A Chat with Norma Flatman - Author

Well looky here! Mondays are tough days, but when you are me, you have beautiful Authors, chatting about their work... and who can grump at that? Today, I would like to introduce you to Norma Flatman... Well actually, I would like Norma to introduce herself!


Now before we move on: This lady has a new book out!! Consumed is available for preorder!!

MOVING ON!

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written/want to write?
I’m never very good at talking about myself, but I’ll do my best.  I write under the name NJ Flatman, but my friends call me Jenni.  I live in Michigan with my 16 year old daughter.  I learned to read and write at 4 and I’ve been creating stories and poems since.  My dream has always been to be an author, but like many I got sidetracked with jobs and bills and life.

I’ve written many books as I’ve been a ghostwriter in romance and erotic romance for several years but nobody knows me because my name was never on them. My theory was that I could pay the bills doing what I loved and break into the writing world. Reality was I ended up with a lot of work, a little money and I realized I was just going to have to combine working and writing my own books if I ever wanted to see it happen.

Consumed is my debut novel releasing on June 5, 2015. It is the first in a series of 5 stories (Addicted to You series). As far as how many I want to write? As many as I can before my hands don’t work and then I’ll just have someone else type. It’s what I love.

Me: Oh I hear you lovely! What I would like to know more about is this ghostwriting business... That should make for another good discussion! I hope everyone marked the date down! We have a few new Authors entering into the Indie Market!! I will be highlighting parts of Norma's work throughout the week, so check back with us. 

What Genre do you write, and what genre do you enjoy reading?
As a ghostwriter I wrote mostly in the erotic romance genre, some romance. But my books are romance with a dark side. I believe in love and that it can be good and real, but I don’t believe it’s always happy or perfect. That’s what I enjoy writing about. People who overcome serious things to find their way.

I read a multitude of genres. Romance, erotic romance, paranormal romance, mystery, crime, thrillers and psychotic thrillers. If a story grabs my interest I read it.

Me: Now see, this I like, turns out, we're kindred spirits where it comes to books!

What is the name of your latest book/s and what inspired it?  
My debut book is Consumed.  Honestly, I was texting with a friend about something and I made a very long winded comment (something I’m good at) and then I said wow that’d make a great part of a story. So I wrote it down and then wrote a scene around it. I thought I need to do something with that so I sat there and wrote the first chapter. And the story was born. I knew exactly what I wanted the series to be about so it flowed quickly and easily. I think the original scene ended up in chapter 11 or so.

Me: *LAUGHING SO HARD* Oh that is just fantastic! I really enjoy hearing how it works for others, and this is just amazing!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Everything I do is unusual haha. I don’t think so. I listen to music a lot. Usually something that puts me in the mindset of the story. Sad scene= sad music etc.  I think the weirdest thing about me is that when something is in me, I don’t stop. I just write until I can’t write anymore. I’ve been known to write for 2-3 days without sleeping lol

Me: Right! Hubby refers to this as the "Character Take-over period." It is no different to a PC man being in the 'zone' when coding.  I love that you listen to music, I think it is great to draw from sound while we make up things. hehe

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Wow there are so many! I love to read and I read so much. I think Nora Roberts has a lot even though I don’t really read a lot of her work (I’m not a sappy happy kind of girl) because she changed the playing field in romance and because she produces soooo much work so consistently. I thought I was the only one that can write that fast lol. John Grisham just because he really pulls a person into the story and he tells it so well. Jodi Picoult is amazing because she writes about things that most people don’t. E.L James did as well because she took what she loved and did it and created something out of it and made a genre that most kept quiet about become  maintream. I like that.  And of course all the Indie authors out there who work a day job and then put all of this work into doing what they love.

Me: Now controversial as it may be, I love E.L James - though I will say I am not a erotic reader, I do not mind there being bit of the human nature in the books. Indie Authors are my new addiction! I have met so many, and the amount of creativity is ASTOUNDING.

What are you working on now?
I’m finishing the Addicted to You Series because I have it scheduled to release one every two months. I hate having to wait too long to continue a story. And I have another idea already taking shape for following that. I’m always writing something ☺

Me: Oh the joys, I must admit, I envy you for the ability to release every two months! I'd have a field day... if I've had the skill.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
At the moment I’m winging it and not sure what works best. But the bloggers that I’ve been talking to and working with have been amazing. I also try to get out there and chatting with readers even if they aren’t mine and other authors as much as I can. But in the end, all I can do is get my name out. The stories have to be what does it.

Me: I know there are nay-sayers out there, but I am a 'hands on' kinda girl - I find that this 'automation stuff' actually upsets me so the chatting with readers stuff I will encourage. 

Do you have any advice for new authors like yourself?
Research. Connect with others who do this, they are amazing. Give up on the ideas of sleep, relaxing or quality time with pretty much anyone haha. Do it because you love it and it’ll be worth it.

Me: HAHA! This is too funny, though I suppose it is also very appropriate - There is a balance to be found, but ... I'll let you know when we find it!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Live like you could die tomorrow, but pay your bills just in case.  Not sure where I heard it, but I love it and try to strive for it.

Me: Oh I like that!! 

From beginning to end, how long does/did it take you to write your book?
2-3 days initially, then I put it aside and go back to it a few days later and if I do massive changing another 2-3 days. So maybe a week. Like I said when I’m into it, I can’t stop.

Me: Holy mother and I thought I wrote fast! Well done lady, very well done!

What are you reading now?
Between working, toting my daughter around for theater stuff and doing stuff for my release I haven’t been able to read anything in recent days and still sleep. But I just recently won a copy of Mistaken Identity and Christmas with the Dragon by Amy Beth and I am eager to dive into those. I also have a new to me Dean Koontz book that I’m ready to read on the beach

What’s next for you as a writer?
Try not to have a heart attack when my book releases. Keep doing what I love. Keep growing as I write more. Keep chatting with readers and others in the business and hope that someday I can quit the day job.

Me: That sounds like a very good plan - I definitely encourage the first part!

Tell us something very few people know about you!
I watch people wherever I’m at. Sometimes body language or phrases in my stories come from people I know or people I’ve observed.

Me: Oh dear, and again, we have a term for that in our house, hubby calls it "Character profiling." He knows it will show up at some point! Though it is for me, also the best way to interpret people and cultivate empathy, don't you think?

What is your favorite book of all time?
Don’t judge me, but the Twilight series. I didn’t even like vampires and stuff when I read them, but I read the entire series four times in one week. I loved the way I felt connected with the story and the characters. I loved the connection between the characters. I think regardless of whether you like the storyline or some of the things about it, anyone who has read the books would say it was well written in terms of grabbing the reader.

Me: Now why would anyone judge you about that? I wrote three Epic Novels, and the feedback I'm getting refer to Twilight often. Naught wrong with it, and don't apologise for what you read, EVER. Some people don't read at all unless they HAVE to.

Author Websites and Profiles  Social Media Links

Website: www. Agoodgirldirtymind.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/njflatman

Twitter: @njflatman  --but I warn you, I suck at remembering this one

Me: I hope you are going to change that! I have made some of my BEST reader connections through twitter, and my goodness have they all been good to me!

Consumed is available for preorder 

Well that is it folks! I loved spending time with Norma this morning. Please stay around for the Author Spotlight with her this afternoon! And don't forget to HUG AN INDIE AUTHOR TODAY BY LEAVING A REVIEW!!

Thank you Norma for joining us, and thank you all for reading and spreading the good feelz! You guys ROCK!