About J. A. Jackson:
J.A. Jackson is the pseudonym for an author, who loves to write deliciously sultry adult romantic, suspenseful, entertaining novels with a unique twist. She lives in an enchanted little house she calls home in the Northern California foothills. Her love for cooking and writing come from her Southern roots of Louisiana and Arkansas. She is a member of South Bay Writers Association, Yosemite Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America (RWA).
What inspires you to write?
Many things inspire me. I can also say I get inspiration from tidbits of odd knowledge that I pick up while reading throughout the day. In addition, something I may have that “what if moment” that inspires me to write about it. Other times ideas for my books can come from places that I have visited. I’d like to say that I am always inspired by the grandiose landscape of the magnificent State of California. For example, for my book the Grand Hotel my inspiration came from walking past the regal old Sir Drake Hotel on Powell Street in San Francisco one night. The flickering lights coming from welcoming door gave me a “what if “moment. From there the ideas for The Grand Hotel was born.
Thanks for letting me share.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
Jane Austen , Maya Angelou, Jackie Collins, Madelyn Alt, Nora Roberts, Julie Blackwell,
Beverly Jenkin, Stuart Wood, Omar Tyree, Tony Dunbar, Tina McElroy-Ansa Sharyn McCrumb, Mia Caldwell to name a few.
Tell us about your writing process.
Well, if I’ve had a rough day my writing process can be somewhat cloudy and not focused. But generally, I write every day. Especially if a story has taken hold and started forming in my head. If not, however, then I usually will begin a story by jotting down the plot point, element, character name, flaws etc. and then write the story. Each day, I write something and I normally will begin by first reviewing what I have written prior, revise and continue. Thus the story comes. Daily I check for the parts of the story such as the character dialogue, point of view, and the plot, sub-plot, who the character is, their flaws, desires, hopes, dreams, things that make them real and always what is that all important thing they can’t have or live without. To me this is what makes the story and what makes the character propel the story and move it the story forward. In general, I am an outliner and will revise as I write. Yes, I do create character sketches before and during as often times your/my character may be in need of added shall we say "ump" added to make them interesting.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Sort of. What I do is to think of my character’s dialogue, point of view, flaws, desires, hopes and dreams. Sort of like having an interview with your character and finding out about them. Many times I do think of how my character might say something and I'll say it out loud or have "readout loud" read it back to me.
What advice would you give other writers?
Persevere! Then never stop believing in yourself. Next, I would say always listen to the voice within. It is your number one fan and keep pushing yourself to completion of your novel. Because you really are more capable than you know. Believe in yourself. And finally, I would say remember NO is not fatal. Ignore the folks who say no because somebody will say yes.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I tried the New York Publishing way and mailed my query letters out to numerous agents, well over 200. I had a whole lot of them turn me down. However, I had several agents who ask for my first book called. They all said that I needed to tighten it. One agent asked for it back a second time, but then turned it down. Another agent worked with me to tighten it. However, after tightening my first book almost three times for her, she later told how the publishing industry was changing. She was honest and forthright with her information. Since I have always had an independent streak. I felt confident that I could self-publish my book, on my own. However I was a little scared because my first book was over 100,000 words. And the second book that I was writing at the time was just as long. So I decided that I needed a short book to publish as my very first self-publishing project. And I sat down and wrote, A Geek An Angel and the Deceiver. A book with less than 150 pages, which I wrote in less than eight weeks. Self-publishing my first book was a wonderful success and made me feel confident with the self-publishing process. And I’ve been doing so ever since.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
Book publishing is changing. The future is coming as a self-published author like myself will one day be considered big/or small business. The future looks bright and holds a lot of promise. I believe that in ten years’ authors like me will have a vast array of options for publishing their books.
What genres do you write?: Romance, Suspense,
What formats are your books in?: eBook, Print, Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
J. A. Jackson Home Page Link
Link To J. A. Jackson Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on Smashwords
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
