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JL Caban, is a brilliant writer, who has always been reaching for the stars in one way or another, and that is obvious in the trajectory of his life and career. His first book ‘Moving On’ became a bestseller out of the gate, and this month his new book ‘Butterflies in Production; Five Short Stories’ also hit the bestseller list. Caban has become a powerhouse in the literary world and rightfully so with his riveting plotlines, intriguing characters, and captivating style.
‘Butterflies in Production’ builds upon his first book ‘Moving On’, a powerful coming-of-age story of a young man who is attempting to escape a world of drugs and alcohol. In ‘Butterflies in Production; Five Short Stories’ he pulls characters from ‘Moving On,’ and draws attention to some of the moral and social issues in which these new characters are dealing, including everything from biracial relationships and the prejudices that come with them to having no choice but to deal in narcotics to put food on the table.
Readers and reviewers alike are raving about the emotional adventure Caban took them on in this phenomenal read. ‘Butterflies in Production; Five Short Stories’ is the read of this season and beyond. We can’t wait to see what comes next from this talented thought leader, and recently we caught up with him to learn more about him and his work.
“Butterflies in Production: Five Short Stories,” which is an amazing read, recently became a bestseller, what was that like for you?
I am truly humbled by it; I never imagined myself, in a proverbial million years, to be a bestselling author… not even remotely close to it. I merely wished to share with all of my readers the stark raving mad thoughts running around in my brain. Seriously, though, it is always an honor – for anyone I imagine, to receive any accolade, especially one for something in which you poured your heart and soul into; it’s a kind of reward, of sorts, for all the sleepless nights and cramped finger joints caused by beating away at the keyboard, as a warrior beats on the drum before an impending charge on the enemy.
This is actually the second time you have hit the bestseller list, which is a phenomenal feat. Your work clearly resonates with readers. What is one of your keys to success?
Honestly, I haven’t a single, solitary clue! My only goal, when writing, is to create something in which people will be interested. As I’m working, the room filled with plumes of cigar smoke, a glass of whisky within my lunge-able area at the ready, I have the reader in mind; and, if I think he or she would absolutely detest what I’m typing, I, with the speed rivaling that of Hermes, delete the entire confounded thing… I try to imagine what the reader is feeling or thinking, and I refuse to continue with the project if I believe they’re even remotely unhappy.
“Butterflies in Production: Five Short Stories” is chock full of compelling characters, which one is your favorite and why?
Choosing a favorite character is like choosing a favorite child! I could never bring myself to make such an onerous choice as that. Each character – for better or for worse – becomes a part of me, and I give them all the attention that a sow gives her pups; equally nursing, grooming, and caring for them all.
How long did it take for you to write “Butterflies in Production: Five Short Stories” and what was one of the challenges you faced while writing it? Also, what was one of the successes you achieved while writing it?
Writing “Butterflies” took me about six months to complete. The main challenge, I believe, was that it – unlike my first book, “Moving On (a first person account)” – was written, mostly, in the third person; which can be a demanding task because, in the case of the latter, an author is not just responsible for the thoughts and feelings of one character alone; instead, he or she is charged with expressing to the readers the inner workings of everyone in the story. That, in and of itself, was the success I achieved while writing “Butterflies;” I proved to myself that I could take on that particular challenge.
You have been prolific in your writing over the last few years. Do you have another book you are working on that you can tell us about?
I am, incidentally, currently working on another project… another collection of short stories because, at this point, I’m not yet prepared to tackle an entire diegesis; although I hope, one day, to create the coveted “Great American Novel.” There’s also the matter of my wife, Cecilia, wanting me to write a children’s book for our son, Julian Lincoln Caban, which I have been seriously considering; so, we shall see.
What is your favorite way to celebrate a win, like hitting the bestseller list?
My favorite way to celebrate a best seller win is to spend a quiet evening with my wife and son, with a glass of wine in hand, after hours of being lost in my work, hoping that all my readers are somewhat content with my creation.
To get more information on JL Caban and his work head over to his website.
