Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have Judy Powell back on the blog today to chat about her newest book Hot Summer
Can you please share with us a little about yourself.
Thanks so much for having me on your blog today, Kelly. I live in Ontario, Canada, and I write primarily romance novels although I have one literary fiction novel as well. I love to read (as do most writers) and I love to study. I have 5 degrees (a Bachelor’s and 4 Master’s) and am applying to schools to enroll in a sixth degree program. My brothers think I’m crazy but I love going to school.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
I’ve always loved reading. I remember joining the library when I was five. I checked out ‘Ramona the Pest’, my first library book. I’ve been devouring books ever since, and that stirred in me an interest in writing. I started to take this seriously about seven years ago and since then I’ve written seven novels and a memoir and have had my essays and short pieces featured in journals.
Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing? I love the late Kathleen Woodiwiss who wrote the historical romance novel, ‘The Wolf and the Dove’. As we speak I have three copies on my bookshelf. Every year or two I read the novel all over again, all five hundred pages. I love the strong sexual tension, the conflict between the characters and their development as the novel progresses. Of all writers I believe Kathleen Woodiwiss has influenced my writing the most because I try to give my readers the same thrill that she has given me with her expert writing style. In another genre (memoir) my greatest influence has been Frank McCourt, author of ‘Angela’s Ashes’. I absolutely enjoy his writer’s voice and, when writing memoir, I try to be as true to my writing voice as he is in his work.
How did you get into writing in this specific genre? Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre? When it comes to reading material the romance genre is my first love. I enjoy reading about arrogant alpha males and the feisty heroines who challenge them. Because of this, when it came to writing I chose that genre because it is the one I most enjoy reading. I do write in other genres, however. I have a literary fiction novel which starts in the fifteenth century and I’ve also written in the memoir category, both long and short pieces. Another area I would like to branch into is nonfiction (self-help). I already have the outline for a self-help book for children.
What are some of your writing rituals?
I get up at 4:00 a.m. every day to write, even on weekends. During the week I write until 7:00 a.m. then break to get ready for my day job and to prepare my son for school. Usually, by the time the day ends and I’ve made dinner and helped my son with homework I’m too exhausted to write more than a paragraph or two. The mornings are my favorite writing time – greater focus and clarity at that time of day.
Although many writers type their story directly onto the computer I flow better when I write long hand. Then a friend helps me out by typing the manuscript. That way, I can usually get a novel done in a couple of months.
How did you come up with the idea for this story?
I’ve lived and worked in both Chicago and Jamaica (for the same multinational corporation) and so I decided to use both locations as settings in my romance novel, ‘Hot Summer’. ‘Hot Summer’ was born when a good friend of mine, a record producer, was working on an album. I was inspired to create the character, Lance, a record producer in Chicago, the typical arrogant alpha male found in lots of romance novels. I pit him against feisty grad student, Summer Jones. Both characters have strong personalities and when they butt heads you can imagine the result. I love stories with characters who challenge each other so that’s what I created in ‘Hot Summer’.
What would you be if you were not an author?
If I were not an author I would be a perpetual student. As I said before, I love to study because I love to learn new things. Now, being realistic, I know most people don’t earn money from being a student so it is likely I would become a teacher as that would ensure my constant presence at an institute of learning. I would be learning each time I interact with my students.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for? My ‘To Read’ pile keeps growing as I add writing projects and run out of reading time. I’ve resorted to reading a lot of my favorite books on audio CD while driving or doing housework. Right now my list includes ‘Teacher Man’ by Frank McCourt, ‘The Way to Wealth’ by Brian Tracy and ‘Pleasure, Pregnancy and a Proposition’ by Heidi Rice.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I love to hear from my readers. Readers can reach me through my website at www.judypowell.com. Stop by for a chat!
Fun interview! Hot Summer sounds like a fun book. I don't think I could personally get up at 4am to do anything and be productive…lol..