Let’s talk all about your writing style first…

SB: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

TJR: First of all, thank you so much for inviting me to do this! This is my first author spotlight ever! I’ve been writing since I was in junior high school when I wrote for the newspaper. I used to contribute articles about current events on campus, spotlight pieces on teachers and other faculty, and short stories. Then when I was in high school I was on the yearbook staff from sophomore year up to my senior year. I honestly can’t even say what it was that made me want to write, but I always loved to read. And one day I just started writing. I don’t even remember what spurred me to do it. Maybe the fact that there weren’t many books featuring Black heroines, and I wanted to see myself represented. I think it was a bit of the “write the stories you want to read,” kind of thing for me. I’ve been writing creatively ever since. But the thing that made me realize I wanted to pursue it as a career choice was when I started going to Indie Author conventions. Once I became a part of that world I learned about independent publishing, and that I didn’t have to go through a flurry of rejection letters to write.  

SB: How do you handle writer’s block?

TJR: Ugh! The dreaded writer’s block, how I loathe thee. LOL. The way I typically handle writer’s block is by doing the most mundane tasks. It’s not always a conscious effort to rid myself of it. I just get so frustrated that I stop trying to write and put my energy into something else. I’ve broken through the wall during the weirdest moments. I’ll obsess over a scene or a chapter for days, weeks, even months until an epiphany comes while I’m cleaning my bathroom, driving to work, sitting in a parking lot, or under the hair dryer at the salon. I also get great ideas in the shower, which is super frustrating because who brings pens in the shower? LOL. Writer’s blocks can be quite discouraging sometimes, but I think it’s really just our characters trying to keep things to themselves. It’s also a fear (at least for me) that the written scene will not come close to what we picture so vividly in our heads. It’s so much easier to imagine a scene/scenes than it is to write them. My characters are so easy to manipulate and see when they are in my head, but the second I sit at my computer…it’s like they just put a sign on the door that says, “do not disturb.” Long story short, handling writer’s block is an evolving process for me. Every block is different. Some blocks are made of brick, and others are as delicate and easy to break as papier-mâché.  

SB: What comes first, the plot or characters?

TJR: The characters always come first. Always. I’ve never had a story idea just about a vague idea. Usually, a character pops into my head and tells me one thing about him/her, and I’m like, “oh, is that right? Want to tell me more?” Some characters are more talkative than others, and I immediately know the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Other stories, like the one I’m working on now are a bit more elusive in the middle because the characters are more subdued. My characters drive the plots. I tend to be a pantser, not a plotter. I try to sit down and outline, but it’s difficult. I don’t know why. I’m more of the type to let the characters lead the way.

SB: Do you prefer writing in silence or to music?

TJR: I prefer writing to music. I have multiple playlists for my books, including the two I’m currently working on. I love music. Writing to music helps me escape reality to interact completely with my characters. It basically helps me disassociate from the world around me. I’m like a baby that always wants to know what’s going on around him/her, so music helps me focus on my story. Otherwise, I’m distracted by everything else, and I can’t get into the headspace to write.

SB: Are you on social media and can your readers interact with you? Please provide links if possible

TJR: Yes, I’m on Twitter and Instagram, in both a personal and professional capacity. I also have a Facebook Group. My author accounts all have a pretty small following because I’ve just barely begun to market myself. I’d love it if you give me a follow! I’m a bit lonely on my author pages. Plus you all can give me ideas on what you’d like me to share!

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tj_rudolph?s=09

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authortjrudolph/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/124540552782099

SB: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

TJR: I have completed three books, but I have not yet published them. My first release, the Crash Duology will be out later this year. The title of book one is Crash, and book two is Lifeline. I have quite a few novels in progress at the moment. The third book I’ve written is actually the first one I ever completed, but it needs a lot of reworking to get where I want it to be. It was one of those brain dump kinds of books that I’ll revisit later. The characters in that story would not leave me alone until I wrote them, so I did. I absolutely adore the couple in that book, but I want to give them a better story.  

SB: Who is your favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them special. 

TJR: My favorite character that I have written is Lucian Casteel the hero in my Crash duology because he’s so layered. He didn’t really like to talk to me at first. In fact, although earlier I said my characters usually come to me before the plot, Lucian didn’t really open up until I got deeper into the story. A major plot point that happens in book one will surprise my readers, but just know it surprised me too! I was like, “okay, wow. That’s new info, but I think I can work with this!” What makes him special to me is that he’s been through a heartbreaking betrayal, and even though it makes trusting the heroine of the story difficult for him, he treats her with respect. He’s an alpha type, but not one that’s so alpha that it’s off putting.

SB: You’ve written in multiple romance genres. Do you have a preference?

TJR: My Crash duology is contemporary IR romance, which is a genre I enjoy writing in but it’s not my preference. My goal is to just write stories that move me. Stories that I want to read. One of my current WIPs is actually a YA book, but it covers heavy material based on what we’ve been going through with race and the treatment of Black males as dispensable. However, the center of the novel is a romance. At the risk of spoiling the story, I can’t say anymore. My plan will to be release that book early 2022. All of that being said, I don’t want to be pigeon-holed into only writing one genre. Being locked into one genre is boring, and I believe all writers have the right to explore what they want. I mean, think about it, if an actor can be a good guy in one film and a bad guy in the next, why can’t I bounce from contemporary romance to YA? Or from a romance to a thriller? As someone who loves to read, I’ve never expected the authors I admire to stick to one thing. That’s an unfair expectation, and it stifles creativity.

SB: If you were to genre-hop, which genre would you most like to try?

TJR: I really want to write a thriller! Growing up I LOVED R.L. Stine, Christopher Pike, Lois Duncan, and Diane Hoh books. I actually have an idea for a thriller that I’ve jotted down notes for in my ever-filling Samsung Notes app. I’m quite excited about it. I already have a title for it too. I don’t know how it ends, but I know the beginning and the middle. I’m a pantser so I’ll see where my protagonist decides to take me. Or how far she decides to go with her plots and schemes. And like I said, I don’t want to be limited to one thing, so this story will definitely be completed and released in the near future.

SB: Where do you get your inspiration?

TJR: I get inspired by a lot of things around me. I love to people watch, and I’ve found myself making up stories about people I find interesting. I also get inspiration from photographs, paintings, and even music. Sometimes I can hear a song and a character instantly pops into my head, and I start world building just from that. Or sometimes a song will inspire an entire scene. I also find inspiration from going to book signings, because meeting such amazing talented women motivates me to keep writing. It’s like recharging my creative battery.

SB: Can you share something about your current book that isn’t in the blurb?

TJR: Crash has a twist no one will see coming. That’s all I’m going to say. LOL. I would have loved to share the cover with you all, but the one I chose is being changed at the moment. The previous cover I had was a bit too lighthearted for the story. Picking the right cover is a struggle, let me tell you! Wow! But fear not, I will be sharing more teasers very soon. Stay tuned to my socials! You won’t be disappointed!

SB: Do you write listening to music? If so, what music inspired or accompanied this current book?

TJR: Yes, I always write listening to music. There are many people on my Crash playlist, but the artists I consider the primary leaders are Banks, Sidi, Astrid S., H.E.R., Jhene, and Wafia. All of those artists get me into the headspace of my story. Their voices are so transportive.

SB: What is the future of the characters? Will there be a sequel?

TJR: You’ll have to read book two to find out! There is ABSOLUTELY going to be a sequel because Crash is a duology. Books one and two are both done. They are in final editing stages! Super exciting!

SB: If you had to describe the main character in THREE words, what would those three words be?

TJR: Strong, intelligent, and prideful (not an awesome trait, I know, but it’s true. It’s actually the part of the definition that means consciousness of one’s own dignity-she doesn’t like to ask for help)

SB: If your book was going to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it?

TJR: Funny you should ask! The muses for my characters are Ashley Madekwe and Paul Wesley.

Would you rather be in a room full of snakes or a room full of spiders?

TJR: I hate both, and I can’t think of a scenario where one is better than the other. My answer is NEITHER. LMAO.

Would you rather have an endless summer or an endless winter?

TJR: I would rather have an endless winter because if we had an endless summer there would be a MAJOR drought. And I live in the Inland Empire, where it’s dry arid desert with temps that are regularly 103-113 degrees. Winter for 200 Alex! 

Would you rather always be an hour early or be constantly twenty minutes late?

TJR: I would rather always be an hour early because I do that anyway. My sister and I always show up early at events, whether it’s a movie premiere, a book signing, or a meet and greet. We don’t like to be late. 

Tea or Coffee

TJR: I like tea, but I LOVE coffee. Especially Peet’s Coffee in Pasadena, CA.

Coke or Pepsi

TJR: When I used to drink soda, Pepsi was my go-to. Interestingly enough there’s a scene in Crash where Coke vs Pepsi is discussed. Needless to say, Pepsi wins.

City or Country

TJR: I am a huge fan of city lights. I like to see skyscrapers. I’m not a country girl. My mother and father are from the South, so I’ve spent time in places that have country vibes, but it’s not my scene.