Loving spy and mystery novels, Maya Jax entertained the idea of being a secret agent and started working at an embassy overseas while doing her master’s in international relations. During this time, she finished her first screenplay, an action/thriller about spies and nuclear weapons. She pitched it to a friend in Hollywood, who told her she had talent, but to never – ever – show anyone the script again.
Realizing her love for writing was stronger than her desire to spy and fight crime, she attempted a second screenplay focusing on what she knew best — trying to make it as a writer. The screenplay turned into a manuscript and the result was chick lit novel Escapades of Romantically Challenged Me.
You can read more about Maya on her website www.mayajax.com.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MayaJax
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maya-Jax/137505986269231?ref=sgm
Q: It’s rare today to find an author who does nothing but write for a living. Do you have a ‘real’ job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some other jobs you’ve had in your life? Have they influenced/inspired your writing?
I now have a ‘real’ job with an entertainment company, though it feels more like a dream job, but I’ve worked in almost every kind of setting: a school, ice cream parlor, bakery, advertising agency, energy corporation. I even did a stint as a polar bear mascot. Having to pay my dues definitely influenced my writing. Lelaina’s struggle to be a writer was born out of workdays wearing a giant polyethylene bear head.
Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Yes! Even when I was testing other paths, I always loved writing most.
Q: Tell us briefly about your book.
Escapades of Romantically Challenged Me’s heroine, Lelaina Zane, graduated from law school three years ago and headed straight for LA to try making it as a screenwriter. So far, she only has three years waitressing experience and a ton of rejection letters. She finally thinks she’s on the verge of her big break, when she’s called back to her hometown because her dad has fallen ill. It’s a fast and funny read about balancing life and expectations.
Q: Do you have a favourite character? Why is s/he your favourite?
I love Lelaina because I feel her pain. Many of my friends became doctors and lawyers, and you start to question your sanity as a struggling writer when your friends are buying homes, designer clothes and luxury cars, while you’re still eating peanut butter sandwiches for every meal.
Q: When growing up, did you have a favorite author, book series, or book?
Nancy Drew! I loved Nancy Drew. I think I read over fifty of them in elementary school. I had these hockey binoculars and would spy on our neighbor’s car across the street. Any time they moved it I would make notes, just in case anyone ever needed to know their whereabouts.
Q: What about now: who is your favorite author and what is your favorite genre to read?
I guess I haven’t changed much. I love John Grisham and Janet Evanovich, or anything in the spy/mystery genre.
Q: When they write your obituary, what do you hope they will say about your book/s and writing? What do you hope they will say about you?
Shakespeare, J.K Rowling, Maya Jax.
Q: What is your writing space like? Do you have a designated space? What does it look like? On the couch, laptop, desk? Music? Lighting? Typing? Handwriting?
My designated writing space is a disaster. I have a desk with a great view, but it’s covered in notes, super hero/Starwars paraphernalia and a militant plastic monkey called Captain Coco, so I usually end up sitting on the couch with my laptop.
Q: Is there any particular book that, when you read it, you thought, “I wish I had written that!”?
Harry Potter. Does every author say that?
Q: Do you have any book signings, tours or special events planned to promote your book that readers might be interested in attending? If so, when and where?
I’m on a virtual tour for August and some of the tour stops include free giveaways like Jax beach bags and signed copies of my book. My website has all the details and locations.
Use this space to tell us more about who you. Anything you want your readers to know. Include information on where to find your books, any blogs you may have, or how a reader can learn more about you and writing.
Escapades is available only at online bookstores, like Amazon and Kobo. And if you’d like to know more about me or to send me an email, you can check out my website www.mayajax.com. I’d love to hear from you!
