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1. If you could have coffee
with any character from your novels, who would it be and why?
Oh,
that’s easy. Hayden. A gorgeous, brooding, broken guy with dark hair, blue
eyes, and dimples to boot. Need I say more? I think a lot of women have this
intrinsic need to fix, and inevitably soften, the bad boy. And while Hayden is
indeed sexy, cocky, and a total bad boy, he’s also vulnerable and desperately
in need of love. I’m fairly certain time spent with him would be not only
interesting, but a whole lot of fun—especially if a microphone or honey was
involved.
2. At what age did you
decide you wanted to pursue a writing career?
Until I
was a high school senior, I believed I’d become a film director one day. When I
realized I needed to move across the country in order to pursue that dream, I
knew I’d never be able to leave my family and changed career paths. Fast
forward to four years ago…I bought a laptop while on maternity leave and wrote
my first novel inspired by the Brad Paisley song “Letter to Me.” While I was
editing that YA novel, I dreamt Hayden and Alex’s story. I immediately dropped
everything and wrote Until Alex. I
guess, to answer your question, I never endeavored to become a writer, but I
love doing it and will continue to do so as long as I have good stories to
tell, time to do it, and people who’d like to read my work.
3. Do you remember the first
book you ever wrote? And if so, what was it about?
My first
piece of writing was a screenplay about an undercover FBI rookie who
unknowingly gets assigned to seek information from the man who murdered her
father. Even with all the rejection letters I received, I truly believed if it
got into the right hands, it would be a success. Then, as if the fates had
aligned, I was lucky enough to get Drew Barrymore to read it. And she actually
enjoyed it! Sadly, her production company partner did not. That was the moment
I realized the odds of having a movie made of my screenplay was like winning
the lottery. Now it sits in a drawer in my office. In a way it inspired me to
release Until Alex because my husband
forbid me from “doing nothing” with another project.
4. Are you an outliner or a
pantser?
Both. I
get an idea and consider the big events that will happen—usually the swoon
worthy moments since those are what I love most in a book—and the major
conflicts. Then I write them down so I don’t forget them and just wing my way
from event to event. Different ideas pop into my mind every day, so I jot them
down and find a place for them or write a scene for them as I go.
5. How long did it take you
to write Until Alex?
A year,
but the majority of that time was me editing and fixing word choice and
sentence structure, not major plot revisions. I’m a total perfectionist, so I
was never happy with it. I finally decided to find an editor. Enter author
Stephanie Elliot who is simply amazing! Stephanie is the one who pushed me to
actually self publish. No one had read it until her, so I had no idea if people
would even like it. She gave me the motivation to do it. And I am so thankful
that I did.
6. What is your favorite
social media site and why?
Goodreads!
I am an avid reader and a huge fan of books and authors. So as a reader, I
always need to know what everyone else is reading. As an author, I love
connecting with readers who’ve read Until
Alex (and plan to read Since Drew).
One thing I will say is reading reviews of your own work is a double-edged
sword. While the good ones can be amazing and encouraging, it is never easy to
hear someone didn’t like your work. I try to remind myself that as reader, I
don’t love everything I read. But it still stings a little.
7. You seem to have had
quite a bit of success (over 400 Goodreads reviews and 40+ Amazon) since the
release of Until Alex. What are some of your tips and tricks for other aspiring
writers?
I think
it all comes down to luck and finding the right audience for your novel. If you
decide to self-publish, it’s essential you get your novel into their hands.
Writing is the easy part. Self-promotion is the tough part. It takes a lot of
time. You must do all your own marketing. In addition, you need to be willing to
give books away. You need reviews. Most won’t buy a book if there are no
reviews for it. Months before I released Until
Alex, I contacted new adult bloggers (who I researched first) and asked if
they would be interested in reading and reviewing an ARC. I also put it on
NetGalley so bloggers there could get it and review it before the release day.
There were so many amazing bloggers
who took a chance on me, a first time author. I am truly indebted to them, as
well as the amazing reviewers who spread the word on Goodreads, Facebook,
blogs, and Amazon. Without them, no one would have even heard of my novel.
8. What is your writing
process?
I come
home from work and while my son is still napping, I write. I add new scenes,
edit old scenes, reread chapters, etc. I’ve found that reading a draft on my
iPad while editing it on my laptop, works best for me. That was I see it the
way readers will.
9. What would you say has
been your biggest accomplishment since you began writing?
Releasing
a novel that people seem to enjoy! There is nothing like getting a five star
review or having a reader contact you to tell you how moved they were by your
work. The positive feedback has rendered me speechless.
10. What gives you inspiration?
Everything!
Though, country music has really been a huge inspiration for me. I love the
feelings of love, loss, heartache, and youth it evokes. Being out and about
around other people also inspires me. Ideas flood me when I actually pay
attention to what’s happening around me. It could be a location for a scene or
just a situation I witness. The other day, for example, I was leaving school
and saw one of my students standing with his girlfriend and just staring down
at her. I remember seeing that look on his face and in his eyes. That look of
first love—like that other person is the most amazing person in the world and
you’d be willing to do whatever it takes to hold on to them. I loved that
feeling when I was younger. And I miss it. I think that might be why I try to
replicate it in my stories. It’s why I love swoon-worthy moments. When you’re
living those moments in real life—especially when you’re young—you don’t
realize that’s what they are. But looking back, you wish you savored them.
Writing lets me savor those moments, and hopefully give them to my
readers.
J. Nathan is the author of the new adult novel Until Alex and the upcoming Since Drew. When she's not writing, she can be found spending time with her family and friends on the east coast, teaching high school English, working on her next novel, or relaxing with a good book. She’s a total romance junkie. Add an alpha male who's unlikable to the mix, and she’s all in. Happy endings are a must. Don’t leave her with an unexpected cliffhanger or someone dying in the end—she’ll be depressed for days. Love triangles and negative people are the bane of her existence. Her family, friends, sangria, and watermelon margaritas are the light.
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