Jesse Teller

Why storytelling? What made you yearn to tell a good story, and how long was this story within you before it came out? 

There was always a strong appeal to writing for me, and I discovered it when I first delved into literature from the Romanticism period. As a small child I was a big fan of Dr. Seuss as well as R.L. Stine, and I think all of those inspirations show in my work. I always enjoyed content more on the macabre side of things as well and so my love for writing coupled with my love for creepy things gave birth to my dark verse stories. This particular story was brewing in my mind for about a year or two before it came to fruition.

What character from your book fills you with hope?

In this piece, the main character is quite evil, so she really doesn’t instill hope. I tend to go for the fear and despair factor over all else.

What character from your work frightens you, makes you feel dirty to write?

I have a story that is currently in progress right now called Steven, and he pops up right away for this question. He is a very troubled man and so I have definitely had moments where writing him has been disturbing or difficult. I have had to step away many times on this particular project due to this.

Your main character walks into a bar. What happens?

If she strolled into a bar I would imagine people would very quickly vacate the premises.

When you are writing, tell me about the emotions that are running through you and what it takes to work alongside them.

 Initially, with everything I write, there is a feeling of euphoria. This is how I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do. There aren’t too many things in life that give you that feeling. I have even been known to liken it to the feeling of being infatuated or in love. It’s a kind of high and pure joy. It does get dark and upsetting however at times. Certain stories or characters bring out different degrees of emotion. It’s difficult at times to work through the rush because it’s very easy to get out of hand and ramble on with things that aren’t really important to the story.

How do you police your production? Do you have a word quota, or a page goal, maybe you work for a set amount of time? Do you place demands on yourself when you’re working? How do you meet those demands?

I really don’t have any set rules for myself. This is my passion, and I do it best on my own terms, in my own times. It flows much better that way. However, if I am working on something with a deadline, it just motivates me to get it going right away and see where the characters take me. The thought of being part of something out there in the ether for others to enjoy really keeps me going as well.

A publishing house gets ahold of you and wants you to take over writing an established character. For instance, DC Comics calls you and tells you they want you to take over writing Batman. What is the dream? What established character would you love to write?

I absolutely love this question because I’m a huge fan of Batman! I am and have been obsessed with the Joker for years, and then with the whole dynamic of his relationship with Harley Quinn, it’s so inspiring to me. I would absolutely love to write about the Joker, his back-story, his youth, his psychosis. That would be fascinating, and so epic!

Everyone has at least one specific challenge that holds him or her back. What is that challenge in your work and how do you overcome it?

I have a couple challenges but I think the predominant challenge I have is overcoming the urge to delve too far into character’s histories and personalities. Which kind of plays into the next challenge of trying to write something other people wouldn’t get bored with, but also staying true to writing what I want, the way I want it. I find that once you start writing things strictly for other people’s enjoyment and not your own, your work just doesn’t get as much attention or good feedback. It backfires on you.

How did you find the time to write this book with your busy life? What ideas do you have on how others can make time in their lives?

I struggle with this every day, the desire to write an epic novel, but only having the time and energy for smaller projects. I carry pen and paper with me everywhere I go. If I get an idea that I just know has the potential to be something great, I write about it as soon as I possibly can. I would suggest the same to anyone else struggling to find the time, if writing is your thing, just carry a small notebook and pen with you and any little thing you see or hear around you that inspires you, write about it. Describe those things in as much detail as possible and it may just spark a project. Once the faucet is turned on, the water will flow. You don’t always need a clear vision, just jot down little things here and there and it could all eventually end up being bits and pieces of a huge masterpiece.

Without giving any spoilers, what is your favorite thing about this book?

I love all of the vision of the authors that worked together on this project. My favorite thing about it is delving into the minds of others and being a part of that. It is amazing.

If we wanted a good story—book, show or movie—one that you didn’t write, where would you send us?

Angel L. Woodz. She is a fantastic author of different genres including Romance and Dark Suspense, and Thriller. She has done so much to support and bring attention to Domestic Abuse as well as Mental Health Awareness. She can be found on Facebook where she has her website linked. I would highly recommend checking her out.

Let’s talk about tools. Do you have a word processor that you would tell us to use? Is there a certain computer that has become your favorite? What do you look for in a keyboard? What would you absolutely have to have if you were to sit down and write your next book?

I use WPS Writer on both a laptop and a desktop. I really enjoy it as it keeps track of my word count, spell check, pages, everything as I go. I don’t have to manually track down that information and that is important to anyone who is really into writing, as generally, one wouldn’t want to take attention away from the current thought process just to check those things. I’m not too particular on tools for writing though. I even still use good old fashioned notebooks.

If we read your work and crave more, can we find more that you have written? Will we ever see another book by you? If we fall in love with your work, how can we find you and everything you have done?

I have a blog site at darkdoorpassages.wordpress.com. It needs some updating done which I will be working on. I have been published in Sanitarium Magazine which can be found through Amazon for Kindle and Print. Tales From the Shadow Realm, Inner Sins Webzine. The Creativity Webzine. Also, A Shadow of Autumn Halloween Anthology can be found on Amazon as well. I have some other interviews as well than can be found through Google searches by Gwendolyn Kiste, and Geosi Gyasi.