Interview With Author Jayna Morrow
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Lufkin, Texas, in an area called the Piney Woods. It’s a rural area with tons of tall trees. I spent most daylight hours outside, barefoot, up trees, and pretending I lived in the woods. So, it comes as no surprise that I’m transitioning to full-time RV life now as an adult. I still love living in the woods…but with some creature comforts. Glamping, it’s called. My family often camped, and we spent time fishing, hiking, picnicking, and exploring historical sites. Those are still some of my favorite things to do, and you’ll see them reflected in everything I write.
I consider myself a plotter and exploratory writer. I’ve heard the expression that readers live a thousand lives. The same can be said for writers. We are the creators of characters and worlds, and the entire process is magical. But it takes readers to breathe life into those characters and worlds. I couldn’t achieve my writing dreams without my readers. I’m so thankful for you all!
My “Hallmark Hero” and I live in East Texas. I have two beautiful, almost-grown daughters. Currently, I have 2 sweet romances and 2 cozy mysteries out in the world. Book 3 in the Motorhome Mysteries series is coming soon. I can’t wait to share more of our travel adventures with you!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Body at Beavers Bend is my newest release. It’s Book 2 in the Motorhome Mysteries series, and it was inspired by my real-life RV adventures. My fiance and I are full-time RVers, something I’ve dreamed of for decades. The main character in my series is also a full-time RVer and mystery writer, so that gives me endless material to draw from.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m an extreme plotter, and sometimes my outlines are between 10-30K! Also, my brain works better horizontally than vertically. So after I’ve completed a draft and done some editing on it, I print it out, tape the pages for each chapter together, and then hang the pages horizontally along a wall. I use sticky notes and various colored pens to revise that way.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nancy Drew got me started in the mystery genre at a young age. I grew up watching Murder, She Wrote. I know that’s a show, not a book, but it fueled my love of cozy mystery. Later on, I started reading the Murder, She Baked series by Joanne Fluke, and it got me to thinking I could write cozy mysteries, too. All my favorite cozy mystery authors now are Indie authors: Kassandra Elaine, Carolyn L. Dean, Patti Larson, Jenna St. James…I could keep going on and on.
What are you working on now?
I’m finishing up Book 3 in the Motorhome Mysteries series, The Death at the Diamond Mine. My fiance and I had a wonderful trip there, and it was fun taking bit and pieces of our trip and turning it into a funny cozy mystery.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My fiance is my marketing “team,” and he’s been taking a Facebook ads course. I do have 1 Facebook ad running right now, and that has been the most effective marketing tool for me so far. I also post sporadically on Instagram and Facebook. Growth on those platforms has been slow and steady.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you love because you’re going to have to read it a hundred times. Ha! Seriously, write what you love because writing is more of a passion than a career. Or it should be.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t feel like you have to jump on trends or spend more time marketing than writing. Do what feels true to you and the vision you have for your career. I know I will never have a YouTube channel and that’s okay. If you don’t like social media, that’s okay, too. There’s more than one way to find success in this business.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading the National Park Mystery Series by Aaron Johnson, Bigfoot and Bewilderment by A.R. Winters, and Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle series.
What’s next for you as a writer?
An agent, I hope. I’ve come close a few times, only to see everything fall apart. This time, my goal to attract one is sales. I’ve seen a lot of Indie authors land an agent after proving themselves by selling a lot of books. Why not give it a shot?
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?
I would definitely bring the Twilight series with me. I’ll admit it, I’m a Twihard. I would also want a few of my favorite writer resource books like the Emotion Thesaurus and others in that series. I’d also bring my Bible, so I can continue doing Bible Journaling.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jayna Morrow’s Social Media Links
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