Thanks to the lovely ladies of Gulf Coast Writers who interviewed me for the monthly newsletter. Check them out at http://www.gulfcoastwriters.org. It’s a wonderful group!
April Member Spotlight — Jeanne Meeks.
An inspirational author of six books, she has written adventure mysteries, young adult fiction, and cozy mysteries. She is currently working on a historical fiction novel. Jeanne has written Rim to Rim, Wolf Pack, Gator Bait, Killer Serve, The Neighbor’s Wife, and most recently, Freaks, Inc. Find out more about each on Jeanne’s website.
Ms. Meeks now writes full-time and is Vice President of Gulf Coast Writers in Florida. She reads extensively and edits the work of other authors. When not writing, Jeanne hikes, bikes, kayaks, entertains the grandchildren, volunteers with the local historical society, and plays tennis (lots of tennis), pickleball, or golf.
Interview:
When and where did your journey as an author begin?
Ever since binge reading Nancy Drew mysteries, I knew I wanted to write stories, but as I matured, I figured my first book would be non-fiction book about “surviving the family business.” That’s in a drawer somewhere. After I retired, I took up backpacking. When a terrible accident occurred while I was hiking the Grand Canyon, I NEEDED to get my feelings on paper. That theme turned into an adventure mystery, and I was on my way as an author.
What has been your proudest or accomplishment as a writer?
Storm Stories-Hurricane Ian was a labor of love for me. I and a few others worked our tails off collecting and editing stories and producing a beautiful anthology of the victims’ personal experiences. I am very proud of that book.
Who is your greatest inspiration?
My biggest inspiration comes from poets: Emily Dickinson, William Carlos Williams, Wallace Stevens. They pack so much imagery and meaning into so few words. I try to model my prose after their works.
What is your toughest challenge and how do you tackle it?
Writing novels is easy compared to marketing them. Editing them is fun compared to breaking in to social media. Yet, I try. I’m uncomfortable tooting my own horn or trying to close a sale. I just do it…not as much as I should, but enough to validate the accomplishment that is a completed novel.
What is next for you – what are you working on?
I am currently thrilled by researching and building a story based on the lives of seventeenth-century French peasants who happen to be my ancestors. I hope to complete The Peasant’s Daughter sometime this year.
What would you advise someone wanting to write in your genre? An editor once told me that readership is only established by sticking to your chosen genre. You must write at least three books in a series, so they build on each other. Very wise, but I haven’t done that. I write what pleases me at the time: Adventure mysteries, YA, cozy mysteries, and now historical fiction.
If you want to become a best selling author, follow that common wisdom…stick to one genre. You must live in that genre and build rapport online with like-minded readers.
But I’m not totally off the rails. My novels are connected by the same theme running through all my genres…strong female characters who don’t discover their strengths until they get into trouble. As Eleanor Roosevelt was quoted: “A woman is like a tea bag…you never know how strong she is until she’s in hot water.”
I like to think of myself as a gentle writer who touches the hearts of my readers.
You can find Jeanne’s books on Amazon. Visit the Gulf Coast Writers Group on Facebook.
Jeanne Meeks ~ Fiction Author 