Featured Author – April McGowan

Welcome, April McGowan, author of the newly released “Jasmine”.

April McGowan loves to read and write inspirational fiction. She made her début into publication with “Jasmine”. She and her husband, two children, and her mews, Spookers, live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. April is a member of Oregon Christian Writers and American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not writing, homeschooling her two children, or playing board games, you might find her at her drum kit, imagining she’s on a world tour. Hey, it could happen.

What inspired you to start writing? Simply put, my imagination. I always have a story developing in my head. Whether it’s from a movie I’ve seen, or television show, or my own characters, there’s always something going on in there. Then one day, I wrote them down, started sharing them and everything clicked.

How much research, if any, do you do when writing a book? I will research a site, character backgrounds, those sorts of things at the beginning. Then, as questions arise, I’ll delve deeper. My research needs in writing contemporary fiction deal with more personal issues than historical novels would.

Where do you get your ideas? I dream movies and TV shows with plots and subplots—sometimes they make sense and stick with me—those I write down! I also read magazines, news articles and just about anything I can get my hands on. There are stories everywhere.

Do you write fiction, nonfiction, or both? I mainly write fiction. Although I do have a non-fiction story entitled, “Lost in Translation,” coming out as part of a compilation book called “The Cat In The Window” to be released in October 2013 by Revell.

Do you use an outline, or do you prefer to write by the seat of your pants? I’m a pants girl. I will do some very light outlines, draw sketches of the surroundings, and have an idea of where I want the story to go, but I stop there. If I outline it all the way, then I become bored and can’t continue because the story is complete in my head and there are no surprises left. If I’m not surprised, my readers won’t be either.

Do you work on more than one project at once? I find it very hard to work on more than one project at a time. It takes a lot of energy to get into character and stay in that perspective—I can’t jump back and forth easily.

What’s your favorite writing exercise? I love short stories. Many of my novel ideas come from short pieces I’ve written inspired by dreams or real-life drama in the news.

Where do you write? My desk in my bedroom. It’s my hidey-hole.

What does your writing schedule look like? I usually write at night when the house is still and my mind can relax.

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author? I’m traditionally published.

How important are book covers to you, as both an author and a reader? Very important. The cover art, the models, the colors, even the texture communicate to the reader and start setting the expectation for the story.

How do you market your books? I do a lot of online, direct marketing though Twitter, Facebook, G+ and blog posts. Being accessible is key.

How important is social media to you, and what sites do you use? See above.

How do you measure your success as a writer? I’d have to say feedback and relationship with my reader. If what I write touches someone, then I’m successful.

What are your hobbies (other than writing)? I love reading. I also play collectible board games, play the drums (wish it was more often) and spend lots of time with my family.

What was the inspiration for your latest book? We walk past people in need every day. We can choose to look and get involved, or we can pretend they don’t exist. I wanted to show that behind rebellious faces of the homeless there are hurting women and children longing to be loved for who they truly are—not what they can give someone. I desire to reveal the depths that the Father will go to draw the most broken back to Him and make them whole through Christ.

What are you currently working on? My current WIP, “The Long Haul”, is centered around a young pregnant woman who is abandoned by her husband at a truck stop. Macy discovers that while people might continue to let her down, her heavenly Father never will.

Do you have a dream project…something you’re planning to write someday? Every story I write is a dream project for me. I love to write about women who are lost being found by the one that can fulfill their lives in ways they could have never imagined before.

Have you written other books that have been published? “Jasmine” is my first published work.

Have you written other books that haven’t yet been published? Yes, I have two others that reside in my filing cabinet. Maybe someday they’ll come out and play again.

Do you have a blog? If so where can we find it? http://aprilmcgowan.com

Where can readers find your books? Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Deeper Shopping

Click Here to find “Jasmine” by April McGowan for Kindle.

Click Here to find “Jasmine” by April McGowan in paperback.