Crime Thrillers to Supernatural’s
Behind the Pages with James Garcia Jr.:
We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with James Garcia Jr., an author whose storytelling journey is as unexpected and thrilling as his books themselves. What started as a simple crime thriller quickly turned into something far more supernatural—literally.
“I was as shocked as the readers when a vampire suddenly showed up out of the shadows. Two police officers were smoking on graveyard shift, and suddenly a vampire popped out. It became a vampire story from there,” James recalls with a laugh.
That surprise twist sparked a series of novels, but after his second vampire book, James felt ready to explore other paranormal territory. He dashed off Seeing Ghosts, a paranormal romance that became his sweet spot. “I can be sappy in that sort of way,” he admits.
Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life
James draws inspiration in unexpected ways. While he hasn’t personally experienced anything truly spooky, he describes his process as catching dreams: “I try not to question how it happens. I just catch it and write it down.”
His stories also borrow from real life. In his first novel, a young dispatcher’s high school-aged boyfriend appears in the police station—based on James’s own experiences as the son of a police officer.
Writing Style: Panther, Not Planner
James describes himself as a “panther” rather than a strict planner. While he may sketch out 5–10 pages of outline, he leaves room for magic and surprises. “Sometimes, when I plan things too much, I get tense. I like letting things flow.” This approach allows his characters and plots to develop naturally, keeping the story alive and fresh.
Advice for Aspiring Authors
Having waited 20 years to see his name on a book spine, James has valuable advice for young writers:
Don’t let anyone stop you from writing.
Your first draft is for your eyes only—expect it to be rough.
Keep writing; it gets better over time.
“I want to tell everyone I meet, young or old, have no regrets. Your writing will improve—it always does,” he says.
Balancing Life and Writing
When he’s not writing, James is a safety manager for a large company, a husband, and a father. Discipline is key. “I have to mentally write in the car, the shower, or before sleep,” he explains. He also prioritizes fitness, reading (over 70 books this year!), and family time.
Despite the challenge of balancing life and writing, James’s passion remains steadfast. “Once I see the story in my head, like a film, I sit down and write. Writing is the easy part; marketing and selling are the hard parts,” he admits.
Characters, Themes, and Favorite Books
James’s characters are vivid and authentic, with dialogue flowing naturally. He cites influences ranging from Stephen King and Michael Crichton to Anne Rice and Clive Barker. Surprisingly, he also loves Pat Conroy’s Beach Music, a non-horror novel, for its masterful storytelling.
When asked about his favorite character, James points to the protagonist of his fifth novel, Photographs, a retired Hollywood actress who faced demons both literal and metaphorical—a fan favorite.
His latest release, The Color of Sound, tackles the difficult subject of suicide. Set in Kingsburg, California—the same location as his vampire series—the story explores dark themes while offering hope and understanding.
Parting Words
James encourages readers to discover what makes reading fun. “Everybody likes movies and TV shows. Most stories come from books—you just have to find the ones you love.”
His message is simple: read widely, share the stories you enjoy, and find inspiration in unexpected places.
“Creating something out of nothing is the most rewarding part of writing. And hearing that someone loves your work? That’s the magic,” he says.
You can listen to the full podcast with James Garcia Jr. at the top of the page or on Spotify: ink & airwaves podcast, the home of books, creators, and communities where stories thrive.
