An Interview with AJ Linn, Author…
A couple of weeks ago, I was honored that Author Aj Linn agreed to do a “mini-interview” to coincide with launch of his latest book, A Gentleman’s Fate. It’s a short interview, but addresses one of my favorite subjects…the writer’s process.
I hope you enjoy the result as much as I did.
Thank you, Aj, for taking the time, your most valuable asset, to do this…
-S.H.
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An Interview with Aj Linn, Author…
Question: You’ve just given us the final book, A Gentleman’s Fate, the 4th and final volume of A Gentleman’s Series. Of the four books, do you have a favorite? If so, which one, and why?
AJ: Fate. Simply because it was all about the main story, less about the sub-plot.
Question: Your readers have come to think of the characters in this series as “friends” and will miss them. Are YOU going to miss them?
AJ: Miss all of that talking that goes on inside of my head 24 hour hours a day? No, but as most of the characters have slowly faded away, a few remain, and those few still have a story to tell.
Question: Will we ever see any of these characters again?
AJ: The few that remain, yes.
Question: Many writers speak of “writers block”, and there is a lot of advice out there about how to overcome it. Do you ever experience “writers block” and if so, how do you get past it?
AJ: I never have. I only sit down to write when I (they) have something to say. The whole, “write everyday” thing doesn’t work for me, then I would be forcing it. I write when the words are there.
Question: When working on a new book, do you plot it out beforehand using a storyboard or outline? Or do you just sit down and write? We’re interested in your “process”…
AJ: I did make a storyboard of sorts for Affair, but haven’t since. I know what I want to happen, although sometimes I am wrong, and the characters let me know when that is. If you have A-Z, things may change in the middle, and I find that it all works out better when I listen to them.
Question: In two of your books in the series, A Gentleman’s Secret and A Gentleman’s Memoir, you included characters in your story that your readers created, at your invitation. How difficult was that to incorporate those creative and rather interesting characters into your storyline?
AJ: I wouldn’t say that it was difficult, per say. I wanted to do each character justice, so I took my time working them in one by one.
Question: What do your friends in your personal life think about your books? Do they see AJLinn and Donovan Hart as similar people?
AJ: Let me ask them…
Question: What is your favorite part of writing a novel? Is it the creative process, coming up with the ideas for the story? Is it the actual writing itself? Is it the editing? The publishing? The feedback from your readers? What do you, personally, enjoy the most about the process?
AJ: The ideas just appear, I have never sat down and forced anything to come. I would have to say that the writing is the most rewarding, good or bad. Just getting the story down and creating dialogue. Editing is not my favorite…
Question: What do you find to be the most difficult part of writing a novel? (see above)
AJ: Just the editing process. Other than that, no complaints here.
Question: Four books in two years is quite an accomplishment, and an incredible gift to your readers and fans. Obviously, it’s time for the author to take a well-deserved break. How will you relax? What do you do for fun?
AJ: Relaxing for me is sleep, plain and simple. I will take some time to enjoy the summer months, which may include some camping, hiking, etc.
Question: You’ve said before that fans of your blog, https://christiangreypov.wordpress.com, were the reason you decided to bring Donovan Hart to life. When will we be able to enjoy your writing again? Will you return to your blog now?
AJ: I will write some excerpts for the blog, sure, but I have another book in the works already. Stay tuned.
Thank you, Aj, for taking the time to give us some insight into Aj Linn, Writer.
We’ll be watching for whatever the future may hold from you.
And…congratulations on the release of A Gentleman’s Fate… for the entire series!
You’ve touched hearts, brought us laughter and tears, and given us a cast of characters that will never be forgotten.
Your readers thank you.
Latest Book Release for AJ Linn ~ A Gentleman’s Fate ~ Available today! Enter the Giveaway!
Title: A Gentleman’s Fate (Volume 4)
Series: The Gentleman’s Series
Author: A.J. Linn
Genre: Romance
Release Date: June 22, 2015
Cover Design: Dancinee Jennings
The story continues for the handsome reformed Malibu playboy, Donovan Hart, in this, the fourth and final installment of A Gentleman’s Series. Donovan, a hotel and adult club owner, decided that it was time to file away his players card in search of the elusive one, in the first book in the series, A Gentleman’s Affair. He was certain that he had found that in interior designer, Scarlett Montgomery, but Scarlett had a past, and that past would soon threaten their perfect union. How far will he go to fight for his Unico Vero Amore?
Beware of unexpected twists and heartbreaking turns.
Just when you think you know what’s next, you will probably be wrong.
Click the goodreads button below to add “A Gentleman’s Fate” to your “Want to Read” list.
“Good morning, sire, it’s good to have you back. How was Venice?” Patrice asks as I fly past her desk, walking straight into my office, slamming the door behind me.
But that doesn’t stop her. She barges in with hot coffee, making herself comfortable in the black leather chair near my desk. “Okay, spill it. What’s going on?”
“Not now, Patrice,” I reply dismissively, switching on my computer.
In a daze, my eyes are fixed on the blank screen. I’m trying to avoid the inevitable conversation, and trying even harder to ignore her. She sets the cup down on my desk, softening her voice to almost a whisper, asking once again, “Donovan, what’s going on?”
“Don’t you have work to do?” I snap.
“Yes sir, I suppose I do,” she snaps back defensively as she gets up from her chair, mumbling the word asshole under her breath as she heads towards the door.
“I heard that,” I respond, somehow managing to muster up a slight chuckle. “I apologize, alright? Sit back down.”
“Accepted. Now, are you gonna tell me what’s got you in such a pissy mood?”
“In a nutshell…she did it again.”
“She? She who? Scarlett?”
“Yes, Scarlett.”
And there it is. The look that I was trying so hard to avoid. The poor-Donnie, sad-eyed, frowny-faced look that I know I’ll get every single time that I tell this fucking story. Perhaps I can just handle this in one fell swoop, and have Patrice send out a mass memo describing the details of the nightmare-in-Venice, fucking-kill-me-now debacle.
“I don’t get it, Donovan. She was the one that propo….”
“Please, don’t even say it. I really don’t want to get into this right now. Alright?”
“Sure, okay, Donnie. Can I do anything for you?”
She gets up again to leave, but pauses twice before reaching the door. I can see that she’s searching for the right thing to say. Something…anything…to lighten the mood, to cheer me up, to lessen the blow of what Scarlett has done, now twice…as if anything could. But I just want her to leave.
“You know she loves you, right? Do you want me to talk to her? I’m sure I can…”
I interrupt before she can say anything else. “Not another goddamn word about it, understand? Now, I have work to do.”
“Fine, for now. But you’ll have to talk about it at some point, you know.”
I continue to stare at the still-blank computer screen, waving her away.
Defeated, for now, at last she leaves, closing the door behind her.
The clock on the wall seems to be ticking slower than usual. I’ve been here for three hours, and am finding it impossible to concentrate, especially with my cell going off every ten minutes with calls and text messages from Scarlett. I’m not ready to talk to her, and to be honest, I don’t know if I ever will be. I don’t know if I even care at this point. Although I’m slightly curious, I really have no idea what we have to talk about anymore.
I need to get out of this hotel and clear my head. I knew coming here straight from the airport was probably a mistake, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Better than sitting in that penthouse, alone, with nothing but the all-too-fresh memories of yet another Scarlett-related nightmare to keep me company.
Placing my cell phone in the top drawer of my desk, I change out of my monkey suit and into the spare set of clothes that I keep in the closet of my office. Stopping by Patrice’s desk on my way out, I let her know that I’m leaving for the rest of the day, and that I don’t want to be bothered, by anyone...no matter what’s on fire.
“Are you okay?” she asks, still pushing, hoping for some sort of verbal spillage on the details of my Venetian vacation.
“No, but I will be.”
Summary of The Gentleman’s Series – All Four Books
In A Gentleman’s Affair, (volume 1) we met the handsome Malibu playboy, Donovan Hart, the entitled, notorious heartbreaker, who would rather spend his days on the beach than in the office. He had his pick of the most beautiful women in Malibu, and had no intention of settling down. But tragic events would change all that and force him to make serious changes in his life. Donovan goes from player to entrepreneur overnight, and finding love…surprisingly… becomes a high priority. That, and opening the first adult club in Malibu.
A Gentleman’s Affair (Book 1)
In A Gentleman’s Secret, (volume 2) Donovan’s story continues, as he faces more challenges when it comes to affairs of the heart, opens a new hotel in Las Vegas, and discovers that his girl may have even more secrets to keep than he does. Will love endure?
A Gentleman’s Secret (Book 2)
A Gentleman’s Memoir (volume 3) is a flashback of Donovan’s life. This prequel gives you an intimate look into his past and takes you on his journey into the adult world where anything goes…and it usually does.
A Gentleman’s Memoir (Book 3)
A.J. Linn published his debut novel, A Gentleman’s Affair, Volume 1 of The Gentleman’s Series, in May, 2013.
Since that time, he has continued protagonist Donovan Hart’s story in A Gentleman’s Secret, published in December, 2013, and revealed Donovan’s earlier life in a prequel, A Gentleman’s Memoir, a novella published in August, 2014.
The series quickly became very popular with fans of his RP/character blog, which he’d been writing for almost a year. He credits those fans with this series, since they were the ones who encouraged him to “write a book” and dedicated the books to them.
With his unique voice and writing style, the popularity of the series began to grow, despite the promotion and marketing challenges facing a self-published indie author.
In an original and creative idea, he gave his readers the opportunity to submit “characters” for A Gentleman’s Secret and A Gentleman’s Memoir, which he crafted into the story. The results were intriguing and sometimes hilarious, as he paid the ultimate compliment to his fans and readers…making their characters part of Donovan’s story.
While having full-time job and a very busy life make finding time to write a challenge at times, his readers are in agreement that he has done a fantastic job: four books in two years is quite an accomplishment.
The paperback editions of the series can be found on Amazon. The ebooks are available on Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.
Enter this giveaway for a chance to win some amazing books or gift cards. Click on the Rafflecopter picture to enter yourself in the drawing. Good Luck!
Thank you to all of the bloggers, authors and friends who have helped us promote this book release.
This Book Release Tour has been hosted by Mama Likes To Read Book Blog
Find me on Twitter: @MamaLikesToRead
Or on the web:
#CoverReveal ~ A Gentleman’s Fate by AJ Linn ~ @AuthorAJLinnHub #BookBoost #Books #Romance
Title: A Gentleman’s Fate
Series: The Gentleman’s Series
Author: AJ Linn
Genre: Romance
Release Date: June 2015
A Gentleman’s Fate finds Donovan Hart fighting for what he’s always wanted.
Just when everything seems to be falling into place, he finds himself at another crossroads, and is reminded, yet again, that in the game of life and love, sometimes the players don’t play nice.
Circumstances change. Relationships shatter. Life, as he knows it, suddenly becomes something he would never have anticipated.
Love, loss, plus plenty of the twists and turns that we’ve come to expect from AJ Linn fill the pages of his latest book in the series.
Will they ultimately lead him to what he’s always wanted?
Or will his destiny be a fate he has never imagined?
Click the goodreads button below to add “A Gentleman’s Fate” to your “Want to Read” list.
We arrive at the dock, and before us is the hard-not-to-miss gondola, filled with red roses and surrounded by dozens of tiny white flickering votives. The priest and the gondolier are standing by, making the big surprise even more obvious with their shit-eating grins. It quickly becomes apparent to Scarlett what’s happening, and she doesn’t say a word. She just stands there, stunned, speechless, and horrified.
“Come aboard, happy couple!” the gondolier says, attempting an American accent, not overshadowing his own thick Italian. “We have-a da champagne on ice for da celebration of this most joyous of occasions!”
“The celebration? Donovan? What’s going on?” she asks, not taking her eyes off of the priest. “What is this?”
“This, Scarlett, is me trying to marry you. The romantic shit that you hate, remember?”
“Donovan?” A confused, terrified look sweeps across her face. (more…)
An Update from Aj ~
An Update….
~ Meet AJ Linn ~
A.J. Linn published his debut novel, A Gentleman’s Affair, Volume 1 of The Gentleman’s Series, in May, 2013.
Since that time, he has continued protagonist Donovan Hart’s story in A Gentleman’s Secret, published in December, 2013, and revealed Donovan’s earlier life in a prequel, A Gentleman’s Memoir, a novella published in August, 2014.
The series quickly became very popular with fans of his RP/character blog, which he’d been writing for almost a year. He credits those fans with this series, since they were the ones who encouraged him to “write a book” and dedicated the books to them.
With his unique voice and writing style, the popularity of the series began to grow, despite the promotion and marketing challenges facing a self-published indie author.
In an original and creative idea, he gave his readers the opportunity to submit “characters” for A Gentleman’s Secret and A Gentleman’s Memoir, which he crafted into the story. The results were intriguing and sometimes hilarious, as he paid the ultimate compliment to his fans and readers…making their characters part of Donovan’s story.
The next installment of the series, A Gentleman’s Fate, will be published in late Spring, 2015.
While having full-time job and a very busy life make finding time to write a challenge at times, his readers are in agreement that he has done a fantastic job: four books in two years is quite an accomplishment.
The paperback editions of the series can be found on Amazon. The ebooks are available on Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.
To learn more please see the interviews with the author found under “About AJ Linn” at the top of the site.
AJ Linn's Books 
