Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.
I’m Melanie Jayne and I write Romance featuring older characters because Love doesn’t stop at 35. I currently have 3 contemporary series: Cameron Farms with is small town based and a little more serious, The Change Series which has an element of suspense and is fast-moving, and The Casino Nights which is based in a Las Vegas Casino and is the hottest of my series.
I live on a grain farm in Central Indiana with my long-suffering hubby and two spoiled Mastiffs, Duncan Keith and Ginger. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up- I’d done Retail Management, Worked for a Federal Judge, done In Home Loan Closings, and been behind the scenes in a Casino. I have great stories but little passion for the positions.
I love to read, follow TMZ and adore trashy TV.
When and Why did you start to write?
I grew up telling stories. My paternal grandparents were writers so it was encouraged. In college I was told by an instructor that I had no talent so I stopped. I was 45 when a friend suggested that I try writing romance. I had some ideas so I sat down and tried to organize my thoughts. Then I started taking classes and reading books on writing. It took 5 years to publish my first book.
What authors do you always read or suggest to others?
Kit Rocha’s Beyond Series!!!! The world building is excellent. Obsessed– O’Kane for Life
Penny Reid- I’m love her Beard Series- I laugh out loud still anytime I hear the word sausage.
Damon Suede- I read Hot Head a while ago and I’m still in love with it
Kristen Ashley- I love the Queen’s Rock Chicks Series- I picture myself in the books
Skye Warren- She writes Dark and I love it
Shelly Laurenston- Shape shifters that are fun and hot
Patricia Briggs- Alpha and Omega Series. Best Werewolves Ever.
What is the most surprising thing you have found out with the writing process?
Compared to the entire business- putting the words down is one of the easiest parts. The Marketing, Publishing Schedules and Travel take up so much time. In mid-January, I am already planning for 2018.
What are you working on now?
You Always, book 2 in the Cameron Farms Trilogy will be out 1-26-17 so I’m doing last minute marketing. Best, book 3 in the Change Series is with the editor, and I’m writing book 3 in the Casino Nights series called Long Shot. Plus I’m packing for the Coastal Magic Convention in Daytona the first weekend of February and making hotel reservations for the summer signings.
When writing are you a pantser or plotter?
I’m a total Plotter. I have an outline with dialog, fashion, and music notations. I break down my writing based on the outline and instead of a word count, I use the scene breaks.
I’m not against changes coming- in my book Best, I had planned for Tye to fall in love with Holly but somehow Billie entered the scene and he fell in love with her instead. This change caused me extra work but I went where the story took me.
I have been working on an Urban Fantasy for years, currently the outline is 45 pages long. When and if I ever get the time (and the headspace) to write this dark series – I’ll be able to rock.
What are your social links?
http://www.readmelaniejayne.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ReadMelanieJayne
https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/profile
https://www.instagram.com/mjsmut/
What are your buy links?
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=melanie+jayne&sprefix=melanie+jayne%2Caps%2C1737&crid=1J3UH4ZUIHHN9&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amelanie+jayne