In Conversation with Lamar Giles
Welcome to our conversation with Lamar Giles. It was a great opportunity for me to meet Lamar and have a conversation. I have been trying to keep up with his work since I found Spin about a decade ago. I love his range as a writer and we get a chance to chat about several of his books.
Join us.
Join us.
Lamar Giles, a prolific writer of young adult horror novels, shared his recent travels, writing influences, and his journey to becoming a writer. He also discussed his upcoming TV series, 'The Getaway', and his new supernatural horror novel, "Ruin Road." Additionally, Lamar and Steven discussed the themes of their respective novels, the importance of open discussion in addressing societal issues, and the challenges of writing for different age groups.
Lamar Giles' Busy Travel Schedule and Upcoming Book
In this segment of Dr. Bickmore's YA Wednesday in Conversation, Steven introduces his guest, Lamar Giles. Lamar shares his recent busy travel schedule, including visits to several schools across the country, where he engaged with students from various grade levels. He discusses the enjoyment he derived from these interactions and his forthcoming book, a horror novel set to release later this year. Steven acknowledges Lamar's hectic travel schedule and suggests he might consider relocating to a more central location to facilitate easier access to his destinations.
In this segment of Dr. Bickmore's YA Wednesday in Conversation, Steven introduces his guest, Lamar Giles. Lamar shares his recent busy travel schedule, including visits to several schools across the country, where he engaged with students from various grade levels. He discusses the enjoyment he derived from these interactions and his forthcoming book, a horror novel set to release later this year. Steven acknowledges Lamar's hectic travel schedule and suggests he might consider relocating to a more central location to facilitate easier access to his destinations.
Lamar's Passion for Writing and Career Exploration
Lamar shared that his passion for writing began in fourth grade when he won a young author's competition. He continued to hone his craft through voracious reading, including Stephen King novels, and by taking elective creative writing courses in college. Lamar initially chose a communications major due to his interest in technology and aversion to math, but he later discovered writing courses and began to formalize his education in writing. Steven praised Lamar's teacher for engaging students in their interests and emphasized the importance of exploring career possibilities in college. Lamar then shared his excitement about meeting a real writer, Sherry Reynolds, in his creative writing class.
Lamar shared that his passion for writing began in fourth grade when he won a young author's competition. He continued to hone his craft through voracious reading, including Stephen King novels, and by taking elective creative writing courses in college. Lamar initially chose a communications major due to his interest in technology and aversion to math, but he later discovered writing courses and began to formalize his education in writing. Steven praised Lamar's teacher for engaging students in their interests and emphasized the importance of exploring career possibilities in college. Lamar then shared his excitement about meeting a real writer, Sherry Reynolds, in his creative writing class.
Lamar and Steven's Literary Influences and Representation
Lamar discussed his early writing influences, particularly Stephen King, whose ubiquitous presence in bookstores and grocery stores influenced his choice of writing style. Lamar noted that while he later diversified his reading to include other authors, his initial access to King's books had a formative impact on his writing. Steven agreed with Lamar's points and highlighted the importance of access to literature, particularly for underrepresented voices. They both noted improvements in the availability of diverse literature, but expressed frustration with the lack of representation in classic literature courses.
Lamar discussed his early writing influences, particularly Stephen King, whose ubiquitous presence in bookstores and grocery stores influenced his choice of writing style. Lamar noted that while he later diversified his reading to include other authors, his initial access to King's books had a formative impact on his writing. Steven agreed with Lamar's points and highlighted the importance of access to literature, particularly for underrepresented voices. They both noted improvements in the availability of diverse literature, but expressed frustration with the lack of representation in classic literature courses.
African American Young Adult Literature Discussion
Lamar expressed his frustration about the lack of representation of African American young adult authors in literature and shared his journey to becoming a writer. He mentioned being inspired by Stephen King's book on writing and trying to sell his short stories. Lamar's interest in young adult literature was sparked by Neil Shusterman's 'Unwind', which he found engaging and intriguing for children. This led him to explore the genre further, and his first novel, 'Fake Id', was born from this inspiration. Steven, an academic, shared his own research on African American young adult authors and noted the significant growth in this area since the 1980s.
Lamar expressed his frustration about the lack of representation of African American young adult authors in literature and shared his journey to becoming a writer. He mentioned being inspired by Stephen King's book on writing and trying to sell his short stories. Lamar's interest in young adult literature was sparked by Neil Shusterman's 'Unwind', which he found engaging and intriguing for children. This led him to explore the genre further, and his first novel, 'Fake Id', was born from this inspiration. Steven, an academic, shared his own research on African American young adult authors and noted the significant growth in this area since the 1980s.
Balancing Writing and Tech Career
Lamar shared how he managed to maintain his writing career while working in a tech company for a decade. He explained that he would wake up at 5:00 am to write before his day job, a routine that allowed him to balance his responsibilities and pursue his passion for writing. Steven and Lamar also discussed their shared interest in young adult fiction, with a focus on music as a theme. Lamar revealed that most of his books revolve around strange elements in otherwise normal worlds, which was the inspiration behind his latest book, Spin.
Lamar shared how he managed to maintain his writing career while working in a tech company for a decade. He explained that he would wake up at 5:00 am to write before his day job, a routine that allowed him to balance his responsibilities and pursue his passion for writing. Steven and Lamar also discussed their shared interest in young adult fiction, with a focus on music as a theme. Lamar revealed that most of his books revolve around strange elements in otherwise normal worlds, which was the inspiration behind his latest book, Spin.
Novel Themes and Societal Issues
Lamar and Steven discussed the themes of their respective novels. Lamar shared that his novel was inspired by his wife's reaction to a graphic conversation he overheard at a church service, and by the MeToo movement in 2017. Both authors agreed on the importance of open discussion as a means of addressing societal issues, and acknowledged the need for greater awareness of the challenges faced by women and the responsibility of men to support them.
Lamar and Steven discussed the themes of their respective novels. Lamar shared that his novel was inspired by his wife's reaction to a graphic conversation he overheard at a church service, and by the MeToo movement in 2017. Both authors agreed on the importance of open discussion as a means of addressing societal issues, and acknowledged the need for greater awareness of the challenges faced by women and the responsibility of men to support them.
Lamar's Upcoming TV Series and Novel
Steven and Lamar discussed Lamar's upcoming TV series, 'The Getaway', based on his book of the same name. The story follows a family living in a luxury vacation resort that is revealed to be a doomsday bunker for the wealthy. Lamar drew inspiration for the book from his experience working at a famous vacation resort and a conversation with Douglas Rushkoff about future economics and climate. The TV series, produced by Don Cheadle's company, is currently in development. Lamar also shared his plans for a new supernatural horror novel, "Ruin Road," set to release on September 17th.
Steven and Lamar discussed Lamar's upcoming TV series, 'The Getaway', based on his book of the same name. The story follows a family living in a luxury vacation resort that is revealed to be a doomsday bunker for the wealthy. Lamar drew inspiration for the book from his experience working at a famous vacation resort and a conversation with Douglas Rushkoff about future economics and climate. The TV series, produced by Don Cheadle's company, is currently in development. Lamar also shared his plans for a new supernatural horror novel, "Ruin Road," set to release on September 17th.
Lamar's Writing Process and Collaboration
Lamar shared his writing process, emphasizing the importance of consistency, the Pomodoro method, and taking breaks to avoid burnout. He also discussed the challenges of writing for different age groups and his goal of entertaining readers while incorporating important lessons. Steven praised Lamar's work, particularly "Ruin Road," and expressed interest in combining music and writing, leading to a proposal for an interview about Lamar's creative process. Lamar agreed to this idea and looked forward to further discussions.
Lamar shared his writing process, emphasizing the importance of consistency, the Pomodoro method, and taking breaks to avoid burnout. He also discussed the challenges of writing for different age groups and his goal of entertaining readers while incorporating important lessons. Steven praised Lamar's work, particularly "Ruin Road," and expressed interest in combining music and writing, leading to a proposal for an interview about Lamar's creative process. Lamar agreed to this idea and looked forward to further discussions.