Talk
[Dish] J.J. Salem

by Vince Falconi
July 2, 2008
Jackson author J.J. Salems latest steamy beach read, Tan Lines, has received praise from publications as varied as Publishers Weekly and The New York Post, and was named a Summer Reading Pick by Good Morning America. Salem, 40, earned a masters in American studies from the University of Alabama and has since published more than 20 books in genres ranging from suspense to chick-lit. After a weekend in the Hamptons, he took some time to sit down with the Jackson Free Press.
What made you realize you wanted to be a writer?
Jackie Collins. I picked up (her novel) Chances in my sisters college apartment. I was 12, and it pretty much ruined me for life. It was high octane, pulp fiction, glamour and sexhigh emotion. So, I dont know, it just struck me, and I knew I wanted to do that.
Where do these stories come from?
I follow the entertainment industry really religiously, always have; just reading industry trades and keeping up on everything. So I always set my books where that could be a career for the characters. So its usually set in New York or L.A. or Miami. Most of the books are relatable emotionally; the settings and situations let you go a lot more high octane. I cant write what I write and set it where I live. You dont have indie-rock stars doing crystal-meth booty bumps in Brandon.
Do you encounter people who are familiar with your work in town?
The people who know me and know that I write, yeah. Here, theres so much self-publishing, I think a lot of people dont know the difference. Its like: Oh, youve written a book. Well, thats nice. My Uncle Clem just wrote a book about his family growing up in Pelahatchie. In fact, you know, The Clarion-Ledger doesnt get it, doesnt care at all. Their feature people were all, Well, everybodys writing a book. And its the same book by Uncle Clem. And thats great for Uncle Clem, but there is a difference, just in luck, and discipline, and tenacity. Cause Ive been doing it for like 10 years.
What is your writing process?
The hardest thing is just sitting in the chair, I mean just sticking in the chair. I like to compose with a computer. I do some long-hand if Im at a pool or a waiting room or whatever, but I definitely compose better with a computer. I just turn my music up and just write.
Who would you like to have write your autobiography and why?
I hate that question. I dont know. My books are very sexual and kind of crazy, but personally, Im almost a bit of a prude. I mean, reserved and dont talk about this (kind of subject matter). People read my books and are like, Really? Theyre just completely shocked that all of this has come out of me. I dont know how to answer that. Maybe Judy Bloom because I had a difficult pre-adolescence and adolescence, and shed be good to capture that.
J.J. Salems Favorite Books
Hollywood Wives by Jackie Collins
Valley of the Dolls Jacqueline Susann
Rage of Angels by Sidney Sheldon
The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe
Scruples by Judith Krantz
What J.J. listens to while he writes
Kylie Minogue
Usher
Rihanna
Madonna
Mariah Carey
Join J.J. Salem for a reception and book-signing of Tan Lines July 8, from 6-8 p.m., at Lemuria Books. The evening will feature cocktails and hors doeuvres by Julie Levanway of Fresh From the Flame. Find out more at jjsalem.com.
posted by on 07/02/08 at 07:04 PM. [printer-friendly version]
COMMENTS
[Kamikaze] The Media Fix Is In
J.T.: Amen to pushing a positive Jackson. And, yes, it is a movement. And, it is moving.
Aug 27, 2008 | 06:17 PM
Ban the Paddle?
ladd: A lot of kids in all our schools are "scary smart." Many just haven't had the chance to prove it, yet. On the not-know-how-to-ask-a-str anger-a-question point -- how many strangers are completely ...
Aug 27, 2008 | 05:33 PM
Ban the Paddle?
Tom Head: The kids I've met from the Jim Hill Civil Liberties Club are SCARY smart (they're not just the future; they're ready and able to get out and do stuff now), and the idea that anyone would consider ...
Aug 27, 2008 | 05:15 PM
Ban the Paddle?
ladd: you mentioned people should try to find out what is really going on with this generation. Damn right I did. And any given day, you will find up to 20 young people in their teens and 20s in my offices, ...
Aug 27, 2008 | 05:12 PM
Ban the Paddle?
ladd: Baquan, it's simple really: You generalized about all young people with statements like these: Discipline does not work any more on kids, whether it is beating them or putting them in time out. Young ...
Aug 27, 2008 | 04:49 PM
Ban the Paddle?
baquan2000: To Tom Head - lets just agree to disagree. You put yours in time out for stealing or cussing, while with mine, they will just have to meet their maker when they attempt to try it!? Sorry - I will ...
Aug 27, 2008 | 04:41 PM
Ban the Paddle?
baquan2000: Donna you did a good article a while back on this generation, where I think you mentioned people should try to find out what is really going on with this generation. Maybe what I said, was to ...
Aug 27, 2008 | 04:28 PM
Ban the Paddle?
Tom Head: Or for selling bad weed. Or for sleeping with your girlfriend. Or... Right. We teach the same pro-violence message with the Iraq War and the death penalty, too, not to mention when leaders go around ...
Aug 27, 2008 | 04:04 PM
Ban the Paddle?
ladd: That is a vast generalization about young people, baquan, and extremely offensive. I'm more impressed with young people today in their teens, and even tweens, than I ever have been. And the numbers bear ...
Aug 27, 2008 | 03:39 PM
Ban the Paddle?
baquan2000: after reading all the posts above; whatever it is we are doing; it is not working? Discipline does not work any more on kids, whether it is beating them or putting them in time out. Young men do ...

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