ARTICLE BY Carmen Thomas. A conversation with Author J Albert Smith
A Conversation With Author J. Albert Smith Author of Landscaper Shares Inspiration and Insight window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({appId: Conversation With Author J. Albert Smith' Jun 23, 2009 Carmen Thomas
The author from Philadelphia talks about his books and what's still to come. A three hour daily commute for some people may be considered a terrible waste of time. One commuter found a very practical way to use that time and made leaps towards making his dream come true.
He would write.
For author, J. Albert Smith, that endeavor paid off. He has two published novels under his belt and many more ideas percolating in his mind.
Smith always wanted to be a writer and found writing to be a form of expression that helped him say what he was too shy to vocalize with words.
“I've always had a lot to say,” Smith said, “However; I was at one time shy.”
Smith’s writing ambitions changed directions when at the age of 18 he won a radio essay contest. WDAS radio in Philadelphia sponsored an essay contest where contestants had to write about music. Smith won first place. He won $1000 in records, tickets to a concert and a newfound confidence.
“That was when I realized I had a talent for writing.” Smith said.
Smith had his first novel published by Publish America in June of 2007. That novel, Blue Sunday (The Judgment) created some scandal for the author in Philadelphia where the fictional story takes place. His second novel, Landscaper (The Unearthing) was published by Publish America in December 2008.
A Chat With Author J. Albert Smith
How do you come up with the ideas for your stories?
I've always had a vivid imagination and I look at life as if it were a play. Whatever I see is a potential story. The Landscaper idea came to me while gazing through the window. I noticed landscapers working on the grounds of my work area. I thought about how strange it would be if one of the men was a serial killer who planted his victims along with the trees and shrubs. I get a great inspiration when I am near water or if I think of the ocean.
Describe what happened with the Philadelphia police after you wrote Blue Sunday.
Many of the police officers who read the book didn't care that much for Blue Sunday. Mainly because during the process of the book's release many Philadelphia police were being targeted; some were even killed. I don't think their deaths were related to my book. At least, I hope not.
What made you decide to self publish your series of books: The Invention of the Molly Dolleys?
I find that if you self publish, you have more control of your work. You can set the price of the book and your share of the royalties is greater. It also gives me a feeling that I'm nurturing my child (Book) through its existence.
You're not afraid of hard work, what do you think it takes to make it as a novelist?
I feel a good novelist is one that gives his/her all to the creation of the book and to the readers of the book. Hard work is gratifying and when it yields something special. It is so wonderful to see someone reading your book. I was riding the train one day and this lady was reading Landscaper. I didn't interrupt her I just watch her expression. She seemed to enjoy the book. It felt great! I hope to someday become a best selling author.
Source
Read more at Suite101: A Conversation With Author J. Albert Smith: Author of Landscaper Shares Inspiration and Insight http://resourcesforwriters.suite101.com/article.cfm/a_conversation_with_author_j_albert_smith#ixzz0v5YQjPN3
The author from Philadelphia talks about his books and what's still to come. A three hour daily commute for some people may be considered a terrible waste of time. One commuter found a very practical way to use that time and made leaps towards making his dream come true.
He would write.
For author, J. Albert Smith, that endeavor paid off. He has two published novels under his belt and many more ideas percolating in his mind.
Smith always wanted to be a writer and found writing to be a form of expression that helped him say what he was too shy to vocalize with words.
“I've always had a lot to say,” Smith said, “However; I was at one time shy.”
Smith’s writing ambitions changed directions when at the age of 18 he won a radio essay contest. WDAS radio in Philadelphia sponsored an essay contest where contestants had to write about music. Smith won first place. He won $1000 in records, tickets to a concert and a newfound confidence.
“That was when I realized I had a talent for writing.” Smith said.
Smith had his first novel published by Publish America in June of 2007. That novel, Blue Sunday (The Judgment) created some scandal for the author in Philadelphia where the fictional story takes place. His second novel, Landscaper (The Unearthing) was published by Publish America in December 2008.
A Chat With Author J. Albert Smith
How do you come up with the ideas for your stories?
I've always had a vivid imagination and I look at life as if it were a play. Whatever I see is a potential story. The Landscaper idea came to me while gazing through the window. I noticed landscapers working on the grounds of my work area. I thought about how strange it would be if one of the men was a serial killer who planted his victims along with the trees and shrubs. I get a great inspiration when I am near water or if I think of the ocean.
Describe what happened with the Philadelphia police after you wrote Blue Sunday.
Many of the police officers who read the book didn't care that much for Blue Sunday. Mainly because during the process of the book's release many Philadelphia police were being targeted; some were even killed. I don't think their deaths were related to my book. At least, I hope not.
What made you decide to self publish your series of books: The Invention of the Molly Dolleys?
I find that if you self publish, you have more control of your work. You can set the price of the book and your share of the royalties is greater. It also gives me a feeling that I'm nurturing my child (Book) through its existence.
You're not afraid of hard work, what do you think it takes to make it as a novelist?
I feel a good novelist is one that gives his/her all to the creation of the book and to the readers of the book. Hard work is gratifying and when it yields something special. It is so wonderful to see someone reading your book. I was riding the train one day and this lady was reading Landscaper. I didn't interrupt her I just watch her expression. She seemed to enjoy the book. It felt great! I hope to someday become a best selling author.
Source
- Telephone interview with J. Albert Smith on June 17, 2009
- Answers to questions in his own words via email on June 23, 2009
Read more at Suite101: A Conversation With Author J. Albert Smith: Author of Landscaper Shares Inspiration and Insight http://resourcesforwriters.suite101.com/article.cfm/a_conversation_with_author_j_albert_smith#ixzz0v5YQjPN3
Christian Quarterly Magazine christianquarterlymagazine.org
Love’s Ultimate Sacrifice By J. Albert Smith
An emotion can be induced by many outside stimuli. Looking into a beautiful blue sky can give one feelings of joy; just as a dreary day can cause one to be downhearted. However, there is one emotion that is like no other in the world. This emotion is love. When you truly love someone you will do anything to ensure their happiness. This is the type of love that God renders to all people who believe. Moreover, God loves the non believers just as much as the believers. Our God is and always have been the greatest love giver known to mankind. From the very beginning, God has shown all creation the love of an unquestionable nature. First, we are all made in God’s image. This being the case; we should all show each other the same measure of caring. God expects only one thing from us. God wants us to give the love to each other that we require for ourselves.
The sacrifice that God gave on Calvary is the single greatest indication of unconditional love. I don’t know of anyone who would be willing to die for another. I can’t honestly say that I would give my son as a cleanser to die for the sins of the world. Our Father who art in heaven did just that and I thank God daily for what he did. Our lives would be so much worst if God had turned a blind eye to the decadence that plagued the world in those terrible times. We as God’s children are not gods, but we can use God as an example of how we should love. Some Christians of today are going about it all wrong. We want so much from God, yet we find it hard to give what is due to God. Don’t fool yourself; God wants our praise, but God will be God with or without our praise. Remember, God will make the rocks cry out and sing glory to the name of God. Our time on earth is not the end. We have so much more to do after we leave this world. God will not be forced into a box that’s tailor made by some who are trying to create a God in man’s image. There is only one God and that God is strong and mighty. Nothing can stop God’s dominion and power. God’s ultimate sacrifice is perpetual. Each day we awaken; God have given us a reason to praise the Holy name of God. Nothing compares to the true living God. God was here when there was nothing but God. The sacrifices God has rendered is so great that any love we humans give is nothing when put into prospective. The fact that the world and the people in it still exist is a testimony of God’s love and ultimate sacrifice.
_____________________________________________
J.Albert Smith is an author from Philadelphia. Mr Smith was born in Hamlet North Carolina. He truly believes in the creative power of God and he knows that love will win in the end
An emotion can be induced by many outside stimuli. Looking into a beautiful blue sky can give one feelings of joy; just as a dreary day can cause one to be downhearted. However, there is one emotion that is like no other in the world. This emotion is love. When you truly love someone you will do anything to ensure their happiness. This is the type of love that God renders to all people who believe. Moreover, God loves the non believers just as much as the believers. Our God is and always have been the greatest love giver known to mankind. From the very beginning, God has shown all creation the love of an unquestionable nature. First, we are all made in God’s image. This being the case; we should all show each other the same measure of caring. God expects only one thing from us. God wants us to give the love to each other that we require for ourselves.
The sacrifice that God gave on Calvary is the single greatest indication of unconditional love. I don’t know of anyone who would be willing to die for another. I can’t honestly say that I would give my son as a cleanser to die for the sins of the world. Our Father who art in heaven did just that and I thank God daily for what he did. Our lives would be so much worst if God had turned a blind eye to the decadence that plagued the world in those terrible times. We as God’s children are not gods, but we can use God as an example of how we should love. Some Christians of today are going about it all wrong. We want so much from God, yet we find it hard to give what is due to God. Don’t fool yourself; God wants our praise, but God will be God with or without our praise. Remember, God will make the rocks cry out and sing glory to the name of God. Our time on earth is not the end. We have so much more to do after we leave this world. God will not be forced into a box that’s tailor made by some who are trying to create a God in man’s image. There is only one God and that God is strong and mighty. Nothing can stop God’s dominion and power. God’s ultimate sacrifice is perpetual. Each day we awaken; God have given us a reason to praise the Holy name of God. Nothing compares to the true living God. God was here when there was nothing but God. The sacrifices God has rendered is so great that any love we humans give is nothing when put into prospective. The fact that the world and the people in it still exist is a testimony of God’s love and ultimate sacrifice.
_____________________________________________
J.Albert Smith is an author from Philadelphia. Mr Smith was born in Hamlet North Carolina. He truly believes in the creative power of God and he knows that love will win in the end