ANN MARIE MADDEN

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

WITH

ANN MARIE MADDEN

PLEASE WELCOME THE LADY BEHIND THE SEXY ROCKSTAR SERIES ,
THE BACK-UP SERIES, ANN MARIE MADDEN.

 Tell us a little about yourself?

 I'm a mother, wife, and now an author.

The last part still seems surreal. 

How would you discribe your books?

They are a true love story, rock star style. 



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What genre is your work mainly? Do you tend to stay in the same vein or are you hoping ( if not already ) to explore new ventures?

I write Contemporary Romance. I will be staying within this genre. The Back-Up Series is more humor based. I want to try romantic suspense in the future.

Share with us a quote from one of your favourite characters in your books?

 I have so many. This is from Jack Lair. I created this man, and wish he were real. In Back-Up he says to Leila, "What are you afraid of Leila?" She responds, "What will be left of me when it ends." He asks, "Why does it have to end?"

Is it hard to come up with new idea's and / or plot's?

It hasn't been hard yet. I published Back-Up a year ago, and have about 4 WIP's yet to write. I hope the ideas keep flowing for me.

What inspired you to write your book?

I am a romance novel junkie. I love them and can't get enough of them. As I read, I've always asked myself, "How would I end this?" or "What would I have them do?" I never knew what to write about. I had a dream that I was at a rock concert, and the lead singer had unbelievable chemistry with his back-up singer. That's how I started Back-Up.

 Who is the easiest character to write for and Why? Hardest and why?

 Leila is the easiest. There's a lot of me in her…except for the young, gorgeous, talented singer part. That part is what I wish I were. Jack was also very easy for me to write. As far as the hardest, I'd have to say Jessa. She is just so vindictive and self centered. I am not and it was hard to pull those emotions and feelings out and put them on paper.

Without giving anything away, what is / are your favourite scenes in your book ( s )?

Can't say… It's a huge spoiler.

COMING SOON

Do you have any hobbies?

 Reading, mostly.

How did you come up with the title?

It was right out of my dream.

How much of the book is realistic? Are experiences based on someone you

know, or events in your own life?

 LIke I said, some of me is in Leila. Locations are real, and most are places I've been too. The rest of the books are purely fiction. I wanted to create a bunch of people I would love to hang out with myself.

 What books have most influenced your life most?

 The Thoughtless Series, FSOG, The Mighty Storm, are my all time fav's. But I have a huge list. I'm a sucker for any kind of romance.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I would have to say S.C. Stephens, J. Sterling, Samantha Towle were all very sweet and gave me awesome advice when I started out. I've met all three of them and adore these ladies.

What book are you reading now?

Remy by Katy Evans. I have no idea why it took me so long to read these books. They've been on my Kindle forever. I am most definitely in love with Remy Tate.

What are your current projects?

I am currently writing Backstage, which is book 4 in the series. It's Trey Taylor's story and will be published this Nov. Many are anxiously waiting for a glimpse in the life of this character. Trey has been a closed book throughout the series.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your books?

Of course. I wrote Back-Up as a reader. I'm not an author by training. I just wanted to tell a loving, entertaining, compelling story. My goal was for someone to hopefully get lost in my books, and walk away wishing they could meet Jack or Leila or their friends. I think I accomplished that.  But, I made a ton of mistakes when I published Back-Up. Live and learn.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Staying in the zone is very difficult. WIth all the distractions of social media, opinions, wanting to make everyone happy, all mess with  me as I'm writing. I'm getting better at zoning out, but I have a long way to go.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

 I'll sound like a hypocrite saying this, because I am STILL struggling with it and it still affects me daily, but my advice would be to ignore the negative. It really can mess with your head. People can be very petty and nasty with comments. Some don't realize there's a person behind that file they downloaded for a few dollars. In my case, a person who is new as an author and has insecurities out the wazoo, becomes affected by each negative comment. I've been blessed that most of my reviews have been awesome, and my readers love my work. I get that not everyone will love your work, and if you don't, please be kind. There are ways to express your opinions without purposefully hurting someone.

,What is your favourite  movie?

I'm a sucker for any romcom. But I also love The Notebook.

How long does it take you to complete a novel from concept to completion?

It took me almost six months to write Back-Up. I was also working full time at the time. For the other two books, it took me about three months.

Have  you ever trashed a novel or story before or after finishing it, feeling it wasn't turning out as you planned?

Not yet. I hope that won't happen in my future. I also don't have many deleted scenes. I tend to write what I want to publish.

Out of all your brilliant  characters  Which ones were you favorite?

I really love them all, with the exception of Jessa and Danny. Jack and Leila are probably my favorites. These two are soul mates. He's everything I want in a man. She's everything I want to be in a woman. They are my ideal couple. I also love Trey. He makes no excuses for what he is. I admire that. I love Lori. She has a huge set for a girl, and I tend to use her to say all the things I haven't had the nerve to say in real life.

Do you have a special time or place to write?

I prefer to write in my family room and mostly at night.

Do you have any funny experiences or quirks you'd like to share with your readers?

I have tons of quirks. I'm OCD. Enough said?

Which one of your awsome  books would you like to see be made in to a movie?

The Back-Up Series. Hot up and coming rock star falls for his new band member.

I may be biased, but I'd pay to see that.. I often daydream who I would

 have cast in each role.

What was the worse job you ever done?

My degree is in Fashion Merchandising and Management. I worked in retail for 28 years. I hated working in a store, on nights, on holidays. It was necessary to intern in a retail store for my goals of being a buyer. I hated every minute of it.

Do you ever get any ideas at random moments, and if so how do you hand on to them?


Yes, all the time. Whether it be when I'm out or in the middle of the night. I keep a pad and pen by my bed. I write everything down. If I'm not home I use my notes on my phone. 

Can you write on demand and under pressure, or do you need time and space before the creativity starts to flow and how do you over come writers block?

Both. I work well under pressure, and have had to. But, I prefer having time to really review and be sure it's just the way I want it on paper as I hear it in my head.

 TEASER FROM ANOTHER BOOK IN THE BACK-UP SERIES