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~ Jamie Hill ~

Jamie Hill wrote her first novel at the age of ten, the gripping story of a girl living in Alaska raising sled dogs called "Shelton's Huskies". It went in the Dumpster as soon as she was old enough to know better, but it represented the first of five or six novels written at an early age using lots of notebook paper, ink pens, blood, sweat and tears.

As a young adult Jamie wrote screenplays for her favorite TV shows and read everything she could get her hands on. She was the editor of her high school yearbook and wrote for both her high school and college newspapers.

Jamie Hill was born and raised in the Midwest, where she continues to live with her husband and two sons. She juggles her spare time to include writing as much as possible, freelance editing, reading as she finds time, tinkering on the computer, listening to country music, as many naps as possible, and watching movies (especially scary movies) with her family. She also enjoys her favorite TV shows: Dog the Bounty Hunter, King of Cars, Gilmore Girls, ER and House.

 

Hi Jamie, Welcome to Sensual Reads and Reviews. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be with us today.

Thanks Crystal, I'm very happy to be here. Sensual Read and Reviews has been great to me!

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Born and raised in the Midwest, I've been married for twenty six years to my best friend. We still have so much to talk about, we yack each other's ear off! We work together at our day job, and really enjoy it. We have two sons, both in college, and my husband has a married daughter and two cute grandchildren. I have to add that they're my husband's because I'm technically not old enough to have a daughter her age! (I'm getting older all the time, though…)

When you are not writing, what are some of your past time favorites?

Of course I love to read, and I have a few TV shows I try not to miss (Dexter, House, Top Chef, ER). As a family we love watching good movies, and my guilty pleasure (besides Dog the Bounty Hunter!) would have to be watching scary movies with my husband. We've seen them all, from the best (Silence of the Lambs, Saw) to the cheesiest imaginable (too many to mention!)

What inspired you to submit your first story?

I started writing when I was a kid, but set it aside for many years as I grew up, and then raised my family. A few years ago I got the writing bug again, and started working on a manuscript, which eventually topped 100,000 words. I sent it to twenty-seven agents, and got twenty-seven rejections.

When I could pick my pride up off the floor, I went to the internet and started searching for helpful tips. There, I discovered the wonderful world of epublishing. That manuscript was rejected twice more, but I was given advice on why. I took the advice to heart, and the next story I submitted was accepted. Since then, I've had almost thirty acceptances. I still get the occasional rejection, but these days, editors are quicker to explain why. Sometimes it's something I can fix.

Oh, and that 100K manuscript? It took another year, but I whittled it down to a nice 30K novella, coming in spring, 2008, from Phaze.

You have such great titles and ideas for your books, how do you come up with them?

Good question. I'm picky about my titles. I love it when I find something that just simply fits. Occasionally, I'll come up with the title first, such as Convincing Cate. I liked the sound of that, and went with it. It's fun when my titles have double meanings, like Far from Ordinary and Sweet Reunion. If you don't know what I mean by double meanings, then you might need to go read those anthologies!

Could you tell us what inspired you to write The Edge of Sanity chapter series.

When I saw Freya's Bower was starting the chapter series, I knew I wanted to write something for it. Not sure what inspired the actual storyline, but one tricky thing was having the first part of it released before the whole series was completed. That made me nervous, because I like to add twists and turns, and sometimes have to go back and insert a clue in here or there. Can't do that on something that's already been released! It worked out fine, and I think the story is a good one.

How many chapters are there in The Edge of Sanity?

Five. The last is scheduled to come out at the end of November, 2007.

What are you currently working on now?

I just finished a M/M piece for the Urban Phaze line, set in Seattle. I have a free read in mind that I'm going to pen and send to Phaze's Flare line. Then…I have a great idea for a ménage foursome!

Which Genre is your favorite to write? Is there a Genre that you haven’t tried yet but would like to?

I always write contemporary, I don't enjoy reading historicals and would never try to write one. Within that boundary, I really love writing M/M, or ménage stories. Something a little spicier than the ordinary. The main thing to me is that the characters are real and true to themselves, whether they are gay or straight.

I love horror, and have tried to break into that market a few times. They have different guidelines than romance, and so far I've yet to crack that nut!!

What is the biggest hurdle you have to overcome when you are writing a book?

Finding enough time to write has got to be the hardest part. It's tricky finding a balance between work, family, and the part-time job of being an author. Actually, writing is easy, promoting is much harder!

What is the most satisfying part of being a successful author?

Seeing my name on the front of that first cover was amazing. I still feel a thrill when getting a new cover. It's even better when you can hold the book in your hands, but I've turned into an ebook fan and am looking into buying a second ebook reader! The first one I bought is too small, I have my eye on a paperback sized one that looks perfect. The prices are coming down, too, making the readers affordable for everyone.

What has been your greatest challenge as a writer?

Sometimes I hit a wall, writer's block, and have to stop on that story. It's happened to me a bunch of times, but only one time I can remember that I never finished the book. That one unfinished piece, sitting on my computer, will always haunt me! Maybe someday.

Really, the biggest challenge is finding quiet time alone to write. I can have music playing, but my husband whistling the theme to The Andy Griffith Show in the same room is too distracting!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?

Every writer's dream would be to make a living at the craft. I'm no different, but I'm realistic. I'll probably always have to work (remember those two sons in college?) I'd hope I'll be pumping out entertaining stories that are well received and still fun to write.

Anything you would like to add for your readers?

Thanks for your support! It's a pleasure getting to visit with you on the groups and through email. If you read one of my works, please drop me a line and let me know your thoughts. If you bought it from Fictionwise, please rate me! (Avoid the dreaded orange bar if possible!!!)

For more information, please visit:
My website, Myspace, or my monthly Newsletter

My authors groups,
Phoenix Rising Authors or the Authors Who Dare

Thank you Jamie for being here with us today, we really enjoyed it..

Thank you, Crystal. I appreciate your time and your Sensual Reads and Reviews site, very much!!
 

Interview conducted by Crystal Stone
Sensual Reads & Reviews
October 2007

 

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