Jen Winters is an independent author, entering the world of self-publishing through digital media formats. Her first book, Kissing Demons, is a paranormal romance and available for Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.
Jen is a mom, a wife, a homeschool teacher, supporter of indie authors and a lover of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. You can connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and enjoy a diversion in to homeschooling on her other blog, The Slamdunk Homeschool.
Jen, when did you
first think about writing for publication?
Six years ago I found myself at a loss. I had an 8-month-old
and my husband-at-the-time had left us to pursue a different life. I had zero
marketable skills and a bachelor degree that was utterly useless. The only
thing I had was a lot of people who encouraged me to publish some of my
writing. So, I decided I wanted to try my hand at writing for a career and I
put my pen to paper. That was March 2009.
Tell us one thing
about yourself that you think might surprise us.
I am so utterly normal, but I do homeschool my children and
I think that surprises some people because we are so utterly normal. We don’t
give off that homeschool vibe.
Your first novel,
“Kissing Demons” was released this past December. Tell us a bit about this book and the
inspiration for it.
Kissing Demons is a paranormal romance that takes place
mostly in the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area. I
had been reading Sherrilyn Kenyon’s dark-hunter series at the time and she very
much influenced my writing. The Guardians are women who during their first life
lost a child and are now in their second life protecting others from the same
loss. I based my main character on Beatrice Marguerite de Geneve, and called
her Geneva Archer. I think you’ll like her!
As this is the first
book of the series, give us an idea of what we might see in future
installments.
The second in the series is called Falling Angels and it is
written from the perspective of a fallen angel named Ambrose. He is good to the
core, but bitter about his fate, sarcastic, and temperamental. This novel will
give the reader a chance to get to know Yuruch (the antagonist in Kissing
Demons) better as well. Lavinia will get her respite and Ambrose will figure
out what destiny and redemption really are.
The third is called Raising Hell, and it will be a story of
redemption for Yuruch. I haven’t gotten far along it, yet, but I do know that
there will be a bit of archeology involved. How’s that for a teaser?
What drew you to
write in the paranormal romance genre?
I love PNR! I love the escape it provides, the hope for magic
and romance, and I love the idea that love can come from the most unexpected
place. My own story of love could be written into a PNR if I embellished the
angelic interference a bit.
If there is one
character you’ve written or are writing that you would really like people to
meet, who would it be and why?
Joseph of Aramithea. People need more unconditional,
enduring, undeserved love in their lives.
What made you decide
on self-publishing versus traditional publishing?
James Patterson’s huge success as an independent novelist
has been a great driving force for me. That and my mother who thought indie
publishing would be good for me.
What about the book
industry in general has most surprised you?
As an indie author I have found a huge support network with
other indies. It has been amazing and I didn’t even know that we were such a
tight-knit group before I published. I hadn’t read a single indie book and now
I can say that I have read more indies this year than traditional. The support,
reviews, help and friendship I have found has been amazing!
Is there someone you
can point to as being your biggest encouragement in moving forward with writing?
My father has kept on me since I decided to write for
publication until today saying, “Finish the book, Jen.” Love that man.
Is there a particular
genre other than paranormal romance that you might like to try someday?
I am thinking about writing a New Adult novel with an old
writing partner. We have other books we are finishing up right now, but as soon
as we are in a good place, we are going to write together.
What other things do
you have bouncing around in your head for the future?
This is a funny question. Everyday a new idea comes to me.
I’ve been considering doing a BBW PNR for a while, and it is slowing making its
way to the top. I even have a character name and setting: Mitchell (werewolf),
Rosie (human), and Great Bend, NE.
To close the
interview, I have ten questions for you, plus one. Here they go!
- What is your favorite word? flabbergasted
- What is your least favorite word? C@nt
- What turns you on? The smell of oil and gasoline on my hubby (he’s a mechanic).
- What turns you off? Metro-sexuals are completely unappealing to me. Nothing personal to my metro-friends, and they know that.
- What sound or noise do you love? My favorite is when one of my kids is playing pretend all by themselves.
- What sound or noise do you hate? My son’s screech when he’s mad (working on that).
- What is your favorite curse word? I don’t really have one, but I do let the bird fly when appropriate.
- What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I think I might like to be a mortician. Macabre, I know, but…
- What profession would you not like to do? Pest-control…ewww
- If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Well done.
- What question have you never been asked, that you wish someone would ask you? Were there moments that you found difficult to write? What were they?
Jen, thanks so much
for spending time with us. Can you let
us know where to follow you, and where we can go to purchase your books?
Follow me on Twitter
Like me on Facebook
Follow my Blog
Find my book, Kissing Demons on Amazon
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