Hey writers! There’s still time to be featured in our “5 Questions” series! Simply answer the questions below and send us a bio and headshot–free publicity! Send to: editor (at) freelance-zone (dot) com
Today, read Jimmy Gordon’s unusual story…
1. How did you wind up a writer?
I fell into writing, literally. I was a professional firefighter paramedic at the time. I fell off of a train, unrelated to my job. I was heading out to Michigan to spend some time with my future in laws. We had a ton of snow on the ground and it was still coming down. It was Christmas so I was loaded up with stuff. I slipped and fell, broke my knee and needed surgery. I was visiting the folks at the firehouse afterwards. I was to be off for about 6 months healing. They asked me what I was going to do with my time. I had always been a big reader. I’m not sure why but “I might write a book.” Popped out. They said I couldn’t do it. At the time I wrote my reports in all capital letters and never bothered with any punctuation, a period at times. Well, here I am now. I’m currently wrapping up number 7.
2. Was the road to being a writer what you expected? Why or why not?
I never meant to be a writer so I had no idea what to expect. Once I finished the first book I type getting your first book published into the search box on the net. I hit up 1stBooks Library which is now Authorhouse. Yep, I had a lot to learn.
3. What has been your best moment or biggest accomplishment as a writer?
Finishing that first book. Its lead to everything else.
4. What has been your most difficult moment?
Finding a publisher. We all know how tough that is. It took some time, I now have two.
5. Can you share your top piece of writing advice with Freelance-Zone readers?
Well, the best advice I have doesn’t really come from me. It comes from Joe Konrath, what word describes the writer who hasn’t given up…published.
BIO: Firefighter and paramedic-turned-author Jimmy (J.D.) Gordon was born and raised in Chicago where he developed a taste for the finer things that the Windy City has to offer – pan pizza, live blues and the Cubs.
Jimmy dropped into the world of literature, literally. After falling off a train and breaking his knee Jimmy had to spend quite a bit of time recuperating. While visiting the firehouse his peers asked what he planned to with all that time away. This when Jimmy said the words that he now claims to have changed his life. “I should write a book.”
Despite some skepticism from his peers (“You don’t even use punctuation on your run reports!”), he completed a novel, Island Bound, and made it a point to use punctuation throughout.
Another injury, sustained on the job, ended his career in the fire service. Aside from writing Gordon spends his Spring and Summer as an umpire for high school and youth baseball. He now lives with his wife and children in Glen Ellyn IL, a suburb of Chicago.