Let’s talk all about your writing style first…

SB: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

TJR: First of all, thank you so much for inviting me to do this! This is my first author spotlight ever! I’ve been writing since I was in junior high school when I wrote for the newspaper. I used to contribute articles about current events on campus, spotlight pieces on teachers and other faculty, and short stories. Then when I was in high school I was on the yearbook staff from sophomore year up to my senior year. I honestly can’t even say what it was that made me want to write, but I always loved to read. And one day I just started writing. I don’t even remember what spurred me to do it. Maybe the fact that there weren’t many books featuring Black heroines, and I wanted to see myself represented. I think it was a bit of the “write the stories you want to read,” kind of thing for me. I’ve been writing creatively ever since. But the thing that made me realize I wanted to pursue it as a career choice was when I started going to Indie Author conventions. Once I became a part of that world I learned about independent publishing, and that I didn’t have to go through a flurry of rejection letters to write.  

SB: How do you handle writer’s block?

TJR: Ugh! The dreaded writer’s block, how I loathe thee. LOL. The way I typically handle writer’s block is by doing the most mundane tasks. It’s not always a conscious effort to rid myself of it. I just get so frustrated that I stop trying to write and put my energy into something else. I’ve broken through the wall during the weirdest moments. I’ll obsess over a scene or a chapter for days, weeks, even months until an epiphany comes while I’m cleaning my bathroom, driving to work, sitting in a parking lot, or under the hair dryer at the salon. I also get great ideas in the shower, which is super frustrating because who brings pens in the shower? LOL. Writer’s blocks can be quite discouraging sometimes, but I think it’s really just our characters trying to keep things to themselves. It’s also a fear (at least for me) that the written scene will not come close to what we picture so vividly in our heads. It’s so much easier to imagine a scene/scenes than it is to write them. My characters are so easy to manipulate and see when they are in my head, but the second I sit at my computer…it’s like they just put a sign on the door that says, “do not disturb.” Long story short, handling writer’s block is an evolving process for me. Every block is different. Some blocks are made of brick, and others are as delicate and easy to break as papier-mâché.  

SB: What comes first, the plot or characters?

TJR: The characters always come first. Always. I’ve never had a story idea just about a vague idea. Usually, a character pops into my head and tells me one thing about him/her, and I’m like, “oh, is that right? Want to tell me more?” Some characters are more talkative than others, and I immediately know the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Other stories, like the one I’m working on now are a bit more elusive in the middle because the characters are more subdued. My characters drive the plots. I tend to be a pantser, not a plotter. I try to sit down and outline, but it’s difficult. I don’t know why. I’m more of the type to let the characters lead the way.

SB: Do you prefer writing in silence or to music?

TJR: I prefer writing to music. I have multiple playlists for my books, including the two I’m currently working on. I love music. Writing to music helps me escape reality to interact completely with my characters. It basically helps me disassociate from the world around me. I’m like a baby that always wants to know what’s going on around him/her, so music helps me focus on my story. Otherwise, I’m distracted by everything else, and I can’t get into the headspace to write.

SB: Are you on social media and can your readers interact with you? Please provide links if possible

TJR: Yes, I’m on Twitter and Instagram, in both a personal and professional capacity. I also have a Facebook Group. My author accounts all have a pretty small following because I’ve just barely begun to market myself. I’d love it if you give me a follow! I’m a bit lonely on my author pages. Plus you all can give me ideas on what you’d like me to share!

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tj_rudolph?s=09

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authortjrudolph/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/124540552782099

SB: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

TJR: I have completed three books, but I have not yet published them. My first release, the Crash Duology will be out later this year. The title of book one is Crash, and book two is Lifeline. I have quite a few novels in progress at the moment. The third book I’ve written is actually the first one I ever completed, but it needs a lot of reworking to get where I want it to be. It was one of those brain dump kinds of books that I’ll revisit later. The characters in that story would not leave me alone until I wrote them, so I did. I absolutely adore the couple in that book, but I want to give them a better story.  

SB: Who is your favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them special. 

TJR: My favorite character that I have written is Lucian Casteel the hero in my Crash duology because he’s so layered. He didn’t really like to talk to me at first. In fact, although earlier I said my characters usually come to me before the plot, Lucian didn’t really open up until I got deeper into the story. A major plot point that happens in book one will surprise my readers, but just know it surprised me too! I was like, “okay, wow. That’s new info, but I think I can work with this!” What makes him special to me is that he’s been through a heartbreaking betrayal, and even though it makes trusting the heroine of the story difficult for him, he treats her with respect. He’s an alpha type, but not one that’s so alpha that it’s off putting.

SB: You’ve written in multiple romance genres. Do you have a preference?

TJR: My Crash duology is contemporary IR romance, which is a genre I enjoy writing in but it’s not my preference. My goal is to just write stories that move me. Stories that I want to read. One of my current WIPs is actually a YA book, but it covers heavy material based on what we’ve been going through with race and the treatment of Black males as dispensable. However, the center of the novel is a romance. At the risk of spoiling the story, I can’t say anymore. My plan will to be release that book early 2022. All of that being said, I don’t want to be pigeon-holed into only writing one genre. Being locked into one genre is boring, and I believe all writers have the right to explore what they want. I mean, think about it, if an actor can be a good guy in one film and a bad guy in the next, why can’t I bounce from contemporary romance to YA? Or from a romance to a thriller? As someone who loves to read, I’ve never expected the authors I admire to stick to one thing. That’s an unfair expectation, and it stifles creativity.

SB: If you were to genre-hop, which genre would you most like to try?

TJR: I really want to write a thriller! Growing up I LOVED R.L. Stine, Christopher Pike, Lois Duncan, and Diane Hoh books. I actually have an idea for a thriller that I’ve jotted down notes for in my ever-filling Samsung Notes app. I’m quite excited about it. I already have a title for it too. I don’t know how it ends, but I know the beginning and the middle. I’m a pantser so I’ll see where my protagonist decides to take me. Or how far she decides to go with her plots and schemes. And like I said, I don’t want to be limited to one thing, so this story will definitely be completed and released in the near future.

SB: Where do you get your inspiration?

TJR: I get inspired by a lot of things around me. I love to people watch, and I’ve found myself making up stories about people I find interesting. I also get inspiration from photographs, paintings, and even music. Sometimes I can hear a song and a character instantly pops into my head, and I start world building just from that. Or sometimes a song will inspire an entire scene. I also find inspiration from going to book signings, because meeting such amazing talented women motivates me to keep writing. It’s like recharging my creative battery.

SB: Can you share something about your current book that isn’t in the blurb?

TJR: Crash has a twist no one will see coming. That’s all I’m going to say. LOL. I would have loved to share the cover with you all, but the one I chose is being changed at the moment. The previous cover I had was a bit too lighthearted for the story. Picking the right cover is a struggle, let me tell you! Wow! But fear not, I will be sharing more teasers very soon. Stay tuned to my socials! You won’t be disappointed!

SB: Do you write listening to music? If so, what music inspired or accompanied this current book?

TJR: Yes, I always write listening to music. There are many people on my Crash playlist, but the artists I consider the primary leaders are Banks, Sidi, Astrid S., H.E.R., Jhene, and Wafia. All of those artists get me into the headspace of my story. Their voices are so transportive.

SB: What is the future of the characters? Will there be a sequel?

TJR: You’ll have to read book two to find out! There is ABSOLUTELY going to be a sequel because Crash is a duology. Books one and two are both done. They are in final editing stages! Super exciting!

SB: If you had to describe the main character in THREE words, what would those three words be?

TJR: Strong, intelligent, and prideful (not an awesome trait, I know, but it’s true. It’s actually the part of the definition that means consciousness of one’s own dignity-she doesn’t like to ask for help)

SB: If your book was going to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it?

TJR: Funny you should ask! The muses for my characters are Ashley Madekwe and Paul Wesley.

Would you rather be in a room full of snakes or a room full of spiders?

TJR: I hate both, and I can’t think of a scenario where one is better than the other. My answer is NEITHER. LMAO.

Would you rather have an endless summer or an endless winter?

TJR: I would rather have an endless winter because if we had an endless summer there would be a MAJOR drought. And I live in the Inland Empire, where it’s dry arid desert with temps that are regularly 103-113 degrees. Winter for 200 Alex! 

Would you rather always be an hour early or be constantly twenty minutes late?

TJR: I would rather always be an hour early because I do that anyway. My sister and I always show up early at events, whether it’s a movie premiere, a book signing, or a meet and greet. We don’t like to be late. 

Tea or Coffee

TJR: I like tea, but I LOVE coffee. Especially Peet’s Coffee in Pasadena, CA.

Coke or Pepsi

TJR: When I used to drink soda, Pepsi was my go-to. Interestingly enough there’s a scene in Crash where Coke vs Pepsi is discussed. Needless to say, Pepsi wins.

City or Country

TJR: I am a huge fan of city lights. I like to see skyscrapers. I’m not a country girl. My mother and father are from the South, so I’ve spent time in places that have country vibes, but it’s not my scene.

Let’s talk all about your writing style first… 

How do you handle writer’s block?

DA: I read, write in my journal, listen to a lot of music. It’s hard when it hits, and some days I just have to force myself even when every word feels like a drop of blood. It’s the worst and so scary because I never know  how long it will last. But what I do know is that it WILL pass and if I journal enough, I can usually get to the root of the problem and once I know what’s truly wrong, I work on addressing it. One of the most important things I’ve learned is that trying to “get over” things without allowing yourself to sit in the pain and feel self-pity isn’t healthy for me. Once I started giving myself permission to be sad about a disappointing release or whatever – it was much easier to move on and get going again.

What comes first, the plot or characters? – 

DA: The characters. Always. I’m a very curious (some may say nosey) person and so when someone intrigues me, I usually stop and ask questions. For my book The Sun and Her Star, my hero was inspired by the “naked bartender” at my sister’s wedding shower. He was nude but for a tiny apron that was open in the back and while I could see that it was supposed to be a sexy, fun thing, and he was very nice to look at, I couldn’t imagine that it was an enjoyable job – having your bare ass out in a room from of strangers. So, I asked him – and he told me that he didn’t particularly like it, but that it paid the bills and let him work exclusively on weekends so he could go to school full time. All my characters have an origin story like that. 

How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

DA: A Lot. Setting is very important – I like my readers to have an immersive experience, and for me that means engaging all of their senses. And even if not all of the details make it into the story, it helps me give my characters context.

How do you deal with the emotional impact of a book (on yourself) as you are writing the story?

DA: Not very well honestly, when I have to write emotionally difficult scenes, I tend to avoid writing altogether. But when I can’t avoid it anymore, I just let my emotions have their way. I cry, and agonize and celebrate along with my characters and it’s usually very cathartic. And it takes me a while to move on from stories when I’m done. 

How do you come up with the titles to your books?

DA: I don’t know – they usually come to me when I’m building my Pinterest boards and playlists. 

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

DA: I’ve published 9 books and they are all special for so many reasons. But if I had a gun to my head, I’d say it’s my fourth book, Release. It’s set it in my home country of Ghana and I loved introducing readers to that world. Also it’s deeply emotional and so very romantic. 

If you were to genre-hop, which genre would you most like to try?

DA: I think fantasy. I’d love to test the bounds of my imagination and world build without worrying about accuracy. 

Which of your books was most enjoyable to write?

DA: The Sun and Her Star. 

If you had to recommend one of your books to a new reader, which would you recommend?

DA: I’ll let my readers answer this. Whenever I ask this question, the response is always Thicker Than Water. 

Would you rather be in a room full of snakes or a room full of spiders?

DA: Death, please. 

Would you rather have an endless summer or an endless winter?

DA: Endless Summer

Would you rather always be an hour early or be constantly twenty minutes late?

DA: An hour early

Tea or Coffee

DA: Tea

Movie or Book

DA: Movie

Toilet Paper: Over or Under?

DA: Over

SB: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 

AH: I have been a writer all my life. I can’t ever remember a time when that wasn’t forefront in my mind.

SB: How do you handle writer’s block? 

AH: I sit down and just free write. I let my mind rove and don’t corral my thoughts. 

SB: What comes first, the plot or characters? 

AH: It depends, but I always spend far more time on characters because characters inform the plot far more than plot informs the characters. 

SB: Where is your favorite place to write? 

AH: I like to write on my back porch when weather allows. 

SB: Do you prefer writing in silence or to music? 

AH: Silence – or white noise.

SB: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? 

AH: I’ve written seventeen novels. My favorite is always the one I’ve just finished. 

SB: Who is your favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them special. 

AH: My favorite character is probably Moses Wright from The Law of Moses. He has his own story and has made appearances in two other novels as a side character. His spiritual abilities juxtaposed with his tough exterior make him especially interesting.

SB: You’ve written in various romance genres. Do you have a preference? 

AH: I love writing historical most, but fantasy is a close second. 

SB: If you were to genre-hop, which genre would you most like to try? 

AH: I am known for genre hopping already—I write historical, fantasy, and contemporary.

SB: Which of your books was most enjoyable to write? 

AH: Probably my very first one. I had no pressure or expectations. I simply wrote for myself. 

SB: Can you share something about your current book that isn’t in the blurb? 

AH: The Songbook of Benny Lament releases March 16, 2021, and the love story revolves around an interracial couple – A mafioso’s son and a Black nightclub singer. 

New York, 1960: For Benny Lament, music is his entire life. With his father’s deep ties to the mob, the Bronx piano man has learned that love and family can get you in trouble. So he keeps to himself, writing songs for other musicians, avoiding the spotlight…until the night his father brings him to see Esther Mine sing.

Esther is a petite powerhouse with a gorgeous voice. And when Benny writes a hit song and performs it with her, their collaboration thrusts the duo onto the national stage…and stirs up old issues and new scrutiny that the mob—and Benny—would rather avoid.

It would be easier to walk away. But the music and the woman are too hard for the piano man to resist. Benny’s songs and Esther’s vocals are an explosive combination, a sound that fans can’t get enough of. But though America might love the music they make together, some people aren’t ready for Benny Lament and Esther Mine on—or off—the stage.

The Songbook of Benny Lament (releasing March 16) — PreOrder Now! https://amzn.to/3ndEiaE

To add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54268364-the-songbook-of-benny-lament

SB: Would you rather be in a room full of snakes or a room full of spiders?

AH: SNAKES. 

SB: Would you rather have an endless summer or an endless winter?

AH: UGH! I suppose summer would be easier, but I would miss winter.

SB: Would you rather always be an hour early or be constantly twenty minutes late?

AH: An hour early. It embarrasses me to be late. 

Movie or Book?

AH: Book

Coke or Pepsi?

AH: Pepsi

City or Country?

AH: Country

Let’s talk all about your writing style and process first… 

How do you handle writer’s block?

MLP: I usually step away from the project and allow myself to disengage from the world I’m writing or ask my critique partner/book buddy to help get me out of the corner I’ve written myself into.

What comes first, the plot or characters?

MLP: A little of both. A ‘bunny’ will sometimes appear in a scene leaving me with a plot to flesh out and an image of my characters.

Do you prefer writing in silence or to music?

MLP: Both. If my head is already ‘full’ I have to write in silence, but for the most part, I write with some kind of music in the background.

Do you find it more challenging to write the first book in a series or to write the subsequent novels?

MLP: Subsequent. Sure, you know what the big picture looks like overall, but getting there is the hardest part. Having to keep up with your timeline, making sure you carry over important facts and getting your characters in line, make all subsequent novels a task.

How many books have you written?

MLP: Published: 12; Soon To Be Released: 1; Waiting on me to write: Too Many (LOL)

Which is your favorite?

MLP: Ugh, that is hard. They are all my favorites. I think if I had to choose, it would be…

If you were to genre-hop, which genre would you most like to try?

MLP: I recently released Bella and Her Beast, a fairytale retelling in the Once Upon A Temptation Anthology. Of course it is Fantasy, and my character was a shifter. I enjoyed researching and learning about that genre and may be tempted to do it again. Other than that, maybe Dark Romance.

Which of your books was most enjoyable to write?

MLP: Bella and Her Beast. First time outside my norm and it was exhilarating.

Where do you get your inspiration?

MLP: I usually get it from songs/music, and things people say that spark a plot bunny. Other times a storm can generate steamy scenes and more often than non my own marriage can give me inspiration.

If you had to recommend one of your books to a new reader, which would you recommend?

MLP: If you like second chance of sorts, I say High Roller. If you like one-night stands that turn into something more, Southern Charm.

Would you rather be in a room full of snakes or a room full of spiders?

MLP: Ewwww, can’t answer. Just ick!!!

Would you rather have an endless summer or an endless winter?

MLP: Summer.

Would you rather always be an hour early or be constantly twenty minutes late?

MLP: An hour early.

Movie or Book

MLP: Book

Toilet Paper: Over or Under

MLP: Over

City or Country

MLP: Country

Let’s talk all about your writing process first… 

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 

Sierra: I think I had to write a story about my family when I was in 2nd grade. By third grade, I was making up stories and by 7th grade I was writing for the school newspaper. I was always writing and loved putting words to paper. After college, I started writing and submitting short works to contests, but never finished a full book until my debut in 2014.

What comes first, the plot or characters? 

Sierra: It’s usually my characters, then the title, then the storyline and plot. I have a thing for naming my characters – I’m fascinated by names. And once I find a name, that’s when I begin delving into who they are and what they want.

Do you prefer writing in silence or to music?

Sierra:  I write in silence and edit with soft music in the background. When I write, I need all the focus to be on the words. But editing is soooo boring! So the music helps me slog through it.

Do you find it more challenging to write the first book in a series or to write the subsequent novels? 

Sierra: All my books are standalone, but some are in interconnected series. It’s much easier for me to write the first book, because I have a really bad memory and by the 3rd, 4th or 5th, I sometimes can’t even remember the previous book character names! Eeek. 

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? 

Sierra: I just published book #27! And to think I really only ever set out to write just one. Ha! That’s the thing with writing, it’s like a drug and you just have to keep going. I have several favorites along the way. Several are in my Courting Love series which is my college basketball series. I loved The Rebound and Pivot, because they resembled a lot of my own first love experiences. And I have a 3-book serial called Reckless that I published at the end of 2018 that I was really proud of because of the emotional complexities involved with the 3 characters.

 Do you have a favorite genre to write in?

Sierra: I’m a true fan of new adult. I just love to go back in time and experience it from my own perspective again each time I write characters in their young twenties. There’s just so many nuances to that age group and it’s often when young adults find out who they really are and learn through trial and error – especially in relationships.

If you were to genre-hop, which genre would you most like to try? 

Sierra: I have an outline for a romantic suspense novel but in all honestly, I’m scared to write it. It takes a different type of writing style and imagination to come up with those types of twists. Maybe someday I’ll gather up the courage.

Which of your books was most enjoyable to write? 

Sierra: There are a few that just “came to me” in a snap. The words and story just flowed onto the pages. The Reckless serial is one of those. I woke up one day, had the idea pop in my head over breakfast and coffee and I ran to my laptop to start working on it. I wrote all three books in less than 4 months.

Where do you get your inspiration? 

Sierra: I read a lot of contemporary romance and as the saying goes, there’s nothing new under the sun except a little twist here and there. When I read, I’m always thinking about the “What if’s” and I think about different ways that story could have played out or told.

Would you rather be in a room full of snakes or a room full of spiders?

Sierra: OMG neither! That’s just horrifying. 

Would you rather have an endless summer or an endless winter?

Sierra:  Living in Seattle, it feels like we are in the constant endless winter from Oct-June ever year. So I’ll take the summer, please. 

Would you rather always be an hour early or be constantly twenty minutes late?

Sierra: I was born 5-days late and it’s been my MO ever since. 

Morning Person or Night Owl?

Morning Person

Coke or Pepsi

Pepsi

Paperback or EBook

EBook