Interview with Jaime Jo Wright

About the Author

Professional coffee drinker, Jaime Wright, resides in the hills of Wisconsin. She loves to write spirited turn-of-the-century romance, stained with suspense. Her day job finds her as a Director of Sales & Development. She’s wife to a rock climbing, bow-hunting Pre-K teacher, mom to a coffee-drinking little girl, and a little boy she fondly refers to as her mischievous “Peter Pan”. Jaime completes her persona by being an admitted social media junkie and coffee snob. She is a member of ACFW and has the best writing sisters EVER!

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The Interview

1. How did you get started as an author?
I have always written stories, ever since I was in middle school. Inf act, some of those manuscripts are worth a good laugh. But story telling is in my blood. I’m not sure I can recall a time when I wasn’t telling stories.
 
What or whom inspired you?
My Dad was pivotal in pushing me toward pursuing publication. He believed I could do it, I believed he was biased. Lol! But then, when I married, my husband sort of took up the mantle of pushing me forward. I’ve always been a very self-confident woman, though, and while sometimes it gets me into trouble (cough-er-ahem), it certainly has helped in keeping me persistent.
 
2. How many books have you written and in what genres?
I have written five books and two novellas. As of now, my novellas are my first foray in the published world, and I’m currently working with editors on potential projects for the future. My main go-to genre is Historical Romantic Suspense. I love the element of creepy suspense with swoonworthy romance in a vintage setting. It’s so yummy.
 
3. What writing projects are you currently working on?
I am currently finishing edits on my upcoming novella, releasing in August as a part of The California Gold Rush Collection. I’m also hardcore editing a split-story romantic suspense that my agent and I will be shopping to publishing houses.  What can you tell us about these projects? My split-story means that about 50% of the story takes place in current day with the other 50% in the turn-of-the-century, ca. 1905. Both settings have heroines who lives intercross and the suspense from one era crosses into the next. And of course, there’s romance :)
 
4. How long does it usually take you to write one novel?
It depends on how “inspired” I am. LOL Typically about 5 months from start to finish, including edits. Then throw on an extra month or two for me to take a break, come back, read thru, see what is absolutely horrid, and try to fix it all :)

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5. What does your writing process look like?
I am not a conventional writer. I can’t be. I have a full-time job and two littles. :) Oh yes, and a husband. SO my writing process is usually 15-30 minute snippets of writing throughout the day, writing while I watch a TV show with my husband, sometimes getting up early to write before the sun comes up (I really hate that!), or dictating the chapters into my phone that converts it to text I can format later.
 
6. Do you have a favorite place to write?  I love writing at my coffee shop. I think Starbucks is going to ask me to be their spokesperson soon. :) Where?
 
7. How important are the names in your novels?
You know, my characters usually name themselves. It’s sort of creepy. LOL  How do you choose names for your characters?  Their names sort of pop into my head as though they’ve always existed, so sometimes I have to argue with them if their name is too common, too weird, or not time appropriate. Do you have any name resources you would suggest? I love googling names, but usually only do that if I’m lost and my characters won’t tell me their name. lol. I do resource old genealogies, social security sites, and census sites to make sure the name isn’t too modern for the time period.
 
8. What authors/novels that you enjoy would you recommend?
Well I love the classics! So the Bronte sisters are sufficiently delicious for my reading enjoyment, and Nathaniel Hawthorne also satisfies my need for some of the dark, creepiness I love in stories. But I also really enjoy anything Colleen Coble, Ronie Kendig, Kara Isaac, Erica Vetsch, and Dani Pettrey.

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9. What period of history interests you the most?
I love the late Victorian/early Edwardian era.  Does this influence your writing? Totally. Very much so. I find my brain lives in the days when cars were crank-started, women wore silk and lace, and men were chivalrous. ;)
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10. If you could choose someone famous to star in one of your books made to a movie, who would you choose and for which character?
Oooooo fun question! Well, the hero in my current split-story is played by Stephen Amell who in real life plays The Arrow. I mean, who wouldn’t pick him for their hero?
 
11. What inspired the idea for your novella in the Cowboy’s Bride Collection?
Really and truly, my cowboy uncle inspired so much of it. I used to visit his horse ranch when I was a kid and watched him wrangle horses and steers. I was also inspired by what I envision my strong-willed, sassy daughter to be one day. So CJ, my heroine, bears my daughter’s intials because really, she is my daughter.

12. What other hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
I drink coffee. :) Lots of coffee. I also enjoy shooting bow with my husband – yes, bow and arrow. Probably another reason Stephen Amell is a hero in my book. The whole Green Arrow thing. Yeah. Sweet. My husband and I also rock climb, or used to, pre-littles. So as the kids get older, we’re pulling out our harnesses, chalk bag, and ropes and getting ready to gear up. But I need to lose about 30 lbs now so yeah …. That’s brutal honesty for ya! J

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Check out my review for
​The Cowgirl's Lasso from "The Cowboy's Bride Collection"