**********
Trade Paperback, 432 pages, ISBN: 978-0-9828613-0-1, Retail $13.95
eBook (Kindle, iBook, and ePub), ISBN: 978-0-9828613-1-8, Retail $4.99
eBook (Kindle, iBook, and ePub), ISBN: 978-0-9828613-1-8, Retail $4.99
Taken from the back cover:
“We vampires are focused and tend to shape our own realities.”
“We vampires are focused and tend to shape our own realities.”
My name is Katrina Rawlings, and I am a vampire. I declare
that with neither pride nor ego. I am simply nature’s most dangerous
predator. On occasion, it’s a very valuable quality. It helped me
protect Caleb Taylor one day when he was very young. But that single,
traumatic day is behind him now; wiped from his memory, or so I hope.
Caleb has finally matured into a rather striking young man,
and believe me, I like what I see. I’ll readily admit that there are
issues for us to confront and overcome, though a sense of mutual
commitment isn’t one of them. I’m feeling hopeful for our future
together, in fact. But an adversary from my past has returned to haunt
me, and she’s trying to get back at me through Caleb. That was her
first...and last...mistake. I’ll protect my Caleb at all costs, and I’ll
make her regret the day she was born.
So, I suppose that I’m not just a vampire. I’m about to become someone’s worst nightmare!
**********
**********
My Review
Sunrise at Sunset
by
It was nice to come across yet another author who writes in my favorite genre, the paranormal, and uses my favorite character, the vampire. I was very intrigued with this book and it was easy to get into. I did find it a bit frustrating on two counts though. One, although as the reader the book does hint to a sexual relationship between Caleb and Katrina, but never goes into detail about the passion they share. The only clue they ever made love was that they held each other and cuddled afterward. I do not understand why the author did not enhance or go into depth about their sexual relationship, but it was a little disappointing especially when in almost every vampire book I have read, always shows the passion the vampire emits with his or her partner. So, I did find this disappointing. The other thing I found to be a little irritating was the fact throughout the entire book, I kept looking at Caleb like a small child. Katrina treated him throughout the whole book as 'the boss', 'the protector', 'the dictator' and more like a mother to him than a life mate. I know in the beginning when she first met Caleb he was a small boy who helped save her life, but even after she met him again as an adult, she continued to treat him as that small boy. That would have been a little more tolerable IF their love making would have gone into detail. And Caleb always allowed Katrina to treat him as such, except in certain areas of the book where he 'tried' to stand up for himself. To be honest, I wanted him to be turned so he could be a man, stand on his own feet and maybe Katrina would treat him like a man instead of a helpless child.
Now, with that all said. I loved the book. It had a great story behind it, and it was written well. The author shows a great deal of imagination and creativity and it kept my attention. I was pleased to see when I finished reading the book there is another one coming after it called A Bloody London Sunset. So, I hope the author will allow me to read and review it. Although Sunrise at Sunset disappointed me in two areas, I can't wait to find out where Jaz is going to take Caleb and Katrina next. Hopefully the author will open up a bit and allow the intimate part of their relationship to come forth and have Caleb grow a 'set'. *grin*
I give Sunrise at Sunset four stars ****
**********
About the author taken from his web site*
I've been a fan of vampires, fantasy, and sci-fi forever, or at
least for the small portion of forever that has constituted my life to
this point. Nevertheless, in addition to reading, I love creative
writing. That was a hobby that began when I was in elementary school,
and which has been refined through many years of practice, as well as
continued education through my Associates, Bachelors, and Masters
degrees. So, it's a bit of a lifelong dream to both write and publish a
novel. Sunrise at Sunset is the product of character and
storyline development that has bounced around my imagination over the
years, and was finally refined into a cogent, linear story.
Fortunately, the characters and setting are so vivid and rich in my
mind that I see a number of developments taking place in the future.
My life has been a satisfying blend of personal, professional, and
educational experiences. I am very blessed to have the support of
family, friends, and professional associates to encourage and share in
my literary journey. Finally, I'm so very happy to have a presence on
the Internet because it allows me to reach out to others with similar
interests. And hopefully, it will allow me to reach out to my current
and future fans, as well. For additional information about me, please
check out the Jaz FAQ section.
Thanks for being part of my journey. I hope that you enjoy the ride as much as I already am!
**********
My Interview With Jaz
iResponses for Nora Barteau
"A Paranormal Lover's Point of View" Blog
For Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Romancing Your Dark Side Paranormal Blog Tour
Hi, Nora! Thanks so much for hosting an interview of me on your blog.
Where are you from?
I'm a native Oklahoman, and my wife and I currently reside in central Oklahoma.
Tell us your latest news?
Just this past week I was nominated for a position on the Paranormal Romance Guild Board of Directors for the 2011 - 2012 term. With a little luck, perhaps I'll be elected by the membership!
When and why did you begin writing?
I began writing as a child because I felt the need to express ideas and stories that were floating around in my imagination. In some respects, it was almost like keeping a journal of my imagination's developments. *chuckling*
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Ever since I wrote my first short story, I have considered myself a writer. However, I didn't consider myself an "author" until my first novel was published in October 2010.
What inspired you to write your first book?
The characters of Katrina and Caleb were so realistic and compelling in my imagination that they felt like real people or personalities. I simply felt that their story had to be told.
Do you have a specific writing style?
Thus far, I write in third person. Most of my paranormal romance peers seem to write in first-person, which I find intriguing, actually. I also like to reveal the inner thoughts of primary characters in a scene, so I italicize the text to set it aside from actual events or dialogue.
How did you come up with the title?
I'm a big fan of puns, so selecting a title that was a play on words (Sunrise at Sunset) seemed catchy and something that might resonate positively with prospective readers. Each title in the Sunset Vampire Series will have the word sunset in the title.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Well, I didn't write my novel with that intention, but in the end I would have to say that a couple of messages have risen to the surface. First, it's important people understand that they can overcome tragedy or abuse in their lives if they only try hard enough and have proper support. Second, I believe that my novels challenge the traditional gender roles in literature. My novels declare: "Women can successfully serve as the dominant role players in relationships in a healthy manner, as well as be the heroines who save the men they love."
How much of the book is realistic?
That's a good question. I suggest that my approach to adult characters who have suffered abuse during childhood is relatively realistic. I have also tried to present the romantic relationship between Caleb and Katrina in a realistic manner, as well as the issues faced between a human and vampire who seek to maintain a relationship together.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Oh, no. I never try to use my own life or people who I know (or have known) to be depicted in my novels. I feel the need to keep my own reality separated from the stories and characters that I write about. I take the word "fiction" very seriously when it comes to my fantasy writing! *laughing*
What books have most influenced your life most?
That's an excellent question, and one that I haven't been asked before. *pondering an answer for a moment* I have been impacted by literature in some form or fashion throughout my life. As a teenager, I was emotionally impacted by books written by James Herriot, author of All Creatures Great and Small and All Things Bright and Beautiful. Having seen the British television series, I knew that I wanted to read the novels. They're set in Great Britain just prior to World War II, and they have a lot to say about the quiet, everyday heroics of an individual. While also extolling the circle of life, the stories delve into the complexities and value of relationships. The biographies of historic figures such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin compelled me to base my Master's thesis on them and other figures who took part in the American Revolution. I've found that through biographies a person can live vicariously through the lives of others.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
That's an interesting question. I suppose one person would be L.E. Modesitt, Jr., author of the Saga of Recluce series and other excellent fantasy fiction series. His style and excellent character development skills are impressive. He has heavily influenced my own writing craft, in fact.
What book are you reading now?
Earlier today, I finished reading Halfway to the Grave (A Night Huntress Novel #1) by Jeaniene Frost. What an amazing read that was! This week, perhaps even this weekend, I plan to start reading Glass Houses (Morganville Vampires Novel #1) by Rachel Caine.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
What a great question! In the past year, I have met some wonderful authors, a number of whom are just getting started in their writing careers. I'm highly impressed by a paranormal romance author named Jamie Magee, who writes the Insight series. She's one of my peers on the Romancing Your Dark Side Blog Tour. Another burgeoning author, Tom Barczak of the fantasy Awakening Evarun series, uses a wonderfully unique style of prose. I hope to add other authors to this list once I have a chance to read their work.
What are your current projects?
As far as active writing, I'm between projects right now. I'm taking a break as I gear up for the release of my third Sunset Vampire novel in January, Summit at Sunset. I plan to start writing again next spring.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
My virtual friends and fans. I have met the most wonderful and supportive people in Facebook since I was first published last October.
Do you see writing as a career?
Well, it is a part-time career, of sorts. If you mean, "can I make a living as an author," then the answer is a definite "no" at this early stage in my career. Currently, I have to maintain a full-time career to keep the bills paid. So, I write when I can shave some time out of my day (or night!).
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No, I don't think so. I believe that A Bloody London Sunset develops my main characters in precisely the manner that it needs to for this stage in the series.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
Oh, yes. I wrote creative short stories to read to my class since I was in fifth grade in elementary school.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I'll share something that nobody except my editor and my proofreaders have read to this point. Here's an excerpt from my soon-to-be-released Sunset Vampire novel, Summit at Sunset:
On a cool mid-April night, Caleb Taylor carefully maneuvered through the thick undergrowth of the forest. Despite the oppressive darkness from all sides, it was a beautiful moonless night for a hunting excursion. Caleb paused at the edge of a break in the trees to appreciate the evening's gentle breeze.
Enough to mask my exact location, he speculated.
He had learned not to let the prey’s scent be acquired too easily by the predator, or else the hunt ended rather quickly. Glancing at the illuminated face of his new watch, he calculated the span of time that had passed since he had entered the forest.
Always fighting the clock.
Despite his preoccupation with quietly navigating his way through the pitch-black terrain, he took the time to breathe in the fresh scent of the forest. He attempted to gauge his location against the preliminary reconnaissance he had conducted prior to sunset. As he stepped past a tree and under one of the overhanging branches, he pivoted his body closer to the ground and heard a small tearing sound. With a quick tug and a sharp scrape against his left arm, he felt a stab of pain as needle-like brambles raked across his skin.
“Damn,” he muttered under his breath, tentatively probing his left arm. A closer inspection of his fingertips revealed a small trace of blood.
Glad I’m wearing older clothes, he absently credited before quietly proceeding on his way.
A minute passed before he heard a small shuffling sound not far from his location. He froze, grasped the trunk of a nearby tree, and scanned the area in the direction of the noise. His heartbeat increased slightly, and he momentarily closed his eyes to concentrate on calming himself.
Peaceful forest, calm forest, peaceful forest.
As his mantra ended and he opened his eyes, he was more at ease and continued to sweep the area visually. His eyes widened with sudden recognition as he stared between the tree trunks across a distance of approximately sixty feet at what appeared to be two small orbs of bright green. A predator’s eyes.
Realizing that all pretense of stealth had been lost, he turned and fled in the opposite direction through the bushes and tree limbs in a race against time. An image of a rabbit running from a fox flashed in his mind.
Barreling like a bullet through the darkened forest, he heard the sounds of his closing pursuer. The ground dropped sharply before him, and he half-tumbled down an incline, barely managing to keep his balance to the bottom. He righted himself and turned to run, but was startled by a whooshing sound from above. A dark image leapt over him and landed beside him with a heavy thud. He staggered backwards with surprise at the towering presence before him, crowned ominously with glowing green eyes.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Well, to this point my Sunset Vampire Series has presented the inner thoughts of characters as italicized type. I feel that it's important to reveal key thoughts of those characters for the reader to gain insight into them and further their development. However, it's a struggle to ensure that a reader isn't overwhelmed or confused by mixing the character's "thoughts" with the dialogue. Some readers can't adjust to this style of writing because most paranormal novels are written exclusively in first-person, so you only get the thoughts and perspective of the main character.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
My favorite writer is L.E. Modesitt, Jr., who I mentioned earlier in this interview. The manner in which he artfully and realistically explains and utilizes magical or psi-abilities in his books takes my breath away. The characters in his novels are so tangible and believable, and they're each emotionally approachable to readers. You sympathize with his characters, and there's NEVER an occasion where you frown and say, "Hey, why did that character suddenly do that? That seems entirely contrary..." His consistency and creativity in world building is noteworthy; an essential quality for a successful fantasy or sci-fi author.
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I would love to do some research traveling for my novels. However, both my wife and I have busy full-time careers, so we aren't able to travel as much as we would like. Most of my research is Internet-based or from my personal experiences visiting a location that I write about.
Who designed the covers?
I have to be one of the luckiest authors in the world! My Sunset Vampire Series cover art is done by Al Slark, a world-class veteran Canadian cover artist who is well-known for his beautiful Harlequin Romance novel covers. Al is a genuine creative genius and an amazing, talented artist! He has designed Harlequin covers for over fifteen years, but has also created artwork for westerns, thrillers, and some paranormal art. Rather than a mere graphic artist, Al has a heralded background in classic art, including traditional oil paintings. One of the real boons for me is that I had the opportunity to purchase the web rights to use his artwork as "fan images" to promote my vampire series. Those are images that were not selected for the actual Sunset Vampire novel covers but still looked amazing in their own right. And since the cover models were also the individuals that appear on my novel covers, they visually and accurately promote my characters and the continued publicity for my novels.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The hardest part is promotion and publicity! I'm not a public relations kind of person. Most authors aren't, in fact. I like to sit at my keyboard and create new stories and novels. Once it's written, I'm ready to move on to the next novel rather than promote what I just wrote. Oh well, that's a luxury that only the most famous or successful authors have. Most of us are mid-list to low-list authors who have to fight and claw to either gain some visibility or grow our readership in the marketplace. It's simply amazing how many novels are being published and/or released on a weekly basis!
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned two key things: First, that the easiest part of being an author is writing a novel. There's just so many layers to the publishing process...it's like drinking from an ocean once you get started, actually. Second, I learned that, while you may expect that not everyone will enjoy reading your novel, there are a number of people who feel the need to write scathing reviews if they didn't like it. It's almost as if they're attacking you for having written it; as if they were insulted that they were "duped" into reading your work. Wow, you really have to have self-confidence and a thick skin as an author. I like to cite the following quotation to authors (and myself) following receiving a horrible review: "You're rarely as good as your best fans proclaim, but you're NEVER as bad as your worst critics accuse."
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Absolutely. Never doubt that you have a worthwhile story to tell. Make sure that you have a number of proofreaders to review your work BEFORE you send your manuscript to your editor or agent. (And make sure those are people who aren't afraid to provide honest feedback to you about your writing.) They're invaluable to you! Finally, never...never...never give up on your writing endeavors. It's a journey of both personal and literary growth that shapes you into a better person, as well as a better writer.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Yes, I do. Thank you, dear readers, for your kindness, support, and fellowship! Half of my pleasure in being an author has been getting to know my readers at a personal level on Facebook, Twitter, and via blog postings. You have all enriched me personally and made me a better person by meeting you!
Thanks so much for interviewing me, Nora. This has been a sincere honor and pleasure!
th Jaz
iResponses for Nora Barteau
"A Paranormal Lover's Point of View" Blog
For Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Romancing Your Dark Side Paranormal Blog Tour
Hi, Nora! Thanks so much for hosting an interview of me on your blog.
Where are you from?
I'm a native Oklahoman, and my wife and I currently reside in central Oklahoma.
Tell us your latest news?
Just this past week I was nominated for a position on the Paranormal Romance Guild Board of Directors for the 2011 - 2012 term. With a little luck, perhaps I'll be elected by the membership!
When and why did you begin writing?
I began writing as a child because I felt the need to express ideas and stories that were floating around in my imagination. In some respects, it was almost like keeping a journal of my imagination's developments. *chuckling*
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Ever since I wrote my first short story, I have considered myself a writer. However, I didn't consider myself an "author" until my first novel was published in October 2010.
What inspired you to write your first book?
The characters of Katrina and Caleb were so realistic and compelling in my imagination that they felt like real people or personalities. I simply felt that their story had to be told.
Do you have a specific writing style?
Thus far, I write in third person. Most of my paranormal romance peers seem to write in first-person, which I find intriguing, actually. I also like to reveal the inner thoughts of primary characters in a scene, so I italicize the text to set it aside from actual events or dialogue.
How did you come up with the title?
I'm a big fan of puns, so selecting a title that was a play on words (Sunrise at Sunset) seemed catchy and something that might resonate positively with prospective readers. Each title in the Sunset Vampire Series will have the word sunset in the title.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Well, I didn't write my novel with that intention, but in the end I would have to say that a couple of messages have risen to the surface. First, it's important people understand that they can overcome tragedy or abuse in their lives if they only try hard enough and have proper support. Second, I believe that my novels challenge the traditional gender roles in literature. My novels declare: "Women can successfully serve as the dominant role players in relationships in a healthy manner, as well as be the heroines who save the men they love."
How much of the book is realistic?
That's a good question. I suggest that my approach to adult characters who have suffered abuse during childhood is relatively realistic. I have also tried to present the romantic relationship between Caleb and Katrina in a realistic manner, as well as the issues faced between a human and vampire who seek to maintain a relationship together.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Oh, no. I never try to use my own life or people who I know (or have known) to be depicted in my novels. I feel the need to keep my own reality separated from the stories and characters that I write about. I take the word "fiction" very seriously when it comes to my fantasy writing! *laughing*
What books have most influenced your life most?
That's an excellent question, and one that I haven't been asked before. *pondering an answer for a moment* I have been impacted by literature in some form or fashion throughout my life. As a teenager, I was emotionally impacted by books written by James Herriot, author of All Creatures Great and Small and All Things Bright and Beautiful. Having seen the British television series, I knew that I wanted to read the novels. They're set in Great Britain just prior to World War II, and they have a lot to say about the quiet, everyday heroics of an individual. While also extolling the circle of life, the stories delve into the complexities and value of relationships. The biographies of historic figures such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin compelled me to base my Master's thesis on them and other figures who took part in the American Revolution. I've found that through biographies a person can live vicariously through the lives of others.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
That's an interesting question. I suppose one person would be L.E. Modesitt, Jr., author of the Saga of Recluce series and other excellent fantasy fiction series. His style and excellent character development skills are impressive. He has heavily influenced my own writing craft, in fact.
What book are you reading now?
Earlier today, I finished reading Halfway to the Grave (A Night Huntress Novel #1) by Jeaniene Frost. What an amazing read that was! This week, perhaps even this weekend, I plan to start reading Glass Houses (Morganville Vampires Novel #1) by Rachel Caine.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
What a great question! In the past year, I have met some wonderful authors, a number of whom are just getting started in their writing careers. I'm highly impressed by a paranormal romance author named Jamie Magee, who writes the Insight series. She's one of my peers on the Romancing Your Dark Side Blog Tour. Another burgeoning author, Tom Barczak of the fantasy Awakening Evarun series, uses a wonderfully unique style of prose. I hope to add other authors to this list once I have a chance to read their work.
What are your current projects?
As far as active writing, I'm between projects right now. I'm taking a break as I gear up for the release of my third Sunset Vampire novel in January, Summit at Sunset. I plan to start writing again next spring.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
My virtual friends and fans. I have met the most wonderful and supportive people in Facebook since I was first published last October.
Do you see writing as a career?
Well, it is a part-time career, of sorts. If you mean, "can I make a living as an author," then the answer is a definite "no" at this early stage in my career. Currently, I have to maintain a full-time career to keep the bills paid. So, I write when I can shave some time out of my day (or night!).
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No, I don't think so. I believe that A Bloody London Sunset develops my main characters in precisely the manner that it needs to for this stage in the series.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
Oh, yes. I wrote creative short stories to read to my class since I was in fifth grade in elementary school.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I'll share something that nobody except my editor and my proofreaders have read to this point. Here's an excerpt from my soon-to-be-released Sunset Vampire novel, Summit at Sunset:
On a cool mid-April night, Caleb Taylor carefully maneuvered through the thick undergrowth of the forest. Despite the oppressive darkness from all sides, it was a beautiful moonless night for a hunting excursion. Caleb paused at the edge of a break in the trees to appreciate the evening's gentle breeze.
Enough to mask my exact location, he speculated.
He had learned not to let the prey’s scent be acquired too easily by the predator, or else the hunt ended rather quickly. Glancing at the illuminated face of his new watch, he calculated the span of time that had passed since he had entered the forest.
Always fighting the clock.
Despite his preoccupation with quietly navigating his way through the pitch-black terrain, he took the time to breathe in the fresh scent of the forest. He attempted to gauge his location against the preliminary reconnaissance he had conducted prior to sunset. As he stepped past a tree and under one of the overhanging branches, he pivoted his body closer to the ground and heard a small tearing sound. With a quick tug and a sharp scrape against his left arm, he felt a stab of pain as needle-like brambles raked across his skin.
“Damn,” he muttered under his breath, tentatively probing his left arm. A closer inspection of his fingertips revealed a small trace of blood.
Glad I’m wearing older clothes, he absently credited before quietly proceeding on his way.
A minute passed before he heard a small shuffling sound not far from his location. He froze, grasped the trunk of a nearby tree, and scanned the area in the direction of the noise. His heartbeat increased slightly, and he momentarily closed his eyes to concentrate on calming himself.
Peaceful forest, calm forest, peaceful forest.
As his mantra ended and he opened his eyes, he was more at ease and continued to sweep the area visually. His eyes widened with sudden recognition as he stared between the tree trunks across a distance of approximately sixty feet at what appeared to be two small orbs of bright green. A predator’s eyes.
Realizing that all pretense of stealth had been lost, he turned and fled in the opposite direction through the bushes and tree limbs in a race against time. An image of a rabbit running from a fox flashed in his mind.
Barreling like a bullet through the darkened forest, he heard the sounds of his closing pursuer. The ground dropped sharply before him, and he half-tumbled down an incline, barely managing to keep his balance to the bottom. He righted himself and turned to run, but was startled by a whooshing sound from above. A dark image leapt over him and landed beside him with a heavy thud. He staggered backwards with surprise at the towering presence before him, crowned ominously with glowing green eyes.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Well, to this point my Sunset Vampire Series has presented the inner thoughts of characters as italicized type. I feel that it's important to reveal key thoughts of those characters for the reader to gain insight into them and further their development. However, it's a struggle to ensure that a reader isn't overwhelmed or confused by mixing the character's "thoughts" with the dialogue. Some readers can't adjust to this style of writing because most paranormal novels are written exclusively in first-person, so you only get the thoughts and perspective of the main character.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
My favorite writer is L.E. Modesitt, Jr., who I mentioned earlier in this interview. The manner in which he artfully and realistically explains and utilizes magical or psi-abilities in his books takes my breath away. The characters in his novels are so tangible and believable, and they're each emotionally approachable to readers. You sympathize with his characters, and there's NEVER an occasion where you frown and say, "Hey, why did that character suddenly do that? That seems entirely contrary..." His consistency and creativity in world building is noteworthy; an essential quality for a successful fantasy or sci-fi author.
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I would love to do some research traveling for my novels. However, both my wife and I have busy full-time careers, so we aren't able to travel as much as we would like. Most of my research is Internet-based or from my personal experiences visiting a location that I write about.
Who designed the covers?
I have to be one of the luckiest authors in the world! My Sunset Vampire Series cover art is done by Al Slark, a world-class veteran Canadian cover artist who is well-known for his beautiful Harlequin Romance novel covers. Al is a genuine creative genius and an amazing, talented artist! He has designed Harlequin covers for over fifteen years, but has also created artwork for westerns, thrillers, and some paranormal art. Rather than a mere graphic artist, Al has a heralded background in classic art, including traditional oil paintings. One of the real boons for me is that I had the opportunity to purchase the web rights to use his artwork as "fan images" to promote my vampire series. Those are images that were not selected for the actual Sunset Vampire novel covers but still looked amazing in their own right. And since the cover models were also the individuals that appear on my novel covers, they visually and accurately promote my characters and the continued publicity for my novels.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The hardest part is promotion and publicity! I'm not a public relations kind of person. Most authors aren't, in fact. I like to sit at my keyboard and create new stories and novels. Once it's written, I'm ready to move on to the next novel rather than promote what I just wrote. Oh well, that's a luxury that only the most famous or successful authors have. Most of us are mid-list to low-list authors who have to fight and claw to either gain some visibility or grow our readership in the marketplace. It's simply amazing how many novels are being published and/or released on a weekly basis!
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned two key things: First, that the easiest part of being an author is writing a novel. There's just so many layers to the publishing process...it's like drinking from an ocean once you get started, actually. Second, I learned that, while you may expect that not everyone will enjoy reading your novel, there are a number of people who feel the need to write scathing reviews if they didn't like it. It's almost as if they're attacking you for having written it; as if they were insulted that they were "duped" into reading your work. Wow, you really have to have self-confidence and a thick skin as an author. I like to cite the following quotation to authors (and myself) following receiving a horrible review: "You're rarely as good as your best fans proclaim, but you're NEVER as bad as your worst critics accuse."
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Absolutely. Never doubt that you have a worthwhile story to tell. Make sure that you have a number of proofreaders to review your work BEFORE you send your manuscript to your editor or agent. (And make sure those are people who aren't afraid to provide honest feedback to you about your writing.) They're invaluable to you! Finally, never...never...never give up on your writing endeavors. It's a journey of both personal and literary growth that shapes you into a better person, as well as a better writer.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Yes, I do. Thank you, dear readers, for your kindness, support, and fellowship! Half of my pleasure in being an author has been getting to know my readers at a personal level on Facebook, Twitter, and via blog postings. You have all enriched me personally and made me a better person by meeting you!
Thanks so much for interviewing me, Nora. This has been a sincere honor and pleasure!
th Jaz
Jaz -
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Can't wait to read this series!
Lea Ellen {night owl in IL}
Awesome interview Jaz, as per the norm :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for having him!
-Dawn aka dawnmomoffour
thedoyle6@rogers.com
Thanks so much, Lea Ellen and Dawn! You are both so kind and supportive to me!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jaz
Thank you for the awesome interview Jaz. I can't wait to read more about your journey. Sunrise at Sunset is on my wishlist with a check for must read:) Nora thank you for taking the time to share this wonderful read with us, as well as introducing us to Jaz!
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Thank each and everyone who dropped in to let Jaz know how much he is appreciated and thanks for the compliments.
ReplyDeleteLO...Jaz!! You need to work on the sex scenes :) You writing about the most predatoral sub-human category besides demons, so they are going to be dark, deadly, and passionate! JK! lOVED THE INTERVIEW!
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