On Author's Circle today, we have my good friend Kwana, who writes contemporary romance and women's fiction as K. M Jackson. But, that's a super tepid introduction to my loquacious comrade-in-arms for all writer-related (and some non-writer-related events) and I feel I must do better.
One thing you'll never guess about Ms. Jackson is that she's into Bollywood movies. Big time. She knows who Ranveer Singh is! Have we shocked the chiffon off you yet? No? Then keep reading.
Hi Kwana, thanks for dropping in on my blog and letting me grill you.
Thanks so much
for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here. And you were right, Dil Dhadakne Do was hilarious and such a pleasure for the eyes. :)
I told you! But, let's talk turn the spotlight on you now.
How would you describe your book...one of your books and you pick which one...in 20
words or less without using the blurb?
When a straight-laced financial analyst,
Nick Ross, tangles with a curvy fashionista, Gabrielle Russell, he’s finally
met his perfect match.
State a random fact about yourself that
would surprise your readers. Oops. Already told them about the Bollywood fetish.
That's okay. Another random fact
about myself is I love doing hand crafts. Knitting, crochet, decoupage, paper
crafting. It doesn’t matter as long as my hands are busy and I’m creating
something.
What started you on your journey to be a
writer?
I’ve always has a love of books and as a kid
on my long commutes from one end of Manhattan to the other to school I had two
career dreams. One was to be a fashion designer and the other was to be a
writer. After high school I went on to FIT and worked in fashion for 10 years
as a designer. A few years after having my twins I left the world of fashion
and went on to pursue my dream of being a writer.
If you weren’t a writer, what you would be?
I guess the obvious answer to this after the last question would be a fashion
designer, but there is a third dream that’s been nagging at me and it speaks to
my controlling heart. I wouldn’t mind seeing myself as a movie director, bringing
my words to life on the big screen.
Movie director!!? Haha. I'll be your screenwriter or your camera-person then.
Do you have any advice for unpublished
authors?
Don’t give up.
I have more rejections than I can count. Seriously, I stopped counting years
ago but something in my spirit would not let me give up on myself and I’m so
glad I didn’t. If your first book doesn’t succeed move on to the next and then
next. If this is the career for you then you will get better over time and it
will happen.
Do you see yourself in any of your
characters?
Gabby, my
heroine in THREADS OF DESIRE is quite dear to me. Out of all my Creative Hearts heroines she’s the one
with my old career of a fashion designer. And I love her because with her story
I decided to show the not so glamorous side of fashion that’s more prevalent
and more real than what’s been more predominantly shown. As for the rest of
Gabby’s antics in the book, I’ll plead the 5th.
What was your favorite scene?
My favorite scene in THREADS hands down
is the sexy times scene with the grilled cheese sandwich. A) Because I love
when a man cooks for a woman and B) what’s not to love about grilled cheese?
Where can readers find your books?
My book are on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo & ARE-books
Here are links for THREADS OF DESIRE:
Now, where do you get your inspiration?
Inspiration from me comes from just
about anywhere. I find inspiration when driving and listening to music on the
radio, when surfing the web, while watching reality TV and even in church. I
never know when it’s going to hit so I try and always keep a notebook nearby.
Let's talk about reading and not writing. What book is currently on your
nightstand?
I’m
currently reading The Brightest Day: A Juneteenth Historical Romance Anthology
by Kianna Alexander, Alyssa Cole, Lena Hart and Piper Huguley.
Ooh. I have The Brightest Day on my TBR list too.
Do you prefer Twitter or Facebook?
Twitter all the way because I love the
immediacy of it. Though I am active on Facebook and have both a fan page and a
private fan group for the ride hard TEAM KMJ members where I check in daily, do
book chats and at time do Flash Giveaways. Folks can click here to join: TEAM KMJ FB
Folks, be sure to check out Team KMJ! But first, answer these fun questions:
Favorite place in the world?
Paris so far but New York is my heart.
The last book you read?
Back To You by Lauren Dane
Have you ever Googled yourself?
Yes. Is this a bad thing?
Hope not, or we're both doomed. :O
Vampires or werewolves?
Vampires
Do you ever run into someone who says “You write WHAT?”
Yes, those books. *sigh* I mostly try and brush it off, but on my better days I take the time to give a bit of an education on “those books”.
Morning person or night owl?
Night Owl.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, who would you want for company?
That all depends on the day & my mood. I’ll say my dear DH because I’m in a good mood.
What’s your favorite vacation spot?
Somewhere with a beach and some warm sun.
If I give you a time machine, what time period and in what place would you travel to?
I really don’t know. The past has not been so good to my people and I’m a worrier so hmmm on the future. I had better stay put.
If you could visit any place in the world or a place created by a book, where would you visit?
Another stumper. Am I really a writer?
Erm. Yeah. You are. If you could write outside your genre what would that be?
Historical Romance
If you could write with anyone who would that be and why?
I’d write a 2 hour episode of Scandal with Shonda Rhimes heavy on the Sweet Baby jam and Vermont with a Love Bunker for #HuckleberryQuinn. Need I say more?
Of course, you'd want to write for Scandal :) You Scandal-buff.
What are your thoughts on ebooks? (i.e. love them, hate them, wave of the future)
I was reluctant to love them but they have grown on me. I love having such easy access to so many books.
Would you mind sharing your future projects with us? And, if you could ask your readers one question, what would it be?
Right now I’m working on the first novella in my Flirty Fashionista series for Samhain which launches next May and I’m playing with ideas for my Unconventional Brides series with Kensington’s Dafina line which debuts in 2017 so lots in the works that I can’t wait to share.
As for a question for the readers I’d love to know how sexy they like their romance. Closed door, Cracked with just a peek inside, or wise open and showing it all?
Which brings us to...where can your fans find you?
For readers to keep in touch or learn more I can
be found on my blog. You can also find me on Facebook either at my official page or on my
private TEAM KMJ Page. Here are the
links:
And something that's very dear to me and my stand as a writer is the #WeNeedDiverseRomance campaign. Promotional Tees for the campaign can be found HERE. Please show your support, lovely readers.
Thanks for doing this interview, Kwana. I love bringing readers and authors together on my blog. :)
Thanks so much for having me and for featuring THREADS OF DESIRE. This has been a pleasure!
