Q & A with Jenn Nixon, Author of Lucky's Charm

Jenn Nixon graciously agreed to sit down with me recently for some informal Q&A about herself, her books and whatever else came to mind. Now's your chance to get to know this extremely talented Author a little better :)

·         How long did it take you to write your first novel? What was the hardest part for you? Do you start out with a detailed outline or use more of a free flowing style?

My first novel took me about four months to write. I didn’t know anything about writing when I was working on it so it wasn’t “hard” for me at all…until I tried to sell it. That’s when I realized it was BAD and I had a lot to learn. So I joined a couple writer’s groups, learned as much as possible (still learning) and continued writing!

I am still what people call a “pantser” I write by the seat of my pants. I usually have minimal details about my characters: looks, names, some personality traits, and a skeleton outline of the plot and where I’d like to see the book go. Once I actually get into the writing process, the characters eventually become fully formed and take on a life of their own helping me (or sometimes aggravating me) with the story.

·         You do a great job of interacting with your readers on multiple social media sites. How do you find the time? Do you ever have to force yourself to “unplug”?

I’ve been part of the social media craze before it even got started. Message boards, chat rooms, forums…you know, before there was Facebook and Twitter. I still have an old myspace page hanging out there somewhere. I balance my time online with some pre-posts but always make sure to respond to everyone even if it’s late. It helps that I can type and read very fast!

·         What lies ahead for Lucky? How many books do you envision there being in the series overall? Where did the idea for the series come from?

Things are going to get worse for Lucky before they get better. I have a three book trilogy for her story. Book 2 is with the publisher. Book 3 is done and edited and ready for submission too. I actually finished all three books before I sold the first one!

The idea for Lucky happened during a brainstorm session with my best friend. He and I were talking about what I wanted to write next and we threw ideas at each other until I had something to work with. It didn’t change much from that initial session, though Kenji (the love interest) showed earlier than I wanted…but I went with it and it worked!

·         Being a fellow dog lover, I’d love to hear more about your two dogs. What are their names? How old are they? Any funny stories you’d like to share about them?

My brother and I “share” custody of two dogs, Suki (carin terrier) is 4 and Holli (german shepherd) is 3. Technically Suki is his and Holli is mine but both dogs love him more than me. I always get the short end of the stick with animals. J They are wonderful animals with such interesting personalities.  I call Suki the Kitty-Kat Teddy Bear Doggie because she acts like a cat and looks like a teddy bear. I call Holli the meeper because whenever I come home from being out all day, I can hear her through the door meeping as she’s pacing inside waiting for me.  Oh, and the little one beats the crap outta the big on all the time!

·         Have you always lived in New Jersey? What are some of the favorite places that you have visited?

With the exception of a year and half spent living in Delaware, I have lived in New Jersey my whole life.  New Jersey gets the brunt of the jokes, but it’s a great state. We have beaches. We have mountains. We have farmland. We’re close to NYC. We have Atlantic City & Great Adventure. And best of all, we have Taylor Ham. J

Personally, I love going to the Watchung Mountains to hike, it’s beautiful up there. 

And…Snookie is not a New Jerseyian!

·         I’d like to congratulate you on Lucky’s Charm reaching #17 on Goodreads. Do you track online reviews, rankings and sales figures closely? How do you handle less than complimentary reviews? Are you able to dismiss them and move on or do they get under your skin?

Thank you! I have no idea who started that list, but I thank them!! I have been watching my Amazon and B&N ranks the last two weeks since the book came out. I think I need to stop and just let the books breathe a little. I have had a few less than stellar reviews. I’m okay with them. I understand that people have different likes and dislikes. If they are constructive, I pay attention. If they are just negative because the reader didn’t like the character, plot, or writing, there’s not much I can do to change their minds. I don’t like everything I read either, so I don’t expect everyone to love my stuff.

Bio: Jenn’s love of writing started the year she received her first diary and Nancy Drew novel. Throughout her teenage years, she kept a diary of her personal thoughts and feelings but graduated from Nancy Drew to other mystery suspense novels.

Jenn often adds a thriller and suspense element to anything she writes be it Romance, Science Fiction, or Fantasy. When not writing, she spends her time reading, observing pop culture, playing with her two dogs, and working on various charitable projects in her home state of New Jersey.

www.jennnixon.com

www.facebook.com/JennNixonAuthor

Twitter: @jennnixon

Check out her Novels below:

Lucky’s Charm (#1) - To protect her family and find a killer, Felicia “Lucky” Fascino assumed her adoptive father’s identity and joined the network, an organization of moral assassins to finish the job he began. Eliminating the man responsible for murdering her mother has consumed her for the last five years. While keeping her Uncle Stephen and cousin Elizabeth at arm’s length, Lucky begins to feel the weight of her career choice and reclusive lifestyle. Then a chance encounter with an enigmatic hit man, during one of her jobs, turns into a provocative and dangerous affair. Distracted by the secret trysts with Kenji Zinn and mounting tension within her family, Lucky makes reckless mistakes that threaten her livelihood and almost claim her life.

http://www.amazon.com/Luckys-Charm-ebook/dp/B008RG8V4Q

http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73&products_id=400&zenid=68d70bfde494e5151e21617289c74f6e

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/luckys-charm-jenn-nixon/1112327966

Wild and Wicked (#1) - Veronica Chance’s sister has gone missing. In order to find Valerie, “Roni Starr” takes a waitressing job at Foxxes Gentlemen’s Club, the last place her sister worked, to search for clues. First day on the job, the club owner makes her give a lap dance to his VIP guest, former detective, Mason Storm.

http://www.amazon.com/Wild-and-Wicked-ebook/dp/B006NKROA0

 Chance of a Storm (#2)- Mason Storm waited three months to hear from Veronica Chance after she walked out of his life. Instead her sister calls, begging him to come to California. After learning Veronica was kidnapped and her mother’s still missing, Mason joins the investigation while trying to figure out where he stands in Veronica’s eyes.

http://www.amazon.com/Chance-of-a-Storm-ebook/dp/B006NKRLHG

Trust me, Tell me (#3) - Mason Storm is set to marry Veronica Chance in seven days. When he receives a mysterious text message he immediately packs and leaves without saying a word to anyone. After meeting with his former boss, Mason knows his past has finally caught up with him. In order to clear his name of false charges he returns home to Boston ready to put the issues to bed. Veronica, however, isn’t making it easy. She’s determined to help despite his claims of being the only one to make things right. As the investigation intensifies, Mason is captured and Veronica holds the key to his release. Will she make it there in time to save him and their wedding or will everything fall apart?

http://www.amazon.com/Trust-Me-Tell-ebook/dp/B006XXJYHS