Author Interview with TijanSo its no secret that Tijan is one of my favourite author's and I've read, quite literally, everything she's written and release for the public eye. So of course, with all this in mind, I approached her to do an author interview, my excitement when she agreed was off the charts - honestly, I squealed so loud my OH thought something was wrong. Anyway, back to the point, I got to ask my questions and get an insight into her and her writing, so here goes.
Hi! Thank you so much for agreeing to this, I know you're very busy, and with the release of Carter Reed 2 I thank you for taking the time out of what must be a crazy schedule. So, can you tell me a little about yourself and your background? I INHALED books when I was growing up. If I could’ve lived at a library, I would’ve been so happy, but I never thought about writing until I was already out of college. I daydreamed so much and one day, I had to get some of those daydreams out of my head and I started writing them out on a computer. It clicked after that. What were you like at school? I was good in school. I didn’t enjoy being in school, if that makes sense, but I was a good student. I wish I had paid more attention in my English classes, though. I got an A anyways, but I didn’t learn how to write very well from high school. I didn’t start learning until after college. I posted online and sort of taught myself. I still am. Were you good at English? I got a good grade, but I don’t think I was very good. I must’ve retained enough to pass, though. I wish I had taken more creative writing courses in college, but I never even considered pursing that degree until afterwards. What are your ambitions for your writing career? Keep writing. Would love to hit NYT again, someday! I’d love to see some of my books in stores too. Which writers inspire you? I read a lot of Nora Roberts (JD Robb), Charlaine Harris, and Janet Evanovich. I looked up to them. So, what have you written? Oh boy. This list is really LONG! I’ll give links instead. All my books are published on Amazon and then I have a ton of free reading at my website: www.tijansbooks.com! Have fun. Where can we buy or see them? Amazon, Nook, Kobo, iTunes, and I have a few on Smashwords! Give us an insight into your newest main character. What does he/she do that is so special? Carter will kill anyone to protect who he loves, Emma, and she’s just as fierce with him too. They protect each other. What are you working on at the minute? A new book, but I’m still keeping it secret. It deals with a killer too. I’m also working on Fallen Crest 5. Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book? Oh wow. I have no idea. That’s too far off for me to even daydream about! How much research do you do? I do enough until I feel comfortable with what I’m writing. If I need to be specific about things, I’ll reach out to locals on facebook or will read as much articles on the internet, or even through youtube videos too. This is hard to answer. It all depends on whatever I’m researching, from an hour to days. Why do you write? Because I have to. I’ll write no matter what, even if people stop buying. I’ll still write. Where do the your ideas come from? All over. Feelings from watching a movie, a song gets in my head, something that really inspires me and I want to do it justice. I don’t get ideas from people I know in real life. A lot of people will joke about their lives and how it’d be a good idea for me to write, but that never works for me. I always feel that’s their story to write, not mine. Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you? All of the above. Some books are different. They have to be plotted out. Some will be plotted out, but refuse to follow the outline. And some are as I go! I like to have some outlined, but it’s also good just to go with the flow too. It can be frustrating sometimes. Lol How do you think you’ve evolved creatively? I have no clue. Lol I’d like to think I’ve evolved, but I guess I’m not sure. Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors. I don’t read as much as I used to just because of my own writing schedule, but when I find a book that I can get lost in—LOVE! The latest one that this happened with was Susan Ee’s Angefall. I cannot wait for the last installment to her trilogy. For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books? I prefer paperbacks, but the budget prefers ebooks! ;) What book/s are you reading at present? I’m reading Teresa Mummert’s Something Wicked. (She drops it in my inbox as she writes it and I’m loving it!) I also purchased First Grave on the Right. It looks good so far, but I haven’t gotten to dive into it. Tell us about your covers and how they came about. Sometimes I see a premade by a designer and I’ll grab it right away. Carter’s cover was like that. So was Logan Kade’s cover, for when that book comes out. Sometimes my designer will post something in my inbox and I’ll love it or sometimes I figure out a mock-up and what I like, then she’ll perfect it. Who designed your book covers? I work mostly with Lisa Jordan Photography (who I love love love!), but I’ve also worked with Cover It Designs and Mae I Design. I’ve been doing a few more covers with Cover It Designs. Ari is fantastic! Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process? Yes! Sometimes the cover is what attracts readers, but a good story is what makes them tell their friends about the book. What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around? Advantages: I have control over what the cover is, when I publish, how I promote it, what edits are approved or not. Disadvantages: doing all of that! The big disadvantage of being an indie is that my books don’t get into stores and sometimes I’d like to have an entire team being me, getting the book ready for publication. What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews? Reviews are great! I’ve gotten some really horrible reviews and I’ve gotten some really great reviews. I’m so thankful to everyone who takes the time to leave on. They help to sell the book. Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work? I do a release blitz and some ads on facebook. That’s about it. What do you think of “trailers” for books? I love trailers!! Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book/s? I don’t, but I need to look into doing this. I think they’re wonderful to have and when a reader makes me one, I’m always floored and honored. Do you think that giving books away free works and why? Yes. Reaching more people will never hurt you. It might not help your wallet, but I always feel the reach is more important. How do you relax? I get away from facebook! I spend time with my family and if I really need to get away and have my brain shut off—I’ll go see a movie. What is your favourite motivational phrase. Keep fighting. Keep going. Keep moving forward. Where can you see yourself in 5 years time? Still writing and still being me! What advice would you give to your younger self? Haha. I made an off-handed remark to my freshman roommate that I was going to write a book to get money. She gave me this ridiculous look and asked, “About what?” I felt foolish and I disregarded that idea. I wish I hadn’t and I had pursued writing even then. What advice would you give to aspiring writers? Write your own story. Make friends with other writers on facebook. Don’t force a relationship. The friendships will happen naturally and get support from them. How can readers discover more about you and you work? I do most of my new updates on my facebook page: www.facebook.com/tijansbooks otherwise they can just check out my website too. Website: www.tijansbooks.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/tijansbooks Instagram: @TijansBooks Twitter: @Tijansbooks Thank you so much for joining us today! It was such a pleasure to get to know you, and I cannot wait to finish Carter Reed 2! ~ Elisia |
27-Apr-14
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