[Warning: long post. But there's an exclusive interview and a giveaway!]
I was so buried in my time off and the unbelievable book I'm reading (Can't say what. I'm reading a very, very advance copy. Fringe benefits, you know... ;-)) that I completely forgot to announce a couple of new releases!
Two days ago, the lovely Melissa Marr and Jeaniene Frost shared a release date! Ink Exchange and One Foot in the Grave (respectively) are both on the shelf! I've read and loved, loved, loved One Foot in the Grave, and am saving Ink Exhange (along with The Outlaw Demon Wails) as a reward book for myself. But I'll be buying it today. That way, I can actually see it taunting me, which will urge me to get my work done faster. ;-)
Anyway... I liked Jeaniene's new release so much that I volunteered (okay, begged) to interview her for FFF. That interview went up today, so you can click here to read it. (Melissa is also interviewed here.) I also came up with some more questions for Jeaniene to answer here exclusively. And because she's such a sweetheart and has volunteered to give away a signed copy of her new release, I'm tossing in some yummy chocolate.
But first, the interview:
RACHEL: I have to start out by saying I love, love, love Cat and Bones. Their chemistry is amazing. They butt heads and don’t always agree, but they still make things work, in spite of the enormous odds against them. How do you keep their relationship so fresh? So hot?
JEANIENE: I have a lot of fun writing their dynamic together. I don’t know really how else to describe it. There’s a certain click when I write a scene with Cat and Bones that I don’t always feel when I write a scene without Bones (the book is told in first person through Cat’s point of view, so there are no scenes without her).
RACHEL: How many books do you have planned in this series?
JEANIENE: I’d love to do eight books with Cat and Bones. As of now, my publisher has bought five. If I get to do more, I’ll be thrilled. If I don’t, I’ll still be forever grateful for the chance to have five books in which to tell their story.
RACHEL: We meet Cat’s father in One Foot in the Grave and the end of the book seems to imply that her parents’ part in the story will be more prominent in the next installment. Do you already know where you’re going with that plotline, or do the details just crop up when you need them?
JEANIENE: Cat’s father, Max, has his path set. He’s truly a vile character, and he has no intention of going quietly into that goodnight. Readers will see more of him in book three, AT GRAVE’S END.
As far as Cat’s mother Justina, I think readers will be surprised with what happens with her in book three. I’ve gotten a lot of letters about Justina that read (paraphrase of) “I hate her! Kill her!” lol, but without venturing into spoiler territory, there is more to Justina than what books one and two have shown.
RACHEL: Speaking of plots, do you outline or do any other kind of plotting in advance of the rough draft?
JEANIENE: I usually do a very sparse outline, then move on from that. But now I’m starting to learn how to make my outlines a little more detailed. I sometimes don’t see the forest for the trees as an author, and while I can’t say I’d make an outline ironclad, where I wouldn’t deviate from it if an idea struck me, more detail does help keep from meandering in plotless directions J.
RACHEL: I loved the ending of One Foot in the Grave, specifically regarding the path the love story has taken, and I can’t wait to see how you handle this new element in future books. Did you struggle with the decision to draw Cat and Bones down such an irreversible route, or did you know all along that that’s where you were headed.
JEANIENE: Ah, but no route is TRULY irreversible, is it? *wink*. It was always the way ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE was supposed to end, even from its first draft (and damn, you don’t know how rare it is for me to have something make it into the final copy from a first draft). It highlights a very basic question for Cat: what are you willing to sacrifice for love? And she answers that.
RACHEL: How many drafts of a novel do you typically write before turning the book in? Or is it different for every story?
JEANIENE: See, this question works well with my comment above about first drafts!. It does differ from book to book. HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE was the very first novel I ever wrote, so as you can imagine, my first draft of it sucked (and not in a fun vampire way ;). I really don’t know how many times I rewrote that from its initial version to the one you see on the shelves. Ten, at least, I would think.
ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE took less drafts – yeah for learning! – but it still was probably about five drafts from its initial version to what you read in the printed copy. Now, book three, AT GRAVE’S END, has been a real test of endurance for me. There is very little left in it from its initial draft – maybe twenty percent, at best. I’m working on my fourth revision of it now, and it may not be my last version of it.
RACHEL: What does your future release schedule look like? How long will we have to wait for the next book?
JEANIENE: I have a story in the upcoming WEDDINGS FROM HELL anthology that releases May 28th. *grin* Assuming I whip book three of the Night Huntress series into shape by my deadline, AT GRAVE’S END will be out Jan 09. Cross your fingers for me J.
RACHEL: What made you decide to write about vampires? Do you have plans to add any other creatures to the world of your work, or will you be sticking with vamps and ghouls exclusively? Why?
JEANIENE: Vampires have been my favorite creature since forever. They seemed so much more fun than other traditional movie monsters to me as a kid, and my parents were left wondering why I kept rooting for the “bad” guy when it came to vampire movies, lol. Plus, writing them gave me a chance to play with the vampire myth as far as their weaknesses. My vampires can only be killed by silver through the heart, for example, not wood, and they can walk in daylight just like everyone else. Garlic, sunlight, crosses, wooden stakes…all that doesn’t hurt them, but has been deliberately planted as a red herring to throw humans off from what really works.
Ghouls were a creature that I dreamed about even before the dream that inspired HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE, so I was glad to find a supernatural society for them to exist in when I started writing my book. Sure, ghouls have been around for a long time in folklore, but I didn’t see mine as being similar to how they’re traditionally portrayed. They aren’t shuffling, decaying figures who’d gnaw on your arm as you tried to run away screaming. They behave a lot like shifters, actually, in that they look as normal as the next person, but they eat raw meat with the occasional other, OTHER white meat thrown in *cough, human, cough*.
I also have ghosts in the Night Huntress series, and I have plans to do a little more with them. Plus, there are elements of magic that I’m going to introduce in the series as well. If there’s black magic being practiced in today’s world, how much more would, say, a vampire in my world, who’s lived hundreds of years and already has supernatural powers, be able to wield it?
RACHEL: Wow, that is an amazing love scene! You know which one I’m talking about. ;-) I read it in the airport and nearly missed my boarding call. Are you ever pressured one way or another about the sexual content of your books? Does anyone ever say “This is too much?” or “This is not enough?”
JEANIENE: I have to admit – if you would have missed your plane reading that scene, I would have felt so proud as an author, lol.
I haven’t felt any pressure to write sex scenes a certain way, and so far, I haven’t been told to by my editor or agent to make them more graphic or less graphic. I write sex scenes as I imagine they’d unfold if I were a fly on the wall in my character’s bedroom - or wherever the action’s taking place, which isn’t always the bedroom ;). My natural style for all scenes – sex, conflict, fighting, etc. – is to spell out what my character’s thinking, feeling, and experiencing. I don’t pull back from those descriptions just because it’s a sex scene. Sure, I get a little red in the face afterward sometimes, especially since I know my friends/family are going to read it, but I refuse to let that thought in my head when I’m writing. When I write a sex scene, I don’t think of anyone but the two people in it. To do otherwise would be to filter it through MY morals / comfort level, and my characters aren’t me, so my preferences don’t belong there.
RACHEL: You have some incredible fight scenes, particularly the last one in One Foot in the Grave. Cat is truly overwhelmed. She’s smaller, weaker, and slower than her opponent. A true underdog. Or rather, an underCat. ;-) How do you approach writing scenes like that? How do you keep Cat coming out on top without making her look unrealistically powerful, or too good to be true?
JEANIENE: First, underCat – ha! Okay, with that out of my system…again, I approach fight scenes in a similar way as sex scenes: what’s Cat seeing, feeling, experiencing, hearing? If she’s injured, how is that affecting her stance as she fights someone? Does she have blood in her eyes and can’t see very well? Is she hyped up on vampire juice, and so now has a sense of smell? These are all things I ask myself as I write a fight scene, and then I try to incorporate them into the mix.
In the scene at the end of ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, Cat is outclassed against her opponent. She knows he can kick her ass all over the place, so she tries to use something other than strength versus strength when she fights him. It’s a David and Goliath sort of scene, and I tried to show it that way.
As far as Cat being victorious without being invincible, that’s something I struggle with as an author. Sometimes it’s a matter of the strength of her opponents. Cat’s never beaten Bones in a fight, for example, but put her against a few younger, lesser-trained vampires, and she can mop the floor with them by herself. It also depends on what book she’s in. In HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE, Cat’s just learning to really fight under Bones’s teaching, so she can’t take on some of the older Master vamps alone yet. In ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, she’s older, tougher, but pretty reckless in the beginning, and lucked out by winning some battles she might have been better off leaving alone.
RACHEL: And finally, is there anything you want readers to know about One Foot in the Grave, or your series in general, or about you and your writing?
JEANIENE: Expect action, humor, passion, love, betrayal, and sometimes darkness in the Night Huntress series. The average person can’t go through life without those things happening to them, so my series won’t, either. But with my series, it’s balancing all that and a bunch of fangs, too J.
Thanks, Jeaniene, for humoring my questions.
Thanks, Rachel, for a great interview!
Okay, if you want to win a signed copy of One Foot in the Grave and a bag of Lindor truffles (my favorite!), leave a comment here. All the usual rules apply:
- You're eligible if you're not related to either me or Jeaniene
- One entry per person
- If you don't have a Blogger account, you must sign your entry
- Please don't leave your email address in your comment. If you do, you will get spammed. (Not by me. I'm just saying that's a very real risk.)
- The giveaway closes at 11:59 pm central on Saturday, May 3rd. At that time, I will close the comment thread. A winner will be announced the following day.
- If you live outside the continental US, I cannot guarantee that the chocolate will reach you un-melted. Sorry!
Okay, start commenting!
92 comments:
Great interview :) Sounds like an awesome new series.
I haven't read 'The Outlaw Demon Wails' either..I'm almost there tho :)
And Rogue rocks!!
Oh but Rachel, that is a wonderful perk and you can surely be excused. LOL Please enter me in the drawing for One Foot in the Grave.
Thank you,
Michelle Greathouse
I'm in!
Teri Herbert
Great interview, Rachel! Count me in for the contest, and I have to tell you... you will LOVE Ink Exchange.
Great interview. I am also saving ODW for when i get everything that needs doing done. I have heard good things about this series and both books are next on my purchase list.
Breia Brickey
Yes! I am halfway through One Foot, and its amazing! Great interview! Please enter me in the contest!
That was a great interview! Please count me in for the drawing :)
I can't wait to read your new book, Jeaniene, as well as Halfway to the Grave, which is on my TBR.
Awesome interview! :)
Please put my name in the contest!
Thanks,
Melissa Mason
yummy Chocolate and a book count me in.
A nice lovely long post! Thank you!
I really need to win 'One Foot in the Grave'! For some reason everywhere I look online for it here says it doesn't come out till July!!!
I want in on this sweet action. Great interview. This series sounds awesome.
Tom Gallier
Please enter me in. I love this series! Thanks for the great interview.
So - will there ever be an interview of a group of urban fantasy writers? Oh to be a fly on the wall for that one :)
Please enter me in the drawing for One Foot in the Grave & chocolate -
Thanks.
K. Kucharski
Awesome interview. So you are excused for not mentioning the releases. As for One Foot in the Grave, it sounds like a great book. So count me in, please ^.^
Count me in!
OMG! I can't wait to read this! I went to Barnes and Nobles yesterday to buy it but they didn't have it in yet. I was so disappointed!!
I would like to be entered into the contest. Thanks!
Caitlyn Holvey
Just finished The Outlaw Demon Wils- it was great. Well worth using as a carrot.
Please eneter me- the book sounds great.
Okay, so I forced myself to scroll past the interview because I don't have the book yet and I want to read the interview after I get a chance to read the book. Only reason why I don't have the book yet is because I'm almost 100% certain they don't sell it in my campus bookstore, and I don't have a ride to take me to B&N or Borders until the weekend (Bus!) so ... yeah. But I'm definitely in for the contest!
oooh, can I join the contest *raises hand*
What a great interview! I have just barely started One Foot in the Grave, I am waiting to read this weekend while my husband works!
Hey Rachel,
I would love a copy of One Foot in the Grave. I read Halfway to the Grave and loved it so much.
Thanks,
Kirby
I just love these interviews!!!!! Count me in and sign me up!
Great interview! Count me in on the contest!
Sign me up please
I loved Cat and Bones and their world in Halfway To The Grave and would love to win this book.
Awesome interview! I've been wanting to read this since I heard about it about a month ago! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy.
Hope I win! Ya just can't beat a great book AND a bag of my fave truffles.
oooo i want in
Loved "Halfway to the Grave" and can't wait to read the next installment.
yes yes please yes!!!
I need to read this book asap!
--SarBrook
Hey Rachel!
I love the interview! I am reading One Foot in the Grave now and actually had to force myself to put it down to check my mail! I'd love to have a signed copy and some chocolates!
Great job and count me in!
<3 Beth
Please enter me in the contest, too.
Loved Halfway to The Grave, and can't wait to read the new Melissa Marr book.
Bstagner
I would love to get a free book, as always. Sooo, sign me up please. :D
Gimme gimme! ;)
Ooh, yummy book AND yummy chocolate?!? Count me in for the contest!
Great interview! Interesting read. =D
-Sean Crook
Count me in.
Halfway to the Grave was awesome and I am dying to seee what happens next!!
Great interview.
Who wouldn't want to win a signed copy of One Foot in the Grave and a bag of Lindor truffles?!?!
Awesome interview.
I almost picked this book up today.
Please enter me in the drawing.
Cheers,
~Sharon Speck
A new author, YAY! I haven't read any of her books but heck I am going to have to go out and read them now! Loves to the both of you.
AllySS
great interview and I'd like to be entered in the contest.
Commenting! Have spoken to a publicist at HarperCollins Australia, and it seems like J's books aren't/won't be published down here. Therefore a contest like this is definitely ideal.
Have a lovely day! :-)
Loved the interview! Love Jeaniene.
Count me in
Synde
Fabulous interview with someone on my book list! Please enter me in the drawing!
Sign me up, can't wait to read this one!
Kathleen / hdchippie
New Jersey
loved the first book in this series. And am looking forward to reading this one. Great interview.
I just finished Outlaw and it rocks. Please enter me in the drawing. I would love these books (and chocolate of course!)
-jthumm
Would love to win this one :)
heather (eclectic dreams on myspace)
Hey count me in on this contest!
This is my first time entering a contest and I am totally excited~!
<3
FYI - Ink Exchange looks awesome, and Rogue kicked serious ass~
Definately count me in this contest what more can a girl ask for a book and chocolates!
Thanks,
Terri W.
Super interview! Can't wait to read it!!
GracieA
Great interview, I would love to read this book. It sounds fantastic.
I would love to win One Foot in the Grave (and some chocolate), so count me in! :0)
Thanks!
Dawn M.
I'd love to win this one! I've heard terrific things about this series (the first one is on top of my TBR pile, and it's getting lonely!). Thanks!
I loved the first book and cannot wait to read One Foot in the Grave!! I love Bones!
Jeaniene's new release and truffles, how can I resist, count me in. Though, she was teasing elsewhere about a very sexy Chapter 32, I might not be able to wait and end up downloading it tomorrow.
Great interview! And cool prize! I'd love to win :) Thanks!
Hi Jeaniene and Rachel,
What a great interview and I have just bumped Halfway to the Grave up in my ever expanding and never ending TBR pile. I cannot wait to read after reading the interview...I already love the dimension to the character and the relationship between Cat and Bones sounds very interesting.
Please enter me in the drawing.
Have a great day!
Please enter me, I've read the first book and loved it!
Kate S
I so loved the first book and cannot wait to read the second book in this series. Congrats on your newest release!
I love this series, sign me up!
I love this series! Chapter 32 had to be the hottest scene I've read in a very long time.
Honestly, I love this series. I think I'm going to unpack Halfway to the Grave, just so I can read both of these novels again, back to back.
Gotta say I'm looking forward to more Faythe, books don't last long around me.
Great interview, I actually just got done with One Foot in the Grave, it lasted all of one day ;)
Count me in on that contest, my husband always says he thinks I'd rather be in bed with good chocolate and a good book.
Regina Brookman
I've been so busy packing and moving no time to get to the book store! *crosses fingers for a win* :)
Another book another author and more great reads, what more could a girl ask for except chocolate
A new book AND chocolate? Who could ask for more? Definitely count me in!
Teresa Shettles
Great interview, Rachel and please enter me. Thanks Kai
I loved her firsr book and can't wait to read this book. Would love to be entered.
Hello Rachel,
awesome interview. I cannot wait to read this book. Please count me in. :)
I am waiting for my copy of One Foot in the Grave. I loved Halfway to the Grave. The book was outstanding. Love Bones.
Please enter me!
Loved the interview and definitely enjoyed the first book in the Night Huntress series, 'Halfway to the Grave'. I can't wait to read 'One Foot in the Grave' and would love to win a copy of it to enjoy.
Hi Rachel, Great interview! Jeaniene's series sounds really good. I now have a new author to check out. Thanks!
Count me in! Halfway to the Grave was a great read, and I can't wait to see where the Cat/Bones relationship's going!
Awesome!! I love Cat, and I REALLY love BONES!! Sign me up for the contest. Those are two of my favorite things, chocolate and books.
Tanya Goff
OMG! that sounds like an awesome series. Please enter me in the contest. Its a girl's 2 best friends. Chocolate and books. WooT!
Rebekah Vasquez
Excellent interview! Sign me up please!
A. Soyez
Count me in :)
Include me, I need something to read. I am very interested in One Foot in the Grave.
Michaelyn Lux
That's an awesome interview. I can't wait to read the book!
I'm in!
Great interview ladies! I'd love to win a signed copy and chocolates. :)
OG MY GOD OH MY GOD!!!!! PLEASE inter me in the drawing for One Foot in the Grave!
I Feel in love with Halfway to the Grave.... and well any candy is good with me!!!
THanks.... Catherine McS...
Me, too, please!!
(I'm currently reading Ink and LOVING it!)
Oh, I hope I'm not to late to enter the contest! It's such an amazing series that this opportunity is just to good to miss out on!
Sam B
Please Please Please enter me for the drawing of One Foot in the Grave!
Thank you so much.
Angela
OOO, two more authors for me to add to my TBR pile.
Jennifer Jensen
ODW was awesome ... One Foot is being awesome (about 60 pages to go) ... Rogue is awesome (only 100 pages in) ... BOOKS ARE AWESOME! ... yep, I'm a dork.
I can haz a signed book and chocolates????
- Crash
count me in as well
Two of my favorite things, books and chocolates! Thanks for the opportunity!
Loved the first book by Jeaniene and I bugged our fiction librarian to order the new one as well. Go UnderCat!
Jill B
P.S. I just finished Rogue and it was awesome!
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