Where do you hail from and what do you love most about your hometown?
I live in Newcastle, Australia. I recently moved back here after living away for a few years. I like it because it’s a fairly big city and not far from Sydney. I live in the inner city so I’m close to lots of cafés and some really quirky shops. The people are friendly and it’s a great place to live.
Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book is Seducing a Cougar. It’s the fourth and final novella in the Sydney Cougar Series. As the title indicates it’s about an older woman and younger man, but it also about the freedom a person can find in being true to their own needs and desires. For readers familiar with the series they’ll know the stories usually contain sex that’s pretty steamy and sometimes a little kinky, but with Seducing a Cougar the heat level is turned up a notch by the BDSM aspect of the storyline.
Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?
I’m currently writing the next novel in the Wylde Shore Series. It’s Mercedes and Zane’s story. Readers who’ve read Finding Angel and Playing Jax, the first two books, will know both of these characters from cameos in the first two books. I’m having fun with it. Zane and Mercedes are both head strong and dominant, so in order for them to get together they have to overcome their clash of wills. At the moment they aren’t managing to reach any compromises but it’s early on in the storyline.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?
For me it’s not actually a challenge to write, it more a challenge to manage my time so I get to write. Life sometimes gets in the way of being able to concentrate on a story or stick to my writing schedule. So finding a writing/life balance is my biggest challenge.
What advice would you give to writers just starting out?
Persevere with your dream. Know that you will come up against difficulties, criticism, rejections. Take a look at each hurdle as it arises, see if you could do something differently but make sure you stay positive and keep moving forward.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?
I have experienced it. I assume most writers’ have or will at some stage. I combat it in a few different ways but the main way is to write. I make notes about a new project, blog, anything that will get the creative ideas flowing again.
Who is your favorite author and why?
I love reading paranormal romance and have to say my favorite author is JR Ward. I love her characters and the emotional depth she gives to them all. Her books are not only interesting but have a great balance of ongoing storyline and romance.
What books have most influenced your life?
I read An Unseemly Man by Larry Flint many years ago. I found it fascinating, particularly the way he fought to defend the right for freedom of speech. He may not conform to society’s view of a business man and upset some people’s moral beliefs but he stood up for what he believed in and I admire that.
How did you deal with rejection letters?
I choose to be positive about them. Rejection letters are part of being an author so I expected to get some and was prepared for them. I knew that when the time was right I’d get a publishing deal and focused on that.
What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?
My main physical tools are my laptop and internet connection. I have reference books that pertain to different subjects I write about. Internet access is essential for promotion, publicity and of course research. Personal tools are a creative mind, the ability of having a thick skin when faced with criticism and determination to succeed.
Where do you as an author draw the line on gory descriptions and/or erotic content?
When it comes to descriptions I try to find the balance between what will offend and what is necessary for the storyline. I probably push the boundary with erotic content more so than gory descriptions. Because some of my books have BDSM content I like to ensure I describe the erotic acts in depth as not all readers have experience with kinky practices. However, I avoid including erotic content that involves acts of extreme pain or activities that the average reader would consider high risk, dangerous activities. I think the average reader wants to be titillated not confronted and it’s a fine and sometimes difficult line to walk. I’m sure I don’t always get it right.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done in the name of research?
I don’t think anything I’ve done would be considered weird. The thing that comes to mind is going into Sydney and walking the route one of my characters in Catching a Cougar takes as she runs to an inner city hospital at the end of the story.
If readers would like to find out more about me or my books they can connect with me at my website, blog or the following social networking sites:
Website: http://www.jangraham.com.au
My Blog: http://jangraham.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JanGrahamAuthorpage
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jan_graham
Author Bio
I have enjoyed writing throughout different periods of my life, but it is only now that I have the ability to work on it in a full time capacity. I love the imagery the written word creates in one’s mind and therefore I am an avid reader as well as an author.
At the end of 2010, after many years of working in the “real” world, I finally decided to make writing my career. I currently have books under contract with Siren Publishing and Secret Cravings Publishing.
I am pleased that I’m finally able to give the characters that swirl around my head on a constant basis the opportunity to put themselves down on paper, and hopefully entertain others as much as they amuse me. More information about what I’m up to, competitions and general nonsense can be uncovered if you visit my website http://www.jangraham.com.au or my blog at http://jangraham.blogspot.com
