Did you experience a lot of culture shock when you moved from London to Gibraltar?
Not really. Considering Gibraltar is British, it was easy to blend in. I felt more at home there than I did London. For me, London is a world away now. I like to visit, as I have family there, but that is where it ends for me.
Are there any writers in your family? If so, what role have they played in your journey as an author? If not, have any of your nieces/nephews (if you have any), cousins, or even your own children shown an interest in it?I'm the only writer in my family. My eldest son is the only member who has shown an interest. He loves to read, but due to studying he doesn't get a chance to consider writing anymore. He did write a sci-fi story a few years back which was inventive and enjoyable. My husband and I encouraged him to write more, but alas, he never did.
What is better for you: starting a book or finishing it?Definitely finishing it. I always have a huge rush once I hit the last few words in the book.
What is the perfect accompaniment to a writing session for you (music, coffee, a podcast, etc)?Coffee... Definitely coffee!!
Have you ever based a character off of your husband? Who were Angelina Bradshaw and Seth Jacob portrayed after in "Until I Met You"?All my characters are completely fictional. There have been some jokes, or scenarios between my husband and I, but that's as far as it goes.
How do you decide on what to name your book? What does the name of your book "TAILSPIN" signify?I base the title from the theme. Tailspin came simply because the H is a CEO of an airline. He's also an ex RAF pilot.
Similar to how readers get "book hangovers" when they finish reading a book, do you ever find yourself stuck over a book you've just finished writing, unable to move on for a while?The only time that's really happened has been with Deviant and Siren - Siren especially. I have never had a character consume me the way that Scarlet did. She still haunts me even now.
Have you ever had a stalker? If you did, do you think you could ever fall in love with them like Lilly did with Jarrod (SCARS)?LOL. No, I have never had a stalker. If I did in real life, I would run a mile! I love writing about stalkers simply because they have this air of mystery surrounding them. Mysterious, but dangerous. How dangerous is what makes the story that much more exciting.
When did you start writing The Sicillian Mafia series? What do you love most about this series and how many more books do you plan on adding to it?I wrote the first book back in 2014 and then sat on it for a couple of years. I did write some of the sequel and then sat on that too. I then gave myself a kick up the backside, continued the sequel and then had them both submitted for editing. I do have some ideas for more, but for now I am way too swamped with other projects.
What is the most unusual writing tip you've received that actually works?Write drunk, edit sober. LOL. That's actually a quote from Ernest Hemingway. I tried writing drunk once in Take a Breath. That's when the strip scene whilst the H was tied to a chair by handcuffs was born.
What are some other towns/countries you've visited that you absolutely love? Would you ever write a book based on those places?I LOVE the U.S. I've visited several times. My sister lives on the East coast, so I try and visit as often as I can. She used to live in Virginia and that's where Take a Breath is based. There are a few based in London, and the UK, plus my latest was based on occasion in Spain.
During your last interview, you said you were working on a dark romance book. How did that book turn out for you? What are some new projects that you've taken on since then?I've just finished writing a sequel to one of my successful dark books. The cover reveal and blurb will be revealed on Monday 20th November 2017. Right now, I am working on a taboo book called Headmaster. It's about a girl who meets and kisses a man in a bar and the next day she finds out he's her headmaster. She's older than all the other students, and there is a reason for this. All will be revealed soon enough.
Jaimie Roberts, a doting mother, and an adorable wife had dreamt of being a writer at a very young age. In 2014, she published her first book, Take a Breath and since, then there is no turning back. Till date, Jaimie has written almost 20 books, and she has just finished writing a sequel to one of her successful dark books. The cover and the blurb of the book was revealed on Monday 20th November 2017. Currently, she is working on a taboo book called Headmaster. A quote from Ernest Hemingway that had stuck Jaimie is "Write drunk, edit sober", which she tried while writing Take a Breath. And, that is how the strip scene whilst the H was handcuffed to a chair, was born. Quite an enticing writing tip, Jaimie should try it more often.
Tell us about your life and your struggles.
I feel blessed with my life. I have a husband who loves me and two fantastic kids who are happy and healthy. I couldn't really ask for more. The only small struggles I have are trying to find the time to sit down and write, and also the times I go blank when I do. I hate sitting in front of a Word document and staring blankly ahead. It’s one of the most frustrating feelings in the world.
How passionate are you about writing?Very. I live for it. In fact, when I haven't written anything for a while I can get quite jittery and depressed. I love the euphoria of typing "The end" once I've finished a book. I also look forward to the feedback (good and bad) when it comes.
How long have you been writing and what inspired you to become a writer?My first book was called Take a Breath, which I published in 2012. I have since taken it down as I did a rookie mistake by publishing it without getting it edited first. My inspiration came partly from the fact it has been my dream since I was 17, and partly because I saw how well EJ James was doing with FSOG. I figured if she could do it, then why not me?
How did you get the idea for your first book?I had an idea for a book when I was 17. Once the recession really hit and work was quiet, I started building on that same idea. With not much work to do during the day, I was virtually sitting there twiddling my thumbs half the time. I decided to put that time into something constructive. Take a Breath was then born, and I haven't looked back since.
While choosing a name for your character, what aspects do you consider that determines what you finally call them?I like to look for strong names. Google and Facebook are my friends when it comes to this. I find it harder at times to find a name for my character than it is writing the actual book! Titles can also be a pain at times.
Do authors in general and you in particular plan series beforehand or do they just happen?For me, I think they just happen. I like to go with the flow and if I feel the story can continue then I’ll do a second and even third book.
How do you choose which stories to tell?I dream a lot. My dreams tend to decide what I should write next. And believe me, my dreams are pretty weird at times.
Do you ever get writer’s block?All the time! It's so frustrating when it comes. Right now I have it and it's one of the worst feelings in a writer's world.
Do you have a “reader” in mind while writing?Always people who enjoy romance and erotica. I also like to add mystery and suspense to most of my books. I love it when a reader says, "I didn't see that coming!"
Who is the first person to read the first draft of your books?I asked a couple of ladies to beta read for me on Goodreads.
How do you get reviews? Which was the best review you ever got?I get reviews by hiring someone to do blog tours for me. Bloggers read and then tell their audience. It's definitely a lot to do with word of mouth. As far as the best review is concerned, then that’s difficult. I’ve had so many over the years and luckily for me the most have all been fantastic.
What does the word “story” signifies for you?Something the reader can get sucked into. I love those types of books where you're imagining that you're there watching the scene unfold.
Do you think an author should be bound by Genre?No. I think an author should be able to mix genres. If they're good at it, why not? I highly admire versatile authors.
Are you currently working on anything?I've just finished a dark romance. I'm now trying to build on another story. I have so many projects to oversee that it’s making my head hurt, lol.
Do you have a special time or place for writing?Yes. I have a room where I have a desk and a chair. I get my coffee in the morning and sit down in peace and quiet while the kids are at school. It's great.
How do you promote your work? How will QuotesRain help you in your book promotion and sales, would you like to refer this platform to your author friends?I promote my work by doing blog tours, blitzes, and Facebook/twitter posts, etc. I recently found Bookbub and they're absolutely brilliant. I would highly recommend using them. I went to number 1 with two of my books using their service. QuotesRain is a fantastic platform. I'm regularly promoted by them and for that, I am extremely grateful. The staff are very friendly and courteous and also deal with any queries very quickly and efficiently.
Would you like to share something with your readers and fans?Only that I think they rock! And that I hope to continue writing stories that they enjoy. Without them I wouldn't be able to fulfill my dream. I am eternally grateful to them all. I may have writer's block now, but I'm certainly not done yet.
London-born Jaimie Roberts is happily married with two sons, and lives to write, getting depressed or jittery if she doesn't write anything for a while. It has been her dream to write since she was 17, especially after she saw EJ James's success with FSOG. Her first book, called Take a Breath, was inspired by the events of the recession and was published in 2012, but has since been taken down as it was published without being edited first. Jaimie's dreams tend to decide what she writes next but while naming characters, she likes to look for strong names, especially on Google or her Facebook friends list. Her target audience is romance and erotica fans and she loves when she can surprise her readers. She has just finished writing a dark romance and is now trying to build on another story.
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