Jamie Melissa Renwick interview

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

A little introduction:

My name is Jamie Melissa Renwick. I live and work in Vancouver Canada. I have written for local publications/newsletters since 2007, interest, humor and hard hitting pieces distributed to a readership of approximately five thousand.

When did your love of books begin?

I didn’t really start reading for pleasure until I was in my early 20s. When I was in school I just never found that one book that sparked my imagination. When I was 24, and on vacation, I chanced upon A Deadly Shade of Gold by John D. MacDonald, and something happened. For the first time, it was as if the words on the page vanished and I just saw pictures playing out before my minds eye. It was magic. I went from a non-reader to a voracious one overnight. And I read everything, crime fiction to horror, police procedure to romance to sci-fi and literary fiction to Harlem Renaissance to 19^th century classics. Everything I could get my hands on. A book every couple of days. It was so good. That first book fueled a life long love affair, some might say deranged passion, for reading.  

When did you start to have the wish to become an author?

In my late 30s, I decided to attempt to write. I didn’t go very well, mostly because I hadn’t settled on the genre that truly fueled my passion. However, it was not a total loss. I did write a trilogy of horror/fantasy novels which currently languish in my storage locker. What it did show me though, was that I could write a novel, and not just one, but three. After that, I didn’t write again until ’07 when I was asked to prepare a small piece for a local newsletter. That sparked in me the desire to write. A few years later, again on vacation and having run out of crime fiction/mystery reading material, I decided tackle another novel. Keeping with that genre, crime fiction, detective fiction, mysteries, which was and is my first love, I found a character and voice which lead me here, with five completed novels and a sixth in work.

How have you found the process for becoming an author?

I didn’t really intend to become an author per se. I love the creative process. I find that writing allows me to disappear inside my head and world build, or take the world that is and populate it with the people who live inside my brain. That sounds bonkers, but all writers are probably a little that way. I hope, at least, I’m not the only one, But it was never a goal of mine to be an ‘Author’, like with a capital ‘A’ title. It was once suggested to me that one doesn’t officially become a writer until they suffer a one-star review. I’ve had a two-star, so perhaps the quest continue. Facetiousness notwithstanding, I love writing. I’ve written books. I’ll write more. Maybe that makes me an author.

What would you say to those wanting to become an author?

Write and keep writing. Write, write, write. Let people read your work. Yes, its risky and scary, but feedback is important. There will be rejection. All writers, actors, musicians, everyone who puts themselves out there creatively is insecure and everyone fears rejection. It’s ok. I have come to the conclusion that rejections are the pilings upon which writers build determination and a dedication to our craft. Keep writing.

Tell us about your book/books:

Before I tackle that, let’s set the premise. I write good, romp, crime, murder mystery fiction. I love Noir, hard-boiled detectives like Spade, McGee, Spenser, Hammer and Warshawski. Basically, Pulp fiction. So, if you are reading me, you aren’t reading high brow literary fiction. There is nothing wrong with high Lit. In fact, I love reading it, but its not me. I write, mystery/crime fiction, Noir set in the present day.

 

The blurb goes like this, “Good natured, sarcastic and tough, Theresa Maddux, Reese to her friends, is a mid-thirties former Marine Corps Staff Sergeant hired by a unique client base to solve problems where all other resources have been exhausted. A self described Recovery and Acquisition Specialist, allied with cops and criminals, she skirts the edge of legality chasing answers regardless of risk or consequence. And sporting an unorthodox charm, an unchecked wit, and a jackhammer talent for scrapping, she has an uncanny knack for producing results. Some dangerous, others deadly.”

What do you love about the writing/reading community?

The online writing community is wildly supportive. I think writers are in general. We have all been through similar challenges and emotions, helping someone, especially younger writers, deal with those same issues feels really natural. Particularly through Twitter, I have found so many good people. I’ve had Twitter for years, but it has only ben in the past few that I really started interacting there. The warmth and generosity of the writing community was a bit of a shock and a very pleasant surprise.

If you could say anything to your readers what would it be?

I suppose I would just want to thank them for reading my books, and for their comments and feedback. It has been really positive and great experience interacting with them, and I want that to continue.

Where can people connect with you?

I’m on social media pretty much across the board, so might say addicted to. Twitter.com/JamieRenwick, Instagram.com/jamie_m_renwick, and Facebook/Meta https://www.facebook.com/TheTheresaMadduxAdventures/ Readers can also check out my website at Jamie-Renwick.com