When I was a little girl running barefoot through the bluebonnets trying to avoid the damn grass burrs and fire ants I never dreamed one day my love for storytelling-which was ripe even way back then-would one day lead to this path.
If aging doesn’t make you brave then you’re doing it wrong. So to jump headfirst into indie publishing in my forties is kind of thrilling and terrifying. But the best things often feel that way like falling in love or riding a motorcycle for the first time. You’re never too old to start over or embrace the desire that’s always resided in your heart. If it’s not worth risking it all then how much can it mean?
If you love books we're probably besties who haven't met yet...nice to meet you.
When and how
did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve loved to tell stories, if only to myself, since I was a child. My imagination is never in an off position, and for many years I wrote stories just because I needed to purge everything that was taking up my headspace.
Did you have any influencing writers growing up?
The first book I remember reading and loving was by Judy Bloom, but I quickly moved on to reading Stephen King’s IT, ironically when I was the same age as the characters in it.
I don’t know, but that storytelling affected me and not just to help reinforce my coulrophobia.
Are any of your characters based on people in real life?
Yes. But I will never tell which ones.
Where do you draw your book inspirations from?
I have no idea, but sometimes it feels like a story just needs to exist and so I tell it the best I can.
Do you use have a basic outline when starting a new story or do you let the characters lead the way?
I think about a story for a long time before I ever attempt to write it. I know the characters and give them the reins to drive the narrative.
I almost always know what the end will be but not every road we will travel down to get there.
When you are picturing the characters in your book, do you have a cheater photo for inspiration?
There are no photos that match what’s in my head, but some come close and I like to have a collage for inspiration at the beginning.
Many people read as a form of escape and relaxation. What is your favorite way to sit back and relax?
I love to be alone. That’s it, just me, myself and I. I don’t need to do anything except exist in the stillness and quiet.
Who are your favorite current authors to read?
I adore Cat Porter! I love Beatrix Hollow too! I’ve never been disappointed by a JA HUSS novel!
What are your favorite books by others?
Wuthering Heights is a constant reread for me. I am obsessed with that book and Emily Bronte.
In the romance genre my absolute faves are:
Lover Awakened by JR Ward
Fury by Cat Porter
Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan
Ecstasy Unveiled by Larissa Ione
Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
In the non-romance genre:
It by Stephen King
Misery by Stephen King
Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Okay, this list is too long, but these are at the top of the best I have read!
Do the locations in the stories have any meaning to you?
Yes. I write about places I love and want to see!
Do you write in single or multiple POV?
Both, it depends on the story.
The Jax Walker books are told exclusively in her POV.
The Mayhem books are told in multi-POV which I prefer to enhance the story and reader experience.
What do you find to be your best research tool?
Google, although I have stumped it once or twice. Leave it to me to think of something so obscure it's never been searched for on google.
Do you write under a pen name? Also, do you write under more than one name?
Gypsy Reed, for MC books and Contemporary Romance.
What genre do you write and why is this your preference?
Biker romance is my niche.
It’s something I am experienced with and have a knack for penning. But I love PNR as much or more and will delve into that genre more soon.
Tell me something about yourself outside of writing. Jobs, accomplishments, family, quirky trait...what led to you being you?
I’m weird. I think all our experiences lead us to being us. Pinpointing one single thing is difficult.
My life hasn’t been a dream come true, but I think adversity makes you stronger.
I’m an excellent cook and have never found a puzzle I didn’t NEED to solve immediately.
If you are a duo writing team, how do you share the writing process?
I’ve only done it once, so I don’t know if the way Madalyn and I did it is the way it’s supposed to be done or not.
It was interesting and somewhat challenging for the control freak in me.
What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
Write what you love, write when you’re feeling inspired, that’s when the best stories will emerge from your keyboard.
Don’t break that flow state when you achieve it. The most words get put on the page while in that sweet zone.
Write a story you are happy with, readers can tell if you loved the story or not.
How do you deal and process negative book review?
If there is anything constructive in it I make a mental note, if it’s just trollish and hate-filled I ignore it.
What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Getting and staying in the zone, especially at the moment.
What do you need in your writer’s space to keep you focused?
A laptop?
What is your naughty indulgence as you are writing?
I don’t think I have one of those.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose? And why?
Stephen King, he seems cool and I bet it would be an interesting time.
What is your schedule like when you are writing?
I write when I can but try to do it each day. I think that’s the secret, do it every day.
Do you have a favorite writing snack or drink?
Who can remember to eat and hydrate.
Do you listen to music when you write – what kind of music is your favorite?
Yes, my taste is eclectic (I enjoy everything), you can check out my playlists on Spotify.
Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?
Yes. Kitty and keyboard do not mix well. Kitty purring in lap is okay.
What is your kryptonite as a writer? What totally puts you off your game?
My mother, toxic people in general, constant interruptions, so many things.
Have you ever killed off a character that your readers loved?
Yes, more often than you’d think popular for the romance genre.
How do you celebrate after typing THE END?
I don’t often type that word, because I tend to write series, and I guess to me it’s never really over. How lovely an idea is that?
I hope you enjoyed this interview!
Check out all my interviews/reviews for Gypsy Reed!
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Website: https://gypsyreedbooks.mailerpage.com/
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