Winnie Winkle is a fabulous Central Florida broad who swills bourbon, likes dogs and cats, and practices yoga, but not with any degree of grace. Supporting live local music is a pretty big deal to Winnie, so if you pass a gravestone that admonishes, 'Go see the band and hit the tip jar', it's probably hers. But, since she's not dead yet, she'll keep penning fun stuff to rock your reading chair.

Winnie lives in Florida and splits her time between South Daytona Shores and the Mount Dora area. She prefers writing beach-side as much as she can because, if we’re baring our souls here, the ocean is a mighty muse and there’s only so much that coffee can do.

Winnie writes for the series "The Worlds or Magic, New Mexico" in the paranormal romance/sci-fi romance genres. She also writes speculative women's fiction and fantasy.

Interview:

1. Will you tell us about your most recent published work?

“Raining Magic” released March 19th. It’s the third in my “Messing Up Magic” series and pulls all the threads from the first two books together. I love this book! It is a paranormal romance, with a touch of sci-fi. The story caps with a fantastic fight scene that was a blast to write. I write strong female characters and love putting them into relationships with strong men and making the sparks fly!

2. What personal challenges do you face as a writer?

As an indie author, I have to wear a bunch of hats. It’s challenging to maintain a balance between writing, marketing, managing advertising, and personal appearances. Some days can be stressful, but I would not change a thing. This is my purpose and I’m grateful to live a creative life as a full-time author.

3. What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

I’m a pantser (which means I write my stories without a lot of outlining and planning) until I reach the ⅔ point of the story. Then I plot the ending and pull all the bits together. That’s a different style of creating, and for me, transitioning from one to the other can slow my pace for a day or two. But, once I’m on track, the endings are satisfying writing.

4. What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?

Writing pulled me away from my former corporate life, and within that, I shed most of the old trappings of that lifestyle. For me, this meant downsizing and selling my home, moving to the beach to write full time, and changing what I perceived as important. So there isn’t much I haven’t adjusted or relinquished in refining my craft.

5. How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

Finishing a novel changed me in terms of how I regarded my skill set, and publishing filled me with the confidence to set an aggressive schedule for the next year with the goal to publish four books, and so far, I’m on track to produce that. It’s important to write well and at a pace that makes sense, but the act of publishing is the call to the world, “I created this”. It is addictive.

6. How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have? Will you tell us about them?

I have a speculative women’s fiction completed that I feel will be published, but I want to go back and work on it. It’s a story of grief, ghosts, and redemption. It may be 2021 before I’m happy with the final product.

I have ⅔ of a contemporary fantasy completed that has strong commercial potential and finishing it will be my 2020 project. It will be a three-part series, set in the south, about a family of extraordinary women and the ways they change the world.

7. Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

I read them but weeks often go by between checking. Most are kind, a few constructive but if the review is bad, I hope it offers a reason. Otherwise, the author learns nothing.

8. Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

I tuck references for friends and family in my books. They are my rocks and I hope they enjoy finding them.

9. What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

Oh, boy. I’m fortunate to call many authors cyber friends, and a few friends in person. Conferences are great spaces to connect and talk with other writers but at this stage in my emerging career, we often yank marketing strategies over writing ones. I try to attend writing workshops to work on craft. I’ll be in North Carolina this spring for one.

10. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Start now and don’t grow discouraged. You have many books within and they are waiting for you to find the courage to begin.

11. What are common traps for aspiring writers?

1. Not seeking help with editing.

2. Thinking a beta reader wants to read your first draft (they don’t).

3. Not reading your story out loud all the way through, at least once, and editing it ruthlessly before passing it to your betas.

4. Not investing in a good editing program. I use ProWriting Aid.

5. Forgetting to network on social media to connect with writers, designers, and betas.

6. Not understanding how publishing works. (If you plan to publish traditionally, it will take 3 years to publish. If you publish as an indie, the curve for building your brand is steep. Prepare to wear a lot of hats.)

12. What’s the best way to market your books?

I use social media, conventions, advertising and make public appearances for signings. I’m still in my first few books, so my brand building is ongoing and fluid.

13. What is your favorite childhood book?

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. I admire Buck as an author and an adventuress.

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Visit Magic, New Mexico at https://magicnewmexico.com