Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Luc Jorgart
Book Title: Smile or Die
Released: 08/22/22
Genre: Psychological/Dark Fiction
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Smile or Die”?
Jorgart: For Smile or Die, I was thinking about how some people in society will always try to drag others down, and how we’ve become a culture where it’s almost taboo to show your true emotions if they’re negative. I decided to turn that idea into a story — a world where people have to (quite literally) hide their sadness to stay alive. In some ways, it mirrors our own society outside the dome, where everyone feels pressured to appear “happy” no matter what’s going on inside.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Jorgart: Most of the names were inspired by their Japanese readings. I focused on the personality or emotional feeling behind the kanji. Each name was chosen to subtly reflect the character’s vibe, almost like a hidden layer of meaning for readers familiar with the language.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Jorgart: I’d say that my process is very emotion-driven. I often write scenes as if I’m a fly on the wall during the moment, watching them play out in my head. Almost like a movie is playing out in real-time and I'm transcribing all the conversations and what they are doing in real-time. Regarding Smile or Dier, I want readers to know that while it is a dark story, it’s also a story about hope and about finding meaning even when the world gives you none. Every chapter is a mirror to the different ways people cope with despair, and the courage it takes just to keep smiling through it.
If “Smile or Die” were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Jorgart: I’ve never really thought about specific actors, but I’d honestly love to see Smile or Die adapted as a manga or anime. Something in the tone of Darwin's Game or Death Note would capture it really well.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Jorgart: I find the best thing to do is to go for a run or have a long bath. It clears my head. Otherwise, I have a secret trick that is completely underrated. The trick is to listen to music that matches the atmosphere of the scene, so it feels like I'm there and then I can just let my hands type away without thinking too much.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Jorgart: Write for fun and enjoy the process. We’ve all imagined a cool ending and wanted to rush straight to it but take your time and enjoy the journey you go on with your characters. Writing isn’t just about finishing a story; it’s about discovering things along the way that you didn’t even know you wanted to say.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
Jorgart: I really love Steel Ball Run by Hirohiko Araki. That story had such a strong grip on my emotions. It’s not just a story about a horse race, but about growth, destiny, and the human spirit. It teaches you that you have to give it your all if you want to succeed, that there are so many other people who want to get to the same place as you and if you're putting in 10% and they're putting in 100%, you'll never get to where they are going.
What are you working on next?
Jorgart: Actually, I’m working on producing a romance movie at the moment. I’m exploring different creative mediums and blending my storytelling background with filmmaking to bring something heartfelt and cinematic to life. It’s exciting for me to see how the emotion translates differently on screen compared to on the page.
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Find it for purchase here
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