Interview with Mari Jack, Author of Violet Blooming

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Violet Blooming?

This book is part of a spin-off series from my first series, about musicians falling in love. This particular book revolves around Violet Newman, an opera singer and classical recording artist who’s about to star in the lead role in the opera La Traviata, as well as release a new album. When her ex-boyfriend unexpectedly comes back into her life, she goes on fake dates with Owen Matthews, the conductor of the orchestra for the opera show. Those dates were only meant to keep her ex away, but the passion between her and Owen ends up going far beyond dating. I wrote this book partly as a big “f you” to racist stereotypes (Violet is part Hispanic), like I wrote its predecessor, Dawn Rising, to fight ableist stereotypes, but much of the inspiration comes from my own experiences as a musician. The vast majority of the feedback I’ve received from other musicians on my flute-playing ability has been supportive, but one particular musician in a military band in my country was very rude to me. He ranted on about how he had a university degree in music while I didn’t, and made wrong assumptions about me not being able to handle a busy performing schedule. When I tried to correct him, he talked over me. I modelled Violet’s ex on this particular musician, and Owen on a band conductor I strongly admire.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Violet Blooming, what would they be?

They would obviously be the songs from La Traviata, for both Violet and Owen. After all, their story is like an opera – they fall in love, with a few dramas along the way, but have a much happier ending than most operas. Also, the song “Cinema Paradiso”, which she records for her latest album. It’s a song I really love.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Of course it’s contemporary romance, especially if it contains a high level of spice! That’s the type of romance I write. I also love romantic suspense and some erotic stories.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

It’s a huge backlog at the moment! Most of my TBR list is erotic romances by E. A. DeBoest, whom I discovered on social media. I’ve read her books ‘His Escort’ and ‘Her Dirty Desires’ and I’m keen to try more! I also want to read Vianne Max’s ‘Pariah’. It’s the sequel to her first book, ‘Anahera’, which I enjoyed very much.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Spoiler alert! It’s definitely the showdown between Violet’s ex and Owen towards the end of the book. I don’t want to give away too much, so I’m only going to say, it gets nasty!

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Sometimes I have a cat on my lap when I’m writing, but listening to music, whether it be rock, pop or jazz (especially Michael Bublé) while I write, is a tradition of mine.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Believe in yourself, no matter what others say. I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome my entire life due to naysayers making cruel assumptions about me and disapproving of every decision I made for myself, so believing in myself is harder for me than it would be for other people. Also, the classic Walt Disney quote: “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

If I can’t choose the hot passion between Violet and Owen, it would be the social justice themes, especially what Violet’s ex did to make her break up with him in the first place. I have these themes in my previous books too, because I believe victims of bullying, discrimination, etc. have the right to be heard and taken seriously. It seems too often that victims get blamed and gaslit, even when there’s plenty of hard evidence against the perpetrator. I hope anyone who has been through this will feel heard when they read my books.

Mari Jack is the author of the new book Violet Blooming

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