It is nice to be back here today at The Novel Approach as a guest blogger again!
I thought I would share my new book, T.E.D. today. Unlike my previously released books, T.E.D. is not part of my previously published series. It is not much like anything I have released before. If the initial reviews are any indication, T.E.D. is going to be a hit.
As I get started, I thought I would answer the number one question people have had about the book, “How did you come up with the title?” As the extended title on the cover shows it literally stands for Tim, Eric and Delsin. When I began writing the book, I did not have a name, but I needed a way to identify it. All of my previous books and stories I have always come up with a title, however with T.E.D., I drew a blank each and every time I tried to think of a title. When I sought out help for a title, everyone kept on leaning towards using the letters, “T, E and D,” which was something I liked. At last, the decision was made to simply give it the title it ended up with.
The idea came about a few years ago. I jotted down some notes and pretty much left it in my head. The initial story was about a character that wrote these journal entries admitting the frequent abuse and bullying he was dealing with at school. He had a best friend who was a girl and although those around him thought they should be more than friends, the attraction was missing. This boy is labeled a “fag” although he is not gay. This one person in particular keeps on hounding him in hopes to win over his friend. This boy ends up killing himself. Then the story dealt with the struggles the best friend and the bully left behind experience.
Like all my previous published books, T.E.D. takes place in Chandler, Washington. The time this book takes place, for those who have read my series, is during the time Derrick, Justin, and gang are in middle school. There are a few characters that readers of my other books will recognize in T.E.D.
Something I often get emails about (and some critiques) is writing books that shift from each characters point of view. As with my previous three books, T.E.D. was a story I thought was better told from each characters’ perspective. Something I did different with T.E.D. was I put Eric and Delsin’s parts into third person. This I felt gave the story flow and let the reader gain a deeper insight to the events taking place around Tim’s journal entries.
The three guys T.E.D. focuses on I think are all flawed, yet likable characters. I wanted them to be real people that my readers could identify with, both emotionally and opinionative. Tim is to be blunt a pussy, yet a kid you feel sorry for and want to give him advice to on how to better his life. Eric is a character that is hiding out of fear of being discovered, so he picks on others to keep himself from being discovered. Delsin is supportive and does what he can, but is dealing with his own monsters and struggles. These three lives are intertwined, and they have an effect on each other for better or worse.
I hope the readers enjoy T.E.D. as much as I did writing the book. It is exciting to have a book out there that is outside of my popular series. It is my wish for my current readers to be pleased with the new characters and my new readers have an interest in reading my other books.
Thank you The Novel Approach Reviews for having me as a guest blogger today!
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BLURB: TIM is being bullied. No one in high school wants to be known as a tattle-tale and to do so would only make things rougher for him. The repercussions would most likely make him an outcast, and without any friends.
ERIC is frustrated with life. His parents are overbearing and if they ever knew the person he really was, they would throw him out of their house. His friends are not much better, they only like him when he is who they expect him to be.
DELSIN is gay and ready to come out. Unfortunately, life at home is on the brink of falling apart with his parents constant fighting. Admitting the truth could bring his whole world crashing down around him.
Each of these three needs to decide whether the risks of being honest about who they are outweighs the importance of being true to themselves. This could mean ruining life as each of them knows it. Maybe it is better to remain miserable in order to play it safe. On the other hand, doing nothing doesn’t seem to working either.
THE GIVEAWAY: THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
I’ve read other Jayson James books and enjoyed them. T.E.D. sounds good. Thanks for the blog and giveaway.
jen.f {at} mac {dot} com
Thanks Jen F. I am glad that you have enjoyed my books. Hopefully T.E.D. is as enjoyable for you. :)
This book sounds really good please count me in for the Giveaway… . Thank you
ShirleyAnn@speakman40.freeserve.co.uk
Thanks for joining Shirley! :)
Would love to read this. Please include me in the giveaway. paul1189@sbcglobal.net
Thank you, Paul
Thanks for taking part. Please let me know if you do! :D
I like the concept!
vitajex(At)Aol(Dot)com
The reviews have all been strong so far. The concept concerned me at first too, but it has been well received. :)
Please count me in as well. Thanks
You bet! :D
I would like to share that I have read TED, and I was in love with the 1st to 3rd person writing. You really FEEL these characters, they could be the boy down the street.
I had read all of Jayson’s other books before this one, and it is different from them, but different in a very good way!
I am going to recuse myself from the giveaway, 1) because I read this book and 2) because I would LOVE to see a new reader get and read this and see what they think of TED too!
Thank you so much for having Jayson on your blog!
Thanks Mary for your continued support! :D
This was the first book by Jayson James I had read. It was truly amazing and I read it in one day because I couldn’t put it down. I’m reading all of his other books. This is a MUST READ !!!!!
Thank you Misty! I am delighted that I have gained you as a reader! :)
I haven’t read any of Jayson James books but this sounds like a great read. It sounds like there are a lot of people that love this author though, makes me think I need to go check the books out.
I would like it if you did! I hope you enjoy them! :)
I haven’t had the chance to read Jayson James other books yet but I do own them. I would love a chance to win this one.
Thank you for your support! Good luck with the drawing! :)
I have a couple of Jayson’s books on my yet to read list on my kindle and the rest on my wish list, they sound great!
Thanks Lee for your support! I appreciate it immensely! :)
Your post intrigued me so I spent sometime on your blog tonight. I loved Derrick & Justin discussing T.E.D. Since I haven’t read their stories I ordered the trilogy from Amazon. Can’t wait to read it. I’d love a shot at winning T.E.D.
Lisa,
Thank you for your support! I hope that you enjoy the series. Please feel free to Like my author page (www.facebook.com/authorjaysonjames) as well as follow my posts. It was fun writing Derrick and Justin again and I am glad you liked them discussing T.E.D. :)
I’d like to read this book, thank you for the chance
You bet Loren! Thanks for participating! :)
What a great post! I’m in the new reader of Jayson James category and am so intrigued by these three young men. I can’t wait to see how their stories play out. On my way to learn more about you and your other books now!
Thanks Peaches! Please feel free to Like my author page (www.facebook.com/authorjaysonjames) as well as follow me on my blog (www.jaysonjamesbooks.blogspot.com) to keep up with me and my books. :)
You’re a new author to me Jayson, count me in!
Thank you! :)
Good morning, everyone, and many thanks for stopping in to say hello to Jayson, and for entering his T.E.D. giveaway. The contest is now closed, and the winner’s been selected. An e-copy of the book goes to…
jenf27
Congratulations, jen! I’ve already emailed Jayson with your contact information, so expect to hear from him soon.