Meet James R. Dennis | Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with James R. Dennis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James R., do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
People often say, “Follow your bliss.” While it’s an interesting notion, I’m not sure I really know what it means. But I do know what it means to follow my curiosity. In writing, and in a number of aspects of my life, I try and chase the ideas, places, and people that I’m curious about.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been writing for as long as I can remember but began to take it seriously in the late 1980s, when a group of friends and I decided to write a communal novel–mostly as a lark. Many years (in fact decades) later, the novel was finished and ultimately published. We ultimately co-wrote a series of five mystery/adventure novels under the pen name Miles Arceneaux. We had a fabulous time, did lots of book festivals, and met lots of friends in the literary community.

Later, in 2016, I began publishing poetry (which I had written since college). The world of poetry is very competitive, but again, I met some wonderful writers. I now have a community of very gifted friends who challenge, inspire, and support me. I have known my book designer (Lana Rigsby) since we were 19 years old. So, I’ve known her for over half my life, she owns most of my heart and is responsible for almost all my art. I’m very close to my publisher and have been lucky enough to know some great writers. That’s probably the best part of my professional life, since storytellers have always been my heroes.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in San Antonio and spend lots of time throughout the Texas Hill Country. It’s a place where several cultures have intersected throughout history. So, we’d definitely spend some time at one or more of the Texas Missions. A drive through the Hill Country could take us to the Devil’s Backbone, to Enchanted Rock, or Hamilton Pool. Just like the people of Texas, our food is the result of cultures intersecting. So, whether it’s Tex-Mex, or barbecue, or a cowboy breakfast featuring biscuits and gravy, we’ll find some groceries for the journey. And, like the people and food, the music of Texas results from the confluence of cultures. So, we might stop in at a conjunto festival or a dive bar for some red dirt country music or find some blues for our weary souls. As Steinbeck said, “Texas is the obsession, the proper study, and the passionate possession of all Texans.”

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I come from a long line of storytellers in both my family and my friends. I was very young when I became fascinated with the idea of telling good stories and was lucky enough to find myself surrounded by people who understood that rich tradition. I am especially fascinated by stories about the intersection of different places, people, languages, and cultures. Where different streams of our sources join together, in the borderlands between our different roots, there’s a wealth of potential and meaning.

Website: https://www.jamesrdennis.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tioinigo/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-r-dennis-05014a12/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tio.Dennis

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tiodennis

Image Credits
Photo #2 (with the book) should be credited to D. Tarbox. Photos #3 and 5 should be credited to Lana Rigsby.