#AuthorInterview–> B.J. Daniels- Author in the Spotlight
Hi Friends,
Today I am so excited
to welcome B.J. Daniels who is the award-winning, bestselling mystery romance novelist for Harlequin Intrigue and HQN,
to celebrate the upcoming release of her next book “Forsaken” which
is part of the bestselling Beartooth, Montana series.
to welcome B.J. Daniels who is the award-winning, bestselling mystery romance novelist for Harlequin Intrigue and HQN,
to celebrate the upcoming release of her next book “Forsaken” which
is part of the bestselling Beartooth, Montana series.
USA Today Bestselling
author B.J. Daniels lives in Montana with her husband, Parker,
and three Springer Spaniels, Spot, Jem and Ace.
author B.J. Daniels lives in Montana with her husband, Parker,
and three Springer Spaniels, Spot, Jem and Ace.
She writes for
both Harlequin Intrigue and HQN. When
she isn’t writing, she snowboards, water-skis, camps,
fishes, quilts and plays tennis.
both Harlequin Intrigue and HQN. When
she isn’t writing, she snowboards, water-skis, camps,
fishes, quilts and plays tennis.
To
contact her, write: B.J. Daniels, P.O. Box 1173, Malta, MT 59538 or email her
at [email protected] Check
out her webpage and blog at www.bjdaniels.com
Welcome
to Njkinny’s World of Books BJ !
Let’s
get this interview started. 🙂
Q1. Tell us something about yourself?
I am all Capricorn,
determined, hard-worker, first born, ambitious. I was born in Houston, moved to
Montana at the age of five. I grew up on Tex-Mex cooking and listening to my
family tell stories around the campfire so I’ve always wanted to
write books.
determined, hard-worker, first born, ambitious. I was born in Houston, moved to
Montana at the age of five. I grew up on Tex-Mex cooking and listening to my
family tell stories around the campfire so I’ve always wanted to
write books.
I went to Montana
State University, majored in English and worked for a newspaper for many years
before I wrote and sold my first book, ODD MAN OUT, a mystery set
in Montana.
State University, majored in English and worked for a newspaper for many years
before I wrote and sold my first book, ODD MAN OUT, a mystery set
in Montana.
Q2. So, what have you written?
I’ve written 67
books so far, sold 83. I’ve also written more than 40 short stories,
most of them to Woman’s World. I’ve won numerous awards including
Best Book and a Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense.
Most recently I won KOD’s highest award, the Daphne!! and am a USA
Today bestselling author.
books so far, sold 83. I’ve also written more than 40 short stories,
most of them to Woman’s World. I’ve won numerous awards including
Best Book and a Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense.
Most recently I won KOD’s highest award, the Daphne!! and am a USA
Today bestselling author.
Congratulations BJ on winning the Daphne award!!! 🙂
Q3. Where can we buy or see them?
My latest book, FORSAKEN,
will be available by the end of the month at any bookstore or from Amazon,
Harlequin.com, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, etc. My older books are also
available as eBooks from online booksellers.
will be available by the end of the month at any bookstore or from Amazon,
Harlequin.com, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, etc. My older books are also
available as eBooks from online booksellers.
Q4. What are you currently working on?
I just finished
a Cardwell Ranch book, so now I am hard at work on my
fifth Beartooth, Montana book, MERCY. The series began with UNFORGIVEN and REDEMPTION,
now book three, FORSAKEN is hitting the shelves. FORSAKEN is
one of my favorite books so I’m really excited about it coming out. Then ATONEMENT comes
out in March and the fifth book, the one I’m working on now, MERCY,
comes out next fall.
a Cardwell Ranch book, so now I am hard at work on my
fifth Beartooth, Montana book, MERCY. The series began with UNFORGIVEN and REDEMPTION,
now book three, FORSAKEN is hitting the shelves. FORSAKEN is
one of my favorite books so I’m really excited about it coming out. Then ATONEMENT comes
out in March and the fifth book, the one I’m working on now, MERCY,
comes out next fall.
Q5. What’s it about?
MERCY is about a
serial killer, but a different type of serial killer. I’m hoping it will be
fun. I’ve just gotten started with it. Like the other books in the
series, it will be set in the small near-ghost town of Beartooth,
Montana. My hero will be an undercover US Marshal.
serial killer, but a different type of serial killer. I’m hoping it will be
fun. I’ve just gotten started with it. Like the other books in the
series, it will be set in the small near-ghost town of Beartooth,
Montana. My hero will be an undercover US Marshal.
Q6. What genre are your books?
Romantic Suspense set
in Montana so there are usually cowboys, dead bodies and a mystery to be
solved. Oh, yeah, and a love story. 🙂
in Montana so there are usually cowboys, dead bodies and a mystery to be
solved. Oh, yeah, and a love story. 🙂
Q7. What draws you to this genre?
I live in Montana and
write about what I love. Plus I love mysteries and suspense and happy ever
afters.
write about what I love. Plus I love mysteries and suspense and happy ever
afters.
Q8. What inspired you to become a writer?
I have always had
stories in my head and never wanted to be anything but a writer. I just never
dreamed I would get published. I can’t believe I recently finished my 67th published
book.
stories in my head and never wanted to be anything but a writer. I just never
dreamed I would get published. I can’t believe I recently finished my 67th published
book.
Q9. Had you not become a writer which career would you have
chosen and why?
chosen and why?
I love old stuff. I
would have owned a junk shop and refurbished furniture.
would have owned a junk shop and refurbished furniture.
Q10. What are your ambitions for your writing
career?
career?
I just want to keep
writing books. I love what I do and hope to keep doing it. Like most writers, I
would also love to make the NYT Bestseller list. 🙂
writing books. I love what I do and hope to keep doing it. Like most writers, I
would also love to make the NYT Bestseller list. 🙂
Q11. Which writers inspire you?
All
of them. 🙂
of them. 🙂
I love to read
everything. I especially love mysteries, suspense, thrillers, chick lit, true
stories, humor.
everything. I especially love mysteries, suspense, thrillers, chick lit, true
stories, humor.
Q12. Why do you write?
I have to write. If I
don’t write for a few days, I will start writing in my sleep and wake up with a
whole plot going. I really believe this is what I’m supposed to be doing. Also
I love sharing Montana and my stories with readers.
don’t write for a few days, I will start writing in my sleep and wake up with a
whole plot going. I really believe this is what I’m supposed to be doing. Also
I love sharing Montana and my stories with readers.
Q13. What made you decide to sit down and actually
start something?
start something?
I had always wanted to be a writer. One day I
realized I had to take it seriously. So I quit my job and the rest is history.
realized I had to take it seriously. So I quit my job and the rest is history.
Q14. Do you write full-time or part-time?
I write EVERY day. It
keeps me in the story. So, yes, full time.
keeps me in the story. So, yes, full time.
Q15. Do you have a special time to write or how is
your day structured?
your day structured?
I write better in the
morning when I’m fresh.
morning when I’m fresh.
Q16. Where do your ideas come from?
Ideas are everywhere.
I listen to what people are talking about, I read the newspaper, I watch the
news on TV. There are stories everywhere. I never seem to run out of ideas.
I listen to what people are talking about, I read the newspaper, I watch the
news on TV. There are stories everywhere. I never seem to run out of ideas.
Q17. Do you work to an outline or plot or do you
prefer just to see where an idea takes you?
prefer just to see where an idea takes you?
I work by the seat of
my pants. No outline. I just sit down and start writing and see where the
characters take me.
my pants. No outline. I just sit down and start writing and see where the
characters take me.
Q18. How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
I’m told my stories
just keep getting better. I hope so. I try very hard to keep learning more
about writing each year and write books that will keep my readers guessing
until the end.
just keep getting better. I hope so. I try very hard to keep learning more
about writing each year and write books that will keep my readers guessing
until the end.
Q19. What is the hardest thing about writing and
what is the easiest thing about it?
what is the easiest thing about it?
The hard part is
sitting down and doing it. The easy part is dreaming up the stories.
sitting down and doing it. The easy part is dreaming up the stories.
Q20. Do you ever get writer’s Block?
I get tired
sometimes. Other times I paint myself into a corner and don’t know where the
story goes from there. But I’ve found if I keep writing it will come.
sometimes. Other times I paint myself into a corner and don’t know where the
story goes from there. But I’ve found if I keep writing it will come.
Q21. Any tips on how to get through the dreaded
writer’s block?
writer’s block?
If I can’t write myself out of it, I go out in
the boat and just relax or take a long drive or a hot shower. Usually that will
do the trick. My characters are never far from my thoughts and they will work
it out for me.
the boat and just relax or take a long drive or a hot shower. Usually that will
do the trick. My characters are never far from my thoughts and they will work
it out for me.
Q22. How do you market your books and why did you
choose this route?
choose this route?
I have been with Harlequin since I sold my first
book, ODD MAN OUT. I started at Harlequin Intrigue and
now write for HQN. I love a traditional publisher because they sell
the books, I don’t have to.
book, ODD MAN OUT. I started at Harlequin Intrigue and
now write for HQN. I love a traditional publisher because they sell
the books, I don’t have to.
Q23. Do you have any advice for other authors on
how to market their books?
how to market their books?
There are lots of ways now. You just have to
find the way that works for you. If you are good at promotion then self-publishing
might work for you. Writers today have to wear a lot of hats, especially if
they self-publish.
find the way that works for you. If you are good at promotion then self-publishing
might work for you. Writers today have to wear a lot of hats, especially if
they self-publish.
Q24. What do you do to get book reviews? Do you
have a strategy for finding reviewers?
have a strategy for finding reviewers?
I just started a
review team of readers who will be reading my books and putting up reviews.
It’s experimental. Each has promised an honest review. Honest reviews are the
only ones that count. You don’t want your friends putting up really nice
reviews. No one believes those and readers deserve reviews that are fair so
they don’t buy a book and are disappointed.
review team of readers who will be reading my books and putting up reviews.
It’s experimental. Each has promised an honest review. Honest reviews are the
only ones that count. You don’t want your friends putting up really nice
reviews. No one believes those and readers deserve reviews that are fair so
they don’t buy a book and are disappointed.
Q25. What are your views on social media for
marketing? Which social network worked best for you and any tips on what to do
and what not to do?
marketing? Which social network worked best for you and any tips on what to do
and what not to do?
There is so much
social media and so much pressure to use it that I wonder how anyone gets a
book written anymore. I had to draw the line. I do Facebook, I blog on my
website and I blog at www.murdershewrites.com
social media and so much pressure to use it that I wonder how anyone gets a
book written anymore. I had to draw the line. I do Facebook, I blog on my
website and I blog at www.murdershewrites.com
Q26. What are the four most important things that
you take care of before writing a book?
you take care of before writing a book?
1) Do your
research
research
2) Give yourself time
to finish the book
to finish the book
3) Immerse yourself
in that world and forget about everything else.
in that world and forget about everything else.
4) Write with honest
emotion.
emotion.
Q27. What do you do when you are not writing?
I love to quilt,
snowboard, play tennis, boat, water-ski.
snowboard, play tennis, boat, water-ski.
Q28. What advice would you give to aspiring
writers?
writers?
Don’t give up. Read.
And keep learning your craft.
And keep learning your craft.
Q29. How can readers discover more about you and
your work?
your work?
They can go to my
webpage at bjdaniels.com or follow me on
Facebook at B.J. Daniels.
webpage at bjdaniels.com or follow me on
Facebook at B.J. Daniels.
Q30. What are your future plans?
To keep writing and
doing what I love.
doing what I love.
Q31. What are your upcoming books?
My series, Beartooth,
Montana and Cardwell Ranch will continue and I will
get back to Whitehorse, Montana, I promise.
Montana and Cardwell Ranch will continue and I will
get back to Whitehorse, Montana, I promise.
 |
| The beautiful mountains where the Beartooth, Montana series takes place. |
Q32. And now, before you go, how about a snippet
from your book that is meant to intrigue and tantalize us:
from your book that is meant to intrigue and tantalize us:
Here is the opening of FORSAKEN:
The horse stumbled under him
as he plummeted off the mountain, but he spurred the mare on even harder.
Around him, the dark pines swayed and sighed in the wind as he crashed down
through them, his only thought to reach the ranch alive.
A branch snapped behind him
making the hair on the back of his neck shoot up, but he didn’t dare turn
around. Fighting to stay in the saddle, he barreled down the creek bank into a
fast-running stream. The clear water showered up in an icy wave that soaked him
to the skin and stole his breath.
making the hair on the back of his neck shoot up, but he didn’t dare turn
around. Fighting to stay in the saddle, he barreled down the creek bank into a
fast-running stream. The clear water showered up in an icy wave that soaked him
to the skin and stole his breath.
His horse bolted up the other
side, forcing him to cling to the saddle-horn to stay on his mount. A pine bough
caught him in the face, a sharp branch
scraping across his cheek and cutting into his flesh.
side, forcing him to cling to the saddle-horn to stay on his mount. A pine bough
caught him in the face, a sharp branch
scraping across his cheek and cutting into his flesh.
Behind him, he heard a
familiar sound over the roar of his pulse and
the howling wind and his horse’s thundering hooves. It was that
unearthly silence that had chased him out of the Beartooth Mountains.
familiar sound over the roar of his pulse and
the howling wind and his horse’s thundering hooves. It was that
unearthly silence that had chased him out of the Beartooth Mountains.
Even as he spurred the horse
harder, he knew he’d never be able to outrun it – or the smell of death
lingering on his skin.
Wow..that surely intrigued and tantalized me !! 🙂
I have pre-ordered my copy of FORSAKEN which releases on 24th September 2013. Grab your copy now. 🙂
harder, he knew he’d never be able to outrun it – or the smell of death
lingering on his skin.
Wow..that surely intrigued and tantalized me !! 🙂
I have pre-ordered my copy of FORSAKEN which releases on 24th September 2013. Grab your copy now. 🙂
Thanks BJ for this wonderful interview and for sharing with us your thoughts.
All the best for your future endeavors. 🙂
This post contains affiliate links. Any purchases you make using these links earn me a small commission without costing you anything. So, reward my efforts and help me in the upkeep costs of this blog. Read more here. Please shop using these links. Thanks!
Share this post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest. Use hashtags #BookReviewByNjkinny , #NjkinnyRecommends and #NjkinnysBlog