Interview With Author J.D. Davis

Today is the release date of Unconquered by J.D. Davis. I am very honored to be hosting this interview and well as a few other items on Adventures of Frugal Mom today. Sit back and relax and learn a little more about this fascinating author.

*Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

The book is based entirely on real-life experiences.

*What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

I particularly enjoyed writing the chapters that take place in the 1970s and 1980s, when all three men were experiencing dramatic high and sobering lows. Those chapters create a compelling story for the reader, whether he or she has been a fan of all or any of these men or not.

*How did you come up with the title?

Conquered Unconquered was a game the cousins played as young boys.In Conquered Unconquered, one of the boys would perform a daring stunt and the others would have to follow suit or be “conquered.” Whether it was jumping from boxcar to boxcar or the executing the latest death-defying feat on their bicycles, each of the cousins was always looking for a chance to come up with a new, amazing feat that would best the other two.

Through the course of their lives and careers, these three men have experienced numerous peaks and valleys. Nevertheless, the same dogged determination to never give up – to never be “conquered” – has kept each of them moving forward, meeting new challenges and scaling new heights. Now, all three have passed the three-quarters-of-a-century mark, and each remains truly unconquered.

*What project are you working on now?

Right now my focus is marketing and promoting Unconquered: The Saga of Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley in anticipation of its release, on May 1^st.

*Will you have a new book coming out soon?

Unconquered: The Saga of Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley is set for release on May 1^st.

*Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

I have a wide variety of interests and can imagine heading in a number of different directions. However, I would say there are several recurring themes of human interest, fascinating characters, rural life, and the American South which I find interesting and compelling.

*What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

The primary criticism I encountered came from my lack of prior experience, which is to be expected and didn’t bother me. Many compliments from those close to the project touched on my instinctive feel for the subject matter, organizational skills, vast knowledge of the three subjects, and, most satisfyingly, the tenacity shown in pushing through every phase of this sizable undertaking. I’ve also been complimented on my writing, which is nice to hear.

*Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

I would tell them to make sure that they really care about the subject they are writing about, because they are going to be spending a lot of time with it. Secondly, depending on the complexity and depth of their undertaking, they need to recognize that they may be setting out on a marathon, not a sprint.

*Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

I want to thank them for their interest in the book and for all the encouraging and warm remarks and comments I have received. It is satisfying to produce a credible work on a topic that interests so many people and, beyond that, means a lot to them.

*Have you ever gone out in public with your shirt on backwards, or your slippers on, and when realizing it, just said to heck with it?

I have had at least one business meeting where the suit jacket and pants did not match – they weren’t even close – and another meeting where I had one black shoe and one brown shoe. In the case of the mismatched suit, I attended the meeting without the jacket. With the shoes, there was no turning back. I blame the events on getting dressed in the dark (or near dark) rather than an extreme case of fashion unawareness.

*Do you prefer fuzzy or tub socks?

(Laughs) Neither, I suppose. However, I am a big fan of comfortable socks.

*Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?

I make my bed every morning, without exception.

*Do you get road rage? What upsets you the most about other drivers?

My children constantly remind me to be more patient on the road and with other drivers. Drivers who are not aware of the world going on around them and who seem to be “starring in their own movie” are a particular source of annoyance.

*Where are you from?

I was born in Dallas, Texas. However, I spent my childhood from the age of three through eighteen in the small, northeast Texas community of Quitman, with a population of approximately 1,800 people.

*What inspired you to write your first book?

After reading extensively about these men, visiting their hometown, and getting to know their family members, I realized there was a fascinating story to be told. While much had been written about them – particularly about Jerry Lee Lewis – I found, to my surprise, no one had ever integrated their three lives together. The way their stories interlock really is the compelling story, in my opinion, and I feel privileged to have been able to tell it.

*How have Jerry, Jimmy, and Mickey gotten past their respective personal challenges and how have they managed to continue to thrive today?

Inherent in each man’s success is the music which is their driving force. Jerry’s music is his lifeblood. Through music he finds the ability to communicate deep-seated emotions and earns the respect and adoration he craves. Jimmy’s music is a conduit to his spirituality and a key aspect of his ministry to others. Mickey uses music as a way to please his fans and to maintain a connection with people who enjoy country music and derive satisfaction from its message.

In my opinion, these men have continued to persevere – and thrive – because the music they perform is not simply a means to an external end but a reflection of their fundamental makeup and a core part of who they are.

*What is the most significant message of Unconquered? And what do you hope readers will gain by reading this book?

This is a not a story of good and bad, or right and wrong. It is a deeply human story of aspirations and success and failure. It is a tale about family, music, and perseverance. The reader will be moved and inspired by the journeys of these three men, who came from nothing, rose to the top of their respective fields, and faced a variety of profound challenges along the way. My hope is that the reader will come away with a deeper appreciation of these three men and a fuller understanding of the many factors that shaped those unique individuals who came from the Depression and post-Depression era South.

*What is the key to MG’s success?

I think the recipe for Mickey’s success has several ingredients, but I personally believe there are three main ones: He obviously comes from a family with a great deal of musical talent. He grew up in a very safe environment with a nurturing mother and I think that bred a lot of self-confidence and comfort with himself. Because he didn’t experience recording success until the age of 38, after many years of struggle and failed attempts, he knows what it means to be a “regular Joe” and has never lost sight of that, even his star burned intensely years later

*Will the book be available as an e-book?

Yes, the book will definitely be available for those individuals who love their Kindles, Nooks, and other devices. The e-book will also be available on or around April 30^th. We’ll supply more information at a later date.

*Does the book include photos?

The book includes 32 photographs across 16 pages. Deciding which photographs to choose from the vast selection available to us was challenging. Some of the photographs we did not use will be posted later on the website.

*How often will Author Updates occur?

Currently, the plan is to post weekly Author Updates. As we get closer to the book’s release date, we will post more frequently, while being careful not to mercilessly bombard you with information! In addition to Author Updates, we plan to post Recent News items related to the book as well as Video Clips.

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