AuThursday – JJ Montgomery

Please welcome Romantic Suspense author, JJ Montgomery to the Clog Blog.  JJ can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I’m a mother of two and I work full time, and even though my time is always stretched, writing is a part of who I am – I do it because I love it. Someday I would love for it to be a full time job, but for right now it’s something I do as often as possible. I started writing my first novel when I was really, really young, but it took me until I was in my mid-thirties until I finally completed a book. And that first one was just awful! But the thing you learn from that first awful book is that you will get better! And I think I have, over the years.

How do you make time to write?

This question almost feels like a joke – I carve out moments when my daughter is napping, when my son is at school or busy doing something else. Late at night in bed before I sleep and definitely, when I’m flying for work. That’s probably my most productive time.

What genre are your books?

I write romantic suspense, but would love to do a more “traditional” boy-meets-girl romance someday. Maybe fewer deaths, more humor.

What draws you to this genre?

I have always loved suspense novels – horror, adventure, spy novels – anything where there is a lot of action and you can get lost in the plot. And romance…look, the fact is that almost all suspense/action novels include a romantic sub-plot, whether written by men or women. It’s a question of branding, at the end of the day. And if that means I’m targeting my writing for a female audience, I’m okay with that. I’ve always been a girl’s girl. My writing reflects that.

What are your current projects?

I’m working on a sequel to Gun for Hire involving Samantha’s sister, Josie, and Grady’s partner, Kai.

Are you an Introvert or Extravert?  How does this affect your work?

I’m such an introvert! I find it hard to imagine being extroverted writer – I’d think the solitary nature of the work would drive an extrovert batty! To me, being an introvert feels like a very natural extension of being a writer (or is that vice versa?) I spend a lot of time being quiet, dreaming up new characters or stories.

What is your writing Kryptonite?

The pressures of being a mom to two young children, of being a wife, of working full time. If I could only clone myself, I’d be incredibly productive!

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Do it if you love it. The money isn’t great, and the chances of big success in the writing world are slim. But do it if you’re called to it, if you love it. And for no other reason, because you’ll be disappointed otherwise!

Where can readers find you on the World Wide Web?

Thank you as well! I’m so thrilled you allowed me to be on your blog, and would encourage readers to get in touch with me! Find me at www.jjmontgomery.com, on Instagram (my favorite!) at www.instagram.com/jmontgomerywrites or Facebook www.facebook.com/authorjjmontgomery, a platform that still confounds me every time I log on. I also highly recommend checking out some new authors at www.17scribes.com — I’m on there, too!

Join me on Saturday when we read an excerpt from JJ’s latest story Gun for Hire!~Tina