Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a wife, mom, Irish dancer, and pug mom living in Raleigh, North Carolina. I’ve always been a writer but it wasn’t until I took a creative writing course a couple of years ago that I tried my hand at fiction.
My love of writing paired with a passion for traveling to Ireland inspired me to pen my first novel, The Cottage on Lough Key. The fictional story takes place in the town of Boyle in County Roscommon which is my maternal grandfather’s hometown. Hence, writing the book was a labor of love.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The House with The Georgian Door. The contemporary romance was inspired when I was writing an article about a bed & breakfast in Virginia. While there researching, I thought to myself a B&B would be a great setting for a novel. I knew just the B&B!
When I traveled to Ireland back in my single days, there was a bed and breakfast I fell in love with. That B&B and its location was the inspiration for The House with The Georgian Door. Although the story is fiction, I was constantly picturing that place as I wrote.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if it’s unusual, but I like to get away and isolate myself. Being alone with my thoughts, some soft music, and a pug or two to keep me company is the ideal environment for writing. The solitude allows me to let my imagination take me places without distractions.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was a little girl I read All-of -a-Kind-Family by Sydney Taylor and it captivated me. To this day, it’s an all-time favorite and a book I recommend for young readers. Now that I’m an adult, authors like Maeve Binchy, Philippa Gregory, Emily Giffin, and Taylor Caldwell are some of my favorites who have influenced me and my writing.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m busy with the promotion of my latest novel, The House with The Georgian Door. As a self-published author, there’s so much that needs to be done. I’m also writing on my travel website, PulllOverAndLetMeOut.com.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’d have to say Facebook and Twitter have been great for promoting books. Additionally, I have a website called PullOverAndLetMeOut.com which is a travel site where I’m able to share my travels and my books with readers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Persevere. Half the battle is actually completing the story. So many authors start a project and put it aside. Even if you can only write a page a day, by the end of a year, you’ll have 365 pages!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I know it’s nothing new but the best advice I heard was to show it don’t tell it! So often when I’m reading and re-reading a manuscript I’m picking out dialogue that I really didn’t need because I could show it instead.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m afraid I’m so busy with my book and travel website, I’m not reading anything. However, once things calm down a little, I intend to immerse myself in the Outlander series.
What’s next for you as a writer?
The next project I’m planning to begin is a third novel set in Ireland. I’ve got a few ideas I’m running through my head but I’ll need to do more research and perhaps a little travel before putting pen to paper.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Picking only three or four books is tough, but I’d have to say I’d take The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory, Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy, a dictionary, and a thesaurus – I’ll need them so I can write more books!
Author Websites and Profiles
Anna Marie Jehorek Website
Anna Marie Jehorek Amazon Profile
Anna Marie Jehorek’s Social Media Links
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