Quill Hawk Publishing interviewed J.L. Beers of Kunkletown, Pennsylvania about her book, her inspiration, and her writing journey. Jessica Beers's book, The Truth Behind the Moon, is our Best Indie Choice of 2023 Winner in Fiction.
QHP: Congratulations on winning Best Indie Choice of 2023! Tell us about your book and what inspired you to write it?
JLB: A friend of mine named Sarah had a photo of herself drawn by a friend of hers with a wolf behind her. I couldn’t help but take it as inspiration and basically based my whole book off of one picture. I have always wanted to write but could never finish a story until I started writing this one.
QHP: What projects are you working on now?
JLB: The Lies Behind the Moon, which is the sequel to The Truth Behind the Moon.
QHP: Wow, that's exciting. From your Amazon reviews, we know your fans are eagerly waiting for the sequel. When do you feel you are most productive?
JLB: Probably early morning and nighttime on the weekends.
QHP: Do you have any advice for people getting started with their book project?
JLB: Just do it and don’t delay! Self-publishing is where it’s at. Also, there are editors who will work with you and do as much work as you can afford.
QHP: Oh, yes, we agree on both fronts! Do you enter a lot of writing contests?
JLB: I haven’t entered any contests until now and I am so very happy to have won! I honestly wasn’t expecting it.
QHP: This book was a page-turner. The judges cared about the story and found the characters relatable. One of the judges said the toxic traits of certain characters shined through really subtly and that helped add another layer to the story's authenticity. What legacy would you like to leave behind?
JLB: I would like to one day have my book picked up by a publisher so that my books are sold worldwide in all different retailers so that my kids can collect my royalties.
QHP: That would be wonderful! Would you say you’re a pantser or plotter, or a hybrid of the two, ie plantser?
JLB: I don’t really have a plan per se. I kind of make notes of what I want to happen and then just put my fingers to the keyboard and write until I can’t anymore.
QHP: Sounds like a pantser to me! Do you have any favorite moments in your writing and self-publishing journey that you'd like to share?
JLB: Winning this competition and the day that my book was published. This has been a dream of mine for so long!
QHP: We love that for you and that you bravely put your work out there for our judges to critique. It's not easy having our book babies judged by others. Good for you! What have you found is the biggest challenge in writing, publishing, or promoting your book?
JLB: Writing while you work full time and when you have children. I also think finding the right ARC readers is also a challenge.
QHP: Definitely! What are some interesting facts about yourself?
JLB: I am a US Army veteran, a mother of two, and an associate teacher at a special education high school.
QHP: Do you have any mentors?
JLB: My mother is honestly my biggest mentor! I did also have an amazing book coach and editor Katrina.
QHP: Did you always want to be a writer or did you have another path before you got here?
JLB: I have always wanted to write a novel. Even when I was a child I had a very creative imagination and liked to write stories.
QHP: Is where you are now where you thought you’d be?
JLB: Honestly no. I thought that I was going to be single and have no kids and travel the world. I am so very happy that I am where I am though because I have two beautiful children and an amazing and supportive husband.
QHP: If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?
JLB: Finish the book and publish it sooner.
QHP: What skills or tools did you find to be the most helpful in getting your book into the hands of readers?
JLB: Social media and doing craft and vendor shows.
QHP: Yes those are great avenues. What would you say is your greatest accomplishment?
JLB: Other than publishing a book, my greatest accomplishment is being a mother.
QHP: What are some goals you hope to achieve?
JLB: Keep writing and publishing until I just can’t do it anymore.
QHP: How do you deal with writer’s block?
JLB: I call my mom, and I’m not even kidding! Also, I will take a break from writing then come back to it and read from the start again.
QHP: That's great advice! Who is your favorite writer, and what do you find interesting about their work?
JLB: Raven Kennedy. I love how she can paint a picture in your brain.
QHP: Do you have a favorite book?
JLB: The Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy!
QHP: Nice! We love the covers of her books! Are there any habits you have that have shaped your writing style?
JLB: Spending at least an hour a day rereading and writing. I also read my book in full each time I go to write or at least the last chapter written.
QHP: How do you think your creative process has changed over time?
JLB: I feel like I have taken a lot of people's constructive criticism and used it to better my writing in the second book.
QHP: Good for you! Since so many of us spent a lot of time isolated during the pandemic, how has that experience specifically changed your creative or preparation process or your outlook on life?
JLB: I spent a lot of that time getting started on The Truth Behind the Moon. I had my son at the time so I couldn’t do a whole lot with it but that’s when my idea came to me.
QHP: What genres do you most enjoy reading or writing and why?
JLB: Paranormal romance. The reason why I like to write it is because I like to read it. You have to love what you write because you have to read it a thousand times.
QHP: That's a good point! When you are creating a story, what is your process for putting a storyline together?
JLB: I kind of wing it to be honest. I get ideas while talking to people or when I read books.
QHP: That's right! A true pantser! So what inspires you?
JLB: My children and my mom.
QHP: If you could name one point in time when everything changed for you, what was it?
JLB: When I had my son.
QHP: Awe, truly! Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your work?
JLB: I just want people to enjoy the books I write.
QHP: Well, keep at it. You're doing great! Do you have any websites or social media pages you’d like to share?
JLB: Yes, Instagram, TikTok, and of course, Amazon.
https://www.instagram.com/j.l.beers_author
https://www.tiktok.com/@jlbeersauthor
The Truth Behind The Moon: https://a.co/d/4jovUMK
QHP: Thank you, Jessica!
