Interview Jenn Nixon

by

Angela Verdenius

1) Tell us a bit about your book.

 Play Nice and Live to See Tomorrow is a suspense/romance novel. It is my first completed novel! The story takes the reader into the mind of Joie Benson, a smart, successful woman with a troubled past. She’s been burned badly a few times, and when she meets Max Strauss her entire world changes. While she’s trying to build a solid relationship with the man she’s dreamed about, someone begins to stalk her.

2) What inspired you to write it?

Play Nice started out as a short story. I honestly had no intentions of making it into a novel. One day at work, on a particularly boring Friday, I gave a few pages to some friends to keep them occupied. They all came back and wanted to know what was going to happen next. The short story blossomed into a novel though their encouragement and support.

3) Is this book a series, or a stand-alone?

This is a stand-alone book, though I had so much fun writing some of the characters, who’s to say they won’t pop up again somewhere, sometime!

4) What made you choose this genre to write in?

I love suspense novels; they are by far my favorite genre to read. It was a no-brainer for me to write suspense, and it just happened that the backdrop of the story was Joie and Max’s relationship. I allowed the story to go where it wanted and just went along for the ride.

5) Have you written in any other genres?

I have written a few sci-fi short stories, as well as a mystery for my next novel. I haven’t limited myself to one specific genre yet, as I am still learning and growing as a writer. The more I write the more I find most genres mix rather well, and the more pieces you fit into a novel the more interesting it can become.

6) What do you do to relax?

Hmm, relaxing for me is usually getting together with friends and family, and talking or just watching a movie. Alone I like to watch TV or read, and when I’m really stressed out I like to drive and listen to music, or walk and take pictures.

7) What can’t you live without?

My family and friends would be the obvious choice, they are my inspiration for many of the things I write, or they at least encourage me and listen to my incessant banter about this and that. Material wise I’d have to say music. I love music. One can invoke so many emotions within a small amount of time through music, and whether I’m singing or listening, music has always been therapeutic for me.

8) When writing, what are the two things you must have?

I haven’t reached the point yet where I must have certain things when I write, but I usually listen to music while writing, and something cold to drink.

9) Is there any pattern to your writing ie. Days off only, a certain time of the day, etc?

I try and write everyday. Whenever I find a free moment I type up a few paragraphs if I’m working, or take notes. When I’m home I write for at least one hour, and if I’m on a roll I’ll keep going and usually find myself up way past my bedtime, but satisfied I accomplished so much.

10) Who are your favourite authors?

There are so many; Catherine Coulter, Iris Johansen, Jennifer Weiner, Alex Kava, Jane Green and John Douglas are among my favorites at the moment. My all time favorite authors are Shakespeare, Mary Higgins-Clark and John Sanford.

11) If you could meet any person in the world, who would it be and why?

This answer is probably going to be longer than expected but here it goes. Dead: William Shakespeare, I’ve read everything he ever wrote, and would love to talk to him just once. Alive: Elton John or Billy Joel. I know they aren't known as writers, but I have listened to their music since I was about three years old. They both write beautiful lyrics and their music has inspired me, soothed me, and helped me through some rough times in my life.

12) If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?

This is probably a very poor answer, but I would like to have enough money to take care of my family, and support myself so I could write full time.