What is something unique/quirky about you?
Well, I don’t really like being submerged in water, especially dark water. I had a panic attack snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef and had to use those tube floaties to keep me afloat and take the panic away. I had a harrowing experience very young when I was swept away in the undercurrent at a southern California beach. Ever since then, I’ve had this issue. I don’t even really like going in pools, although I don’t suffer any kind of panic around pools… and I don’t really like taking baths at all. However, I love showers.
In High School, I was practically narcoleptic and would fall asleep for hours at a time while in the shower. I found I did my best thinking in the shower. Perhaps there’s some sensation deprivation going on that allows me to focus better. I continue to take showers often, sometimes two to three times a day just to think. I work through my psychological research and develop stories in the worlds I create.
Tell us something really interesting that's happened to you!
Back in the 90s, I was a huge Everclear fan. Art Alexakis’ songs really hit close to home, especially Father of Mine. I’m the first of two children from my father’s third marriage. I have siblings from his first and fourth marriage, as well as stepsiblings from his current marriage. I never really had a close relationship with my father, except for 4 years when I lived with him from 10-14 years old. When I went through my own divorce, Art’s music helped me a lot. I made sure I was in my children’s lives. I spoke with them nearly every day and my boys moved in with me when they were 8 and 10 years old. However, before they moved in with me, I went to Coachella in 2012, and on that road trip, I listened to an Everclear playlist.
As I listened, I began to formulate a story where the lyrics were speaking for the characters. When I returned home, I wrote a musical. It was basically fanfiction with lyrics and music of Everclear to tell the story. I friended Art on Facebook and messaged him about the musical. To my surprise, he was willing to read it… and he liked it. I got to meet him in person and one of his Summerland shows in Bakersfield, California. I said, “Hi. I’m Jared. I wrote the musical.” He responded excitedly, saying, “Jared. Jared Chapman. Hey guys, he wrote a musical with my songs. And it’s good too.” That memory is seared unto my head forever.
What kind of world ruler would you be?
I always joked about being a benevolent tyrant. I’d show love to my people and try to build them up to be the best they could be, giving them what they need for security and stability. But they’d have to do things my way and if they refused, then they could leave. I’d probably send them to an island or rocket them to the moon. BTW, Jared is Hebrew for ruler, as well as descent, and he who comes from heaven, so…
What do you do to unwind and relax?
I have an extremely hard time unwinding and relaxing. My brain is always running and running like the Energizer bunny. Interestingly enough, I find showers to help me focus these thoughts, but also, they allow me to relax… sometimes. Other times, watching something on TV with my wife and kids is the best thing to just chill out.
How to find time to write as a parent?
That’s the question, isn’t it? It’s extremely hard, especially in the time of COVID. My three-year-old is home all the time and needing attention, so I try to write when he has quiet time or has gone to bed, or if my wife isn’t working and can watch him. I also have two older sons (16 and 18 now). The 16-year-old is taking virtual classes right now and the 18-year-old is looking for work, so he spends a lot of his time in his room playing videogames… sometimes I get their help with their baby brother. So, I try to take advantage of any time I can have alone and spend it on writing. It requires a lot of support from my family right now.
When it isn’t COVID and the family are out during the days, I write as much as possible while I have the house to myself. I often go to coffee shops to write. It seems counterintuitive, but I find being around people stimulating… just not when they’re constantly asking me for something or begging for my attention Most of the time, I write after everyone else has gone to bed.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I began writing a novel in 1996… something I’m still working on. I think the moment I allowed someone to read that was the moment I thought of myself as a writer. That’s when I believed I was going to become a writer. Unfortunately, life got in the way, but I’m finding my way back now.
Do you have a favorite movie?
I do. I have an all-time favorite movie, but I don’t tell anyone, or they’d use it to hack my accounts. However, there is a movie or series of movies I have seen more than any others. It all started when my parents took me to the drive-in when I was a month old to see Star Wars. Now, of course, I don’t remember that first viewing, but Star Wars has been so ingrained into my DNA that it has passed down to my children. We love it all.
Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
I write what I want to read and what I would like to see as a movie. That being said, I only have the one novel currently, but I absolutely could imagine it as a film or TV series.
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