Author Interview with wonderful Jan Romes!

Interviewing Jan Romes, author of Taming Tori and Married to Maggie–

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I don’t recall the exact moment when I decided I wanted to pursue storytelling, but I can tell you that I’ve had stories and characters tumbling around in my head forever. When my kids were small I’d write or read after they went to bed. When my daughter went off to college, I gave my muse a serious dusting off and wrote until I thought my fingers would fall off.

 

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Spontaneous answer: I always include humor and sarcasm in the dialog and sometimes it cracks me up to the point I’m laughing myself out of the chair.

Not-so-spontaneous answer: Instead of writing the story and then going back to fix/edit things, I sometimes drive myself crazy and bog things down by fussing over a scene until I get it the way I want it.

 

Where do you get your ideas for your books?

My brain is a storytelling suggestion box or filing cabinet. A title might come out of nowhere and I tuck it away for future reference. Or I have a line that pops in my head and I shelve it until I think of a plot to go with it. My husband says my thoughts are always in story-mode. He’s right.

 

How long does it take you to write a book?

Contrary to what some people think, I’m a slow writer. I can’t pump out 4,000 words a day. I’m lucky to get a 1,000. Generally it takes me a good six to seven months to complete a story. I admire those who can type, type, type until their brain is empty and their fingers can’t go anymore.

 

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love spending time with our four grandkids. I also make time for reading, exercise, and gardening. Two of my all-time favorites is cruising on the Caribbean or camping.

 

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

“Don’t wait for the perfect time to write or it will never happen. Put your butt in the chair and start writing. Give your muse what it wants but don’t get upset if sometimes it has no idea what it wants. Be true to who you are and to your style.” I recently saw a meme on Facebook that said, ‘Be You. The World Will Adjust’. Keep that in mind and go to it. Make yourself proud.