#WOTR22 #AttendingAuthor #spotlight – J.R. Gray

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

J.R. Gray. I am a queer own voice writer of gritty gay romance.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

The first book is always the hardest for me because it’s solidifying all the personality and fleshing out characters. Usually by the time I finish the first book all the characters for future books are actively in my mine.

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I’m usually so excited about the next character by the time I finish the first book that I carry that fresh excitement into the next book.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

I think the loneliness of constantly being in our own heads and not being able to share something until it’s fully done can be emotionally draining. I don’t usually show anyone a book until it’s finished so I spend weeks or months alone with something.

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

I’m all over the place. Some days its two hours other days it’s ten. It depends on how close to a deadline I am and how words are flowing.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

My favorite by far is Iris Rose, who is in my up coming Pretty Broken Rockstar series. The first book is Pretty Obsessed. I have so much connection to his struggle and feelings.

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?

I would love to see my Pretty Broken series made into a television show. Each of the band members has a very distinct face for me. Book one (Pretty Obsessed) is River, who is the guitarist he is Finn Wittrock, book two (Pretty Toxic) Lowe is who the bassist who is Shawn Mendas in my head, Book three (Pretty Wreck) Alister is Lucky Blue Smith -Book four (Rock Bottom) is Caspian who is the guitarist and is Neels and book five (Black Rose) is Iris Black who is Harry Styles.

What is your definition of success?

Being able to support myself on my art.

What are your social links?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BooksByGray

Twitter: @TheOriginalGray

Instagram: @HipsterWrtier

Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMR4J7Qsw/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/j-r-gray

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/J-R-Gray/e/B00J8JEDHK

Website: www.jrgraybooks.com

What are your buy links?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/J-R-Gray/e/B00J8JEDHK