Earlier this year, I connected with debut author Layna James as she started teasing and posting about her book. I was also really lucky to have a chance to beta read Some Kind of Forever and loved every minute of it. I’m always so excited to meet new authors and follow them on their journeys and being able to see just how brilliant Layna is with her marketing, how excited she is about her book—that’s what all of this is about!
And that’s not all! Layna talks about possibly adventuring into fantasy or science fiction in a few years and maybe even writing a fake dating and mistaken identify romance at some point. For now, however, she’s been doing tons of research as she plans a cowboy duology which was inspired by a town founded by Black ranchers. I, for one, am so stoked to see all of the brilliant things Layna’s going to share with the world.
For now, I’m going to silently gloat about the fact that I have a chance to read the second book in her debut series early while the rest of you get to meet these incredible characters.
Kayla and Chase await you in Some Kind of Forever, which is out now and available in Kindle Unlimited!
BEING AN AUTHOR
Who or what inspired you to write?
I’ve always been a writer. Ever since I learned how to string letters together, journal writing was a nightly habit. The thing that really cemented my love for words was winning a poetry contest in elementary school. After that, my teenage angst ran away with the creative prose. I was obsessed, and you can still see bits and pieces of my poetess peeking through in my stories today.
What’s the best and worst part about being an indie author?
The best part for me is being able to work at my own pace and figure things out as I immerse myself into the indie community. The worst part is all of the admin. I just want to create and share my stories.
Why did you choose to self-publish instead of going the traditional route?
I chose to self-publish because I want to be able to tell my stories the way I see them in my head. I truly believe whoever needs to find my words will find them, and the thought of changing them to fit a mold hasn’t ever been an interest of mine.
When you’re not writing, what do you do to get the creative juices flowing?
When I need a creative pick-me-up, I turn to music, crafting, and binge watching shows I’ve been too busy to see.
ROMANCE AS A GENRE
Why did you choose romance as the genre to write in? What is your favorite thing about the genre?
I grew up not believing romance was in the cards for me. Despite the desire, I didn’t grow up surrounded by romantic couples in my family and being the ‘Weird Black Girl,’ I didn’t see myself in the romantic books available to me.
Choosing to write romance centering Black women who don’t fit the stereotypical mold feels like a revolutionary act that allows me to take up the space I never felt I could before.
My favorite thing about the romance genre is how multifaceted it can be. There’s truly something for everyone within the genre.
If not romance/subgenres of romance, what genre would you like to write in?
I might dip my toe into fantasy or sci-fi in a few years.
What are your most and least favorite tropes?
My favorite tropes: Friends to Lovers, Enemies to Lovers, Fake Dating
My least favorite Tropes: Office Romance
What are some tropes you want to write in the future?
I really want to write a Fake Dating and Mistaken Identity story.
What are some topics (sensitive and otherwise) that you think should exist more in romance?
I think romance should feature more Neurodivergence and more conversations around therapy to help destigmatize both topics.
If you write open door romance, why did you choose that and what inspires your sex scenes?
Ultimately, I choose to write open door romance because sex is an important part of the human experience. It shouldn’t be this ominous subject we clutch our pearls at anymore, and showing conversations surrounding consent, body safety, and aftercare help normalize healthy sexual relationships.
YOUR BOOKS
What inspired your published stories? How and when did you come up with these stories and plots?
Many of my stories have been floating around in my head for decades. My bucket list has always included publishing a book, but life and motherhood tends to take the lead and it’s easy to get lost in that. After a particularly stressful family vacation, I finally decided to do something for myself that would be just for me. I drafted and self-edited Some Kind of Forever in a week with only my iPad. After that, book 2 and book 3 poured out of me. Now I’m drafting book 4 and it has all happened in less than 9 months.
Can you briefly tell me about your debut?
Some Kind of Forever is the first in an interconnected standalone series, and is my take on a small town romance. Kayla is waitressing at her old diner job back in her touristy hometown–Fort Bender, California–during her last summer before graduating from college. She hopes to land the internship of her dreams and plans to focus on work until then. In walks Chase, a charming tourist who just graduated from college and is spending his summer vacation in town… right in Kayla’s orbit. He just wants a minute of her time and she won’t give him the time of day. It’s full of witty banter, lots of pining, and so much swooning you’ll be giggling.
Do you already have a favorite character from the stories you’ve written?
Haha, this is like telling me to pick a favorite child! I love them all, but Hunter holds a special place in my heart. I thoroughly enjoyed writing all of his dialogue. He’s a side character in SKoF, but he’s the MMC in book 2 (coming soon)
If you were to cast your book for a movie/television show, who would you cast in the lead roles?
Ooh, I love this! Kayla would be played by Dominique Fishback and Chase would be played by Will Poulter
How much of yourself do you put into these characters?
All of my characters have a little bit of me in them. I feel like it gives a more realistic base to their character arcs.
What is a story/stories that you really want to tell?
I’m planning a Cowboy duology based on a real town that was founded by Black ranchers and homesteaders. Reading the history of that town really spoke to me and I’m excited to get started. Aside from that, I just want to write stories people can see themselves in–their quirks, struggles, joys, and fears.
Is there one common element that readers can find in all your stories?
Expect witty banter and swooning in all of my stories. To me, that’s the best part of reading romance.
What’s next on the bookshelf for you? Anything you can tell us about a future project?
Yes! S.W.U. is the second book in the Fort Bender series and the title and cover reveal will be this fall. Book 3 (still untitled) is headed to developmental editing soon, and W.L.B. (4th and final book in the series) is going through self-edits.
When you write these stories, what are you hoping your readers will feel?
I just want my readers to feel seen. Everyone deserves to be seen in this life.
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?
Illustrated or photo cover?
Comments