Interview & Giveaway with Jamie Wesley

What is you ur writing process like? Is crazy an acceptable answer? And  LOL. I have an ever-evolving process. I’m a plot-driven writer.  My characters need to have something to do, i.e. trying to prove each other wrong at work. It’s much easier for me to figure out what types of characters would find themselves in that situation, than it is for me to take characters and figure out something for them to do. 

Once I have a basic plot and some knowledge of who the characters are, I write a first draft. This draft takes about a month to write and is mostly impromptu. I don’t have a formal outline. I let my imagination to take me where it will. The whole time I’m writing it, I keep my fingers crossed that there is a coherent story somewhere in the mix of scenes. It’s messy, but fun. When I’m done with the first draft, it’s time for the hard work of turning it into a publishable story. I edit and edit and edit some more until I feel the story is suitable for outside eyes. Trust me, it is most definitely not ready for outside eyes after that first draft! This phase usually takes 1-2 months. Then I send it to an editor, who tells me what to fix and I fix it! 

When you aren't writing who are your favorite authors to read? I LOVE contemporary romance, so Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Maureen Smith, and Farrah Rochon are some of my favorites, but there are soooo many more. I feel kinda guilty only naming these ladies.

Traveling seems like a common thing with authors. Where would you like to go and why? If you’d asked me this question last year, I would have said Spain, but I just completed that trip in June after twenty years of dreaming. I went on a two-week tour of the country and it was A-MA-ZING. Now that I have my passport, I want to put at least one stamp in it each year. The other place I’ve been obsessed with for years is St. Lucia. I want to sit on the beach and go ziplining and everything else the island has to offer!

Recently, I’ve been looking into tickets for next year’s Olympics in Rio. Keep your fingers crossed that I can make that happen. I also really need to get to Melbourne for the Australian Open and London for Wimbledon. Are you sensing a sports theme here? J

Tell me about your next book and why it was so special to write? In addition to loving sports, I’m a pop culture junkie. In this new series, I get to explore the world of celebrity, and I can’t wait to write all the stories dancing in my head. Here’s the blurb for THIS IS TRUE LOVE, book one in the Exclusive! series. 

EXCLUSIVE! Which movie star is moving on with her ex’s BFF?

Hollywood A-lister Felicity Chambers has managed to walk away with her cheating husband’s share of their production company in their highly publicized divorce, sources close to the situation tell us. Even more scandalous? Their business partner, Alex Graham, knew nothing about it until the papers were signed, sealed, and delivered. After coming oh-so-close to acquiring the shares he was promised, Alex is not happy about the change in plans.

Although she denies it to anyone who’ll listen, those in the know say that lately Fliss has been noticing more than Alex’s business acumen. Like his broad shoulders and sexy smile and...you get the picture.

The truly shocking part? The feeling may be mutual. Very mutual.

Not that Alex intends to admit it. Ever. Even if it kills him. He’s set on convincing Fliss to sell her stake to him and then staying far, far away from the alluring star. A solid plan...except our sources tell us he needs her help in securing a business deal. 

So who’s going to come out on top in this battle of business smarts and hearts? We don’t know, but we can’t wait to find out!

Giveaway - please comment with email address!!!! This will end 7/30/15 at 9am est

To celebrate this news series, I’d love to give away a copy of THIS IS TRUE LOVE. To enter, just tell me know your favorite celebrity couple – whether they survived the long haul or not. LOL. 

Bio:

Jamie Wesley has been reading romance novels since she was about 12 when her mother left a romance novel, which a friend had given her, on the nightstand. Jamie read it instead, and the rest is history.
 

She started her first manuscript, a contemporary romance, after she graduated from Northwestern University in 2002 and couldn't find a job. Life got in the way as it often does, i.e. she found a job, and she didn't finish the story. However, she never forgot about it and finally got serious about completing it in 2009. She’s been writing ever since.

Jamie holds a master’s degree in sport management (yes, that's a real thing :-) ) from the University of Texas at Austin, so it probably comes as no surprise that she loves sports and spends an inordinate amount of time rooting for her hometown Dallas’s pro sports teams and her alma maters.
 

She also adores Walt Disney World, shopping, and pop culture. Want to know if your favorite TV show is going to be canceled or what the newest Disney attraction is? Ask Jamie. She'll probably know the answer.
 

Website: Jamiewesley.com

Blog: jamiewesley.com/blog

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Jamie_Wesley

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorJamieWesley

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