10Qs with James M Roberts

James M. Roberts wanted to prove that you don’t need to be a college scholar or a perfect writer to put your heart on paper even when it is hurting the most.

James’s experiences have inspired him to tell his story in order to reach young readers suffering from insecurity, sadness, and addiction. Not only did James drop out of high school, but he also stumbled into deep depression early in his adolescent life.

Although he had been an all-star athlete, he was far from happy. He ended up making regrettable choices in order to feel a sense of belonging and worth, especially following his parents’ separation.

Through it all, James knew that one day he was going to share his “misery” with the world. He struggled through life’s lessons and finally put himself through college to earn a business degree and currently has a successful career in sales.

James finished his first rough draft at twenty-five while in college. Five years later he erased all 200,000 words and started from scratch. He currently resides in Woburn, Massachusetts, where he continues to thrive and develop his writing.

Why do you write?

Writing to me allows me to represent my inner most thoughts when I struggle to explain them in person. Some thoughts can’t be explained as Cleary without writing down exactly how you feel. It’s more therapeutic than anything. Writing allows me to write down how I am feeling at the exact moment and hopefully people can relate to it.

What inspired you to write?

Depression

Where is your favorite place to write?

In the library, by a window

What was your writing process?

Put my fingers on the keyboard and let my mind be free.

What have you found most surprising about the publishing process?

Honestly? It can be a pain in the ass! The work’s never done and the writing is only the beginning.

Which character in your book was most challenging to write about?

My father.. I tried to capture how he felt but not sure how good of a job I did.

What is your favorite scene in The Crossroads of Logan Michaels?

My favorite scene is in chapter 9 I believe. When Logan wakes up miserably hung over and finds the note his mother wrote him. It brings me to tears almost every time.

What have you learned about yourself through writing this novel?

I’m a complicated yet simple man.

What is next for you? Are you working on another book?

Yes. The second volume of The Crossroads of Logan Michaels, where we see Logan work his way through the recovery process and rebuilding a life.

How would you like to be remembered?

Alive and when I truly smiled, if you ever captured that moment…

About the Book

The Crossroads of Logan Michaels by James M. Roberts
Genre: Coming of Age

Synopsis

“Thumbs-up for this debut!”—James Frey, best-selling author of A Million Little Pieces

After growing up heartbroken with an endless series of struggles, Maria Michaels creates a picture-perfect family of her own. But life changes too quickly, and she loses her grip on herself and her two troubled sons. In spite of her desire to give them a better life, they spiral downward on the paths they choose. They must fight through sadness, mistakes and tragedy to find redemption and the love that only a mother can give. Told from a dual perspective of mother and son, we follow the family’s battles with divorce, drugs and depression. You will laugh and cry, and probably want to call your mom to tell her you love her.

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