Author A. M. Jaxon’s Writing Journey: Tips, Slips and Hits

Hello, wonderful women writers! I’m A.M. Jaxon, a newcomer to romantic suspense books. By newcomer, I frame that by saying it’s been eleven years of toiling away.  I’ve been asked to write a little about my journey. I’m not sure I qualify to give anyone ‘sage’ advice about writing, but with my seventh book being completed and my fourth and fifth books being published in paperback, I can tell you about what I’ve learnt and my journey.

Hemingway was quoted as saying and I’m paraphrasing, “Writing is easy. All you have to do is sit down and open a vein.”

Yet even knowing this, once bitten, it was too much of an enticing, persistent itch for me not to scratch. I didn’t jump straight into soothing the bite. I skirted the edges of it, not giving up my day job for some time. Staying with my daytime job, the normality and security of it was a challenging bond to break. All I’ll say is you know when it’s time. 

After more than twenty-five years in the medical world, I found it hard to let go of the identity my job gave me. I was used to saying, I’m a pharmacist, or, after finishing a PhD, I’m a project manager in healthcare. 

I didn’t jump straight away, I directed some of my energies into coaching hockey at club, state and at an Australian level with master’s hockey, having success at World Cups. Hockey taught me about pressure, character, planning, discipline and that sometimes, no matter what you do, life has a way of changing the playing field, regardless of your efforts. 

You come to a tipping point. It’s when you’ve had enough of the sameness of life and some of the tedious people in it.  That’s when you begin to believe you need to follow your heart, or at least try, and these thoughts outweigh everything else. Now I confidently answer when people ask, ‘And what do you do?’ I say with certainty, ‘I’m a writer.’  My first small demon was defeated. Many more were to come. 

In this game, you’ll endure numerous people’s thoughts and critical appraisals. Some not so analytical and more ill-informed. Like most things in life, take on board those you feel are honest and come from a place of help and support. Learn from people who have walked the same path as you. Deflect the rest like a hot poker coming for one of your eyes. Don’t let advice with dubious motives stop you—keep going. 

The trait I have in bucket loads and that I can rely on is PERSISTENCE. ‘Attain or die exhausted in endeavour’ has become my mantra. In essence, treat writing like your new job, but it’s one you enjoy and where you find freedom. 

Everything I’d experienced in the medical world and hockey helped with writing. I try to write with the three Ds in mind: discipline, drive and determination. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t sit down and write consistently, then it won’t happen. Some days I find writing will flow, other days will be like running through waist high mud.  In short, perspire for what you desire. Find your routine, your rhythm and write until you drop. 

It’s not only writing about what you know. You must also write about what you feel. If you can make sentiments and sensations leap off the page to create a world where the reader feels it too, then you have succeeded. My greatest enjoyment is drawing the reader into a plot through action and characters that are addictive. I want the readers to ride on the feelings of these aspects of writing. The ups and downs, trials and triumphs, especially if it leads to a ‘book-hangover-morning’ page-turner. 

Then there’s writer’s block, another devil to wrestle with. If only there were an answer as easy as a plumber’s plunger. As you’ll find out, in writing as in life, nothing is easy, and I guess a few plumbers will also mention that a plunger doesn’t always work either. What works for me and may for you is just write, even if it seems like crap, write and don’t be afraid to face the challenge of it not being perfect, just write, it’ll unblock you or at the very least you’ll be moving forward. Sometimes listening to music also helps me move through any barriers. For me, it’s back to describing and writing feelings and letting the words flow on the page. 

One of the biggest and ugliest demons to slay is dealing with the gnawing silence or cutting painful edge of rejections from publishers and literary agents. Pick yourself up and keep going, because if you stop, then your dream is over. 

Refocus: Search for the learning experience in what has happened to you and use it to evolve and improve. Another thing hockey taught me. Also I found write about what you enjoy reading. Then, as you refine your writing, always keep the reader in mind. Think of them as sitting on your shoulder, reading as you write. You may love what you write, but will the reader?

Finally, back yourself. Have confidence in your writing and others will as well. To help, find your tribe. Writing can be a very singular solo journey having people who understand what you’re going through and are supportive with honest advice is a beautiful thing. You may need to sift through lots of glass before you find the diamonds, but it’s worth it in the end. 

When you finish your first book, take time to celebrate because it is only the end of one chapter of your continuing story. There are many chapters to come. Love your writing and the journey you’re undertaking. Not many people challenge themselves in such an invigorating, scary way. Have fun and see you on the other side of your books.

A.M Jaxon is an Australian romantic suspense writer. In February she released the first book in her Love Connection series, Saoirse’s Story; the second, Joshua’s Story will be out in May. Her books can be found here.

Joshua’s Story (The Love Connection Series Book 2)

As she rolled his ear lobe between her teeth, giving it a gentle tug, he gripped the bar’s edge to stop himself from toppling off the stool. In true Mrs Robinson style, she purred, ‘And yes, I am flirting with you – that’s how it’s done.’ Let the tango begin.

Golden boy Joshua Bodekker died the day he let the darkness overpower him. Emerging as a man set on making amends, he nevertheless struggles to control the beast that resides within – and takes a job in New York to build a new life far from the shadows of his past.

Here, in the city where the light never sleeps, he becomes mesmerised by a silver-eyed sensation of a woman weaving her way through his life. Saoirse Mahoney. As the heat rises between them, a passionate and perilous dance begins, and every step raises the stakes, uncovering the secrets that threaten to tear them apart.

With the weight of his actions bearing down on him, Josh begins to confront what lurks deep inside. But Saoirse is threatened by something much more real and sinister from her past, and her life soon hangs precariously on a knife edge. Now, the question is no longer if theirs is a love worth saving, but will there be a future to save?

The second in the Love Connection series, A.M. Jaxon turns up the heat in Joshua’s story, weaving a tale of danger, desire and redemption that will keep you turning the pages long into the night. You’ve never read romantic suspense like this.

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Category: How To and Tips