Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a freelance writer, author of Rhyming Activities for Beginning Readers (T.S. Denison & Co.), Living La Vida (Lymphoma), I am Special – The Power is in ME! and The House on Pancake Hill (Amazon.com). I’m also a website content editor, proofreader, and daily blogger of, Living La Vida (Lymphoma).
I live in St. Augustine, Florida, and I’m member of Florida Writer’s Association and the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The House on Pancake Hill is my paranormal memoir — snippets of ghost stories and events that happened in my childhood home. I hid my gifts of being a child psychic medium well into adulthood. I decided to “come out of the paranormal closet” in order to help other children and teens who may be facing similar situations.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am a morning person who wakes up every day between 3 – 5 a.m. (I know! I hear all the groans!) Every morning, I light some candles, nag champa incense and turn on some quiet new age-y or classical music. I brew myself a big mug of tea and start by blogging, tweeting, and checking my emails.
Then I go straight to writing and researching for my newest book project. I try to keep the phone turned off until I am finished for the day. It helps to keep me centered and on task.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Some of my favorite authors include Stephen King, Ransom Riggs, Mary Higgins Clark, James Patterson…to name a few.
My absolute favorite author right now is Lisa Scottoline. Her books have so many twists and turns and there is always a BIG moral dilemma involved. Since most of the reading I do is at night in bed, I love her style — short chapters! This way, if I’m tired, I don’t have to look ahead to see how many more pages there are, AND, since her writing is so damn good, I find myself reading more than I usually would with another book / author. She’s good! My writing style is similar — I like to do short chapters as well.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a story that needs to be told. It’s about a teenager who is the victim of a hit and run accident. I had two other projects that I was working on simultaneously but once this idea popped into my head, everything is flowing effortlessly. That’s when I know I’m ‘in-the-zone!”
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use social media – Twitter, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Also, Awesomegang and Goodreads.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes! If you have a dream of being a writer, then W-R-I-T-E! Write. Write. Write! Don’t complain that you “don’t have time” — get up a half hour earlier or whenever you can squeeze a few minutes in. There is nothing worse than being a creative person who is trapped in a no-where 9-5 job he / she hates! You deserve to follow your bliss and, if you truly want to be a writer, then give yourself permission to have some “ME TIME!”
And, NEVER let anyone tell you that you can’t make a living at writing or that you will always be broke, etc. That is THEIR own insecurities and jealousies talking!
NO ONE IS THE BOSS OF YOU!!!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just write without going back every five minutes to edit! It will drive you mad! Write until you cannot write any more and then edit when you feel up to it. Believe me, you’ll do hundreds of edits by the time you are ready to publish!
What are you reading now?
The Obituary Society by Jessica L. Randall
What’s next for you as a writer?
I will continue with my current book project and hope to publish it by January 2015.
I also want to publish some more books for my “Empowering Children” series and do audio versions for my children’s book(s).
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?
They would most likely be in the paranormal, thriller or motivational book genres.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jodi Sykes Website
Jodi Sykes Amazon Profile
Jodi Sykes’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account