Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.
Jamie A. Waters is an award-winning fantasy romance author and dragon enthusiast. Weaving together magic, intrigue, and some delicious romance, she creates memorable and immersive worlds that provide the perfect escape. Her books features strong, capable heroines and their swoon-worthy heroes who will stop at nothing to save the day.
Jamie currently resides in Florida with two neurotic dogs who enjoy stealing socks. When she’s not writing, she’s usually trying to learn new and interesting random things (like how to pick locks or use the self-cleaning feature of the oven without setting off the fire alarm). In her downtime, she enjoys reading, playing computer games, painting, or acting as a referee between the dragons and fairies currently at war inside her closet.
When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?
I probably have a harder time with the later books in the series. I write a lot of fast-paced fantasy, so worldbuilding and intricate plots that unfold throughout the series is key. In the first book of a new series, I’m still learning about the world and the characters. The longer the series progresses, the more hurdles the characters have to overcome. Things can get pretty dicey before they reach their Happily Ever After.
When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I’m the queen of plot twists! I’m mostly a pantser (writing by the seat of my pants). A lot of times I don’t know what’s going to happen until I write it. There have been countless times that I’ve just stared at my screen and thought, “Where the heck did THAT come from?”
When I’m not writing and need to refill my creative well, I’m either reading or playing video games. I love to learn and experience new things. Inspiration finds me in the strangest of places. I’ll be playing a game, and a thought will come to me almost out of the blue. I’ll run out of the room to go type up a new chapter really quick. I like to think that each of our brains are supercomputers. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes, and I’m just along for the ride.
Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?
Self-care and make sure to recharge the well! I think we all started writing because we have a passion and love for amazing stories. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of publishing dreams. But it’s important to remember to take time for yourself and focus on why you want to take this journey. Find out what types of things inspire YOU, and when you become discouraged, hold onto that inspiration tightly. It’ll let you continue to soar.
On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?
Sometimes, several hours. Other days, I’ll write only a sentence. I try to open my current manuscript every day, but I don’t force the words. Sometimes “writing” is simply sitting outside and drinking a cup of tea while I think about my characters, or wonder if dragons ever suffer from motion sickness.
Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.
Blossom, the mischievous and adorable pixie from The Dragon Portal series. (Ahem, who let the goat loose in the dwarven embassy this time?) She wasn’t a planned character, but I can’t imagine the series without her. Her antics keep me laughing, and I love writing scenes with her in them.
If any of your books were to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it? What book and who?
Um… I’m terrible at naming actors and actresses. For leading ladies, I always thought Mila Kunis looked a bit like Kayla from Beneath the Fallen City. She also happens to be from the Ukraine, and that series draws a lot of inspiration from Slavic folklore.
And I’d have to say Scarlett Johansson as Sabine for The Dragon Portal series. There’s just something about her mannerisms and a little of her appearance (minus the pointy ears and glowing skin markings, of course).
What is your definition of success?
I write because I love getting lost in stories. I publish because I want to share them with others. To me, success means that I have the ability to pursue my dreams while also uplifting and providing joy to others. Every time I receive an email or message from a reader telling me they love my books and the escape they provide, I know I’ve succeeded.
What are your social links?
https://linktr.ee/booksbyjamiewaters
What are your buy links? (Provide links to your Amazon/iBook’s/Koko/etc Author Home Page if you have quite a few. Also include audible links if applicable.)
Website: https://www.jamieawaters.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-A.-Waters/e/B00JXT4VTK/
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/author/jamie-a-waters/id831846900
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Jamie+A.+Waters
Books2Read: books2read.com/booksbyjamiewaters
Want tickets to Writers on the River #2023?
They are available starting November 4th at Writersontheriver.com
$45 VIP sell out quickly – 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included.
$25 Early Access – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party.
$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.
$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.
