#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with JM Shaw

I’d like to welcome JM Shaw to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: Though I have a fondness for reading, coffee with friends, and settling down to watch a good movie, what I really enjoy is an epic game of Sims 4. Something about creating digital characters and then controlling their lives really appeals to me.

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: I hate cooking. I’ll do it if I have to, but I’d much rather order takeout.

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: I need a warm blanket, a hot cup of coffee, and my computer at full charge. I’ll usually gather my agenda, pens, charging cables, and whatever else I might need and place them close at hand so I have no reason to move (until my bladder demands a break)

Things that distract you from writing: The doorbell, my cell phone ringing, and emails are a short list, but any disorder, mess, or noise also fits the list. It never seems to fail that the instant I sit down to write, someone comes to the door or calls to chat. Since a sensory deprivation chamber is not an option, I recently invested in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, and it’s been a game-changer.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Editing is the most painful process of being an author, but also the most necessary. I survive this process by trying not to think of it as a torturous ordeal but rather as a learning opportunity to improve my wordsmithing.

Easiest thing about being a writer: For me, finding ideas to write about is the easiest part of the job. I’ve always been an observer of life, and the world is full of intrigue, often in the strangest places, that can easily spark my creative muse. So, as long as I have eyes to see and ears to hear, I will continue to be inspired.

Something you’re really good at: I’m really good at chess, but I don’t advertise it. I save this talent for the rare occasions when I encounter someone who proclaims themselves a chess champion; then, I relish the chance to knock them off their high horse.

Something you’re really bad at: I can’t tell when someone is joking, and sarcasm may as well be a foreign language. Maybe it’s my autism, or perhaps I lack a sense of humour—doubtful, considering I crack jokes even if I can’t read them. Whatever the case, this shortfall has led to some awkward situations.

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid: When I was in grade school, I wanted to be a teacher. Not because I enjoyed the prestige or desired to help others learn, but because I wanted to know the answers to everything. At that time, it was my understanding that teachers were all-knowing, and I aspired to gain such wisdom.

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do: I started writing at the age of twelve because I needed an outlet, and this hobby soon became a passion. I distinctly recall a moment around sixteen years of age when I began dreaming about becoming a published author. I imagined people enjoying the stories I was too afraid to share with anyone, but I never expected it to become a reality.

In 2019, I was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD, and I wondered if writing was my special interest. My diagnosis gave me the courage to finally share my work with an editor, keeping in mind the worst they could say was it sucked. To my surprise, said editor not only confirmed my work did not suck but encouraged me to publish. Two years later, I made my dream come true by publishing my first novel.

Last best thing you ate: I had a craving for chocolate, and my kids were begging for a sweet treat, so I broke down and bought a box of chocolate-covered ice cream cones. They were delicious.

Last thing you regret eating: Unfortunately, I am lactose intolerant, and the ice cream cone I enjoyed did not sit well that evening.

Things to say to an author: I’m not sure I speak for all authors, but I love it when people read my novels and ask questions about my characters or the plot. It says to me that you enjoyed my work. Even if you haven’t read my books, showing interest is inspiring and makes all that hard work feel worthwhile.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: If you tell an author that writing doesn’t seem that hard, I guarantee said author will immediately begin plotting your fictional death.

Most embarrassing moment: You know the old adage that kids say the craziest things? Well, my son is on that list.

When my oldest boy was two years old, my husband took us to visit a show home. Being several months pregnant, I didn’t need the added stress of chasing after my toddler, so he didn’t break anything. As we walked down a hallway, a family with a younger boy came out of a room. This family’s infant was wearing a helmet—the kind that reshapes babies’ skulls if they develop flat spots—and my precocious son immediately pointed at this baby and exclaimed, very loudly, I might add, “Look, Mom, a robot!”

Mortified, I turned three shades of red. I stumbled through an apology while simultaneously rushing my boy and me into an adjacent bedroom. Admittedly, once the shock wore off and the family had moved to another part of the house, I took a moment to breathe and giggled at my son’s innocently creative comment.

It always amazes me how differently children see the world around them.

Proudest moment: When my boys were seven and five, they were holed up in their room, arguing over who was the better brother. As they went back and forth a few times, listing their accomplishments, I listened through the closed door, wondering how this would play out.

After a few minutes, my youngest boldly proclaimed, “You didn’t become a brother until I was born. I made us both brothers. That makes me the better brother.”

I was stunned by his reasoning, and judging by my oldest boy’s silence, I was the only one. At five years old, my boy displayed more logic than most adults. Although there are countless moments I will cherish, this one stands out.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: I worked in healthcare for many years, and one night, I was called into the hospital because a patient needed a CT, and the tech on call could not be reached. I agreed to come in, and after finishing the exam, I figured out that the tech on call was sick and their shift had not been reassigned. I returned to the emergency department and explained the situation to a very grumpy nurse. Rather than thanking me for coming in on my time off, this nurse chastised me for giving her a list of other technologists she could call, stating that she didn’t have time to waste trying to figure out who to call in the middle of the night.

While I would have typically done the old smile and nod, I had reached a point in my life where I was done being walked on. I thus answered her rebuke by saying, “I came in as a favour, and this is how you’re going to treat me. Well, you can just scratch my name right off that list.”

The grumpy nurse’s jaw nearly hit the floor, and the nearby staff gasped before retreating into the woodwork. I left that night feeling pretty good for having stood up for myself, especially when I later learned that that nurse had a reputation for being difficult to work with.

Something you chickened out from doing: I didn’t take physics in high school because everyone said it was beyond challenging. Not knowing otherwise, I listened to everyone’s advice and focused on Biology and Chemistry. Years later, I was selecting a college program, but all of the ones I wanted to take required high school physics as a prerequisite. I had no choice but to upgrade.

To my surprise, those physics classes were the easiest courses I ever took. Apparently, my brain likes playing with numbers—crazy, I know—I passed with flying colours. My biggest regret from that experience is that I heeded the advice of others instead of reaching my own conclusions.

I vowed never to do that again.

The funniest thing to happen to you: When I was in high school, there was a boy I had a crush on. I used to walk by his locker every day, but I was never brave enough to talk to him. One day, I passed him just as he was pulling on his jacket. I guess I was a little too close because he accidentally punched me in the face. He ended up taking me to dinner and a movie as an apology. Talk about an icebreaker.

The most embarrassing thing to happen to you: One summer vacation, we pulled off the highway at a rest stop so my mom could make lunch. I remember standing at the back of the trailer with my brothers, killing time and counting cars—it was a busy road. Because it was a very hot day, I was wearing a long, flowing skirt, but I had not considered the wind when I had selected my attire that morning. All it took was a chance breeze on that mountain road to flip the front of my skirt up and over my head, flashing every oncoming driver as well as my brothers. To this day, I will not wear a dress without donning a pair of shorts underneath.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: Last year, while attending a book signing, I had someone come to my table specifically to buy the first and second books in my series and have me sign them.

Apparently, he and his wife lived in another province, and he explained that his wife found my books online, read them, and loved them. Since he happened to be working in the area, his wife insisted he visit me during my event.

To this day, I don’t think either of them realized the importance of that moment, but it was the most inspiring thing I’ve ever heard.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: A reader once asked me if one of my fantasy characters was left-handed. I must admit, I was stumped for a moment. Between prose, plots, and epic world-building, I never thought about the handedness of my individual characters. Now, I can’t help but think about it.

About JM: J.M. Shaw lives in Airdrie, Alberta, with her husband and two young children. She and her family embarked upon a journey of understanding, acceptance, and life-long learning when they discovered their shared diagnosis of autism and ADHD. Writing is her passion and, with experience and interests in healthcare, psychology, martial arts, and personal training, she pours her unique insights and knowledge into all her creative fictions.