Q1. Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?
A1. Hi, I’m Maria Jane, award-winning and best-selling author of the Perfect romance series. This series follows a group of college friends as they graduate and launch their adult lives in search of their happily-ever-afters. I’ve been writing for almost twenty years and publishing for over ten.
Q2. In your view, what distinguishes a writer from an author?
A2. I distinguish an author as someone with a published work and a writer as someone who writes for their own enjoyment.
Q3. Which part of your book “Perfect Secrets” proved to be the most challenging to write, and why?
A3. The most challenging part of Perfect Secrets was the “how they got back together” script. As the name suggests, the characters discover many hidden secrets. I worried that the fissure created would be too much of a hurdle for the characters to realistically overcome. But so far, reviews seem to suggest I hit the mark with the happily-ever-after.
Q4. How do you typically celebrate once you’ve completed a book?
A4. Book writing is an adrenaline rush for me. So, after I finish a book, I’m usually pumped to start brainstorming the next one.
Q5. How do you leverage social media to connect with your audience as an author?
A5. I love connecting with readers. This is my favorite aspect of writing. Most of my readers connect with me via my newsletter. I create additional groups for ARC and BETA readers.
Q6. On average, how many hours a day do you dedicate to writing?
A6. My goal is an hour every day. Writing every day helps my writing move along easily as I’m in tune with the characters and their next moves.
Q7. What kinds of books did you enjoy reading during your childhood?
A7. The first series I remember loving is Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by Frank L. Baum. I was that kid who didn’t like to follow fads, so when everyone else was reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, I resisted.
Q8. Is there an author within your genre whom you particularly admire?
A8. I love all of Abby Jimenez’s romances. For me she strikes the perfect balance between poignant and fun.
Q9. How has the experience of writing and publishing a book “Perfect Secrets” influenced your perception of yourself?
A9. My romances seem to be getting darker for lack of a better term. Maybe darker isn’t quite the right descriptor, maybe dramatic is fits better. This has me wondering why, is there some instinctual draw towards darker subjects?
Q10. If you had to describe yourself using just three words, which would you choose?
A10. The three words I would use to describe myself are driven, obsessed, and dedicated.
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