I had the privilege of sitting down with fellow author, Jan Meredith. See what we talked about here:
Using
five sentences, tell us who YOU are, the writer.
Jan: I’m
a wife, mother and a nurse who listens to the people in my head and writes down
their stories. I’ve been a romance junkie since my teens and married my high
school sweet heart at 18. I have two handsome sons, and enrolled in college at
a point in life when most women are slowing down, and I haven’t looked back
since. I’ve been a writer of some sort since childhood, whether it was poetry,
short stories, or a paragraph that came to mind from a photograph.
Do
you currently have any books out for purchase? If so, what are the names,
what’s it about and where can we find them?
Jan: My
debut release, PLAYING DOCTOR, is one of six books included in the launch of
Entangled Publishing’s sexy new imprint, FLAUNT. It’s about Gabriel North, a
doctor who lost his wife two years prior to a condition in which he specialized,
and is guilt-ridden at having missed the classic signs of the pulmonary embolus
(blood clot in the lung) that took her life.
Beth
Roberts is a survivor of domestic violence and has no interest in another
relationship with a man. For the past four years, she has devoted her life to
raising her son and her work in the ER.
Are
you currently working on something? Tell us about it!
I’m
the type of person who never has only “one” thing in the works. I’m working on
the story for the secondary characters in PLAYING DOCTOR, titled EDUCATING EVE,
about a Navy SEAL home on leave for his brother’s wedding (actually, the one
where Gabe and Beth meet J), and his childhood friend, Eve, a romance writer whose
lackluster love life is making writing those steamy love scenes nearly
impossible. While growing up, Eve was forever asking Ian to “show her how to do
something.” Well, guess what she wants him to tutor her on now!
I
also have a book titled, AFTER THE STORM in the works. An erotic story about a
hunky carpenter who fulfills his next door neighbors fantasies, and a friends
to lovers story titled, TAKING CHARGE.
If
you were stranded on a deserted island, what THREE things could you not live
without?
Jan: In
reality it would be my family, food/water and my faith. In my dreams it would
be, chocolate, the internet and Chris Hemsworth…or Dustin Clare…or Adam Von
Rothfelder…or, well, you get the picture J
When
is your most creative time of the day?
Jan: Evenings
to late night. I’ve always been a nocturnal person.
What
motivates you to write? Music, movies, pictures?
Jan: Music
and photographs are my major muse. I was having a bit of difficulty figuring
out what Beth was trying to say to Gabe after their night together, then,
driving to work one morning, a song came on the radio (Too Close, by Alex
Clare) and BAM! I knew exactly what she was trying to tell Gabe, and how much
it hurt her to say it.
Photographs
are an awesome source of inspiration for me, too. I fear the day that one of my
computers blow and has to be taken in for repairs. I’m sure to be labeled a pervert
once the tech sees my Pictures file.
If
you could have a conversation with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and
why?
Jan: President
John F. Kennedy, just to say, “See what’s happened to the country you loved so
much?”
What
authors inspire you? Why?
Jan: So
many authors have inspired me over the years! Nora Roberts, for her way of
moving a story forward with action and her awesome ability to jump from one
character’s point of view to another and do it in a way that works.
Sherrilyn
Kenyon for drawing me into the fantastic worlds she creates and making me
alternate between weeping for her tortured characters and laughing at the
sarcasm bouncing between them.
Anne
Calhoun for her ability to write a story so real, that it stays with me for
months after I’ve finished the book.
Jennifer
Probst because…well, what an wonderful story teller she is! Her books reach out
and grasp your heart and make you wonder, what if…
What
started you on the journey to write?
Jan: As I said, I’ve always written in one form or another. Like most
writers, I read...a lot. Some books are the most wonderful tomes you’ll ever
hold in your hands. Others will make you want to throw the book against the
wall and wonder how in the world it got published. After reading one of those,
I thought, pfft, I can do better than
that. Then I tried. Well let me tell you, I burned my first attempt, making
damn sure NO one would have the opportunity to fling it against the wall in
frustration!
After a while, and several aborted attempts, I decided to listen
to what my characters were saying to me, and stop trying to write for a
publisher with such strict guidelines that my creativity was stifled. And it
worked.
What
are the biggest challenges you’ve come across being an author or a writer?
Jan: Writer’s
block, procrastination and concentration. I constantly find myself jumping up
from the computer and looking for something to do.
How has becoming a published author (independent or
traditional) changed your perspective on life and is it everything you expected
it to be? (If you are not published yet – what changes do you foresee?)
Jan: I’ve
found it to be a lot like the quote from A Tale of Two Cities: It was
the best of times, it was the worst of times. As this is my first foray
into the world of publishing, I knew very little of what to expect. During
editing, I was so terrified of making a change and it being a wrong one. It
took me a while to realize that, even though I had sold my book to a publisher,
it was still my book, and that what we were doing with it was a partnership,
not a relinquishing of my work to a stranger giving advice and suggestions.
I
feel very fortunate to have Heather Howland and Tahra Seplowin as my editors,
and Kerri-Leigh Grady is wonderful to work with, as well. I also had wonderful support from my awesome
critique partner, multi-published author, Cathryn Fox, without whom I would
have floundered. Wendy Marcus and Laura Kaye were wonderful sources of information
and encouragement, as well.
How
do you stay motivated and get through writer’s block?
Jan: I
go back and read what I’ve written from page one. I know my characters are
trying to kick me in the butt and move on with their story, so I revisit what
they’ve told me and see what I’m missing. I pull up the photos for the muse for
the story, take another look at what they say to me.
I
have a wonderful friend and critique partner, Cathryn Fox, who keeps me on the
straight and narrow. I can send what I have to her, get her take on it and she
points out where I need to go. I’d be lost without her.
What
keeps you focused and ‘in the zone’ while writing your novels?
Jan: My
characters keep me in the zone.
Do
you have a technique or style of writing you prefer? Do you write in order or
skip around and piece together later?
Jan: I’m
a patch-work writer, especially if I’m having trouble with a certain scene. I
find it more productive to work on another scene, or one that’s hounding me to
get it on paper, than to attempt to write in a linear fashion. It’s all about
putting the words down…it can always be pasted in the appropriate spot later.
When
your dreams come true, what do you do?
Jan: Freak a little. Oddly enough, there are times when my dreams have come true. Selling PLAYING DOCTOR
was a major dream come true. I was offered a contract from another publisher a
week before Entangled contacted me saying they wanted to take it to
acquisitions. Entangled was my first choice from the get-go, so it was no chore
to take the time and wait for them. In the end, they handed me my dream.
To
all of us aspiring authors, struggling, or newbies, what is the best advice you
can give us?
Jan: Read
the type of story you want to write, and write the story you want to tell. Get the words down, polish it
and make it your own. Get a good critique partner who writes what you write and
understand that her comments and suggestions are just that, and she means no
insult to you, but that in the end, it’s your
story. Research the publishers you plan to submit to: who are their current
authors, how are their books selling, what’s their business model? Take note of
royalty payments: do they pay a % of cover
or list price or net profits? There is a major difference in your royalty check when
you compare cover v/s net. Contact authors already with the publisher you plan
to submit to: are they happy?
Quote from novel: “Unless that’s an otoscope in your pocket, you
haven’t heard a word I’ve said.”
Find Jan here:
Special Treat!! Read at own risk, adult language and content.
PLAYING
DOCTOR/Entangled Flaunt
Blurb:
When
a fellow RN jokingly predicts that Beth Roberts will meet a tall, ripped and
totally lick-o-licious stranger who will fulfill her deepest desires, it’s
supposed to be from across a crowded room, not giving CPR to a wedding guest.
Given her tragic love life, Beth has no desire to become involved again, but
who could have predicted the ponytailed doctor with the mischievous smile would
break through her defenses?
Dr.
Gabriel North blamed himself for his wife’s death. Now, after two years of
battling guilt and meaningless hookups, he’s ready to move on. When he sees the
sexy brunette at his friend’s wedding, his attraction is swift and strong, and
he wastes no time in pressing his advantage. One night with the woman who makes
him feel alive again isn’t enough, but gaining her trust is going to take more
than medical school has prepared him for.
Excerpt:
860 words
He worked the button at her waistband
free, pulled the zipper down and drove his hand inside. His fingers slid over
her sex once, twice, and then plunged deep. Her body quaked, her inner walls
grasped and squeezed at his fingers, but it wasn’t enough.
“More,” she moaned. “I need…I’ve got to
have my hands on you.” Beth tugged his shirt free of his slacks, keenly aware
of the thick column of his cock pressing against his fly. She plunged her hands
under the soft fabric, smoothed her palms up the firm ridges of his abdomen.
She pressed her hand to his chest, just over his heart, felt the gallop and
pitch of it beneath muscle and bone.
For her.
She was in so much trouble and she
didn’t give a flying fig. Right now, at this moment, all she cared about was
this man, and that he was here, standing before her. Wanting her.
His forehead fell to hers, his
breathing ragged and uneven. He pulled her hand from his cock, grasped her hips
and dragged her in, grinding his erection against her upper abdomen. “I’ve
dreamed about you, woke up with the taste of you in my mouth.”
Her breath caught in her throat.
“I’ve dreamed about you, too. Of your mouth, your tongue on me.” She shuddered
against him.
“God, Beth.”
“I came, but it wasn’t enough. It’s
not enough now. I need you…inside me. Right here, right now.”
“Fucking hell!”
Had she not known it was lust that
caused his fingers to bite into her hips, Beth would have been frightened, but
she knew she was safe. By the way his eyes burned with it, the way his shoulders
heaved as he fought for control, by the way his touch gentled, she knew. The
hollow feeling in her chest filled to overflowing, sealed over, and healed. A
new sensation crept in and tapped at her heart. Open up, it beckoned, and see
what awaits.
Fabric shifted, just enough to
accommodate. Beth toed off her shoes, slid her slacks and panties down to kick
one leg free. Gabe fought his belt open, yanked down his zipper and shoved his
slacks over his hips. His cock sprang free, heavy and full.
He bent his knees, cupped her ass in his
hands and hoisted her up. “Hang on to me. I’m sorry. This is going to be fast,”
he apologized and reached between them to align the rigid length of his cock
between her thighs. “Ah, damn, you’re so wet,” he gritted, and then slid into
her.
Beth buried her face against his neck,
ran her tongue along the line of his jaw. His body shuddered. She wrapped
around him, wound her arms around his neck, squeezed her legs around his hips
and held him there. He was thick and hard and she thought she’d come from the
sheer bliss of having him inside her again. He pulled back, all the way to the
tip, and, when he thrust back in, the door rattled on its hinges.
They both froze.
Beth sucked in a breath. “Oh, God, as
much as I’d love for you to do that again—”
Gabe’s forehead banged against the door.
“You’d hate to get fired for getting fucked
against my office door.” He turned, moved to the side and braced his
back against the wall.
Beth glanced around the small room, her
gaze landing on the desk. Gabe laughed, causing his cock to flex and pulling a
moan from her throat.
“Baby,” he rasped, “there’s nothing I’d
like more than to bend you over that piece of furniture and take us both to
heaven, but unless it’s nailed to the floor…”
“Oh, God.” The image he painted, pushing
over the desk, driving into her…her pussy clenched.
“Ah, fuck! Squeeze me like that again,”
he panted. “Just…hold on to me.” Widening his stance, Gabe grasped Beth’s hips
and lifted her, angling his pelvis up as he brought her back down hard on his
shaft. Then he did it again.
“Gabe, that’s…oh, I…just don’t stop!”
Each pause was punctuated with another lift and thrust.
“No way in hell. Just don’t scream when
you come.” And then he moved, lifting, lowering, rotating his hips to find that
sweet spot that drove her wild.
It started in the soles of her feet—that
sizzle of electricity signaling her orgasm. It snaked up her legs, curled
around her inner thighs, and with a low keening sound, Beth buried her face in
Gabe’s neck and welcomed it as it speared her clit with an orgasm that clung to
every inch of Gabe as he drove into her. He was right with her, his breath a harsh
hiss against her ear as he thrust deep and held her tightly against him.
The soft brush of Gabe’s lips over her
sweat-dampened temple was in stark contradiction to the choppy breaths lifting
his chest against hers. “I’ve missed you, missed this,” he whispered hoarsely.
“Me, too.” After a moment, when she’d
caught her breath, Beth lifted her head and said, “We really…”
“Need to talk,” he sighed. “I know.”
Bio:
Jan Meredith has been a romance junkie since her
teens. When she
isn't penning steamy stories about strong-willed, independent women and the
sexy men who love them, she works as an Infusion Therapy nurse. She lives near
Mammoth Cave, KY with her husband (and former high school sweet heart) Tommy.
You can learn more about her at her web site:
http://www.janmeredithauthor.com/
Follow her on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jan.meredith.121
or Twitter: https://twitter.com/JanMeredith21
