How T.E.D. Came to Be

by Jayson James

Let me start out by thanking The Blogger Girls for having me as the guest blogger today. Although this is not the first time I have been asked to be a guest blogger, as I thought about what I was going to write I became more excited. By the time I sat down (the first three times) I was so giddy, I could not write.

Today I am here to talk about my newest book, T.E.D. It is about three guys whose lives intertwine as they each deal with the struggles that come along with being teenagers and the mounting problems in each of their lives.

I thought I would talk about how T.E.D. came to be. The idea was one I’d had for several years, but kept in my head. The initial story was about a character who wrote journal entries about the frequent abuse and bullying he was dealing with at school. His best friend happened to be a girl and although those around him thought they should be more than friends, the attraction was missing. This boy is labeled a “fag” although he is not gay. One character in particular keeps on hounding him in hopes to win over his friend. This boy ends up killing himself. Then the story dealt with the struggles and experiences of the best friend and the bully left behind.

I can imagine what you, the reader might be thinking, “Wait a minute, he just gave away the plot of his book.” Have no fear. When I started writing the book, the story changed. As you can see by the cover, there are three guys standing together. The girl best friend became a guy and I twisted and tweaked the plot quite a bit.

Like all my previous published books, T.E.D. Takes place in Chandler, Washington. For those who have my “Finding Their Way” series this story takes place when Derrick, Justin and gang are in middle school. There are a few characters that readers of my other books will recognize in this book.

Something I often get emails about (and some critiques) is writing books that shift from each characters’ point of view. In T.E.D., as with my previous three books, I thought that the story would be better told from each characters’ perspective although here Eric and Delsin’s parts are told in third person. I felt this gave the story flow and let the reader gain a deeper insight into the events taking place around Tim’s journal entries.

T.E.D. focuses on three guys that are all flawed, yet likable characters. I wanted them to be real people that my readers could identify with emotionally and also relate to on some level. Tim is a kid you feel sorry for and you want to give him advice how to better his life, and eventually you want to tell to quit being a wimp. Eric is a character hiding his fear of being discovered by picking on others. Delsin is supportive and does what he can, but is dealing with his own issues. Their lives are connected, having an effect on the others.

I am excited to have released a book that is outside of my popular series and I hope that my current readers are as pleased with the new cast of characters as I am.

About Jayson James

About T.E.D.

TIM is being bullied. No one in high school wants to be known as a tattle-tale and to do so would only make things rougher for him. The repercussions would most likely make him an outcast, and without any friends.

ERIC is frustrated with life. His parents are overbearing and if they ever knew the person he really was, they would throw him out of their house. His friends are not much better, they only like him when he is who they expect him to be.

DELSIN is gay and ready to come out. Unfortunately, life at home is on the brink of falling apart with his parents constant fighting. Admitting the truth could bring his whole world crashing down around him.

Each of these three needs to decide whether the risks of being honest about who they are outweighs the importance of being true to themselves. This could mean ruining life as each of them knows it. Maybe it is better to remain miserable in order to play it safe. On the other hand, doing nothing doesn’t seem to working either.

Available at Amazon.

Jayson James is holding a giveaway via Rafflecopter for a chance to when a variety of prizes! It starts today, the 14th, and ends Sunday, March 16th, 2014. Just click the link below and enter to win!

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Please be aware that the only way to enter the giveaway is to click the link above. Any comments on this post will not count towards entering the giveaway.

Good luck!