I am so sad to say that this is the last of the individual interviews series with The Summer of Secrets Authors: Ruin Me by Christina Hart, Hate Me by Cynthia A. Rodriguez, and Teach Me by J.R. Rogue. These girls are so infinitely kind and very humble! I requested a plethora of questions and they all came through with flying colours — to consistently provide in-depth honest interviews. I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by such pure and infinite talent. I have deemed these three beauties The Three Fates – strong apart and together. They all hold their own with regards to content, collaboration, and imagination!
Now, I’m so excited to bring you my individual interview with J.R. Rogue. I find her to be such an honest, and bright writer. When I read J.R.’s poetry – some of the time I think “damn, I wish I’d written that.” She writes with such a solid work ethic, and commitment.
For more information on J.R. check out her Instagram @j.r.rogue and Link Tree here!
RMMW: Do you have any artist rituals before starting a new book?
JRR: I create a board on Pinterest and pin anything that inspires me. I create a playlist on spotify. And I think about the book for weeks before I write. I jot everything I can down in a little Field Notes notebook.
RMMW: Have you ever been creatively blocked? If yes, how did you overcome it?
JRR: I don’t try too hard to overcome blocks. They’re there for a reason. Sometimes your brain needs time to breathe.
RMMW: We all must contend with our inner critic, how do you deal with yours?
JRR: I text my friends all of my self loathing thoughts and we wallow together, then get over it.
RMMW: Although, they both require different skills — what is your favourite, writing Poetry or Novels? And why?
JRR: It’s hard to choose. I am more focused on novels, because I find them more challenging. Poetry just falls out of me, even in my novels. I really don’t think I could pick.
RMMW: As a successful writer, what do you feel is the best advice you\’d give an emerging writer getting ready to publish their first collection?
JRR: Take your time. Don’t just practice your craft, study marketing and social media tactics. You don’t want to be shouting into the void. And never lose your authentic voice.
RMMW: Do you listen to music when you write? If yes, what kind?
JRR: Yes. Always slower stuff from the playlists I create for my novels.
RMMW: How many unfinished manuscripts do you currently have in your archive?
JRR: I think 3 or 4.
RMMW: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing modern day writers?
JRR: Finding your audience when the writing field is filled with new authors every day, and social media is forcing you to pay to be seen.
RMMW: What do you look forward to most when you attend literary events to promote your books?
JRR: Talking to readers.
RMMW: Out of all the books you\’ve written which one is your favourite and why?
JRR: Kiss Me Like You Mean It. Because it is my most honest.
RMMW: What do you feel is your best achievement as a writer?
JRR: Being nominated for Goodreads Choice Awards. They are voted on by readers, and those are the opinions that matter the most to me. Not literary critics, etc.
RMMW: Who are your favourite indie writers?
JRR: Other than my close friends; Fisher Amelie, BB Easton, Sierra Simone, Calia Read, J. Lynn Bailey, Mara White, and so many more.
RMMW: If you had a superpower what would it be?
JRR: Teleportation.
CCIQ Press 
