Issue 4 Writer Spotlight | James Dupree
C+B: Tell us about yourself, James!
JD: When not "fun writing," I'm juggling roles as a freelance writer, a fresh fruit and herb (culinary/medicinal) farmer in North Carolina, and a board/committee member of a local nonprofit focused on stormwater sustainability and work development. In my spare time, I also collect action figures and other nerdy things.
C+B: How has your relationship with your work changed since you first started creating?
JD: Not much has changed other than becoming better at getting into a routine.
C+B: Share some details about your process for creating.
JD: I'm an early bird so I like to get all my writing done in the morning before I mentally conk out in the mid afternoon to evening. The quiet morning typically brings helps me focus. If I can get at least an hour or two of writing anything then it's a good day. Music can also be a helpful boost for my creativity. If a song hits just right for a scene I'm working on, then I'll play it on loop until the scene is done.
C+B: What do you hope people take away from your work?
JD: If the story is meant to be funny then I hope the reader laughs. If it is scary, I hope the reader is throughly spooked. And on and on. But more importantly, like many writers, I hope my work stays with people. Even for just a few minutes after reading the last word.
Find and support James here:
IG: @jamesmdupree
James Dupree
If my work was a meal it would be: One time at a Cold Stone Creamery I asked for them to mix dark chocolate ice cream with orange sorbet. The woman behind the counter grimaced and shook her head in disbelief. But she mixed the flavors anyway. And yes, I know it was an odd choice, but I think the rich and bitter taste of dark chocolate pairs well with the intense sweetness of a fruity sorbet. My partner didn't know what to think until she tried it and was surprised at how well the two flavors worked in tandem. That's how I see my writing at times. Something weird and possibly off-putting at first sight, but if given the chance, can be quite pleasant.
Other creator(s) I admire: Jeff Vandermeer and Neil Gaiman come to mind. I honestly don't know much about them as people but they seem nice. It's really their work that I admire. They aren't afraid to get weird, and sometimes it may not always work but at least they attempted something different.
If I wasn’t able to write, I would like to try: Photography or film making would probably be my creative medium. Visual storytelling is something I dabble in already but I would definitely explore more if not for my preference for the written word.
My ideal creative retreat: I'm not that picky. Somewhere quiet and relaxed is always appreciated. Yet, I also get some of my best ideas driving on busy highways with the radio blaring.
