Meet J J Vason

Every Friday, we meet a member of the BFS and peer deep into their soul (or, at least, a form they filled out). Want to be featured? Email us: online@britishfantasysociety.org

Name: 
J J Vason

Which region are you based in? 
New Forest, England

If you write, which genre: 
Sci-fi and fantasy

Are you drawn to any specific SFFH sub-genres? 
Urban Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Science Fantasy, Hard Science Fiction

Your influences

Tell us about the book/film/thing that got you into SFFH: What was it? How old were you? What impact did it have on you?

At 14, Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon had a profound influence on me. It was the first time I realised that a seemingly straightforward sci-fi story could convey complex themes. Keyes’s narrative explores the ethics of scientific experimentation, the diverse ways in which happiness can be found and, ultimately, the things that make us human. Flowers for Algernon is the book that made me want to write.

How does that early influence show up in your work now?

On the surface, my novel, Siduri, is also a simple story (albeit a coming-of-age fantasy). However, if you squint, it explores quite similar themes. In Siduri, happiness is found in the strangest of circumstances.

Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?

Anything and everything—books, films, documentaries, places. Cornwall (my ancestral home) inspired the landscape I use in my novel.

Who do you look to as a genre hero? Why?

To be greedy, can I choose 3 pairs?

• Simon R Green / Joe Abercrombie
• Peter F Hamilton / John Scalzi
• Ian Banks / Alasdair Gray

Okay, if forced, I’d choose Ian Banks. The man was a true storyteller with a wickedly dark sense of humour.

(Image of Ian Banks from his official website)

Your work

You’re stuck in an elevator for 60 seconds with that hero, and they want you to describe your work. Give us the pitch.

I write character-driven stories, typically low fantasy or speculative science fiction. I focus on identifying my casts’ flaws and strengths and bringing them to life on the page. What interests me is exploring the things that make us human. Inevitably, my characters end up never quite black or white. That said, while some only have streaks of black mould on the surface, others have true darkness lurking deep within.

What are you working on right now?

I’ve just finished my debut novel, Siduri. It’s set in a parallel world where ghosts and the living coexist.

(JJ wrote about the inspirations behind Siduri for the BFS. Read it here.)

Thinking about all the stories/work you’ve done, what sticks out most in your mind? Why?

Writing is hard. I’m never satisfied with the first, second or even the third draft. I’m forever going back to tweak. When I saw it finally printed, it came as a relief. Publishing is a nicotine patch. Once the story is out there, there’s no point in trying to change it.

Where and when do you create/are you at your most creative?

Lying in bed just after I wake up. I think we all regress to childhood at that point. Our imagination isn’t awake enough to know it should have limits.

Being productive, of course, is a different matter.

What’s the best advice you’ve received about creativity?

‘Do it! Do it! Do it!’ Everyone is creative. The only obstacle is yourself.

What’s your writing soundtrack?

For description, ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ by Pink Floyd. For dialogue, something a bit punky. My current favourite is ‘Hertz’ by Amyl and the Sniffers. One of my characters, Lilith, has a bit of a mouth on her. When she goes off on one, I’m in ‘Mosh’ heaven.

(Photo of Amyl and the Sniffers live taken from the band’s Instagram page and ©AMDO)

The quickfire round

Sci-fi, fantasy or horror?
Fantasy by a nose, ahead of Sci-fi

Quiet or loud?
Quiet

Dark or light?
Dark

Strict lines or genre blend?
Blend

Awards or bestseller?
Bestseller

Fiction or non-fiction?
Fiction

Poetry or prose?
Prose

Plotter or pantser?
Pantser

Reading or listening?
Reading

Notebook or computer?
Computer

Favourite SFFH book of all time?
I thought this was meant to be quickfire? There’s so many. Okay The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F Hamilton.

Last book you read?
Blue Moon Rising by Simon R Green for the 20^th time.

Any SFFH author on auto-buy?
Simon R Green

Favourite podcast?
Not sure I’ve listened to one all the way through.

The home stretch

What’s the best thing about being part of the SFFH community?

Writing. No, really! 

While I’ve usually got a loose idea where a story goes, how it gets there is down to the characters. To me the cast are alive. I sit there typing as some sort of cruel primordial god setting challenges and watching them scramble to resolve them. In Siduri, there were some characters I thought were going to last until the end of the book, but they just didn’t.

Time to plug your stuff! Where can we find you and your work? What have you got coming up? Consider this your advertising space.

Siduri, a standalone fantasy, is available worldwide in paperback and ebook.  

You can discover more about Siduri’s world at jjvason.com or by searching for jjvason or #siduribook on the various socials. I had a lot of fun creating images of the characters and scenery in Siduri and they are worth a peak.