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5 Mintues, 5 Questions With… J.A. Adams, author of Chameleon

16 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
J.A. Adams, author of Chameleon
(Shaw Harris and Associates)

When dreams turn into nightmares, spur of the moment decisions test the silent codes of family honor. Diane Darhling, beautiful, scholarly and heir to a multi-million dollar fortune, finds herself caught in a triangular web of love gone seriously wrong.

Two men, Jimmy and Jerrell, whose polarized unrelenting desire to have her is felt to the depths of the soul. One loves unconditionally. The other is a suave psychopath. Reading like a backdrop story from headline news, a twisted plan, forged in pathological and psychotic manipulation, is plotted by the Chameleon.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Chameleon?

J.A. Adams: My many years of experiences in social service work, talking with victims and survivors of domestic violence. My character Diane is a composite of the many victims and survivors of intimate partner violence I have encountered in my personal and professional life.

JP: What sets Chameleon apart from other psychological romances?

JA: The incidents in Chameleon have happened to real people and based on real events. Just names and places are changed or have been compiled into a composite fictional character or location.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Chameleon getting out to the public?

JA: The way the novel reaches into the soul. Readers are able to relate to my characters. They see people they know in their everyday life through my characters. Readers report being able to feel what my characters feel.

The positive word of mouth promotions have helped too. I also have to give credit to the support my Delta Sorors, family and friends have shown for the book.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Chameleon?

JA: Believe it or not, I first started Chameleon in 1993. Then stopped when I started working at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) with Educare Training Institute developing an early childhood teacher curriculum Responding to Violence in the Lives of Young Children.

I did not re-pick up the manuscript again until 1998. It was slow going until 2001 when author Evelyn Fry commented to me that I had been talking about that book for five years and wasn’t it about time I finished it.

So, with some pointers from her, I buckled down and got to work finishing the first edition in 2002. It was not the best experience. I knew very little about the book business and went with the first people who showed an interest in my work (not a wise decision).

But that is water under the bridge. I have since learned the business, retained the rights to Chameleon and reworked the book in the manner I was satisfied with. So, now we have this really great polished re-release that I’m excited about.

JP: What’s next for J.A. Adams?

JA: I have a short story appearing in Coffee Confessions, an anthology releasing in May 2010. I am also working on two project for 2011. Pineview’s Secret which bring back Landan and Alison from Purple Haze as well as a dating guide based in scripture for young ladies entitled Frog or Prince: Let’s Not Get it Twisted.

And yes, I had my title as well as notes started back in 2007, long before the Disney movie. I have about 5 other books and titles swimming around up in my head, so I plan to be around for awhile in the writer’s arena.

http://www.jaadamsauthor.com
http://www.facebook.com/authorjaadams
http://www.shhimreading.com/ja-adams.html

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16 thoughts on “5 Mintues, 5 Questions With… J.A. Adams, author of Chameleon”

  1. Ms. Adams you have a good friend. Sometimes we do need that nudge to get it done. Also, thanks for sharing it’s not always wise to go with the first publisher that comes a long. Much success to you.

  2. ONE of the first FIVE people to comment on this author interview will win a free copy of the book.

    Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of Chameleon by J.A. Adams.

    1) Jennifer C.
    2) ???
    3) ???
    4) ???
    5) ???

    Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview.

  3. It was wonderful to see you did not push this book until you were ready to finish and it seems like it will be an awesome read .

  5. I have read Chameleon and it was a great read. I can honestly say it was a page turner for me. It has some very gripping moments, some sadness and some wonderful takes on what life can and should be like within a family. This book will make your pulse race.

  6. ONE of the first FIVE people to comment on this author interview will win a free copy of the book.

    Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of Chameleon by J.A. Adams.

    1) Jennifer C.
    2) Joyce Dickerson
    3) ???
    4) ???
    5) ???

    Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview.

  8. ONE of the first FIVE people to comment on this author interview will win a free copy of the book.

    Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of Chameleon by J.A. Adams.

    1) Jennifer C.
    2) Joyce Dickerson
    3) Daniel Williams
    4) ???
    5) ???

    Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview.

    1. Missed it, but will listen on demand. Was in Richmond, VA signing books at the Readers with Attitude Author’s Pavillion. It was great.

  10. ONE of the first FIVE people to comment on this author interview will win a free copy of the book.

    Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of Chameleon by J.A. Adams.

    1) Jennifer C.
    2) Joyce Dickerson
    3) Daniel Williams
    4) Adrienna Turner
    5) ???

    Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview.

  11. Sometimes it definitely takes some time away from your writing to gather a fresh perspective and finish it. It sounds like a very interesting read. I will have to check it out.

  12. ONE of the first FIVE people to comment on this author interview will win a free copy of the book.

    Here is the list of people who are in the running for a FREE copy of Chameleon by J.A. Adams.

    1) Jennifer C.
    2) Joyce Dickerson
    3) Daniel Williams
    4) Adrienna Turner
    5) Vivienne Green

    Leave a comment about your thoughts on the interview.

Comments are closed.