Stephen Jared talks to Jessica Hastings of Suite101 about his new book, the acting industry and gives some advice for other aspiring writers.
Stephen Jared on Writing
Suite101: What should we know about you and your book; Jack and the Jungle Lion?
Stephen Jared: The adventure films of the ‘80s were hugely influential. But, those films were a throwback to Hollywood films of the ‘30s and ‘40s. Jack and the Jungle Lion takes place in 1937. It attempts to capture the spirit of that era as reflected by Hollywood. It’s an affectionate tribute to old Hollywood and to a time when people didn’t cast such a skeptical eye on romance, when people didn’t wish to see themselves reflected on screen, but preferred to live vicariously through Gods and Goddesses.
There’s not much room in the multiplexes for that sort of entertainment these days, but that type of literature dates back prior to the early days of cinema, and I’m hoping might still be relevant today.
Suite101: Who are some of your favorite authors and why?
Stephen Jared: Arthur Conan Doyle opened The Lost World with this: “I have wrought my simple plan / If I give one hour of joy / To the boy who’s half a man / Or the man who’s half a boy.” I love that. There are many brilliant authors whose work I admire. Joseph Conrad comes to mind immediately. But I especially love a story told with humor. Rafael Sabatini put together some exciting adventure stories, which were filled with an incredibly sharp wit. My favorite of all time has to be Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days.
Stephen Jared on Acting
Suite101: Now, you are also an actor, tell us more about that and how you started in the acting industry?
Stephen Jared: I’ve been in roughly thirty TV shows and feature films and then probably another thirty TV commercials. One highlight would be a made-for-TV movie with Marcia Gay Harden and Aidan Quinn called See You In My Dreams. I was in He’s Just Not That Into You, which I think is a terrific movie, under-appreciated.
The first job I ever got was on a soap opera. I had done a workshop with the casting director. He complimented me and so I sent him greeting cards, postcards and whatnot—for months. Almost a year later he called and asked if I could be a limo driver. I thought he wanted me to pick up some star from the airport or something. Then he said four words I’ll never forget, “It’s a speaking part.” It’s great to work as an actor, a huge thrill for me.
Stephen Jared with Advice for Writers
Suite101: What can you tell other aspiring writers like yourself?
Stephen Jared: I think all writers serve themselves best by writing what they know well. Also, it may seem obvious but I think some writers who are just starting out should remember that good writing is first and foremost about ideas and secondarily about how well one puts together words. You need to be articulate—but more importantly, you need to have something worth articulating.
For a review of Stephen Jared’s book: Jack and the Jungle Lion, view this article or click here to see what Stephen Jared has to say about the book and the writing industry.
Jessica Hastings - Jessica Hastings is a published author/poet, professional reviewer, and avid reader. Schooled in journalism and creative writing, she ...
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