Author's Interview
Today we are interviewing Author : CJ England
Author’s website address http://cjengland.com
Please List your books and publishers
Hot Tubs and Hot Hunks - Silks Vault Publishing
List Under Contract and publishers
The Mylari Chronicles - The Soulmates - Due out March 25th
The Peacekeeper Journals - The Joining
1. When and why did you begin writing?
I wrote my first romance book when I was in the second grade and Steven, my boyfriend dumped me for a girl who could swing on the monkey bars. This tragic tale of love and loss still makes me cry and giggle.
Really, I have been writing forever. Short stories, screen plays, and songs. I had to write. To take what I dreamed and put it on paper. It was not till Bumpa, my grandpa died, that I took the initiative to try to sell something. It was a story for Country Magazine about him, and it helped me deal with his loss and give him a tribute at the same time.
2. What inspired you to write your first book?
Other than Two, Two Many the one about Steven and his monkey bars girl? LOL My first publishable book was written when I was snowed in one Idaho winter. I could not sleep, so I sat by the fire and imagined up the beginning of The Peacekeeper Journals The Joining. When I went back to bed I dreamed up the rest and the next day I started writing. So I guess you could say the snow inspired me.
3. Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?
I remember devouring all kinds of romance novels. Harlequin, Silhouette, and then later I graduated to the bodice ripper type. I remember falling in love with anything by Nora Roberts and it was after reading her that I decided to really try and put my thoughts and dreams into words. I wanted to be able to draw my readers into the worlds I created, just like she did.
4. How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing?
My Mom is a writer too and always encouraged me. She did not mind my obsession with reading and gave me plenty of time to follow the wind and hear my stories.
When I married, other than my husband being a great romantic inspiration, our moving around so much gave me lots of ideas to play with. I plan to write a story for every place we have lived or visited.
5. Do you have a specific writing style?
Hmmm that is a tough one. I hope it is a good style. LOL I would have to say that I am an old fashioned romantic who does not mind adding a little heat to her romance stories. Some will be more sensual while others will be erotica. I also seem to infuse humor into my stories whether I want to or not. Real love and commitment will always figure into my books.
6. What genre are you most comfortable writing?
Romance first and foremost. And even though my first published book is a Contemporary romance I love to write Fantasy and Paranormal romance stories. Those are the dreams I have and I enjoy putting them on paper. Vampires shapeshifters and other oddities are my forte.
7. How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?
Hot Tubs and Hot Hunks came to me in the shower, title included. The Peacekeeper Journals and the Mylari Chronicles were dreamed up as I slept. Others, like Here Comes Peter, a new Easter story, just popped into my mind as I was writing.
8. Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?
Yes… I use both my own life and things I hear or read about as springboards for writing. Although most of my writing is fantasy oriented, I can still use those experiences in the books, if I tweak them a bit.
9. What books have most influenced your life?
Again, Nora Roberts most of all. Her book, Irish Thoroughbred was the book I chose to pick apart and teach myself the secrets of good writing. Linda Howard, Elizabeth Lowell and Jayne Ann Krentz have also infulenced me. As far as a different type of book… I like Laruell K. Hamilton, Maggie Shayne, Marilyn Campbell, and Susan Krinard.
10. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Nora Roberts, no doubt. She is an amazing writer who can create whole worlds that her readers call home. She can paint word pictures in her books that are amazing. She makes me cry, laugh and cheer. I want to be able to do that too.
11. What are you reading now?
I just finished Jayne Ann Krentzs new book, All Night long. I really enjoyed it. I love her writing. She makes me laugh, and I enjoy that her heroes are not always what you expect. She can make a computer geek or a researcher sooo sexy.
12. What new author has grasped your interest?
In print book, I have been reading Maggie Shayne, who is a new author to me. I love her paranormal books. In the e book world, I have to say that J J Massa and Kate September have both peaked my interest. Both are excellent writers that create those worlds that I enjoy.
13. How does your family and/or friends feel about your book or writing venture in general?
My husband Jonathon loves to brag that his wife is an author. It feels good to hear him talk me up. My kids are very proud of me, even though the type of book I write, romance, makes my youngest son roll his eyes. LOL
14 Do you see writing as a long- or short-term career?
Since I have been doing it forever, it is long term, but I hope to continue writing and publishing as long as I enjoy doing it, and my readers enjoy my books. But it is more than a career, it is a necessity. I have to write.
15. What are your favorite authors and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
This is a very long list, but I will just pick a few. Linda Howard, because I love her way of making romance sexy. I want to take all her heroes home with me. Agatha Christie, because she is the grand dame of all writing, and her plots are so perfectly conceived. Piers Anthony, because his writing never fails to make me laugh and think. And of course, Nora Roberts, Elizabeth Lowell, and Jayne Ann Krentz.
16. What book you have read recently made an impression on you?
Portrait of Desire, by Kate September was really good. Very sensual without going over the top. I liked it a lot.
17. How do you promote your book (s)?
As a new author, I am just learning to do this. Groups on line, networking with other authors, interviews like this one, any way you can get your name out. A web site is a must, and a newsletter is helpful. This year I will be attending the Romantic Times convention in Daytona, and I think that will be a real help.
18. Do you have any advice for other writers?
Do not forget to have fun. With everything that goes on around you, remember why you began writing in the first place and stay on course. All the work of being published can take away from the joy of writing. The other thing is enjoy your fans. Get to know them. They are a great group of people, and even if I was not writing, I would enjoy their company.
19. Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I swear it was genetic. My Mom writes, my brother and son are songwriters, and my Nana was a story teller. I was telling stories, before I could walk.
20. Can you share a little of your current work with us?
My book Hot Tubs and Hot Hunks came out on February 11th. Here is a short blurb about it.
Excerpts
We all know that shopping can taking the sting out of a bad breakup. But can buying a hot tub, and then accepting a different kind of service from the hot hunk who comes to install it, make a girl’s Valentine wishes come true?
When Mandy and Sawyer meet, one touch causes spontaneous combustion, and Sawyer immediately sets his sites on more than just a hot tub install. But add to that an ex-boyfriend, a mischievous ferret, and two people who are just a tad commitment shy, and you have a story that will show you what happens when you take a chance on a hot and unexpected love.
21. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
As anyone who knows me can tell you, I hate to do a synopsis. They are the bane of my writing existence. It is a huge challenge for me to take a novel length book and put it into a few pages. I think every word is important, so it is hard for me to only focus on the highlights.
22. Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?
My goal is two fold. I would love to make enough money with my writing that it pays for itself. But more importantly, I would like to share my worlds and dreams with as many people as possible. I like my stories, and I think others will too. The future is a blank dream just waiting to be imagined. And for me, that is such a cool place to be.
23. Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers?
I would like to invite you to join my newsgroups. They are a great group of people and we have a lot of fun.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsDreamtimeNewsletter
If my readers can enjoy the worlds I create, then I know I have accomplished my goal. I want everyone to close their eyes and join me as I dream. The best nation to live in is the imagination, and I invite all my readers to come visit. I hope that when they do so, they too will find out the joy of following their dreams.
