Get to know you interview - Maryann Jordan

Book Questions

Tell us your latest news?

I have decided to add another book to the Saints Protection & Investigation series.

What book are you reading now?

I am re-reading Knight by Kristen Ashley.

Your books are so emotional. How long does it take for you to be able to get the characters out of your mind and move on to the next?

I write in series (and spin-off series) so my characters are all developed as I start writing.  Once my series starts, I write quickly because they are all in my mind (and wanting their own book!)

Are the names of the characters in your novels important?

I think we all have names (especially male names) that conjure up ideas of strong personalities.  I search name databases to pick just the right one.  For my Saint series, I used the names of real Saints.

What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?

Taking time for myself and my family.  Reading (and for me, that means on my porch when the weather is nice!)  Not taking myself too seriously, to reduce stress in this ever changing market.

What is the most demeaning thing said about you as a writer?

Writing romance can have a negative connotation.  Some think everything is either “50 Shades bsdm” or a “lower-class” of writing.  

How do you react to a bad review of one of your books?

A bad review will always sting.  It just does.  But I have learned a few things from some of the constructive criticisms.  I have even made a few changes in some of my books based on these criticisms.  Most seasoned authors say they don’t read reviews and I am slowly getting to that place.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

When I get to the 30% of every book, I wonder what I’m doing (and I’ve written 26 books!).  I will print it off and read it over, helping to see where I need to go with the story.  Then at the 60% point, I do the same thing!  Once I get past the 60% point, I just want to get to the finish.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I write Romantic Suspense and Military Romance, I have done a lot of research for my writing.  I have learned a great deal about the FBI, Special Forces, the military, life in Iraq for military personnel, terrorist cells in the U.S., explosives, drugs, drug traffic, private investigations, poisons, etc.  As far as myself?  I have learned that I can do anything I set my mind to!

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Love can truly conquer all.  The relationship between two people who care deeply for each other makes life worthwhile.

Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or a movie?

Any of my books could be a movie, but my newest series, Baytown Boys, could easily be a movie or TV series.

Describe in 5 words, your writing:

Sweet, steamy, happily-ever-after!

What do you use to write your book?

I write in Word then transfer to Vellum.

Do you listen to music while you write or read?

I listen to instrumental music or Brain FM (for production).

If you could write with any other author(s) who would it be and why?

I grew up reading historical romances and would love to co-write a book with someone in Scottish historical romance.  

NON- BOOK QUESTIONS

When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

Child psychologist - I achieved this by being a adolescent counselor for 25 years.

What is your favourite coffee shop drink?

Caramel Macchiato

What's your favourite tv show?

I watch very little TV so I can’t say what is a favorite.

What is your favourite kind of cookie?

I have such a sweet-tooth...I love all cookies!  But I especially love Double-Suffed Oreos!

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you have and why?

My computer with internet connection, my husband, plenty of food

Where would you go if you had a time machine?

To a Scottish castle back in the 1800’s and meet a gorgeous highlander in a kilt...with a big sword...

Which is your favorite quote?

“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road.  They are the destination, and the journey.  They are home.”  Anna Quindlen

If you were an ice cream what flavor would you be?

Mint chocolate chip

What song best describes you?

I have no clue!

THIS OR THAT

Pepsi or Coke

Cows or Sheep

. Castle or Town house

City or Country

Lover or Fighter

Pop or Rock Music (neither - Country!)

80’s or 90’s (neither - go back to the 60’s!!)

Singing or dancing

Get to know you interview with Tracie Podger

Book Questions

Tell us your latest news?

At the end of March I’ll be releasing Harlot. This novel accompanies my thrillers, Gabriel and A Deadly Sin. I’m excited for readers to meet Charlotte and Beau.




What book are you reading now?

I don’t read while I’m writing and right now, I’m writing my novella, Allana, which accompanies my thrillers.




Your books are so emotional. How long does it take for you to be able to get the characters out of your mind and move on to the next?

I can never truly let go of any of my characters. My mind is very congested! I do manage to shove them to one side so I can concentrate on whatever project I’m working on at the time.

Are the names of the characters in your novels important?

For sure! I think hard about what my main characters are to be called. I want names that really reflect the person, in my mind, and I’ll often have the name long before I’ve fully developed the story.




What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?

I don’t know a sane writer, if you find one, let me know ;) Seriously, being professional, taking my job seriously, and coming to terms that I have people in my head and this time it’s not because I’ve gone mad!

What is the most demeaning thing said about you as a writer?

I don’t think I’ve come across anything demeaning, but then I do live in a lovely bubble. An irritating question would be, ‘Have I read your books?’ I’m often baffled with that, and my response is something like, ‘Hold on, let me get inside your head and check.’




How do you react to a bad review of one of your books?

I don’t. Readers are entitled to their opinion and I respect that. Some bad reviews, I like, some I disagree with, but I don’t react to them. If there is something useful that can be taken from a bad review, I’ll make a note.




What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Right now, it’s hard not to be distracted by what’s going on around me. I recently moved house so I lost my writing space. Planning permitted, I’m about to start converting where I am into a house, so I know I’m going to be living on a building site for a while. When it’s all done, I’ll have my office back and I’ll be able to sit in the quiet and concentrate better.




Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I’m perhaps not as disciplined now as I believed I was. I don’t plan, as such. I’ll write notes, perhaps a biography of the characters but for my thrillers, I need to plot more.




Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

No. I write so people can escape their lives for a few hours. I don’t want to give anything more than just an enjoyable experience, a great story, and some nice/not so nice characters to spend time with.




Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or a movie?

All the time! That’s the beauty of books and movies, you can lose yourself so much that you’re living what you’re reading/watching.




Describe in 5 words, your writing:

Sexy

Suspenseful

Fun

Fiction!

Intriguing

What do you use to write your book?

MacBook Pro, and a pad and pencil for notes.




Do you listen to music while you write or read?

Sometimes. At the moment my desk is in the living room so I have to block out any background noise – my dad might be watching the TV and I’ll put headphones on and play music. Ideally, I prefer quiet.




If you could write with any other author(s) who would it be and why?

I don’t think it’s something I could do unless we were writing dual POV. As for who? I have no idea ha ha






NON- BOOK QUESTIONS

When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

An actress and an Olympic dressage rider! I used to be with the Old Vic Youth Theatre, that was fun.




Did/Do you have a nickname?

Tazmanian – I look like one when I lose my temper, according to my dad!

What are your pet peeves?

Oh, I have a few! Laundry on the floor beside the laundry basket is about the biggest.

What is your favourite coffee shop drink?

Latte. I don’t drink a great deal of coffee nowadays, so something milky seems a little healthier.

What's your favourite TV show?

I don’t really watch TV, I might watch a series on Prime or Netflix, but that’s about it. I did love The Fall!

What is your favourite kind of cookie?

Chocolate biscuits!

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you have and why?

A solar powered generator, a satellite phone, and my laptop – think of all the writing time! If I couldn’t take my phone, then Bear Grylls, he can be Man Friday and hunt and makes boats, and stuff.

Where would you go if you had a time machine?

Back three years. My dad had a huge stroke, I’m his full time carer, and I’d go back and get him to the hospital before he had the stroke if I could.

Which is your favorite quote?

One life, live it.

If you were an ice cream what flavor would you be?

Neapolitan – I’m a little of everything.

What song best describes you?

I did it my way.





THIS OR THAT

Pepsi or Coke

Diet Coke

Cows or Sheep

Cows, sheep have scary eyes.

. Castle or Town house

Castle

City or Country

Country, I dislike the city.

Lover or Fighter

Both!

Pop or Rock Music

Rock

80’s or 90’s

If I have to choose, then 90’s – don’t like either.

Singing or dancing

Singing

Get to know you interview with Martin Tracey

Book Questions Martin Tracey

Tell us your latest news?

I’m working on ‘27’ the follow up novel to ‘Mind Guerrilla’ which will therefore feature Judd Stone again who has proved a popular character. ‘27’ explores the notion of the 27 Club, a name given to the collective of pop-stars who have incredibly died at the age of 27, including Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Amy Winehouse and Kurt Cobain. My most recent book is ‘Things They’ll Never See’ another book with a musical inspiration but it is also a scary haunted house story. I’ve been doing lots of public appearances which I’ve really enjoyed. I popped up at the Liverpool 2017 event with a whole host of fab authors, but I also delivered a book launch for ‘Things They’ll Never See’ which went down soooooo well with a 90s tribute band playing live and a karaoke also featured.

What book are you reading now?

An apocalypse inspired novel by Indie author HJ Daly

Your books are so emotional. How long does it take for you to be able to get the characters out of your mind and move on to the next?

Quite quickly to be honest. I think as I enjoy the process of creating characters so much I don’t find it an issue.

Are the names of the characters in your novels important?

Very. I believe that one of the main fundamental elements to get right are character’s names as they form a picture of that character in the reader’s mind. For example, if you want a character to be a nasty and cruel vindictive kind it wouldn’t make sense to call her Angel. Would you really call a well-muscled rough and tough car mechanic Percy? (No offence to anyone called Percy)

What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?

Do your best but don’t treat yourself too seriously. Enjoy the ride.

What is the most demeaning thing said about you as a writer?

“It was ok!”

How do you react to a bad review of one of your books?

Fortunately, this has seldom happened, but I really beat myself up before I convince myself that in the wide spectrum of things their opinion doesn’t really matter if it’s a minority view.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

After writing the draft, re-reading and reading again and again until being happy with the final version.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I research a lot for my books in addition to living up to that old cliché of ‘writing what you know’ In ‘Beneath the Floodlights’ I learnt about the Romanian coast – I’ve never been! In ‘Mind Guerrilla’ I further learnt about the effects of multiple sclerosis, religious cults and mind control programmes.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Justice. I have a strong preference for justice and I love presenting the act of  revenge to achieve that justice.

Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or a movie?

When I was a kid I wanted to be Danny Zuko in Grease lol.

Describe in 5 words, your writing:

Honest, edgy, engaging, gripping, different

What do you use to write your book?

Always on my laptop. I write too many mistakes to use pen and paper.

Do you listen to music while you write or read?

Yes sometimes, which would usually be The Beatles, John Lennon solo stuff or George Michael. I don’t always need to listen to music which connects with the mood of the writing.

If you could write with any other author(s) who would it be and why?

Oooh what a great question. Probably Martina Cole, our approach is pretty similar I think – honest and edgy.

NON- BOOK QUESTIONS

When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

A pop star. 

Did/Do you have a nickname?

I was known as Concorde at senior school due to having a slightly larger nose!

What are your pet peeves?

Cruelty to animals and kids – there’s just no need for it. And what modern-day talent shows and reality TV shows have done to music and entertainment industries.

What is your favourite coffee shop drink?

Chait latte made with soya milk.

What's your favourite tv show?

Obviously not The X Factor lol. Emmerdale is a guilty pleasure but I really like the 9 o’clock dramas that come around.

What is your favourite kind of cookie?

                                                                                        Anything with chocolate

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you have and why?

My Beatles cds (assuming I had electricity and something to play them on) to keep me sane; my family i.e. wife and kids – they’re all I need really; and my Kindle so I could read a lot and hopefully still be able to perpetually download books.

Where would you go if you had a time machine?

1960s and grab a ticket to see The Beatles

Which is your favorite quote?

Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans – John Lennon

If you were an ice cream what flavor would you be?

Fudge, I’m a big softie.

What song best describes you?

Paperback Writer

THIS OR THAT

Pepsi or Coke

Pepsi

Cows or Sheep

Sheep

. Castle or Town house

Castle

City or Country

Country

Lover or Fighter

Lover

Pop or Rock Music

80’s or 90’s

80s

Singing or dancing

singing