Indie Support Sunday: Jordan Bates

Jordan Bates had me at “you will always find a down bad man in my books”. While she’s written a women’s fiction novel (also her favourite book she’s ever written), Jordan currently has many books for you to choose from including Don’t Read the Last Page, a writer x gamer romance, a summer duet, a Christmas novella and a series following four men with a publishing company and their love stories—The Ink Well Chronicles.

And if she wasn’t writing these love stories, Jordan says she might even try her hand at a poetry collection one day! As a fan of music, I love that she also creates playlists for each book to get her into the mood. While you enjoy her latest release, she’s working on her upcoming October release—a second chance between an artist and musician!

You can find all of Jordan’s books in Kindle Unlimited right now.

BEING AN AUTHOR

Who or what inspired you to write?

I don’t really know where the inspiration came from to start writing, but my father supported me through this dream. He believed in me and what I was able to create.

What’s the best and worst part about being an indie author? 

I love being able to share my stories, in the hopes that they last with readers and leave an impact on their lives. Sadly, that means having to edit the books and promote them too LOL

Why did you choose to self-publish instead of going the traditional route?

I was in the world of self publishing as a blogger long before I decided to publish. It was a whole other side to the book world I hadn’t seen before and it meant that I could get my books into readers hands without the red tape of a publisher. 

When you’re not writing, what do you do to get the creative juices flowing?

I am big on creating playlists for my books to help get me in the mood. I’ll also read to fill up my cup and rewatch my favorite rom coms to help get me in the mood!

If you were to recommend books to me (in any genre), what would they be?

My go to recommendation is Weightless by Kandi Steiner. This book has my whole heart. Outside of the romance genre, I am a big poetry reader, so I recommend Amanda Lovelace anytime I can!

What are your top 5 tips or pieces of advice for aspiring authors?

I’m not sure about 5 tips, but my biggest ones I can give to aspiring authors are to stick to your voice. Your words are your own, so make sure to hold onto that for dear life. Also, give yourself grace. This isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. Take your time to give the world what YOU want to give them, not what you think they want or expectations are put onto the industry. 

ROMANCE AS A GENRE

Why did you choose romance as the genre to write in? What is your favorite thing about the genre?

I have always loved the romance genre since I was a teenager. Being able to guarantee a happily ever after is my favorite thing to give readers. 

If not romance/subgenres of romance, what genre would you like to write in?

I have actually written a woman’s fiction novel, that is by far my favorite book I’ve written. I also want to publish a poetry collection one day as well.

What are your most and least favorite tropes?

My least favorite trope would be bullying. But favorite tropes are single dad and age gap romances!

What are some tropes you want to write in the future?

I am planning on a single dad romance next!

What are some topics (sensitive and otherwise) that you think should exist more in romance?

I have seen the rise of mental health in romance books, as well as books with disabilities. I hope the genre continues to embrace these topics as they are evident in everyday life for most of us. 

If you write open door romance, why did you choose that and what inspires your sex scenes?

I choose to mainly write open door romance as I like to read it, and I know others do too. I determine the sex scenes based on each couple and where I feel like it would fit into their characteristics and story line. 

If you write closed door romance, why did you choose that and what are your favorite ways to build tension between the characters?

I have written one closed door romance and the choice to write this was due to the story spanning over the time of twenty-one years since the main characters were children. The story was innocent about love and it lasted so long that it didn’t feel the need for any open door scenes. 

YOUR BOOKS

What inspired your published stories? How and when did you come up with these stories and plots?

Some of these stories came from real life events that are either exaggerated or modified for print. But sometimes it’s listening to a song and a story just coming to mind that fits the lyrics and feel of the music. 

Can you briefly tell me about your books?

I write mainly contemporary romance with characters who are passionate about love and life. I have an office romance series about four gentlemen who own a publishing company and their different love stories. I also have standalone novels, such as a summer duet, a Christmas novella, and my latest release, a writer x gamer romance. 

Do you already have a favorite character from the stories you’ve written?

Lawson Kane. By far my favorite character I’ve written.

If you were to cast your book for a movie/television show, who would you cast in the lead roles?

I’ve not really thought of having my books as a movie/TV show, mainly because i watch them as movies in my own head and don’t honestly feel someone would be able to recreate what I did in my brain lol

How much of yourself do you put into these characters?

I have a few characters that are literally me in every aspect, and some that just have bits and pieces of my characteristics, but all of my characters have at least a little bit of me in them.

What is a story/stories that you really want to tell?

I’ve had the pleasure of writing already many stories that I’ve wanted to, writing the endings I wanted and readers still loving them. I don’t have any current stories I really want to tell, just whatever is in my heart I want to share with readers. 

Is there one common element that readers can find in all your stories?

You will always find a down bad man in my books. 

What’s next on the bookshelf for you? Anything you can tell us about a future project?

I am currently in the middle of edits for my next release in October. It’s the next book in my duology, an artist and a musician and their second chance at love.  

When you write these stories, what are you hoping your readers will feel?

I hope they feel the love that I try to give these characters. 

AUTHOR’S CHOICE

• Paperbacks, hardbacks, ebooks or audiobooks

• Contemporary, fantasy, historical or romantic suspense

• Single or Dual POV

• Standalones, series or standalones in a series

• Open door, ajar door or closed door romances

• Music or silence when writing

• Plotter, pantser or plantser

• Water, tea, coffee or….wine?

• Cold or warm weather

• Write better in the morning, afternoon or night?—Morning bird here!

• Illustrated or photo cover?—Both depending on the vibes of the book!

You can stay updated on everything Jordan by following her on Instagram, TikTok and join her Facebook group. Check out her website and sign up for her newsletter too!