Ms. M.J. Kane
I know, it’s a crazy title, but it’s true.
Some days, I wonder how my journey into
writing jumped from writing one book, to a six book series. In the end, the
decision wasn’t exactly my own. My muse and my characters made the decision
and left it up to me to determine how to make it happen.
One of the most asked questions I’ve gotten from readers is
whether or not The Butterfly Memoirs
Series follows Ebony and Brian’s interracial relationship. The answer: no, it
does not. Ebony and Brian are an introduction into the series, and characters
from the next three books are also introduced. That is not to say they won’t
peek their heads in for a cameo in the future, though!
If you’ve read A Heart
Not Easily Broken, you’ve meet Yasmine Phillips, the sassy; tell it like it
is, bi-racial best friend of Ebony Campbell. While she has a supporting role in
the novel, her voice and the setup of her story comes to light at the end of
the book. There is also an excerpt of her story, Jaded, at the end. Without giving away any spoilers, I will say Yasmine
is no longer in her happy place at the end of A Heart Not Easily Broken. Her character experiences the worst
betrayal of her life, thus begins her jaded journey.
The characters for books three and four are introduced in
Ebony’s story as well.
For starters, Ebony and Yasmine’s other roommate and
best friend, Kaitlyn Rodgers will have her own screen time. Her story will be
different from the others as she will have her own hardships to overcome. The
series has been slated for six books, but I am leaving openings for a few
more…since my muse won’t leave me alone!
Now the fun part of writing The Butterfly Memoirs is that at any time, the hero/heroine of one
of the next books often find a way to jump in and demand attention to their
plotline. Like now. I am editing book two, Yasmine’s story, yet characters from
the fifth book have begun tapping me on the shoulder,(it’s not their first time
interrupting my thoughts!), and are
pointing to a previous scene that has been written and filed away, with
suggestions on how to make it better. (It’s the first love scene in the novel,
no wonder they’re anxious to get it right!)
How do I avoid driving myself crazy when future characters
ignore my ‘whip’ and insist on intruding rudely into my current work? I give them a full week to get their ideas
together before allowing them to share bits and pieces of what they want until
finally, I give in.
My current project is set aside and an hour or two dedicated
to writing down what they want. It could be notes on how to change a scene, or a setting. Oftentimes it’s the introduction or the re-write of a scene I already
have written down, complete with dialogue, emotions, a beginning, middle, and
end. Sometimes they’ve got so much to say, I end up with three chapters! One
thing is for sure, I know what they want! Then I file it away in my notebook with
the rest of their story board until they strike again.
If nothing else, I can honestly say, taking a break from my
current work always has me coming back with a fresh set of eyes….
If you have not had a chance to read my Amazon Bestseller, A Heart Not Easily Broken, I suggest you
get a copy today! Even though The
Butterfly Memoirs is a series, it is also written so the stories stand
alone. But in order to fully enjoy it, you need to read it from the beginning!
Look for Jaded, Book two of the
Butterfly Memoirs, March 2013!
M.J.'s Bio:
M.J. Kane stumbled into writing.
An avid reader, this stay
at home mom never lost the overactive imagination of an only child. As an adult
she made up stories, though never shared them, to keep herself entertained. It
wasn’t until surviving a traumatic medical incident in 2006 that she found a
reason to let the characters inhabiting her imagination free. Upon the suggestion of her husband, she commandeered
his laptop and allowed the characters to take life. It was that, or look over
her shoulder for men caring a purple strait jacket. And the rest, as they say,
is history.
No longer a television addict, if M.J. isn’t reading a book
by one of her favorite authors, she’s battling with her creative muse to
balance writing and being a wife and mother. She resides in the suburbs of
Atlanta, Georgia with her high school sweetheart, four wonderful children, and
two pit bulls. MJ can often be found hanging out at the local library where she
is director of a local writer’s group, or online connecting with readers and
other authors. Other activities she enjoys include: creating custom floral
arrangements, assisting her children in their creative pursuits of music and
art, and supporting her husband’s music production business, 3D Sounds.
You can find MJ on social networking sites, sharing writing
tips, talking about music, life, and family. She’s always excited to meet new
people. Connect with her via the websites below.
Thanks for letting me share, Minnie!
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