Frequently Asked Questions
I get a lot of questions from readers and other authors, so I thought it would be fun to collect the ones I see most and answer them here!
What made you decide to become an author?
After my daughter was born, we moved from Florida to Georgia for my husband’s job. I didn’t know anyone, I wasn’t working (I decided to stay home and raise our daughter), and I was dealing with post-partum depression. Writing became an outlet at first, a type of therapy that helped me process a lot that I was dealing with at the time. It turned out to be something I believe God has called me to do outside of taking care of my family.
What made you decide to independently publish?
I like to control every aspect of my work, from idea development to distribution. While traditional publishing might be the best path for some writers, it was never going to work for me. I like having the deciding hand in everything, including cover design, what stays in the story and what goes, marketing, platforms, and more. It just suits me better.
Why did you choose the genres you write?
I started out writing young adult romance and eventually moved into fantasy. Now I write across several genres, including ya romance, adult romance, ya and adult fantasy, and ya sci-fi. Moving from fantasy to sci-fi felt like a natural progression, and I enjoy writing both. I still write ya romance, but it is exclusive to PirateCat publishing now. As for adult romance, it goes straight to Kindle Vella, then Kindle Unlimited, and there’s no timeline for it. I write romance when I’m in the mood or need a good brain cleanse between the massive worlds in my fantasy and sci-fi books.
As for other genres, I did dabble in suspense and mystery. I have a paranormal mystery series with the first book published, but I’ve found I’m not as good at laying out a mystery as I am at other things. It’s fun, but… it’s not where my ability lies.
What platforms are you on and why?
For social media, I’m on Facebook and Instagram. Honestly, I don’t like either one, but they seem to be necessary for authors. I have met several great people on the platforms, so the frustration of social media has been worth it. As for sales platforms, I’m on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and I use Draft 2 Digital for wide distribution. However, I am shifting to a more personal shopping experience by selling directly from my website. My goal is direct sales with a more personal touch.
Where do you get your ideas?
Everywhere. Life experience, my friend’s stories, things I see and hear, music, etc. Most often, when I’m in the shower and have nowhere to write it down. I think the best ideas come when you are quiet and open to the flow of incoming information, AKA your brain finally getting to speak over all of the other noise of life.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Don’t try to force your process. It has taken me years to realize that my instinct is right. The way I write is okay, and it doesn’t matter if it’s not how other authors do it. Some will plan, others will not, and still, others will have a happy place in between. Don’t try to fit yourself into someone else’s mold, and don’t fight what your body and mind tell you.
What is the first book that made you cry?
Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks. I was a senior in high school when it came out, and I remember reading it during lunch break, and all of my friends thought something was wrong. I remember it being the most impactful story I had ever read. I have no idea why. Honestly, I’ve read it since then, and it didn’t hit me the same way, so it is possible my young mind hadn’t been jaded yet.
What is your favorite book?
After the Bible (I know, I know… that’s MANY books), A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
What book do you dislike the most?
There are many books I have stopped reading part way through, but Macbeth is probably the one that I will never give another chance. High school probably ruined it for me, but it was the most ridiculous thing I had ever read, and even now, when I try to wrap my mind around it, I just can’t. I understand the point of it, but I simply dislike it.
Do you write under a pseudonym?
I did write suspense under a pen name, but nothing else. I don’t plan to write under a pseudonym again. Obviously, my real name is not M. J. but those are my initials and what my friends call me.
How much research do you do before writing? Planning?
It depends. I did a fair amount of research on sword fighting for one of my fantasy series and a lot into Celtic mythology for another. Some books, like my romance novels, take less time to research. I might just Google a certain topic to get a general feel for it, but other books require hours of reading to make sure I’m not butchering my work with inaccurate portrayals of professions, ideas, etc. As a pantser, my planning is mostly bullet points of what I need to include, maybe some scene sketching, and possibly a more detailed outline of the next chapter as I go.
If you didn’t write, what would you do for work?
Probably genealogical research.
What was the hardest book or scene for you to write?
There have been a few, and it depends on what is meant by “hard.” If by hard we mean emotionally stressful, then I think the books in The Demolition Series and a few installments in The Secret Author Series were the most difficult. Many of the scenes were based on real events, and the people were based on real people. Some of it was based on social realities that are in dire need of attention.
If we mean hard, as in stretched the limit of my abilities, I would say that began with Eiagan’s Winter. I did not think I was skilled enough to write that book, let alone a whole series of adult epic fantasy. It ended up being one of the series I am most proud of to date, and it sparked a desire to keep moving out of my comfort zone.
How long does it take you to write a book?
That depends. A young adult romcom might take three weeks, whereas an adult epic fantasy might take three months. On average, it takes about six weeks for the first draft of most novels.
So, there you have it! If you have more questions, feel free to ask!
