Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.
Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?
My name is Jasinda Wilder and my age is…somewhere between 30 and 40… 😉
Fiona: Where are you from?
I’m a Michigan girl, born and bred.
Fiona: A little about your self (ie, your education, family life, etc.).
Hmmm. I taught voice, theater, and dance before turning to writing novels; I have six children, I live on a farm with all sorts of animals, horses, pigs, donkeys, mules, chickens, turkeys, etc.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news.
I’m working on—nearly finished with, as of answering these questions—the first book in a brand new series. I don’t want to say much more other than this series is going to be incredible and I’m super insanely mega excited to bring these stories to my fans.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
Jack and I began writing professionally in 2012, at least partially out of desperation because we needed something, anything to offset our struggling income. Personally speaking, both Jack and I have been writing our whole lives in one respect or another, simply because writing is something we are both just drawn to, artistically.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
That’s kind of a trick question. When does one consider oneself a writer? When you write consistently. I don’t believe in the phrase “aspiring writer”; one cannot “aspire” to be a writer. Either you have the drive and the passion and the dedication to write consistently no matter what, or you don’t. That part can be neither taught nor learned, that’s something you just have or do not have. Now, you CAN be an “aspiring author” in that you can aspire to write—and FINISH—edit, proofread, and publish a book, which is a much different question entirely.
All this to say: I considered myself a writer when I was writing every single day, just for my own personal enjoyment. I considered myself an author after I published my first full length novel.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
For my first book, I was inspired by the desire to tell a story I’d be interested in reading. It was really that simple.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
A title is almost always one of the first things I come up with when I’m formulating an idea for a story. The title informs the story, for me, rather than the other way around.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?
Hmmm. Yes, I’d say I have a specific writing style, in that I’d hope a fan would recognize my style of writing as different from another author’s. Romance is a difficult genre because it is so competitive, and has so many sub-genres and is so glutted with new authors nowadays that it is increasingly hard to remain relevant and visible.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Rarely are events in my books pulled directly from my life. Usually, my experiences provide the emotional reactions of characters to events, as in I imagine how a person would react to a given event. Usually events are pulled from reality in some capacity, although I always change things at least a little bit to fit it into the story with the characters. I’m not a biographer or a historian, I’m a fiction novelist, so everything I write is, by definition, fiction, even if I do try to tell stories that feel utterly real.
Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?
You know, I don’t travel for research as much as you might think. If I do, it’s before, in the research and development stage.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
The incredible and incomparable Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Be yourself. Don’t be afraid to love. When you do love, you have to choose to place your trust wholly in that person or it won’t work. If you hold back, love will fail. Love is always worth it. Life isn’t always pretty or easy, but it is beautiful.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?
New authors…? Hmm. Not really new, but newer: Corrine Michaels, Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, and Tijan. I love all those authors. Favorite writer? That’s impossible to answer. There are so many incredible writers out there.
Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.
Hugh Howey was very supportive and instrumental in my early stages of becoming an author. Bella Andre was also hugely helpful and supportive as I set out.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Considering I’m closing in on One Hundred published titles in under five years, I’d say yes, I see writing as a career.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No. I make mistakes in every book I write, and I have the freedom to at any time pull that book and fix it or change it, but I never have and never will (with the notable exception of updating for minor typos every once in a while). A novel can never be a perfect thing, because we are not perfect people. The mistakes and the quirks are part of what makes each book unique. If the book entertains and tells a complete and engaging story, then I consider it as perfect as it can be.
Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
Oh, of course. I always learn something new. In the book I’m writing now, for example, the main character spends time on a sailboat, and I learned some new things about sailing.
Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
I’ve been asked this question about nearly every book, and it’s always so hard to say. I see the characters as their own people and it’s hard to put a real face and body onto that.
Fiona: Any advice for other writers?
Always focus on writing the next book.
Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
Thank you and I love you!
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
THE BEST IS YET TO COME, by Bella Andre.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
Not even close! LOL. I read a book a day most days and that’s too many books and too many years ago.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
My children!
Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?
Bethenny Frankel, because she’s my spirit animal.
Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?
My farm, and working out.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
The Handmaid’s Tale, Real Housewives.
Fiona: Favorite foods, colors, music?
Gluten-free pizza and dry red wine, pink, ALL MUSIC
Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?
MUSIC.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?
No clue. I’m too young and have too many kids to think about that.
Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?
Of course! www.JasindaWilder.com
Amazon Authors links
https://www.amazon.com/Jasinda-Wilder/e/B0095HTK0A/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1496221268&sr=1-2-ent
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jasinda-Wilder/e/B0095HTK0A/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1496221452&sr=1-2-ent
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