Loading ...Interview and Contest with Author Jackie Kessler
Exclusive Bitten by Books
Interview with Author Jackie Kessler
PLEASE NOTE: This contest portion of this event is closed. We will be announcing winners this week. 
A big welcome to our readers today! We have LOTS of fun stuff planned, so hang on to your coffee cups and don’t wander too far away from your computer. Be sure to read to the end of the interview to find out how to WIN one the great prizes being offered up today, including an amazing prize package to one participant including AUTOGRAPHED copies of her amazing books, The Road to Hell
Interview:
Hi Jackie!
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 Jackie’s latest release Hotter Than Hell
BBB: What do you find the most challenging aspect of writing?
JK: Writer’s block! Whenever I fall prey to writer’s block, it’s almost always because the scene I’m working on isn’t right. Either there’s a plot point that’s gone astray, or the characters are doing something uncharacteristic, or the novel has gone in a direction that doesn’t best serve the story overall. The only thin that works for me is to figure out what went wrong, untangle it, and keep going.
Sometimes, I get into arguments with my characters. Seriously. Like in Hotter Than Hell
BBB: What is the most rewarding aspect of writing for you?
JK: Getting lost in the writing, where a scene just sucks me in. Man, there’s no rush like when you’re on a roll, and you know every single word you’re crafting is exactly right.
BBB: What made you decide to start writing or decide you wanted to become an author?
JK: I used to want to draw comic books. But in college, I started taking creative writing classes, and I fell in love with using words instead of pictures to tell stories. In 2003, I got serious about wanting to get published. Nearly three years later, Hell’s Belles
BBB: What do you feel are the benefits of the new electronic readers such as Kindle
JK: To the environment? I’m no expert, but it seems to be a terrific move. Let the trees do other things than become paper.
BBB: What impact do electronic readers
JK: I think that electronic copies are a terrific alternative to traditional books. More and more people are using e-readers, so it’s wonderful that publishers can offer them a format that those readers prefer. And now, a public service message: E-piracy hurts authors. We get a percentage on every copy sold, whether electronic or print, so if those copies are stolen, then we don’t get paid, and it has an impact on us making our numbers, and if our numbers don’t match publisher expectations, we will probably have a very short career. If people don’t want to buy their copies, please get a copy from the library, or borrow from a friend. Pretty please? With chocolate sprinkles on top?
BBB: Why did you choose demons of Lust as the main characters in your Hell on Earth series?
JK: When I had decided to write about a demon who’d left Hell, I knew I wanted the demon to be female. At the time, to me that automatically meant she’d be a succubus, a demon of lust.
BBB: Your Hell-building is very detailed. What sort of research did you do to help create the Hell you paint so well in the Hell on Earth series?
JK: I plucked a lot from here and there, from literature and from religion and from fiction. I used what I thought fit, tossed the rest, and made up the rest. The notion of Hell being mapped according to sin is a nod to Dante, but I used the Seven Deadly Sins as the basis. The Internet is a godsend (which is ironic, I suppose, when you’re writing about Hell), because it condensed what would have been months of research into weeks.
BBB: Why did you include the Furies in Hell? Is there a basis in classical myth or is this purely created for your stories? Will Meg be back?
JK: In the Hell on Earth universe, all creatures that don’t reside in Heaven or on Earth have ties to Hell, even if they are not demons or former angels. So the Furies, as part of the Greco-Roman pantheon, would have a spot there. Given that they were creatures that even the gods feared, I thought it would be very appropriate to make them among the most powerful entities in the Hell series. As for Meg, la la la, I can’t hear you…
BBB: Can you tell us how many more books are planned for the Hell on Earth series and when we can expect the next one?
JK: I’m currently working on the next book now, which I’m tentatively calling HELL TO PAY, scheduled for October 2009. As for how many in the series, I have an idea, but nothing is set in stone.
BBB: What genre would you classify your Hell on Earth series? Urban Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal a mixture?
JK: I always intended it as fantasy, and was very surprised when it was called a paranormal romance. In retrospect, I understand the decision: there’s a romance that’s central to Hell’s Belles
BBB: Daunuan is quite the evil Incubus, which makes him a very good Incubus indeed. Will we see him again? Will he get his Hellishly Ever After?
JK: Do de do de do, I can’t hear you, la la la…
BBB: What is your favorite paranormal book of all time?
JK: Not a book, but a comic book series. THE SANDMAN, by Neil Gaiman. Close runners up: most everything by Chris Moore, and the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher.
BBB: If you could be any paranormal creature, what would it be and why?
JK: One that gets a lot of sleep. And lives completely on chocolate and strawberries and wine. (I’m not sure if that’s an angel or a demon.)
BBB: When is your next scheduled book signing?
JK: I have one tomorrow in Albany, NY, at the independent bookstore Flights of Fantasy, at 7 pm. And I’ll be at Dragon*Con in Atlanta over Labor Day weekend, and I believe there will be a signing there.
BBB: How true are the rumors that you are an expert in demonology?
JK: **grins** I’d tell you, but first I’d have to make you sign this little piece of paper. In blood.
BBB: Who is your favorite secondary character in your series?
JK: Heh. That would be telling… **grins**
BBB: What did you do before you became a writer? Do you write full time?
JK: I still have a full-time day job as a senior editor/copy chief for a business management journal. I write a little in the morning, and a lot at night. (I don’t get a lot of sleep.)
BBB: Any hints as to the real relationship between Lucifer and Jezebel?
JK: Any questions about their relationship will be answered in the fourth Hell book.
BBB: Do you have any pearls of wisdom you would like to share with our readers here today?
JK: To paraphrase author Cindy Procter-King (Head Over Heels), there are three things you need to get published: talent, persistence, and timing. While it¹s difficult to write to the market, you absolutely can hone your craft and develop a thick skin. Write. No matter what, write. And never be daunted.
If you haven’t visited Jackie’s website over, click here to check her out there.
Questions and Contest: Now, I am going to open up the internet floor so to speak and let our readers ask some questions. Feel free to post as many questions or comments as you like. Jackie will be answering them the rest of the day.
Readers, here’s how to enter the contest. You can do one or all of these things, and each one will give an additional entry and thus MORE chances to win. This is to win either the prize package including AUTOGRAPHED copies of Jackie’s amazing books, The Road to Hell
1. Ask the author a question (max two questions count towards entries) and, your name will be entered for a chance to win one of the fabulous prizes mentioned above.
2. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter here on the right hand side of the site. This is for new subscribers only.
3. Post links to the interview here today at another blog or website and you will be given additional entries to win. You MUST post those links in one response here in this thread. The more places you post the event, the more entries you get, so spread the word!
4. Purchase copies of any of Jackie’s books here:
Hell’s Belles
The Road to Hell
Hotter Than Hell
Eternal Lover
and send us a copy of the receipt for your purchase to: racoo.smith @ gmail.com (no spaces) for an additional entry. You get an entry for each of Jackie’s books you purchase.
5. Add us as your friend on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bittenbybooks
Add us as your friend on Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=614064436
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/weirdstuff
6. Stumble, Digg or share the post with any social networking sites. There is a button right at the end of this post that says share that you can use.
Be sure to include an email and name where we can contact you if you are a winner.
We will be awarding the prizes and posting the winners to the Bitten by Books website later this week.
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That was a very informative and interesting interview. I may have to check out Hotter than Hell and I’m not into that genre.
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[...] Bitten By Books [...]
Hi Jackie!!! Been watching the site so I could come over here and offer some writerly and friendship support. Jackie’s a very good friend of mine. I enjoy her books so much. I have to say that Duan is one of my favorite characters. He’s both devious, evil, and sweet in an odd sort of way.
I agree with you, too, Jackie, about e-readers. I think they help authors reach more readers.
Btw, I plugged your interview over at my Avoid Writer’s Hell Yahoo Group!
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Well, shoot. I’ll announce this interview over at my pen name group of Zinnia Hope too. LOL!
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Glad to see you here today, I’ve got the first two books in the series and I’m looking forward to the latest release!
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Nice to see you over here Jackie! I can’t wait for you to be my guest soon!
I have had the pleasure of reading Hotter Than Hell and loved it!
hmmm…questions…
Well seeing as my contest this week asks about chocolates and sweets I will ask it here too. What is your favourite chocolate or sweet?
Oh and with a full time job and writing in your spare time when do you find time to eat and what do you eat? I find myself eating quick to make junk food because I just don’t have the time or energy to do anything else.
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Hi, everyone! **Jackie waves**
R. Jensen, thank you — I’m glad the interview was informative. You can read the first chapter of HOT on my website, if you’d like to sample the writing. And many libraries will be carrying HOT. (I hope. Eek…)
Faith! Ladies and gentlemen, Faith is one of the most talented and persistent authors I know. She’s the one who got me to start thinking about including sex scenes in my writing — so I owe HELL’S BELLES to Faith! Thanks so much for the plugs, Faith — you rock out loud!
Teresa, I’m thrilled you enjoyed HELL’S BELLES and THE ROAD TO HELL. I hope you enjoy HOT as well!
Amber — fancy meeting you here! LOL! I am looking forward to being your guest. I’m thrilled you loved HOT! My favorite chocolate is Cadbury’s Roasted Almond. When I get caught up in work, I sort of forget to eat. You’d think I would be thinner…
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Faith Bicknell-Brown sent me over and I just have to say…I LOVE your stuff Jackie and even got my sister addicted! lol
My favorite question…If you books were turned into a movie, who would play your leads?
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Hey Jackie,
The world you have created sounds fascinating and I was wondering if there is any reference to mythology besides Greco-Roman? I can think of at least one Norse god that would definitely fit right in, not to mention a few Mayan deities 
oh, and do you write while listening to music? and if so what is your favorite song to write to? 
I’ve never read any of your books though they’ve been on my wishlist for awhile, however, after that interview they are going to the top of TBB list
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Jambrea: Thank you! Ooh, movies. Well, I think anyone **other** than Demi Moore could be Jezebel. Heh. I’m pretty open. But I’d like the actress to be short (not the Hugh Jackman Is Wolverine route, if you know what I mean). And lately, I’m seriously thinking of Christian Bale as Daun. Yum. Have you SEEN The Dark Knight? Yum. And again, Yum. Paul? Matt Damon, if you please. Yeah, I know, it should be someone with broader shoulders. But come on, it’s Matt Damon. **happy sigh**
Hi, Sarai! I have a number of entities in there, but not nearly as much as I would like. A lot of Christian and Hebrew references, a lot of Greco-Roman references, a few pagan references. Originally, there was going to be a Chinese god in ROAD, but I wound up editing that character out when I was on my fifteen-thousandth draft. I would love to have future books explore more of Hell, and get a chance to see more gods/pantheons involved. Norse, Mayan, Hindu…the list goes on.
I write to music whenever there’s a scene at the club — all of Jesse’s dance scenes are set to the music that is playing during that scene. The book I’m working on now has a sequence to Godsmack’s “Voodoo.” Mmm. Love that song. I also play music when I’m trying to hit a certain feeling. Daun’s appearance in ROAD, around the middle of the book, was set to Depeche Mode’s “Pimpf.”
Thanks for the questions!
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Howdy Jackie; thank you for being here today and giving us a great interview.
Has anything strange ever happen to you at any of your book signings?
If you have an e reader, What was the 1st book you read on it?
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Thanks for being with us, Jackie. I’m really really looking forward to Book 4 and not only because you will be revealing what’s going on with Jesse and Lucifer. I have my theories… I do hope Daun returns at some point. He’s a wonderful bad boy! Oops, bad demon!
What about a Hell on Earth comic book series??
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Hi Jackie! Great interview! I was wondering if there were any particular challenges you faced when switching your focus from Jezebel to Daunuan? Do you belong to a writing group or have a critique partner for your writing?
I think it’s great to have the Furies in Hell. As tormentor goddesses, they’d fit in great there!
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Wow, this place is busy today. You go, Jackie! I have a question for you, hon. Have you thought about a new paranormal series after the Hell books? If so, what are you mulling over for it?
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Hi, Cander! Nothing strange at book signings, other than being asked where the bathroom is. Oh, and there was the one person who was sort of strolling by, and I chatted with her, and she told me after I asked that no, she doesn’t really read books. Mind you, this was in a bookstore. Maybe that’s where she gets her music?
Nope, no e-reader for me. Yet. **Eyes the Kindle**
Hi, Sally! Yes, I can tell you that Daun returns in Book 4. And so do a number of other characters (cough, Lucifer, cough). Now I just have to actually **write** the book… And hey, I’d **love** a Hell on Earth comic series. If you have any connections at DC or Marvel or Image or Dark Horse, pimp me, baby! **wink**
Hi, Kimberly! Oh, holy cats, it took me **months** to get Jesse out of my voice when I was writing HOT. And then, once I found Daun’s voice, I had to…tone it down. Seriously. Because he’s evil. Really, really not-nice evil. But he’s also the good guy. So after a bit of experimentation, I got into a rhythm and wound up really channeling the character.
Now, even more daunting was the erotic novella I just wrote for Avon Red. That story, HELL IS WHERE THE HEART IS, is told in both Jezebel’s and in Daun’s first-person POVs, and it’s the story of how they met. I had to write all of Daun’s scenes, and then write all of Jezzie’s scenes, and then weave them together, because otherwise, I was mixing up the voices.
Yeah, now I’m **positive** I sound insane.
I have a beloved critique partner: Heather Brewer, the fantabulous author of THE CHRONICLES OF VLADIMIR TOD (EIGHTH GRADE BITES; NINTH GRADE SLAYS; TENTH GRADE BLEEDS). I also have a core group of beta readers (one of whom is Caitlin Kittredge, my co-author for the upcoming BLACK & WHITE, to be published by Bantam Spectra next summer).
And the Furies, they ain’t complaining. Well, no, actually, they are. **cough**
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Howdy, Faith!
Well, I’ve got the dystopian superhero novel with Caitlin: BLACK & WHITE (Bantam Spectra, summer 2009), which makes me positively giddy. And I have a few things on submission now with editors. Watch: it won’t rain but for when it pours, and suddenly I’ll have five contracted projects at once. And that’s when I would start drinking heavily and give up on sleep entirely.
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Thank you! The novella will be out before Book 4, yes? Something to tide me over. And thanks for letting me Daun (and Lucifer) will be back.
Unfortunately, I’ve no idea how you pitch a comic book! I collect as do my small humans. Maybe you could make a connection at NY Comic Con in Feb?
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Sally: Yep, the novella, part of A RED HOT VALENTINE’S DAY (Avon Red, January 2009) comes first. Then BLACK & WHITE (Bantam Spectra, summer 2009), and then Hell 4 (Kensington Zebra, October 2009). And I’ll be at ComicCon in Feb in NYC and in San Diego in July next year. So…hey, you never know…
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By the way, if you haven’t tried the Hell on Earth series yet and you’re thinking about picking it up, HELL’S BELLES (the first book) is getting reissued as a mass-market paperback next month. Same story, cheaper price.
You can pre-order at B&N.com or Amazon.com, or Mysterious Galaxy, or Flights of Fantasy, or…
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I’ll be at NY Comic Con too (hopefully with Press Credentials).
Jackie, how do we get signed copies of your books? Will you be signing books at the Cons?
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Hi Jackie! I loved Road to Hell and Hotter Than Hell. I haven’t yet read Hell’s Belle’s or Eternal Lover! I am dying to read both and then reread all the books in order.
My question is, if you could turn your books into a movie, who would you have play Jezebel and Daun?
Also I am already subscribed to the Bitten by Books Newsletter and I used Share This to post about this contest on my blog.
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Sally, as far as I know, there will be a signing session at Dragon*Con. If not, Borders (which will be at the con) should have my books. Come find me — I’ll be on three panels. I’d be very happy to sign! Also, you can always order copies from Flights of Fantasy, my local independent bookstore.
Rachael, thank you so much! Again, HB comes out in mass market next month. Save yourself some money and buy that version instead of the trade paperback. (Or heck, if you want to spend $15, buy two copies of the mass market edition! LOL!)
Jezzie: I’m open to anyone but Demi Moore. Heh. And please, let the actress actually be short. As for Daun, lately I’m in a Christian Bale sort of place.
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hello Faith has talked about you so i thought I would pop over here and read some of your blurbs and I have to say they are added to my wish list. They sound so good!
Suzanne
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Thanks so much, Suzanne!
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Welcome, Jackie, and enjoyed reading your post today.
Question 1) Do you have a favorite mixed drink and does it reveal anything about your personality?
Question 2) How do you choose the names for your characters?
Have not had the pleasure of reading ‘Hotter than Hell’, but it sounds like one I should not miss and the cover is easy on the eyes…oh, yes.
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Hi, Shari!
My favorite mixed drink is rum and Diet Coke. The caffeine keeps me going, the rum makes me happy, and the “diet” makes me happier.
Don’t know what it would reveal about my personality, though, other than I like to kid myself about the caloric content of mixed drinks. My favorite alcoholic drink, though, is wine.
Love the naming question! Jezebel is because of what a jezebel is, as well as a nod to the queen Jezebel. (I hope my Jezzie won’t get eaten by dogs.) Jesse is a softer form of the more familiar Jezzie. Daunuan is a total play on Don Juan. Paul is a nod to the Apostle. (Not the Beatle, though; my Paul is into the Rolling Stones.) And Caitlin is named after my friend and BLACK & WHITE co-author, Caitlin Kittredge. (She coined the term “flesh puppets,” so I had to name a character after her.)
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Hi Jackie!
I am looking forward to reading your series. I have book 1 on order (its supposed to ship with one of Richelle Mead’s books or something like that) and I have book 3. I can’t wait to read it.
Will you be returning to Pittsburgh to do any signings anytime soon?
And have you met Neil Gaiman in person?
Thanks for stopping by!
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Hi Rachel & Jackie,
I am happy to see Jackie Kessler here
Great interview ladies. Jackie, your books all sound like wonderful reads and I love your covers as well.
I have a few questions for Jackie
Question 1: If you could date any male character from any book, who would it be and why?
Question 2: Do you listen to music or watch TV when you write or do you need it to be completely quiet?
Question 3: Do you outline your stories or do you write as you go?
I already belong to your newsletter Rachel.
I did #3. I posted about this giveaway using Share This. I posted on my blog at http://readingissomuchfun.blogspot.com/ and on myspace bulletin at http://www.myspace.com/readingissomuchfun
I did #5 I added you to myspace & facebook.
Email: readingissomuchfun at yahoo dot com
Hugssss
LindaH
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Great interview! I too would love to be some sort of paranormal creature who gets to sleep all the time and eat chocolate!
I am BRAND new to this genre and my question to you is what book do you suggest a newbie such as myself should read first?
My second question is what do you do for fun outside of work and writing?
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Hi Jackie!
Ok so I was wondering… who or what was your muse, your inspiration for getting into the storybook business in the first place?
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Hey Jackie! A glass of wine and some demon talk sounds like the perfect cocktail party to me.
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Jackie,
Great interview. Wishing you the best with HTH.
Joe
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I think a were-sloth would be just the ticket. LOL
Thanks for being here today Jackie! And thanks to everybody else for the questions. Keep them coming.
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Virginia: Thanks so much - I hope you enjoy the books! If there’s another conference in Pittsburgh, I’ll be back. Otherwise, it would have to wait for a publisher-sponsored book tour, LOL, because it’s an 8-hour drive away from where I live.
Yes, I met Neil Gaiman at Fantasy Matters last November. HE KISSED MY CHEEK. **faints**
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ReadingIsSoMuchFun: (hee, I love that handle)
If I could date any male character, it would have to be one we haven’t met yet — because Paul is spoken for, dating Daun couldn’t possibly end well for me, and Lucifer is…well, dude, Lucifer. But if there was no risk to my soul…then I’d do Daun in a heartbeat.
No TV for me when I write — bad enough the Internet is right here! (Facebook = EVIL) But I do put on music sometimes, to help me really evoke a mood.
Sometimes I just write; other times I outline. I didn’t outline for my current work in progress, and now I have to start over, 50,000 words into the story. Oopsie… LOL
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I love paranormal stories and yours sound great.
The world you built sounds like an interesting place to read about.
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Hi, Tara!
What book should you read first — besides mine, you mean? LOL! Okay, seriously: there are different flavors of urban fantasy/paranormal romance, just like any genre out there. It depends on what you enjoy reading. My work, while funny and at times lighthearted, can be quite dark. And mine is really more of an urban fantasy than a paranormal romance. So…
Paranormal Romance Books
Light: MaryJanice Davidson, Michele Bardsley, Dakota Cassidy, Michelle Rowen, Stephanie Rowe
Dark: CT Adams and Cathy Clamp (co-authors), Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan
Urban Fantasy Books
As a rule, these tend to blend humor with horror — hey, gotta lighten up all the death, doom, and destruction, right? There also, more often than not, is a mystery involved.
On the humorous side:
Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Richelle Mead, Mark Henry (scathingly funny), Stacia Kane, Jaye Wells, JF Lewis, Caitlin Kittredge, Anton Strout, Charlaine Harris
On the more serious side:
Kat Richardson, Jeanne Stein, Neil Gaiman
And then, there’s the more erotic side:
Laurell K. Hamilton, Angela Knight, Jacqueline Carey, Sunny, Cheyenne McCray
As for fun outside of work and writing…er, there is such a beastie? LOL. I love to go out with friends and have a glass of wine. I love to dance, even though I don’t do it very well. Give me a good superhero flick and a bowl of popcorn, and I’m quite happy. (I should lie and say I enjoy running marathons for fun, but one look at me shows just how much of a lie that is! LOL)
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Carmel, the answer, simply, is Neil Gaiman. Back in 1993 (give or take a year), he was in the Boston area, doing a signing. I bought an Endless poster (if you read THE SANDMAN, you’ll know what that is), and he wrote on it “Dream On.” That poster is framed in my office. I probably always would have wanted to write — I have worlds inside of me — but that little nudge, that small hope, from Neil fueled the fire. It was years before I got serious about the writing, but the desire was there.
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Ladies and gentlemen, the lovely and talented JAYE WELLS!!!
Jaye, I’d have wine and demon talk with you any time.
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Thanks so much, Joe!
Joe Moore, another fabulously talented author!
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Rachael, I’m thrilled to be here. Thanks so much for inviting me!
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Thanks, Estella!
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[...] The interview and still ongoing Q&A from Bitten By Books! [...]
Hi all!
I haven’t read any of your books yet, Jackie, but they sound right up my alley so they go straight to my wishlist. Here’s my question, since I love to share my books and trade them often: What do you think about sites like Bookcrossing, Bookmooch and the such where people trade and share books?
First of all, I think it’s terrific to have authors guest-blogging so we get to know more about them! Thanks for that! I’ve been absent from the “book-scene” for a while and therefore am not quite up-to-date what’s new.
cheers from a Swiss girl in Germany
Tanja
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Thank you Jackie. I was so excited when I came up with this handle and saw that it was not inuse so I had to grab it *g*
Ooo I can’t wait to hear more about that one we haven’t met yet. Nice names for your characters.
I don’t watch TV as much unless my favorite shows come on. It’s bad though with the internet I don’t get much reading done. I am always finding something to do on the computer very bad yes I know. I don’t know much of Face book yet but myspace I do it’s addicting also LoL.
Oh wow start over that sucks so sorry good luck.
Hugssss
LindaH
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Add us as your friend on Myspace
Add us as your friend on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Have done all three - I was already subscribed to Facebook and Twitter, so I added MySpace.
Here’s hoping you ship prizes to Australia, and have a lovely day!
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Hi, Tanja!
I would much prefer readers to share my books than for people to download pirated copies.
Sharing is terrific, both in practice and in action. I love libraries, and if readers want to read my books without paying for them, then please do share with friends, or go to the library and take out a copy. Libraries are our friends! 
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Linda, Facebook is The Big Evil. You have been warned. LOL! Thanks so much for your questions and your comments.
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Hi Tez! **Jackie waves**
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*g* Jackie so is myspace but I love it. I enjoy connecting and meeting new friends. I am on Face book but not as familiar with it as much as I am with myspace LoL.
You are welcome and thank you for answering my questions
Hugssss
LindaH
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Anytime, Linda!
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i added the facebook friend….btw…u ROCK MY SOCKS JACKIE!! hehe….lurved the latest book…poor daun
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Awwww…LOL! Thanks, Blake!
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Ahh Neil Gaiman… a god among authors lol.
So Jackie… I gots another question for ya! With a follow up too…
Since we can ask ANYTHING and since you’re an expert on such matters…
When will hell freeze over? And will it be in one of your books?
Btw… Rachel told me to ask you this!
I just kinda agreed and thought it would be the perfect question lol. But Rachel MADE me do it.
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LOL! Hell will freeze over the day my Loving Husband willingly eats vegetables. That aren’t fried. Or sauteed in a zillion pounds of butter.
As for whether it will appear in one of my books…la la la, I can’t hear youuuuuuu…
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LOL, Why do I get in trouble and am not even here.
Though that may well be the only time Hell does freeze over at my house too.
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Hey, if you’re interested, Jezebel just interviewed Daun at Cat and Muse:
http://jackiekessler.com/catandmuse/2008/08/04/devilish-charm/
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Hi Jackie!
Who’s your fave superhero and which superhero movie is your fave?
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BBB: I’m a
- subscriber
- myspace friend
- facebook friend
- twitter follower!
Thanks!
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Hi, Bunny!
Man, you’re catching me right after I saw IRON MAN for the second time and THE DARK KNIGHT for the first time. Right now, DARK KNIGHT blows everything else out of the water. Mrs. Giggles gives a terrific review of it here.
As for my favorite superhero…hmm. You know, I think I’d have to say Peter Parker/Spider Man. In a world of colorful spandex and oversized egos, he’s very human. And funny. Can’t forget the funny. But this is going back a bit; I haven’t read recent SM comics, so maybe that would change.
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Okay, I’m off to bed. I’ll check in again come morning. Good night, everyone! And Rachel, thanks again!
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Hi Jackie~
Great interview!
Okay, so now for my questions
*I love your Cat and Muse interviews…who is Jezebel tackling next?
*Being a part of The League for Reluctant Adults…have you actually met all your cohorts and if so is Mark as funny as he seems? That just seems like such a great group to be a part of…I was thrilled to see you over there.
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Okay I’ve always loved the questions James Lipton asks in the show Inside the Actor’s Studio. Those are the ones I want to know your answers for…
1. What is your favorite word?
2. What is your least favorite word?
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
5. What sound or noise do you love?
6. What sound or noise do you hate?
7. What is your favorite curse word?
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
9. What profession would you not like to do?
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
If those questions don’t count because I didn’t think them up then I want to know - If you were a superhero (or super-villan) what would you want your name to be, your power to be, and your costume to look like.
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What would you most like to write about in the future?
-myspace friend
-facebook friend
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First off, great interview. I have been looking at you book online, and thinking how good it sounded. I can’t wait to read this.
Do you think you’ll ever visit Oklahoma for a book signing?
(Also, I did the Facebook and MySpace friend add through the links above. Did a StumbleUpon. And I posted a link to this blog on BookCrossing.com @ this http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/6/5593361/1 spot.)
Thanks!
Rebekah
littleminx AT cox DOT net
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Thank you SO much for spending your day with us Jackie! Come back by anytime an chat, we would love to have you.
We will be announcing the winner of the awesome prizes sometime soon.
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Great ty Jackie. *Laughing* @ Carmel & Rachel on the whole Hell Freezes Over thing *g* Aww Rachel getting into trouble I see
Thank you Jackie for spending your day with us it was a pleasure chatting/blogging with you. Thank you Rachel for the invite love your blog
Have a lovely night everyone. Take care bye and Happy reading!
Hugssss
LindaH
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Hi, Jackie,
I’m curious to know how you pick the subjects/themes of your books. Or do they just come to you? What is your writing process like?
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Hi, hope it’s not too late to ask questions.
1) What author inspires you the most?
2) Do you make a detailed outline before writing?
Thanks!
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Okay, back to answer more questions! Here we go…
Lori T:
I’m thrilled you enjoy the Cat and Muse interviews. Next up, among others, will be Jinx (Jennifer Estep) and Jazz Parks (Jen Rardin).
Regarding the faboo League, I’ve met Anton, Mark, and Caitlin. And yes, Mark is a pisser. (Er, in the funny way. Not the bathroom way. Oh, you know what I mean.) It’s a terrific group.
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Erin the Innocent:
Holy cats. You’re making me work for this one! LOL
1. What is your favorite word? ACCRIBITZ. (Points to those who know where this is from.)
2. What is your least favorite word? LINKAGES. Seriously, what’s up with that?
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? WATCHING BIRDS AT OUR BIRD FEEDER. The Brooklyn girl in me still can’t fathom how relaxing Nature can be.
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? GARBAGE. Yay, litter all over the Nature! Sheesh.
5. What sound or noise do you love? MY BOYS LAUGHING FROM JOY.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? MY BOYS LAUGHING MANIACALLY. Seriously, when this happens, I start counting my dishes and lamps to see what just broke.
7. What is your favorite curse word? JUST ONE? HUH. OKAY: FUCKITY-FUCK-FUCK.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I WOULDN’T. This is what I want to do when I grow up.
9. What profession would you not like to do? ACCOUNTING. I would suck at it, and it would bore me to tears. (I’m very good at spending money, just not at accounting for it.)
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? THERE’S BEEN A MIX-UP, BUT WE’RE LETTING YOU STAY ANYWAY. WELCOME ABOARD; HERE’S A GLASS OF WINE.
If those questions don’t count because I didn’t think them up then I want to know - If you were a superhero (or super-villan) what would you want your name to be, your power to be, and your costume to look like.
Heh. Next summer, read BLACK & WHITE. You’ll get more answers than you’d probably care for.
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Breia:
“What would you most like to write about in the future?”
Hmm. Well, along with HELL and with the upcoming superhero series, I have a partial manuscript that I suppose could be classified as “Jewish Paranormal.” Hey, it’s time, baby! LOL
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Rebekah:
Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy the book.
Right now, Oklahoma isn’t on my schedule, because I’m the one paying for all my travel and expenses. But if either (A) my publisher pays for a tour, or (B) I have a business reason to go to Oklahoma (say, for a conference), you better believe I’ll be going, and blogging to the world at large about it.
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Linda, this was a true pleasure. Very glad to be here!
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First thank you for taking time out of your schedule to do this interview and answer our questions. And thank you Rachel for doing this for us.
I’m so glad to hear your characters argue with you. I feared I was the only one who had characters like that. (And I only piddle at writing so I can only imagine how bad it must be for someone who is published.)
So what I would like to know is…do your characters ever just take over a scene you’ve had worked out in your head and completely take it another direction?
Thank you again.
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Margay:
“I’m curious to know how you pick the subjects/themes of your books. Or do they just come to you? What is your writing process like?”
Terrific questions!
I came up with the story for HELL’S BELLES, the first in the HELL ON EARTH series, when I wanted to write about a magical creature living in the world today. I decided on a a female demon. And from there, it just…happened. As for the main themes (what love means, the nature of Good and Evil, etc), those just come out naturally in the writing.
As for my writing process, sometimes the words and story just flow, and that’s when everything is magical. And then, there are time when it’s like pulling teeth. Minus the Novocain. I like to Just Write, but then there comes a point where I need to plot out the rest.
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Travi:
1) What author inspires you the most?
Neil Gaiman, definitely. I love his work, especially his SANDMAN comic-book series–and I highly recommend AMERICAN GODS.
2) Do you make a detailed outline before writing?
Before? Heh. I should, shouldn’t I? Usually, I start writing, and around the midway point, I start outlining ferociously.
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Always like to know the first book you remember reading that really stuck with you
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That was a very informative and interesting interview.
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If one experience in your life did not happen do you belive you would still have the lust to write. If so, what experience would have had to be deleted in your life?
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I met Jackie at RT at the book signing on Saturday. Very nice and glad to see you again, even if virtually.
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I wouldn’t know where to start to write a book. What gives you inspiration for your books?
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What do you do to break a writers’ block?
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Hi, Jackie!
I’ve really enjoyed your Hell books and can’t wait to read Hotter than Hell, Daun is one of my favorite characters.
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Jackie,
I have always been very curious as to what books do authors read themselves? Do you read books simular to the ones you write? Are you so burnt out from writing, you don’t have the energy to pick up a book to read. Excellent interview thank-you for coming by Bitten By Books!
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Hi Jackie! I’m looking forward to reading this book! I was wondering:
What was your favorite book as a child?
What is your favorite book as an adult?
Also, I’m curious: When you write your books do you do write it out on paper first or do you use a computer right away?
Thanks!
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Daelith:
You’re very welcome! This was a real treat for me.
“Do your characters ever just take over a scene you’ve had worked out in your head and completely take it another direction?”
All. The. Freaking. Time.
**grumbles** Stupid diva characters. Think they run the show. Humph.
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Dorothy, I’d have to say that was Lord of the Rings. It certainly wasn’t the first thing I read, but it certainly helped foster a love of fantasy. For a while, I was rereading the book every year, for about six years straight.
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Thanks, Timothy!
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Marylin:
I’m positive I always would have wanted to write, no matter what. I **have** to write.
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Hi, Pamela! Great to “see” you again too!
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i love the freedom of your personalitys to be able to write what you want
rachel does a wonderful site, and i lthink jackie rocks!
pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee pick me to in!
im a new reviewer. but not sure how im doing so far since i really reallyyyyyyyyyyyyy need books, and the libarby threaten to have me arrested again, if i tried to check out any more books, they said i read them all, now GET
LOLLLLL
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Susanne:
Do you mean, what inspires me to write? That’s just this bug in me. I have to write. I can’t imagine not writing.
Do you mean, what’s the inspiration for the actual stories themselves? Seems like I’m all about writing stories that look at the nature of good and evil, and what it means to truly love someone. And the nookie. Gotta have the nookie.
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Adrienne:
For me, when I get writer’s block, usually that means I’ve taken the story in a direction that isn’t working, even if I haven’t figured that out yet. So I have to untangle what went wrong before I can continue. Sigh. I **hate** writer’s block.
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Hey, Tami! You know you’re addicted to books when the librarians groan every time they see you.
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Hi, Wendy!
“I’ve really enjoyed your Hell books and can’t wait to read Hotter than Hell, Daun is one of my favorite characters.”
Thank you so much! And finally, Daun gets his. Heh, heh, heh. Poor li’l demon didn’t know what hit him.
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Hi, Tamara:
Glad you liked the interview!
“Do you read books simular to the ones you write? Are you so burnt out from writing, you don’t have the energy to pick up a book to read.”
The answer is…it depends. (Don’t you hate those?) Sometimes, I get a yen for urban fantasy. Right now, I’m rereading the DRESDEN FILES, as well as about three other UF books. Sometimes, the thought of reading another UF or pararnormal novel makes me itch, and then I reach for a completely different book, like Toni McGee Causey’s fabulous BOBBIE FAYE series.
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Hi, Elizabeth:
“What was your favorite book as a child?”
I had this huge book of Greek myths, which I absolutely inhaled.
“What is your favorite book as an adult?”
This sort of changes. Right now, my absolute favorite is Chris Moore’s LAMB.
“When you write your books do you do write it out on paper first or do you use a computer right away?”
Computer, baby. I’ll take notes on paper, but for the actual writing, it’s all about the computer.
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Sooo…did I get everyone? If I missed you, please speak up!
Thanks again, Rachel and everyone!
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“…then I reach for a completely different book, like Toni McGee Causey’s fabulous BOBBIE FAYE series.”
Aren’t those great!! I just finished the first one not to long ago. Loved it!
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Congrats to the winners of this week’s contest with Jackie Kessler!!
Shari C - Kessler swag package
RachaelfromNJ - $20.00 Amazon.com GC
Both winners have been emailed.
Thanks again everybody!
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Congratulations Shari C & RachaelfromNJ YaY!
Thank you Rachel & Jackie this was great and fun
Hugssss
LindaH
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Awesome Jackie
(and fuckity-fuck-fuck is a perfectly fine curse word LOL)
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