Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Fall In Love With Jeanmarie Hamilton!!!


Saddle up, partners!

We're going wild, wild, west on ya'll!

If you've got a sweet-tooth for all things western, look no further than the lovely Jeanmarie Hamilton. Her yarns of true love are peppered with danger, intrigue, and Civil War turmoil. The latest feather in Jeanmarie's bonnet is the soon to be released MOONLIGHT DESPERADO. Like cowboys and shape shifters? Then, you'll need to be adding Captain Craig Wolfe's story to your TBR list.

Grab a leg of turkey and get comfy, let someone else clean up the kitchen. You won't want to miss the chance to meet this breakout author who is sure to become a household name one day soon!

1.) If you were a book what would your blurb be?

"Jeanmarie struggles to break into the daunting world of publishing as she pens the first of the stories she's determined to tell. Will the man she loves stand by her side as she reaches for her goal of published author?

2.) Using three words describe your voice.

Fresh, sensual, and suspenseful. At least that's what I've been told.

3.) Do you have any steadfast writing practices? Outlines, spreadsheets, plot lines, etc? Or do you wing it?

As far as steadfast writing practices, I've tried various methods, including plot charts. The following is what I've settled on. First, I write by hand the idea for a story, and elaborate on it over several pages, until I have the basic plot brainstormed. Next, I enter the pages into a computer file and continue fleshing out the characters, their conflicts, goals, and the hurdles they face. Before the story becomes too long, I write a synopsis which includes the turning points. I use the synopsis to set up chapter topics in my manuscript file. This way, I know what each chapter should be about when I open the file to write each day. For full length novels I like to set up character charts. I keep copies of the synopsis and character charts in a colored folder on my desk for quick access.

I find that I feel more at ease when I have the whole story plotted, rather than winging it. And by writing a synopsis first, I don't have to worry about writing one after finishing the book.


4.) What was the hardest thing you've had to overcome in your writing?

The hardest thing I've had to overcome in my writing is not being easy on my characters, but instead to tackle emotional scenes which involve great sadness, or injury to a character. In one of my stories, such a scene involving a character's injury kept me from writing for weeks. Finally my writing friends said, just write the scene and move on. After I wrote that scene, I was able to finish the story. For writing emotional scenes, I need the quiet and solitude of the night, with no interruptions.

5.) Any advice for all the aspiring authors out there looking to become published?

My advice for aspiring writers is to keep writing. Be persistent. A very kind, multi-published author, the last one with books left at a book signing in Denver a while back, told me, the last person in line, "Don't give up." She said, "Keep writing, be persistent, you'll make it." If you love to write, with patience and persistence you'll achieve your goals. I strongly believe we are given our imagination, dreams, goals, for a reason. When we achieve our goals, we also help others in some way.

6.) What is up next for Jeanmarie?

One of my recent goals has been to write werewolf stories. Moonlight Desperado, my western historical shapeshifter romance, is scheduled for release very soon at Siren-Bookstrand Publishing. This story was inspired by an incident which happened to my great great grandmother in Texas after the Civil War ended. Hope you enjoy the blurb which follows.

In Texas after the Civil War, Mary Ann Beauclere is imprisoned by soldiers turned raiders. Outraged when Captain Craig Wolfe steals a kiss and more in front of the men, she follows his orders, desperate to protect her little sisters asleep upstairs. The outlaws demand bedding and food. Captain Wolfe helps her, and she softens toward the desperado, allowing his kisses, drawn to him as to no other.

Confederate spy, Craig despairs of finding his life mate. Hiding his assignment from the raiders, he only intends to protect Miss Beauclere, until he recognizes Mary Ann as the woman he will love forever. Her courage tempts him to dream of a future together. Will she love him, a werewolf? If not, he'll spend his life alone.

When Craig claims her as his life mate, secret identities and a vicious pack member threaten their future and their lives. Can Craig save her?

www.jeanmariehamilton.com
MOONLIGHT DESPERADO, Coming Soon at Siren-Bookstrand Publishing

Want to know about Jeanmarie's other works? Be sure to check out her website AND click here to read my review of her, ARE YOU GOING TO THE DANCE in TWRP's Northern Roses and Southern Belles Anthology.

I'd like to thank Jeanmarie for being here today. THANK YOU, TLN'ers for your continued support. You're all one of the many things I'm thankful for this year! ((hugs!!)) I hope you enjoy this week's feature flavor of Johnny Horton's version of the
Johnny Reb song. The graphics of Civil War paintings and soldiers are wonderful. Just another reminder of all we have to be thankful for. Catch ya'll back next week!

30 comments:

Jane Leopold Quinn said...

Hi Jeanmarie, congratulations on Moonlight Desperado coming out soon. I love the cover. The people are so fresh and pretty.

I also admire your writing preparations. It takes a lot of discipline to know exactly where you're going in writing a book. I wish I could do it. :-)

jane

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

Hi Jane!
Thanks for dropping by. I'm thrilled you like the cover for Moonlight Desperado. As far as writing, you're right up there with the best writers I've read. :-) Whatever helps in writing, that's what we settle into. It's definitely an individual thing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

Hi Sarah!
Thanks for such a great introduction and interview. You have a fun, fantastic blog and I love the name, The Lovestruck Novice. :-) Thanks for having me this holiday. I'd love to come back any time.
*Hugs*
Jeanmarie

Paisley Kirkpatrick said...

What a great interview. Some interesting questions I've not read before. I enjoyed getting into your head and see how you go about creating your great stories. I love the west, too, as you know. Continued good luck with all of your writing and Happy Thanksgiving, Jeanmarie.

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

Hi Paisley!
So glad to have you come by. I know you love the west and have some great stories to tell as well. :-) Have a
Happy Thanksgiving!

Mary Ann Webber said...

Wonderful interview! Sarah Simas asks questions that bring us new insights into the hows and whys of writing. I've known the talented Jeanmarie Hamilton for years - and love her stories - but now I have a new appreciation of her dedication to her work.
Looking forward to reading more of Jeanmarie's exciting stories.

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

Hi Mary Ann,
Thanks so much for dropping by. And yes, Sarah has put together a wonderful blog. As for the writing, I think we dedicated writers all work hard. I know you do too.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jeanmarie

Caroline Clemmons said...

Jeanmarie, I loved your interview. Thanks to Sarah for her insightful questions. You forgot to mention your book SEDUCTION, which I think is also a great read. I can hardly wait for your next release.

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

Hi Caroline!
It's great to have you come by. Thanks for mentioning Seduction as another great read. :-) I'm so glad you think so. Sarah is amazing. I've had a great time with her interview.
And I'll be sure to let you know when Moonlight Desperado is released! Thanks for reading it for me and helping me make it a fun read!

Sarah Simas said...

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for swinging by! And thanks for the kudos! I love interviewing authors for tips. What better way to learn than getting advice from the pros?!

I've read Seduction and it is wonderful! Jeanmarie is very talented and I think she has a very promising career ahead of her.:O)

I can't wait for Moonlight Desperado to come out. LOL I'll have the whole Jeanmarie Hamilton collection!

Susan Macatee said...

Loved the interview, Jeanmarie! And I also love that cover!

This sounds like a wonderful story. Best of luck with the release!

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

Sarah,
Thanks for the kudos! I'm thrilled you enjoy my stories. :-)

Can't say enough about your interview and blog site. I'm having a great time!
*Hugs*
Jeanmarie

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

Hi Susan!
I'm so glad you like the cover of Moonlight Desperado, especially since you write paranormal as well. I think the cover artist, Jinger Heaston, did a wonderful job of conveying the characters and the mood of the story.

Thanks for the good wishes for the story's release. Should be soon, maybe by the middle of December!

Wishing you many happy readers with you stories.

Jeanmarie

Cindy Procter-King said...

JM, I had no idea you were so organized in your approach to writing. I could take lessons! (But they wouldn't stick. Alas.)

Kaye Manro said...

Cool sounding story and nice cover!

Diana Cosby said...

Hi Jeanmarie and Sarah, what a fun interview! Jeanmarie, you've worked so hard over the years, and I'm SO proud of you! Moonlight Desperado sounds fantastic. I've never dared try and write a werewolf story. Gulp. You're braver than I. Take care, have a wonderful holiday season, and I wish you continued success! *Hugs*

Sarah, thank you for the wonderful interview. I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season as well!

God bless,
Diana Cosby
Romance Edged With Danger

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

Hi Cindy!
My writing methods are the best way I've found for me to write. I'm sure there are other ways just as good. :-) Aren't you a pantser?
Thanks for coming by!
Happy Holidays!

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

Hi Kaye,
So glad you came by!
I'm thrilled you like the cover. Great to have you here today.
Have a great evening!

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

Hey Diana!
Good to see you here. LOL After reading your Scottish medievals, I'm afraid to try my hand at one. ;-) Maybe a straight medieval one of these days. Thanks for coming by.
Have a wonderful holiday season.

Anonymous said...

Great interview. I like the cover of Moonlight Despardo too. Thanks for sharing your writing process, especially the idea of putting down the topics of the chapters. I may try that with my next book.

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

Hi Kelly!
Great to have you here. I'm so glad you liked the interview and the cover of Moonlight Desperado.

I find using the synopsis topics for chapter headings reminds me of what happens next in the story, so I don't go off on a tangent. Works for me. Hope you find it helpful too. :-)
Have a wonderful holiday!
Jeanmarie

Isabel Roman said...

Love the blurb about your life, Jeanmarie! made me laugh lol

Diane M. Wylie said...

What a fascinating story premise. Congratulations, Jeanmarie, and I love the cover too! Your star is on the rise! Good luck.

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

LOL Isabel!
It took me a while to write that blurb! Glad it gave you a chuckle. :-)

Great to see you here!

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

Hi Diane,
So glad you came by. I know you're swamped right now.

That's great that you like the story premise, and I'm tickled you like the cover. Thanks so much for the good wishes!

Best of luck to you!

Evangeline Collins said...

Fab interview, Jeanmarie! I'm a total plotter, too, down to plotting out the chapters in my ms doc before I even get into writing chapter 1. Some authors can wing it - and I have great respect for the ability to organize a story as it goes onto the page - but I am so not a winger. LOL. And congrats on the upcoming release of Moonlight Desperado!!

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

Hey Evangeline!
Taking it one step further by plotting out the chapters. A good idea too. Yes, I like the stability of having some idea of how the story forms by chapters.

Thanks for the congrats on the upcoming release of Moonlight Desperado!

Jeanmarie

Jan Bowles said...

Good luck Jeanmarie with your future sales

Love the cover!!

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

Hi Jan!
Thanks for your good wishes! I'm thrilled you love the cover. Thanks for coming by. :-)

Jeanmarie

Kiyara said...

What a wicked-cool blog layout, and what a super nice interview!

Just sent you an email too.