a "serious" writer now. We're all lucky you made it to the other side. 

What are your long-term goals or dreams for your writing and for your life?

JB: Long-term I’d like to put out horror novels and short stories and perhaps make a little money on the side to supplement my meager pension. Money isn’t the driving force.

FF: I suspect that money will flow faster and harder than you expect, John. I've read your work!

Do you have a family? Are they supportive of your writing? Pets?

JB: I’ve been married to Dianne for almost thirty-seven years. No pets (ick) or children (even ickier). 

Dianne was a grade school teacher for thirty-four years. She now makes amazing quilts and watercolor paintings. She acts as my publicist because I’m no good at it.

FF: Shhh...I won't tell my pets about your "ick" comment. They were under the illusion that everyone loves them. But that Dianne--what a gem!

Besides writing, what do you do for fun?

JB: I like TV shows (just about anything, especially if it has dancing) and schlocky movies. I just started building model kits after almost fifty years away from the hobby. And I collect all kinds of stuff – books, comics, records, cider and scotch bottles, Walking Dead action figures, toys, and other stuff I’ve forgotten about.

FF: Who would have thought--dancing and schlocky movies? Wonderful!

If we want to read your work, what would you recommend we start with? 

JB: My two children’s books are out of print. There is a novel out now, [The King of the Wood], that was supposed to be horror but turned out to be a sort of rural fantasy/magic realism thing. I have some short fiction that I’m willing to share.

FF: You and I do writing Sprints together each week at the Writer's Secret Weapon Accountability Club (gah, that's a mouth full!). Why did you choose to join the WSWAC group? 

JB: I need someone to kick me in the ass and make me sit down and write. Also, this makes me feel like I’m part of a community. It’s good to be able to talk to other people about the craft.

FF: Butt kicking and community is exactly why I started the WSWAC. I get to kick butts and and I have to show up and get MY writing done in order to do that. You all keep me accountable, as well. A butt-kicking win-win! 

What has been your experience of sprinting in the WSWAC so far? Have you done sprinting before?  

JB: This is my first time sprinting. In the first session, I wrote over 5000 words. I like it.

FF: No way! You beat my sprinting word count by a mile. Wow.

What is your biggest challenge as a writer? 

JB: Sitting down and doing it. I tend to want to get other things finished before I write.

FF: What books for writers, tools, conventions, blogs or websites do you recommend for other writers?

JB: I’ve been going to Necon, [Northeastern Writers' Conference] for over thirty years. My most important tools are a dictionary, a pencil and notepad, Word, and something to drink.

FF: Necon is simply the best! Camp for Writers. And your old school writing approach is beautiful, John. So many of us overcomplicate this thing to death. Yay, you!

Describe your writing process for us. What’s a writing day look like for you?

JB: When I’m on a roll, I start early in the morning then break for lunch. Sometimes I’ll do more writing in the afternoon and evening. I once did 20,000 words in a single day, but that’s rare. If I can do 2000 to 5000 a day, I consider it a good day.

Before starting anything, I do an outline and character profiles. I’m a fanatic for timelines and correct geography. If a character goes west, it had better be the right direction based on other elements in the story.

FF: 20,000 in a single day? Epic. I suspect you needed a nap after that one. 

Have you had any game-changers as a writer? Something that changed your thinking or your process?  

JB: The people at Necon make me feel legitimate as a writer. There are so many writers there that are willing to lend a hand and provide advice. 

I attended three Borderlands Bootcamps in 2005, 2006, and 2017. 

Mentors? Trish Cacek got me back into writing after a very long break. She’s determined and doesn’t take “I’m busy” for an answer. Craig Shaw Gardner has been incredibly supportive.

FF: Well, I'm sure glad that Trish isn't taking No for an answer. We're all lucky that you're writing and sharing your storytelling gift with us, John. Thank so much for wordsmithing and for taking the time to have a chat with me. It's been a privilege talking with you and getting to know more about you and your writing life. 

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Be sure to visit John on his Amazon Page, and stop by Facebook for a chat with the man himself. And be sure to have a listen to a Live interview with John at The Department of Tangents, Ep100! 

Thanks for visiting the Yada Feast. See you again soon!

Wickedly Yours,

Fran Friel