Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a mom, first, wife, author and editor (the editing part helps pay the bills – lol). I have written a fair number of books but I have 4 sci-fi/fantasy crossovers published in my series the Chronicles of Xannia — think “female Indiana Jones, on another planet, hired to lead a quest she doesn’t believe in, into the forbidden deserts”. I also have several short stories published in anthologies and an essay on writing fantasy believably in a writer’s guide.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release is “Final Year: A Flawed Attraction Romance”. It is the first book in a romantic suspense college series focusing on different relationships in each book. The uniting thread is the college/university setting and a flaw inherent in the individuals who are unexpectedly thrust together into a volatile situation. Each school is different as is each couple and the flaws they are working to overcome within their unique situation.
My inspiration for this particular novel stems from my own time attending the university in this book and what I went through/experienced when 9/11 hit the world. I have scaled down the “emergency” the students and professors face and I’ve added a bit of whimsy around how two students in their final year convince themselves that they have to solve the problem before the police do. But Beth, the female lead, is a lot like me at that age and Jeremy, the male lead, deals with a disability a friend and colleague of mine lived with most of her life. These elements just decided to swirl around and spit out the idea for a book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not particularly. I mean, if I need time to think about a scene or where I want to take a certain chapter I will go for a walk (in warm weather) or gorm out on a bag of Doritos (in cold weather) until my brain has explored the avenues it needs to be able to move forward again. I do enjoy keeping a scrapbook/journal of my character notes and research for each book. Having a physical book to flip through is so much more fulfilling to me than cold files listed in a folder on my computer. I do both, but prefer to remain connected to the page throughout the writing process.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
From a very young age I’ve doted on the Wrinkle in Time series, The Chronicles of Narnia, Bunnicula (a vegan vampire rabbit), Nancy Drew, and even Fear Street. Now-a-days, though, I still gravitate toward fantasy but enjoy getting lost in Maria V. Snyder’s Poison Study series, Kristen Britain’s Green Rider series, or Cinda Williams Chima’s Heir series, and Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series… I’m kind of addicted to books in a series – lol! But, my biggest influence would have to be from the screen. When I was a pre-teen I longed to read adventure novels but often had to settle for fictional problem novels. Indiana Jones, Goonies, the Neverending Story… this was what I wanted to read; and so this is what I started to write.
What are you working on now?
I have several projects on the go, presently. I’m workshopping book two in the Flawed Attraction series (gambling, a road trip, parental illness, and ex-boyfriends), preparing to release the first episode in a new steampunk vigilante superhero series called Shadow Phoenix (spring 2019), and an urban fantasy series co-written with a good friend of mine, Nanci M. Pattenden, called DEMON Tales (Department of Extraordinary Monsters, Ontario).
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t have a sure-fire method. In fact, it’s usually a “stumble-through” where I’m concerned. I enjoy doing online book tours (I did my first one myself then hired an organizer to help with others) and guest blog posts, but I never quite found the right niche for my sci-fi/fantasy series. I’m hoping to break some new ground with my romance novels and dig deep to find the right market for my new fantasy adventures.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice is to keep writing and never stop learning. I love the meme that’s out there saying, “You have to shovel sand into your box before you can start making castles.” It’s true! To be a writer you first have to give yourself permission to get the words on the page, then you need to open your heart and your mind to writer’s craft, feedback, and yes even criticism. Put yourself out there and keep finding ways to grow as a writer. Never give up.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Know why you’re writing and take careful stock of how that might alter your approach to the craft.
You see, at first I just wanted to get my stories out there – to simply exist. Now, I’d like to make a living being an author. In order to achieve the second goal, my writing style, my approach to my writing time, and learning about being an entrepreneur have all drastically changed since I first started on this journey.
What are you reading now?
I just finished The Falconer by Elizabeth May and I’m debating diving into Julie Kagawa’s Talon Saga or getting caught up on the Throne of Glass series or Green Rider series. I’m terribly behind on all of the series’ I dearly love, but between writing and editing (mine and other authors’ books) I find I have little time left to indulge in a hot beverage, warm blanket, and good book. My seven-year-old likes to think that sparetime equals our time 😉 I’m just enjoying it while it lasts – lol!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am starting a steady track with 3 different series’ and I’d like to see that each one is given the time it needs to blossom. For so long I kept myself confined to one world and one set of characters who needed their story told that now my spirit is rejuvenated playing around in three different worlds (and maybe a fourth if my new adult paranormal fantasy book gets picked up!).
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?
Ooo! I’m glad you didn’t say only one. That would be impossible to whittle down.
1. Green Rider by Kristen Britain
2. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
3. The Complete Works of Charlotte and Emily Bronte (that counts, right? it is just on book)
4. The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures by John & Caitlin Matthews
Author Websites and Profiles
MJ Moores Website
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