Author in the Spotlight

Today, we have Tomara Jones with us, but her books can be found under T.N. Jones.

About the Author

Over the last ten years, I have gone off to college, left my home in New York City to live in Philly, had a child, graduated college, came back to New York, and told my “9-5” to take their job and shove it. Currently, I’m still in New York City where I have started my own business, Phoenix Jones Publishing LLC.

When I am not writing I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, listening to music, going to the gym, and baking cupcakes.

After talking with Tomara and asking her questions, here is what she had to say.

1.) How did the author get started writing?

I recently completed my first novel last year and that has been after many years of incomplete manuscripts. I have 2 books out now.

2.) What is the author's favorite author?

My favorite author is a combination of Dean Koontz and Eric Jerome Dickey. I loved the fear factor of Koontz and then I take a break with some juicy urban drama of Dickey.

3.) Do you outline?

I outlined for the novel I'm working on now but thats only because the ideas were coming faster than i could write them out fluidly enough for novel format. But typically I don't just kind of fly by the seat of my pants.

4.) What is your writing routine?

I try to write for at least 3 hours a day but the idea of typing is so tedious at times it does deter me. But my pique hours are typically at night.

5.) Where do you get your ideas from?

My weirdly hyperactive imagination and wild dreams. I dream in motion color, extremely vivid, sometimes too vivid. But most of my ideas are super exaggerated moments from my dreams or even experiences I've been through.

6.) What project are you working on now?

I'm working on a new fiction novel, more literary minded than my first two. It's a coming of age tale of 2 young kids growing up together and dealing with the insurmountable bad luck life throws at them.

7.) Do you experience writer's block?

 I usually get writer's block when some aspect of my personal life is in turmoil, when something is out of balance. My mind gets so consumed with that issue it can't focus on the task at hand.

8.) What genre do you write about?

My first 2 novels were in the Romantic Suspense genre, with some heavy adult content, but I'm a genre jumper. I'm writing a young adult novel and have some short stories in science fiction and dark fantasy.

9.) Have you experience a bad review? If so, does that have any affect on you?

 I have gotten some bad reviews and not so ecstatic comments on my work but it doesn't effect me much because I know and understand that everything isn't for everybody.

10.) Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

PAY FOR EDITING!!!!! I can not stress this point enough. I've paid to have my books published thinking that my 2 eyes caught everything just to have my editor tell me I've missed somethings or sentences are repetitive or don't flow as nicely as they should. So looking at about 200 books with errors (slaps forehead) is a hard lesson that other authors don't have to learn if they listen to me. LOL And also try to build an audience for your work via blog, or review swaps anything to get people interested in what you're writing so they get excited when you say your book is coming out soon.

There you have it from Tomara Jones.

Creative Director & Author

Thank you for allowing me to do this interview. It was nice meeting you. And I would like to wish you the best in everything you do.

If anyone would like to contact Tomara or you have any questions please feel free to. You can reach her at the contacts below.

http://www.phoenixjonespublishingllc.com

http://www.facebook.com/phoenixjonespublishing

http://instagram.com/phoenix_jones_writes

http://instagram.com/got_a_love_jones