1.
When did you first realize you wanted
to become a Writer/author?
Becoming a writer was never a choice.
It was just something I always had the passion to do. I remember, long before I could even read,
being curious and wanting to know what those words said! I knew they were powerful and
mysterious. My grandmother, in an effort
to assuage me, had me drawing swirls on paper—mimicking cursive writing—but I
knew right away that those secrets were still hidden from me. So as soon as I learned to read, I started
writing. I wrote poems, short stories,
and plays even before I was a teenager.
By then, I was writing unfinished books and, by the time I was eighteen,
I was on to the big stuff. But it wasn’t
until later that I began publishing. It
wasn’t that I necessarily wanted to
be a writer; I simply was.
2.
Where
do you get your ideas for your books?
Anything in life can give me an idea.
Things that have happened in real life have tickled my imagination, but
more often than not, my ideas usually comes from questions. For example, what would happen if two friends
who have always loved each other find they can’t hold it in any longer and give
in to their desires—in spite of the fact that one of them is very much
engaged? I love asking questions and
then finding their answers through the writing of a book!
3.
What
kind of things do you enjoy when not writing?
Spending time with family, reading, enjoying nature, going to
concerts. I would love to garden again
someday, but I couldn’t tell you the last time I was able to.
4.
How
many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
At present, I’ve written just under forty books as Jade C. Jamison. A favorite, though? Unfortunately, that’s impossible to say. That’s like having to choose which child is
your favorite—I just can’t do it!
5.
Do
you have any suggestions to help others who have a passion for writing?
Yes. Write as much as you
can. Study the craft. Join a workshop with other writers if
possible. Read widely.
6.
What
do you think makes a great story?
Hmm. For me, I think it’s if I get
lost in the story. If it feels real, if
it takes me away, then it’s great. I
have to somehow become invested in it—in what’s happening, in the characters,
and wanting to know what is going to happen.
7.
Which
Writer/Authors inspire you?
The list could go on and on and on, but there are two huge inspirations.
Don’t get me wrong—there are dozens of authors, living and long gone, whose
stories I love and whose words have changed my life in some way, but there are
two authors who have inspired me more than any other.
First, there is Stephen King, and I’m sure he figures highly on a lot of
writers’ lists. Not only is the man by far the most prolific and probably most
published author on the planet—with no end in sight, mind you—but, in my
opinion (as both a writer and a writing teacher), he has written one of the
best, most practical guides to creative writing that’s out there. I have used
tips from On Writing: A Memoir of the
Craft not only in creative writing classes I’ve taught, but I’ve also
recommended it time and time again to writers, both already published and
aspiring. The first time I read it, I thought, “Wow. That’s how I write. I’m
not a freak!” Yes, there are lots of solid books on writing out there, but what
makes King’s stand above the others is it’s not a textbook. The first half of
the book is very much personal memoir, a good reason for any of his faithful
readers to pick it up, but the second part, where he gets into the nitty
gritty, is a simple “guide” to writing. What I like about it is that he doesn’t
pull punches and he doesn’t get on a high horse to talk academia. He’s in the
trenches telling the troops how to survive. I find myself going back to that
book time and time again. It’s that good. More than that, though, I love much
of his fiction. Misery is and always
will be one of my favorite books.
My other inspiration is Toni Morrison. The woman can weave a story like
few can, and every time I reread one of her books, I’m blown away. She can
paint a picture with words so much that her prose is like poetry. Her stories
also cut to the core, and many have touched me deeply, have moved me so much
that they have forever altered my way of thinking. Books like Beloved, The Bluest Eye, Paradise—I
cannot fathom how anyone could read those books and set them aside, not having
changed emotionally. Morrison’s fiction forces you to think about who you are
and what you believe, what you value, what you hold dear. Any author able to
move me on that level, not just emotionally but intellectually, will have me as
a faithful reader for life. She is incredible in a way that few authors are.
And don’t get me wrong—hundreds of authors have my respect—but Morrison is at
the top for me.
8.
What
are you working on at the moment?(optional)
A book called To Save Him. It’s a contemporary May-December romance with
a little darkness thrown in. Basically,
it’s this—the heroine’s oldest son died while in the military. One of his friends, a soldier suffering from
PTSD, shows up at her doorstep and winds up staying with the family for a
while. The two of them become involved
with each other and then, when it might too late, she starts to question
everything he’s told her. Is he who he
said he was…and is her life now in danger?
I’m shooting for a November release, but I’m not sure yet!
9.
What
genre are your books?
Mostly contemporary romance.
Subgenres include new adult, rock star romance, a little paranormal,
romantic comedy, romantic suspense. I
like to write whatever is tugging at me.
I’ve even written some nonfiction and horror.
10.
What
drew you to the genre you write?
I don’t just write romance,
although it is the main genre I
write. I write romance for a lot of reasons, but the biggest—I think—is that I
find romance to be full of hope. Romance focuses on two characters on a
journey. They are falling in love but have hurdles along the way that they have
to find a way to overcome. Most romance involves other elements—for example, I
write a lot of rock star romance novels, and very often there is another plot,
such as a band member overcoming drug addiction or following a band’s rise to
the top—but the main story revolves around two characters finding a way to
overcome their differences so that they can spend the rest of their lives
together. In spite of the fact that I consider myself post-feminist and that I
“don’t need a man,” my heart swells when I read a story of love realized. I
can’t help it!
11.
Which
Actor/Actress would you like to see portraying the lead character from your
most recent book?(any book you like)
Actually, I tend to see rock stars playing my characters… *smile*
12.
Do
you write full-time or part-time?
If you’re asking if I write for a living, no, I don’t (but that has
always been the dream). That said, I
publish a lot. 39 books in five years is
nothing to sneeze at.
13.
What
is the hardest thing about writing?
Honestly, my answer will vary based on when you ask me, but I think the hardest part is after writing—and
that’s marketing. I’m still working on
that.
14.
Any
tips on how to get through the dreaded Writer’s block?
I write through it, and that’s what I recommend to other writers. It’s not easy, but it’s crucial. If you write through it, you’re training your
brain, letting it know who’s boss!
15.
Do
you read much, and if so who are your favorite Authors or genres?
I read as much as I possibly can—and I read out of my own genre as much
as possible. As I said above, two of my
favorites are Stephen King and Toni Morrison.
Others include John Grisham, Chuck Palahniuk, Dan Brown, Michael
Crichton. There are lots more. I like to have to think when I read. I also like a bit of mystery. I love to be challenged.
16.
Is
there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Not that I can think of.
17.
How
can readers discover more about you and your work?(please provide proper links)
One easy way is to sign up for my newsletter. Readers can get three free books that way and
try me out. They don’t like my
work? It’s easy enough to click unsubscribe. That’s here:
http://eepurl.com/TOMCH
There’s also my website where I pretty much just say what’s on my
mind…and other stuff. I also have
information about all my books there and more:
www.jadecjamison.com
Then the usual social media and other places to connect:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/JadeCJamison
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JadeCJamison
Amazon:
http://amazon.com/author/jadecjamison
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4876604.Jade_C_Jamison
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/jadecjamison/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+JadeCJamison/posts/9aUE8LAV6DF
Instagram:
http://instagram.com/jadecjamison
Thank you very much for taking the
time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview 😊
