About RJ Heaton:
I live in Seattle, WA with my amazing husband and two of our seven children. I am blessed with, soon-to-be, three grandchildren. Life is always a constant juggle between balancing writing and living, but it couldn’t be more fun. I am absolutely blessed by the surrounding love spilling from every corner. Without all their support, I wouldn’t be able to fill the blank pages with the many stories swarming in my head—even though I’m sure they would like to see me in something other than yoga pants. Our lives are made up of nothing but stories. I live each day from page to page enjoying all of my blessings. My inspirations come from—everything. I love the outdoors; camping, boating, hiking, fishing you name it. I have always enjoyed writing, and now I get to share those stories with you.
What inspires you to write?
When I wake, when I sleep, during work, or even during daily activities, my mind always seems to wander. I’m constantly creating different worlds or seeing everything in an off colored hue. I wanted to put my worlds into stories so I wasn’t the only one who got to enjoy them. Everything around me becomes my inspiration; my children, my husband, life events, other Authors and their amazing stories, and this crazy world we live in. I am a new Author, but the experience has been exhilarating. I am aspiring everyday to create new stories and adventures for all of my readers.
Tell us about your writing process.
I am probably one of the most unorganized writers out there. I write when an idea comes to my mind. I get an idea in my head for a scene and I sit and write and write until it feels like I poured all my thoughts out. Usually, I use a good ole pen and paper and scribble my heart out. The next day I’ll have another scenario pop into my brain and I sit and write it down. After I get my notebook filled up with nice chicken scratch, I hit the keyboard and start trying to decipher all of my terrible handwriting. In this process I usually start to form an outline, so I can put the chapters together and actually start formulating where the book is heading and where I’d like to see it go. Somehow all of these broken up scenes start to create something and then I fill in the blanks to make it all come together. In the long run my story and where it might end up is just as much a mystery to me.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
My characters become so real to me that I definitely talk to them. I often wonder what would (blank) do? I try not to do too much talking to myself when my family is around, but I know they have caught me at times. The worst is when you start calling friends or family by your characters’ names because they remind you of them. It helps my case though that I love writing fiction, so my family is used to me living in my own special world.
What advice would you give other writers?
I am not sure what type of advice I can give other than be diligent and persistent. This is a journey not just a destination. Everything takes time in this industry and don’t be disheartened. I write because I love it. Yes I want the affirmation, but I take the good and the bad and build from it. Not everyone will like me and that’s okay. This is my journey and I am traveling with the people I love. Good Luck!
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I self published personally, but I like being in control of my business. I would still like to pursue getting a book published with a big book publisher just to say I did it, but to start out this has been a great learning experience for me and a glimpse into the book world. Everyday I am learning something new because I am doing it on my own and not having anyone holding my hand. Self publishing has pushed me hard. I have so many opportunities with advertising on my own.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I believe it will go more and more digital (even though I still love a book to hold and read).
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer
What genres do you write?: Right now until my next books Romance
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
RJ Heaton Home Page Link
Your Social Media Links
Facebook
Twitter
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.
