Today, we’re talking with Jamie Anderson about her book,
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
When I was young I wanted to be an actor and got a scholarship for the University of Regina Theatre program.
Why do you write?
I write to tell the stories that live inside my head like many authors do, but I also write to help me process things that are happening in my life now or have happened in the past.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
So far, for both books I've written, I've gotten inspiration from my own life.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
I love the happy endings in the Romance genre. I love that things, more or less, get worked out and everyone gets what they want. It's comforting to know what you're going to get. That doesn't always happen in real life.
How would you describe your writing process?
While I wish I was more of a pantser, I'm definitely a plotter. I like to have structure going in but sometimes as I write I surprise myself, which is fun.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Social media gives authors the opportunity to build their brand. There's an opportunity to sell books but, more than that, there's an opportunity to provide value in the form of book reviews, peaks behind the scenes, writing tips and sharing things from other authors. By providing that value, an author entertains and builds trust with their audience which allows them to build a relationship with the writing and reading community.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Don't give up. If writing is something you love to do, keep at it. Keep writing. Keep learning. Keep working towards your dream. However, if you need to take a break, that's okay too!
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
My titles just come to me, I don't really have a process. As for book covers, they're designed by an artist hired by my publisher. I do get some say in them, but I trust my publisher to guide the process.
What's your next step?
I'm currently working on my third book, but I can't say much about it yet. Mostly right now I'm working towards launching Love, Julie on April 30th and celebrating that!
What book do you wish you'd written?
Right now I'm reading The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo and I'm LOVING it. Her writing is so amazing, it's like every word was given precise consideration and chosen perfectly. I only wish I could write like that.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
I love it when a reader tags me on social and has something nice to say about my books. I realize that writing is subjective and not everyone will like what they read, but it warms my heart to know that someone took the time to write something kind if they happened to enjoy something I wrote.
