AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: JAIME GREENBERG AND MARGARET KENNEDY
Today's Author Spotlight is dedicated to two amazing ladies who have managed to co-author two books without ever meeting in person!
While it's hardly rare for books to be co-written (my favorite author Stephen King has, for instance, had a multi-generational writing partnership with Peter Straub), co-authors Jamie Greenberg and Margaret Kennedy do have an unusual story behind their two books. They met in 2016 through a Facebook group and became fast friends, sharing a love of writing that soon grew into a formal writing partnership. Even though they've never met in person, they still manage to have finished 2 books so far, communicating almost daily through email, text messages, and phone calls.
I sat down with both of them over email to find out what makes them tick.
MY BOOK SUCKS: What genre do you usually write in? Why? Do you also primarily read in that genre? If not, then what genre do you usually read?
MARGARET KENNEDY: I love writing fiction, as it is easier for me. I love telling a good story. Yes, I love to read it as well. I also love autobiographies.
JAIME GREENBERG: For me, personally, I feel most comfortable writing non-fiction. I work as a caseworker, and have always been interested in politics so these two novels have been a leap out of my comfort zone! It was daunting, yet exhilarating at the same time to "lose myself" in these characters. I found that when I did so, I wrote a lot more in a shorter period of time then when I allow myself to get distracted.
I read fiction and non-fiction books alike--usually one of each at the same time.
Where do you get your ideas from?
MK: I get my ideas from my imagination. Our characters are inspired by people that I admire greatly. Some are celebrities.
JG: I get my ideas from my own life, with some inspiration from close family and friends. I don’t ever use examples from my clients or kids that I work with in professional capacity, as those aren’t my stories to share.
Tell us about your writing process? Where do you write? How often do you write? Do you listen to music? Etc?
MK: I write as often as I can. I do not listen to anything while writing, as I feel it is a distraction. I have been known to write at the gym, while on the recumbent bike. I also write at home.
JG: I have struggled with Attention Deficit Disorder for my entire life, and I have found that multi-tasking actually helps me focus. So, when I sit down to write, it’s with a pen and paper in front of the computer, with my headphones on, listening to music. Sometimes I’ll have the television on in the background for good measure. The noise all around me cancels out the noise in my head, and allows me to be creative and focus.
I don’t write every day, as my co-author will attest to; but I will write a few days a week.
Who is your favorite author?
MK: I don’t have a favorite. I love recalling the books I read in my youth. Nancy Drew Mysteries, and Judy Blume books. I love autobiographies of my favorite stars.
JG: Wally Lamb, Dean Koontz, Stephen King.
What are your writing goals for this year?
MK: I hope to write more stories with Jaime.
JG: Publishing one book (Anchored in Love: Volume Two) in 2020 was a goal beyond my wildest dreams. I am so grateful to Margaret for asking me to help bring these characters to life.
Where can we find your writing?
We have published two books (so far) and you can find them both on Amazon:
1.Anchored In Love, Volume One
2. Anchored In Love, Volume Two
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