Exclusive Interview with
Peggy Jaeger
When did you start writing?
When I was 8 years old
What makes writing your passion?
I literally can't go a day without writing! It's my oxygen!
How long have you been writing?
I'm 62 and started when I was 8, so.......54 years,
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
A high, higher than anything I've ever felt before.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
I write only about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who simply can't live without them.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
All the marketing!
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
Never had it.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
These stories simply have to come out of my head! They've lived in their sososos long they need air, LOL. To new writers - write the book you want to read.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Never give up!
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Yes and I laugh at the bad ones and think, well, he/she/ didn't like that one. They won't be reading me again.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
That I've done well and accomplished what I set out to do.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Many many many times.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
None. The only thing we have in common is that we are girls.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
More - because it needs to hook the reader in 1.1 seconds to see if they even want to look at the blurb.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I'll talk to a rock! I love people and will talk anytime anyone wants me to.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Humbled.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Nora Roberts and her doppelganger JD ROBB because she has the career of my dreams.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
See above answer! LOL
Seriously, my dream is to be financially independent with my writing and to make a difference in someone's life because they read something by me.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
Nope.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
See above answer!! Hahaah. Nora, every time.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
Get a real life.
What would you say to your readers?
THANK YOU for making me feel loved.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I hail from the Northeast, have been married 35 years, one daughter, one grandson, one huge and loving chocolate lab.
What is your day job if you have one?
I retired from nursing 7 years ago to write full time - which I now do.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
Read, sleep, play with the dog and grandbaby. That's enough for someone my age, lol.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Nope.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
I was given an old fashioned lock and key diary when I was 8. My life was so horrible that I used it - not to write about me - but to make up a story about a girl my age who went on great adventures.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
Not anymore. I put them all up on Kindle Vella this past year.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
Kids need to be taught to value reading - everything! I don't believe in ever banning books. The more well rounded and educated a kid is about the world the better their tools for survival.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
1. Be an NYTimes/USA today bestselling author
2. be financially independent from my writing
3. devise a non-profit to give no-interest loans to women who want to start businesses but lack the resources.
What is your favorite music?
Classic rock - 70s 80s some 90s
Share a secret with us 🙂
I bite my nails.