#SPFBO Author Interview with JA Andrews
This week’s #SPFBO Author Interview is with JA Andrews. JA Andrews is a writer, wife, mother, and unemployed rocket scientist. She doesn't regret the rocket science degree but finds it generally inapplicable in daily life. Except for the rare occurrence of her being able to definitively state, "That's not rocket science." She does, however, love the stars.
She began writing stories and creating coloring books because these sorts of things need an outlet. And now good markers are a deductible business expense.
She spends an inordinate amount of time at home, with her family, who she adores, and lives deep in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, where she can see more stars than she ever imagined.
What drew you to self-publishing?
I really like the autonomy of self-publishing. I love picking my own covers and setting my own schedule. I won’t lie, being in control of my own covers was huge!
Why did you enter #spfbo?
I published last year after the contest was already underway, but I followed it, and it looked like so much fun that I jumped at the chance to enter this year. The indie community is a lot of fun, and especially the SPFBO community is really supportive and a blast to be around.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
My husband. If he sits next to me, I make him swear not to say anything interesting, but he always breaks his promise. And then we chat. And I get nothing done! Also, titles are HARD.
Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
I do write under one! My real last name is hard to pronounce and spell, so I went with a pseudonym. Besides—secret identity!
Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?
I hope so because that’s me! I think writing novels helps me to be able to draw out the emotions slowly and what feels like natural to me. For the reader, it might happen over a few paragraphs, but I can spread the writing out to build the emotions however quickly I need to. I tend to layer in emotions through revisions also.
What does literary success look like to you?
I think it means that my books have brought people some enjoyment. When I read, I want to love the characters and be swept up into a story. If I can offer that to readers, I’ll be thrilled.
How do you select the names of your characters?
Oh dear, names are really hard. I’ve been known to leave “**Dragon” as the name all the way through an entire manuscript because I just couldn’t name him. And he’s a major character. Naming my real children was a crazy stressful job, and naming imaginary characters is just as hard!
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
I always say I’m not going to, but then I do. I haven’t gotten too many bad ones yet, but I’ve decided if I get an especially scathing one, I’m going to find a way to work a phrase of it into whatever book I’m writing. Then I’ll feel like I’m turning the criticism into fodder for my writing!
Does your family support your career as a writer?
Yes, my husband is SO supportive of me. I know that’s not true for everyone, but he really makes it possible for me to do it, supporting me in anything I want to try.
Thanks, JA! To learn more about JA, check out these links:
Website: www.jaandrews.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JAAndrewsWriter
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JAAndrewsAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JAAndrewsWriter
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/jaandrews
Happy Writing!
