Welcome to Author Thursday hosted by the Never Too Old for YA & NA Books group from Goodreads.
Today we welcome author J.M. Stone for an interview!
Oh, who was she kidding? Emma knew that going to the tattoo shop with her best friend, Allie, would result in getting badgered until she ended up with some sort of needle piercing her flesh in one way or another. What she didn’t plan on was ending up face-first on the floor of the shop with a busted lip. Or doing it in front of the hottest guy she’d seen since…well, ever.Mortified, Emma never thought she’d ever step foot back in Skin Deep again. But fate, with a little help from Emma’s flighty best friend and a chance encounter with a fudge bar, steps in. Now Emma’s torn between taking a chance on getting her heart broken by the enigmatic, gorgeous Lucas, and playing it safe with good ol’ trusty B.O.B.
Lucas lets Emma know that he gets what he wants, and what he wants is her. When Emma gives in and quits pushing him away, she’s surprised at how quickly the walls around her heart crumble. She’s even more surprised that her unconventional, zany family just endears her even more to him.
But no one knows there’s someone that wants her more, and they’ll stop at nothing to get her.
*Recommnded for readers 18+ due to HOT sexual encounters, adult situations, and language
One little piercing. That’s all Allie wanted when she dragged her best friend into Skin Deep. She never imagined that it would result in a busted lip and an engagement ring for Emma, or that it would come with a double side of six-foot plus, tattooed, sexy-as-sin, H.O.T. maleness for her! Now she’s torn because Brandon and Jackson have both let it be known that they want her. And both are used to getting what they want. But what about what Allie wants?
Brandon is hot for Allie. So is Jackson. Neither of them are willing to step aside for the other and they’re tired of Allie running. So they hatch a plan…
Add in wedding bells, a dog named Doug, and you’ve got a recipe for a good time. Or a disaster.
*Recommended for readers 18+ due to HOT sexual encounters, adult situations, and language.
Welcome J.M!
Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A: I have always enjoyed writing; English was one of my favorite subjects in school and I always did very well on my essays. I started writing poetry at a young age and just went from there. I started writing my first book when I was a freshman in high school…but that one will never see the light of day! Lol! Since then I’ve dabbled in other book ideas, one of which is a children’s book series. Very different from what I’ve published!
Q: How long does it take you to write a book?
A: I guess it depends on how quickly it’s coming to me. I began writing Skin Deep in November of last year, and it was published on Smashwords on April 25, 2013 and Amazon on April 26, 2013. I’m now in the process of writing the second book in the series and hope to have it completed by the end of summer.
Q: What do you think makes a great story?
A: I think a great story is comprised of likeable characters that the reader will connect well with, and subject matter that is relevant, able to catch and keep the reader’s attention. I’m a sucker for romance, as well, so it always helps to have a healthy dose of that in a book, too! The best part of a great book, for me anyway, is when you are able to become emotionally invested in the characters in the story; laugh with them, cry with them and for them, want to smack them upside their heads, etc…and then when you’re sad that the story is over because you just wanted to hang out with them for a little bit longer.
Q: What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
A: I actually am employed as a legal assistant, so I work Monday through Friday from 9-5. I generally write in the evenings and on weekends, and sometimes even at work if I have a quick second! Regardless of what I’m doing, I’m always writing in my head, which ends up with me having a dozen or so napkins, pieces of scrap paper, etc. stuffed in my pockets and/or purse that I’ve jotted notes/ideas on until I get to my computer!
Q: How do you balance family and writing?
A: My family is very supportive of me, and generally they’re pretty good about letting me tune out and write. Most writers lock themselves away, but I like to still be able to spend time with my family, so I kick back on the couch with my laptop and plug into my ipod while they watch tv or whatever. My best writing buddy is my tiny little Chihuahua puppy, Cooper, who lays snuggled against my leg until he wants attention. Then he crawls up and sits on my chest, blocking the view of the computer screen.
Q: Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
A: Most of the ideas for my books come from my imagination, or maybe even a little bit of my life, including my crazy family! I also research like crazy to make sure that any information I give on any given subject, i.e. tattoo equipment, shop protocol, etc. is correct. Personal experiences/knowledge also helps…case in point, I have 15 tattoos and 2 piercings myself (I had more piercings in the past but took them out).
Q: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
A: Actually, the most surprising thing for me was that all of this…stuff…came from me, from my head! It’s absolutely crazy to me that I’ve done this. It was also surprising about how quickly it flowed onto paper, and how the characters came to life for me. I like to say that I have conversations with them, because I feel like I do. We even argue when it seems like they want something to go one way, but I see it going another…generally they get what they want.
Q: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
A: I’ve only written one, currently. Skin Deep is my first published novel, and I have to say I’m very fond of it! Even as the series goes on, I have a feeling that it’s going to be my favorite, regardless, because that’s where it all began.
Q: Are your characters based on anyone you know?
A: As I mentioned above, a lot of my ideas are created from my imagination or even a little bit of my life. The characters are all a mixture of fiction and my family members and friends, and of course, myself. I will say that Calland is most definitely based on my little brother, through and through. But I love him regardless…lol! And Doug is most definitely based on my black lab, Grady, with a little mix of Cooper thrown in, as well as my parents’/family dogs, 2 black labs and a basset hound, we had for years who unfortunately, are no longer with us.
Q: Do you have a favorite place you love to write?
A: I like to write at home, generally snuggled up on my couch. I also like to write on my porch, enjoying the sunshine.
Q: How hard is it to get published?
A: I am an independent author, so I did all of the editing, formatting, and publishing myself. The publishing was done through Smashwords and Amazon. I won’t say that it was easy, but it wasn’t as hard as I imagined it would be. There’s a lot of work involved in making sure that your formatting is correct in order to be accepted, and it gets frustrating. But with a lot of determination and drive, you get through it.
Q: What do your family and friends think about your books?
A: I actually get teased a lot! The running joke is that I write porn. But it’s all good-natured. They’ve all been very supportive, and I love the phone calls I get of them laughing hysterically at something I’ve written, or just telling me how much they loved it. There’s even a group of them that are conspiring to kidnap me and hold me hostage (think Stephen King’s Misery) until the next book is done!
Q: What do you like to do when you are not writing?
A: I love to read! I also love to spend time with all of my family and my friends doing whatever activities, crazy or otherwise, we can come up with.
Q: Do you have any suggestions to help aspiring writers better themselves and their craft? If so, what are they?
A: The best suggestion that I could give would be to believe in yourself; to be determined to see it through to the end. Don’t give up, and most importantly, don’t expect everyone to like what you write. There’s always going to be people who don’t like it, or who want to tear you down for it. And sometimes they’re very mean about it. Just take it in stride, note what you can take as constructive criticism and let it help you grow.
Q: As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
A: I ran the gamut, as most children do. I wanted to be a veterinarian, then I wanted to be a hair-stylist, and then I wanted to be a psychologist. But most of all, I always wanted to be a writer.
Q: What are your favorite books and which authors inspire you?
A: I love Laurell K. Hamilton, Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood, Colleen Hoover, R.L. Mathewson, and J.R. Ward. There are so many others that I can’t even name because it would take me ten years to do it! I’ve read all my life, and I have to say that Nora Roberts, Laurell K. Hamilton, and J.R. Ward are probably my biggest inspirations just simply because they know how to tell a story, and how to keep you coming back for more.
Q: For an aspiring writer, what do you feel are certain do’s and don’ts for getting their material published?
A: Do be courageous enough to let it get out there. Definitely gather a few beta readers because their insight and suggestions are so helpful. Do allow yourself enough time to ensure that you’re providing a good finished product. Follow all formatting suggestions/steps.
Don’t get discouraged. Don’t ignore formatting because that can get your book rejected, and also can make a big difference in how people read it. Don’t let people get in your head and make you think you can’t do it. Prove to them that you can!
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m working on Under My Skin, which is the second book in the Skin Deep series. And it’s going to be great!
A: I have always enjoyed writing; English was one of my favorite subjects in school and I always did very well on my essays. I started writing poetry at a young age and just went from there. I started writing my first book when I was a freshman in high school…but that one will never see the light of day! Lol! Since then I’ve dabbled in other book ideas, one of which is a children’s book series. Very different from what I’ve published!
Q: How long does it take you to write a book?
A: I guess it depends on how quickly it’s coming to me. I began writing Skin Deep in November of last year, and it was published on Smashwords on April 25, 2013 and Amazon on April 26, 2013. I’m now in the process of writing the second book in the series and hope to have it completed by the end of summer.
Q: What do you think makes a great story?
A: I think a great story is comprised of likeable characters that the reader will connect well with, and subject matter that is relevant, able to catch and keep the reader’s attention. I’m a sucker for romance, as well, so it always helps to have a healthy dose of that in a book, too! The best part of a great book, for me anyway, is when you are able to become emotionally invested in the characters in the story; laugh with them, cry with them and for them, want to smack them upside their heads, etc…and then when you’re sad that the story is over because you just wanted to hang out with them for a little bit longer.
Q: What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
A: I actually am employed as a legal assistant, so I work Monday through Friday from 9-5. I generally write in the evenings and on weekends, and sometimes even at work if I have a quick second! Regardless of what I’m doing, I’m always writing in my head, which ends up with me having a dozen or so napkins, pieces of scrap paper, etc. stuffed in my pockets and/or purse that I’ve jotted notes/ideas on until I get to my computer!
Q: How do you balance family and writing?
A: My family is very supportive of me, and generally they’re pretty good about letting me tune out and write. Most writers lock themselves away, but I like to still be able to spend time with my family, so I kick back on the couch with my laptop and plug into my ipod while they watch tv or whatever. My best writing buddy is my tiny little Chihuahua puppy, Cooper, who lays snuggled against my leg until he wants attention. Then he crawls up and sits on my chest, blocking the view of the computer screen.
Q: Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
A: Most of the ideas for my books come from my imagination, or maybe even a little bit of my life, including my crazy family! I also research like crazy to make sure that any information I give on any given subject, i.e. tattoo equipment, shop protocol, etc. is correct. Personal experiences/knowledge also helps…case in point, I have 15 tattoos and 2 piercings myself (I had more piercings in the past but took them out).
Q: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
A: Actually, the most surprising thing for me was that all of this…stuff…came from me, from my head! It’s absolutely crazy to me that I’ve done this. It was also surprising about how quickly it flowed onto paper, and how the characters came to life for me. I like to say that I have conversations with them, because I feel like I do. We even argue when it seems like they want something to go one way, but I see it going another…generally they get what they want.
Q: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
A: I’ve only written one, currently. Skin Deep is my first published novel, and I have to say I’m very fond of it! Even as the series goes on, I have a feeling that it’s going to be my favorite, regardless, because that’s where it all began.
Q: Are your characters based on anyone you know?
A: As I mentioned above, a lot of my ideas are created from my imagination or even a little bit of my life. The characters are all a mixture of fiction and my family members and friends, and of course, myself. I will say that Calland is most definitely based on my little brother, through and through. But I love him regardless…lol! And Doug is most definitely based on my black lab, Grady, with a little mix of Cooper thrown in, as well as my parents’/family dogs, 2 black labs and a basset hound, we had for years who unfortunately, are no longer with us.
Q: Do you have a favorite place you love to write?
A: I like to write at home, generally snuggled up on my couch. I also like to write on my porch, enjoying the sunshine.
Q: How hard is it to get published?
A: I am an independent author, so I did all of the editing, formatting, and publishing myself. The publishing was done through Smashwords and Amazon. I won’t say that it was easy, but it wasn’t as hard as I imagined it would be. There’s a lot of work involved in making sure that your formatting is correct in order to be accepted, and it gets frustrating. But with a lot of determination and drive, you get through it.
Q: What do your family and friends think about your books?
A: I actually get teased a lot! The running joke is that I write porn. But it’s all good-natured. They’ve all been very supportive, and I love the phone calls I get of them laughing hysterically at something I’ve written, or just telling me how much they loved it. There’s even a group of them that are conspiring to kidnap me and hold me hostage (think Stephen King’s Misery) until the next book is done!
Q: What do you like to do when you are not writing?
A: I love to read! I also love to spend time with all of my family and my friends doing whatever activities, crazy or otherwise, we can come up with.
Q: Do you have any suggestions to help aspiring writers better themselves and their craft? If so, what are they?
A: The best suggestion that I could give would be to believe in yourself; to be determined to see it through to the end. Don’t give up, and most importantly, don’t expect everyone to like what you write. There’s always going to be people who don’t like it, or who want to tear you down for it. And sometimes they’re very mean about it. Just take it in stride, note what you can take as constructive criticism and let it help you grow.
Q: As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
A: I ran the gamut, as most children do. I wanted to be a veterinarian, then I wanted to be a hair-stylist, and then I wanted to be a psychologist. But most of all, I always wanted to be a writer.
Q: What are your favorite books and which authors inspire you?
A: I love Laurell K. Hamilton, Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood, Colleen Hoover, R.L. Mathewson, and J.R. Ward. There are so many others that I can’t even name because it would take me ten years to do it! I’ve read all my life, and I have to say that Nora Roberts, Laurell K. Hamilton, and J.R. Ward are probably my biggest inspirations just simply because they know how to tell a story, and how to keep you coming back for more.
Q: For an aspiring writer, what do you feel are certain do’s and don’ts for getting their material published?
A: Do be courageous enough to let it get out there. Definitely gather a few beta readers because their insight and suggestions are so helpful. Do allow yourself enough time to ensure that you’re providing a good finished product. Follow all formatting suggestions/steps.
Don’t get discouraged. Don’t ignore formatting because that can get your book rejected, and also can make a big difference in how people read it. Don’t let people get in your head and make you think you can’t do it. Prove to them that you can!
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m working on Under My Skin, which is the second book in the Skin Deep series. And it’s going to be great!
J.M. Stone is a legal assistant by day, and a writer by night. She started writing at a young age, mostly poetry and song lyrics, some of which were published. She currently lives in Ohio where she's lived for most of her life, and enjoys spending time with her other-half, their mouthy daughter, two spoiled and crazy dogs, and the rest of her abnormal family. (Don't worry, abnormal is good!) In her spare time, she loves to read, write, sing, and make people laugh, which usually happens at her own expense! Skin Deep is her first novel, and is the first in the Skin Deep series. She loves to hear from her readers, so drop her line at jadelynna23@yahoo.com or stop by her Facebook Page!
Happy Reading!
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