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?

 First let me say thank you, Fiona, for having me here today. I’m J.J. Devine and I’m old enough to know better, but still too young to care 😉

 

Fiona: Where are you from?

I’m from small town USA, a little town called Jonesboro, Indiana.

 

Fiona: A little about your self (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

I’m a wife of 32 years. Mother of three. Grandmother to four and an angel. Fur momma to two very rambunctious furbies and one furkitty. We love camping and spend a good deal of time in our free time staying in our camper. Whether it be at a campground, my sister’s lake property, or yes, even our own backyard. I am an author of historical and paranormal romance. I am also an assistant manager for Circle K (the only store in our little town).

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

On July 29th I did my first big book signing. It was an exciting experience and very nice meeting new people. I also self-published my first self pubbed short story, Come Home With Me. It was a story I previously published in an anthology, The Hope Chest. I am also planning to self-publish my first full length novel, Unfinished Business, in 2018.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve been an avid reader since childhood. I’ve also been in love with romance in general since I was very young 😊 I began writing short stories and poetry when I was around thirteen. I moved into writing full length novels when my youngest son was a year old. So, I’ve been writing historical and paranormal romance for the last 21 years.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

From day one back when I was thirteen. I really hadn’t figured that out back then, but I do now LOL.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

Oh my so many things. I read a Margaret Moore book and my own characters began to wake up within me. I then began studying Native American history and began attending POWWOWs and getting to know some of the local Native American people. Then one afternoon I read a romance novel about the Trail of Tears and I could fight it no longer. I sat down and penned the most horrible romance novel in all time in a few short months. I was so proud of that crazy typed (yes, on an old manual typewriter) manuscript. I carried it off to the printers and had five copies made. They cut off the end of every line of my story, but that didn’t deter me, no, I had just written the greatest American Novel, it wouldn’t matter. Then I bought five blue binders, placed them in manila envelopes, and shipped them off to the publishers on five of the books I read. Yeah, that didn’t work out so well, LOL. I can laugh about it now, but it was just one of the many lessons I’ve learned from the business aspect of this world.

 

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

Oh my, titles are something I enjoy. I must have a title before I can even start the book. I was like that with my poetry as well. The Cheyenne Bride had three titles before I settled on The Cheyenne Bride. Destiny’s Price was easy to figure out, when it comes out next year you’ll see why 😊Unfinished Business that one came to mind so easy, seeing as Jeff and Jeni are trying to pick up where they left off ten years prior 😊

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

I guess you could say most (if not all so far) of my heroines are strong-willed women. They face many tough times throughout their lives but they always manage to find the strength to never give up.

Sometimes going to some of the dark places my heroines have been puts me in a very dark mood. This mood can last for quite a while depending on how long I am working on the scene. Dark moods tend to move things along a bit slower.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

I tend to be a strong-willed woman. I need to be raising three kids with a truck driver husband. So, I guess you could say my heroines get that part from me. Destiny Connors is the closest to me, she and I have gone through childhoods a bit similar, Destiny’s was much much worse, but I understand her better because of the childhood I went through.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

No, with paranormal and historical romances it is a bit hard to travel to those times. However, I do have a set of 100+ year old encyclopedias in which I find very valuable for writing the times and locations. They are my writing bibles 😊

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

The Cheyenne Bride and Into the Darkness paperback and ebook covers were made by my publisher’s cover artist. Jeana Mann, a wonderful author, cover artist, and friend now makes all my covers. I will share the ones for Unfinished Business, Destiny’s Price, and my audio book cover for Into the Darkness with all of you so you can see her amazing work 😊

 

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

In just about all of my stories you can find a message hidden between the lines. The Cheyenne Bride is about acceptance. Nichole/White Deer is half Cheyenne half white, all she’s ever wanted was to be truly accepted by someone for both her Native American side and her white half. Into the Darkness, it is more of a coming into oneself story. Raven is thrown into a world of vampires and witches. For 25 years she believed she was just any other ‘normal’ American girl. Then she finds out her father is a very powerful vampire, her mother had been a very powerful witch, and she is both mingled into one.

Each one of my characters have a real life based journey with all the trials and tribulations that go with it. My hope is someone who picks up one of my stories finds a little of themselves within my characters and in some way my character’s journey helps them in theirs.

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?

I have so many new authors I enjoy reading, Fiona Riplee, Lisa Caviness, LaNoraMangano, Jeana Mann, Jillian Jacobs, Teresa Keefer, Morgan Wyatt and all of her pennames love lovelove this author.

My all-time favorite author has long since passed away, Suzanne Barclay. I loved her knight’s series. In fact, I own every book she’s ever written. I love her style of being able to make you laugh, cry, ect, she touches every emotion within the pages of her books and when you’re finished you know you’ve been on an emotional roller coaster.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

That’s easy, my writing chapter Crossroads Romance Writers. The members of this chapter are like no other I’ve ever been a part of. They support you when you are doing well, but most importantly, they support you when you want to throw in the towel and just give up. They are the first ones to say, yep, I felt that way once too, get back to writing 😊

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Most definitely. I haven’t worked on this for this many years trying to find my way to publishing for it not to be.

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

My rule of thumb is to leave it alone once it is published. However, I did find a few crucial errors I need to fix in Come Home With Me, but I self-published it for that main reason, to get my feet wet in self-publishing and learn from the experience 😊But as far as the story goes, no, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

That’s one reason I love writing so much. There is always something to learn. Whether it be about writing, publishing, or even myself. There is always something to learn in the adventure of it all.

 

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

 If Unfinished Business was made into a film I would have to say I would love to see Jeni played by Kristin Kreuk and Jeff played by Nathan Parsons (he plays such a yummy werewolf).

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Keep writing. No matter how hard it gets. No matter how many times you want to throw in the towel. Keep WRITING. The more you write the more you learn about writing. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect, no first, second, and sometimes even third drafts aren’t perfect. The important thing is you make writing a habit you can’t live without. Write every chance you get and keep going.

Also find other authors in your area for support. You’re going to need them. There is no better people on the face of the earth that can understand your writing side of you. They will get you completely and will be a huge support system for both the good times and the bad.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Thank you!!! Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for buying my books. Thank you for reading and reviewing my books. Most of all, thank you for being you!!!

 

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

After You by JoJo Moyes. The sequel to Me Before You

 

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

My first romance novel was a historical romance written by Margaret Moore, A Warrior’s Heart. Loved that book so much I started picking up every historical romance I could get my hands on.

 

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

My husband makes me laugh. Having to watch a furbie’s life come to an end makes me cry.

 

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

Hmmm, I would say definitely Suzanne Barclay. I would love to tell her how much of an inspiration she was to me. Her writing style was truly something I enjoyed.

 

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Gardening, canning, reading, camping, swimming, hiking, hanging out with my grandchildren, making homemade dog food and treats for my boys.

 

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

I love movies. All kinds. The Originals is my all-time favorite tv show.

 

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors, music?

Shrimp in all its glory. My favorite color is red. Music, I listen to it all.

 

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

I can’t imagine a future without writing. So I would have to say if there was a reason I couldn’t write I’d find another way to write 😊

 

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?

She never gave up. I don’t believe in giving up, so this would be fitting.

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

 I sure do:

 

Website: http://definingjjdevine.weebly.com

Blog:http://definingjjdevine.weebly.com/ramblings-of-a-writer

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/J.J.-Devine/e/B009P8P3PU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1501971886&sr=8-1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JJDevineAuthor/

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/JjDevine2010