• What’s your name and where are you from?

I’m known to my friends and family as Joey or Joseph (as that’s my given name), but online I generally go by the username J Matt. Seeing as my debut memoir ‘Cam Boy’ is so closely linked to my online persona, and the username I perform under, it seemed only natural to publish it under this moniker.

• What‘s your most recent book about?

It’s called ‘Cam Boy’ and is an exploration into the world of online camming through my time spent as an webcam performer for a primarily gay audience.

• Do you have a specific writing style?

Straight to the point. Bold. Explicit. Controversial some might say…. My writing isn’t for everyone, but it’s honest and raw and it comes from the heart. I really do put my all into my work.

• Whatare obstacles that come in the way of writing? 

I need to pretty much work in an environment that’s silent, or as close to silent as can be when I’m writing. Television, music and having other people around me in close proximity are big distractions for me.

• Whatsthe most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?

‘I noticed when I was reading your book that the time just flew by – I couldn’t put it down!’ – I think that’s one of the biggest compliments that any writer can get. I’d hate for anyone to call my work boring or repetitive.

• Howlong have you been writing?

Since before I could write! I used to dictate to my mum what it was that I wanted each page of my story to say then I’d go and add the illustrations later on.

• What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Quirk? I’m not sure about that one, but I learned an awful lot about some of my not-so-good writing habits when it came to the editing process of my debut book (after sending out advance copies for feedback). I genuinely hadn’t noticed any until I’d had them pointed out to me! I know I’m a decent writer but I always strive to be the best I can be and any and all constructive feedback is truly invaluable to me.

• Howlong does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one -published or non)

‘Cam Boy’ took me about 2 or 3 months to complete in total. It started off as more of an autobiography than a memoir but I found myself going off on longwinded, fairly irrelevant tangents that added little to the story. I realised that I had to find a primary focus so I ended up cutting out a load of the crap and focused on following a rough timeline of events leading up to, and following, my first year working as a cam boy. That made things far easier. Then it was just a case of editing, re-writing, and editing some more till I got to a point I was happy with it.

• Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?

Don’t be afraid to share your work with others – whether in the form of rough drafts, the odd snippet/chapter here and there or whatever it may be. Sometimes you need an outsiders perspective to pick up on things you were far too caught up in your own self to notice. Positive feedback is great for your ego, but there’s always room for improvement. Facing up to the fact that some chapters might need a rewrite, or might be better off scrapped altogether is never a bad thing.

• Whatdo you think makes a good story?

It varies from genre to genre. In memoir, I think being upfront and honest with your readers about your life experiences, showing vulnerability and not being afraid to admit to your mistakes is what generally makes for the best story.

• Finally, is there anything you’d like to share with the readers?

Shameless plug – ‘Cam Boy’, my debut memoir is available to purchase on Amazon from April 1st 2016 at the following link – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cam-Boy-debut-memoir-J-Matt-ebook/dp/B01D7Y1KX6/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1458562540&sr=1-2

You can also follow me on Facebook at facebook.com/jmatt93 for updates 🙂