Loading ...Guest Blog, Chat and Contest with Author Vicki Pettersson
First, I’d like to start off by thanking Rachel for inviting me today. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to answer reader questions here, as I don’t have my own blog, but please mark your posts with SPOILER headings if applicable, as some haven’t read the new book or even previous installments in the series yet. I’ll be around all day, save for the few hours tonight where I join the lovely Caitlin Kittredge for a signing here in Las Vegas. Which segues nicely into my topic for the day: Competition and Camaraderie — ie., More is More.
I’ve been thinking about this topic a lot, especially given the explosive growth within the UF/Paranormal genre. When my first book, The Scent of Shadows
So the worry was for naught, the books have found their own niche, and I’ve just turned in the fifth in the series. But I’d be a fool and a liar to say that I’ve done it all by myself. I’ve received blush-inducing cover quotes only because authors I admired took valuable time out of their days to actually read my books. I joined Kim Harrison on two stops of her book tour at a time when nobody knew who I was, but was able to do so because she so casually, offhandly, and graciously asked if I’d like to join her. Most importantly, I began to meet and commiserate with writers who were being published at the exact same time - sharing experiences, ideas, dreams and fears - and had the honor of watching each of these authors soar into their own unique trajectories. Nobody knew them then, but Melissa Marr, Jeaniene Frost, and Rachel Vincent collectively take up a lot of shelf space these days, not to mention a good number of spots on the bestseller lists.
These are my original author homies, the ones I still fling myself at in times of need or celebration, but there are so many others — as evidenced by the cool and uber-talented Kittredge sharing a signing with me tonight. The reason I wanted to point it out to you, the reader, is to let you know one very important thing:
It’s okay that you’re a book whore.
(I’ll just pause here while you cry genuine tears of relief.)
Yes, it’s true. I want you to buy Kittredge and Kessler. Buy Mead and Andrews and Del Franco and Caine. Could I even stop you from buying Harris and Harrison and Armstrong and Butcher? No, and again, no! Because you are book whores, and that’s what you do.
(Pause for group hug.)
Would I like you to buy me in addition to these stellar authors? If you’d like to add dark, tortured, reluctant superheroes to your repertoire, then far be it from me to stop you. But over and above these authors? Well, to be honest, not so much. Because what’s good for one is good for us all.
(Pause to thank Charlaine Harris for signing a big, fat TV deal and causing a mad rush to the F/SF aisles by people who never knew bloodsuckers were their thang.)
No single writer can scribble fast enough to quench the voracious appetite of a die-hard reader. Eventually people will have read every Sookie Stackhouse book out there. And the next book they reach for might just be mine. So even though Charlaine has decided that the New York Times Bestseller list is her personal grocery list, I am mindful of a little life lesson that has served me exceedingly well over the years: Just because something good happens to someone else doesn’t mean something bad is happening to you.
In fact, I believe success feeds and breeds, and that everyone has a better chance of succeeding if we support one another. Sure, writing is a solo endeavor, and I’d have four books on the shelves even if I were pounding keys in a vacuum. But it’s much more fulfilling and enjoyable when you see and encourage your friends and colleagues who are getting rewarded for the hard work they’ve put in as well.
And, of course, none of us would be penning for publication were it not for the reader. So it’s with complete honesty and goodwill that I say, Go forth, you book whores.* Go forth and buy any and all of the authors above … and the great number of others that time and space prevent me from mentioning. They’re good people and writers … and we’re all in this together.
I look forward to seeing where my writer homies are in a few years’ time, and plan on celebrating their successes with them. (Frankly, I’ll celebrate even without them — I don’t need their help picking up my glass!) But mostly I look forward to all the new stories being birthed in these fertile minds, because when I finish my work for the day, there’s nothing I like better than to pick up a book and enjoy the fruits of someone else’s labor.
So who are the people you turn to for support, inspiration, or even reverence when you’re doing your hardest, best work? (And family absolutely counts!)
*By the way, only another book whore can, in good faith, call you on your whoredom. I’m actually a proud member of a local book club called the Sin City Book Sluts (though, admittedly, the only real group requirement is not that you read the book selection, but that you can drink your weight in vodka. {shrug} I guess that’s where the sin part comes in … but far be it from me to cast stones).
****************************************************
Learn more about Vicki Pettersson here:
Read reviews of the author’s work here.
To visit the author’s website go here.
****************************************************
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 8/1/09 at 11:59 pm PDT to do the different things that YOU choose to do. Contest is open to readers worldwide!
Vicki will be giving away an amazing prize package to ONE winner that includes: A signed set of her entire Zodiac series, and the latest releases from the authors who’ve most firmly had her back and held her hand on this journey: Rachel Vincent, Kim Harrison, Jeaniene Frost, Melissa Marr, and Jocelynn Drake!
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW CONTEST EMAIL ADDRESS TO SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO BELOW.
1. The easiest way to enter is by purchasing copies of Vicki’s books from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
From Amazon:
Books in the Signs of the Zodiac Series in the order they should be read:
The Scent of Shadows
The Taste of Night
The Touch of Twilight
City of Souls
From Barnes & Noble:
The Scent of Shadows
The Taste of Night
The Touch of Twilight
City of Souls
eBook Versions:
The Scent of Shadows
The Taste of Night
The Touch of Twilight
City of Souls
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. Make a purchase in our Bloody Cafe store here: http://www.cafepress.com/bittenbybooks. We are all volunteers so your continuing support is deeply appreciated. Email us a copy of your purchase receipt to bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces). Sorry no faxes or snail mail copies. Good for 50 entries.
3. In order to be entered into this contest the ONE thing you ALL have to do is ask Vicki a question or leave a comment. It can be ANY question you like. No questions = no entries! You can come by through 8/1/09 and ask Vicki your questions. Good for 10 entries. (max 2 questions that count towards entries)
4. Be friends with Bitten by Books here:
SUBSCRIBE to the Bitten by Books newsletter by clicking here or use the box on the top right hand side of the site. Be sure you VERIFY your subscription, an email is sent with the verification link. Unverified subscribers will not be entered and will be deleted from the mailing list. If you are already a subscriber, just let us know and you will get entries too.
Join The Blood Bank the Bitten by Books Community! here: http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/ then come back here and tell us your user name and leave the link to your new page.
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59929467915
Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/bitten_by_books
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bittenbybooks
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=614064436
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BittenbyBooks be SURE to tweet us after you follow so we can count your entry! @BittenbyBooks
Add Bitten by Books to your blog roll or links page: http://bittenbybooks.com if you leave our link up permanently you will always be entered into our contests automatically. Just be sure to stop by each contest we hold and leave the link to where it is so we can give you your entry!
Email us a copies of ALL of your verification emails to bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces). Good for 50 entries each place you add us.
5. Spread the word! Use this direct link to the event: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=9633 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.
6. Be friends with Vicki by joining her here:
Message Board/Forums: http://vickipettersson.proboards.com/index.cgi
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=598316127
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/vickipettersson
Add Vicki’s website to your blog roll or links page: http://www.vickipettersson.com/
Then send us all the confirmations you receive verifying subscription and friendship to: bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces). Good for 50 entries per place you friend/add her.
7. Twitter and ask your friends to re-tweet the URL for this event be SURE to include us in your tweet @BittenbyBooks http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=9633. Good for 10 entries each day you tweet it. Max 1 tweet per day counts for entries.
8. Email ALL of your friends and invite them to come by this week! If your fiends come and post here and say you sent them, they get FOUR entries and you get EIGHT entries! They have to tell us who you are so we know who to give the entries to. You can invite as many people as you want and get all the extra entries!
IMPORTANT CONTEST RULES AND LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
GENERAL CONTEST INFORMATION:
The contest ends on 8/1/09 at 11:59 pm PDT and the winners will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize bag directly from the author. 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.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Bitten by Books has the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers worldwide. The prizes are shipped directly from the author.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...
Hi Vicki, thankyou for coming. I wanted to ask a couple of questions, since I wanted to become an author myself.
1.What is the difference between short stories and novels?
2.And which one do you prefer more and why? Which one do you prefer less and why?
___________________________________________________________
- I RSVPed
- Friends with BBB on Facebook(sending email)
- Friends with BBB on Myspace (sending email)
-Friends with Vicki Pettersson on Facebook(sending email)
- Put Link on Facebook(as status): http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/avampiresincethe1900s?v=wall&ref=name
- Put Link on Myspace(under what I read): http://www.myspace.com/yourinthedragonsdomainnow
- Put Link on my message boards:
http://genashowalterfans.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=authors&thread=49
-Blood Bank Username: Emma F.
Link: http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/EmmaFaulkner
[Reply]
Sorry, but my message didn’t show up for me.
Hi Vicki Pettersson, thankyou for coming. To be honest, I haven’t read your books yet but they are on top of my TBR list. But I wanted to ask a couple of questions, since I wanted to become an author myself.
1. What is the difference between short stories and novels?
2. And which one do you prefer more and why? Which one do you prefer less and why?
___________________________________________________________
- I RSVPed
- Friends with BBB on Facebook(sending email)
- Friends with BBB on Myspace (sending email)
- Friends with Vicki Pettersson on Facebook(sending email)
- Put Link on Facebook(as status): http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/avampiresincethe1900s?v=wall&ref=name
- Put Link on Myspace(under what I read): http://www.myspace.com/yourinthedragonsdomainnow
- Put Link on my message boards:
http://genashowalterfans.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=authors&thread=49
-Blood Bank Username: Emma F.
Link: http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/EmmaFaulkner
[Reply]
Ok Yes I am book whores. Yes it has cause friction in the house as I am the type to buy books then has to have a huge debate with the husband to yexplain why I had to but this book. I start 2 years ago and I am close to having 3 books cases full. Not including the ones that I have loan, borrowed and traded. I have borrowed a book read it several times only to return it to the owner and promptly go out and buy it. Anyways. My question is this. Do you think that you would consider doing a graphic novel based on this series?
[Reply]
Ok Yes I am book whores. Yes it has cause friction in the house as I am the type to buy books then has to have a huge debate with the husband to yexplain why I had to but this book. I start 2 years ago and I am close to having 3 books cases full. Not including the ones that I have loan, borrowed and traded. I have borrowed a book read it several times only to return it to the owner and promptly go out and buy it. Anyways. My question is this. Do you think that you would consider doing a graphic novel based on this series? Thanks and have a great day
[Reply]
HI! I know you’ve been asked this a million times, but how did you ever dream up the complex character of Joanna Archer? I really am curious and love hearding how authors dream up their stories/characters. I’m running out to B & N to get your book today. Can’t wait to dive in to Joanna’s world again.
[Reply]
Hey Vicki~
{*told you I’d be here with bells on…}
Who do I turn to for support and inspiration? Ahem…(you know this)your board. The people that I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting online there have been such a joy to interact with. The support that the other aspiring writers there (even those that don’t write give support) has been a tremendous help to my writing. That includes you! And I consider the regulars on that message board (you know who you are) my chosen family. It’s awesome that you mix and mingle when you get the chance; we appreciate it when you hang out with us!
I do have a question or two also (no, it’s not about freaky men-lol)
I wanted to know if it was a difficult adjustment to write Jo as a mere mortal throughout this book because she is such a kick-ass character; did you sometimes have to go back and say ‘oh crap, she can’t do that anymore, she’ll get herself killed.’ and have to rewrite a scene because of it?
Also, Midheaven is such an important part of this story-line, will there eventually be a resolution of the conflicts and goings-on there in a future book?
Raven has said that the story in Unbound will answer many of the questions that were posted on the boards that came up in discussions and I’m looking forward to snatching up that anthology ASAP! CoS is the best book in the series so far and I’m sure we’ll be saying the same thing when book 5 comes out next year!
YOU ROCK AND WE LURVE YA!
Bright Blessings,
Miki
[Reply]
Hi Vicki,
First, I have to say that you are incredibly gorgeous! Love your picture. My husband and I were in Vegas at the end of June and had a fabulous time. So much fun, in fact, that he now wants to move there. So my question for you is what is it like living in Vegas? My biggest concern would be raising 2 girls in sin city…….LOL.
Definitely adding you to my TBR pile.
Lori
[Reply]
Hello femalow book whores. I’ve been a book junky since I was a teen and always loved Phillis A Whitney. Now, Christine Feehan is my ultimate favorite, up amongst Kelley Armstrong, Maggy Shayne and many more…
It’s so wonderful to write and put our ultimate fantasies on the computer and even better when they are published. I’m just in the process of publishing my first one out of 20ish or more.
The best thing I do to keep myself going is to stay away from ‘energy vampires’. Man! Can they suck the life out of you or what?
Great blog. I look forward to reading your novels. I love the cover on City Of Souls…very intriguing.
Franny Armstrong
[Reply]
Copied from prior BBB post: “Vicki’s blogging about how one writer’s success is a boon to all others, and how writing may be a solo endeavor, but the most successful authors are those who give and get a helping hand.”
I have all Vicki’s and the other authors books, so I’m not entering the contest, but since Vicki’s too damn modest to say that she personifies giving a helping hand to others, I’ll out her on it. Several months before my first book released, when she was a bestselling author and I didn’t have a fan to my name, Vicki took me under her wing. She spent so much time explaining the industry to me, listening as I agonized over my fears that no one would buy my book, and offering priceless advice and support. Vicki’s a true, modern-day heroine: smart, kind, witty, driven, and talented. The only thing annoying about her is how gorgeous she is (really, Vic, get zits or cellulite like a normal person, for crying out loud!!! ;)).
So Vicki, your books rock, and so do you. Book whores for the win!
[Reply]
Yes, I have been called a book slut, many times. Does six industrial storage shelves stacked three deep, plus over six hundred books on the ereader make me one? Probably. When all is said and done, I’ve gotten more solace and commiseration from books than from friends and family, although lately my daughter is back reading for comfort. Reading is my escape, and lately I really need to escape. I have all four of your books in my TBR mountain, having bought them as they emerged.
I have posted this on my usual places
http://nancyg1950.blogspot.com/?zx=cb4949fc7dacf2c6
http://nancyg1950.livejournal.com/
I have been a subscriber to BBB since March, and a Blood Bank member since April or May and I rsvp’d for this event earlier today
[Reply]
Hi, I haven’t read any of the series yet but it sounds great. My questions is — I see you send in the 5th in the series Will there be more in the series? if so any idea how many?
Also I rsvp’d
[Reply]
RSVP’ed couple day back,am member of the Blood Bank and Bitten By Books
Friends on Facebook
http:bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/jackieburris
Posted link for event on http://jacaburintexas.blogspot.com
Posted link for event on http://wwwfacebook.com/jacabur
Thank you for coming today to join us on the BBB site, Book Whores Unite!!!!
I am not really full of questions today other than one about you maybe coming to Central Texas anytime in the future for a book signing meet and greet. Will you ever come to Austin Texas ?
[Reply]
Hi Vicki,
I have all of your books expect the new one, but haven’t had a chance to really read them yet. I’ve been to busy on my own writing and wrangling three kids.
My question is…. Have you ever had to deal with family that is less than supportive of your writing? I’m dealing with that right now and any advice would be awesome. Also was there ever a time that you lost faith in what you were doing and how did you get it back?
Bye for now,
Stacey
[Reply]
LMAO! Thanks for justifying being a book whore! My husband once told a group of his friends I’d do anything they asked if they gave me a book…
So, that said - WELCOME! My question for you is - how does living where you do influence your novels? Or does it?
And now for the boring stuff:
I follow BBB on Twitter, am a FB friend and have you on my blogroll.
I’m friends with Vicki on FB and have added her to my blogroll as well.
Blog is here: http://readinsomethingcrazy.blogspot.com/
Thanks again for coming to play at BBB!
Amy
[Reply]
I RSVP’d
Follow BBB on Facebook
Follow BBB on Twitter
Belong to the Blood Bank
Vicki,
My go-to people are definitely my family, including my sisters and my older daughter - and Mom, of course! Can’t get through anything without them! I’m curious about something. How do you decide when your series is over? Do you write it with a certain number of books in mind, or do you keep writing it as long as the publisher is interested in buying it?
Margay
[Reply]
Hi Vikki,
I’ve read all your books and recently finished your new one. Love the series!
Definitely on being a book whore. I love to tell people if you love my books, read these authors, but if you want to try something new, try these.
And my readers love it when I clue them into someone new!
And yes, you’re on that “try her” list. :}
Linda
[Reply]
I RSVP’d last night. Vicky,You defiently took a different twist with paranormal genre. I am also a book whore. I read books like some people eat chocolate (yes I love that too). My husband just shakes his head at me and says that he’s glad that it books that I a passion for compared to buying purses. A quick question, why did you pick the zodiac? HAve a wonderful day, and continued success with all that you do.
Cindy F
[Reply]
what was the first novel you wrote and tried to publish. was it published, or did you scrap it and start fresh? how many rejections did you get before your first novel was published, and what do you think contributed to the breakthrough?
PS Love your characters!
BBB Facebook member
[Reply]
Hi! I haven’t read your series Vicki, but I plan to… I love vamps!
Emily
[Reply]
Book Whore AND Slut and proud of it!! So where is this signing tonight?
I do want to add that you are my hero. You not only write kick ass books but you are the most sweetest person. I sooo look forward to Joanna and am already anxiously waiting the next installment. 
[Reply]
You need a man-whore, so I guess that makes it me. Congrats on all your success and kudos for such a wonderful post. Now back to my vodka.
[Reply]
How did you come up with such a great story
Love your books
Shiley
RSVP done
[Reply]
Hi Vicki. Thanks so much for joining us here today.
It has always seemed to me that there is a lot of camaraderie amongst the writers in the paranormal genre, and your comments reinforce that perception.
As far as your question goes, I would have to say that my family (husband, and sons and their wives) as well as close friends provide a support system for me. Those folks all help me keep life and its frustrations in perspective.
(I did RSVP).
[Reply]
I am friends with Vicki at Facebook,
belong to messageboard
awaiting responce back from myspace about Vicki accepting as friends.
[Reply]
Copied from prior BBB post by Jeaniene Frost_The only thing annoying about her is how gorgeous she is (really, Vic, get zits or cellulite like a normal person, for crying out loud!!! ;)).
LMFAO!
[Reply]
Any plans on coming to Houston, TX for a book signing?
Love your books
Gayle J
[Reply]
Fellow Book Sluts unite! Love all the books and the twists and turns in the latest installment. Can’t wait to see you again. (Writing from TX)
[Reply]
*ahem* I prefer the term ‘biblioholic.* I have a book a day habit but I will not read just any old book. And anyone who comments about reading cereal boxes in desperation was mistaken & possibly delusional. Besided,they don’t have any proof.
That being said, it’s so nice to hear that others suffer from the same ‘disorder.’ Not that I’m looking for a cure, I just want company.
Do you have any other series/stories jumping up & down for attention in the back of your brain? Or has the current series shoved everyone else out?
boring-ish stuff.
I’m on Blood Bank
I’m friend of BBB on FB’
RT on Twitter
[Reply]
HI Vicki
I Just finished reading City of Souls. All I can say is WOW! It seemed like it took forever for this one to come out. I even got my honey to read all four of your books as well. And he loves them too. He is currently standing over my shoulder so no spoilers here but WOW it was an unexpected ending. And yes we are both book whores I buy everyone well…. I try to there many out there I am sure I have yet to discover. To me the important part and what makes a book or author readable is can I disappear into the book. With your that is a resounding Yes!!!!! I can put myself right there in the action. Thank you so much for the hours of enjoyment your books have given me I cant wait for the fifth book and 6th etc…..
Hopefully you will come to St. Louis Mo. For a booksigning sometime soon.
Doni
[Reply]
Hi Vicki,
Love your books. I actually have only recently been introduced to your writing, at NY Comic Con. Own all of them so far. I can’t get enough of them. I even wrote a review on all of them for my blog. Thanks so much.
Regards,
Lyra
member of bitten by books
[Reply]
As per my R.S.V.P. I am here!
My question of Vicki is this:
How old were you when you wrote your first book that got published?
[Reply]
I have to ask if most of your book ideas come to you in a dream and do wake up and write down the ideas in the middle of the night?
SUBSCRIBE to the Bitten by Books newsletter
http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/PeggyGorman
Facebook Group- Peggy Gorman
Myspace,Facebook- Peggy Gorman
Follow on twitter-velvet1116
tweet http://twitter.com/velvet1116/status/3054360367
Message Board/Forums: http://vickipettersson.proboards.com/index.cgi-velvet1116
Message Board/Forums: http://vickipettersson.proboards.com/index.cgi
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=598316127
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/vickipettersson
Add Vicki’s website to your blog roll or links page: http://www.vickipettersson.com/
[Reply]
RSVP yesterday. Enjoyed City of Souls a lot. The ending left me with so many questions and I was just like agh! I was also wondering where Jo/Olivia however we want to call her, will go next? I know that question probably can’t be answered, so I’ll ask this one instead: How many books will there be in this series with Jo?
[Reply]
Vicki,
I’ve only read your first book, but I really enjoyed it, and I look forward to reading the others.
My question is, do you outline your books (at least the first draft) or do you just have a general idea and go from there?
Thanks!
-Jenn
[Reply]
Your post cracked me up because I can completely relate! I am a total book whore, I devour them quickly and seem to read more than my local library can keep up with…
My question for you is when did you know you wanted to be an author? Does a passion for writing come after the passion for reading, or the other way around?
Thanks! And I’ll be sure to add Vicki and BBB on facebook and myspace.
[Reply]
1. From Emma F. — First, Hi Emma! And good luck with your own writing aspirations. You asked: What is the difference between short stories and novels?
Well, obviously the length – and I’m not being sarcastic. Both vary widely. Short stories can be anywhere from a few thousand words (I’ve written 4K, 7K, 10K) which lead up to novellas (15K, 20-30K) and then novels, anywhere from 80-120K. (I’ve written 100K, 125K, 145K – though my nasty-@ss first drafts can get up to 170K. Yeesh!) So there’s a lot of leeway, and it really depends on the market. Frex, the YA market averages 60-80K, though that varies as well. You really need to research the market, and find out what those editors are looking for.
And which one do you prefer more and why? Which one do you prefer less and why?
Hmm, hard one. My knee-jerk response is to say I prefer novels simply because I love sinking into a story and staying there for a long while. Too often I feel like a short story pulls the rug out from under me just as I get going.
That said, now that I’ve written a few, I really enjoy the challenge and craft of having to get as much story as possible onto the page in as few words as possible. As a writer, there’s also more of a sense of immediate gratification. Instead of spending months to see a project completed, it can be done in weeks. And that’s the best: seeing something on the page that didn’t previously exist!
2. From Carolyn H.– OMG, if I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked the “Do you really need this book?” question, I’d _own_ Bill Gates! We are simpatico, my friend! You asked: Do you think that you would consider doing a graphic novel based on this series?
It would be a natural, don’t you think? Especially something done as in-betweens – not what’s already been written in the prose series, but something like the manuals of Shadow and Light come to life. I think it would be great fun. That said, I’m only one person, I’m totally focused on prose fiction, and the learning curve to actually write a graphic novel (and, believe me, there is one) would currently take away from that. Would I consider doing some original stories and handing it off to another writer at a good graphic novel house? Yeah, I’d love to see what someone else came up with. But the interest on the part of the readers would have to be there, and my guess is the publishers on both sides would need to find it advantageous. So the answer is a definite maybe!
3. From Lynn Rush. — You’re my Facebook friend! I see your updates all the time. Girl, you run a lot!
You asked: how did you ever dream up the complex character of Joanna Archer?
Mmm, I didn’t. I thought of Olivia first … and in a dream, actually. I just saw this cartoonish-ly beautiful woman fending off a leather-clad man with a beautiful stiletto, and questions immediately flooded my mind. Who was she? How could I get someone so ridiculously beautiful to also be sympathetic? How was she going to get out of this situation? I think that’s how all authors come up with their protagonists, especially in an origin story. They use these questions to start poking around their imaginations, and follow where the answers lead.
4. From Miki – Aw, thanks for stopping by! For those of you wondering what the heck Miki is talking about, I have a message board that she’s a(n) (important) part of. It’s where I hang out (when not behind) and let my hair down since I don’t have a blog. And unlike other message boards, there’s no flaming or wars or backbiting – just lovely people who like lovely books. I can say that because most of the time we chat about other authors. Jeaniene Frost often stops by, and we have a weekly chat after each True Blood episode, where we stay friendly … though our language deteriorates into that of ratty twelve-year-old street urchins. It’s ridiculous.
Anyhoo…
Mik, you gave away a bit of a spoiler, so I’m going to rephrase: Did I have to take into consideration Joanna Archer’s limitations in CITY OF SOULS since she goes up against such powerful villains?
I did, though I was aware of the outcome of the book from the beginning, so I was planting red herrings and little clues the whole time. But I’ve also had to consider her limitations throughout the entire series since she came so late to the game. She didn’t know anything about this world until she was 25, while everyone else on both sides of the Zodiac were born into this lifestyle. So she’s been playing catch-up all along … which is why I think readers give her a pass if/when she acts impulsively.
5. From Lori C. – You came to Vegas in JUNE??? And your husband still wants to live here? What is he, a camel?
And here I am trying to escape the whole summer …
You asked: So my question for you is what is it like living in Vegas? My biggest concern would be raising 2 girls in sin city…….LOL.
It’s such a hard question to answer because I’ve never lived anywhere else. I have no comparison. I was born and raised here, and other than slot machines in the supermarkets, and being able to make my way across town by the neon of different hotels in order to scout out a burger at 2 a.m., I don’t know that there’s a difference. There’s a whole community here, and I’m raising a kidlet of my own here now. Honestly, the heat is the biggest issue for me. You know how some people hibernate during the winter months? Las Vegans do the reverse. Right now, I’m either hunkered down inside, or trying to find things to do with my kid that don’t involve 110 degree heat.
[Reply]
That was a great post Vicky! We all are book whores lol
I was wondering which of all the authors above writes your favorite books? I mean we all love them but there’s always one we prefer ^^
Also I have been attracted to your books for a while but haven’t bought em yet, I was wondering if I can expect to have some kind of romance thrown in the action?
Thanks a lot for being here Rachel!
That’s one awesome price you are giving away, I’d be one happy panda if I won *winks*
[Reply]
I RVSVped!
Question:
#1-How did you get started writing and what type of publishing did you use (online/ebook or print)?
[Reply]
On being a book whore, how many of the books you have been collecting are authors who have lent you a helping hand at some point?
Also, how do you work all of the space needed for that vast collection of dead trees that always seems to grow, but never shrink?
Name: Zombie Joe (aka Joe A.)
3. Left question or comment.
4. A member of the Blood Bank (ning site) as Zombie Joe
— A member of the Bitten by Books Facebook Group
— friends with Bitten by Books in Goodreads
— friends with Bitten by Books (Rachel) in Facebook
— following @BittenbyBooks in Twitter
5. Linked in Twitter http://twitter.com/Zombie_Joe/status/3054707158
— Linked in FB Status http://www.facebook.com/ZombieJoe
— Posted news update on blog at http://www.ageeklikeme.com
6. Friend request sent in Facebook
[Reply]
Hi Vicki,
Since other authors helped you, do you help other new authors?
I’m not a writer, just curious.
RSVP’d
also friends with BBB on Goodreads
subscribe to BBB newsletter
[Reply]
Dang, forgot to leave initial. Though it is not likely anyone has my exact name spelling w/ accent! Feel free to delete above comment.
I RVSVped!
Question:
#1-How did you get started writing and what type of publishing did you use (online/ebook or print)?
Blood bank member-http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/Dani?xg_source=profiles_memberList
facebook
myspace
[Reply]
I love all of your books! I was very sad at the end of the last one, though. Can we have a little happiness that might last at least for a short period of time?
[Reply]
Hello, My name is Jill and I am a book whore- Hi Jill etc etc etc
Hi Vicki-
I love your Zodiac series, its so different from the other paranormal reads out there.
I cant wait to read the City of Souls- the excerpts look good.
Question-
Is Joanna ever going to get a happily ever after kind of guy? I know your writing is kind of dark, but dang, cant she at least find a guy thats good?
Thanks!
Jill.watkins@gmail.com
[Reply]
6. From Franny Armstrong – Hi Franny, you wrote on my webpage too, right? There you asked: I was wondering how much you have to put into your own marketing of your books?
Um, all. Everything you see that’s on the internet: Facebook, webpage, MySpace, Twitter (which I’m starting soon), blogs (I only manage guest blogging), my HarperCollins microsite, reader mail, mailing list … it’s all me. Then there are cons and signings and appearances, which are fun but take vast amounts of time away from writing. Oh yeah – and you still have to write. So I don’t blog, I limit my cons, and I still only manage one book (and novella) a year. I’m slow, it’s overwhelming … but at the end of the day it’s meaningful work that I love. Can’t complain about that!
7. Jeaniene Frost – you are too sweet. Sort of. Most days. {evil grin} And you’ve held my hand during personal and professional crises – so I guess that’s what I love the most about this job: making forever friends that I never would have otherwise met. Oh, and another thing – if I’ve been helpful at all, I’m just paying it forward. Kim Harrison did the same with me after reading THE SCENT OF SHADOWS and I swore that was the kind of author I wanted to be: classy, kind, supportive of others, and a darned hard worker. (Okay, so I’m still working on the classy part! LOL) Love you, J!
8. Nancy – I bow to you as the biggest slut of all. Er, _book_ slut, I mean.
And stop letting those take up shelf space … read ‘em, girl!
9. From Chris Swan. You asked: Will there be more in the series? if so any idea how many?
Yep, I’m signed for six, which I’ll be starting this fall, though I see another few adventures in my protagonist’s future. I’m not sure how many (I’m misquoting another author when I say that nobody ever said the sixteenth book in a series is the _best_ one, so … there won’t be sixteen. But Joanna Archer still has a few good punches left in her.
10. From Jackie Burris. You asked: Will you ever come to Austin Texas ?
I’ve been there! Spent the whole time on Sixth Street. {evil grin} But that’s not what you meant, is it? Honestly, my publisher points and guides me, and I just go. I have no control over that … though if I ever aim for 6th again, I’ll post it far and wide!
[Reply]
Hi Vicki,
I am a huge fan!
I just finished City of Souls. I love that you don’t shy away from the darker side of Urban Fantasy. The ending of City of souls made more impact on
me than anything else in the series. Do you plan on taking Jo to even darker places? Do you have many more books planned?
Thank you for capturing my imagination. Your books are definitely at the top of the genre.
Toni Smathers
I added Vicki as a friend on FB and RSVPed there,
[Reply]
Oops! Sorry about that (I didn’t think it was) and thanks~big hugs!!
[Reply]
Belong to Bitten by Books on Facebook sending email
Friends with Rachel Smith on Facebook- sending email
Friends with Vicki Petterssen on Facebook- sending email
Joined the blood bank- http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/JillWatkins
Following on Twitter as jilltrav- sent a tweet to @BittenbyBooks
Subscribe to the newsletter- jill.watkins@gmail.com
Thats a lot of entries!
Can you tell Vicki is one of my favorite authors?
[Reply]
Hi Vickie,
I’m new to your series but it sounds fantastic! What are your plans when the series ends?
I’ve added your link to my own web site at http://www.catemasters.com, sent you an FB friend request, and will add your blog to my list too.
Best,
Cate
[Reply]
A lot of big name paranormal authors are crossing over to the YA genre … any plans to do that as well?
I RSVPd
I’m already a fan of BBB through GoodReads, Twitter, GoogleReader and I receive newsletters.
[Reply]
I am so glad to have a chance to tell you “Thank you for your books”. Yes, I am a book whore and proud of it. I love the companionship that exists in Urban Fantasy. I learned about you from another (I believe it was Kim Harrison). I find most of the unknown authors I want to try through other authors that I enjoy reading. I read at least 2 books a week (true whoredom). My local independent bookseller in Vacaville CA (new and used) has even set up a completely separate section in her store for Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance. Makes it easier for us to get to the nitty gritty. My question is do you, the genre in general, plan to continue this practice - and is there a way to have a central site, where info on the authors, especially new release info available. I get so very many separate newsletters - Myspace and Facebook alerts, etc. that it is hard to read them all.
I subscribe to “Bittenby books”
I have joined Ning site at this address:
http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/LindaGeorge
[Reply]
2nd question for Vicki-
I see by your website that two of your favorite paranormal writers are Kim Harrison and Kelley Armstrong. They along with Rachel Caine and Rachel Vincent are also among my favorites. But JD Robb with Eve and Roarke have to top my list!
Anyway- without having read book 4- Is Joanna going to be able to save Jasmine?
jill.watkins@gmail.com
[Reply]
Posted at Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59929467915#/jilltrav?ref=nf
jill.watkins@gmail.com
[Reply]
Ug, I got screwed up on the numbers (SO not a number person!) so forgive that. I’m caught up now…
13. From Stacey: Have you ever had to deal with family that is less than supportive of your writing? I’m dealing with that right now and any advice would be awesome. Also was there ever a time that you lost faith in what you were doing and how did you get it back?
Oh, gee. I think every author deals with this to some degree, though some writers face more of it than others. Even mere ambivalence on the part of friends and family can be debilitation to a writer. Worse is the question “Well, have you been published yet?” which intimates that if you have not, your work is worthless. In the beginning it’s often only you who believe in what you’re doing. And because of the nature of writing – needing to write a million words, put in 10,000 hours to become proficient enough to get out of your own way – it has to remain that way for some time. The best advice I can offer you is: be selfish. I know it’s hard as a mother, but if you can carve out time and then guard it jealously, let everyone know that it’s just for Mommy and writing, and that if you don’t get it, you’re cranky – and worse – unfulfilled, then how can people you love not ultimately get on board with that?
As for losing faith – oh, yeah. I worked for five years on an historical novel that went _nowhere_. (Though it did teach me how to write, so in that respect it’s now a part of my success story – or so I choose to tell myself!) Yet as hard as it was to give up that book, as little promise or prospect as there was at the time of me ever being published, I couldn’t quit. The love of the craft and of story was what got me through. I finally told myself to forget it, give up the idea of ever being published, and that I was going to write until my dying day anyway, so I might as well write what I most wanted to and loved. That’s when I wrote SCENT.
Good luck to you – I understand you’re struggle, and the best advice I can give is Don’t. Ever. Quit.
14.From Amy: how does living where you do influence your novels? Or does it?
Yes, it does! My city is all over my books! I mean, not only is it the setting for Joanna’s world, but I wanted it to almost act as a character itself. For things to happen in these books that couldn’t necessarily happen anywhere else. Vegas gives me an awful lot to play with!
15.From Margay – yes, family … and women! I personally can’t do without my girlfriends, and it sounds like you’re the same. You asked: How do you decide when your series is over? Do you write it with a certain number of books in mind, or do you keep writing it as long as the publisher is interested in buying it?
I suppose the answer is different for every author. _My_ answer is that as soon as Joanna finds her happy ending – as soon as there’s no more actual story, and something(s) big for her to beat against – then it’s over. I throw as much as I can at her in each book (and get angry reader mail for it, too!), but that’s how I discover what she’s made of. If you want to find out who someone is, put their back against the wall. My series will be over as soon as she’s knocked down every wall.
16.From Linda Wisdom – Wow, thank you! I know how hard it is to put the inner critic aside even during reading time, so it’s gratifying to hear when another author is enjoying my work. And I’m the same way, almost to my detriment. Someone will ask me about my books and I’ll immediately start pimping someone else. But more is more, right?
17.From Cindy F – Thank you! I certainly wasn’t trying for a different twist on the paranormal genre. I was just ignorantly writing what I wanted. TBH, I had no idea what it was at the time – modern-day Vegas setting, a first person narrative, a chick who picks fights, and a superhero? What?? But I was having fun, and I figured as soon as I finished I’d find someone who could tell me what it was. LOL. You asked: why did you pick the zodiac?
Structure, really. I was imposing rules on the world and I had an interest in the zodiac. I knew it was something I could play with endlessly, too, as it’s not particularly limiting. Personally, I’m of the opinion that it’s not enough to have ‘a good idea’ for a book. You need to have three or four really solid elements, things you as a writer, and the reader can really dig their teeth into. This was one of my favorite elements, and I have a lot of fun with it.
[Reply]
Hi!
I was going to ask if you’d ever considered having your own blog, but I’m thinking that I can figure that out myself. Yes, you considered it. No, you won’t be having one. Takes too much time out of an “already busy schedule”.
So … since I must ask a question … do you have any hobbies or sports that help balance your “already busy schedule”? I sure hope you do. Creative (writing) outlets aren’t the only outlets necessary in life!
Have a great day and thanks for posting your blog/answering questions.
I’ve never read any books like yours, so I hope I can read one soon!
I RSVP’d (#46).
I’m subscribed.
[Reply]
I was not much of a reader until recently and I am addicted to your books. I love your books I am also part of the forum. I am spreading the word by facebook http://www.facebook.com.beyondjenna.
[Reply]
Thankyou so much for answering my questions, Vicki. It really helps and I will definitely do some research before I pick an editor. Thanks again ^_^
[Reply]
Hey Vicki,
first of all I have to say I love your books. The way you created this world is just fabulous. City f Souls was so “OMG, why does that happen!” But I loved the book and I couldn’t stop reading it.
Very special in your series is the whole comic documentation at Master Comics(makes my geeky heart purr). Never had thought about something like that. So my question is: Do you like reading comics? And if so what’s your favorite one?
I’m a subscriber to your newsletter.
I’m a friend at Goodreads and Twitter (both Susi_Sunshine)
I’m in your facebook group.
I put Vicki in my Blogroll on my blog(thegeekybookworm.blogspot.com on the right side)
Tweeted the event (http://twitter.com/Susi_Sunshine/status/3055493152)
Thanks for the great contest!
[Reply]
Thanks for such a wonderful post Vicki! I gobbled up City of Souls promptly and can’t wait for the next. When it comes to people I turn to for help and inspiration when writing… that would be my cousin or my CPs. Usually just the process of writing things out via email form helps me tremendously. Just how my mind works.
As for the giveaway:
I RSVP’ed (#25 I think)
I’m a BBB Myspace friend
BBB Facebook friend
BBB Facebook group member
Follow BBB on Twitter
BBB Newsletter subscriber
I’m myspace friends with Vicki as well
Facebook request sent to Vicki
Vicki’s on my blog roll at http://ashleynewcomb.blogspot.com
BBB is on my blog roll
[Reply]
18.From Ann – Thank you for you compliment on my characters. I love them too (most of them, anyway) and I have a couple of new favorites coming up in book5 (CHEAT THE GRAVE) next year. Can’t wait to see what you think of those! You asked: what was the first novel you wrote and tried to publish. was it published, or did you scrap it and start fresh? how many rejections did you get before your first novel was published, and what do you think contributed to the breakthrough?
I answered this question above re. my historical novel. Five years in the making, never finished, went nowhere. At the time, everyone said ‘nothing is ever wasted’ and though I believed it then, I _know_ it now. So no, it wasn’t published. I fiddled with straight romance after that, but after one book realized I couldn’t write the girl-meets-boy storyline again and again and still keep it fresh, and that’s what you need to do to be a great romance writer. (Roberts and SEP and Crusie are my favorites there!) Plus I kept trying to kill people. Like, main characters. So that was a bit of a genre no-no. {wry grin} But once I found my voice and stride (with SCENT) I gained an agent via cold query almost immediately and she sent it out to the top six houses. One of those bit. It’s sounds relatively painless now, but at the time it was torture. But the real groundwork was laid in those preceding years.
19.From Emily – I love vamps too … but I’m afraid I don’t have any in my series. Sorry! I do have demons, tulpas, doppelgangers, and dark, twisted superheroes, though. Think I can get you to bite onto that?
20.From Anje – the self-admitted slut. Or Slut. I’ll see you at the next Sin City Book Sluts meeting, right? I’m bringing Belvedere – should be quite a night. Maybe you guys will actually ask questions about _my_ books this time? Or is that wishful thinking? LOL
21.Mario – Did someone say vodka? Now that’s my kind of man-whore…
22.From Shirley – Thank you for reading! You asked: How did you come up with such a great story?
Sit and think. Sit and think. Lunch. Sit and think. That’s pretty much it, but day after day. And as I said in a previous post, I was actively asking myself questions about the stories and characters. Who are they? What do they want? What are they willing to do to get it? What’s the worst thing that can happen? What’s the best? And so on. Answering the tough questions while paying attention to structure will get you there!
23.Carol M. – Well, it’s always more fun to go through something with friends, with people who understand you, and who can prop you up in case you slip. Which we all do. How awesone that you have loved ones around you who do the same.
26.From Gayle Jackson - Any plans on coming to Houston, TX for a book signing?
Not right now, I’m afraid. But if it comes up, I’ll certainly announce it on my site and in my newsletter. Incidentally, I was there in ’07 for the RT convention, and had a blast.
27.From Sewicked – Biblioholic it is, then. If you say so. We won’t even roll our eyes until you’ve turned your back.
(And life is too short for bad books. I don’t finish books I don’t like!) You asked: Do you have any other series/stories jumping up & down for attention in the back of your brain? Or has the current series shoved everyone else out?
Both. I’m obsessed with the Zodiac world, but I can feel another series simmering, and I occasionally throw dialogue bits or ideas into the pot. I’m waiting for it to reach a screaming boil before I start stirring.
[Reply]
http://iyamvixenbooks.blogspot.com/2009/07/vicki-pettersson-on-bittenbybooks-today.html
~Vicki is on the Sites I Luh-huv list on my blog…address above
~BBB buddy on Facebook
~BBB on BloodBank
~BBB on Shelfari
~BBB on Goodreads
~BBB subscriber
~BBB is on my blogroll
~ I RSVPd
Vicki: hello, my name is Vickie and I am a bookaholic! I am proud to be a book hoor as a new description. My book addiction has a name, Mt Git’r'Read…it’s all over the house: drawers full, sharing one side of my closet on shelf space that’s supposed to have shoes. Shoes are there, too, but the books are up top. There’s a fancy schmancy bookcase on the upstairs landing chock full of the ‘good books’ as DH calls them. Basement has two 7 feet tall bookcases full of keeper shelf books. sigh…..I hesitate to count.
Question now that I’ve bared my bookaholic soul: Do you prefer to work in quiet or do you have background noise? Do you have sort of inspirational tunes going for different scenes if you listen to tunes as the background noise?
[Reply]
Hi Vicki! I started your series with The Touch of Twilight and was able to understand it pretty well to follow along despite not having read the previous book. I adored the world you’ve created in your stories and can’t wait to read the other books in the series. My question is: How similar is your main character to yourself?
[Reply]
Hi Vicki- love your books! City of Souls is on the nightstand queue (I try not to read a book right after it came out since I have to wait so long for the next one, but I think I’m getting itchy for it!) Anyhow, I was curious as to your interest in the zodiac. Did you just think it would be an interesting element to make a good story, or is your interest a little deeper than that? I guess another way to ask what I’m asking is: do you research the zodiac so your novels are “informed,” or are you also personally curious?
(This coming from someone who has the entire zodiac tattooed on her back, along with the corresponding ruling planets- so hopefully you don’t think it’s all too goofy for “real life”, or are the humoring kind!)
[Reply]
Oops, and I also RSVP’d and am friends on Facebook (with BBB and Vicki)
[Reply]
Ah Yes, Red. I see what BBB is now. Very cool. Come and play sometime……….
[Reply]
Well Self confessed Bookslut and Vicki Book Slut for sure!
So my questions is.. you always laugh evilly when you talk about Jo’s HEA or her type of HEA (which is bound to be screwed up for sure) do you already have the end of the series planned for Jo or are you taking it as it come in each book?
Oh I RSVP’d
I am a already a member of her message Board and have been for a while now being a regular trouble maker! =)
BBB FB Friend
Vicki FB Friend - though Vicki Stalker would be a more appropriate title…lol
[Reply]
I’m already frieds on facebook and am in the group
I’ve tweeted about the contest at my twitter page (http://twitter.com/reb1982)
BBB Facebook friend
BBB Facebook group member
Follow BBB on Twitter
Tweeted about the contest (http://twitter.com/reb1982)
BBB Newsletter subscriber
Facebook friends with Vicki
I’m active on Vicki’s website and message boards
I posted a link on my Live journal (http://reb1982.livejournal.com/)
Posted a link to contest on my facebook (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=526263567&ref=profile)
[Reply]
Hi, Vicki, and thanks for blogging! As both a writer and self-professed book whore, I responded to your post with a softly uttered “Right on!” (say that stuff loudly, and people stare. Trust me).
Have you hever heard of Carroll’s Law of Bibliographical Longevity? “When you’ve read all the books you own, you die.”
Given the size of my continually growing TBR pile, I may just live forever.
Love your stuff, Vicki!
[Reply]
Woohoo! Hey and Welcome Vicki! Let me just say how much I loved The Scent of Shadows and The Taste of Night. I haven’t had the chance to get the third which a friend is loaning me hers… but my copies of the first two books is up in Mass so my friend and her mother would read it (been raving about the books to them!)
And I’m a proud book ho!
As for your question: Who are the people I turn to for support, inspiration, or reverence. That is quite easy. That would be my on-line family, an assortment of friends that I have met over the course of years that I’ve been on-line. I have three or five who are always inspiring me with my writing (no plans to be published) and drawings. Then there are what we affectionately call each other The Minions who support and have my back, and generally there when you need a shoulder to cry on. They are more a family to me than my blood family.
My question to you- If you could collaborate on a project with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be? And who are your writing/literary idols?
* RSVPed
* Bitten is a permanent link on my blogger link section (visionarydruid.blogspot.com)
* The link to her website is up in my blogger link section
* Just posted about the contest on my blogger
* Just signed up for her message board
* Just friended her on facebook (Rachel Flesher / Raonaid Luckwell)
* Posted about it on facebook
* posted about it on myspace’s bullentin and blog (www.myspace.com/visionarydruid)
* Twittered about it (RaonaidLuckwell)
* Posted about it on my livejournal (Morriga)
PS I follow Vicki’s character Joann on twitter too! I already followed her on myspace
[Reply]
Hello,
Please enter me in the Pettersson contest. I am already a fan and follower of your site. I emailed you my verification email a few contests ago. I am a huge fan of Vicki’s and am excited about this contest.
**My question for her is this: Where did you come up with the idea for Joanna to be surgically altered to look like Olivia?
-This was suck an interesting idea. I never would have suspected and was shocked when she woke up as her sister in the first book.
I am adding BBB as a friend on Facebook:
Bitten By Books - Paranormal Fiction Review Site
I am advertising your contest and blog on my blog on live journal here: http://lindseyfranklin.livejournal.com/9310.html
I am also friends with Vicki on Facebook:
Lindsey and Vicki Pettersson are now friends.
[Reply]
28.From Doni Miller – Wow! No thank _you_! I love to hear of husband/wife reading teams. Splits the whore-dom. LOL. And I know what you mean – it seemed to me it took forever for this book to come out as well. It was certainly the hardest to write. I guess you see now why. {wry grin} Check out my short story in August’s UNBOUND anthology. It’s called ‘Dark Matters’ and it answers quite a few questions raised in CITY. It also features four other amazing authors: Kim Harrison, Melissa Marr, Jeanine Frost and Jocelynn Drake. Never heard of any of them before, right? {wink} Thank you for writing and for reading!
29.From Lyra Rose – Yay, a new reader from ComicCon. I know you’re good people, then.
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I’m of the opinion that you can do all the promo you want, but the real deal is in reader’s word-of-mouth, and the fact that you speak so highly of the series is invigorating. Thank you!
30.From Muse: How old were you when you wrote your first book that got published?
Now you’re making me think! Um … I wrote SCENT in 04-05, so I was … 32/33. Yes, I had to use my fingers for that math. Sheesh.
31.From Jessica S. – while it is fun for me to know your thoughts and questions about the series, you’re right. I can’t tell. But I do know, so don’t fear there! But you did ask how many books in the series, and there are six for sure. I have ideas beyond that, so don’t count Jo out just yet!
32.From Jen: do you outline your books (at least the first draft) or do you just have a general idea and go from there?
I’ve done everything! I didn’t outline SCENT at all, and followed suit similarly with the second book, TASTE, though the elements from the first book were big considerations. By TOUCH I was doing loose bullet-point outlines. Ironically, I outlined CITY like a madwoman, and that’s the one that gave me the most trouble. Not wanting to go through that again, I took a different approach with the one I just finished, CHEAT THE GRAVE. I knew the beginning and end, and a few key points in between – battles or things that had to happen due to events in CITY – but I only outlined up to the first act. Once I got there, I outlined the first half of the second act. Wrote to that. Then the rest of the second. Wrote to that. Then the third, and finished. I loved writing this way because it both gave me freedom and structure. I plan on doing that again!
33.From Stephanie Shradar: My question for you is when did you know you wanted to be an author? Does a passion for writing come after the passion for reading, or the other way around?
It’s reader, reader, reader all the way for me. (Ironically, I’m finding I have less time to read now that I’m an author! Drives me crazy!) I always scribbled, but I didn’t even assume it was something some middle class girl from a dusty desert town could do. I wasn’t particularly smart, I got middling grades – only excelling when I was truly interested – so I never thought ‘This is going to be the job for me.’ What I do have going for me, however, is stubbornness and passion. I remember waking one day and saying, “Today I’m going to write a book.” And I’ve been obsessed ever since.
But I’d still love to get paid just to read!
35.From Cindy B – are you trying to get me in trouble! LOL. No WAY am I answering that question. I love them all equally, how ‘bout that? And I’ll give you my all-time favorite authors instead: Diana Gabaldon (I SO wish I’d written OUTLANDER), Dennis Lehane (I want to be him when I grow up) and Nora Roberts (even though she’s an alien. Shh – don’t say I told you.) As for your question: I was wondering if I can expect to have some kind of romance thrown in the action?
Yes! I read romance, I tried writing it, and I started the series intending to have a strong romantic subplot. I think I’ve succeeded, as much of the action is propelled forward because of it. Besides, what’s life (even a ‘super’ life) without romance, right?
36.From Dani: How did you get started writing and what type of publishing did you use (online/ebook or print)?
I started writing when I was twenty-six and became obsessed with the idea. I haven’t stopped since. As for publishing, my first published book was traditional print with Harper/Eos, which is where I still am now.
37.From Sandy G: Since other authors helped you, do you help other new authors?
Absolutely! Mind, I didn’t approach Kim Harrison and say, ‘Help me’ – she offered to do it all on her own, which made it that much more mind-blowing, because she really didn’t have to. But I’m always talking up new authors to my readers and audiences. Two new ones that I’m reading and loving right now (and that I think this crowd would absolutely love) are Kelly Gay (THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS – Dec ‘09) who reminds me a bit of, well, _me_, and Tracey O’Hara (NIGHT’S COLD KISS – Sept. ’09). Both first time authors, so find them fast!
39.From Beth M: Can we have a little happiness that might last at least for a short period of time?
Her happiness does last for a short period of time. {wry g} I do try to leave the books on a satisfactory note, if not downright happy. Frex, TOUCH ended with complete acceptance from the troop. That was her temporary happy. I’ll admit, CITY was the least ‘happy’ ending I’ve had yet, but I know she was satisfied. She did her job as a superhero and as a person. Maybe I can leave you like that because I know what happens next … so if you’re really upset, I’ll just ask you to trust me. You’ll like it.
40.From Jill Watkins: Is Joanna ever going to get a happily ever after kind of guy? I know your writing is kind of dark, but dang, cant she at least find a guy thats good?
Geez, girl. You’re asking this question BEFORE you read CITY? {shaking head} Things do not look good for you, Jill…not good atoll…
Then again, if you’re a true book slut (Hi, Jill) you’ll trust me. I have plans. (Cue maniacal laughter.)
[Reply]
I have to admit I squealed like a girl (am a girl, but that is totally besides the point) when I saw your shout out to the book club! You have such a great talent for writing engaging characters who draw you into the story! I can’t wait for Joanna’s next story!
[Reply]
Hi Vicki
I like that book whore comment. Never though of myself as a book whore but I like it and I’m proud of it. LOL. I haven’t read any of your books but now I’m going go out and get your 1st book The Scent of Shadows. Everyone’s got me intrigued about the series.
Do you have more books planned for the series and if so how many?
RSVPed #50
4. Friends with BBB:
BBB Blood Bank community - user name: kainani
BBB FB group fan: Kainani Enos Peter
BBB Good Reads friend: Kainani
BBB Myspace friend: Kainani
BBB Facebook friend: Kainani Enos Peter
Following BBB on Twitter: Kainanz
BBB permanently on my blog: http://kainanisreadz.blogspot.com/
5. Shared :
http://www.myspace.com/kainani89
http://kainanisreadz.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/kainanz?ref=profile
http://twitter.com/Kainanz
http://kainanz.livejournal.com/
http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/Kainani
6. Friends with Vicki):
Joined message board (confirmation sent)
FB (pending approval)
Myspace (pending approval)
Added Vicki’s Website to blog: http://kainanisreadz.blogspot.com/
[Reply]
Hi Vicki!! I own the first 3 books already, thanks so much for writing ‘em!!
Question: What do you do to take your mind off writing, if/when you hit a roadblock, whatever it may be?
I am an existing subscriber to BBB’s emails.
BBB is on my blogroll permanently.
twittered: http://twitter.com/dreys_tweets/status/3056927374.
Facebook friend requested.
Audrey S.
dreyshouse at gmail dot com
[Reply]
I totally agree Vicky! A life ain’t a life without love. It seems I tend to enjoys books a bit less when there’s no romance. But I don’t enjoy pure romance either. I need a good mix of both =D
[Reply]
41.From Toni Smathers – It’s as dark and hard as I can manage, you’re right about that. That’s why I have to have the light moments – the romance, the girly banter, the moments of true friendship, and the comic book geeks – I feel it after the end of a hard day. I really felt it at the end of CITY, so I was right there with you. Do I see her going darker? Hm, well both Jo and her world will retain their complexity, how’s that for an answer? But consider where she is … and where she needs to be if she really is the Kairos, and there’s a whole lotta chaos in that chasm. It’s fun to write, though! And thank you for lending me your imagination! (Hey, any chance you’re Toni from the B&N boards?)
45.From Cate Masters: What are your plans when the series ends?
I have another series vying for my attention right now, but I’m so Zodiac-focused that I’m pushing it away until it really has legs. I want it to be at the point where it explodes from my imagination before I give it any attention because I believe that’s the sort of energy and excitement needed to carry an entire series. Thanks for writing!
46.From Tina I: A lot of big name paranormal authors are crossing over to the YA genre … any plans to do that as well?
Nope. I simply don’t have the passion for it to do the young readers justice. I also don’t believe in following other writers or genres just because they’re hot. The reader always knows when true passion for the work is lacking. I’ll give my readers the best in adult fiction.
47.From Linda George – Well, I’m thrilled to get a chance to say thank you to YOU for reading! It’s such a gift to be allowed entry into someone’s imagination. You asked: is there a way to have a central site, where info on the authors, especially new release info available?
There are a couple of urban fantasy blogs that do a good job of this, but you’re right. There’s so much information scattered all over the place. I have enough trouble getting myself organized, but I think with the continued success of the genre, the booksellers and publishers will continue to search for ways to get the right books into the right readers’ hands.
48.From Jill Watkins – I LOVE Eve and Roarke! Whenever I want to relax into a read and just disappear I pick up an In Death book. And that’s one series that hasn’t faltered with dozens of installments. Adore her. Your question: without having read book 4- Is Joanna going to be able to save Jasmine?
Dude. I just wrote a whole book answering that very question. Don’t make me come raid your bookshelves.
51.From Elaine S. – I did have my own blog at one time, but frankly, I wasn’t very good at it. I guess I just save all my good stuff for the page. But I am going to start Twittering here very soon, so we’ll see how that goes. Your question: So … since I must ask a question … do you have any hobbies or sports that help balance your “already busy schedule”?
Yep. When the weather is good I run about five miles, three times a week. Otherwise it’s the gym for weights. I also love to play tennis – played in college – so I’m picking that up again, though it’s frustrating when you can’t play at the level you once did! My kidlet is my favorite “fun” outlet, though. It just gets better and better with every single year.
52.From Jen G. – Thank you! I live to start addictions.
And are you talking about my forum, or the Books and Writer’s Forum on CS? I was a member there for years.
54.From Susi Sunshine – First, thank you! And I love the comic book shop scenes. The first one I ever wrote in THE SCENT OF SHADOWS was the one that really solidified the series for me. Even though it’s light and much of the series is dark, it just made the whole world building click into place. And they’re so much fun, too. As for your question: Do you like reading comics? And if so what’s your favorite one?
I like reading them when they go into trade form. I’m so impatient that I hate waiting for the next issue. That said, I have a nice (signed, ha! Who’s the geek now?) collection of Locke&Key, which is my current favorite. IDW and Vertigo are my favorite lines … no surprise, right? Since they’re so dark.
55.From Ashley N. – thank you for writing to say so! It’s still amazing that the book is out in the world, already at work in peoples’ imaginations!
[Reply]
I was talking about your forum. I am also writing now. I am addicted to say the least.
[Reply]
I really appreciate your being so positive about other authors and their books. I read a whole lot of those. I actually just tracked down your first, The Scent Of Shadows, it is in the TBR box (am moving Yucko) and I normally read at least one full book a day. I actually bought The Touch Of Twilight (I think?) first and it has been sitting with a post-it reminder to read your books in order. At any rate; I cannot wait and I think that you just jumped in line, or rather your book will have just as soon as I find that box…
[Reply]
Hiya Vick!!! I actually have no question, just undying lurve for our dear scribbler. I started CoS last evening. I am so glad to be a part of the pro-boards and a true book man-whore. MWAH!! You are most awesome Vicki. Thanks again for just being you.
Flinx / Jay
[Reply]
Hi there Vicki! I love this series and am so excited to have finally gotten my hands on book four, so yay! To answer your question, I turn to both my friends and family for support, but I get different kinds from different people. My parents are very good at supporting me with work stuff, but not with writing (since they hate my favorite genres), and if I need dating advice it’s usually better to go with a younger crowd–my sister and friends.
Anyway, I had a couple questions for you, too! First off, I was wondering why you veered away from the “five senses” theme in titling your books? I’ll admit, I was trying to guess how you would come up with a title using sight, or one using sound that didn’t sound like a Simon & Garfunkel song! My other question is, given the theme of this series, do you have a favorite superhero and who is it? Mine is Wonder Woman—not just because she’s a woman, but also because she has her origins in Greek Mythology, woo hoo!
I RSVP’ed to this event.
I tweeted it at http://www.twitter.com/KimBea
I have requested to be Vicki’s friend on facebook and MySpace.
Thanks for stopping by!
[Reply]
Hi Vicki! I have to admit I haven’t read any of your books yet, but they’re now on my books-to-buy list.
Here are my questions, and I hope no one else has asked this already:
1.) Did you always know you wanted to write paranormal fiction?
2.) If not, how did you get started in the genre?
For the contest:
- I RSVPed
- I already subscribe to the BBB newsletter
- I’m friends with BBB on Goodreads
- I’m friends with BBB on MySpace
- I’m friends with BBB on Twitter
- I’m friends with BBB on Facebook
- I’m linked to BBB on my blog: http://racheldthompson.blogspot.com/ (under the reviews section)
- I’ve befriended Vicki on MySpace
- I’ve befriended Vicki on Facebook
[Reply]
I just started enjoying all the vamp and werewolf books and can’t wait to see what you offer,Thank you for being the writer you are and writing about these stories that take me into another world all together.
[Reply]
do you ever worry that you’ll run out of ideas? not writer’s block exactly, but that your ideas all start sounding a like to you? i run into that now. i’m worried i won’t be able to recognize when i am starting to rehash the same thing over and over. how do you know, in your heart & head, that an idea is great– fresh, new, useable? Your advice and wisdom is appreciated!
[Reply]
Hiya, Miss Vic! Like Jay, I don’t have a questioneither, I’m just dropping by to tell you that you are the awesomest evil author ever, and that I absolutely love, love, love your books…but you already knew that
See ya on the boards!
[Reply]
Hi Vickie! I really enjoyed your interview! It was really nice getting to hear someone give their support for other authors. I’ve had friends that would refuse to read certain books because they were the competition for their favorite author. I always agreed with what you said, what is good for one person really can benefit a lot of people. Oh and to answer your question, my family and a select few friends have always supported me and been here to help me when no one else would. Well, anyway….
I’m always curious to know what writers in the paranormal genre think about real paranormal events happening in our world?
-I RSVP’d, subscribe to the newsletter already, and am a member of the Blood Bank as Amanda Leigh
[Reply]
Oh yeah, and yay for other book whores!!
[Reply]
57.From Vickie B. – You seem so nice despite not being able to spell your own name!
And I have to say (because your post made me think of it) I just don’t trust people who don’t have books in their homes. If someone has books lying all about the place, you can bet we’re kindred spirits. Your question: Do you prefer to work in quiet or do you have background noise? Do you have sort of inspirational tunes going for different scenes if you listen to tunes as the background noise?
Complete silence, especially for thinking/plotting and first draft work. In rewrites I can often allow music with no words in (Pandora is great for this) but it’s mostly silence. Even now. I need to hear my own thoughts … and the real world is noisy enough. I do listen to hard rock while driving though. Don’t know what _that_ says about me!
58.From RachaelfromNJ – So glad to hear you could jump in mid-stream and still follow! I write them like that, of course, but when your nose is thissclose to the computer, it gets hard to tell. Your question: How similar is your main character to yourself?
I’ll say that she is me, but I am not her. But what’ll really screw with your head is knowing that _all_ my characters are me. I know it screws with me!
59.From Bethany C – You’re right. Don’t read CITY yet. It’ll make you crazy. (Now you have to figure out if that was reverse psychology or if I really meant it!) Your question: I was curious as to your interest in the zodiac. Did you just think it would be an interesting element to make a good story, or is your interest a little deeper than that?
It had to be both. And it was something that I wanted to explore further, so why not be able to write off my interests, right? So I do dig deeper, and I definitely look for character traits from the signs and riff on them. I love how the zodiac marries in with my mythology, and I’m always mining it for more, even if the layman doesn’t really get it. (Frex, the use of Midheaven. I plucked it from the western zodiac, but used its meaning to deepen my world.) As for me … well, let’s just say there’s a reason Jo and I share a birthday.
62.From Demon Kay – one of my favorite hoors. LOL You asked: do you already have the end of the series planned for Jo or are you taking it as it come in each book?
) But I do, indeed, already know the ending for Jo and the series. I’ve had it from the first, but getting there is pretty nebulous. I’m piecing that along as it comes, which is why I can’t say exactly how many books there will be (other than, ‘Not 16!’)
I know she gets some shoddy treatment, but it’s not my fault. It’s just the way the world is built! (I’m not dangerous…my world is just built that way. Ohh – I see t-shirts!
63.From THE Justin Gustainis – Well, you have to live forever, Mr. Gustainis. We need more books from you! (BBBers, have you all met Justin? Why not? He writes kick-@ss urban fantasy set around the Salem Witch Trials. Beautiful books, and a seriously talented writer.) What’s up next for you, Justin? And long time, no see. Do you have any upcoming cons or appearances? You should come to RT next year. We need more (whipping) boys! Thank you so much for commenting on my post. I’m flattered.
64.from Raonaid Luckwell – So happy to hear you’ve enjoyed the series so far … and that you’re sharing the addiction. Word-of-mouth, as I’ve said previously, is the best. You asked: If you could collaborate on a project with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be? And who are your writing/literary idols?
Let me start with the second one because it’s easy – Diana Gabaldon, Dennis Lehane, and JD Robb/Nora Roberts. All consummate storytellers. Janet Fitch is a prose goddess, too. Janet Evanovich is jut a gosh-danged good read. (It’s so hard to make something appear so simple!) There are others, but those are essentially my gods. Ecclectic, I know.
Okay, collaborate … no one. I don’t really play well with others, which is why this profession suits me so well, I guess. I’ve never had that desire. Never say never, though!
65.From Lindsey F –Where did you come up with the idea for Joanna / Olivia?
I deleted some of the question just in case someone who hasn’t read the first book didn’t want the spoiler. So just in case I blow it, ***SPOILER ALERT from SCENT***
First, I wanted someone who was romance heroine/comic book heroine gorgeous, so that I could play off that. But I didn’t know how to make her that outrageously beautiful without her being likeable or believable. So Olivia initially mushroomed as a foil to Joanna, though she’s obviously become a great deal more than that since. Second, I thought ‘What’s the worst thing that can happen to her?’ And the answer was, in her case, to be turned into someone/something that she had fought against her entire life, that she believe personified weakness, with the additional torture of having to see her sister’s face in the mirror everyday, knowing she’d failed to save her. So basically …
I was just torturing her. {wry grin}
67.From Kari – Well, I love you guys! Even if none of you did show up to my signing on the sixth. (Don’t think I didn’t notice!) I’ll get my payback at the meeting by torturing you all with spoilers. LOL
68.From Drey: What do you do to take your mind off writing, if/when you hit a roadblock, whatever it may be?
If I hit a roadblock it’s generally because I don’t have enough information to continue, or because I’ve recently taken a wrong turn. My mind just won’t let me go there. So I have to step back, reimagine my outline (such that it is) and usually go do something else for a day or so, until I get that ‘Ah-ha!’ moment. (Usually at a convenient time, like when I’m in the shower.) Then I rush over, write it down, and leave it until I can flesh it out.
69.answering Cindy B – I’m exactly the same. Though the good romance writers make you friggin’ believe, man!
[Reply]
Dang it! I just screwed up my numbers again! {grumble, mutter…}
[Reply]
Book whore in da houseee! lol I have read the first 3 in the Signs of the Zodiac Series and can’t wait to read the forth. As far as your question goes, I really don’t turn to anyone for support. Will growing up my family wasn’t close so I learned to lean on myself for support. Now it just seems to work for me to keep it that way.
I RSVP’d for the event
I’m signed up for the BBB newsletter
Bloodbank link is http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/Carmen_R
I’m friends with BBB on facebook
I’m friends with BBB on facebook group
I’m friends with BBB on myspace
I’m friends with BBB on twitter
I’m friends with BBB on goodreads
I’m friends with Vickie on facebook
I’m friends with Vickie on myspace
[Reply]
lol Vicki don’t worry about the numbers just drink more vodka and everyone else can drink some too and then no one will notice
[Reply]
77.From Vanessa – Ug. Moving stinks! I feel for you. And I’m the same way. Must. Read. In. Order. I also never skip to the end to see how things turn out. That’s just wrong!
78.From Jay – I’m starting to feel bad about calling everyone hoors. Sheesh. Thanks for stopping by, but why are you so late starting CITY? I don’t know how you stand the spoilers in that place!
79.From Kimberly B: First off, I was wondering why you veered away from the “five senses” theme in titling your books?
You nailed one problem - it was the Simon & Garfunkel thing! Also, the senses were becoming limiting. We already have six books slated for the series, and a possibility for more, so we decided to switch it up sooner rather than later.
My other question is, given the theme of this series, do you have a favorite superhero and who is it?
Same as you. If I’m going for straight superhero, I love Wonder Woman. But another woman who inspired the series, and has a bit of cheek and mid-mod sexuality is Modesty Blaise. Not straight superhero, but with lots of the same elements. And I love me some Willie Garvin. (Her sidekick.)
80.From Rachel D. Thompson – Don’t worry, I’m not going to hold it against you. Urban Fantasy is so popular and there are so many books out there, that it’s hard to read all of them. I’m just thankful for a readership! You asked: 1.) Did you always know you wanted to write paranormal fiction? 2.) If not, how did you get started in the genre?
Nope. To be honest, the first time I realized it was paranormal was when a character popped up in the third chapter and said, “I’m a superhero!” And I thought, ‘Hm. What if he is?’ And that question turned the series on its head. So the easy answer to your second question is that that’s how I got started. I just kept writing. But through that process I realized the fiction I’d read as a child, that I’d put away as an adult _as_ childish, was fantasy. And it was the most fun I’d had writing in years. I haven’t stopped since.
Off to go pick up the kidlet. Back soon!
[Reply]
Thanks for the nice words, Vicki. I needed someone that gets it.
[Reply]
Vicki - I am a slacker..plain and simple.
Actually, I got sucked into World of Warcrack…then my boy pup’s back went out, so little reading getting done at home. However….ONWARD!!!
[Reply]
Twitted: http://twitter.com/solimond
Facebooked: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=669619122&ref=nf
[Reply]
LOL Jay… WarCrack…*snort…
OK another question for ya Vicki! …lol you could call me question whore as well as book one too soon {eg}
****SPOILERRRRR FOR CITY***
Midheaven my new favourite place in the Zodiac world..- I know in the interview with Kim Harrison you talked about really having to cut out a lot of it and you are planing on showing us more of it… did you feel in City the this book was more World-driven when you were writing it than in your previous books?
[Reply]
RSVP’d
Just jumping in to say hi to Vicki and that the series if fantastic! I know I said it on the boards - but this book is my favorite of the 4 and IMO the best one to date. I am trying to think of some question to ask you, but I know that whatever I ask you will answer with that evil laugh of yours so…..
What book are you reading right now?
Hopefully I will see you at book club…. I am rushing home from our vacation that day and aiming to be there. I want in on the torturous spoilers.
Congrats on the success Vicki!
[Reply]
Hi, Vicki. Hey, I’m impressed you knew my name from FaceBook friends. Great memory! Yeah, I do run a little, huh? I’m a Twitter/Facebook junkie. I visit your page often.
Say, how did you come up with your book titles? Were they yours? Or did the publishers/editors choose them?
Oh, and for the contest, I think I’m supposed to say I RSVPed yesterday. I’ve done all the linking with Twitter, Facebook, and put you on my blogroll. Whoo-Hooo. Let the fun begin.
Thanks for taking the time to do all this. It’s been fun!!
[Reply]
Oh I have another question!!
*POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT***** (I don’t think this is but I wouldn’t want Raven to see this and it might be and then with the previous one…she’d b*tch-slap me for sure for doing it twice….I’m erring on the side of caution) =)
Will Jo’s kid and Hunter’s kid play parts in future books? Does Warren know about Hunter’s daughter? Hm…well she wouldn’t be a part of the troop anyway right since it’s passed down from mother to daughter.
<3
[Reply]
Hi Vicki,
Sorry I couldn’t get here earlier, but those people made me go to work today and let me tell you my hiney is dragging about 30 feet in back of me!
I loved COS, it’s my favorite one so far! And you know how much I loved SOS and TON since I chased you down a hallway at RT Houston (2007) to tell you. Of course you did pay me back by trying to steal my MJD t-shirt…hah! You will never live that down until I am dead. Now that brings me to my question….When are you going to name a character after me and kill her in the worst possible way? LMAO.
Thank you for being the nice person you are and for paying forward the help Kim gave to you. Thank you for introducing me to the combined works of your posse…these people are so talented and my life has been enriched by both the presence of their work and by they, themselves… the nicest group of people I have ever invited to a party.
And most of all…thank you for having a place where your groupies (aka the book whores) can meet and get to know one another. It’s a very nice place to visit and we love it when you can grace us with your presence (especially on True Blood chat nights). Those people are my peeps…can’t wait to meet more of them in person at RT next year.
Your oldest fan (haha!),
Debi Murray aka Buttersnap S^*T F@&%*#Y
I rsvp’d
I am Vicki’s FB and Myspace Friend
I subscribed to her newsletter
I am a member of Vicki’s message board
I am a BBB fan, and friend on FB
[Reply]
Hi Vicki! Welcome!
When I need support, I turn to the Best Boyfriend Ever. He’s not a big reader, but he’s rock. No matter what it is I’m down about, he always seems to put things in perspective for me and I can tell him everything.
Vicki, I was wondering if you could tell me how you got published. What was your breakout novel? And how long did you write before the Big Break came?
[Reply]
Oh, and I RSVP’ed
[Reply]
Hi Vicki how are you? Well I am of course very excited about you being here at Bitten by Books and the contest since you are one of my favorite authorites along with Jeanine Frost and Rachel Vincent. My first question is did you completely make up the character Joanna Archer or are you in any way like her? Also since your series is about heroes which reminds me of the show Heroes, if you had a superpower what would it be and why? I think mine would be to time travel,be pretty cool plus you could fix things.
[Reply]
Hi Vicki,
My first question is how did you get started as an author? My second question is how did you come up with the storyline for Jo? My last is when the next book coming out?
Charlie Neunert
[Reply]
Vicki, I had to come say hello and congratulations on your most recent book. My MIL, Skitty, introduced me to your series, as well as to the work of Kim Harrison and Jeaniene Frost. I’ve been a happy book whore for the last few years catching up on all the goodies. Thanks and I wish you the best!
[Reply]
Hey Vic!
I finally made it!
Of course, I have to thank you for the awesome world you share with us and the people in it. As I’ve said before, I care about them and want to hang out with them! Hanging out with you and the other forum peeps is the next best thing, I guess.
Who inspires me? My kid, for being her own person in the face of peer pressure and teen angst. My husband, for working nights, doing laundry, making dinners and leaving cards in the seat of my car for no reason. Little old ladies that come into my RadioShack and aren’t afraid to learn to use a cell phone or laptop. All the regulars on the Zodiac forum that broaden my world with hugs and laughter.
Here’s my question for you: Do you feel the need to tweak and re-tweak your work? How do you know when to leave it alone?
Thanks!
T’
——
I already follow BBB on Twitter, MySpace, and Facebook.
I’m already a member of The Blood Bank
I RSVP’d and retweeted: http://twitter.com/ailishsmom
I’m already Vicki’s friend on MySpace and Facebook.
I have Vic’s website on my blogroll.
I’m a member of Vic’s forum.
I follow Joanna Archer on Twitter.
Sheesh, apparently I’m stalking her!
[Reply]
Hi Vicki
First of all I loved CoS, I couldn’t put it down. It took forever to get here (well 2 weeks) and had to avoid spoilers over at the board =)
My question is - Will Jo finally meet the famous Zoe and have some of her questions answered? And will Zoe kick Warren’s a**????
I will be joining another True Blood chat soon (I think it will be the final 2 eps as I am on leave Woo Hoo)
Anxiously awaiting Unbound as I hear answers a few questions =)
Kiraglade
I rsvp’d
I am Vicki’s FB and Myspace Friend
I subscribed to her newsletter
I am a member of Vicki’s message board
[Reply]
Lisa R
I RSVPed.
Got my copy of “City of Souls” yesterday. Can’t wait to get started.
I love your Signs of the Zodiac series. Normally I won’t start a new series until there are at least three books out as I HATE waiting for that next book. However, yours are an exception to the rule. I love the idea that so many exceptional paranormal writers are writing for the YA market. I had always felt this was an area that would help turn kids on to reading and not only benefit the writers now but also later as they made reading a part of their lifetime experience. Many authors have added a YA series to their writing, do you intend to do this and if so can you give us a brief look at what you are planning?
[Reply]
Vicki,
Any particular music/soundtrack you picture as a “soundtrack” to your book(s)?
SUBSCRIBE to the Bitten by Books newsletter and I RSVP’d
[Reply]
Hi Vicki! I RSVPd to the event on Facebook. I friended you on MySpace and I follow you on Twitter.
I want to say I just recently discovered your books and I’m currently devouring the second book in the series and I LURVE your kick-ass heroine.
The reason I picked up your book was because I was looking for a superhero book becuase *I* want to write one of those - yes I’m a writer, too. And plus my boyfriend thought you were hot so he was perfectly content to plunk down the money for the first two books. Gotta love that - a man who digs redheads (fancy that, I’m a redhead too!) who loves buying his girl books. It’s a sweet deal. And now I sound all Fan Girl on you and that was totally not my intent.
Okay, maybe a little.
I’m looking forward to getting my hands on the next two books and reading every succulent page. My mouth is salivating even now.
Oh, and, what you said about writers sticking together - OMG it’s so totally true. I’m a member of RWA and this really awesomey awesome Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal (FF&P) chapter and the writers in the chapter are just so great. They cheer for you with your successes and commiserate with your rejections. I would not be published if it wasn’t for this organization.
Okay I’ll shut up now except for one final comment: You rock, girl.
[Reply]
Hi Vicki, I am late for this party, so I think most of my questions have been asked, if I repeat, forgive me.
Would you say your books are steamy? Please rate you Zodiac series on a scale of 1-5, one being luke-warm, 5 being scorching hot.
I have been all over the internet trying to win a copy of your book-let’s just say I’m not very lucky. So I ordered the first two of your Zodiacs from the link above! I have heard great things about this series!
I RSVP’d
I purchased The Scent of Shadows and The Taste of Night from the link above (although autographed copies would be even better)
Already friends with BBB newsletter, BloodBank, facebook and myspace
BBB is on my blogroll at http://ellzreadz.blogspot.com/
I requested friends with Vicki on myspace
I added Vicki’s website to my blog at http://ellzreadz.blogspot.com/
[Reply]
Hey Vicki. Totally love your books and I am a serious book-whore too.
I RSVP’d
Follow BBB on Facebook
Follow BBB on Twitter
Belong to the Blood Bank
Am a friend of Vicki’s on Facebook
[Reply]
Hi Vic! While you may not be able to get close enough to Charlaine to hear her accent, you can still hear mine! Ha!
I don’t really have a question and like Jeaniene, I have all the books so I’m not entering the contest. I’m mainly stopping by to say “Hi.” I also want thank you for all the stuff you do to help out other authors, especially those of us who haven’t made it to shelves yet. And, I agree with Jeaniene - Vic’s entirely too good looking to be an author…and too tall. I know I’m short, but geez, do you have to rub it in?
[Reply]
Hi Vic! If I didn’t already adore you, I certainly would after reading the wonderful introduction to this guest blog experience. To anyone reading this who has not tried Vicki’s work yet, get a book and get reading!! Her words are golden! I have no question for you, just a big hug and a small plea to send Hunter to Ohio if Jo doesn’t want him anymore!
[Reply]
skitty, i am prepared to fight you for him.
[Reply]
^LOL @ Tiff and Skitty! I’ll bring the popcorn~let the fight begin! =)
[Reply]
Miki, shouldn’t you be bringing something that will stick to Hunter better?
[Reply]
I think we’ll all be sitting on the sidelines watching Tif and Skitty duke it out. Miki, I can’t eat popcorn yet so I’ll bring the licorice.
OMG, we are so highjacking this blog….where have I heard that before?
[Reply]
Do you have a favourite genre to read for entertainment?
I RSVPd
Am subscribed to bbb
Belong to the bood bank
am friends with bbb on facebook and myspace
[Reply]
Hi Vicki!
Enjoyed your post, and am proud to be a book whore! Was wondering if you find the series easy to write, or is every chapter a struggle? I have this vision of you sitting there happily taking ‘dictation’ as the words flow straight from your muse….
I RSVP’d
I’m friends with BBB on Goodreads
Friends w/BBB on MySpace
Follow BBB on Twitter
Have a link to BBB’s site on my blog:
Alexia561.blogspot.com
And am also a BBB subscriber
I have a link to Vicki’s website on my left sidebar at Alexia561.blogspot.com
Am friends with Vicki on MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/the7thmuse
I’ve also sent out a tweet about this contest
Think that’s everything. Thanks!
[Reply]
I was reading all the comments and the one that really “STUCK” out to me was from Ms. Frost….I have read the first two books that you wrote. They were very well written ….. I had a hard time getting into them…. (not a bad score against you, please don’t take it that way). I will buy your next two soon, the series is very good….
Having said that, the fact that Ms. Frost commented on your help for her books (that I truly have become addicted to) makes me want to go back and re-read the first two books I have of yours…..and really get into the series.
Warm wishes,
Sue
[Reply]
Yes, that’s us; hijacking threads…tsk, tsk; where is Raven to keep us in line?
I DID actually ask another question though. And T, I brought the popcorn for watching…I’m not getting into the middle of that mess. *who’s bringing the alcohol, btw?
Lurve you, Vick! xoxo
[Reply]
Hi Vickie,
I’ve run out of space on my bookshelves and have no more space in my home for more bookshelves. Redecorating does not involve paint or wallpaper but is acheived my rearranging my books!
I’m looking forward to reading your books & have added them to my ‘to find list’.
Does being an author & having to promote your books affect your privacy at all? If you could have any superpower/ability wwhat would it be & why?
I think I RSVPed, BBB newsletter subscriber, BBB twitter follower http://www.twitter.com/Littlemisshugs
BBB Myspace friend & permanent link http://www.myspace.com/littlemisshugs
& sent myspace friend request to Vicki Pettersson.
[Reply]
Hi Vicki welcome to BBB
Im new to your work
being a book whore my self what would you say to a husband who is telling me no more new books till i read the old ones
and everything now a days is about perception if you were to meet a demon or a real vampire what would you say to him or her and why
BBB
I rsvped
i have you on
subscribed to your news letter
myspace -myspace.com/forever14n9
good reads
blood bank- Beverly Gordon
face book- Beverly Gordon
twitter -@bainesgoddess
face book group
my blog roll - http://zenes-escape.blogspot.com/
Vicki
added you to face book
joined ur message board
added you to myspace
added you to my blogroll - http://zenes-escape.blogspot.com/
I look forward to reading more about you and of your work
posted the contest on my blog as well
[Reply]
New blood for the message board! MuHahaHaha!!!!
[Reply]
I will bring the vodka. I will also bring the caramel syrup for Hunter *slurp*
ok I will pay my hijacking penance with another question:
If you had a theme song for Jo’s life - what would it be? If you had a theme song for Jo and Hunter’s relationship - what would it be?
Can I come over to your house and help you proofread Cheat the Grave?
I will again bring Vodka as payment. If only I could find the recipe for the Draft House’s Red Rock Cooler… that would be a real gift. yum.
xoxoxo
[Reply]
Throws popcorn
[Reply]
Hi Vicki!!! I am so glad you stopped by, and I hope I haven’t missed out on the chat. Vacation is wonderful, but it cuts out one of my addictions…the internet. I have to say that thanks to Kim Harrison and LKH, I am a proud book whore…or since i’m just starting out…maybe just a hoe.
I’m really interested in your series, and I can’t wait to start the series. My book appetite is much bigger than my time, but you can never have too many good books waiting for you. Anyway, I wanted to ask what got you started as a writer and why did you pick UF?
As for support, I am very lucky to have a wonderful partner and family.
[Reply]
T - don’t hurt the newbies
[Reply]
to the goddess…i apologize for not including all the links, but someone is telling me that my 2 minutes of internet time is up, and i can only type so fast…:) i can send them later…sorry
3 = yes and rsvp
posted on twitter and facebook
belong to all BBB groups, but myspace
joined vicki on facebook and her forum
[Reply]
hi hi Vicki *waves* just finished reading CoS a couple days ago and it is amazing… the plot twists were just mind blowing and I loved every minute of it. … I had questions, but I can’t remember what they were … too much work … not enough sleep. well, I guess that spawns a writing question … what do you do to get yourself writing on days like that? if you even have days like that?
see you on the boards Vicki.
- Crash
[Reply]
” No single writer can scribble fast enough to quench the voracious appetite of a die-hard reader ”
Question #1 Does it ever bother you as a writer, that it can take so much work, sweat and tears to write your book, and then some of us read it in a matter of days? (some in a few hours!)
question #2 I’ve found a few new writers that I love to read, and I wonder if you’ve read them yet? Suzanne McLeod and Devon Monk - have your read their books yet, and…have you read Terry Pratchett (been around for a few years (20+)?
I remember when, waaay back when, before your book was published, I had somehow found your e-mail and was trying to find a way to read an excerpt. You e-mailed me back with the first chapter. I never forgot that, you were willing to send a complete stranger a little piece of your book because I was interested. (I’m so glad that you were/are a good writer- think of the awkwardness if it sucked!) You were willing to take a chance, and I’ve always appreciated that.I’ve been buying your books ever since {except for the newest- summertime is a poor time for me! : ) }
For contest stuff:
1. Vicki’s website is a permanent link at LJ http://mardelwanda.livejournal.com/
2. Vicki’s website is now a permanent link at blogger http://mardel-rabidreader.blogspot.com/
3. BBB permanent link at LJ http://mardelwanda.livejournal.com/
4. BBB permanent link at blogger http://mardel-rabidreader.blogspot.com/
5. friend at facebook (user name Mardel)
6. friend at goodreads.com (user name Mardel)
7. BBB newsletter subscriber
8. I rsvp’d
[Reply]
I have been into fantasy and romance for years and was really surprised when i picked up my first charlaine harris and girl dumps boy…go girl! i was hooked ever since. I also loved kim harrison, and now you for a strong heroine with a straight-up twisted story that keeps the pages turning past 1AM, even when i have to be up at six. Your premise is truely original, thanks for sharing what was in your head.
Hoping Micah gets more plot time and character development next go round.
Question:
Are you opposed to any of your characters being gay or bi?
[Reply]
Hi Vicki,,,,, I am sorry to say that I have not read your books but thanks to Rachel Vincent one is on the way and I plan on correcting that as soon as it gets here…. and if it impresses me like I think it will the others will soon follow.
My questions are:
Do you have a favorite food or music to get you into the writing mode.?
Do you find it hard to concentrate on your work or are you distracted by things like the internet or Maury Povich that pull you away? LOL
Do you like to rush right up to the deadline to submit or do you find a way to get R done with loads of time to spare?
I am already a BBB lifer with no chance of parole…. Thanks for stopping by…. I RSVP’d but sadly I am sorry I got here so late….
[Reply]
Hi Vicki Its the youngest in my family That inspire me my nieces and my nephew help me see life in a much simpler way it inspires me to be young again and see things the way they do.
* I RSVPed
*I’m already a friend of bitten by books on facebook and myspace and i get the news letter.
* I have spread the word on myspace and facebook here are the links http://www.myspace.com/sasluvbooks and facebook.com/sasluvbooks
*I have added Vicki’s web page to my myspace and facebook
From Stacey S
sasluvbooks@yahoo.com
[Reply]
Hey Vicki! You’re too funny. What a crazy answer! Being able to pick up a series midway is always good cause then you get new readers. I hate doing it cause of spoilers but it always ends up happening with me. It definetely made me a fan though and I am dying to read the others.
[Reply]
Hello Vicki,
thank you for taking the time to be here for us!
If UF/Paranormal genre had not taken off and you had
to write in a different genre, what would it be and why?
And in your photo it looks as if you have a white tattoo
on your arm, if you do, what is it and it’s significance?
[Reply]
81.by Mrs.Kitty McG — I hope you enjoy the series when you do get around to it. You’re right, the offerings in this genre are amazing right now, and I’m thrilled to be writing in it. Thank you for letting us take you away!
82.by celeste, who asked: do you ever worry that you’ll run out of ideas?
I don’t actively worry over it, no. But I do actively work to prevent it by continuing to be an observer and reading good things. Honestly, I don’t trust a writer who doesn’t also read. Cease that, and you run the risk of your voice becoming too insular, and you hit the same note over and over again. That’s why it’s great to have an editor or someone else to run your prose by. They’ll see new, most often improved, ways of restructuring your work, even at the sentence level. So when I read I don’t look only at the story. I look at the plotting, the pacing, the white space, the paragraph and sentence structure. If I find something particularly interesting, I’ll stop and deconstruct it. But more than anything, I just read. It fills the well and feeds the spirit. I think most writers couldn’t stop reading if you told them to.
83. by Nat — thank you for stopping by! I’ll see you on the boards. You’re one of the people who make it so enjoyable for me to hang there.
84. by Amanda L — Well, I’ve never believed that just because something good happens to someone else, it means something bad has happened to you. There really is enough to go around. At the very least it forces you to push harder and create new opportunities. And that’s only for the good, right? You asked:
I’m always curious to know what writers in the paranormal genre think about real paranormal events happening in our world?
I can’t speak for anyone else, but the world is complicated and intricate enough that I don’t believe we are it, this is all, and what you see is what you get. Beyond that, I don’t know … but I certainly have fun exploring it in my own way.
88. by Carmen R — Thank you for reading, Carmen. I hope you enjoy CITY as much as you did the first three! (BTW, I didn’t go for the vodka … just a splash of red.
)
94.by Demon Kay –
****SPOILERRRRR FOR CITY***
You said: Midheaven my new favourite place in the Zodiac world..- I know in the interview with Kim Harrison you talked about really having to cut out a lot of it and you are planning on showing us more of it… did you feel in City the this book was more World-driven when you were writing it than in your previous books?
Oh, definitely! And developing that world and magic system was one of the reasons that book took so long to write. But the concept interested me, as did the rules of the place, and it gave Jo a heck of a place to beat against, too. It’s definitely more on the fantasy side of my urban fantasy, but it links up nicely with Jo’s world. I really look forward to returning there as well!
95.by Tiffany D. — Thanks, Tiff! You’re not the only one to say that CITY is their favorite so far. Of course, they also say it hurt the worst, so my readers may be masochists. LOL You asked: What book are you reading right now?
Hey! Who told you I’ve found some reading time? Shh. I’ve reveling in having more of it than usual. Now, I don’t want any static over it, but reading is such a pleasure to me that I don’t have any rules, so I read multiple books at once, depending on my mood at any given moment. So. I’m reading Laura Lippman’s LIFE SENTENCES, the antho BLOOD LITE, an ARC of NIGHT’S COLD KISS by Tracey O’Hara, the ARC of THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS by Kelly Gay, and I’m just about to start SANDMAN SLIM by Richard Kadrey.
96# Comment by Lynn Rush — Well, I like to run too, so maybe that’s why it stuck with me. Though it seems you run more than I do. You asked: Say, how did you come up with your book titles? Were they yours? Or did the publishers/editors choose them?
I’m terrible with titles, though I may be getting better. But mine always come out fitting some other genre better than the one I’m writing in, so the first dozen or so inevitably get shot down no matter what. My agent titled the first two, a reader titled the third. (Yay for putting readers to work!
) CITY OF SOULS, which I loved the best was a product of batting things around with my editor. She’s fiercely savvy. I actually came up with the fifth title, CHEAT THE GRAVE – though I called Jeaniene Frost first to see if she owned copyright on any title with the word ‘grave’ in it. LOL. She gave me her blessings, and we were off.
And thank you for stopping by. It has been fun for me as well!
97. by Miki — (the spoiler queen {evil grin})
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
Will Jo’s kid and Hunter’s kid play parts in future books? Does Warren know about Hunter’s daughter? Hm…well she wouldn’t be a part of the troop anyway right since it’s passed down from mother to daughter.
First question: I can’t answer that. Nice try though, Mik.
Second question: No, Warren doesn’t know about Hunter’s daughter. Hunter kept it from him, just as Jo has. Warren is pretty single-minded when it comes to his troop members.
98. by Debi Murray — Debi, you had to work? That’s just wrong! And I _should_ have ripped that MJD t-shirt from your greedy little hands while I still had the chance. Next year, my pretty…
And, btw, I have named a character after you already. You just haven’t seen her yet. I made her completely helpless, too. So there.
And thank YOU for being such an amazing reader. You’re so supportive of everyone in this genre. Everyone knows you, so we get to talk about you behind your back now. LOL
I’ll try to make it to the next True Blood Chat, though as usual, it depends on the kidlet.
99.by Lisa B. — Ah, treasure that relationship. Everyone needs a soft spot in their lives. You asked: I was wondering if you could tell me how you got published. What was your breakout novel? And how long did you write before the Big Break came?
I worked five years straight on an historical novel that was never published. But ‘nothing is ever wasted’, right? I fiddled with straight romance after that, but kept trying to kill people. Like, main characters. So that was a bit of a genre no-no. Then I actually gave up the idea of being published, and decided to write something just for me, just for fun. That’s when I found my voice and stride, and wrote THE SCENT OF SHADOWS. I gained an agent via cold query almost immediately and she sent it out to the top six houses. One of those bit. I’ve already said this, but as painless as it sounds now, it was torture at the time. But the real groundwork was laid in those preceding years. So 7-8 years total. (And, fyi, common wisdom is that it takes c. 10 years for the average author to gain enough experience to be published. So don’t be discouraged!)
101.Tessandra C — Well, might I say that you have excellent taste in authors!
I love all those you love. You asked: My first question is did you completely make up the character Joanna Archer or are you in any way like her? Also since your series is about heroes which reminds me of the show Heroes, if you had a superpower what would it be and why?
I like to say that Joanna is me, but I am not Joanna. All the characters are bits of me, in fact. Just facets laid flat, spread thin, and followed to their end, given their world view and life experiences.
As for a superpower, I hate to be trite, but I’d still like to be able to fly. (I just want to be free, people!) Oh, and if I had X-Ray vision that allowed me to look in everyone’s houses – because I’m sooooo nosy that way – that would be good, too. See? Nothing too nefarious.
102. Charlie Neunert —Thanks for stopping by! You asked: My first question is how did you get started as an author? My second question is how did you come up with the storyline for Jo? My last is when the next book coming out?
I started writing when I was twenty-six and became obsessed with the idea. I haven’t stopped since. And Jo was conceived because I wanted to write about a strong heroine, who had equally strong reasons to be so vigilant and tough – though the paranormal aspects didn’t come into play until the third chapter, when Warren popped up and said, “I’m a superhero!” It was a throw-away line, but it happened to be true. As for the series, I write one book a year, so CHEAT THE GRAVE, the Fifth Sign of the Zodiac, will be out next summer.
103.Tiffany M. — Thank you for stopping by! I love that Skitty has introduced you to so many people in this genre. I just had a friend from my kidlet’s school say, “I had no idea that UF was my thing!” So I’m doing my part to hook people as well! Thanks for stopping by chat a few weeks back!
104.Theresa B. — T, you must have met my grandmother. I swear, she’s the most techno-savvy person I’ve ever met. She even subscribes to the computer journals Total Geek! And I want to steal your support system. They sound just lovely! (Well, I’ll settle for sharing the board. {G}) You asked: Do you feel the need to tweak and re-tweak your work? How do you know when to leave it alone?
I used to, but now I’m getting more of a sense of when it’s done. I just finished a short story for the DARK AND STORMY KNIGHTS anthology coming out next year, and I decided I really couldn’t move one more comma around without being sure that I wasn’t starting to take away from the piece rather than add to it. That’s how I knew to stop there. Of course, I could fiddle forever, but once the story is told to my level best, then it’s time to move on to the next. And there are so many others to write! I just wish I wrote faster.
105. Kirglade — Hi Kira, and thank you for being so patient to receive CoS. Tough when you have an ocean or two in the middle, huh? Your question: My question is - Will Jo finally meet the famous Zoe and have some of her questions answered? And will Zoe kick Warren’s a**????
Zoe is and has been working in the background, as we know from the HOLIDAYS ARE HELL antho. And I think I’ve tortured the reader (and Jo) long enough with hints (and the ‘birth’ of Skamar) about her that it’s time to bring her out into the open. So look for _much_ more of Zoe soon.
And UNBOUND is coming in August, so you’ll definitely see some of your other questions answered!
[Reply]
106.Lisa Richards —Thank you for your kind words on the series. I hope you enjoy CITY when you start. Emotionally, it’s the closest to my heart. You asked: Many authors have added a YA series to their writing, do you intend to do this and if so can you give us a brief look at what you are planning?
You’re right. There’s a load of talent in the YA market right now – and such great crossover appeal in the stories themselves. There are so many that can be read by teens and adults, and I love that for the very reasons you mentioned. That said, I have no plans to begin writing in that market. I don’t have the same passion for it as I do for my straight adult fiction, and if any audience would pick up on the lack of passion, it’s the teen audience. I do have a young child, however, so my guess is that my interest will grow along with my kidlet, so my ‘never say never’ policy is in effect. It’s just ‘never’ right now.
107.Rachel A — You asked: Any particular music/soundtrack you picture as a “soundtrack” to your book(s)?
Actually, my board members have started up a Zodiac radio station which acts as a pretty good soundtrack to my books. I can’t listen precisely when I’m writing but when I’m tooling about the house or driving, it’s on in the background. Check it out if you’re interested!
108.Michelle Miles — Thank you! I love Jo too (though you wouldn’t know it by her treatment, I know.). LOL on the boyfriend. Tell him thanks, I think! And great, good luck on your own writing career. Us redheads gotta stick together, right? I hear you about the crit and chapter groups. I belonged to the Compuserve Books and Writers forum for years, and learned more there than I ever would have in a classroom. It’s great to find like-minded people, isn’t it? Keep on keeping on, Michelle. And thank you so much!
109. Elie N —You asked: Would you say your books are steamy? Please rate you Zodiac series on a scale of 1-5, one being luke-warm, 5 being scorching hot.
Hm. Well, when there’s a love scene that moves the story forward, I’d say yes. They’re definitely steamy. I put it on the page because love and the acceptance of love (in all its forms) is very important to Jo’s personal journey. That said, the romance is a subplot. The action, and whatever outer turmoil Jo’s currently facing is the main plot. So I don’t think I could give a higher number in good faith. I read romance, so I know what scorching hot is. So, let’s just say middle of the road and go with 3. It’s there, it’s important, but it’s also secondary. I’m sorry you couldn’t find a way to win the books, btw. It wasn’t for lack of trying on either of our parts, that’s for sure! Happy reading … let me know what you think!
110.Bea Chan – thank you, Bea!
111.Jeannie Holmes — OMG, it was too early for that taunt. Now I’ll be hearing your accent all day! Thank you for stopping by. Can you please tell everyone when your first book is out, though? Don’t be shy!
112.Jann “Skitty” M — Aw shucks, Skitty. Thanks for saying so, and for stopping by. And keep your paws off Hunter. LOL (OMG, my boarders have taken over. Note to Rachel: I’m NOT responsible for the hijacking! These people can’t be controlled!)
117# Comment by Cheryl M —Do you have a favourite genre to read for entertainment?
I’m afraid I’m a bit of a genre hoor, too. I read everything, but if anything stands out more than others, I guess it would be mystery. I’m starting up pick up more horror too. I’m all dialed in on romance, though.
118# Comment by Terri Q — Was wondering if you find the series easy to write, or is every chapter a struggle? I have this vision of you sitting there happily taking ‘dictation’ as the words flow straight from your muse….
HA! I wish! It’s definitely work, though the farther along I get in the series, and the better I know the characters and world, the easier some aspects seem to get. Ditto on the writing skills. More is more. That said, CITY OF SOULS was the hardest to write, so I think each book and storyline is its own thing. You can’t judge the next by the last. But I’m enjoying it, so the rest is just work. No biggie, right? (she said, wiping sweat from her brow.
)
119. Sue Rosenbalm — Aw, well thank you! And thanks to Jeaniene as well. But I have to say, she’s been just as much of a boon to me (feels like more) so it definitely goes both ways. We’re all better and stronger for our good friendships, right? I hope you enjoy the rest of the series!
[Reply]
121. Rebecca S — You asked: Does being an author & having to promote your books affect your privacy at all? If you could have any superpower/ability what would it be & why?
The strange thing about writing and privacy is that writing IS a really private thing to me, yet publicity is vastly, well, public. So the two are inherently at odds. Yet I love meeting people, especially like-minded ones, which readers tend to be. And if they’ve found something in my text to like, then there surely some other connection there. And that’s why I write, for that connection.
Superpower: again, it’s generic, but I really, really want to be able to fly.
High enough that I don’t get bugs in my teeth.
122. Beverly G (USA) — You asked: what would you say to a husband who is telling me no more new books till i read the old ones? And … if you were to meet a demon or a real vampire what would you say to him or her and why?
The first question obviously requires you to pull out the big guns. You need to find something he loves and tell HIM no more. My answer always was, “Yes, I have books … but I don’t have _this_ one!” I’m afraid your situation requires a bit more force, though. Luck be with you.
The second question. A _real_ demon or vamp? You can bet I’d be unerringly polite!
124. Tiffany D. — You guys do know you’re out of control, right? That said, pass the caramel syrup. {evil grin} You asked: If you had a theme song for Jo’s life - what would it be? If you had a theme song for Jo and Hunter’s relationship - what would it be?
At one time Jo’s theme song would have been “I Walk Alone” by Green Day. It changes with her story. Muse’s “Butterflies and Hurricanes” is great for her overall character arc, though.
As for Jo and Hunter’s relationship as it stands now… how about Metallica’s “The Memory Remains”?
126.heather c — You haven’t missed out at all. I had to break last night for the kidlet, thus the brief radio silence! You asked: what got you started as a writer and why did you pick UF?
Being a reader is what got me started as a writer. I think it’s the same for most authors, actually. As for choosing UF … I didn’t. It chose me. I had no idea what I was writing at the time, only that I was having fun doing it. I had a strong first-person narrative, lots of action/violence, some language, some sex, and this really strong paranormal aspect. I had no idea at the time where it fit in. In fact, Harrison’s DEAD WITCH WALKING came out just after I’d finished it, and I saw it in the bookstore and thought, ‘Yes! This is what I write! Um … what is it?’ Because it only said fiction on the spine. Not. Helpful. Fortunately I sent it to an agent who knew exactly what it was, and we were off! Ironically enough, Kim and I now share an editor. How weird is that?
129.Crash B. — Hi Crash! *waving back* Yay, you finished CoS! Oh, and thanks for commenting on the twists. I work really hard to make sure you don’t see those coming. You asked: what do you do to get yourself writing on days like that? if you even have days like that?
Of course I have days like that! More often than not. But I do it anyway. Writing is now as much a part of my life as brushing my teeth. It’s not a matter of ‘if’ I do it, but ‘when’. To augment it, though, I have a working journal where I talk _about_ the story (and inevitably start writing text right in the journal) and I have a daily word count that’s high enough to be a challenge, but not so high I set myself up for failure. 2K. Even if I fall short, I’ve still made good progress. That helps keep me going. Plus, the desire to see What. Happens. Next.
130. Debi Edwards — Thank you! Especially considering the company I keep. I’d say I’m sorry for keeping you up late … but I’m just evil enough not to be. LOL. Oh, you like Micah? Isn’t he great? Totally underrated in my opinion, too. Those still (giant) waters run deep. Your question: Are you opposed to any of your characters being gay or bi?
Nope. But I’m loathe to put someone on the page who announces that their gay, thus accentuating their difference, rather than their sameness. I have gay characters in the fifth book, but it’s introduced very naturally and passed over without commentary as to ‘isn’t that different or interesting or odd’. Because it’s not. It’s life. Mind, I also have a flamboyantly gay character to juxtapose this in the same book, but that’s more out of homage to the friends I used to work with in Vegas shows, whom I obviously miss so dearly I had to create another ‘friend’ in my own mind. LOL
131.Shell Bryce — Congratulations on winning Rachel’s contest! I hope you enjoy it when it gets there! This place is amazing, btw. I had no idea there was such a ravenous, active community here. (And the Mark Henry video makes me double over. Sheesh.) You asked: Do you have a favorite food or music to get you into the writing mode? Do you find it hard to concentrate on your work or are you distracted by things like the internet or Maury Povich that pull you away? Do you like to rush right up to the deadline to submit or do you find a way to get R done with loads of time to spare?
Favorite food to write by: coffee. Actually, I start the day with three drinks by my side: water, OJ, and coffee. Glassware everywhere!
Yes, the internet is a huge distraction, and I’m constantly trying to overcome its allure. I think most authors are the same. It’s a double-edged sword because it’s your lifeline to readers, but it can also keep you from doing the one thing you need to in order to have readers: write.
I don’t LIKE to rush right up to deadline, but I’ve gotten behind lately and have had to do so for the past two books. CITY was the hardest, and because I rewrote it so much, it put me behind for the next book, CHEAT THE GRAVE. But I’m hoping to work more ahead of schedule now.
132. stacey smith — Hi Stacey! Thanks for stopping by!
133. RachaelfromNJ — Ok-aaaay. Go ahead a read the series in whatever order you want. But know you make me crazy. LOL
[Reply]
134. Sharon K — No, thank YOU for taking the time to stop by! You asked: If UF/Paranormal genre had not taken off and you had to write in a different genre, what would it be and why? And in your photo it looks as if you have a white tattoo
on your arm, if you do, what is it and it’s significance?
If I had to write in a different genre? Either mystery or horror. Or I could combine the two and do something similar to what I’m doing now. {evil wink}
And those are crystals on my arm, in the form of Joanna Archer’s glyph (and my own) the Archer/Sagittarian. I’m wearing a necklace on the first two books representing the same, so I wanted to continue putting it somewhere in the photos just for those who are paying attention.
[Reply]
Hi
The books sounds nice.
Oh my how many comments cos I have been offline one day. How to think of something new and creative to ask?! Maybe I should just ask something silly then.
If you could have an mythological pet, which would you choose?
I RSVPed
[Reply]
Hi Vicki,
In all the things that you’ve written was there ever a scene that you found the hardest to write emotionally? Thanks!
I RSVPed.
[Reply]
139.Linda AK — Oh, that is creative! And fun. Let’s see, if I could have a mythological pet, what would I choose? How about one of the daemons from Phillip Pullman’s Dark Materials series? I’d love to have one like Lyra’s. Yeah, definitely.
140.Lesley Cheah - You asked: In all the things that you’ve written was there ever a scene that you found the hardest to write emotionally?
There’ve been a few! The two that I immediately think of from the top of my head are from the one I just finished writing, CHEAT THE GRAVE. But that’s not out yet, so it’s really not fair. So…
********SPOILER ALERT*************
The scene where Jo lost her sister, Olivia, in THE SCENT OF SHADOWS had me in tears. I hated writing that one.
[Reply]
hi Vicki, another book whore here, sorry i’m a little late. I have to confess that I haven’t read the series yet,except for the short story in the Holidays are Hell anthology. The rest are still sitting in my TBR pile,
I guess I have to move them to the top. Thanks for stopping by, it’s really great to get to know a little bit more about you.
BTW RSVP’d for event.
[Reply]
142.Lorraine Minich — No, thank you for stopping by. Things have slowed, so I have a bit more time now. And if you’ve read HaH, then you know one of my favorite characters, Zoe. SCENT (and the others) follows her daughter, Jo. I hope when you do crack the spine on one, that you enjoy it. I’ve loved my time here. What a pleasure to meet so many awesome readers!
[