Interview

Hi Jody and Welcome! Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to interview you for Romance Junkies.

 

What does your writing schedule look like? Do you have to plot or do you write as it comes?

 

I work from home and have young children. Right now #1 is finally in school and #2 goes to a wonderful babysitter twice a week. I write like a fiend those days and scooch in blocks of time when she naps and after everyone is in bed. I used to write as it came since I wasn’t able to depend on regular blocks of time, but with the new schedule I’m doing fabulously well on a book I pre-plotted. If I lose a day to a kid’s illness or other life demand, I know it won’t be an indefinite period of time before I get another chance to work. This helps me remain enthusiastic and productive.

 

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you? How about the most challenging?

 

The easiest part is coming up with story ideas and worldbuilding that excites my imagination. The hardest part used to be finding the time to make it happen, but as stated, I’ve recently gotten more on top of that. Lately the hardest part is plowing through the mid-afternoon munchies on my work days without becoming too distracted by the pantry.

 

How long does it take you to write a book? Do you write one book at a time or do you have a few going at once?

 

I used to average one a year plus a couple pieces of short fiction. I believe I’m going to double that this year at minimum.

 

Have you ever taken any classes to hone your skills? What advice would you give a new writer starting out?

 

I have a BA in English and an MFA in Creative Writing, so yes, you could say I took a few classes. I definitely honed my skills in literary criticism and how to TAKE criticism, if nothing else. As for advice, both of those skills will serve an author very well, but don’t feel like you have to spring for graduate school to get them.

 

What inspired you to be a writer? Who is your biggest support system? When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

 

I don’ t know what inspires me to write. I guess it’s because I loved to read so much from day one (well, more like day 2000 if you assume I learned to read in kindergarten). Even then I was always dreaming up stories. At one point I wanted to be a journalist until I realized that meant I’d have to talk to people I didn’t KNOW! Gasp! Me = not so great at the social thing. Wish I was, but that’s not something you can fake.

 

My husband is my biggest support system. He does his part with the kids and house so I can have time to write. Moreover, he doesn’t even flinch when I come home with more books, although lately he’s been hinting I need to switch entirely to ebooks since I’m slowly paperbacking us out of house and home.

 

I definitely get no support from the cats. They’re always getting up in my business when I’m trying to write. If they’re not mucking up the keyboard, they’re lolling on me with their furry, fat bodies and adding to the heat the laptop produces so much that I get too hot and can’t concentrate. I hop up to change into something cooler than a sweatshirt, and when I return, they’re in my chair. This is not helpful.

 

Which genre is your favorite to write? Is there a genre that you would love to write but haven’t yet? Are there any that you would stay away from?

 

Favorite right now -- lighter urban fantasy. Would love to write -- Southern fiction. Will probably never write -- a memoir.

 

At what point in your career did you develop your website? Do you find it a useful tool in promoting your books?

 

I got a website when...oh, heck, I don’t even remember, but it was before I was published with Samhain. Before that I maintained (and still maintain) the much more famous (infamous?) www.meankitty.com. I have had that site for years, even before I decided to pursue a career in fiction.

 

If an unpublished author wants a web presence, I’d advise that she keep it simple and professional and remember that anything she puts online can come back to haunt her. I’ve been lucky so far--nobody has rejected me because they prefer dogs to cats (that I know of).

 

Do you use a pen name? Why or why not? If you do does the name have a special meaning to you?

 

For my erotic romance, I use the pen name Ellie Marvel, to differentiate it from my non-erotic books. I thought it would be a useful divider since not everyone is a fan of the hot.

 

Right now I am not a fan of the hot--the hot, fat cat sweating up my calves. Is it ninety degrees in here or something? I need to turn on the fan.

 

If your life were a movie, what would you name it? What would be the theme song?

 

That DARN Cat (who has taken my seat). I can’t even imagine a theme song so I suppose it would be some instrumental piece nobody recognized.

 

MORE FUN…

 

What age is your inner child and why did you pick that age?

 

My inner child can’t count yet so I’ll just hold up my fingers and say “This many!”

 

What do you feel is the sexiest feature on a man? How about the least sexy?

 

Sexiest feature on a man = An ability to do housework without complaint. And without me needing to redo it. (I must say, my husband is rrrrrowr!)

 

Least sexy feature on a man = Wandering attention...eyes...and heart.

 

What is your all-time favorite movie?

 

I don’t have a favorite. My husband got me a copy of STARDUST for Christmas, and that’s probably my favorite that’s come out recently. I don’t make it to the theater to see too many flicks.

 

Do you read the Sunday comics or is there another part of the newspaper that grabs your interest?

 

I read the coupon section, with scissors in hand.

 

Is there one place you would love to visit but haven’t yet? Where is your dream vacation?

 

I’d like to go on an all-waterfall tour of the world.

 

Wow, Jody, this sounds very, very cool!  Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to “chat” with us.  Continued success with your writing career.

 

By Kim Atchue-Cusella

Romance Junkies Publishing Editor

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