CHAT WITH TINA-MARIE MILLER

 

Hopeless romantic Tina-Marie Miller is a UK-based author and writer of contemporary fiction/chicklit/cozy mysteries.

Having previously enjoyed a successful career working for a number of blue chip organisations based in London and the Home Counties, Tina-Marie now lives in the South West where she spends her time writing, reading, meditating, and exploring the idyllic countryside.

Time to chat with Tina-Marie!

What is your latest book?

My latest book is entitled Fame and Fortune and was released in October 2018. It is the third book in the Hamptons series. The Hamptons are the fictional villages of Hampton Ash and Hampton Waters that I have created, which are situated in the glorious Cotswolds countryside.

Whilst this book returns readers to the light-heartedness of village life, Fame and Fortune explores the phenomenon of ghosting – the practice of suddenly ending all contact with a person without explanation. I have attempted to tackle this serious issue from different perspectives.

We welcome back many favoured characters too such as Diana Fortune – who was first introduced in The Curious Miss Fortune – and who has become quite the celebrity! In this latest book, Diana puts the newly formed Fortunettes through their paces in preparation for the Cotswolds County Majorette of the Year competition – which of course comes with its challenges!

There are several new characters too; including the glamorous Georgina Fame, a popular weight loss guru whose past is about to catch up with her and a mischievous minx set to cause havoc amongst the Hamptons set!

What are the special challenges in writing a series?

In writing this series, the special challenges have been conjuring up interesting storylines and ensuring that I keep track of all the characters. I like to introduce new people, as well as weave in interactions with as many of the old and favoured characters as possible.

How did you choose the genre you write in? Or did it choose you?

In all honesty, it chose me! The storyline for my debut novel kept whirring around and around my mind until I thought I’d go crazy if I didn’t get it down on paper. From there, it has just continued to develop – and I love it! I’ve certainly got plenty of ideas for further books in this series.

Are your characters ever based on people you know?

Absolutely! I have been most fortunate to have met a wealth of people over the years and I’m an avid people watcher. My characters tend to be a mix of personalities and traits that I’ve gleaned from such interactions.

What do you think some of the greatest misconceptions about indie authors are?

I think the greatest misconception about indie authors is that their work is not up to the same standard as that of a published author. Because indie authors don’t have a large publishing house or agent supporting them, this should not detract in any way from the high level of excellent and must-read books that are being produced from a vast number of talented writers.

How often do your characters surprise you by doing or saying something totally unexpected?

Ha! Quite frequently actually! No matter how much I carefully plan out my books, as soon as I start writing I often find myself taking a character in a direction that I had not anticipated – and it has always worked out for the best so far too!

How important is the choosing of character names to you? Have you ever decided on a name and then changed it because it wasn’t right for the character?

Naming characters is extremely important to me and I spend a lot of time creating them. I don’t like to just ‘pluck’ a name out of thin air – it needs to be befitting of the person I am trying to create. For example, the first name of my character Matt Hudson – who is one of the main characters in the Hamptons series – was changed several times before I finally settled on Matt.

Please, tell us about your experiences with social media. What are your favorite and least-favorite parts of it?

I had no previous experience with social media and ventured nervously into this arena when my first book was self-published. I was amazed at the warm welcome that I received by the writing community and wished I had joined much sooner. I have learnt so much from my fellow writers – and still have a long way to go – but the journey is far more enjoyable with friends.

How much research was involved in writing your book? How did you go about it?

I do undertake a lot of research for my books. I like to write about what I know and therefore it is important that I capture as much of the details as realistically as I can. For The Curious Miss Fortune, two of the characters head off for a romantic weekend away in Cornwall. I was most fortunate in that my beta reader is a Cornish guru – having lived there most of his life – who came up with several suggestions which I was only too happy to check out! I settled on the coastal village of Coverack, which lies in the parish of St Keverne, on the east side of the Lizard peninsula. Its breathtaking scenery will steal your heart and I knew that it was the perfect setting for this particular storyline.

In Fame and Fortune, there was again, an incredible amount of research – particularly for the ghosting storyline. I am most grateful for the advice from the Devon and Cornwall police, who also helped me with a forthcoming storyline – but I shall say no more! Look out for Book 4!

Do you feel your latest book is your personal favorite or one of your previous novels?

I am so proud of each of my books but my favourite so far is The Curious Miss Fortune. There are so many aspects to this book that highlights areas of village life that many of us misjudge. One storyline follows the character of Bridget Rhodes-Brown who is depicted as the longtime suffering wife of Jeremy Rhodes-Brown – known as ‘the major’ – who is a demanding and shouty character that initially gets the hackles rising on the back of your neck. However, as the tale unfolds, readers begin to see his life from a completely different perspective and it is most heartwarming. There is a scene from this book that still evokes tears every time I read it.

Having our work out there to be judged by strangers is often daunting for writers. Do you have any tips on handling a negative review?

The first assessment I received for the MS for my debut novel, Everything Happens For A Reason was so vociferous I almost gave up writing then and there! In fact, I pushed everything aside for the next three months whilst my cheeks smarted heavily from the severity of the ‘tongue lashing’ I had received.

Eventually, my need to write began to overwhelm me and I bravely dug everything out again and began to re-read through the critique and then re-read it several times more before addressing many of the points made. By wading through the negativity I focused on where I could improve the story. When I finally got the courage to publish this first book, you can’t imagine just how taken aback I was by the wonderful and encouraging reviews that came in.

Having since gone on to write two more books in this series, my work has attracted more reviews – both positive and negative. I looked up some of my favourite authors and discovered that they also receive their share of negative reviews. So, I guess I am in good company. Either way, if I can take advice from a review that will improve my writing, then all the better. Otherwise, you just have to accept that you can’t please everyone’s tastes, all of the time.

We all know the old saying; you can’t judge a book by its cover. This is true. However, how much importance do you place on your book cover design?

I think book covers are just as important as the story within and feature highly on my list. When I published my debut novel, Everything Happens For A Reason, I had my cover professionally designed and whilst I was pleased with it at the time, during the months that followed, I realized that the cover did not properly represent the story within. So I re-commissioned the cover design and – wow – what a difference! It really projected my work to a different dimension.

Do you miss spending time with your characters when you finish writing them?

Yes I do! When I finished writing The Curious Miss Fortune, I went straight onto plotting out Fame and Fortune so that I was soon back in the thick of it. I’m currently writing a standalone novel before I begin work on Book 4 in the Hampton series, and I find my thoughts constantly turning to what might be going on in the Hamptons right now!

Where do you live now? If you had to move to another city/state/country, where might that be?

I was born and raised in the historic village of Sutton Courtenay, near Abingdon in Oxfordshire and now live in a small village in south Cornwall. If I had to move to another country it would have to be Germany. I adore the German culture and have spent many happy times there.

Trains, planes, automobiles, or boats?

Automobiles and boats.

If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?

There is a publisher that I aspire to be represented by. If I could be invisible for a day I would take myself to the office of my favoured agent there and set about doing everything I could to draw their attention to me and my work. Perhaps I would pop post-it notes – detailing my name and website – around their offices or sneak in a copy or two of my books! It would also present an interesting opportunity to listen to their interactions with authors and their works, and to pick up tips from the centre of the industry.

What was your favorite year of school? Why?

Definitely 1976 – the second hottest summer in the UK since records began and a year filled with many wonderful memories for me. I spent a lot of time with my friends during the school holidays, down by the river or taking long walks through the green, leafy lanes that lead onto one of the two brooks that can be found in the village I grew up in. We’d share a picnic, or various treats that we’d snaffled from our homes and sit with our bare feet in the water, trying to catch tadpoles in empty glass jam-jars. And in later years, when I took my own children to all these favoured spots, I’d sit daydreaming whilst they played happily nearby, conjuring up some of the stories that I’ve since woven into The Hamptons series.

Thank you Lisette for inviting me to your Writers’ Chateau and giving me the opportunity to share a bit more about me and my work. Very best wishes.

It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know you, Tina-Marie. I thoroughly enjoyed our time together!

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CHAT WITH JENNIFER IRWIN


A native New Yorker and captivating storyteller with a flair for embellishment, Jennifer Irwin currently resides in Los Angeles with two cats, a dog, and her boyfriend. After earning her BA in Cinema from Denison University, she worked in advertising and marketing, raised three boys, and ultimately became a certified Pilates instructor. While she has written screenplays and short stories since her college days, A Dress the Color of the Sky is her first novel. Since its release, A Dress the Color of the Sky has won seven book awards, received rave reviews, and been optioned for a feature film. Jennifer is represented by Prentis Literary and has recently signed a release agreement contract with Creative Artists Agency in Los Angeles.

Time to chat with Jennifer!

Is your recent book part of a series?

Yes, A Dress the Color of the Sky is the first in a trilogy. I recently submitted the first draft of the sequel to my agent. The title of the second book is, A Dress the Color of the Moon.

Are your characters ever based on people you know?

I believe that writers write about what they know so yes, the characters in my books are loosely based on real people that I have met or known during my lifetime.

What do you think some of the greatest misconceptions about indie authors are?

That indie authors aren’t as talented as big five published writers. I believe there are a lot of extremely talented indie authors out there who have published incredible books.

Many times, I’ve actually dreamed plot twists, character names, and many other tidbits that I’ve need for my WIP. Has this ever happened to you?

I dream about my book all the time. There is a funny cartoon that shows a person talking to a writer who has a bubble over their head which is cluttered with characters and chaos. That resonated with me! While I was plotting my second novel, I dreamed about the story every night. When I wasn’t dreaming about it, I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters, what should happen, who would end up together, and which characters from the first book I would focus on. I actually lost sleep while trying to decide who my protagonist, Prudence Aldrich would end up with after she checks out of rehab.

Some authors, like me, always write scenes in order. But I know some people write scenes out of order. How about you?

With my first novel, I wrote everything in order but found it more compelling when I moved back and forth in time. It was a lot of work to tear the story apart and break up the timeline but I’m glad I did because the book has been very well received. I did not work from an outline with my first book but then again, it was my debut novel. With the sequel, I outlined the story which shifts back and forth in time and shifts perspectives from first person to third person. My agent assisted me with the outline which was awesome. In the world of writers, I am a neophyte and have so much to learn. I’m waiting for that delightful moment when I feel like a seasoned writer!

Is it important for you to know the ending of a book before you write it? The title?

When I began writing my debut novel, I had no idea what the title would be or how the story would end. The title came to me about halfway through the second draft. The ending came in one of those aha moments. I wanted to satisfy the reader while also leaving them hanging for the sequel. Since I just completed the first draft of book two, I would imagine that the ending will change a few times between now and when it is released.

Some writers edit excessively as they write; others wait until a novel is finished to do the bulk of the editing. How about you?

By the number of emails coming through google docs from my editor, I’d say I’m one of those writers who waits until a novel is finished to do the bulk of the editing. With my first book, I worked with a writing coach who I hired after I had completed the third draft. It’s been a completely different experience working with an agent and having support from the folks at Prentis Literary. I’m saying my prayers of gratitude.

After working for a very long time on a novel, many authors get to a point where they lose their objectivity and feel unable to judge their own work. Has this ever happened to you? If so, what have you done about it?

I totally felt like this while writing, A Dress the Color of the Sky. Early on, I won a publishing contest but felt as though my book simply wasn’t ready to be released. When I received money for a film option, I hired a writing coach to help me untangle the necklace of my manuscript. When I started working with the writing coach, I had no idea whether I had written something worthy. She assured me that the book was more than worthy which was a refreshing confidence booster.

How important is the choosing of character names to you? Have you ever decided on a name and then changed it because it wasn’t right for the character?

There is a real art to naming characters. I’m one of those writers who pines over names and spends a lot of time worrying about whether they work with the character. I actually had a different name for my protagonist’s ex-husband through the first three drafts of my novel. One night, I hunkered down and started working on his name. When it came to me I was thrilled! It was a bit difficult to change the name so late because when I was editing, I kept going back to that darned first name which I hated!

Authors, especially Indies, are constantly trying to understand why some authors sell very while their talented fellow authors have a hard time of it. It’s an ongoing conundrum. What do you make of it all?

I honestly believe there are a multitude of factors that come into play when it comes to indie author book sales. The most important one is to write a compelling story with a visually appealing cover. When you write a great book, the reviews will start rolling in. Indie authors have to hustle and promote their books like crazy to penetrate the competitive reader market. There are times when you have to discount your book or give it away to get those much-needed reviews. My hope is that my next book is picked up by a big publisher so I can focus more on my writing and spend less time on marketing. It has been very difficult for me to find that perfect balance.

Can you tell us about your road to publication?

When I first started querying agents I had no idea what I was doing. I had heard about a site called, queryshark which is run by a literary agent. I submitted a really unique query letter for critique and mine was chosen. It was sort of good and bad to have my letter critiqued because she ripped me to pieces but in the end I had a great query letter. After a ton of agent rejections, a few requests for pages, and two requests for full, I won a publishing contest. The contest is what I attribute to my understanding of how to market a book. There were two factors to winning the contest, get a ton of votes for your book idea, and complete a variety of marketing course with a high score. At the time I won the contest, I had received a deposit for the film option on my book. I felt as though my book needed work so I used some of the money to hire a writing coach. With a pending film deal, I grew impatient and opted to publish indie.

In hindsight, I should have waited to sign with an agent but there is no turning back now. I chose to published with Glass Spider because they were easy to work with an had a very open contract which didn’t lock me in forever. I have since signed with an agent who will be representing me for my next novel, A Dress the Color of the Moon. My agent signed with me after reading my debut novel. It has been such a different experience working with an agent on the sequel. I can honestly say that publishing indie is a hustle but I have been blessed with incredible reviews which has helped me penetrate the competitive book market. It is difficult to find balance between writing the sequel and marketing my first book. I simply can’t take my eye off of either ball so it’s a real life juggling act!

Have you received reactions/feedback to your work that has surprised you? In what way?

I have had a huge number of readers private message and email that my book has changed their life. One reader told me that she and her sister had stopped speaking due to their childhood trauma, after she sent my book to my sister, they opened their lines of communication. Another reader confessed that my book helped her come to grips with being date raped when she was in college. A book blogger told me that my book deeply touched him and helped him to heal from the traumas of his past. I had no idea that this story would touch so many readers.

Are you a fast typist? Does your typing speed (or lack of it) affect your writing?

I took typing in high school and had no idea what a brilliant move that was for me. I’m an incredibly fast typist!

Were you “born to write” or did you discover your passion for writing later in life?

I wrote a lot in my younger years but stopped when I started working in advertising, got married, had kids, and life got in the way. All I can say is that I love writing. I’m a natural born storyteller. I started my career as a writer late in my life and I’ve never been more fulfilled in a career as I am right now.

Having our work out there to be judged by strangers is often daunting for writers. Do you have any tips on handling a negative review?

When I first published my book, a friend and fellow author told me to ignore negative reviews. I don’t want to come across badly when I say this but I haven’t received very many negative reviews. The lowest one is on Goodreads and I appreciated what she had to say, accepted her review, and moved one. On Amazon, I have had one critical review from a reader who said my book reminded her of Fear of Flying by Erica Jung which was an international bestseller.

Every day brings forth new changes and shifts in the world of publishing. Any predictions about the future?

There are days in which I feel hopeless and as though I’m not going to make it but I always pull myself out of the rut. I believe that without lows, we can’t appreciate the highs so I embrace the self-doubt that, at times, can consume me. There is a feeling deep inside of me that believes this will work out, I can picture it in a way that I never have been able to before. Faith is good, it keeps us going when the world is beating us down.

Where do you live now? If you had to move to another city/state/country, where might that be?

I live in Los Angeles with my boyfriend of nine years. Our home overlooks the Pacific ocean and is quite remote for LA. I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful and inspiring place to write.

What’s your favorite comfort food? Least favorite food?

Buttered noodles but they don’t like me because they make me fat! My least favorite food is anything with beef because I’m a pescatarian.

What’s the coolest surprise you’ve ever had?

When I found out I was pregnant with my third son. I always tell him he’s the best mistake I ever made.

If you could duplicate the knowledge from any single person’s head and have it magically put into your own brain, whose knowledge would you like to have? And why.

Ernest Hemingway and it’s pretty obvious why!

Care to brag about your family?

I have the most amazing sons. My oldest lives in Columbus. He swam and played the cello for all four years of college. He has worked for a few successful startups and I haven’t given him any money since he graduated. He actively volunteers and is passionate about making Columbus a better place to live for all residents. My middle son has overcome the most incredible obstacles. He is a talented drummer and is chasing the dream of being a music producer. He just landed a coveted internship at a very hot company that produces music for television and film. My youngest is at school on the east coast studying environmental science and policy. He is committed to coming back to LA to be involved with creating change from an environmental standpoint in the state of California. My three sons and I have been through a lot which I won’t get into here. I’m so incredibly proud of each and every one of them. They are the greatest joy of my life.

What are the most important traits you look for in a friend?

Honesty, loyalty, and a great sense of humor.

What’s your favorite film of all times? Favorite book?

The Sound of Music because who doesn’t love a happy ending? Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt, that book helped me to come to grips with my past and to understand that we can rise up from even the most horrific past to accomplish great things.

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