Gina: Why did you become an author?
Genie:
I’ve always
wanted to write. When I was 16 years old I produced my first self-published
book using my home printer and distributed it to my friends and family. When I
was in college, I submitted a short story to the college magazine and it got
printed. I took Master’s in English Literature after college. I’ve started
blogging in 2006. I also did freelance writing work in 2011-2012.
Gina: What genre of books do you like to write?
Genie:
I write romantic comedies but there are books finished in my head that are sci-fi and suspense. I just
have to write those stories down. But my books for 2020 are mostly romantic
comedies.
Gina: What is your inspiration for the current
book or series you are writing?
Genie:
I have a
series, Love in the Time of the Trump Era which was inspired by my past
relationship. The guy I had been in a long-term relationship with was a Trump
supporter and I was not, being a US immigrant and all. It was surprising how
our ideas clashed and we actually fought about those political ideas. I also
noticed that people around me were becoming more tribal and as soon as you
mention the name Trump, people have a reaction to it-- both good and bad. So, I
wrote a book about a girl named Alexa, working for an internet based media
company much like Huffington post and Buzzfeed. Some of the events I wrote
actually happened and is in the book including the ‘bathroom scene’ which
happened in my previous workplace. I decided to write it in three books. Book
two is coming out on Christmas and Book 3 will come out around the time of the
US elections. The ending of Book 3 will depend on who wins the elections. The
book is interesting is that I write about things that actually happened but
with fictional characters based on real-life characters that are navigating an
ever polarized America. I came to America during the last term of Obama and I
have noticed a huge difference in the American’s perception of immigrants such
as myself. But the book really is about, can two people wtih different
political beliefs,find their happily ever after?
Gina: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Genie:
I am both actually. I am in the middle.
I sometimes wing it but sometimes I have to plan
it. With writing I have to plan out when I am going to write. I have a schedule
now because I work full time as a healthcare worker. But when dealing with
plots and characters, I wing it. I just write until the plot holes get solved.
Gina: Do you have any quirks or habits when your
writing?
Genie:
Well, I just discovered that I can write two books
at the same time. When I need to take a break from another book I am working
on, I work on another book. Someone it gets my juices flowing and I go back to
the original book I was writing. Currently, I am 3/4s done on Book 2 of Love in
the Time of the Trump Era but I’m 50 percent done on the book I am going to
release for Valentines. It seems to help me to just keep on writing no matter
what.
Gina: Have you had any setbacks becoming an
author yourself?
Genie:
I think my setback is the constant traveling. I am a
traveling healthcare worker not really by choice. It was accidental. And the
reason I will reveal in my other book, Traveler, which is a personal story and
explains why I started traveling as a healthcare worker all over the US. So my
setback is that I’m constantly traveling and I lost 2 weeks of writing by
having to travel and move to a different location.
Gina: What advice would you give to someone who
would like to become a writer?
Genie:
Get a book coach. I would never have finished
my book until I enrolled in an online course for
ebook writers. Having access to a book coach helps motivate me. Plus, I can ask
questions when I am stuck.
Gina: What is some of the best advice or
inspiration you have received from another author?
Genie:
My book coach
said that there is a book inside of us waiting to be written. She also told me
to do it ugly, meaning, to just write and not be a perfectionist. She also told
me to market, market, market. She also said that I should develop thicker skin
in terms of criticism and rejection. The point is…. JUST DO IT!
Gina: What goals have you set for yourself in
the future?
Genie: I already have a book coming out almost
every other month. I will be doing this part-time for now and when things get
better on the writing front, I will write full-time and do my healthcare work
part-time. My goal is also to find my audience who will understand me. Because
my first book is a romantic political contemporary comedy which is set in the
real world but with fictional characters. If I find my audience that ‘gets’ me,
I will be happy.
Gina: How do you want readers to see your work?
Genie:
I want them to see it as entertainment and as
educating the public because the voices of the fictional characters I am using,
are real people’s voices and I write about what is happening or what happened
during the previous elections.
Gina: What should a reader expect to see from
your next novel?
Genie: Book
2 is about developing the characters more so readers will get to know the
characters. Book 2 of Love in the Time of The Trump Era, the main character,
Alexa will choose who to have a relationship with.
Gina: Is
there anything you would like to share with your readers?
Genie:
Just check out my book on Amazon and I have a
freebie prequel. I also have a freebie holiday book coming out, Tis’ A Holiday
Love Story. I also have books coming out next year every other month or so.
Gina: When will your
next book be coming out?
Genie: December 25 for Book 2.
Gina: Thank you for your
interview today.
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