Espoused – by Jean Marie Davis

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my book is Espoused. The inspiration and idea came from my sister, Beth Ann, who had been through a very contentious divorce. We were sitting on the beach (reading and talking) after her divorce had been finalized when she commented on how well her kids, ex-husband, and herself were doing now that everything was over. Beth Ann made the comment, “I think it was the break-up that caused all the friction. We were supposed to stay together, and it was difficult to undo it. Now that I think about it, I believe people should have to uncouple after a certain number of years. Let those who want to stay together fight it out in court!” An idea was born – what if you legally had to uncouple after 15 years? What would that look like in society? That was the beginning of the book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t write in complete silence. I also can’t write with music. I get too distracted and usually start humming along with the music. I play a movie or tv series in the background while I write. Maybe it was all those years working in an office and being used to the sound of people’s chatter in the background? My go to’s are: Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson, Ocean’s Eight with Sandra Bullock, Friends, Big Bang Theory.

What are you working on now?
During the pandemic I became very interested in cozy mysteries (Emily Brightwell, Ashley Weaver, Maria DiRico, Emily Brightwell, M.C. Beaton). I not only enjoy the mystery, but love getting to know the amateur detective and all his/her cohorts. I’ve begun outlining my own cozy mystery series and am currently working on the first book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I didn’t know where to start when I decided to write a book. I had an idea, but that was it. I started by reading books about writing books – Wired For Story by Lisa Cron, Fast Fiction by Denise Jaden, Writing your novel from Start to Finish by Joseph Bates. Everyone’s style will be different, but it gave me some direction to start to put the idea to paper.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Follow your heart, don’t let anyone say you can’t do something, be kind.

What are you reading now?
I just finished the crime mystery series of Cormoran Strike books (5 novels) written by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling). I’m currently reading Northern Spy by Flynn Berry and One for the Money by Janet Evanovich.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I just released Espoused so I’m going to promote that for a few months and then begin my new cozy mystery – The Irish Exit Mysteries.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, My Race Be Won by Vincent Matthews, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, and Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling (for a laugh).