Jay Plemons’ life is nothing short of ordinary. From an aspiring chef, carpenter, educator, musician, husband, and father, nothing ever seems too busy when adding yet another hat into the mix as a fiction novelist. With a degree in music business, and a minor in English from Middle Tennessee State University, the aspirations to continue his journey in the arts, has followed Jay to write the Last Light Falling series, which has not only touched on some of his personal experiences, but has also helped him further explore the heightened convictions of faith. Though his first love is music, writing has profoundly changed the way he expresses himself to others, which has recently impacted his son to follow in those same emotional footsteps. When Jay isn't drumming, writing is his cure to life's distractions.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Why do you write?
J. E. Plemons: It's my way of escaping into a world that I can control. Since I was a wee lad, I used to storyboard all the time , but when the Choose Your Own Adventure books became popular, that's when I got serious about writing short stories. They were completely nonsensical, but so much fun to dream about. I'm a daydreamer by heart. Problem is, I don't know when to stop.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Who are your literary influences?
J. E. Plemons: C.S. Lewis and Tolkien without a doubt for their courageous unsolicited effort to go against the pretentious grain of the book publishing world during their time. They both have created timeless characters and stories to which have inspired many to follow in there writing footsteps.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Your new book is LAST LIGHT FALLING THE COVENANT BOOK 1. Discuss briefly.
J. E. Plemons: My debut novel, Last Light Falling - The covenant, is the first of a four book series I have been developing the past five years. This graphic and raw character driven story focuses on the trials and tribulations of Arena and Gabriel power, twins born into a world of cruel and relentless tragedy where nations have fallen, economies have collapsed, and half the world's population has been wiped from the earth. Arena and Gabe struggle to find any hope in their future after losing their parents when they were nine, but living with a loving foster family has eased some of that pain. It's not until they receive a special letter on their fifteenth birthday, that history will forever change. They will soon discover the secrets behind their destiny from a priest, who has vowed to protect them since birth, and sending them on an improbable journey that will most likely end in death. The prophecy of the end is near and it's up to Gabriel and Arena to help prepare the world's demise by the wrath of God. Souls will rest in the providence of these ordinary twins put in an extraordinary situation, but when fate chooses them, they will have to accept their destiny changing their lives forever. This story has turned into something bigger than what I had planned. After a brief stint negotiating a deal with a well-respected Marvel comic book artist, I finally decided to shelve the idea of the Last Light Falling comic and focus solely on the novel, which I began in March of 2012. My original inspiration behind this series came from this comic book concept about two unlikely heroes battling the normal mundane trials of teenage experiences in high school. But the true inspiration falls back to my very own kids, Gabriel and Mikaela—my two unlikely heroes in this novel. The characters created are solely based on my children's personalities, and it's scary how close they really are.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What is it about the fantasy genre you enjoy?
J. E. Plemons: Story lines can be endless. Creating a new world each time can foster limitless possibilities of imagination. But what I really enjoy about the genre are the characters that drive the stories. They are what make the ordinary into extraordinary.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What are the key messages from LAST LIGHT FALLING THE COVENANT BOOK 1?
J. E. Plemons: The extent of one's faith beyond the world we live in is a question we must ask ourselves. It's not enough to just exist in this world, but rather what kind of legacy are you going to leave it with. Everything we say or do is a reflection of our past, but it's how we respond that will reveal our future. Our choices will make or break the ones around us - it's inevitable. To think otherwise is delusional.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What have readers been saying about LAST LIGHT FALLING THE COVENANT BOOK 1?
J. E. Plemons: The common theme among readers has been how well the characters have been developed. I think it's the character's personalities and problems that most people can relate to. Much is written based on my own personal experiences. I can see where readers may have a sympathetic response to the protagonists because of their tragic past. Despite the raw and graphic nature of my book, readers enjoy the fast pace action of the story and the cliffhanger chapter endings. It keeps you intrigued just enough to sneak a peek into the next chapter. But most of all, I'm overjoyed that readers agree this series should be on the big screen. My book has been compared to Stephen King's "The Stand." One reviewer simply stated it as, "The Hunger Games meets the wrath of God."
BooksAndAuthor.com: What do you hope to achieve with LAST LIGHT FALLING THE COVENANT BOOK 1 ?
J. E. Plemons: Writing the first book was more of a hobby than it was a career as a published author. Now that I'm deep into it, I'm going in full force without stopping. The publisher and I are in the works hoping to successfully pitch the story to a few Hollywood producers that the publisher is tied to, one of which works closely with Lionsgate. Excited about the chance to really make something more of my work than I really expected. However, I've been in the entertainment business (film, music) long enough not to get my hopes up, which is why I'm truly content where the series currently stands and where it could be headed. I really never expected anything more than a check-mark on my bucket list. I'm satisfied.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What was the last book you read?
J. E. Plemons: Just recently read Schasm by Shari J. Ryan. This is one of those books that make you want to walk out the door and say "what the hell." From the very first scene, you will be gripped and bounced around into an emotional and suspenseful spiral. An absolutely mind-blowing and disturbing mix of reality and fantasy. After reading this, I have more questions than answers, kind of like after watching Inception. You won't know what is real. I felt my mind drifting with the character's hoping the main character would wake up at some point, but didn't know for sure if she was dreaming or not. This story explores mental illness like never before. A brilliantly written book on the human mind, and the complexity it can reveal. I had so many "WTF" moments in the novel, I didn't know who I could trust or what I just read was real or not. A must read if you want the unexpected. There's nothing predictable about this book at all. Loved it.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What's next?
J. E. Plemons: Last Light Falling - Into The Darkness, Book II will be released in February 2015. This is the second installment of the Last Light Falling series. This sequel continues the grim story of Arena's fate, testing her faith while she and her twin brother search for an answer to their survival in a brooding world filled with chaos. I spent twice as long on this book than the first one, and I assure you won't be disappointed. I'm afraid I can't disclose any more information than that, but your welcome to visit my website to get a sneak peek of the cover. On a side note, I'm delighted to be almost done with book III, Last Light Falling - Kingdoms Of The Ten, but no spoilers here I'm afraid.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Why do you write?
J. E. Plemons: It's my way of escaping into a world that I can control. Since I was a wee lad, I used to storyboard all the time , but when the Choose Your Own Adventure books became popular, that's when I got serious about writing short stories. They were completely nonsensical, but so much fun to dream about. I'm a daydreamer by heart. Problem is, I don't know when to stop.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Who are your literary influences?
J. E. Plemons: C.S. Lewis and Tolkien without a doubt for their courageous unsolicited effort to go against the pretentious grain of the book publishing world during their time. They both have created timeless characters and stories to which have inspired many to follow in there writing footsteps.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Your new book is LAST LIGHT FALLING THE COVENANT BOOK 1. Discuss briefly.
J. E. Plemons: My debut novel, Last Light Falling - The covenant, is the first of a four book series I have been developing the past five years. This graphic and raw character driven story focuses on the trials and tribulations of Arena and Gabriel power, twins born into a world of cruel and relentless tragedy where nations have fallen, economies have collapsed, and half the world's population has been wiped from the earth. Arena and Gabe struggle to find any hope in their future after losing their parents when they were nine, but living with a loving foster family has eased some of that pain. It's not until they receive a special letter on their fifteenth birthday, that history will forever change. They will soon discover the secrets behind their destiny from a priest, who has vowed to protect them since birth, and sending them on an improbable journey that will most likely end in death. The prophecy of the end is near and it's up to Gabriel and Arena to help prepare the world's demise by the wrath of God. Souls will rest in the providence of these ordinary twins put in an extraordinary situation, but when fate chooses them, they will have to accept their destiny changing their lives forever. This story has turned into something bigger than what I had planned. After a brief stint negotiating a deal with a well-respected Marvel comic book artist, I finally decided to shelve the idea of the Last Light Falling comic and focus solely on the novel, which I began in March of 2012. My original inspiration behind this series came from this comic book concept about two unlikely heroes battling the normal mundane trials of teenage experiences in high school. But the true inspiration falls back to my very own kids, Gabriel and Mikaela—my two unlikely heroes in this novel. The characters created are solely based on my children's personalities, and it's scary how close they really are.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What is it about the fantasy genre you enjoy?
J. E. Plemons: Story lines can be endless. Creating a new world each time can foster limitless possibilities of imagination. But what I really enjoy about the genre are the characters that drive the stories. They are what make the ordinary into extraordinary.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What are the key messages from LAST LIGHT FALLING THE COVENANT BOOK 1?
J. E. Plemons: The extent of one's faith beyond the world we live in is a question we must ask ourselves. It's not enough to just exist in this world, but rather what kind of legacy are you going to leave it with. Everything we say or do is a reflection of our past, but it's how we respond that will reveal our future. Our choices will make or break the ones around us - it's inevitable. To think otherwise is delusional.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What have readers been saying about LAST LIGHT FALLING THE COVENANT BOOK 1?
J. E. Plemons: The common theme among readers has been how well the characters have been developed. I think it's the character's personalities and problems that most people can relate to. Much is written based on my own personal experiences. I can see where readers may have a sympathetic response to the protagonists because of their tragic past. Despite the raw and graphic nature of my book, readers enjoy the fast pace action of the story and the cliffhanger chapter endings. It keeps you intrigued just enough to sneak a peek into the next chapter. But most of all, I'm overjoyed that readers agree this series should be on the big screen. My book has been compared to Stephen King's "The Stand." One reviewer simply stated it as, "The Hunger Games meets the wrath of God."
BooksAndAuthor.com: What do you hope to achieve with LAST LIGHT FALLING THE COVENANT BOOK 1 ?
J. E. Plemons: Writing the first book was more of a hobby than it was a career as a published author. Now that I'm deep into it, I'm going in full force without stopping. The publisher and I are in the works hoping to successfully pitch the story to a few Hollywood producers that the publisher is tied to, one of which works closely with Lionsgate. Excited about the chance to really make something more of my work than I really expected. However, I've been in the entertainment business (film, music) long enough not to get my hopes up, which is why I'm truly content where the series currently stands and where it could be headed. I really never expected anything more than a check-mark on my bucket list. I'm satisfied.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What was the last book you read?
J. E. Plemons: Just recently read Schasm by Shari J. Ryan. This is one of those books that make you want to walk out the door and say "what the hell." From the very first scene, you will be gripped and bounced around into an emotional and suspenseful spiral. An absolutely mind-blowing and disturbing mix of reality and fantasy. After reading this, I have more questions than answers, kind of like after watching Inception. You won't know what is real. I felt my mind drifting with the character's hoping the main character would wake up at some point, but didn't know for sure if she was dreaming or not. This story explores mental illness like never before. A brilliantly written book on the human mind, and the complexity it can reveal. I had so many "WTF" moments in the novel, I didn't know who I could trust or what I just read was real or not. A must read if you want the unexpected. There's nothing predictable about this book at all. Loved it.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What's next?
J. E. Plemons: Last Light Falling - Into The Darkness, Book II will be released in February 2015. This is the second installment of the Last Light Falling series. This sequel continues the grim story of Arena's fate, testing her faith while she and her twin brother search for an answer to their survival in a brooding world filled with chaos. I spent twice as long on this book than the first one, and I assure you won't be disappointed. I'm afraid I can't disclose any more information than that, but your welcome to visit my website to get a sneak peek of the cover. On a side note, I'm delighted to be almost done with book III, Last Light Falling - Kingdoms Of The Ten, but no spoilers here I'm afraid.
