Jeff Rivera

I recently had the opportunity to speak (via email… does anyone ever actually “speak” nowadays?) to Jeff Rivera, whose first novel Forever My Lady has just hit the shelves. Jeff is a writer worth keeping an eye on… and not just because he looks like a cover model. LOL. I know, I know, I’m so shallow, but Forever My Lady is a great read and, as you’ll see from the interview below, the cover model… oops, I mean writer, is also a nice guy. Do yourself a favor and check the book and the author out.

What does it feel like to see your book in bookstores after years of struggling?
I don't want to just say it's a dream come true because it's much more than that. To me it's a symbol that all those crazy books you read about visualizing and "The Secret" really do work. If you're willing to put in the effort, I believe anything is possible, corny as it may sound.

How did you celebrate its release?
Well, Forever My Lady has had many many incarnations so it's kind of like the excitement with the first child, and the second child your happy but in a different way and then a third and then a fourth and you love them all the same but you're like how in the world am I going to afford all these kids?! Haha!

What was your writing process like in writing Forever My Lady?
Well, I was working a job I hated in the morning then I'd force myself to sit down and crank out as much as I could. There were times when I was wondering if I was doing it right, quite frankly. I wanted to give up half way through the book but something kept me going. (Probably the thought of being stuck in that God awful job for the rest of my life)

One thing about your characters is that when you first meet them you don't necessarily like them, then you get to know them. Why did you do this?
I think that's the way real life is. Do you have any friends that you didn't like when you first met them? Then you get to know them. It was also a message to people misjudged my little brother when the first met him and didn't give him a chance, not a chance to really get to know him.

If Forever My Lady was a film, who would star in it?
I would LOVE to have Samuel L. Jackson play the drill instructor and I have so many ideas for Louise. We could go the Nicole Kidman/Sharon Stone route or even the Kathy Bates route.

Who are a few of your own favorite authors?
I love Nicholas Sparks, what he writes, how he changes his literary voice and how smart of a business man he is. People don't realize that side of him. All the greats have a very smart keen business sense to them and that's to be admired as well.


What are you working on now?
Well, I'm committed this year to be even more prolific writing at least 10 pages a day. It ain't easy but it is fun!

Forever My Lady is available on your website?
Yes, www.JeffRivera.com, Amazon.com and wherever books are sold!