Author J.A. Garland Release Party and $50.00 Amazon Gift Card Contest LIVE Here!
As a full time firefighter, I work two 24 hour shifts, then two twelve hour shifts. Finding time to write is not always easy. I cannot write on shift, so at least two days are out, and I’m too exhausted after the two twelve hour shifts to be very creative. If I don’t work overtime on my days off, then I can squeeze in some time here and there around family commitments. When I do get to writing, I find the plot is both the easiest and the hardest to write. Being type ‘A’, I must sketch everything out to make sure I intertwine scenes and get that big black moment just right. The characters that carry the storyline come secondary. Sometimes, though, they don’t like to play nice. They take that ‘breath of life’ and try to run amuck! But speaking of characters, why don’t we talk about Instinct’s hero and heroine?
Instinct is book one in a series where Shadow creatures–paranormal beings who refuse to fly under the humans radar–come out to play. The National Otherkind Administration (NOA) is responsible for overseeing human/Otherkind interactions. Utilizing Analysts, they collect information on the Shadows. If they believe an infraction of the Otherkind Agreements exists, they send in the Trackers. At the top of the food chain is the Otherkind Council. They act as judge and jury, and have become celebrities of sorts in the eyes of the Otherkind. My series follows several key players on both sides of the table.
Rory is a good guy, but he’s had a tough time of things. All he wants is to do his job and forget about his childhood. The object of a botched assassination attempt, he’s launched into a complicated world where the one person who holds the answers, will only share them at a heavy price…his complete trust.
Amber is a feisty woman who holds the key to Rory’s problems. But her secrets are just as dark and deep, and she won’t talk until he tells her about his past.
I just finished writing and submitted book two in the Halfling Chronicles, The Dysus Dreamer. This book pursues the origins of the Halflings, and the Shadow creatures who wish to control them. The Dysus Dreamer follows characters from Instinct, and introduces a few new ones to keep you on your toes.
So, let’s get the chatter going. What would you like to know about either myself or Instinct? Where I get my story ideas? My favorite workout? My road from unpublished to published? My quirks? Ask and I shall tell…well, maybe, lol.
Author Bio:
So, who is J.A.? I am a full time firefighter in the state of California, an addicted trail runner, a connoisseur of all things cheese puff, and an author for BURST Books. When I’m not slogging through the obstacles at a mud run, you can find me hunched over my computer unleashing demons, vampires and werewolves upon the world. I write urban fantasy because the world is an exciting place, but wouldn’t it be more exciting if ‘Otherkind’ creatures existed–like demons, werewolves, elves, vampires and shape-shifters?
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Learn more about J.A. Garland below
http://www.jagarland.com
http://www.facebook.com/jagarlandurbanfantasyauthor
https://twitter.com/#!/J_A_Garland
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Hi Everyone! I’m here, ready to answer questions and talk about books, or whatever strikes our fancy
*waves* Hello J.A. How are you today?
I’m curious where the idea for Instinct came from?
Why did you make Rory the way he is?
As you’ve probably gathered, I like to run. I run 6 days a week, five miles a day. With all that time spent running, I come up with a lot of story ideas. Some of them are good, some of them aren’t! I wanted Rory to be flawed, as we all are, but I wanted him to have a well of good in there too.
* Waves and offers to share her birthday cheesecake *
When was the turning point that you realized that you want to write professional?
I think I’ve always wanted to write professionally, life just kept getting in the way. After I finished up college, and my career as a firefighter was set, I felt like it was the right time to give it a go again. Are you a writer?
Trying to be.. Nothing published.
Write for the love of writing. For the longest time I tried to write what I thought would sell, then I stopped all the chatter in my head, and wrote from the soul. Stick in there, it will happen!
What I am doing. I really have no designs at the moment to be published. Writing what is inside my head. My stories are fantasy mixed with some romance. as I tell people D&D-eque with romance.
It’s your birthday?! How great! What are you doing to celebrate today? Besides eating scrumptious cheescake. I think I just drooled a bit.
Nothing. I have to pick up my youngest in half an hour. Did some rewrites early in the morning. Plan on finishing this one book so I can start couple ARCs I have.
Hubby left to the hospital to visit his aunt. She got diagnosised with cancer.
Do you have a Kindle?
Yes I do – Sorry my three munchkins came home and so the bickering has commensed. Ahhh the testosterone!
I take it you are a reviewer? So is Kitty, here. She was the first one to review Instinct. I was so worried I felt like I was waiting my turn at a hands on pass or fail firefighter performance evaluation.
Sometimes I do book reviews. Like my writing I often feel like I’m mucking it up. So when I get ARCs or asked to do a review – mine is more geared to thoughts and impressions the books give me as I read.
Mmm, if you had the silver tongue ability (Inkheart) what would be the first book you’d grab to read and who/what would you read out?
Dragon Riders of Pern. I would love to live in that world!
Dragons!
Though given half the chance I would live in Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar world. The Heralds! Companions! Hawk Brothers! The Shin’a'in!
I’ve never read her book(s). I’m going to have to give them a try!
Oh you have too! See I read them out of order. I started with the Last Herald Mage. I crushed HARD on Vanyel. Then the Arrows. Basically what order of what books I managed to get. The Oath books are a tied favorite with the Last Herald Mage.
Any helpful tips and/or advise to combat the evil writing block?
Force yourself to write. Set a timer, and make yourself do it for thirty minutes. You’d be surprised how after that thirty minutes, you usually don’t want to stop. You might have to throw everything you wrote out later, but you also might stumble across the perfect solution for a tough spot.
What I’ve been doing with this WIP. The main WIP got corrupted and I found an old file with updated written work in it. Just the notes included not so updated.
Ack! Technology, it’s awesome when it works, horrible when it doesn’t! I save to a million back up drives. I’ve lost so much stuff over the years, it’s not even funny.
Why it was not a complete loss. I found a pdf and another file in another folder. It was updated all my writing but not the notes. Fortunately I had the foresight to save the notes in individual documents that I found when looking for something. Now I am saving it to scrivner and each chapter that gets done, zip it and email to myself. When the story gets done I plan to burn it on it’s own disc with my notes and visuals.
Definitely your road from unpublished to published? And quirks please! Give us the dirty * grins *
Raonaid! Hmm, let’s see, road to published. I am one of those uber lucky people who are surrounded by great friends. One of which, is a sports editor. He told me the ebook market was the only way to fly. I wasn’t totally sold, if you haven’t noticed, I’m stubborn. I wanted one of those big NY print houses, right? (Ducking my publishers long reach right now, lol). I decided to appease him by sending my manuscript to two small presses that I’d researched a bit. The other one responded first, but I held out to hear from both. I’m glad I did, because when I heard from Champagne Book Group, which later created BURST Books for their SciFi/fantasy line, I knew they were right for me. They have open communication from top to bottom, great contracts, a wealth of supportive authors, amazing cover artists and caring mentors!
Okay, quirk #1:
I am a disaster preparedness freak. I have spare shoes, flashlights, and a ‘go kit’ under my bed, in my car, and in my garage–supplies for every member of the family.
I shared, your turn! What’s one of your quirks?
Amber, the heroine from Instinct, doesn’t like dessert. What do you think would get her to change her mind? Do you have a handed down from generation to generation recipe that might make her take a forbidden bite? Please share!
No big family recipe, but I just discovered frozen strawberry Kefir. (Like ice cream, minus the dairy & plus lots of good probiotics.) Mmm….that is all.
That sounds good, the kind of good you don’t have to be guilty for later, either! A bonus!
The book sounds interesting, it’s on my TBR list now!
Why did you become a firefighter?
I’ve been a firefighter since 18. I enjoy being physical, I like thinking on my feet, I enjoy the camaraderie, and I love helping people. It’s been a very rewarding career. What about you?
Thanks for the TBR support, I think you’ll like the book
A female firefighter is not as rare any more but I’m sure you were one of the trail blazers. Did you have to break through the “all guys” garbage or did it go fairly ell for you? Also, have you mentored any other females coming into the ranks?
Thank you so much INSTINCT sounds great!
Well, there are thousands of firefighters in my department, and only around a hundred are career women. In my Battalion there are three women, and 80 male firefighters. I’ve had moments where I can’t believe the crap that comes out of people’s mouths. I’ve had guys tell me that my place is in the home, taking care of the kids, that women don’t belong here, and that I’ll never succeed, that the only reason I got a job was because I was a female, etc. But those moments are pretty rare. You do the job and they shut up. Heck, most guys treat you like a sister, and it’s a pleasure to serve with them.
Kerkorian vampires have the ability to ‘scrub’ minds using their dark arts. What special ability would you like to have?
I look forward to reading this book. Congrats on the release!
Thank you, Tabitha! It’s good to see you here!
Next three people to finish the sentence below get a $5.00 gift certificate to Ana Banana’s Bath and Body products. And not that I’m going to tell you how to spend it, but the zombie soaps are to die for!
Here it is:
As a favorite dessert, I’m partial to pumkin pie. But if you’re going to be bad, why not be really bad and eat ………..”
Ben & Jerry’s strawberry cheesecake ice cream. Once told hubby that was better than sex. He was NOT amused.
Raonaid takes Ana Banana gift cert #1!
Hi! I’m excited about reading Instinct! From what I’m hearing about it, I love the way you set up the world and hierarchy in your book. Butif I’m going to be honest, you had me at werewolf!
So do your quirks extend to writing? Do you have any writing rituals or musts? Is there something you have to do or have before you sit down and write? Maybe a giant bag of cheese puffs?
Rae,
I spent a lot of time working on the books structure. I knew it was going to be a series, so I wanted to make sure that there were plenty of twists, and many directions that I could spin in the following books. And yes, werewolves are pretty cool
Yes, my quirks definitely extend to my writing. My room, where my computer is located, must be clean. I can’t focus on writing if I see any mess anywhere nearby. Now, if I shut the other doors in the house, then I can’t see what a god awful mess awaits me, and I can ignore that. But, my immediate writing environment must be clean. And pajamas are my preferred writing attire. They don’t bind, they don’t give you muffin top, they are perfect for getting to business.
I’m the same way with cooking! I cannot cook if there is a mess in the kitchen. If there was, I’d have to completely clean it before I start.
And frankly if I had my way, pajamas would be a preferred attire for every situation!
I know, I’m thinking I should have my name embroidered on my PJ’s and wear them to work. Lol.
As a favorite dessert, I
Winner #2!!!!
Oh, yum! Anything with chocolate chips in it has to be good! I need to get your email addy for the gift certificate. My email is ja (dot) garland (at) yahoo (dot) com
Thanks and yay! I’m excited to try one of the Zombies. And is it weird that I laugh to myself with each description of the soaps because of all the z’s?
Oh and yeah, their ice cream is so good! I never get tired of it.
Ha ha, no, I still do it too! Ana is really cool, you’re going to love her products. I give them as presents all the time.
In a world inundated with paranormal themed stories, how do you come up with something different that will set your story apart from the rest?
I wanted to write something that was fresh and new. I purposely didn’t read Twilight. The only paranormal books I allowed myself were Sherrilyn Kenyon, and boy did I gobble those up. But then, somewhere along the way, it occurred to me that there isn’t much that hasn’t been done out there. It’s the way WE write it–it’s the eyes through which WE see it, the emotions and sensations that WE feel, the lips through which WE speak it, the life experiences that WE’VE experienced that no one else has. So, I let my soul write, and found MY voice. Sptry tellers are all different, so that’s how I believe we set our stories apart from the rest.
What is the best piece of writing advice anyone has ever given you?
That came from my mom. She believed that great stories had to flow. Write, then come back and edit. I see children now-a-days so bogged down by punctuation and grammar, and proper format, that they’ve lost their creativity. I’m not saying you don’t need to know formatting and punctuation, you do, but you need to express without constraints, too.
What do you think of the new trend of former fanfiction being published as original works (i.e., 50 Shades of Grey)?
I’ve only heard scant bits and pieces about fanfiction. I have never read it, nor have I read fifty shades of grey. Not because I refuse to, I just haven’t gotten around to it.
Let me just say I am blown away by the fact that you are a fire fighter and I just want to thank you for your service. It’s people like you who saved my younger daughter’s life when she was two and I will forever be grateful for that gift. Have you ever considered incorporating your experiences on the job into a book?
I am glad we were there for you, and I am sorry about the incident. It must have been terrifying to endure.
I tend to keep the two lives seperate. I once tried to write a book about my experiences, but it didn’t feel right. We are usually there in people’s worst possible moments, very horrible and very private moments. I couldn’t write about those times, it made me feel like a traitor.
Yeah, you can imagine how much the media like it when I am the Public Information Officer (PIO) on an incident. I don’t give them many details, lol.
Okay, so another question. Do you take things from real people (or yourself) and apply them to the characters or are your characters completely their own?
For instance, where did the no dessert thing come from for Amber?
I take things from all around me. The guys at work are always saying, “Shit, that isn’t going to end up in a story, is it?”
Amber takes after me, in the sweets respect. I told you how I’m stubborn, well, my husband once bet me that I couldn’t give up sweets for a week. Let me just tell you, I LOVE sweets. So, we both gave them up–no cookies, cakes, icecream, donuts, candy, etc. (We could have creamer, in our coffee or honey powder in oatmeal, or sugar free frozen yogurt, etc.) Well, being stubborn, I wasn’t quitting the no sweets bet until he did. Three years later, we are still going strong. We do allow for massive cheating on our birthdays, christmas and thanksgiving.
LOL! Now I have this mental image of like 50 firefighters holding up your book reading trying to find if what they did ended up in the book. Priceless!
Uh, I thought I was stubborn! But I have nothing on the two of you! I would have killed someone by the end of the week. Seriously.
I LOVE sweets. I completely realize that I’m hooked on the chocolate and I’m okay with that. So I don’t even entertain the notion that I would give them up.
I have done it in the past, but everyone around me (including myself) decided that I was a much better person with sweets in my life! Kudos to you
, but I don’t think I could do it.
Okay, I am off to pickup the kids from school. I’ll be back in a bit, but feel free to log some questions and I’ll get to them soon
Congrats on the release. I for one can’t believe how you actually wrote a book with family and the demanding career as a fire fighter. Be Well and Happy Writing!
Thanks, Tamara! It’s crazytown in my house!
Interesting that you are a fireman. My question is
What is the most fiery book you have read that is blazing hot?
Lol, not a training manual? Well,I would have to say that the most recent book I read that was pretty hot was by Tina Donahue. It was pretty scorching!
What about you?
Okay, we have one more $5 Ana Banana gift certificate up for grabs. Who can answer this sentence first:
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever eaten?
I’m off to take the kids to dinner, but I can’t wait to hear your answers! You never know, I might award a few extra’s for creativity, lol.
I just gotta ask: have you ever rescued a baby from a burning building? Sorry, cheesy question.
Lol, no I haven’t. On most of our structure fires the occupants have already self evacuated. Those that haven’t…aren’t usually doing too well. But yes, rescue is our primary objective, then fire attack.
I’ve rescued a few trapped dogs and cats, does that count?
Hi J. A.! I do indeed want to know what’s your favorite workout? In addition to trail running.
And congrats on your release!
Celia!
Thanks for stopping in, I totally appreciate it! Well, my favorite workout is actually several. It starts with 50 minutes of P90X –triceps, shoulders, and arms, followed by a good 45 minute trail run, and then sit ups until my muffin top wants to cry. Obviously, I don’t do that last part near long enough, lol.
Then again, it could be the BBQ pizza I ate as if I was going into hibernation tonight. MMMM good!
how in the world do you doing fire fighting and wright because I think you would be way to wore out after firefighting.all I would do is sleep if I was you.But thanks for being a firefighter I live in Ca and the fire are all around hear lately.
Yes, I’m in CA too. We are super busy right now. It looked like it was going to slow up, but then we got hit with all those lightning strikes.
Okay, All, I am off to bed. Thank you guys for a great release party, I really appreciate the support and laughs! Thank you!
Wow! Sorry to be late to the party…thank you so much for your valorous and dangerous service. Are you in Northern or Southern California? (I live in SoCal)
You are a new to me author…how many books are in this series and how many more anticipated?
I’m a Central Cali girl
I have written two books in the series, but am already chomping at the bit for number three. Book One is released–Instinct, Book Two has been submitted–The Dysus Dreamer. I’m hoping it has a speedy release as well!
You mentioned running is there anything else that you do to calm yourself and clear your head?
Running is the best thing for clearing my head. That’s where my ideas come, either just after, or during a good run.
What do you like to eat while writing, other than cheese puffs?
I eat anything that doesn’t pull me away from the computer for long, or anything that doesn’t give me sticky keyboard, lol. So peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are out!
What music do you listen to when you run and or work?
It has to be techno, dance, or rock to get me motivated! I spend a lot of money at iTunes.
How do you feel about the rain?
Love it! I’ll run in any adverse weather, as long as there is no lightning. That I won’t mess with.
Hi, little late to chiming in on comments, but here goes…
Congrats on your release! The book sounds great and I will add it to my TBR list!
Craziest thing I have ever eaten wiu,d be fried rattlesnake. Not good at all, very chewy and gamey!
Winner #3! I need your email so I can send you an email cert for Ana Banana zombie soap. Rattlesnake? Interesting! I’ve eaten buffalo, bear, venison, never tried rattlesnake. Snakes give me the hibbe gee bees.
My email is LeleliaSky@aol.com. Snakes freak me out too, but copious amounts of beer were involved in the decision to eat snake. Lol
That’s funny, aren’t all of our ‘better’ decisions made with copious amounts of alcohol? Lol! Your gift certificate is on its way!
I was once married to a firefighter and I know that during the lulls at the station they loved to play pranks on each other. Have you ever pulled a prank on someone, and what was it?
I’ve done, and been subjected to the most common, the jello in your bunker boots, badge upside down, etc. But, I once had a guy who wouldn’t leave me alone about being short. So when he went off shift, I jacked up everything in his room, made his bed and bed stand three feet taller, so when he came back on shift he saw what it felt like. We had a good laugh over it!
Awesome!
I am absolutely fascinated that you are a full-time firefighter. Besides making it difficult to find time to write, how do you think your career influences the worlds and characters you create?
I think working in a predominately male career field, it gives me the advantage on writing male dialogue and response to confrontation. And being a firefighter myself, I think my heroines tend to be outspoken, powerful, and confident.
Hi, J.A. Thanks for joining us here at BBB!
Besides running trails, what else do you enjoy doing for relaxation?
Running is the best thing for clearing my head. That
What is your guilty pleasure?
Cheese puffs, most definitely!!!!
Who was the first person that you told when you got the call?
My husband, then everyone else I know, or sorta know, including the guy at the supermarket, lol.
Have you ever written about firefighters? If not, do you think you would like to?
No, I haven’t and I won’t. I like to keep the two lives seperate
What was your favorite book when you were in middle school or high school? Was it something that you had to read for school or something you choose yourself?
I have always read for myself. So my favorite book in middle school was Clan of the Cave Bears. I liked the history, and I skimmed the racy parts.
What are you reading right now?
Hive by Marc Davies. It’s very good, and he’s a fellow author at BURST Books.
What is your favorite childhood book/series?
I never had one. I read all kinds of books and series
I gobbled up books.
Have you ever written fan fiction? For what fandom?
Nope. I’ve only heard scant bits and pieces about fan fiction. Never read it, never written it. Not that I’m opposed, I just haven’t found any in my tbr pile.
If your mind were a house, what would it look like inside?
Large and tidy, lol! What a great question!