Allirea’s Realm, Coffee and Conversation with Jonathan Doyle

Jonathan Doyle is a screenwriter and novelist based in Los Angeles with his large collection of books and his trusty DVR. A native of Phoenix AZ, Jonathan grew up in Southern California and is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Psychology, but still can’t overcome his fear of freeway overpasses. When he’s not busy working on a new novel/poem/song/screenplay, he enjoys reading Virginia Woolf, lamenting a Lakers loss, or watching Siberian tiger videos online.

When I heard that Wild Thorn Publishing signed a new author, Jonathan Doyle, I jumped at the chance to interview him.  Over a cup of coffee/tea, we discussed anything that popped into my head (that was G-rated).  A very dangerous thing, but he didn’t seem to mind my questions.  To be fair, he was pre-warned.

The most important question of the interview, are you a coffee drinker?

No, I don’t like the way it tastes. I do drink tea though.

What is your beverage of choice?

Wine. I love red wine. I like a deep red, nothing sweet.

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I have not read your book The Last Line of a Goat Song.  Give me a synopsis that will make me move your book to “next” on my Kindle.

It’s an interesting story about two people who should never have found each other, but they do by accident (I’ve met all of my best friends this way).  For their own reasons, they go on a journey from LA to Mexico, which takes them both out of their comfort zones, and forces them to face their demons.

Where did you come up with the Book Title?  I do have to say, it is a catchy title.

Goat Song is Greek for tragedy. And really, I just like the way it sounds. I read that term somewhere and just fell in love with it.

Is this your first book?

This is my ninth novel, but I’ve never released any of the other ones. Goat Song is the only one that I like.

Would you ever revisit any of your other novels?

No, when something sucks, it sucks.

When did you start writing?

When I was 8 years old. I was really concerned with Africa, and I wrote a story about this little girl and a tiger who sort of became friends. I know I got the tiger completely wrong, they don’t even live there.

Why did you decide to publish with an independent publisher rather than self-publish?

I believe that working with a team is better than going it alone. I love all of the Wild Thorn Publishing team to death.

What do you do for leisure or entertainment?

I love the Lakers. I watch every Lakers game. My favorite player of all time is Kobe Bryant. It’s been really hard since he’s been gone, but I’m a loyal guy.

Do you play?

Yeah, I’ve played my whole life, not lately because I’ve been writing books, but I played on all of my school teams.

How would your friends describe you, in one word?

Cold. I think people who write, we spend so much of our time in our heads, being distracted in our own inside worlds. I don’t have a mean bone in my body, but sometimes I’ll say things like “shut up”, which I know is wrong, but I’m so sorry, I’m actually just thinking of some new idea. So when my friends say I’m cold, I’m really not, I’m just working! It’s my job. One second later, I’m back.

Tell me the ONE character in your book that is the most like you.  You can only pick ONE, no cheating?

William, not only because I stutter, but since the minute I was born I’ve been called an old man. I was born old.

What were you like as a child?

When I was six or seven years old, I told my mom that I was going to be the President of the United States. So I’d say I was determined. And a dreamer.

What were your childhood dreams?

To make my dog live forever. I love dogs. My dog Sam was my everything. He was a black cocker spaniel. Sam saved me in so many ways.

Who is your real life hero?

Total cliché, but Jefferson.

Why?

He was flawed but he was a true genius. He wrote the best document of all time. He was so smart, and I think it’s really cool when somebody changes the world.

What would be your best achievement to date?

This book, The Last Line of a Goat Song.

Have you ever been banned from a public place?

Nope, never been banned.

If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

Don’t ever touch the face! I don’t like anybody near my face.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done for someone?

A trip to New Orleans for my dear friend Em. I don’t want to go into it, only she knows why.

Ohhhhh, I am intrigued, maybe we will need to do a whole new interview to pursue this subject.

Ha-ha, and a bottle of red!

Are you a good dresser?

No! I’m the worst dresser of all time. White tee shirts and cargo shorts. I only wear shorts, I hate wearing pants. And I always wear the same cargo shorts. One of my friends always tells me, “You can’t wear cargo shorts!” But it’s always warm here in LA… so why not?

Do you hold grudges?

No, never. I think forgiveness is the core of humanity. No grudges. I’ve made so many mistakes in my life, and if people didn’t forgive me, where would I be? It’s just life, we all make mistakes.

What has been your most embarrassing moment?

I stutter, so there are too many to count! I remember when I was in fourth grade I decided to run for VP, and I had to read a speech. I wrote something eloquent, but as usual I stuttered my way through it. It was embarrassing, but I did win.

When can we expect your next book?  What will it be about?

My next book is about my childhood dog Sam, and will probably be done in about a year. I’m working on writing the TV stuff too, so yeah, hopefully about a year.

How long did it take you to write The Last Line of a Goat Song?

Not long. A year, I think.

What genre is your book?

Literary Fiction / Action-Adventure

What is your favorite United States city?  Why?

Chicago. I love Chicago. I’ve been many times. They have the best food, and I’m a big sports guy, and one of my favorite times in my life was when I visited my friend, Em, and we watched a Chicago Cubs game together. They have a community there I just fell in love with.

Hmmmmmmm….Em again, I think I might need to get her number to see if she would like to do an interview.

Have you ever met Imogen Rose?

 Not in person, but I would love to one day!

Thank you so much, Jonathan.  I really enjoyed chatting with you and best of luck with your writing career.