Loading ...Interview, Chat and Contest with Fantasy Author Jim C. Hines
A big welcome to our readers today! Be sure to read to the end of the interview to find out how to WIN the fabulous prizes being offered up.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a fixed time event, the post just goes live at 10:30 am CDT. You can stop by any time during the day or evening and leave your questions and chat.
PLEASE KEEP SPOILERS TO A MINIMUM. Not all of the readers today have read Jim’s books.
Interview:
Hi Jim!
Welcome to Bitten by Books, we are excited to have you here today!
I would like to thank you taking the time to join us for the question and answer session with our readers. It has been very interesting to get to know more about you and what makes you tick as a writer! Readers, if you haven’t done so already please stop by and get your copy of Jim’s newest book The Mermaid’s Madness.
BBB: What are the most challenging and the most rewarding aspects of writing?
JCH: One of the most challenging pieces has always been time management. Writing is wonderful, but it doesn’t support my family, so I also work a day job. Add in wanting to make time with my wife and two young children, and it becomes an ongoing balancing act trying to manage the priorities. As for the most rewarding, I’d probably have to say that moment when a scene just *works*, when everything comes together and you sit back knowing this is the scene that’s going to blow people away. That and hearing from readers who truly loved something you wrote. It’s an awesome feeling.
BBB: Do you consider different books fantasy or urban fantasy? and do you think it is important to distinguish between the two?
JCH: Ah yes, good old urban fantasy. Also known as “That subgenre of fantasy that outsells goblins and princesses six-to-one.” Not that I’m bitter, mind you. I’m actually very happy writing what I do, even if my
books aren’t the current hot trend in SF/F. I’m not in marketing, so for me the various genres and subgenres boil down to, “If you like this sort of book, you’ll probably enjoy this other book here.” I do think it’s
important from a marketing standpoint, making it as easy as possible for people to find (and buy) more books they’ll like.
BBB: You seem to have a really good understanding of the dynamic and interactions between women. Were you raised with sisters?
JCH: Thank you, and nope, just me and my little brother. I think the most important thing about characterization is just learning to listen to other people, particularly people with different backgrounds and experiences from yourself.
BBB: What is the most ridiculous thing that you have thought about doing to any of your characters but never did?
JCH: Hm … well, there was the time I wanted to bring Smudge the fire-spider out of the goblin books and drop him into the middle of a science fiction convention to see what happened, but I actually managed to
write and sell that story. So I guess I’d have to go with turning one or more of my princesses into zombies or vampires for a kind of Halloween special.
BBB: Our reviewer AJ asks “Why did you decide to change the characters names in The Stepsister Scheme? I really loved the characters but was a little disconcerted at first that their names were changed. Have others given you that feedback?”
JCH: I’m guessing AJ is referring to Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty being called Danielle and Talia in the books? Snow White is Ermillina, but she goes by Snow, so that shouldn’t be as disconcerting. Mostly I did it because these characters deserve their own names. Sleeping Beauty is a title, a description of a princess who’s a symbol instead of being her own person. Cinderella, or Cinderwench, was an insult tossed out by her stepmother and stepsisters. These women deserve better. I haven’t gotten much feedback, aside from the occasional question as to where I came up with the names. (Talia and Ermillina both came from more obscure versions of their respective stories.)
BBB: How do you keep track of your world building?
JCH: Not as well as I’d like. For the princess series, I experimented with creating a private wiki file of characters, nations, timelines, and other world building details. The wiki actually works really well, allowing me to find particular details fast and add information as necessary. The problem is I don’t like to stop writing long enough to update the silly thing, because I don’t want to lose momentum on the story. So about half of my world building made it into the wiki, and the rest is jotted down in random notes and on the backs of flyers and such, all of which is jammed into a folder.
BBB: What do you feel are the benefits of the new electronic readers such as Kindle 2 or Sony Digital Book Reader
JCH: At the moment, I don’t think there’s been much of an impact, but I imagine that will change as the price continues to come down and e-readers become more standardized.
BBB: What impact do electronic readers create on the bottom line for authors in the end? Do you feel they have a negative impact or positive, or no impact at all that you can see?
JCH: Electronic sales make up a small fraction of my overall royalties, so right now I don’t know that the e-readers are having that much of an impact. Ask me again in five or ten years, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that answer changed a lot. I don’t think electronic books are going to be the End Of Publishing, and I suspect the demand for good stories will stay strong for the foreseeable future. I’m just planning to keep writing, and one way or another I trust there will be ways to connect stories and readers.
BBB: Can you tell us about your different stories and the general storylines that drive them?
JCH: The goblin books were all about looking at the fantasy genre from a different perspective, exploring what heroism and adventure and quests meant to someone on the opposite end of the food chain. Well, that and the occasional nose-picking joke. The princess series has been similar in many ways. Not the nose-picking, but the desire to look at things from another perspective, to give these characters the chance to take control of their own stories and kick some ass in the process.
BBB: What else do you currently have in the works? When can we expect your next book?
JCH: I’m doing final revisions on Red Hood’s Revenge, the third princess book, which should be out around July of next year. After that, the as-of-yet-untitled fourth princess book will probably wrap up the series. I’ve got a few ideas for a new series, but it will probably be another year before I start writing it.
BBB: You came up with some really unusual names for the secondary characters in The Stepsister Scheme. Where did those names come from?
JCH: Mostly it was a matter of playing with sounds and syllables until I came up with something that felt right for the character or race in question. I tried to keep the tradition of having fairly ridiculous-sounding fairy names, as you get in the old fairy tales, which is where you get names like Arlorran and Trittibar and Febblekeck. A lot of these characters went thought many different names before I finally settled on the right one.
BBB: The fate of the stepmother was an awesome but gruesome twist. Where did that concept originate from?
JCH: Thank you! Like a lot of the backstory for the books, this came from the older (pre-Disney) fairy tales, which were a lot darker than the stories we hear these days. Without spoiling anything, if you read Aschenputtel, one of the old Cinderella tales, you’ll find the inspiration for the fate of Danielle’s stepmother.
BBB: Where do you see the fantasy/urban fantasy genre headed? Can you see it slowing down in the near future, or do you think that the immediate future is pretty bright for it?
JCH: In the future, the entire fantasy genre shall be made up of classic works with monsters added, a la Pride and Prejudice with Zombies. I’m planning to stake out Shakespeare Cthulhu as my own niche.
BBB: Do you have any personal traits that you have written into the characters of your books?
JCH: Jig the goblin’s nearsightedness. I’ve worn glasses since age four, and every once in a while I find myself wondering why everyone in the fantasy genre has 20/20 vision. And my family would be quick to point out that most of the smart-assery in various characters is very much me.
BBB: Do you feel that you might lean towards doing some more urban fantasy type books in the future?
JCH: I’ve never done much urban fantasy (though I did have a story in Esther Friesner’s anthology Strip Mauled, which is suburban fantasy–does that count?) The new series, post-princesses, will probably be set in today’s time, and may have more of an urban bent to it.
BBB: True Blood or The Vampire Diaries?
JCH: Charlaine Harris and I share an agent, so just to be safe, I’m going with True Blood. But the truth is I don’t really watch that much TV, and haven’t caught either show. I’ve read some of Charlaine Harris’ Harper
Connelly series and enjoyed it, though.
BBB: Do you have any plans for book signings/ readings anytime soon? If so, where can our readers find you?
JCH: I’ve got a few more book signings in Michigan, and I’ll be Guest of Honor at Icon in Iowa later this month. I keep all of my upcoming events posted on my web site at http://www.jimchines.com/appearances/
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Learn more about Jim C. Hines below:
Read Reviews of his work here.
To visit the author’s website go here.
To visit the author’s blog go here.
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CONTEST: PLEASE NOTE THE NEW CONTEST EMAIL ADDRESS TO SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO BELOW. There are also revisions to the rules for this contest, please read them all carefully. Also, PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries.
Readers, here’s how to enter the contest. You can do just ONE or ALL of these things, and each thing you do will give you additional entries at a chance to WIN. REMEMBER you have Until 10/13/09 at 11:59 pm PDT to do the different things that YOU choose to do.
He will be giving away 1 set of painted goblin miniatures from Garden Ninja Studios and his awesome publisher DAW Books has agreed to donate THREE copies each of the following anthologies:
Gamer Fantastic
Terribly Twisted Tales
Misspelled
If I Were An Evil Overlord
Open to readers worldwide
1. The easiest way to enter is by purchasing copies of Jim’s books.
From Amazon:
here
From Barnes & Noble:
here
Good for 300 entries per book you purchase by using the links above.
OR you can use the Barnes & Noble search banner on the right hand side of the site or this link HERE to make your purchase of ANY kind of merchandise during the contest. You can also use the Amazon search box or this link HERE to shop as well. Good for 100 entries to the contest for EACH item you purchase. Not valid on past purchases.
It is NOT mandatory to purchase anything to enter the contests, there are plenty of other ways to enter and win. Just email us a copy of your purchase receipt to bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces). Sorry no faxes or snail mail copies.
2. In order to be entered into this contest the ONE thing you ALL have to do is ask Jim a question or leave a comment. It can be ANY question you like. No questions/comments = no entries! You can come by through 10/13/09 and ask Jim your questions. Good for 10 entries. (max 2 questions that count towards entries)
3. Spread the word! Use this direct link to the event: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=11707 on twitter, at another blog, website, Myspace, Ning Group, Facebook, Yahoo Group, Goodreads, Shelfari (any group where it is appropriate). You MUST come back here to this interview and post those links in one response here in this thread so we can verify your entries. Good for 100 entries per place you post the event link.
NOTE: if you post multiple links here, your post will not show up right away. If you don’t see it, don’t keep posting it, we WILL approve your entry later on in the day.
4. Be friends with Jim by joining him here:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jimchines
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jimhines
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The contest ends on 10/13/09 at 11:59 pm PDT and the winners will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize bag directly from the author and publisher. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning.
1. Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
2. You have THREE days from the day the we contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to me. Failure to contact me will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.
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(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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[...] 2. I’m going to be chatting over at Bitten By Books today. This is not a fixed time event. Stop by any time during the day or evening and leave your questions and chat. Click on over to check it out, say hi, and get in on the prize drawing (anthologies aplenty and a set of goblin minis): http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=11707 [...]
RSVP’s and stopping by to say hi. *waves* So, Jim, what inspired you to write these types of books> It’s certainly a change of pace from the vampire, werewolf, witch, type of novel I usually read. And what other authors inspire you? THanks! Lisa
[Reply]
Hi there,
How often do you do local signings? when and where will be your next?
[Reply]
Hi Lisa,
I suspect a lot of it comes down to my desire to mess with things
In the goblin books, I wanted to take the traditional fantasy quest and turn the whole thing inside out, starting with the “hero.” I wanted to see what these adventures looked like from the perspective of a little goblin runt. And it was a lot of fun writing a character whose reaction to danger is to run away.
The princess books were a response to the princess merchandising machine you see from Disney and Barbie and so on. I wanted to go back to the old fairy tales and put these characters in charge of their own stories. No more sitting around waiting for the perfect man to come rescue them. As my daughter grows up, I want her to be able to read about princesses who save themselves and kick some ass in the process.
Other authors? Most anyone I read, really. I read an Alma Alexander book and was blown away by her worldbuilding. Ursula LeGuin inspires me with sheer, uncut brilliance. Janet Kagan with her ability to write such fun stories. Peter David with some of his humor. Neil Gaiman for his accent (I could listen to that man read all day!)
[Reply]
RSVP’d. Hi Jim, are you planning to write a sequel to the Stepsister Scheme, or will this be a stand alone book?
[Reply]
@ML - D’oh! I was at Schulers on Thursday night last week. I wish you could have made it.
I have two more signings coming up in Kalamazoo (10/16) and Grand Rapids (10/27) this month, but that’s about it. I keep a schedule posted on my web site at http://www.jimchines.com/appearances/ with signings and conventions and such.
[Reply]
Hi Jim,
I finished Mermaid Saturday night - awesome, as usual.
All the questions I have are too spoilery to ask here. Maybe I can put it this way… Are the relationships hinted at going to have more resolution in Red Hood? Now that I’ve finished, I’m just impatient for the next one.
Kerry aka Trouble
[Reply]
Hi! Jim C. Hines remember me from your websit I asked a lot og stuff so Yeah!
Where do you get all your great ideas to write books?
[Reply]
@Natisha - The Mermaid’s Madness, which came out last week, is book two in the princess series. Danielle, Talia, and Snow all return in this one to fight my own twisted version of the Little Mermaid.
I have a total of four books planned in the series. Red Hood’s Revenge should be out next summer, and book four will probably hit stores in 2011.
[Reply]
@Kerry - Oh, yes. You don’t think I’d leave you hanging like that, do you?
I’m still working out the details, but I plan on resolving things–more or less–by the end of book four.
@Rachael - Hi! Yep, I remember you. The ideas … well, it depends. The ideas for the goblin books came from reading another author who was writing from the monster’s point of view, but I didn’t like the way it was written. I finally got frustrated and decided to sit down and write my own the way I wanted it! As for the princess books, my daughter was going through a princess phase, and I wanted to offer her a different take on the fairy tale princess than she was getting from Disney, Barbie, and so on.
[Reply]
Morning Jim! Thanks for coming to hang out with us today! What inspired you to go after fairy tale princess and put them into your stories? And is there any particular thing that draws you to the paranormal world?
Congrats on your newest release and much success to you!
The technical stuff:
I’m now following Jim on Twitter (asphaltcowgrrl)
I am a friend and fan of BBB on Facebook, a friend on Twitter and I RT this morning’s link. I’m a member of the Blood Bank (asphaltcowgrrl). I voted in the Paranormal Author’s Poll (Rounds 1 & 2), voted in the Vampire’s Assistant contest, and RSVP’d for this event. Oh, and BBB is on my blogroll @ http://www.readinsomethingcrazy.blogspot.com
Now, I think that’s it.
Thanks Rachel, BBB & Jim too!
[Reply]
RSVP’ing and stopping by on the way to Thanksgiving dinner with the in-laws. Hi Jim!
::waving::
So I just started reading *Mermaid* the other day (loving it so far!), and am I right that that one character has the same name as another character who is very important, in some very bizarre ways, in the Goblin books? Is that an in-joke for the alert reader of both series, or does it have some deeper significance? (I know, I know: read on, you’ll find out.)
Also, speaking of marketing, what other books would you recommend for someone who really liked the goblin books, but whom I can’t quite sell on ass-kicking princesses?
And, finally, how has your writing process changed (or has it?) since you started out?
[Reply]
Hi Jim,
I have not read your books, but my sister just finished Mermaid madness, and she said it was awesome!! I’m picking it up from her today, I can’t wait to read it!! This was a great interview and I look forward to reading your novels in the futere.. Happy reading:)
I RSVP’d for this interview.
[Reply]
@Amy - Thanks! Mostly, I wrote this series for my daughter. She went through a princess phase when she was younger, and our house was bursting with princess stuff. I wanted to offer an alternate take on these fairy tale characters, a series in which the princesses could save themselves and kick some ass when necessary.
@Sylvia - Happy Thanksgiving! Actually, I’m not planning to explain that certain character’s presence any more than I already have, ’cause I’m rude that way
I figured I’d let readers draw their own conclusions. (Though I’m very curious to know what conclusions folks come to!)
Hm … what did this person like about the goblins, exactly? Give me a little more info, and I’ll try to come up with some recs for you.
The writing process has definitely changed. I have much more of a routine now (lunch break at work, plus weekends/evenings as I approach a deadline). There’s a little more discipline, and a little more confidence, both of which help a lot in getting through the daily word count. But in the end, it all comes back to butt-in-chair, typing away on the keyboard.
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@Tawania - Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
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RSVP’d
Shared Here: http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbittenbybooks.com%2F%3Fp%3D11707&t=Interview%2C+Chat+and+Contest+with+Fantasy+Author+Jim+C.+Hines#/posted.php?id=100000347970981&success
Here: http://www.google.com/bookmarks/lookup?sig=9GQtcVYKYf1srC3A0UcThg&hl=en&btnA&sig=9GQtcVYKYf1srC3A0UcThg&btnA=Add+bookmark&bkmk=1
And Here: http://fallonhadley.blogspot.com/
Also, here: http://digg.com/celebrity/Interview_Chat_and_Contest_with_Fantasy_Author_Jim_C_Hines
Hey Jim. Thanks for taking the time to spend with us.
First I’d like to say, I’m glad your son is doing better.
I would like to know if you prefer writing shorts over novels?
Thanks,
Fallon
[Reply]
Warm and Fond Greetings Jim. Welcome to Bittenbybooks.
My mind just blanked on any good question. I do love a good fantasy book. So my question would be, which of your series would you suggest to a first-time reader of yours?
* RSVP
* Following him on twitter
* Twittered about it (RaonaidLuckwell)
* Friended him on facebook (rachel flesher/raonaidluckwell)
* Posted about it on my facebook
* voted in The Vampire’s Assistant Movie Giveaway
* Voted 2009 Favorite Paranormal Fiction Author of the Year
* Bittenbybooks is the top link on my blogspot’s link section (visionarydruid.blogspot.com)
* Posted about it on my blogspot
* Posted about it on my myspace’s bullentin and blog (www.myspace.com/visionarydruid)
* Posted about it on my livejournal (morriga.livejournal.com)
[Reply]
Whoops! Forgot to say I have requested to be friends with Jim, and I have also done steps 5, 6, and 8.
Thanks again,
Fallon
[Reply]
1 RSVP
2.your link is on my facebook it comes up each day w/new info my daughters are now on BBB
3. sent friend request to jim on facebook
4. voted for movie saying and 2nd author poll
5.already receive BBB newsletter and joined Blood Bank
6. Hi Jim, I have not read your books but I’m going to pick some up today when I go tothe book store. I don’t normally read these kind of books but these seem very interesting. How did you come up with the idea to write about goblins and how do you find information on them to keep you going? I love to write but some times its hard to find information on my subjects. thank you for talking to us
heidi
[Reply]
I adore Jig & Smudge, and have recommended your books based on those two alone. As someone who’s worn glasses since high school (because I cheated on my eye exams for years), it’s great seeing a nearsighted hero (pun intended). I have Stepsister Scheme in my TBR pile (mountain), unless my boyfriend stole it.
And Jim, you’re on Twitter? Cool. Off to twitterstalk. And to Tweet this.
[Reply]
@Raonaid - Either Goblin Quest or The Stepsister Scheme. The goblin series is a little sillier (book two opens with a nose-picking injury, if that gives you any idea.) The princess series is also fun, but I think the books have a little more depth to them. You can also read the first chapters over on my site at http://www.jimchines.com if you wanted to try before you read
[Reply]
Thanks for interviewing here, Jim! Always good to see you around the net.
After reading The Mermaid’s Madness, I end up feeling a little bad for Prince Armand, who, yet again, doesn’t really get to embrace his inner awesome the way the women do. Will Armand ever get a chance to be a little heroic? Or do you think that even having him have a small bit of heroism would take away from the heroism of the princesses?
I voted in the Vampire Assistant & paranormal authors polls, and I’m already subscribed to BBB pretty much everywhere.
(You’re on my blog roll!) I also RSVP’d.
[Reply]
Hi Jim…. thanks for coming here today….. I am new to your books but they do sound very intriguing….
Where does a guy who lives in central Michigan come up with the idea for writing books about fairytale princesses?
What is your fave food to indulge in when you are writing?
Oh and I have to ask…. hows the rivalry between MSU and UofM this season?
I have tried to request friend tag for facebook but it is not cooperating but am following on twitter….
[Reply]
http://chrike4.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/1918854-jim-c-hines-contest-interview-chat
THis is the link to where I blogged about this!
[Reply]
Hi! It’s me again!
Are you thinking of ever doing a book signing in Florida anytime soon?
[Reply]
How do you come up with your book titles? Do they just come to you, or it something you really have to think about?
-I RSVPed
-I voted in the movie poll
- I spread the word on my blog. http://sexywomenread.blogspot.com
-I voted in the 3rd round of Fav. paranormal author
-I’m a subscriber
[Reply]
Thanks for the answers
My conclusion is that we are perhaps supposed to infer that the princesses live in the same world as Jig et al., and the character of whom I spoke is travelling around it incognito. I’m sure other people will come up with more interesting explanations
Hm … what did this person like about the goblins, exactly? Give me a little more info, and I’ll try to come up with some recs for you.
The funny, mostly, I think, and the D&D in-jokes. (Which is also a lot of what I liked about them — but I like the princesses even more, perhaps because of being a not-very-girly girl?) I actually think he’d like the Princess books if he’d just give ‘em a chance … but you know how people can be sometimes.
[Reply]
@Heidi - The idea for the goblin books came from another book I was reading, which was written from the monster’s point of view. But I couldn’t get into it. Every page I read, I kept thinking how I wanted a different story, one with more humor, which actually showed us the underdogs and their culture and their role in the larger world. I finally got annoyed enough I tossed the book and wrote my own.
I know what you mean about staying motivated, though. Ideas are one thing, but actually spending a year (in my case) working on a book … there are good days and bad. Mostly it’s just a matter of being stubborn and writing even when I might not be in the mood, if that makes sense. Usually if I can get started, I get into the story pretty quickly. It’s sitting down to do it that’s the trick.
@Sewicked - Thank you! I’m right with you. I actually started wearing glasses at age four. I loved that Mel Grant actually painted Jig with his glasses for the second and third books!
[Reply]
@Alana - Armand gets more of a role in book four. I’m still not exactly sure what that role will be, but he definitely gets more screen time, and we’ll see more of him and his relationship with Danielle et al.
[Reply]
Hi Jim!
What kinds of role playing games have you played, and which is your favorite?
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Oh, and also I blogged about this event here.
[Reply]
http://chrike4.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/1918854-jim-c-hines-contest-interview-chat
I
- Blogged
- Currently have 3 of Jim C. Hines books ( Goblin Quest, Goblin Hero, Goblin War
- And Just Subscribed.
I think i am set thanks!
[Reply]
Jim, best of luck, I love your stories.
[Reply]
Hi Jim! (Btw, I’m glad to hear your son is doing better. Asthma sucks!)
I RSVPed as “Maybe”. Some comments on the invite confused me (not too hard most days!) and I wasn’t sure if this was going to be online or just in person.
I’m already friends with you on FB. Sorry, I don’t tweet or I would follow you there.
I already bought my copy of MM offline at B&N. I’ll be starting it today as I just finished Unseen Academicals.
I have two questions. Do you ever make it down to Denver, or at least Colorado?
And have you ever played D&D?
Okay, make it three. Can you read any other languages - specifically any of the ones your books have been translated into? I think it would be a blast to be able to read your own book in another language. :o)
Have a great day!
P.S. I’m with you on the glasses. Have had mine since 9th grade.
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Hey Jim,
Thanks for being here. I’m a little ashamed to say I haven’t picked up any of your books yet, but the princess series sounds right up my alley.
I was wondering how long you’ve been writing and how long it took you to get published (or an agent)?
I RSVPed. 5, 6, and 8 already done.
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Hi Jim,
Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. I’ve been following you over on LiveJournal as xjenavivex for a long time. I enjoyed the interview. My question for you is, Have you ever written a character in with diabetes before?
Contest stuff:
I shared the link to the contest here: http://www.facebook.com/jimhines#/profile.php?id=652343916&ref=nf
We are now friends on FB(Mg Ellington). I am following Jim Hines Twitter (MG_Ellington) and sent an email for verification. I voted in both polls.
On FB, I’ve become a fan of BBB. I was already following you on Goodreads as Mg Ellington. I’ve added BBB as a friend (request) on My Myspace (name shows MG Ellington). I’ve added Rachel Smith as a friend (requested) on FB. I am now following BBB on Twitter as well. I have also added you to my blog roll on my Slice of Life website. The link is http://mgellington.wordpress.com
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@Hockeyvampiress - the princess idea came from my daughter, who went through the princess phase when she was younger. I wanted to give her an alternative to the Disney/Barbie princess phenomenon.
I actually do most of my writing during my lunch break at work. Because I only have an hour, there’s no real time for snacking or anything but typing and shooing my coworkers out of my cubicle. And I’m afraid I’m pretty sports-illiterate, though MSU seems to be having a good year from what I’ve heard.
@Rachel - Florida is a little out of my range right now, for budget reasons. But hopefully one of these days. I’d love to be able to travel more, but it will have to wait until the kids are older and my wife is out of grad school.
@Kayla - MOST of the book titles have just come to me, with the exception of the fourth princess book. That one’s kicking my butt. So far my editor has rejected Secret of the Snow Queen, Shards of the Snow Queen, and several other variations. It’s getting quite annoying, actually.
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@Laura - I’m mostly a D&D guy. I’ve enjoyed Shadowrun, and Paranoia is always good for a break, but my group and I always seem to return to good old D&D.
@Donna - I’ve been playing D&D since the game came in a box and you had to color in your own dice
I don’t do a lot of traveling outside of the midwest, unfortunatel. Time, budget, and young kids make it difficult. I’m hoping to change that as the kids get older and I become a fabulously wealthy author. As for the languages, I’m afraid not. I can puzzle out some French, but it’s been more than 15 years since I studied, and I’m not fluent enough to read the books.
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@Sheri - Thanks!
@Lisa - No worries. I started writing in 1995. It was late 2000, early 2001 that I really decided to make a serious go of it, though. I think Goblin Quest was the 5th novel I wrote, but it was the first to land a real deal with a publisher. I got an agent in 2005, and Goblin Quest came out from DAW in 2006, so overall I’d say it was a ten-year journey. Or a 500 rejection letter journey, depending on how you measure
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@MG - A few times, yes. I wrote a story called Hasa Kesla, which was published in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Fantasy Magazine and dealt with a diabetic vampire. There’s also a reference in Red Hood’s Revenge, which comes out next year, to a woman who died of siphon sickness. It’s a passing mention, but if you know the symptoms, you’ll recognize it as diabetes.
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@Sylvia - Funny with D&D jokes. Hm … possibly John Moore’s stuff? I haven’t read him, but Moore definitely writes the humorous fantasy, and I’ve had people compare the two of us enough that there’s got to be some overlap. And Terry Pratchett, of course, who’s always good for the funny.
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Hello Jim,
welcome and thank you for being with us today! Super interview and after reading it, I’ll have to start getting your books. Your Princess series sounds quit intriguing and I love the that they now have names and can take care of them selves. My very favorite move is ‘Ever After’ and your books sound like they would run along the same lines.
My question is which was your hardest book to write and why?
I RSVPed,
Voted in The Vampire’s Assistant Movie Giveaway & left an comment
VOTE for Favorite Paranormal Fiction Author Round 3
I subscribe to BBB newsletter,
follow BBB on Twitter,
I Tweetted this chat on Twitter http://twitter.com/samk52/status/4813164460
am a member of the Blood Bank Samk
am following Jim on Twitter
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I admire your persistence in getting published and being able to withstand those 500 rejection letters! How did you get over that “I’m probably just wasting my time trying to write books” feeling during that time and how do you know when once of your story ideas is dead in the water, to be given up in favor of starting over on a new concept?
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@Sharon - thanks! At the moment, I’d have to say Mermaid’s Madness was the hardest, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Snow Queen (the fourth princess book) tops that one. Mermaid was the first time I had tried to balance four point of view characters. The plot and backstory were a little more complex, and of course I had to invent an entire culture and society for my merfolk. I came very close to missing my deadline on that one.
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Ok Thanks Jim You are an dalos will be my favorite author!
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Sorry. I meant
Ok Thanks Jim You are and always will be my favorite author!
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Thanks for coming to play with us at BBB, Jim.
I haven’t read any of your books and have yet to check out your site. I did this purposely though…I want to get YOUR take on your books (description and such) and what you think is their appeal. I’ve kind of gotten an idea about them just from reading the other questions/comments and your answers but I’d like to hear it from you. Pretty please?
Another question….who are your writing inspirations and would you like to co-author a project with any or them?
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@Serifina - Thank you! The short answer? I married a counselor
Mostly I think it was stubbornness and trying to turn each rejection into a challenge and a rite of passage. I knew authors got rejected, and that most authors had whole boxes of rejection letters. So every one I received put me that much closer to a box of my own. I played all sorts of mind games, turning it into a game and telling myself I’d probably have to collect at least 100 before selling my first story, or whatever. But it was discouraging, and there were days I’d get depressed as hell by the whole thing. In the end, I wanted to write, and that desire was stronger than the depression.
@Becky - Hoo boy. Well, I think the goblin books (GOBLIN QUEST, GOBLIN HERO, GOBLIN WAR) work because of Jig, the nearsighted underdog runt who just wants to be left alone. Jig and his pet fire-spider are a wonderful pair to write. They’re fun, they’re humorous, and you really care about the little guys.
The princess series (THE STEPSISTER SCHEME, THE MERMAID’S MADNESS) also has some humor, but I think the heart is in the three characters and their relationship with one another. The idea is great fun: Snow White as a witch? Sleeping Beauty as a kick-ass ninja? But there’s a genuine warmth between these three women, and I think it’s that love and support that makes the books work.
My writing inspirations are pretty much everyone I’ve ever read. I think you can learn a lot from every book, even the bad ones. But right now I’d have to say no on the collaboration. With a day job and two young kids, I just don’t have the time. (And, sadly, I’ve already had to pass up one opportunity to collaborate with a friend at DAW, which sucks, because I think we could have come up with something hilarious.)
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Hi Jim’
My question is what is your least favorite genre?
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Hi Jim and Bitten By Books!
I’m a fellow Michigan author with Jim, and we’re friends on Facebook already as well as LiveJournal. I’ve signed up via the RSS feed for this site, friended BBB on Facebook and Goodreads, and I’m waiting on buying the new book until Jim comes to Grand Rapids at month’s end.
So, my question: Is it true you were raised in the wild by jaguars and only recently came into your literate and civilized life?
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Hi Jim,
2nd question What do you do to get motivated when you have writers block?
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Hi Jim,
If you could trade places with anyone, past or present, real or fiction, who would it be and why?
Bridget
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RSVP’d
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Jim, good to visit with you again. (You were kind enough to sign a copy of one of your Goblin books for me last year at GenCon.) What would you say was the hardest part about initially getting published?
I’ve just started reading The Stepsister Scheme and I’m loving it. But then, I’m a sucker for redone fairy tales.
(For contest purposes:
Already a friend of Bitten by Books everywhere.
Already a friend of Jim on all his venues.
Voted in the The Vampire’s Assistant Movie Giveaway.
Voted in the 2009 Favorite Paranormal Fiction Author of the Year - Round 3.
Tweeted the contest: http://twitter.com/BrigidsBlest/status/4813644756
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@Chris - The second question is actually the easier one: I write anyway. Sometimes that means I write a lousy scene. Sometimes it means I change plot in mid-sentence. Sometimes it means I just write crap. But that’s okay. Giving myself permission to write crap has been the most helpful mental adjustment in getting past writer’s block. It lets me start writing, and once I get the ideas down on paper, it’s a lot easier for me to go back and improve them in revisions, and finally get the story where I want it.
As for my least favorite genre? That’s a hard one. I’ve read individual books I despised, but I don’t think I’ve come across a genre that I’ve disliked as a whole.
@Steven - Yes. Also, define “civilized.”
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Hooray! He seems like such a good guy — and he seems like a very supportive husband to Danielle — so I’m glad to get to see more of their relationship.
(I just made Jim’s interview my facebook status.)
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@Alana - He really is, and I’ve been torn about him. On the one hand, it’s never really been his story, if that makes sense. On the other, I don’t want to just switch roles and have him be the one who has to wait around and get rescued or sit in the background while the women have the adventures. Showing him and Danielle working together in book four is going to be an interesting challenge.
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Hello Jim, What has been your favorite book to write so far?
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I have another question.
What inspired you to become a writer? Have you all your life or did it just come to you one day during school or just during life?
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Glad to see you using the older sources for the inspiration, Jim. The sanitized fairy tales are all very well, but I think everyone should read the old ones too. Speaking of where you get names…is Lirea a conscious nod to Ariel? Can’t see as how it couldn’t be.
Posted the link on my Facebook status too — http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/riesheridanrose?ref=nf
And RSVP’d on both the event message and Bitten By Books sites yesterday. Think I might want to win?
Off to order a non-signed copy of The Mermaid’s Madness just in case I don’t. Been waiting for it for months!
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@Cyd - That’s a hard one. Every book becomes work when you’re actually writing it. No matter how nifty the idea, once I’ve spent a year writing and rewriting the thing, it loses a little of the fun. Possibly GOBLIN WAR, because I really liked the way everything came together to wrap up the trilogy. But the answer would probably change if you asked me on a different day.
@Rachael - I’m not sure. I didn’t really start writing stories until 1995, when I was in college. But looking back, I remember writing a joke for a classroom newsletter in like second grade, and absolutely loving the feeling of having written this thing that made people laugh. I did similar things off and on throughout school. So while I didn’t start trying to get published until later, I think a lot of the tendencies were already there.
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Rie - Yep. The Lirea/Ariel thing was deliberate, and I was wondering how many folks would catch it
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Hi Jim! Thanks for being with us today! I haven’t read any of your books yet, but I’ve already added them down on my shopping list! I liked what you said in your interview about giving the princesses names, that always bothered me that they didn’t have names. Well, I was wondering, what people in your life have been the most supportive of your writing? Also, what writer’s most influence your writing?
-2.I RSVP’d
-5&6 voted
-8 subscribe to BBB newsletter, and am a member of the Blood Bank and friend on Goodreads as Amanda Leigh
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*Running from Golaka* Jim, helppppppppppppppppppppppp!
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Hi Jim! I’m a fan of your goblin series and an even bigger one of the Princess one. I had a little pout that you didn’t make it to GenCon this year, but I fully understand how busy you are.
Between your day job and family, I’m always amazed at how much you write. Would you call yourself a fast writer? Do you outline first or do you just let it flow and make it all cohesive through rewrites?
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Thats cool! I love asking questions that people will anwser. I have a couple more questions.
1. How are you?
2. If you could write about anything what would you write about?
3. Is writing your first choice job or when you were a kid did you have other dreams of work?
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@Sean - Nobody escapes from Golaka. If you get away, it’s only because she wants you to keep running so there’ll be more meat on your legs for later
@Amanada - My wife has been and continues to be my biggest supporter, doing what she can to help me make time for writing, letting me vent on the bad days, listening to me babble about whatever I’m working on … honestly, I don’t know how she puts up with me. My parents and my brother have also been very encouraging, as have my coworkers at work. The coworkers piece was a bit of a surprise, but it’s been very much appreciated. As for my influences, I’d have to say just about everyone and everything I read, in one way or another!
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Hi Jim, I have never read your books but they sound interesting, and you seem to have a quite a following. Being a new reader how would you describe your books to me? (funny, toe-curling, ect…..) Thanks Paige H.
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@Christine - I’m bummed I didn’t make GenCon too, but this year the writing income is looking to be about half of what it was in 2008, and the home schedule has been even crazier. As for the writing process, I don’t think I’m all that fast. Slow-and-steady works pretty well, with the emphasis on the steady part. I usually outline, write, and then end up doing at least 2-3 more complete rewrites of any given book.
@Rachel - 1. Fine, thanks
2. Actually, at this point in my career, I can write about anything. Writing isn’t our primary source of income, so I still have more freedom to pitch and pursue the projects I’m interested in. Right now, that’s the princess books. 3. Growing up I wanted to be a psychologist, a veterinarian, a computer programmer, and a Jedi Knight. The idea of trying to make a career out of the writing didn’t come along until halfway through my undergraduate years in college.
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And that should have been Rachael, not Rachel. Dang it, I knew I was going to mess up a name eventually…
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It would be so awsom to be a Jedi Knight
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HI Jim! Great interview. The Mermaids Madness Cover is great. I’m gonna get me one of those! Books, that is. I particularly appreciated your remark “ust me and my little brother. I think the most important thing about characterization is just learning to listen to other people, particularly people with different backgrounds and experiences from yourself.” I heartily agree. If you’re going to be a writer with any depth, you have to be able to walk around in a lot of different skins, and you do that well. Like I said, can’t wait to read the Mermaid book!
My question: what aspect of novel construction do you find easiest and hardest? For me it’s character development, and plotting.
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@Paige - I’d say the goblin books are humorous fantasy action/adventure. Goblin runt + pet spider who sets things on fire = three volumes of random mayhem. The princess books are a little more serious, but still tend to fall on the light fantasy action side of the genre. Fairy tale princesses crossed with Charlie’s Angels sums ‘em up pretty well.
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Hey, Jim! I love fantasy, so I am so happy to read your interview and have something new to add to my fantasy shelf! I saw your comment that you suggest the goblin series for readers new to your writing… I’m starting there. =) Can’t wait!!
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@Jennifer - Sorry, I missed your question earlier. The hardest part about getting published? Probably just sticking with it long enough to develop the skills and learn how to write a publishable story. It’s a slow process, just like learning any other career, but we have a romanticized view of writing as something anyone can just sit down and do right off the bat. The idea that it takes practice, that it could be years of learning before you’re ready … that was very hard to accept, particularly when it’s so hard to judge for yourself when you’ve finally reached that point of being able to write professional-level fiction.
@Lynn - thanks! Good to see you here! Easiest and hardest, eh? Hm … worldbuilding is a challenge at times. I tend to be so eager to dive in and start writing, I’ll discover halfway through the book that I forgot to develop a certain part of the world. With RED HOOD’S REVENGE, our characters arrived in Arathea and I realized Arathea was just a big, empty outline on my map. Oops! The easiest would probably be the humor. For some reason, that’s always flowed pretty naturally for me.
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Amazon order placed.
Order #: 104-3987693-2675461
“The Mermaid’s Madness (PRINCESS NOVELS)”
Jim C. Hines; Paperback; $7.99
“The Faery Taile Project: Book One”
Jim C. Hines; Perfect Paperback; $8.99
(just to be on the safe side. ;))
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@Rie - thank you! THE FAERY TAILE PROJECT is a standalone project, unrelated to the other princess novels. But it was a fun one to write. I hope you enjoy them!
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Hi Jim. Does it bother you that “fantasy” authors sometimes aren’t taken as seriously as other fiction writers??
* RSVP
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* Posted about it on my facebook
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* Voted 2009 Favorite Paranormal Fiction Author of the Year
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@Bea - Generally no, it doesn’t bother me. Heck, my second goblin book opened with a nose-picking injury. I don’t get taken seriously even within the fantasy genre
And a lot of SF/F looks down on other genres (romance, literary fiction, etc.) as often as they look down on us. The whole thing seems a little silly to me. You can find damn good stories in every genre out there, if you’re willing to ignore the stereotypes and start looking.
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I think any author who looks down on any other author should be chased down by Golaka and thrown in the pot. Just saying.
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Do you find it easy to come up new ideas
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I know, but I’ve been wanting to pick it up for some time. As for people looking down on you…try being strictly small press…even with four novels and a bunch of other stuff, people still look at you and say “self-published”? “No. Only my poetry. I’ve actually been chosen by over a dozen publishers for publication…you just may not have heard of any of them”…lol.
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Hi Jim!!! Thanks for stopping by!!! What inspirated you to start writing about goblins and princesses? What are your favorite fairy tales?
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@Natasha - it depends. For the books, I’ve generally been able to keep ahead and figure out what the next books will be about. Short stories can be trickier, and I sometimes need a few days of brainstorming to get those nailed down. Overall though, I’d say actually sitting down and turning an idea into a good story is usually harder than coming up with the idea in the first place.
@Heather - The ideas for the goblin books came from reading another author who was writing from the monster’s point of view, but I didn’t like the way it was written. I finally got frustrated and decided to sit down and write my own the way I wanted it! As for the princess books, my daughter was going through a princess phase, and I wanted to offer her a different take on the fairy tale princess than she was getting from Disney, Barbie, and so on. As for my favorite fairy tales, I don’t really have one. I’ve read a ton of ‘em while working on this series, but nothing really stands out as a favorite.
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Hi JIm. I’m at work and don’t have time to read everyones questions & comments right now, so I apologize if I ask something someone else already has. What inspired you to write stories based on old fairy tales?
RSVP’d, friended on FB, voted & commented for 5 & 6, friends w/BBB on myspace & facebook, fan on facebook, permanent link on my blog & My Bloody Vampire on my blog.
Ursula D.
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Hi Jim -
I loved your reading at ConClave, and now I have to get a copy of Strip Mauled too. (Sally sold out before I got there…) Are you interested in pursuing the idea of a multi-person reading of that story for PenguinCon? Or perhaps producing it / allowing production as a puppet show? (I know a professional puppeteer who’s also a fan…)
Anna
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@Ursula/Medievalgrrl - I understand. Keeping up with the comments has pretty much filled my afternoon. But check my response to Heather directly above your question
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Oh, Yeah. We were already FB friends (since after ConFusion).
I RSVP’d to this. I like the concept, but the direct link had not hit my in-box on FB by noon, so I came late to the party.
Anna
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@Anna - Thank you! I really do like that story. (For anyone else reading along, the story is “The Creature in Your Neighborhood,” a muppet werewolf tale that appears in the anthology STRIP MAULED.) I’d definitely be up for talking more about a performance, though I might have to double-check my contract depending on what we did with it. Want to e-mail me so we can talk about it? There’s a contact form on my web site at http://www.jimchines.com
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Hi Jim,
Great interview! I just have a quick question and its in regards to your release schedule. I’ve noticed that a lot of authors lately have been releasing one novel a year and I was wondering how long does it take for you to write a book and go through the editing. Also, have you ever considered pushing a release date forward if the book wrote itself and it went through the process quickly?
Also, I love how you used fairy tale princesses in a whole different light–kudos!
the nitpicky… voted and are friends with BBB
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@Anna - Hm. Internet ate my response. Trying again, thank you! (For anyone reading along, the story is “The Creature in Your Neighborhood,” a muppet werewolf tale that appeared in the anthology STRIP MAULED.) I’d definitely be up for talking about a performance. Want to e-mail me to talk more? There’s a contact form on my site at http://www.jimchines.com.
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@Biki - thanks! It takes me about a year to write and finish a book. DAW has actually been releasing them a little better than one/year, which means eventually they’re going to catch up, and we’ll have to fall back to that one book a year schedule. As for pushing a release date forward, that’s the publisher’s call, not mine. They might move up a release if I turned it in a lot earlier than expected, but they schedule books pretty far in advance, and moving mine means shifting around other authors as well.
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Hello Jim My Question To You Is Have You Always Wanted To Be A Writer?
I Voted In The Vampire’s Assistant Movie Giveaway.
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Howdy! (I RSVP’d)
I wanted to say that I love Jig, and I’m excited to read the Princess series (top of my ‘wishlist’).
My question has to do with your characters. Do you come up with the fully developed characters first, or do you get to know them as you write?
And in writing, do you pick a character and throw them in a situation, or do you think up a situation and then figure out a character to place in that situation?
Thanks for the chat!
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@Raquel - I’m not sure. I didn’t really start writing stories until 1995, when I was in college. But looking back, I remember writing a joke for a classroom newsletter in like second grade, and absolutely loving the feeling of having written this thing that made people laugh. I did similar things off and on throughout school. So while I didn’t start trying to get published until later, I think a lot of the tendencies were already there.
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I’m new to your writing, but from what I’ve read; now, I’m hooked!
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Hello Jim!!!
Ok I have always wanted to know who chooses the cover art for your books? Do you as the Author have much say? Do you know what it will look like before the book is done? Thanks for this chance to get to know you a little better!!
Happy Writing!! I will catch you in your books as I read them!!! Smiles, Shawna L.
weloveourdogs@juno.com
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You may go more Shakespeare-myth series in the future?
Have you read any Conan or C.L.Werner type material? For me, the cushy-smooth, everything works out 100% isn’t life, and i look forward MORE to your material BECAUSE of the handling of Ella’s stepmom, and hey, just read, @ your homesite, that first chapter about Beatrice, the queen. Serious stopping point. Thank you. enjoyed that.
oh yeah. Not much of an online game-player, but did RSVP oct.11@about1p.m
**re
I’ll be back to see answers. Probably “no” to both.
I like the more realistic, for, for myself, it is Really difficult AND BEYOND difficult to believe that all of these 110 pound girls have so much strength and ability to take out all these mega-strong monsters/men/merppl, etc. Movie-wise, as well as book-wise, that has been the trend to some degree. It would be wonderful if things were really a “happy ever after in all things”, simply great. Just denies buying into that deception, real life, that is. There has to be a balance. Some non-”up” to balance all the “UP”.
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@Allison - It depends. I generally create an outline of the story first, and sometimes I’ll adjust characters a bit so that they fit with the demands of the story. But half the time that doesn’t work, and I end up tossing the outline and allowing the characters’ personalities and goals to determine what comes next. With plot and character both, I generally start a story with a rough idea, but it isn’t until I finish the first draft that everything all starts to come together.
Check http://www.jimchines.com/novels/goblins/goodies/grell/ for an example of one character who got completely changed around in mid-draft
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@Shawna - I have zero say in the cover artist. The first time I saw the cover art for GOBLIN QUEST was when my editor e-mailed me the finished image and said, “Here’s what Mel Grant came up with.” These days my editor does ask for my input on the cover image, but she still gets the final say, and I think the only reason she asks me at all is because our ideas have been pretty similar, and I don’t get pushy or try to be a prima donna about it. I do usually see the finished cover before the public, though.
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@Re - The Shakespeare thing was a joke. I haven’t read much in the way of media tie-ins lately, so I’ve not come across Werner’s work. When you say Conan, do you mean the Barbarian or someone else?
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Oh ya I RSVP’ed ;o.)
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I posted a real Blog Post with pictures YA!!! http://booksaremoviesinthemind.blogspot.com/
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I tweeted http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/4816139670
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Who is your favorite Author?
I rsvped
5. I voted
6. I voted
I subscribe to BBB
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@Amy T - That was weird. My wife was Amy T before we got married… Anyway, favorite author? It depends on the day. Today at this moment, I’m gonna say Janet Kagan. She wrote wonderful stories that I absolutely adored, and on top of that she was a very nice human being who helped me out a lot when I was getting started as a writer. (Two of the ships in THE MERMAID’S MADNESS are named after characters from Kagan’s novel HELLSPARK.)
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Hi Jim,
Thanks for hanging out with us today. I havent had the pleasure of reading your books yet but they are now on my TBR Pile. I’m very excited about them.
Who is your favorite secondary character in your book?
I Rsvped
5. Done
6. Done
I subscribe to BBB News
I’m friends with BBB
Myspace (alicia0605)
Facebook (alicia0605)
Facebook Fan (alicia0605)
Goodreads (alicia0605)
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RSVP’d
voted in both polls, left comment for the author poll
Friends with BBB on Twitter, Myspace, and Facebook
Subscriber, also member on the ning site
My question is, as a man how did you get into writing this genre of book when most authors are women?
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Hi Jim!
I appreciate your comment about making Jig nearsighted in the interview and also the later comment on having characters with diabetes. I wonder, do you have any plans to have characters with other types of disabilities in your future work?
A number of fantasy characters have to wear spectacles (Harry Potter, obviously, and there was another guy in one of my favorite books, Dragonslayer, by Barbara Hambly), but we less frequently see young characters who have hearing or mobility problems, or asthma and/or (non-comedic) allergies.
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OH boy! A story about a stepmother. I will have to read it. Some of my stepkids (5 total) think that I am a mean one. Oh well, they will learn.
Thanks for being here. I am going to be sharing on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.
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Hello Jim!
Long time, no see.
First of all, congratulations on another great book! So, how much time does it take for you to put together a virtual book tour this size and do you spend more time marketing on the web than in person?
Cheers,
Heidi
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@Alicia - Currently, I’d probably go with Captain Hephyra, the dryad from The Mermaid’s Madness. She’s the culmination of a character I’ve been working with for many years now, and I love her attitude, her slightly skewed (from a human perspective) priorities, and just about everything about her. Which is one of the reasons I’ll be bringing her back in book four
@Tamara - By genre, do you mean fantasy as a whole, or the princess books in particular? My daughter provided some inspiration to write the latter, but overall, I enjoy fantasy and I write the kind of stories I like.
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@Anne - Howdy, stranger! For a while, I was planning to write Prince Jakob (Danielle’s son) as developing a form of autism, but as I got deeper into the series, it didn’t really fit with the books. Mostly because Jakob doesn’t get enough page time to do it justice. The next series, post-princess, is still pretty vague in my head, but I have actually been thinking about one or more disabled characters for that one.
@Heidi - Thanks! Good to see you too! Honestly, the past week or two has been pretty crazy. I didn’t even do that much online–I did some Mermaid-intensive blogging, a series of one-question interviews, and this chat/interview, courtesy of Bitten By Books. How much time does it all take? It eats up evenings for a few weeks, and I haven’t gotten much else accomplished today. (Though I did take a break and get the lawn mowed, since that was way overdue!)
Overall, I think I have more of a presence online. A lot of what I do doesn’t feel like marketing to me, but it does increase my visibility and probably indirectly helps sales, so I’d have to say more on the web. I try to do some signings and conventions though, mostly because they’re a blast
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Seven of Jim’s works, including Stepsisters and Mermaid, are now available to cast at storycasting.com, here: http://tinyurl.com/yg8vcem - happy casting!
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Ha, I like the question about VD or True Blood.
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Besides your books, what is your favorite book of all time?
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What big fat book would you recommend to someone about to have his foot rebuilt? I want a really BIG, FAT book!
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Hi, wow! I’d just like to say that after today I’ll definitely be looking for your books in the store Jim! Thank you Bitten by Books for introducing me to this awesome author!
Amy S.
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@Stacy - That’s a hard one, and I don’t think I can pick something for all time. Things change, including my own life and situation, as well as my tastes in reading material. ~20 years ago, I would have said Raymond Feist’s Magician books, hands down. These days … I’m not sure. I mentioned Janet Kagan’s HELLSPARK up above. Love a lot of Tanya Huff’s work. Very much enjoyed MIDNIGHT NEVER COME, by Marie Brennan. GOOD OMEN’S by Gaiman and Pratchett would be near the top of the list. Yeah, let’s go with GOOD OMENS for lack of another clear winner. Ask me in a week, and I might give you a different answer
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I RSVPed
2. Great Interview can’t wait to read Jim’s Books
3. Tweetered @cait045
4. Friended on twitter
5. Voted
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@Sir Tim - Try THE NAME OF THE WIND, by Patrick Rothfuss. Epic fantasy that reminds me of Tolkien in its worldbuilding, but without being a Lord of the Rings knockoff. Or you can just go with LORD OF THE RINGS. Best of luck on the foot surgery!
@Amy S - Thanks!
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Good Evening,
What sets your books apart from the others in this genre?
thanks so much
I rsvp’d
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D’oh! And now I must do the crawl of shame for putting a random apostrophe in GOOD OMENS up above. Bad author.
(This is why we value our copyeditors so much!)
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How ’bout one of your fat books, Jim? Still THE NAME OF THE WIND sounds intriguing, so I will definitely try it. LOTR is great, but I just finished my fourth read of it.
I’m going to grab your latest, though, just for the fun of it. Thanks, my friend.
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Hi, Jim — fun interview! Love how you name your characters.
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Thank you Jim. Ichecked out your website and I bought both series. Goblins and the princess. I really enjoyed reading the first chapters. Thanks again its fun to read something out of your norm.
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Hi Jim! I must admit, I haven’t read your books yet, but the concept behind the Stepsister Scheme and the Mermaid’s Madness intrigue me. I love retold fairy tales, and I enjoy reading the (usually much darker) original versions of the ones we all think we know. What sort of research did you have to do for this series? And which is your favorite fairy tale? (Mine is probably a tie between the original Little Mermaid and Brother and Sister).
I’m really happy that you have a nearsighted goblin character; I have also worn glasses since I was four (three and a half, actually)!
Let’s see if I can remember the rest:
—I RSVPed.
—I am now following Jim on twitter (@KimBea)
—I voted in the Vampire’s Assistant Contest.
—I’m Kimberly B. on The Blood Bank.
—I follow Bitten by Books on twitter (still @KimBea)
—And I’m a fan on facebook.
Thanks!
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In your story for Gamer Fantastic, you introduced some very, very fun ideas, and my first question is: considering such items as the Blade of the Bunny and the Rod of Creation, what do you feel is the most bibliomantically dangerous item for which you are responsible? I’m not talking Smudge- he’s a responsible use of power.
Do you plan to do more with that nascent setting?
And, has anybody ever commented on how you bizarely resemble Michael O’Donoghue(early writer for SNL)?
Missing your signings makes the cut for “things that suck about moving out of Michigan.” Keep up the good work, and I hope you’re still the David Hasselhoff of fantasy literature(”Huge in Eaurope!!!”).
Contest:RSVPed
4.Facebook friend
5 & 6. voted and commented.
8. joined the bloodbank http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/ChrisDietrich
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hi i rsvped, My question is as a man in a once all mall genere how do you feel as the minority?
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*I RSVP’d
Hi Jim,
What was your prompted your inspiration behind the princess series?
What do you see yourself tackling in future projects?
*Linked on facebook http://www.facebook.com/people/Anna-Shah-Hoque/767402866
*Linked on blog http://s7anna.blogspot.com/
*Linked on Good Reads http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/224052-interview-chat-and-contest-with-fantasy-author-jim-c-hines
*Linked on Shelfari http://www.shelfari.com/groups/43314/discussions/148583/Interview-Chat-and-Contest-with-Fantasy-Author-Jim-C-Hines
*Linked on Ning http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profiles/blogs/interview-chat-and-contest-4
*Send friend request to Jim on facebook http://www.facebook.com/people/Anna-Shah-Hoque/767402866
(sent email to BBB as confirmation of friend request)
*Already voted for The Vampire Assistant’s Movie Giveaway
*Already voted for the FPAY-Round 3 Polls and left a comment
*Friends with BBB on facebook http://www.facebook.com/people/Anna-Shah-Hoque/767402866
*Subscribed to BBB newsletter
*Fan of BBB on facebook http://www.facebook.com/people/Anna-Shah-Hoque/767402866
*Member of The Blood Bank http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/AnnaShahHoque
*Permanent BBB Link on blog sidebar http://s7anna.blogspot.com/
Great interview.
Happy Reading!!!
Anna
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Great interview.
You mentioned you don’t have any sisters and I was wondering how long it took you to do the research end of The Princess series.
Your covers are quite detailed. Did you have any artistic input on the covers?
I rsvpd
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Back from karate. Okay, let’s see what all we’ve got here…
@Deana - I’d probably say the balance of story and humor. My books tend to fall on the lighter side of the genre, but I don’t do jokes just for the sake of a laugh. I.e., even the nose-picking scene also advances the story and serves a deeper purpose. There’s a lot of straight farce out there, and plenty of good stories, but I’m pleased with the balance I’ve gotten with the books.
@Sir Tim - The trouble is, I don’t write fat books. Mine tend to come in at a fairly lean 100K words–respectable, but definitely not doorstoppers. Of mine, Goblin War and Mermaid’s Madness have been the longest, FWIW.
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@Kimberly - There’s been a ton of fairy tale reading, naturally. For Mermaid, I also did a lot of reading about the ocean and marine life, trying to get a better sense of how merfolk biology and culture would work. I’ve enjoyed a lot of the fairy tales, but none of them have really stood out as a favorite.
@Chris - Ha! I remember the Hasselhoff discussion. Sadly, the princess series doesn’t seem to be as popular over in Germany as the goblins were, but we’ll see how it goes. Probably the most dangerous item would be the Rod of Creation from GOBLIN QUEST, simply because the potential is almost unlimited. (Which is why I had to [Redacted] in GOBLIN WAR.) And nobody’s made the Michael O’Donoghue comparison until now. Hm … nah, he’s got much more hair than I do these days
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Do you spend more time actually worldbuilding or plotting (if they are distinct elements) when you write your books?
Contest info: 5 Voted 6 Voted
MW
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@Renee - Which genre exactly was once all-male, and now has me as the minority? I think it’s been great seeing more women writing and publishing in SF/F without having to adopt pseudonyms, though you’ve still got pressure in some cases to go for gender-neutral names (J. K. Rowling). In many ways, SF/F still feels like an old white man’s club, at least in some areas. I think that’s changing, and I would love to see that feel go away entirely.
@Anna - The princess books were a response to the princess merchandising machine you see from Disney and Barbie and so on. I wanted to go back to the old fairy tales and put these characters in charge of their own stories. No more sitting around waiting for the perfect man to come rescue them. As my daughter grows up, I want her to be able to read about princesses who save themselves and kick some ass in the process. As for future projects, I’ve got a sense of what I want to do in the next series. I’ll probably be doing a present-day fantasy combining ideas from a few of my short stories, but I haven’t gotten things ironed out enough to pitch it to the publisher yet.
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@Elie - Thank you! There was a lot of research for these books, everything from 16th century glassmaking to lots of fairy tale reading to way too much time studying sailing ships and oceanography. It’s surprising how many random details require a trip to the library, or at least to Google. As for the covers, I’ve been blessed with two very good artists. I had pretty much zero input into the goblin covers, but got a little more into the princess books. Random trivia–the image of Talia on the cover is based on a photograph of my daughter.
@darchole - Probably plotting, though it’s a close thing. A lot of the plotting tends to come first, before I actually start writing. Then once I get into the story, the demands of worldbuilding kick me out of actually writing and send me off to figure out cultures and nations and all the other details that make a society work.
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Hello Jim,
Have you ever used a real situation / anecdote that really happened to you in one of your books, with embellishment of course?
I RSVPed.
I voted in The Vampire’s Assistant Movie Giveaway and the 2009 Favorite Paranormal Fiction Author of the Year - Round 3
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@Lesley - Not really, no. The closest we get is probably in the goblin books. The bullying that goes on in the goblin lair draws a fair amount from my own experiences and observations going through junior high. The exception is GOLDFISH DREAMS, a small-press mainstream book I wrote a while back that drew more on my experiences as a sexual assault counselor. Completely fictional–there are no confidentiality issues there–but based on truth, if that makes sense?
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I RSVP’d.
Voted in 5 and 6.
Am on the BBB mailing list.
Is nice seeing someone writing variations of the old fairy tales. They offer a wealth of possibilities. Most people don’t realize just how dark the originals are. Everyone’s vision has been Disney-fied which is really a shame. Good luck with future books. Look forward to seeing what you will do with Shakesphere.
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I’ve RSVP and I must admitt that I’ve never read any of your books. They do seem to be very interesting. I was wondering what inspired you to take on fairytails and finally give the women some kickass attitudes? I love it and whish you had been around in my day.
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Great interview Jim! I haven’t read any of your books yet, but will definately check them out the next time I’m at the bookstore. Best of luck with your writing!
RSVP’d
Friends with Jim on Twitter (twitter.com/SimmieTaye)
Friends with Jim on Facebook (Kimberly Hodges)
Tweeted about interview (twitter.com/SimmieTaye)
Voted in Vampire’s Assistant Giveaway
Voted in Round 3 of Polls
I am already a BBB newsletter subscriber
Friends with BBB on myspace (myspace.com/kimmie_hodges)
Friends with and Fan of BBB on Facebook (Kimberly Hodges)
Friends with BBB on Twitter (twitter.com/SimmieTaye)
Have link to BBB on my myspace page under books section http://www.myspace.com/kimmie_hodges
I think that is everything!
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@Lisa - Thanks! I wrote this series for my daughter. She went through a princess phase when she was younger, and our house was bursting with princess stuff. I wanted to offer an alternate take on these fairy tale characters, a series in which the princesses could save themselves and kick ass as needed
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Hey Jim!
Thanks so much for being here today. Say, I am going through a princess phase right now. Would you write a series for me? LOL
I think that is pretty awesome. What a great dad. That is like the ultimate family legacy to leave somebody with. You get the dad of the year award!
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Hi Jim,
Thanks for coming to BBB, and spending the majority of your day answering questions & sharing with us. You are a “new to me” author, but I think I can safely say your books have bumped several others farther down the need to get list. Your mention of a “nose-picking injury”, and a muppet werewolf sold them. Yes I have a twisted sense of humor.
Feel free to skip the question to save some time… If you could pick just one of your stories to be made into a film [not necessarily live actors], which would it be?
Thanks again.. congrats on the new release.
all under user ID iokijo
#2 RSVP’d & comment/question
#3 tweeted/retweeted event..examples.
http://twitter.com/iokijo/status/4755257501
http://twitter.com/iokijo/status/4813593755
#4 following Jim on twitter [no idea how to send proof]
#5 done
#6 done
#8 already subscribed to BBB
already member of the Blood Bank.. iokijo
already follow on twitter.. ? are we suppose to tweet BBB every time??
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Jim, you seem rather fond of the name Tym
Reference to a particular person? Enchanter? *grin* Or just a fun way to add a bit of a nod between series’? Since it doesn’t seem likely that it’d be an unintentional easter egg.
Best non-spoilery question i could come up with when it’s past my bedtime *grin*
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I’m very much looking forward to your book signings in both the Sacramento and Las Vegas areas! I’ll plan to attend both, if possible. Please forward the times, places, etc. of when you have these set up.
Thanks! See you there ;-P ~~~ ~
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Hi Jim welcome to BBB ! Im a lil late for the party but better late then never my question to you is as a child did goblings and gouls scare you and what do your friends and family think of ur sucess
I rsvped
Jim,
I am folloing you on twitter - @bainsgoddess
and i added you to facebook - Beverly Gordon
BBB
I get your news letter
I have you on
myspace -forever14n9
facebook- Beverly Gordon
the blood bank - beverly gordon
goodreads - beverly gordon
i follow you on twitter - @bainsgoddess
and your on my blog roll : http://zenes-escape.blogspot.com/
I posted about the contest on
face book
twitter
my blog http://zenes-escape.blogspot.com/and
myspace myspace.com/forever14n9
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I don’t have a question, but I just have to comment that I like Jim’s explanation for giving Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty their own names…very thoughtful.
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i forgot i also voted on both poles
vampire assistant contest for thres a lil freak in all of us and the author poll
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HIya Jim!
My question is this: How do you come up with new names for your characters?
For the contest:
I am a member of the fanclub as well as the bloodbank
I subscribe to the mailing list
I follow BBB on twitter and facebook
I also follow Jim on Facebook and Twitter
I am spreading the word on Facebook and Twitter
I’ve voted in all the polls
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Shared on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/posted.php?id=1354072304&share_id=177288234202&comments=1#s177288234202
Shared on Twitter: http://twitter.com/truebookaddict/status/4827020674
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I voted in the Vampire’s Assistant poll and the paranormal author poll.
Bitten by Books is in my blogroll and I subscribe via Google reader (rss feed). My url to check blogroll: http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/
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Great interview.
Thanks for sharing. I havent had the chance to read Jim’s books but they sound interesting.
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Jim, you’re a new author for me, but now that I’ve learned of your books, I’m fascinated and will be checking them out for sure. Thanks for the enjoyable interview.
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I have a question for Jim (and I hope this counts as an entry into the contest too - am a bit confused by the rules now :p):
I enjoy the humour in your stories. Do you start out wanting to write a humorous story or do the characters simply end up getting into funny/ridiculous situations as the story progresses? Or do you simply plot out the story first and then insert the funny bits in later?
FF
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Hi Jim
I have not read your books so I want to know if there is Romance in your book I like romance and happy endings.
* I have spread the word on my myspace and facebook here are my links
http://www.myspace.com/sasluvbooks & facebook.com/sasluvbooks
* I have allready Voted for the Vampires Assistant Movie Giveway.
*I just Voted in the 2009 Favorite Paranormal fiction Author of the year Round 3
* I’m allready a Friend of Bitten By Books on my myspace and facebook and I get the newsletter.
* I have RSVPed
From Stacey S
sasluvbooks@yahoo.com
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Hi Jim,
I have not started your books yet, but they are on my list… I have voted, already a friend, I spread the word thru emails on my yahoo groups I am part of… now question for Jim
What posessed you to start writing?
Sheila
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Hi Jim!
Welcome to BBB! I have Stepsister Scheme sitting on my TBR pile. Looks like I need to move it up to the top, so that I can get the second book soon! Thanks for stopping by!
(PG - RSVP’d (I think?), follow Jim on LJ, friends with BBB everywhere)
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@Rachel - Thanks for inviting me! It’s been fun chatting with everyone!
@Xap - I’ve vowed not to answer questions about that one. *I* know the truth behind the character who shows up in Mermaid, but I’m gonna let the rest of you speculate
@Fuzzy - I don’t actually have any signings set up in Sacramento or Vegas, but when I do, I’ll be sure to let you know.
@Michelle - Thank you!
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@Seri - It depends. Sometimes the names just come to me, as they did with Jig the goblin. More often I spend a while playing with sounds, trying to find something that feels right. For the princesses, I spent a lot of time reading old fairy tales until I found versions that actually provided names. For example, Talia came from the story “Sun, Moon and Talia,” which is an Italian version of the Sleeping Beauty story.
@Fahim - Again, it depends. Sometimes I deliberately set out to do the funny, like I did with “Creature in Your Neighborhood” (a muppet werewolf story for STRIP MAULED). Other times, the humor just kind of flows between the characters. The humor in the princess books is the latter kind. The princess books aren’t as funny as the werewolf story, but it wouldn’t be a Hines story if there wasn’t *some* joking around
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@Sheila - Honestly? A friend of mine was writing some fantasy stories, and I thought it looked interesting, so I decided to give it a shot. After all, how hard could it be, right? Yeah … 14 years and 500+ rejection letters later, I’ve learned exactly how hard it can be. But I also learned that I really enjoy writing. Once I finished those first few stories, I was hooked!
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@Stacey - There’s *some* romance in the princess series, but not enough to qualify it as romantic fantasy. Nothing in the goblin books, in part because I just couldn’t figure out how to write goblin romance. I tried in the first draft of GOBLIN WAR, and it wasn’t a pretty sight.
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Hi Jim,
Your books sound wonderful. My 11 year old daughter is really into the fantasy/fairy tale genre right now, which seems to be the up and coming young adult genre. Are your books suited for her age group? What age group is your primary focus?
Thanks,
Theresa.
4. I sent Jim a friend request on facebook.
5. I voted in the The Vampire’s Assistant Movie Giveaway
6. I voted in the 2009 Favorite Paranormal Fiction Author of the Year - Round 3
8. I am friends with BBB on facebook and belong to the group page. I also subscribe to the newsletter.
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@Theresa - Thank you! I don’t aim for a particular age group when I write. That said, the youngest fan I’m aware of for the goblin books was about seven years old. I wouldn’t personally have any problem letting my daughter read the princess books as an 11-year-old. The books do use the old fairy tales, which are darker than the Disney version, but I don’t think there’s anything in there that kids wouldn’t have already encountered on TV, movies, or just talking at school.
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RSVP and wanted to come by to ask:
Who was your favorite author when you first started reading and who is your favorite author now?
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Hi Jim!
Since the princesses were inspired by your daughter, will the next series be inspired by your son? Will there be robots and superheroes?
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@Diane - You know, I don’t even remember everyone I read when I first started. Charles Schulz should be on the list, because I’ve always been a huge Peanuts fan. Madeline L’engle. Raymond Feist a little later on. These days it’s hard to pick a favorite, and it changes from day to day. I read an Alma Alexander book and was blown away by her worldbuilding. Ursula LeGuin inspires me with sheer, uncut brilliance. Janet Kagan with her ability to write such fun stories. Peter David with some of his humor. Neil Gaiman for his accent (I could listen to that man read all day!)
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@Erika - Heh. I’ve already e-mailed a certain editor friend asking him to keep me in mind if he ever does another Transformers project, in which case my story would most definitely be influenced by my son
I also dedicated GOBLIN WAR to him, for reasons that I hope are apparent in the text.
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Hey! So how was the question anwsering yesterday?
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Also, What is your favorite book?
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Hey Jim,
I wanted to say that although I haven’t read any of your work just yet…I’m really forward to a better interpretation or perspective of princesses…As a child, I always did have trouble with the lack of initiative in most female fairy tale characters but knowing that there is an alternative is a great thought. I’m going to go to my local bookstore and look up your books.
Thanks for inviting us into your world for a visit…I know I really enjoyed it.
Happy Reading!!!
Anna Shah Hoque
s7anna@yahoo.ca
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@Rachael - A little overwhelming, but fun
As for my favorite books, it’s hard to pick a favorite, and it changes from day to day. I read an Alma Alexander book and was blown away by her worldbuilding. Ursula LeGuin’s stuff inspires me with sheer, uncut brilliance. Janet Kagan with her ability to write such fun stories. Peter David with some of his humor. It really just depends on my day and my mood.
@Anna - Thank you! I’ve been having a good time chatting with folks. I hope you enjoy the books!
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Shawna L
weloveourdogs@juno.com
I already asked a question Yeasterday!! ;o)
Thanks for this book giveaway…. it has been FUN!!!
*Linked on facebook ~http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?drop&ref=mb#/posted.php?id=1259591812&share_id=308523485610
*Linked on blog ~http://booksaremoviesinthemind.blogspot.com
*Already voted for The Vampire Assistant’s Movie Giveaway
*Friends with BBB on facebook ~ (theblindcupid SHawna L.))
*I follow BBB on Twitter (theblindcupid)
* I tweeted http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/4838266145
*I follow Jim on Facebook (theblindcupid)
*I follow Jim on Twitter (theblindcupid)
*Subscribed to BBB newsletter (weloveourdogs@juno.com)
*member with BBB on goodreads (shawna L.)
*Fan of BBB on facebook ~ theblindcupid
*Permanent BBB Link on blog sidebar~ http://booksaremoviesinthemind.blogspot.com
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Hi, Jim! I enjoyed reading your interview answers and look forward to getting to read your work! With your incredibly busy life, how do you have time to fit it all in? Do you sleep?? :0) Seriously, though… It must be very difficult to work on your craft of writing, having a full time job, and keep up with your family. How do you balance the important things in your life and still love what you do?
Cheers!! Susan
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I have 3 favorite boks all by you! Goblin Quest, Goblin Hero, and Goblin War. I can;t stop thinking about them they are just such great books!
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Thank you for sharing such wonderful worlds with us, Jim! I pretty much shove the goblin and princess books at all my friends whenever I’ve learned they haven’t read them!
Thank you as well for some of your other reading material recommendations!
Wonderful that you’re GoH at Icon!! So that sort of segues into my question of: Who are the top three (yes, three - one is boring and difficult for us voracious readers and five is right out) authors that you would love to meet? For each of these three authors, which work in particular did you enjoy the most?
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Hi, Jim! Your interview was fun to read. You seem to have a great sense of humor. I’m looking forward to picking up your books now. I read in one of your answers that you have based your stories on the older, darker versions of the fairy tales. Since I’ve read the complete set of Grimm’s fairy tales, I’m wondering if you have a favorite fairy tale?
[Reply]
Hi Jim, Thanks for dropping into BBB. They are one of my favorite interview “Stops”. I always learn such great things about authors I have yet learned to love - I’ll be checking out one or two of your books soon.
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@Susan - Making time for everything and finding a balance between family, writing, the day job, and the rest is probably the biggest ongoing challenge. It helps that I have an understanding boss who allows me to work on my writing during my lunch break. The majority of my books are written in that one hour every day. Ultimately, it’s a matter of prioritizing and dealing with the fact that nothing is going to get as much attention as I’d like. But we do the best we can.
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How do we know who wins the contest?
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@Lavina - Terry Pratchett, though I don’t see it happening. My favorite of his was his collaboration with Gaiman, GOOD OMENS. Janet Kagan, who passed away last year. She’s a great author and was a wonderfully supportiver person as I was getting started, and I wish I’d been able to meet her in person. Though I don’t think I could choose between her books HELLSPARK and UHURA’S SONG. For a third … Richard Castle, ’cause I want the chance to play laser tag with a NYT Bestselling Author. A fictional author, sure, but it would still be fun
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@Karin - Thank you! I don’t really have a favorite fairy tale. I’ve read a ton of ‘em while working on this series, but nothing really stands out as a favorite. Possibly The Snow Queen, if only because that’s the one I’m currently messing around with
@Rachael - The contest runs through tonight. I’m assuming the powers that be will announce the winners some time after that, though I don’t know the details.
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If you could be any otherworly being, which one would you choose to be?
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@Jeanette - Jedi Knight, definitely. Mind tricks, telekenisis, and my own lightsaber? I am *so* there!
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Jime! Hi Jime (hee hee)!
You’ve answered quite a few questions. Hope it’s been fun.
With work and family and other distractions, are you able to write through everything? Or do you have rituals to get yourself in the right mental space first?
Also, why does Seanan’s mother love your books so much? I asked her the last time I saw her and she really is wild about your goblins.
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@Joey - Thwap! It was a little draining on Monday trying to keep up with everything, but definitely fun
Re: distractions, it depends. I can usually block out my coworkers during lunch, and when I’m on deadline, I can shut myself in the bedroom at home with the laptop. Family crises destroy my writing every time, though. Whether it’s my wife’s knee surgery or my son going into the hospital with a nasty rotavirus earlier this year, that sort of thing results in zero wordcount.
As for Seanan’s mother, it’s obviously because she has such exquisite taste! As does anyone who would name such a cute puppy Smudge. (Say hi to her the next time you see her, if you would?)
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Meeting Richard Castle would be quite entertaining (though first, we’d have to resist calling him Cap’n or Mal ;>). Now I’m getting lost in giggles replacing the storm troopers in your surrender picture with your princesses..
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Hey, Jim, great interview. Very informative. Your books sound interesting. I’ll be looking for them.
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