LINDSEY JAYNE

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

WITH

LINDSEY JAYNE

Please welcome the lovely Lindsey Jayne.

 

Hi Lindsey, how are you today?

 I'm fab, thank you. Just getting ready to nip into the offices 

of my new job that I start soon, so I'm enjoying the last 

of my time off.

Tell us a little about yourself? 

Well, I'm a (young) thirty-something girl who loves to read, write and paint! Writing's my passion, but it's not all I do. I'm also a recruitment consultant right here in Derby, UK on top of writing, book swag-making and cover designing.

What is your favourite movie? 

Oh, wow, I don't think I could name just one. I love all kinds. My fave genre, though is thrillers. But I also love action. The Die Hard movies are up there! Along with the Expendables and the A-Team. And the other movies I tend to never get bored of are The Long Kiss Goodnight and The Day After Tomorrow. (Among many others!)

What is your favourite colour?

 I have to say Azure blue, or a very pale lilac.

What star sign are you? 

I'm a Leo and every bit as proud of it hehe.

What do your family think about you writing and have they read any of your work? 

My mum is ultra proud of what I do, she's forever sharing my FB feeds. She has my debut and I think she's got as far as reading the dedications lol. My sister also has my debut and is half way through, but has been telling friends at work all about it (and half of them have read it, too!) And my dad is also very proud of what I've achieved. I constantly hear from other family members how excited they are for me, it's an awesome feeling.

What is your favourite food?

 I am what I like to call 'digestively' challenged. I am intolerant to wheat, dairy and caffeine, so it doesn't leave me a lot! However, I have recently discovered a new favourite food...pizza fajitas! Wheat free tortilla, buffalo mozzarella and whatever pizza toppings you'd normally have...bung em on the wraps, stick em under the grill for 5 mins, roll up and serve...delicious!

What is the most romantic thing a boy has done for you?

 Wow...I don't think I've ever found a man that's just dripping with romance lol. But let's see...my current partner bought me the best thing he ever could a few years back (for Christmas)...a Kindle!! Now, as an author and avid reader...that was romantic to me haha!

Are the stories old ones you have saved or new? 

I'd say all new, really. I never started writing until I'd read as many books as I could cram in during a holiday from work once. I always wanted to give it a go, but never put pen to paper, so to speak.

When and why did you begin writing? 

I'd say it was maybe two...two and a half year ago. As I say, I love reading and I wanted to give it a go, and it was after reading Teresa Gabelman's Protector series that I really sat down and hashed out a storyline. After that, it was a steady slope...especially after discovering the erotic fiction genre!

When did you first consider yourself a writer? 

Ha, I don't even know if I do, yet, lol. Certainly not up there with the big names, but I suppose it first came when my mum told me how proud she was and that some of her friends had bought my book. Then again when I held the paperback in my hands, and reality sort of hit more when strangers started leaving reviews and writing to me personally to tell me how my book affected them.

What inspired you to write your first book? 

Easy...Teresa Gabelman...as well as Melissa F Olson and Ashley Stoyanoff. That and the drive to complete the challenge!

Do you have a specific writing style?

 I've been told recently that I write like JR Ward, which was a very nice thing to hear. I'm quite in depth as a person, so I think I tend to emphasize a lot on getting the reader to FEEL what I'm writing with descriptions and prose. I really like to dig deep to unlock a reader's ability to imagine, so I delve into emotions and senses a lot while still maintaining the story.

Who was the easiest character to write for and why and hardest and why? 

The easiest character to write was Elora in Invoking the Witch. I won't go into too much detail, because the past is the past, but a lot of her emotion from her relationship with Daniel is something I experienced. I really had to just close my eyes and put myself back there in order to get that out and onto paper. The hardest was probably Cassandra in Invoking the Witch - she's a kind of evil I couldn't even imagine myself becoming, no matter how hard I try, so she was definitely a challenge to write. Even more so in Conquering the Witch (release date July/Aug) because she's more involved.

What was your favorite book as a child?

 I absolutely loved anything by Enid Blyton! Anything!!!

How did you come up with the title? 

For my debut? It took me a day or so really, but I had an idea in mind and I searched words related to particular key points in the story. I went for something with a double meaning, but I won't explain why in case some haven't read it. But it definitely fits the subject matter.

How much of the book is realistic?

 Well, since it's Paranormal Romance, not much lol. But certainly, as I said, Elora's emotions in her relationship with Daniel are mostly real!

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life? 

Again, yes. Elora's feelings are based on personal experiences. Not to a T, but certainly in a large part.

What books have most influenced 

your life most? 

It's probably not a generic answer, but when I worked for a retail company some years ago, I had to do an assignment on role models. At the time, I chose Karren Brady and I read her book Playing to Win and, my God, it was such an inspiring read. 

It's not your typical book - it's about her rise to a position in 

a male dominated sector - sport. But what she faced and overcame was monumental, and the advice she has to offer 

I still follow to this day.

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

This is difficult for different reasons. In terms of inspiration to be what you want to be, it would be Karren Brady or Maya Angelou, but in terms of style and content, it would be Teresa Gableman.

What book are you reading now?

 I am actually currently Beta reading Learning to Fly by Annie Hughes, and after that I will be on the latest Shade of Vampire book by Bella Forrest

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? 

Yes! Definitely Annie Hughes as well as CJ Fallowfield - she's not new as such, but she's new to me :)

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? 

Contrary to what I've stated here, my first love of writing started in high school during my English classes with Mr. Garner (God rest his soul) He was such a wacky character and the way he taught English was so inspiring. It was definitely where my interests first developed.

Can you share a little of yours current 

work with us?

 Sure can. Conquering the Witch follows on from Invoking the Witch were Elora has to deal with the aftermath of what happened to her four weeks prior. She also has to learn to deal with her powers as well as fighting her inner demons and Cassandra - who still roams free. It's a little more raw and in depth this time around, more action, more suspense. I can't wait to get it out there.

 

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? 

The whole process lol! I procrastinate a lot!!! I always find that the first, maybe three quarters or the book are the hardest to write, because I know where I want it to go and how I want it to end, and I've thought so far ahead that I need to come up with all the in between stuff!!

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

 I love Teresa Gabelman and the way she writes about PNR. She's got a style that grips you and draws you in, and she leaves you hanging and begging for things to happen before they do and I love it. I also love the way Ashley Stoyanoff writes because she takes me back to my youth. She captures high school days perfectly and I love that feeling of reminiscing.

Who designed the covers? 

I design all my covers, teasers, promo work, etc. I do it on the side and have designed covers for other authors as well as other promo materials. I also do book swag!

What was the hardest part of writing 

your book? 

The first three quarters of it lol! No, really, the hardest part is making sure I don't waffle, and I keep the story consistent and relevant. I guess that's why they call it a first draft hehe.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

 Actually, yes. I've seen a lot of good stories, but written in a way that detracts from the subject. Because I edit and critique others' work, I've picked up some habits that publishers tend to pick up on and I see them in everything I read now! It's a curse lol. So, my advice to Indie authors is to fully research anything and everything that goes into making a fantastic book. The best thing I did, was sign up to a forum called Scribophile. The advice and resources on there are endless and amazing, I cannot praise it enough and it really did change my style of writing!

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? 

I love you! Lol. A big massive thanks for everything they do, including the ones I have on my Street Team (and not) that plug the heck outta me. I love the reviews, I love the support and the encouragement, and please, please, please, keep reading! The best fuel for the imagination is reading, and not enough people do it!!!

Do you have any funny quirks or stories you would like to tell us about yourself? 

I'm terrified of flying ants! Does that count? :)

Where do you see you self in ten years time?

 Hopefully flying high with hundreds of titles under my belt haha. No, but seriously, as long as I am happy with my life and I can still write and find time to spend with my family and loved ones, then I will be content!

Thank you for joining me today you have been awesome.

Thank you for having me :) ~ Lindsey J