Interview questions:

• Did you pick your genre or did it pick you?

I think it picked me. The story came out of nowhere and scared me but I just had to put it down to get it out of my head.

• Do you write in multiple genres or just one?

I write in multiple genres and like to mix things up.

• How much time do you devote to writing per day?

I try to write in some way every day either blogging, answering emails or working on my stories. I sometimes work on all the above for so many hours that I forget to eat. My husband has to remind me and even cooks dinner to ensure that I do eat. Bless him!

• What have you published so far?

I have five children’s books published and one novel. I plan on publishing another children’s story this year and two more novels over the next two years.

• Has your method of writing changed over the course of publishing your books?

I write more than I did in the beginning. I always have more than one book going at the same time too. I do the same with reading – two or more books at one time.

• Where do you see yourself a year from now?

I hope to be very busy writing more children’s stories, editing the three of my novels and copy editing more authors’ books. My blog keeps me hopping too with all the blogs I have scheduled – interviewing authors, book reviews, travels and news about my books.

• Did you self-publish, go the traditional way, or do both?

I self-publish but did try to go the traditional way. But after so many rejection letters I gave up and wanted to get my work out there quicker. I am not sorry I did. One of my children’s books, Lamby the Lonely Lamb, received a Silver Medal from Mom’s Choice Awards.

• Which method did you prefer?

Since I only did one I can’t say. But if some traditional publisher was interested in my books I would be happy to try that method out. Ha ha!

• Of the books that you have written, do you have a favorite? Why?

I love my first book, Louey the Lazy Elephant; he is just adorable and also because it was exciting to become an author. I will never forget the feeling I had when I first saw Louey on Amazon and looked at the physical book. It was thrilling. I waited many years but finally realized my dream to be an author when I retired.

• Why did you become a writer?

I became a writer because I love to write and put my feelings and emotions down. I have been writing since I was nine years old. Stories just seem to come to me and I feel exhilarated writing them down. Writing makes me feel alive.

• Who is your target audience?

For my novel, Hunting Mariah, my target audience is anyone who loves crime/mysteries/thrillers.

• What are you working on now?

I have written two more children’s stories, one that my husband/illustrator is currently working on. I like to give him my input as he completes each page, much to his chagrin!

I can’t wait to get to a YA fantasy that I wrote four years ago and get down to some serious editing for publication.

• What makes you different from other writers in your genre?

I write in multiple genres and only one of each. That doesn’t mean that I won’t write more in the same genre somewhere down the road. I like variety. I don’t want to be known as an author of one genre.

I have three novels in draft form, all in different genres – YA fantasy, historical/drama, spiritual mystery. I would like to write a romantic mystery eventually too. There are always more stories rolling around in my head just waiting to be written down.

If you have anything else you would like to add please feel free.

I want to thank my friends, readers and followers for all their support and kindness. If anyone needs my support I am always happy to help out fellow authors, writers, publishers.

A special thank you, Viv, for hosting me on your blog and giving my book some kind publicity. I appreciate your support.

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Hunting-Mariah-JE-Spina-ebook/dp/B00OTN690Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414190643&sr=1-1&keywords=hunting+mariah

Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Hunting-Mariah-J-E-Spina/dp/0692317171/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1414190719&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=hunting+mariah

Create Space: http://www.createspace.com/5060224

Children’s books: http://amazon.com/author/janicespina7

Http://store.momschoiceawards.com/index.php?entry_id=3571

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