Welcome to my weekly Author Spotlight. I’ve asked a bunch of my author friends to answer a set of interview questions, and to share their latest work.
Today: M. Jay Williams was born in Hartford, Connecticut, where he spent his youth. As an adult he made his way to southern Connecticut and settled in New Haven.
Armed with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, his early years were marked by the unique perspective gained from a career as a flight attendant, allowing him to explore the world firsthand.
The roots of his passion for writing can be traced back to his early days of journaling, sparked by a daily classroom assignment that has stuck with him, and is a habit that still persist. Today his love for writing takes the form of fiction and fantasy novels.
Beyond the realm of literature, he is a fervent advocate for nurturing both body and spirit. Regular visits to the gym serve as a means to fortify the physical self, while his affection for crafts, particularly knitting, acts as a balm for the soul.
Through exploring the world, expressing creativity, and having those dependable connections, this author’s journey is about finding solace in his surroundings.
Thanks so much, Jay, for joining me!
J. Scott Coatsworth: What are your favorite parts of publishing?
M. Jay Williams: My favorite part of publishing is the sense of accomplishment I get after holding my finished work in my hands and holding it to my chest. I take a moment to recall the evolution: the initial spark of an idea had undergone to become the physical book in my hands. I take a moment to savor the proud feeling of having a published book.
JSC: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
MJW: I am definitely a plotter. I create a storyboard outline before writing a single sentence. Each chapter is blocked out, so by the time I am ready to commence with writing, there is an organized outline to follow.
JSC: What was one of the most surprising things you’ve learned in writing your books?
MJW: I’ve discovered that creating new environments, and inventing complex characters is a great way to escape. I’m surprised by how cathartic writing is. There have been several times that writing has gotten me through difficult times.
JSC: What food(s) fuel your writing?
MJW: Honey roasted cashews.
JSC: What other artistic pursuits (it any) do you indulge in apart from writing?
MJW: I’m new to the craft, but I’ve discovered that I have a propensity for knitting. This has quickly become my raison d’etre. I’ve made several blankets, each giving me hours of therapeutic distraction and relaxation.
JSC: What’s your favorite line from any movie?
MJW: Julie asked: “What, you would have sex to help your career?”
Andrew replied: “Honey, I’ve blown a guy just to get him out of my apartment. Sex for my career would be noble.” From Latter Days.
JSC: What was the weirdest thing you had to Google for your story?
MJW: The weirdest question I googled was how it felt to drown.
JSC: What inspired you to write Ham and Echo? What were the challenges in bringing it to life?
MJW: I was inspired to write the story because of Gordon Lightfoot’s song, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” A favorite of mine. The challenge was to write a story about the tragic shipwreck without disrespecting anyone, still living, touched by the actual event. The more I researched the subject the more my curiosity grew greater. I found myself pondering the mystery of what happened to the missing crewmen; leaving me to come up with a theory to the mystery of what happened to them.
JSC: What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
MJW: My goal in writing this book was to tell my interpretation of the story. The mystery of the missing crewmen was too intriguing to ignore. I think I was able to write a book that was reminiscent of the true story but was far enough removed from it that most wouldn’t make the connection. Ultimately, the only thing my book had in common with the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald was falling prey to the storm and sinking in Lake Superior.
JSC: What are you working on now, and what’s coming out next? Tell us about it!
MJW: I am currently working on Ham and Echo: Encounter the Kitchi Mizhe. The second book in the Ham and Echo series. The first book in the series, Ham and Echo: Voyage of the Gordon Lighton will be released on Amazon, Friday March 1, 2024. Ham and Echo: Voyage of the Gordon Lighton is a M/M, friends to lovers, tragic fiction, love story. Sort of like a gay-themed version of Titanic.
And now for Jay’s new book: Ham and Echo: Voyage of the Gordon Lighton:
A gripping tale of love, resilience, and the harsh realities that test the bonds of friendship in this M/M romantic twist of fate tragedy.
Ham and Echo have been buddies since they were ten years old. Ham is drafted into the army at nineteen, and Echo promptly enlists, promising to have his back. Eleven years post-war, Echo is still haunted by what he has seen and done in Vietnam.
Ham, now married with two sons, put the past behind him. Echo did not transition back to civilian life as easily. Determined to help Echo, Ham gets him into an anger management program and a job on the ship he works on, the Gordon Lighton. Echo finds he can no longer deny the intensifying feelings he has for Ham. He wonders if Ham could ever feel the same for him.
One stormy night aboard the Gordon Lighton, Echo unravels a sex trafficking scheme aboard the ship. The weather worsens, and the Gordon Lighton is subjected to the brutal onslaught of nature’s fury. The unthinkable question hangs palpably in the air. Will the Gordon Lighton weather the storm?
Amazon
Excerpt
I search my purse for a cigarette. I found a crumpled package of Virginia Slims on the bottom of my purse. I took the last remaining cigarette from the pack. I put it to my lips and discarded the empty package onto the sidewalk. I carefully stepped over it and lit my cigarette. I walked toward the supermarket with renewed confidence.
I heard someone hollering my name. It sounded more like a high-pitched squeal. I turned and looked over my shoulder and saw Judy Jefferson running to catch up to me. Her high-heeled shoes clacked with each tiny stride she took. ‘What did I do to deserve this?’ I waved my hand in the air enthusiastically at her. “Hi Judy,” I sang out merrily.
“I thought that was you,” She said breathlessly. Judy’s long brown hair was curled under in a bob. It bounced with every stride she took.
“It’s me,” I confessed, taking another drag from the cigarette. “It’s nice to see you.” I gave her a quick once over. Admiring her light blue dress, which showed off her ample cleavage, adorned with an expensive pearl necklace. She wore her long mink coat open to show off her expensive outfit. ‘I hate to give it to her, but she wore the hell out of those Manolo Blahnik Hangisi pumps.’ I fixed a smile on my face to make sure that no trace of jealousy showed. “What brings you across town,” I asked her.
“A shopping spree at Montgomery Wards. I’m looking for a new dress,” She crowed with a big plastic smile spread across her face.
“That must be nice,” I replied.
“How about you? What are you doing? Dropping off dry cleaning, I suppose.” She said with an heir of superiority in her voice.
‘I hate that her flippant assumption is right.’ I feigned a smile and took a puff from the cigarette. “No, actually, I’m headed to the bakery to order a special cake for Hudson,” I exhaled cigarette smoke. “His thirtieth birthday is next week, and I’m throwing a big celebration party.” I bragged.
“How fun,” She squeaked. ‘Somehow, she even managed to make that sound insulting.’ She dug into her clutch, pulled out a card, and handed it to me. “If you are throwing a party, you’ll want to use these girls. They work wonders,” She said as she extended her hand with the card fixed between her index and middle finger, showing off her well-manicured nails.
“What’s this?” I asked, taking the small card she handed me.
“It’s a maid service, dear. I wouldn’t conceive of hosting a party without them.” She squawked and quickly looked me up and down. She stared judgingly at me for a moment.
“Hmm,” I groaned and put the card in my purse without looking at it. “Well, Judy, it was nice seeing you,” I said, trying to extricate myself from her presence.
“Tell me, dear, isn’t your husband friends with Cole Echo?” She asked with a devilish smile in her voice. “I heard he was arrested again.” She said with a smile on her face. “I can only imagine having to have someone like that in your inner circle,” She snubbed.
“Oh, we don’t see him socially,” I explained. Although he wasn’t my friend, I felt small and tainted by association. “We hardly have anything to do with him, to be honest.” I clarified, taking a drag from my cigarette.
“Isn’t he Hudson’s best friend?” She pried. Her eyes bore through me like she was a human lie detector.
“They served in the war together a million years ago,” I breezed underplaying their relationship. “I would hardly call Cole Hudson’s best friend.” I lied. Wondering why I was putting on heirs for her. She wasn’t someone I would consider influential.
“It was Hudson who bailed him out of jail, wasn’t it?” She asked, her head cocked and the hint of a smirk she couldn’t hide.
“Well, the poor thing didn’t have anyone else he could turn to,” I said. I flung my hair over my shoulder and stood straight and tall. “Hudson is a generous and kind individual. That’s why I love him so much,” I bragged, feeling my confidence come back because we both knew her husband, Fowler, couldn’t hold a candle to Hudson. “Hudson gives to the less fortunate. That’s just the man he is. As a matter of fact, he is helping Cole get back on his feet. He got him a job at the Gordon Lighton with our husbands.” I bragged. I am not too proud to admit I enjoyed seeing her superior smile fade.
“I would be careful with that, Olivia.” She warned, her voice lowered, and she stepped closer to me. “From what I understand, he hasn’t been seen with a woman in several years. You should limit the time Hudson spends with that sort.” She urged. Her eyes locked onto mine.
“I’m not worried. As a matter of fact, Hudson is leaving the Northland Cargo Carriers. Cole will be left on the ship with Fowler, seeing that Hudson has taken a better-paying job on land, which means we will see more of him at home,” I gloated, just to twist the knife a little more. I added, “Hudson is an emergency dispatch operator now.” I beamed.
“Oh, how nice, dear. Having Hudson home so much, you may need to buy some new clothes,” she said, and she looked me up and down and smiled graciously. “You wouldn’t want him to see you in the same old things all the time. We mustn’t let them get distracted. And men are so easily distracted.” She cautioned. Now, she wore the shit-eating grin on her face.
“I will keep that in mind,” I said, dropping my cigarette to the ground and stubbing it out with the pointed tip of my shoe. “Well, I better be off, Judy,” I said, turning toward the car. ‘Well, at least she reminded me I needed to order Hudson’s cake.’
I heard her holler goodbye as I walked away. I raised my right hand and gave her a wave as I strolled off.