Success Story of Mr. Jeffrey Peter Bates, an Author, Copywriter and Voiceover Artist

    “Despite our many flaws and failures, we humans have the redeemable qualities to treat our fellow humans with the dignity and respect we all deserve.” – Jeffrey Peter Bates

    After being discharged from the U.S. Army, Jeff began his winding journey to a professional writing career as a dee-jay in the New England region. There, he developed his broadcasting and writing abilities as a dee-jay and news announcer for the American Forces Radio and Television Network in Tokyo, Japan. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Military, Jeff moved to Los Angeles. He wrote commercials and other unique content for actors like Kirk Douglas, Vincent Price, Jack Palance, and Rod Serling.

    Soon after, Jeff obtained a position as Billboard Magazine’s promotional director. Subsequently, he acquired a copywriting position with a Los Angeles ad agency, where he finally rose to associate creative director. Jeff wrote several spec scripts for movies in his free time, selling and optioning a couple of them so that he could join the Writers Guild of America, West. Later, Jeff was hired by McCaffrey & McCall as the west coast Creative Director, overseeing the creation of print, radio, and television advertisements for Mercedes-Benz.

    As the company’s Creative Director, Jeff presently creates and produces infomercials and commercials for Onyx Productions Direct. He contributes flash fiction in his own time to a well-known Hollywood website that publishes works by several renowned Hollywood authors. Jeff recently finished writing his debut book, The President’s Widow, and he is presently a member of the Television Academy.

    In this interview with Business Upside, Jeffrey Peter Bates shares his success story as an author.

    Business Upside [BU]: What Inspired You to Become an Author?

    Jeffrey Peter Bates [JPB]: I guess my sixth-grade teacher ignited the spark. We had been reading and learning about pre-historic life, and she asked the class to write a short story about it. After we had turned in our assignments, she said she wanted to share one with the class.

    The story was about a caveman, his wife, and two children and how they went hunting for a place to live. They found a cave, but it was inhabited by a saber-toothed tiger. The caveman drove the tiger off with a flaming torch, and they moved in. Sometime later, the caveman went out to hunt for food. Sadly, when he returned, he found the tiger had come back and killed his family. He angrily set off to find the tiger and avenge his loss. When he confronted the tiger, they engaged in a battle to death. The caveman ultimately won, but there was no joy in his victory as he knew he would spend the rest of his days alone.

    She later told my parents at a parent/teacher meeting how impressed she was with my story and was quite taken by the fact I had incorporated my own family into it. From then on, both, she and my parents encouraged me to continue making up stories.

    Hollywood Eye
    Book Written by Jeffrey Peter Bates

    [BU]: How Would You Describe Your Profound Passion for Writing?

    [JPB]: I’m not sure I’d call it a “profound passion.” I discovered early on that writing is something I do fairly well, and I’ve made a pretty good living from it. A “profound satisfaction” would be a more accurate description in that people respond positively to my ability to entertain, inform, persuade and move them with whatever form I may write in, be they magazine articles, short stories, video scripts, TV and radio commercials, and novels. And the fact that I love doing it is a huge factor in pushing me to become better each time I write something new.

    [BU]: How do You Express Your Voice Through Your Writing?

    [JPB]: Mostly on paper!! My apologies for the glib answer, but my comedy writing background got the better of me. It really depends on what I feel the need to express at the time. If it’s something informative or unusual I’d likely share it in a magazine piece. If it’s something that intrigues me and sparks an idea, I might explore it further in a short story, a screenplay, or even a novel. In fact, my novel, The President’s Widow, is a perfect example. The story was inspired by a news article that reported a rumor that the then-first lady was so angry with her husband that she had physically attacked him. It made me wonder what he could have done that would enrage her enough to actually assault him. That’s when my imagination kicked in. The novel just poured out of me, allowing me to express my views about political power, family dynamics, the justice system, loyalty, and friendship.

    [BU]: Through Your Writing, What do You Most Hope to Bring About?

    [JPB]: Hopefully, stories that engage, entertain, and take the reader on a journey that exposes them to people, places, ideas, and adventures that they might otherwise not experience. Maybe bring a glimmer of light, hope, and smiles to their lives. 

    [BU]: Besides Being A Writer, You Are A Creative Director. How Would You Sum Up Your Work As A Creative Commercial Director?

    [JPB]: I’d sum it up by saying that writing is probably the most fundamental aspect of the job. But to be effective and successful at it, you not only need to know how to write, but you must have the ability to formulate and generate ideas, know how to execute those ideas in whatever medium they’ll appear, and have the communication skills to guide and nurture the people you’re working with, as well as the presentation skills to convince your clients that the creative concepts you and your team have developed will successfully get the results they want.

    [BU]: You Served In The U.S. Army Before Becoming An Author. Please Share Some Of Your Memories Of Those Times.

    [JPB]: The Vietnam War was still raging when I enlisted. At the time, I was working as a radio DJ, and the Army was the only branch of service that guaranteed my serving as a broadcast journalist. My tour of duty took me to Tokyo, Japan, where I was assigned to the American Forces Radio & Television Service’s Far East Network. I worked as a reporter and an on-air newscaster. The station was a mix of Army, Navy, Air Force & Marine personnel, some of whom remain great friends, today. Tokyo had a very active nightlife, which I was able to experience and afford due to my off-duty jobs as an English-speaking disc Jockey at a Tokyo radio station and a popular discotheque, which soon became the ‘go-to’ place for many well-known pieces of music, and film and television celebrities, some of whom I got to interview for my military radio show.

    All in all, it was an eye-opening experience and one that introduced me to people and cultures from around the world. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

    [BU]: Being An Author, How Would You Aim To Contribute To Society Through Your Writings?

    [JPB]: To illustrate that despite our many flaws and failures, we humans have the redeemable qualities to treat our fellow humans with the dignity and respect we all deserve, and giving in to our baser instincts and prejudices only gives life to the worst in ourselves.

    Front Cover - Woman Yellow
    Book Written by Jeffrey Peter Bates

    [BU]: Is There Any Specific Social Issue You Want To Portray Through Your Short Stories Or Novels?

    [JPB]: Because many of my short stories and novels are of the crime/thriller/mystery genre, I’d have to say it’s how politics and money have corrupted the American justice system. Unfortunately, the law can be twisted and manipulated so much that true justice is hardly recognizable any longer. It’s gotten to the point that we can no longer believe the credo that “no one is above the law.” I guess the short answer is to shine a light on ‘injustice’ and the injuries, sometimes fatal, that it inflicts on society as a whole.

    [BU]: If You Have One Piece Of Advice For Our Nation’s Youth, What Would It Be?

    [JPB]: Don’t grow old!! Sorry, my comedy background again. Seriously though, I’d advise them to find a way to leave their comfort zone. To travel and explore new horizons. For me, it was the Army that broadened my worldview, allowing me to meet new people and experience places and cultures I otherwise wouldn’t have. I’m not advocating enlisting in the military, but there are other options, like the Peace Corps or Non-government organizations that offer similar life experiences.

    [BU]: What, In Your Opinion, is ‘Success’?

    [JPB]: To do an honest day’s work and do it well. To be financially rewarded and, at the same time, earn the respect of others. To look at yourself in the mirror and know that you did your best and did it honestly.



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