Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have Monique O’Connor James on the blog today to chat about her newest book “Becoming Jolie”
Monique, can you please share with us a little about yourself
I’m the mom of two beautiful children who married my high school sweetheart. I work full time in insurance, but I love to write! Currently, all of my stories are YA and Adult Paranormal fiction/romance.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
For as long as I can remember!
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I think it’s pretty odd that sometimes I have to write long-hand and then go back and type it. It really is a mood thing, because other times I can type straight on the computer.
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Becoming Jolie is about a small, fictional town in Louisiana were several children have gone missing. The town’s people are haunted by the ghosts of their children and Jolie thinks they are all crazy. However, she’s pulled into Follett’s story via her dreams and ties to the place she didn’t know existed. Throw in a love triangle and the story is really creepy and exciting!
How did you come with the idea for this story?
In 2010, I decided I was going to participate in NANOWRIMO for the first time. (National Novel writing month in November). On October 31, I was still looking for something to write about. I read a blog about a playground in Alabama called The Dead Children’s Playground. It inspired me to create a town haunted by the ghosts of their missing children.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I have another book available July 5th called, The Watchers. It is the follow up to my novel The Keepers about fallen angels in New Orleans. I’m also working on the first novel in a series about Witches called Magia Rising!
Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
You know, it’s more important to me to meet the indie authors out there and hear their success stories than it is to meet someone who has already made it. I think the people who are out there really pushing their work and never giving up are the most fascinating.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Don’t quit! There will always be people out there who want to rain on your parade because they can’t step outside of their comfort zone. Just remember you don’t need anyone’s permission to make things happen. When you fall, get up and start over again! There are lots of people out there going through the same thing that will hold you up!
Can you share with us something off your bucket list.
I’d like to sky dive. Of course, I couldn’t tell my dad until after it was done. I do wonder if I could go through with it once I was up there!
Twitter: mjames13
WordPress: www.moniquejames.wordpress.com
Website: www.moniqueoconnorjames.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=511255176
Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/Moniqueoconnorjamesauthor
I’ve always wanted to hand glide or sky dive but don’t have the guts for either. The interview was fun!