Pump Up Your Book Chats with James Ross, author of “Pabby’s Score”

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ABOUT JAMES ROSS

jamesross Known best for living life to the fullest James Ross decided early on that he was going to work to live, rather than live to work. With a persuasive demeanor and a “don’t-take-no-for-an-answer” attitude he embarked on a journey that allowed for him to live life along the way.

Born in Central Illinois in the early 1950’s James Ross grew up wanting to be a professional athlete. He was the oldest son of a high school basketball coach and a homemaker. Early in his life his dad took a job as a textbook salesman for a division of Doubleday. Soon thereafter the family relocated from the corn fields of Illinois to the Metro St. Louis area.

He took up the game of golf at the age of twelve when the family moved to a golf course development in the western suburbs of St. Louis. His passion for the game grew from that moment on and with continued practice he became a low-handicap player. Mr. Ross was a three-sport athlete in high school and accepted an athletic scholarship to go to college. After one year of that he transferred to the University of Missouri in Columbia. There he was a member and social chairman of Beta Theta Pi fraternity until he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with emphasis on real estate and finance in 1974.

After a few years of traveling and a two year stay in Los Angeles at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, Mr. Ross returned to the St. Louis area to embark on a career in sales. After turning fifty he decided to get in touch with the creative side of his mind and sat down to write. Three years later his first novel, Lifetime Loser, was published.

Upon completion the writing bug had consumed him. Before his first novel was finished he had begun the second book. Finish Line is a continuation of the happenings in and around the fictitious setting of Prairie Winds Golf Course on the East Side of St. Louis. Drawing inspiration from his characters, the third book, Tuey’s Course, was released in January of 2009. Opur’s Blade is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2009.

When he is not writing, Mr. Ross is out looking for a golf game around town or traveling to some warm weather destination to enjoy an amazing life. Many of his stories will be centered on a sports theme complete with applicable analogies. Being a native of the Midwest they will also carry references to the heartland of America.

You can visit James Ross’ website at www.authorjamesross.com.

What inspired you to write your first book?

I had a story that had a lot of twists and turns. Adding quirky characters helped.

What books have influenced your life the most?

Actually I like to read true crime books.

What are your current projects?

Currently I’m taking a break from the busy schedule associated with writing a novel and I’m working on the screenplay of Lifetime Loser which was my first novel. After that gets to where it needs to be then I’ll resume my novel writing by starting Shari’s Shot, the sixth in the Prairie Winds Golf Course series.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Not really. The message delivered was what I wanted and the characters that were developed were what I envisioned.

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

Reviewers that are inexperienced or prefer stories in different genres tend to miss the mark.

What has been the best compliment?

Regular readers that get the message and like my writing style tend to be the most supportive. They bond with the recurring characters.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Stay with it. There is only one person that can put words on the page.

What is your favorite quality about yourself?

Persistence. Never quitting.

What is your least favorite quality about yourself?

Lack of patience.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

If you put your mind to it you can set out to accomplish anything that you’d like.

ABOUT PABBY’S SCORE

Pabby and Shae, teens with special needs hoping to expand their experience outside Footprints of Hope Foster Care Center, arrive at Prairie Winds Golf Course on the east side of St. Louis.

Innocence and youthful enthusiasm get caught in an undercurrent of sinister events. Civil injustice prompted by an unethical attorney arrives in the form of a bogus insurance claim. Alcohol and greed taint a dishonest judge. An Internet dating site feeds an affair. Shady police work attempts to stain the reputation of head pro, J Dub Schroeder. As the court spins out of control an ethics board investigation and an edgy game of instant messaging tempt the hands of fate. Savant-like tendencies, dementia and flying falcons intertwine with Native American customs, thoroughbred racing and a trip up the river road to Lighthouse Point. A retired barrister hints about a corrupt underground society.

Can revealing a dark secret settle PABBY’S SCORE?

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How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

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