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Hey there! I'm gonna be honest with you. I'm not a fan of writing bios or talking about myself. I'm not sure what I could I say about myself that would interest you...
While pondering this, one of my very bestest friends texted, asking what I was up to. I told her. She questioned why I was struggling. Pointed out that it's info about myself and should be easy... Pfft. Then she proceeded to describe me.
This is what she said:
"Let's see...you are wonderful, smart, crazy talented (she might've meant I'm crazy AND talented), funny, the creator of my one and only (she's referring to Oliver Knight from the BHV series, who she has claimed as her own. Do NOT challenge her on this), the best friend that could ever exist, creative, compassionate, a great listener... Should I keep going?"
As you can see, she's a keeper. However, this was my response:
"That's how you describe me. Mine would be something more like:
Bitter, angry, thinks nearly everyone sucks, can't eat anything without thinking I'm dying (a bit of an exaggeration, but only a little), love my dogs and cats, my kids are okay most of the time (honestly, they're more than okay all of the time.), Pokemon fanatic, music keeps me alive, and I have a strange new ringlet that sticks straight out of my head like a weird corkscrew instead of hanging with the rest."(That weird curl has since settled and joined the rest. Thank goodness!)
She laughed at my description of myself then told me to share both. So there you have it. Two views of me.
Also, you probably already know this, but that's me over there in the photo. 10 years ago, but still me. Kind of....
I'm a bit wiser now. Definitely more tired. I give less shits, and I've learned a lot.
However, there's still plenty more for me to learn....
Anyway, if you're looking for an official bio, check the last pages of one of my books or wherever my books are sold. It might be an old bio, claiming I homeschool my kids. Thankfully that chapter of my life is over. But what you'll find is an official bio nonetheless.
Much love,
JIMS
Are any of your characters based on real people or anyone you know?
I find inspiration everywhere. However, none of my characters are based on any one person. They might carry some traits of someone I know or knew, but they aren't replicas of anyone.
That being said, I have used many real moments from my life as inspiration, tweaking the events to make them fit into my fictitious worlds. For example, in Laney, when Kiera falls down the stairs at The Lunatic Stallion...I did that. Not one of my best moments, but yeah, slid right down some stairs at a bar. Ripped my jeans and tore open my knee. I have a pretty great scar to remind me of that night.
There's also a scene in my Crazy Love trilogy that is so close to what really happened, I have to question what parts are made up.... All I can tell you right now is that in real life, there was an incident outside of a TGI Friday's that led to one of the most terrifying moments of my life.
Use what ya got, people! And if you don't got it, make that shit up! ;)
How many books will there be in the Brookehaven Vampires series?
Originally, I'd planned for the series to have seven books total. But then the story took on so much more life than I had planned.
Now, I don't have a set number of books that it'll take to tell Laney's story. I figure I'll know when I get there. However, even when her story is finished, I have many connecting stories to tell. For example, I plan to go back and write Oliver's view, tell Julz's story, and get views and possibly a few novellas from several other characters.
Did you always want to be a writer?
Not at all! I didn't even enjoy reading until I was in my 30s, let alone making up stories.
When I was really young, I wanted to be a waitress. I'm not quite sure why or if it was something I just said when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up.
What I really wanted to be was a mom. I've been lucky enough to get that opportunity. My kids are adults now though. Doesn't mean I stop being a mom, of course, but it does mean that they don't need me the way they used to, giving me time to focus on the next chapter of my life, and my career.
I love writing. I love the stories, worlds, and characters that I've created.
That being said, if I had to pick another "what do you wanna be when you grow up" response now, I'd say travel writer. I think that would be pretty amazing.
So...maybe when I grow up. ;)
I'm often asked what jobs I held before becoming a writer, and I'm also asked about my education.
This is a long one, so I put it at the bottom.
First off, I didn't finish college. And even if I had, my education was focused on child development, which wouldn't be very helpful in writing fiction involving fantasy creatures.
Anyway, as for jobs I held... My first job was at Little Caesar's Pizza. I was 18 and not there long... Worked there with my BFF at the time and we wreaked a little havoc. There was dough on the floor. That's all I'm gonna say....
Second job was at a daycare that I had worked at while in high school through an ROP program.
Next, I ended up as a cashier at Walmart for a short stay. Then I was an auto parts delivery driver.
After that, I worked at a discount movie theater where I ended up as one of the assistant managers. Loved that job! Sadly, the theater closed and I was a cashier again, this time at Montgomery Wards, a department store that also closed.
Somewhere in there, I worked for a company that did inventory. Got to travel a little, but I was usually too tired to enjoy where we ended up.
Then I worked at a preschool and was the pre-k assistant teacher, but I subbed in other age groups. I'm surprised I had kids after that one. But I did, and that's what I did next. Raised my own two kids.
While working at the preschool, and attending college, I was also working nights doing medical billing. To this day, I still have no clue WTF I was doing at that place.
I didn't work outside of the house while raising my kids, who I homeschooled. However, about midway through attempting to turn them into the amazing adults they are today, I became a rep for Tupperware, Scentsy, and Pampered Chef, all of which I did to get my sister and myself free stuff. None of those lasted long. I am not good with presentations, or talking in front of groups, or having all eyes on me. Point is, I did not enjoy being a sales rep.
I also babysat/nannied for many families while working one or more of the above jobs, while sometimes attending college courses. I probably babysat the most before becoming a mom, and then a writer.
So, that's my journey through the working world until I found what truly makes me happy. Writing, in case that wasn't clear. ;)
I don't blame you if you're thinking to yourself, "Damn, none of that is related to a writing career." True, however, what we think we want to do or are encouraged to do, isn't always the path we're meant to be on. Yet, all of those jobs and experiences have made for some interesting inspiration....
Moral of the story: Paths veer off in many directions before taking us to our destinations.
Enjoy the journey, and take notes.
MORE COMING SOON!
MORE COMING SOON!
MORE COMING SOON!
MORE COMING SOON!
Favorite Color
Favorite Animals
Favorite Animals
Because that's the most important random fact about me, right?
Anyway, it's PURPLE. Just like Julz from the BHV series, and Kam from the Juniper Hartley Chronicle, who I realize you've not met yet....
Favorite Animals
Favorite Animals
Favorite Animals
Real and fictional, although I'll argue that just because you haven't seen a dragon or unicorn, it doesn't mean they don't exist. You can neither prove or disprove their existences.
Anyway, I've always had a soft spot for raccoons. And dragons.
However, I love all animals, great and small, "fictional" or not.
Favorite Flowers
Favorite Animals
Favorite Music and Artists
Like Laney, my favorite flowers are roses.
Any color though. She prefers red.
I also love carnations because they remind me of my grandma JoAnn, who loved them.
But all together, I'm a fan of anything that blooms.
Favorite Music and Artists
Favorite Music and Artists
Favorite Music and Artists
Music inspires me, calms me, pumps me up, brings me down, and even connects me to those I love....
And to be perfectly honest, music saved me.
I've started so many new stories because of songs that have given me more than just the feels. They give me entire worlds.
Curious to know who some of my favorite artists are and what songs make my heart beat faster?
Click the button below to learn more.
(COMING SOON!)
Favorite Books and Authors
Favorite Music and Artists
Favorite Books and Authors
The one thing I hate about writing is that I don't have the time to read like I used to. But I still try, and I'm always adding to my to-read list.
However, I still have my favorites, which includes the story that inspired me to start writing.
Curious about my favorites and what book inspired me to create many fictional worlds?
Click below to find out!
(COMING SOON!)
Favorite Movies and Shows
Favorite Music and Artists
Favorite Books and Authors
Like music and books, I also find an escape in movies and TV shows. And often times, I find inspiration too.
Curious if we have similar taste?
Click the button below and find out!
(COMING SOON!)
My Favorite Food
My Favorite Food
My Favorite Food
I've been a vegan for...3-4 years, and before that I was a vegetarian for many years. My daughter, who is also vegan, encouraged me to take that last step. It was best that I did. I have many food intolerances, and dairy was a big one.
However, before giving up animal products, Lucky Charms were at the top of my list.
Now, it's pretty much anything involving a potato. Bananas... Peas... God I love peas!
I also love oatmeal with almond butter, pumpkin seeds, and fresh berries. Mostly blueberries.
But my favorites really depend on my mood. I go through food phases. Right now, as of May 2020, I'm addicted to artichoke hearts.
Straight from the jar.
That being said, I'll never turn down a potato.
Show Your Support by Leaving Reviews and Following Me!
Places Where You Can Follow Me and Leave Reviews
Places Where You Can Follow Me and Leave Reviews
Places Where You Can Follow Me and Leave Reviews
You can follow and leave reviews on Amazon.
On Smashwords, you can add me as one of your favorite authors and leave reviews.
You can follow me and leave reviews on Goodreads.
I imagine there are other places, but for now, that's what I've got.
If you come across other spots, feel free to let me know via my Contact Me page.
Where to Follow Me on Social Media
Places Where You Can Follow Me and Leave Reviews
Places Where You Can Follow Me and Leave Reviews
And my many Facebook pages and groups:
Brookehaven Vampires Series Page
Sir Hopsalot's Royal Subject - A group where fans of the BHV series and myself gather. Join us, if you haven't already!
The Brookehaven Vampires Support Group - This is where I chat with fans after the release of each book.