Interview Jaxine Daniels

by

Tamia Dawn Osburn

1) We’ll start off with easy ones like how long have you been writing?

I've been writing since childhood. But writing fiction seriously for about six years. My first book took me a little over a year to write. Now they're much faster.

2) What is the best time of day for you to get in touch with your muse?

I don't allow my muse much say. Since moving to Florida (which I did in the middle of writing A Hard Place to Find) I am busier than ever. So I write when I can write and the muse just has to be on call 24/7.

3) Do you write everyday?

Ideally, I write every weekday. But reality doesn't always cooperate. When I'm in the actual writing phase of a book, I work very hard to stay in the story. I find that writing every day, even if it's just a few pages, keeps the pot bubbling, so to speak. If I go very long “out of story” I have a hard time getting back in.

4) What would you tell a new writer is the one most important thing needed to get published?

Persisitance and tough skin. You can't be a quitter--ever. And you have to be able to take rejection. Then, I'd say read a lot.

5. If you were marooned on a desert island with a handsome male, what would be the three traits you would want him to possess?

Truly, I'd want him to be my hubby. He knows me and loves me anyway :) He and I share the same warped sense of humor and can spend lots of time together without killing each other.

6. What would you consider a romantic outing?

Recently, I picked up my hubby of twenty-three years from work. He drove to the mall and had that little secret smile on his face. When we got inside he walked me to the jewelry store and handed the clerk a ticket. She handed him my wedding set. I hadn't worn it in a while because it was missing some of the small diamonds and the center one was loose. He'd had it all redone with a beautiful marquis diamond in the center. It was very romantic from a guy who doesn't do traditional romantic very much. I still get warm and misty every time I look down at my left hand.

Anything can be romantic. One of my favorite things is to go to Chilis, share an entree and margaritas. Spending time together on purpose. Of course, we just moved to Florida. So we take a lot of time to walk on the beach. Does it get any better than that?

7. Where do you hope to see yourself in five years as far as writing goes?

I have a "big book" that I want to do. It will be set in Scotland and, though contemporary, it will have a tie to ancient kings. I'd love for that book to be my "Outlander." If you've never read the story of that book and it's author, it's a fun story.

8. Is there a story that you are dying to write, but haven’t had time to get to yet?

It's that Scottish book, for sure.

9. Who has had the most influence on your writing career?

Suzanne Brockmann. I love her books and find that our voices are similar. Other than her, one of my best friends, Kathi, who always believed that I could do it.

10. What has been the most fun in writing your January release--plotting, characterization, or research. Why?

The part I like best about this series is the cast of characters. They are true heroes and yet, they are truly GUYS. I don't mind research and I did have to do some research into California criminal law for this book. I had a wonderful conversation with a bail bondsman (woman--so is that bail bondswoman?) who corrected some of my misconceptions about bail. You learn something all the time. :)

11. What do you do for relaxation after a particularly long session of writing?

I try to get outside to unwind. I love the outdoors--one reason for moving to Florida. I walk or ride my bike, something physical. I dance three days a week, so sometimes that's how I unwind.

12. Do you have other novels in publication? If so, what are they?

My first two books were hockey romances. I have an erotic anthology that I did as well. A Hard Place to Find is the third of five military romances. My first paranormal romance, Promise To Believe, will be out in August ‘06.