Today I have the pleasure of speaking with author James Mascia. Thanks for being here today James, welcome to FAR!


To start, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am a writer and a teacher. I teach Literature and Writing at a high school in Maryland. I've always been enthusiastic about both reading and writing, so becoming a teacher seemed a natural fit. After getting my bachelor's degree in Creative Writing, I went on to get my Master's in Education. I've been teaching for five years now, while working on many many stories. I don't get the chance to write much during the week, so my wife and I generally grab a table at our local Borders Café and sit for a few hours each weekend so that I can write.

Please tell readers a little bit about your current release, High School Heroes.

High School Heroes is about this young girl, named Christine Carpenter, who discovers she has the amazing ability to read minds. At first, she can't control this power, and the voices invading her head end up torturing her. But soon she finds other students in the school who have special abilities as well, including her longtime crush and football captain, Ethan Everett. Though Ethan is a jock, he envisions himself as being a real-life super-hero. Throughout the story, Ethan tries to convince Christine to become a hero too, but she is very resistant. She is soon sucked into a world she never thought possible. Christine soon discovers what she must do with her powers when a monster, lurking in the depths of her school, threatens to murder the student population. When it becomes apparent the creature is someone she knows, she must decide whether to try and save him, or destroy the beast. The problem is, she isn't sure she can live with the consequences of either decision.

What inspired you to write High School Heroes?

I was at a comic convention, and I was talking to a guy about how there really weren't any super-hero stories written in prose. So, I started thinking about how I could possibly write a prose super-hero story myself. I racked it in my head for a while, but nothing I came up with sounded any good. It wasn't until I came across a contest to write about something frightening that the idea struck me. It all started with this short story I simply called "Fear". I set it in probably the scariest place I could think of - a high school cafeteria. Then I thought, what would make this place particularly scary for a high schooler, and I came up with the idea that she could hear everyone's thoughts, and couldn't turn the power off. It was at that point that I thought, if she can hear everyone's thoughts, why couldn't she project thoughts into others' heads. So, I made it so she could also make other people see their greatest fear. I made a horrible villain for her to tackle in this story - an evil cheerleader. And the rest is pretty much history. This was the story that started it all, and it ended up becoming the third chapter in High School Heroes.

What are some of the challenges of writing a young adult story?

The only challenge I really faced was trying to create a comic-book-like story, without the comic-book. I wanted to create something original, but I also wanted to create a super-hero origin story, and those have certain conventions that are typically followed. It isn't an easy task without the visuals accompanying the story. However, I think I succeeded, and thus, hopefully will pave the way for others to try their own non-comic super-hero stories.

Is there a message in your story that you want readers to grasp?

Definitely. One of the major themes in the story is that doing the right thing and not powers is what makes you a superhero. Another message I'd like readers to see is the importance of not letting power get to your head.

What would you like to accomplish with your writing career?

I'd like to be known for the stories I write and I'd like for my characters to be as well known as Percy Jackson or Harry Potter. I'd also like to have a comic of my own one day as well. I've grown up reading them, and eventually I'd like to write some comics for other kids to grow up reading.

Can you tell us a little about your other upcoming works?

I am putting the finishing touches on the sequel to High School Heroes, and when that is finished, I will begin book III. I am also working on a few science fiction short stories, which I would like to get published in a couple of magazines or anthologies.

What is the best advice that anyone ever gave you?

It simply came from my father. He always told me, you can do whatever you want to do, you just need to apply yourself and never give up.

While writing, how does the story develop for you? Do you go from start to finish or create scenes as they come to you?

When I start writing, I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do. Like I have the beginning and end already in my head, and also all the major plot points I need to hit getting from point A to point B. However, all the stuff in between is up to my characters. Sometimes they sort of take control of the story. For instance, in High School Heroes, the character Sam was only supposed to be a minor character, and only supposed to be in a few, very short scenes, but he just kept popping up, until he ended up playing a much more vital role in the story than I ever intended him.

Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?

To quote a tiny spaceman toy, "To Infinity and Beyond!" I would like to do comics, then maybe a movie or two, of course I want to continue doing novels. There is nothing I wouldn't want to do with my writing in the coming years.

Since everybody needs a break, even when doing something they love, how do you like to spend your time away from writing?

Mainly, I like going to the movies. But there's nothing like having a bunch of the guys over to play a few rounds of Risk or Axis and Allies. Yes, I know that makes me a dork, but I don't care - I want to dominate the world!

We all have one, so tell us yours. What is your favorite comfort food?

Pizza and buffalo wings. However, the pizza needs to be a New York Pizza. And of course it's always best when I can manage to get my hands on a Buffalo Chicken Pizza.

Describe yourself in 5 words.

Creative, joking, friendly and intelligent - all with a touch of insanity.

Do you have a website or blog where readers can learn more about you and your works?

Yes, islandofdren.com.

Is there anything else you would like to add today?

Just want to say for all the readers who are aspiring authors that even if you get a hundred rejections for your work from agents and editors, keep sending it out. Go to conferences, get some feedback on your work, you never know what you might be able to do to improve on what you've written. And no matter what - KEEP WRITING! Never get discouraged to the point where you give up on it, and never let anyone tell you to give up.

Thank you for taking time to speak with me today James.


Interviewed by: Tammy