Author Spotlight: JJ Harper
February 27, 2022 • News
CJC: How did you get started as an author and what made you want to pursue that field?
JJ: I sort of stumbled into it; my husband suggested it after I’d read a few books that had disappointed me. I started with a thick notebook and a pencil. I wasn’t even aware of Amazon or that indie writers existed. My first book did quite well, so I thought I’d carry on until I didn’t have anything else to write about. Seven years later I’m still here, and still have ideas for more.
CJC: What do you find to be the most rewarding and challenging part of being an author and what hurdles have you overcome while striving towards your goals?
JJ: There are so many rewarding parts, I love writing The End, that is very satisfying. Another is meeting and talking to new people. I’ve made so many friends that have become true friends in the real world, too. The challenging parts are deadlines, and rewrites. Both necessary evils!
I haven’t met an author yet that doesn’t suffer from imposter syndrome. That you don’t believe in yourself, and question why you write! Getting over that stumbling block is tough.
CJC: Which novel has been your favorite to write and why?
JJ: Gah! This is always a tough one. I think the answer is the one I’m writing at the time. But I think My Kind of Man, the first book in the HeavyLoad! Series, is probably my favourite. It kickstarted a different style of books, and has the most books in the series, and a spin-off series. I love the characters, the honesty of them, and the need to be together through thick and thin.
CJC: For first time readers of your work, which book would you recommend?
JJ: This is tough because I write different tropes. But I think at the moment I would go for My Kind of Man. Or Gus from my BAR 28 series. Totally different from each other but both super sweet stories.
CJC: If one of your books were made into a movie, which would you select and who would you like to star in it?
JJ: I think I’d like to see Denver’s Calling as a film. Three hot men and a cute dog, what’s not to like in that story! Actors? Damn that’s hard. Chris Hemsworth for Kes, Henry Cavill as Denver, and East would have to be Jenson Ackles. Instant blockbuster material!!!
CJC: For those looking to become an author, what advice would you give them?
JJ: Go for it, write what you want to write. But also, be prepared. Talk to other authors, find out about cover artists, editors, and all the other people in the background. But most importantly, just do it. There’s enough for everyone.
CJC: If you could co-write a book with any author, who would it be and why?
JJ: I’d love to write with Susi Hawke, I love her style, the humour she puts into every book.
CJC: Favorite motto?
JJ: Don’t give up!
CJC: What do you do to overcome writer’s block?
JJ: I usually have more than one book being written at a time. So, if I get stuck with one, I can pick up the second work and write there until the block shifts and the idea comes back again.
CJC: In one word, how would you describe your writing style?
JJ: Laidback.
CJC: Which do you find harder to do… writing the blurb for your story or selecting the cover?
JJ: Both of them are hard for different reason. Every writer hates blurbs. How can you condense a 60k word book into a few paragraphs? It’s a nightmare.
Covers are a guilty pleasure of mine, I will find models, or images and buy them knowing I’ll have a story for them one day. The hard part is when you have the image of your characters in your head and you can’t find the person to fit it.
CJC: Which author inspires you the most and why?
JJ: I don’t think I have one particular author that inspires me, I have a great chat group with a few authors friends, and we support each other through all the ups and downs of writing. I wouldn’t want to do this without them. I’m inspired by dedication to work hard and produce the best book the author can.
CJC: What is your writing process like?
JJ: Haha! Good question. Eclectic, random, laidback, easy going. I sit in my living room with my Great Dane, Siddiqi, lying next to me, and Spotify playing. I write in fits and starts, I can write 3 or 4K words one day and 150 the next. As long as I hit my deadline with my editor, I don’t mind how I get there.
CJC: What new projects are you currently working on and what are your goals for the remainder of the year?
JJ: I’m working on the fourth book in the BAR 28 series, and that will be out in April. I love this series, it’s based on a real cocktail bar I go to with my best friend, Rae. We met through my first book and have become such great friends. I’m also writing the final book in the Cooper’s Ridge series. I have plans for the last BAR 28 book. The last in the Escape Club series will be after that. And then I’ll be planning for my Christmas story, and a book to be a part of the Destinations Daddies series. Other than that, I’ll see what pops into my head.
CJC: Any final thoughts you would like to share with the CJC Photography readers?
JJ: Maybe that if as a reader you read a book that you love, message the author, drop a DM in Facebook or a quick email. It will make their day.
Thank you so much JJ Harper! Ronan’s Boy is now available here.
Stay up to date with all of JJ’s latest releases here.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram