Tell us about yourself.:
I was born in Toronto and grew up in Winnipeg and Saskatoon and later lived in Montreal.
I was nominated for Best Screenplay at the Beverly Hills Film Festival three times, and was a Quarter-Finalist at the Zoetrope Screenplay Contest.
I am the author of 280 and The Red Zone Speeches (Blossom Spring Publishing).
I currently live in Paris, France, where I am completing my PhD in philosophy. I am busy at work on my third novel.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in Winnipeg and later Saskatoon. I also lived in Montreal during my university studies.
I spent some time in NYC while I wrote my MA thesis.
I started writing stories in high school, in Saskatoon. I fondly remember I had an English assignment due, and I really enjoyed sitting down and writing the story. It didn't feel like homework.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. Try to stick to a schedule. Usually in the morning for about an hour.
What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in Winnipeg and later Saskatoon. I also lived in Montreal during my university studies.
I spent some time in NYC while I wrote my MA thesis.
I started writing stories in high school, in Saskatoon. I fondly remember I had an English assignment due, and I really enjoyed sitting down and writing the story. It didn't feel like homework.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Try to complete projects.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Don't give up.
What are you reading now?
Normal People, Sally Rooney.
What’s your biggest weakness?
I tend to stick to my same writing habits over and over.
I think it is better to be open to different writing strategies, like writing groups, courses, et cetera.
What is your favorite book of all time?
The Good Soldier, Ford Madox Ford
When you’re not writing, how do you like to spend your time?
I like to watch sports and movies, meet friends, and be with my family.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I think the first book that really impacted me was probably Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I think that book was a huge hit for a lot of young people back in the day. I'm not sure if people read that book anymore.
What has inspired you and your writing style?
Lots of things inspire me. I am interested in stories that have a strong social justice component. I think a good writer is one who can manipulate power structures and turn the story into something else. I just watched Fences, by August Wilson, and he can maneuver through issues of race and gender roles and family and show incredible human strength.
What are you working on now?
I am working on my third novel, which will be finished before the summer. It is the story of someone who goes from a modest upbringing in Minneapolis to stratospheric wealth. But a lot of stuff happens in between.
What is your favorite method for promoting your work?
I like to promote my work on social media, like IG and X. Also, my publisher's website is a good place to learn about my work.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Hard at work on novel number three.
How well do you work under pressure?
There is so much rewriting involved; all the pressure points tend to fall away as you get the novel in shape.
How do you decide what tone to use with a particular piece of writing?
That is something that one figures out from the get-go.
You figure out who your characters are and the context, and then tone will start to appear.
If you could share one thing with your fans, what would that be?
I'm trying to earn my readers respect. I do that by trying to write the best story possible.
Jeremy Rafuse’s Author Websites and Profiles
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