Indie Author Interview with Jourdyn Kelly - Author of the (Lesbian) Contemporary Romance Becoming.
Jourdyn Kelly has been in Houston, Texas, writing novels and designing websites since 2009. She loves being captivated by books that lead her into different, exotic places, and through impossible scenarios. She loves being able to become someone else for a time. Reading has always inspired Jourdyn to bring her own characters out to play.
Interview with Jourdyn Kelly
Author Jourdyn Kelly |
Jourdyn Kelly: I published my first book in 2013 and now have 9 published books. I've always had a vivid imagination. I think it's a product of not having an idea childhood. When you're faced with harsh realities as a child, you tend to create your own world. I've just learned to hone that skill and create books from it.
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
My favorite author will continue to be Nora Roberts. But as the years progress, so do my tastes and influences. I read more lesbian fiction now than I did before. There are SO many great writers in that genre that should be as well known as Nora. Melissa Brayden, Ali Vali, Radclyffe, Carsen Taite. Those are some of the more known writers in the genre and for good reason. But there are many indie writers that are just as awesome.
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
Kids always play dress up and pretend to be what they want to be when they grow up. Princesses, fire fighters, police, cowboy, singer, etc. I was a little different. My family was in the printing business, so there were always pads of invoices, order forms, etc. laying around. I would put those things in a briefcase and walk around as though I owned a big business. I would sit at a desk and fill out order forms, "send" out invoices. As time went by, I never really changed from the idea of sitting behind a desk and writing on paper. I merely changed what I was writing. My mind is more creative than it is analytical. When I became a teenager, I began writing stories and lyrics. I think that's when I figured out that I didn't ONLY want to be an entrepreneur, I wanted to create the product I would be selling.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I wish I did. But no. In second grade I wrote a story about a boy in my class and used words no second grader should use. I got in trouble for that. Big time. But I don't remember what it actually said.
"When I write, I sit down and write."
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
I know that a lot of writers have a process. From whiteboards, to index cards, to outlining everything. I don't work like that. For me, that takes out the spontaneity of writing. That's not to say it's not great for someone else. Just not for me. When I write, I sit down and write. Whatever the character tells me, I write down. I don't live by any certain rules like when I should write, where I should write, how many words I should write. Life tends to get in the way. I'd rather not plan and be disappointed. But just write when the time is right for me and enjoy it. If it becomes too much of a "job" I won't want to do it. That's a main reason I like being self-published.
Please, describe your desk/workplace.
My lap is my desk. I don't like being confined to one particular place to write. Again, it's all about the spontaneity and creativeness. That being said, I do the bulk of my writing in bed.
"Readers cannot read your mind."
What do you find easiest about writing? What the hardest?
There's nothing easy about writing. I know a lot of people think it's easy and anyone can do it. Which is true in a way. Anyone can write. But do they write well? Finding an idea for a story is typically "easy". Filling in all of the gaps of that story is hard. You have so much to worry about. Continuity, readability, is it too sappy, not sappy enough, too graphic, do the sex scenes make sense. Readers cannot read your mind. There are no actors acting out scenes the way you intended them to be. So you're relying on readers to comprehend your writing in the way you intended it. Which doesn't always happen.
"When a character becomes a reader's favorite [...]"
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Hearing from the readers who enjoyed the book. Especially if they got something more out of it than just pure entertainment. When a character becomes a reader's favorite and they identify with that character, that's something that brings me a ton of joy.
Jourdyn, please tell us a little about your Lesbian Contemporary Romance Novel Becoming.
Becoming is the prequel and continuation of my Novella "Fifty Shades of Pink". The novella was written as a dare (hence the tongue in cheek title). But I fell in love with the characters so much that I wanted to tell a longer version of their story. Rebecca is forty-one and has had a tough life. Cass is twenty-five and has had it easy. Together, they learn so much about each other and themselves. I received a great review by The Lesbian Review recently and I loved the way April Adams described Becoming in the opening paragraph. "Becoming by Jourdyn Kelly is an erotic age gap romance about accepting yourself, forgiving those who have wronged you and overcoming painful circumstances by embracing the healing power of love."
Click to Read an Excerpt |
What inspired you to write the book?
I kinda answered this in the question above. After writing Fifty Shades of Pink, I fell in love with Rebecca and Cass. I wanted to know more about them. And they had a story to tell. The characters themselves inspired me to write the book.
"It's not who you love, it's how you're loved."
Who do you see as your target audience?
Anyone who loves a good love story. Yes, it's F/F, but it truly does tell a story of how love can conquer all. It's not who you love, it's how you're loved.
What makes your book special?
Becoming doesn't hold back. There is a graphic scene depicting drug use and domestic abuse. It tells the story of how you can overcome tragedies, but it's not easy. And it doesn't shy away from needing therapy sometimes just to help us along.
"[...] my success has far exceeded my expectations."
How would you describe the success of your self-published books so far?
Being self-published is not easy, nor is it cheap. And it becomes even harder when you're penalized by the people selling your books for self-promoting. That being said, my success has far exceeded my expectations.
"Your book represents you. Make it polished."
Can you give some advice for other Authors regarding the writing process?
Just write. And be ready to work hard for your success. It's not easy, it's not cheap, but it is rewarding. Don't put out an inferior product. Your book represents you. Make it polished. Make it the best it can be. But the first step is just write.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
I am. But I can't talk about it. :)
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
I sincerely hope that bookstores will still be here. The smell and feel of real books is incomparable. Going into a bookstore and finding that one book you've been looking for, holding it in your hands, flipping through the pages. Swiping a screen, while a good way to get many books on the go, just doesn't hold the same incredible feeling.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
My phone or my tablet.
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job? When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I write full time, but I also do merchandising for singer/songwriter Debbie Gibson and other authors. My mom was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's. With my dad as her full-time caretaker and having to retire early from his job, I use what I make with merchandising to help them financially.
How can readers connect with you?
They can find me at jourdynkelly.com or on social media @JourdynK on Twitter and Instagram. I'm also have a "secret society" on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/JoKels/
Thank you very much for the Interview, Jourdyn.
About the Book Becoming
Click to Read an Excerpt |
You met Rebecca and Cass in Fifty Shades of Pink. Now get Rebecca's perspective of their first meeting and see her journey to BECOMING Mistress.
Rebecca Cuinn lost control of her life once before, and she spent many years learning how to take it back. As Mistress and owner of an exclusive BDSM club, Rebecca now had control by the balls. She wasn’t about to lose it again by falling in love. Unfortunately, her heart wasn’t playing by Rebecca’s rules. She always was a sucker for androgynous, sexy women. But did the one that threatened to make her break all her rules have to be so young?
Cass Giles defied authority. So, when she was dragged to a BDSM sex club for a bachelorette party, she refused to let go of her judgments and have fun. No way she would submit to someone who’s sole purpose was to hurt you. Just wasn’t her scene. That is until that “scene” included the mysterious Mistress. Now Cass was willingly breaking the rules just for a taste of Mistress’s punishment. But it wasn’t just Mistress she wanted. She wanted the woman underneath the mask. And she would do everything she could to prove they were meant to be.
"[...] It was interesting to see how Cass reacted at first to the introduction of some submission to the Mistress and how she grew to like it. The characters are very strong in Becoming. I loved it so much that I reread it over already. It’s definitely a great book to check out and I highly recommend it." - Reader Review
Links to the Book
Link to the Paperback Becoming on Amazon
Link to the eBook Becoming on Amazon
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