Tell us about yourself and your books.:
I like reading in multiple sub-genres of romance, so it stands to reason I like writing in multiple sub-genres of romance: romantasy/paranormal, rock star, and sports. What I hear all the time from readers is how easily they can picture the worlds I create and how lost they become in them. That is the best compliment I could ever receive for my writing.
My hobbies truly inform my writing. I love reading Celtic mythology; I go to rock show whenever I can (I've seen my favorite band, Shinedown, five times–so far); I'm an avid football fan who watches high school, college, and professional football. My dream is to attend a San Francisco 49ers game.
I live in the mountains of NW Wyoming on the doorstep of Yellowstone Park, which I visit at least once a year.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I'm not sure what an unusual writing habit is, but I'm a fanatic about silence when I write–no music, no conversation, no TV playing in the next room, no notifications popping up on my screen. If it's not quiet, I can't find my words. I'm definitely not a coffee shop writer. 😉
What authors have influenced you?
Heather Graham, Kristen Callihan, Samantha Young, Elizabeth Lowell
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write for yourself first. Write the story you want to read. After that, write the emotions you know. Readers connect with character emotions, so connect with your readers where they are.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write the emotions you know–emphasis on emotions.
What are you reading now?
Currently, I'm reading The Fine Print by Lauren Asher, which is my romance book club read for this month. Next up on my TBR is A Royal Mile, the newest book by Samantha Young.
What’s your biggest weakness?
Dark chocolate. I could live on it, though my scale would probably grow feet and run away. 😉
What is your favorite book of all time?
Seriously? That's like asking me to choose my favorite child. If I have to choose, it would probably be Persuasion by Jane Austen or The Game by Julia Ross or Me Before You by JoJo Moyes.
(Sorry, but this question is just too hard.) 🙂
What has inspired you and your writing style?
Reading has always been my favorite thing to do. Most of my babysitting money went to my Scholastic Reader catalog wish list. It was a natural progression from loving to read stories to wanting to write my own, which happened with the first book I wrote when I was 12, my own version of a book I'd ordered from Scholastic.
I majored in English in college, and I loved the classics: Jane Austen, Sir Walter Scott, Charles Dickens, Daphne de Maurier. My true pleasure, however, has always been reading romance novels. The combination of classics and romance novels by such talented writers as Heather Graham, Elizabeth Lowell, and Julia Ross are the basis of my writing style.
What are you working on now?
I'm making a massive pivot with my current project which is historical fiction. Though the story is true, there are enough gaps that need filling that it falls into fiction. Unlike my romance novels, this new project definitely won't have a happy ending–too many outlaws and too many revenge killings–but it's fascinating. It's truly stretching me as a writer, but I'm enjoying the challenge.
What is your method for promoting your work?
Marketing is an area I'm constantly trying to learn. Currently, I promote in my newsletter, with swaps with other writers, via social media, and with virtual book tours and email blasts through media companies. I also advertise on Amazon.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My next book is Fourth and Goal, the next story in my Game Time sports romance series. It's still with my editor, so when she sends it back, I'll be working on revisions and edits with a planned February 2026 release date.
Simultaneously, I'm researching and drafting my passion project historical fiction novel.
How well do you work under pressure?
Via trial and error, I've learned I work better at a relaxed pace. While I always have deadlines because I have an editor, I try to negotiate dates that don't require me to have to write 10-12 hours a day to meet them. I've had tight deadlines that required that kind of commitment and discipline, and while I met the deadlines, it took all the fun out of writing the books. So I avoid pressure as much as I can. 😉
How do you decide what tone to use with a particular piece of writing?
The genre I'm writing in sets the tone. My romantasy books involve battles and the supernatural, which sets a more serious tone than my rock star and sports romance books, which are more new adult and fun-filled stories with angsty plots.
Author Websites and Profiles
Tam DeRudder Jackson Website
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