Jaima Fixsen Today I’m spotlighting my friend and fellow writer, Jaima Fixsen. With two self-published books under her belt (not to mention a couple of other titles in the works), as well as the title of semifinalist in the prestigious ABNA contest, Fixsen shares some valuable perspective on writing as an Indie author. |
I met Jaima two years ago when she came out to Kansas City for a writing conference. While I’ve heard great things about Fixsen’s writing through the years, I never experienced it for myself until last month. I have a rule that I don’t read while I’m actively writing, but as soon as my novel was off to the press, I started on Fairchild, Fixsen’s first published novel. Wow! This girl is a wordsmith in the rarest form. Her imagery and ability to “show not tell” had me reeled in from the very first page. I contacted her after reading the first chapter and begged for an interview so I could learn more about her, and now I’m happy to present her as my very first author interview.
I’ve heard you say that you write because you can’t tap dance. Is there really more to it than that?
Truth is I have enjoyed writing since a young age. Around 7th grade I used to write books but I would get to around 7000 words and stop. I haven’t done much with it since then. But after my 3rd child was born, we decided I was not going back to work, and I started looking for a hobby. Some friends and I tried a tap dancing class. We went once a week, and while it was fun to go with friends, I sucked at it. I needed a new hobby and it needed to be easy and cheap and available whenever I had time. So I started writing.
Your two published books are Regency period. Have you written any genre besides regency?
Yes, my first book was a YA novel set in classical Greece. I was testing Karen Weisner’s first draft in 30 days system with this one.
Is that first book the one that won you semifinalist in the ABNA contest?
Yes, that’s the one. It’s about a brother and sister who love each other but can’t get along. That manuscript has been sitting on the computer for a long time now, unpublished. I might go back to it someday but I haven’t read it for years.
And how did you make the transition from classical Greece to Regency?
Regency felt simpler. It’s a genre that is well defined and I like that. I had to do a lot of research but I find that research is a great fallback when writing is not coming. Regency is particularly easy to research because most questions I wonder about have been asked before.
What do you like to read?
Lately I read a lot of regency. I read all of Georgette Heyer and Eva Ibbotson. I really like fairy tales and I enjoy how Ibbotson portrays a fairy tale with such subtlety.
Do you collaborate with other writers or critique groups?
I have beta readers, my friends and sisters, who are kind and wonderful. And I work closely with fellow author Regina Sirois. We share everything we write, critiquing as we go and it works really well for us. It takes a lot of trust to be able to share your writing in such a rough state, but we understand each other.
Is there anything unique about your writing process?
I use Scrivener, which is not the easiest to learn, but once you start you don't want to go back. I love the way it keeps track of all my notes so I don't have to have dozens of document windows open while I work.
What are some of your weaknesses in writing?
Kisses! Admittedly, my kisses are getting better in Incognita, but people don't love the main character, Anna. She is prickly and that turns people off, but she’s supposed to be prickly. Anna has had a hard life and is struggling with loneliness, but she is learning to trust people and come out of that. Her internal dialog is negative and that bothers people but it’s impossible to make everyone happy. I like Anna, but it was depressing to write about her. Somehow I need to find a way to make characters more likable but I have a hard time with the convention that female characters need to be deserving of liking. It’s common for heroes to be horrible men and through the process of love they are reformed. Women love the reformed rig. But women do not like to like women who are a little witchy.
What is one of your greatest skills with writing
Plot. I love the way threads tangle together, but sometimes I pick up too many and it gets me in trouble. But the plots and twists come clearly to me and that’s why I’m an outliner. I currently have a manuscript for a story set during the French revolution, but the plot has run away from me on that one.
Are you seeking representation for your current projects?
No, it didn’t work out the first time, and I have had good success with my self-publishing endeavors. Most self-published books sell about 200 tops, and I have far exceeded that. I really enjoy having the luxury of staying home and making this my own. I’m considering going back to work as an OT next year, and if I do then my writing will really slow down. I need to get as much accomplished as possible right now, and I don’t want to wait on others.
Available Titles from Jaima Fixsen:
I’ve heard you say that you write because you can’t tap dance. Is there really more to it than that?
Truth is I have enjoyed writing since a young age. Around 7th grade I used to write books but I would get to around 7000 words and stop. I haven’t done much with it since then. But after my 3rd child was born, we decided I was not going back to work, and I started looking for a hobby. Some friends and I tried a tap dancing class. We went once a week, and while it was fun to go with friends, I sucked at it. I needed a new hobby and it needed to be easy and cheap and available whenever I had time. So I started writing.
Your two published books are Regency period. Have you written any genre besides regency?
Yes, my first book was a YA novel set in classical Greece. I was testing Karen Weisner’s first draft in 30 days system with this one.
Is that first book the one that won you semifinalist in the ABNA contest?
Yes, that’s the one. It’s about a brother and sister who love each other but can’t get along. That manuscript has been sitting on the computer for a long time now, unpublished. I might go back to it someday but I haven’t read it for years.
And how did you make the transition from classical Greece to Regency?
Regency felt simpler. It’s a genre that is well defined and I like that. I had to do a lot of research but I find that research is a great fallback when writing is not coming. Regency is particularly easy to research because most questions I wonder about have been asked before.
What do you like to read?
Lately I read a lot of regency. I read all of Georgette Heyer and Eva Ibbotson. I really like fairy tales and I enjoy how Ibbotson portrays a fairy tale with such subtlety.
Do you collaborate with other writers or critique groups?
I have beta readers, my friends and sisters, who are kind and wonderful. And I work closely with fellow author Regina Sirois. We share everything we write, critiquing as we go and it works really well for us. It takes a lot of trust to be able to share your writing in such a rough state, but we understand each other.
Is there anything unique about your writing process?
I use Scrivener, which is not the easiest to learn, but once you start you don't want to go back. I love the way it keeps track of all my notes so I don't have to have dozens of document windows open while I work.
What are some of your weaknesses in writing?
Kisses! Admittedly, my kisses are getting better in Incognita, but people don't love the main character, Anna. She is prickly and that turns people off, but she’s supposed to be prickly. Anna has had a hard life and is struggling with loneliness, but she is learning to trust people and come out of that. Her internal dialog is negative and that bothers people but it’s impossible to make everyone happy. I like Anna, but it was depressing to write about her. Somehow I need to find a way to make characters more likable but I have a hard time with the convention that female characters need to be deserving of liking. It’s common for heroes to be horrible men and through the process of love they are reformed. Women love the reformed rig. But women do not like to like women who are a little witchy.
What is one of your greatest skills with writing
Plot. I love the way threads tangle together, but sometimes I pick up too many and it gets me in trouble. But the plots and twists come clearly to me and that’s why I’m an outliner. I currently have a manuscript for a story set during the French revolution, but the plot has run away from me on that one.
Are you seeking representation for your current projects?
No, it didn’t work out the first time, and I have had good success with my self-publishing endeavors. Most self-published books sell about 200 tops, and I have far exceeded that. I really enjoy having the luxury of staying home and making this my own. I’m considering going back to work as an OT next year, and if I do then my writing will really slow down. I need to get as much accomplished as possible right now, and I don’t want to wait on others.
Available Titles from Jaima Fixsen: