IndieView with Kasen James, author of How to Pull the Stick Out of Your Ass

I wanted to make a statement about the art of comedy and society’s ability to take a joke …

Kasen James – 28 December 2018

The Back Flap

If you had a negative reaction to the title of this book, you’re exactly who needs to read it the most.

Political correctness has been killing our country, along with the careers of comedians. In this brief yet brutal roast of our generation, comedy writer Kasen James throws caution to the wind – putting a refreshing, Millennial spin on the art of satire.

Rich with double meaning, How to Pull the Stick Out of Your Ass depicts the downward spiral of a Special Snowflake after the 2016 Presidential Election. Eventually, he discovers a magical methodology that helps him learn to become great again.

While this book may take less than an hour to read, be careful not to skim through. Otherwise, you may end up missing the biggest double meaning of all!

About the book

What is the book about?

How to Pull the Stick Out of Your Ass is a politically incorrect political satire. Intended as a gag gift that doubles as a thought-provoking read, it tells the story of a Special Snowflake struggling to recover from the results of the 2016 US presidential election. Eventually, he discovers a magical methodology that helps him to learn to become great again.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing the book in May 2018.

How long did it take you to write it?

It took me a few months of trying story lines, revising outlines, drafting content, and meditating on my personal goals, before I finally figured out the message I was  trying to send and how I wanted to deliver it. Once my final outline came to be, it probably took me about 2 weeks to write and edit my book.

Where did you get the idea from?

During early discussions regarding the message of my book, I stopped to ask myself: “If there’s one thing I wish I would tell most people if I had the chance, what would it be?”

Honestly? Pull the stick out of your ass.

Specifically, I have a family member that has strong beliefs about how the world should work that limits their ability to get along with others and laugh in the face of adversity. He takes everything personally, even when it’s not directed at him. More specifically, he cut other members of my family off because they support Trump. He doesn’t understand how his own family could begin to agree with ideals that go against his lifestyle. Obviously, they’re no family of his.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has lost relationships because of Trump. While I can empathize with my family member’s position and the millions who feel similarly, I think there are smarter ways to resist than pushing loved ones away. I’m not Trump’s biggest fan, and think he’s caused this country far more division than he’s ever been worth. However, it’s important to keep in mind that no generation has ever completely agreed on a president. Our power as a nation lies in how well we can agree to disagree, and co-exist in peace.

Additionally, Kathy Griffin has always been one of my favorite comedians. I wanted to make a statement about the art of comedy and society’s ability to take a joke, because ironically, the media and society have figuratively cut off Trump’s head every day with the hate they spew towards him.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

It took me a while to find my voice as a comedy writer. Also, I’m too ADHD to write a full-length book. Who wrote the rule that says a book has to be 100 pages or more?

What came easily?

I knew I wanted to incorporate puns into my flow. I’m a pun master, having competed in the 2017 O. Henry Pun-Off World Championships. Infusing wordplay and social media allusions throughout came easily to me, and made writing this book super fun!

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

This could be considered a brief history book, because I didn’t make anything up. That’s the best/worst part – I told the story exactly as it played out.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

My favorite book is Seth Godin’s The Purple Cow. As a marketer, I tend to prefer business books. Truly, it inspired me to dig deep and find what makes me purple.

Do you have a target reader?

Millennials who like puns, Cards Against Humanity, satire, smoke weed, and generally have a politically incorrect sense of humor.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I gathered a lot of inspiration by reviewing social media and news stories from over the past two years. I folded everything into my story, once I finally had that fully outlined.

Writing the outline was definitely a process. Through writing this book, I realized the best approach for me is to start as simple as possible. I told the main story with as few bullet points as possible, then re-outlined with more detail.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

At first, I started with headings and a couple of sentences. I found that didn’t work for me, because I kept getting stuck. When I started extensively lining out the story, it was a breeze for me to type up.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I did a lot of editing as I went. Save for a few corrected typos, the final draft is the published version.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I hired a second set of eyes to proof-read it.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Sometimes I listen to music, sometimes I don’t. Right now, my go-to Pandora station is Bazzi Radio.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

Initially, I signed up to with a book development firm. However, I decided to part ways with the book development firm because I didn’t get the sense they wanted their name attached to a project that brutally poked at such a sensitive subject. I reached the point where I wanted the freedom to be blunt about the message I was sending, and write in a way that’s true to my sense of humor.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I designed the cover myself. Naturally, it’s a pun.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I found a grey-hat method of running some social ads for it, but the title is considered too *CoNtRoVeRsIaL* and *PrOvOkInG* by most platforms to be marketed directly. So, I’ve been forced to wing it.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Write the book that you want to write, not that someone else wants you to write. Creativity can’t be chained, and shouldn’t be censored.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently in the process of recording my debut demo CD, to be released some time next year. It’s a collection of songs I’ve written, where every lyric is a play on words. I’ve also recently become a contributor for BuzzFeed, along with a couple other websites.

End of Interview:

For more from Kasen, visit his website, like his Facebook page, and follow him on Twitter.

Get a copy of How to Pull the Stick Out of Your Ass from Amazon US or Amazon UK.