Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Today is a special day because I have a very special interview with romance author Jessica Barksdale Inclán. I was very lucky enough for her to have found a link to my wonderful blog and saw that I was looking for any authors who would be interested in an interview and book review. She contacted me about an interview and a book review of her recent trilogy, which I told her I would be honored to do both. I will be reviewing her books Being with Him and Intimate Beings soon so look out for those two reviews in mid-December or the beginning of January. I had such funning interviewing and getting to know Jessica and I hope you have fun reading the interview below as much as I did.


* * * * *


Phoebe Jordan: When did you know that writing romance was going to be the thing that you would do with your life?


Jessica Barksdale Inclán: I'm not sure that writing romance is "the" thing I do with my life. In fact, it truly isn't. I have been writing poetry and short fiction since I was about twelve, and I wrote throughout high school and college. Because I had two children very young, I went right into my teaching career after graduate school. I teach English full-time at Diablo Valley College, and online novel writing classes for UCLA Extension. My first novel, Her Daughter's Eyes, is a literary/contemporary novel as are the next five that I wrote. But starting with When You Believe, I dipped my quill into the world of romance, and I've had a blast there! I find the romantic relationship to be enthralling and fun, and I'm happy to write stories about it.


Phoebe: Did you know what type of romance you wanted to write about or did you experiment with different genres before you chose the one that you felt was for you?


Jessica: My agent suggested to me that I write something other than what I was writing because I write fast. He thought that I should have another creative outlet (and he's also the agent of Lisa Kleypas and Christina Dodd, so he knows that romance writing can be fun and lucrative!). So I set about learning about romance, reading 100 books in one summer, and I realized very soon that paranormals were fun. I liked the worlds that the writers created, and as I am a big fan of fantasy and speculative fiction, I knew I could put a romantic relationship into a world myself.


Phoebe: What was the first fiction you ever wrote? And do you still have it with you?


Jessica: I have some little pieces with me still, shot stories. But in high school, junior year, I wrote a very bad novel about a girl "coming of age" (I didn’t write far from home there) and yes, it is in a box upstairs in the garage.


Phoebe: How much research do you have to do for your novels and did it take you a long time to gather that research?


Jessica: I have to research everything, no matter what I am writing. Even personal essays! I make sure that I keep things "true" even when I am writing lies (fiction). I usually write the novels, getting the plot down on the page, and then I go back and do my work. Google is my best friend. I live on Google! Thank goodness for Google! I also call people when I need to, friends with expertise. Or a cold call people in order to figure out what it is my characters are doing.


Phoebe: How did you come up with the concept for your Second Romance Trilogy? How is it different from your Believe Trilogy?


Jessica: The second trilogy is based on the concept of orphans. Of being left behind. Of being without their people. I saw in my mind these three blonde children hurtling away from home, scared and confused. And then I grew them up and put each of them in their own book. In those stories, they are looking for their families and they are looking for their parted twins, doubles, and the other person to complete them. They exist in a "magic" world, but it's a world far bigger than the one I created in the Believe Trilogy.


Phoebe: Do you have a process of how you start to write one of your novels? And is it the same or different with each novel you write?


Jessica: Yes, I pretty much just get an idea and start to write. Sometimes, these ideas die out about page 75. But when the novel is a go, it's a go! I just push through to the end, and then I go about the hard business of revising and revising and revising. Then it is off to the readers and my mother, all of whom chime in. Then the novel goes to my agent or to my editor, both of whom will give me more suggestions! But I don't outline and my theory is to move forward and come back much, much later, when the novel has a shape and form and I know what is going to happen.


Phoebe: Which do you like best, writing a series or writing stand alone novels? How is writing each different for you?


Jessica: I think I like both. The series are fun because I can keep working a story for a long time. My novels tend to come in under 300 pages manuscript form. That's just the way I write. But in a series, I have a chance to tie up some loose ends from the novel before, adding more material and scenes to secondary characters that I've grown fond of. In the second romance trilogy, I have become fond of a couple named Stephanie and Porter. Porter is a smart ass, a pain in the neck, and I was able to channel my pain in the neckness through him for over 900 pages! He was fun.


Phoebe: What process did you have to go through to get your first book published and did it take you long?


Jessica: I didn't sell my first novel until I was 38 years old, and the process of getting to that point involved many years of writing and taking classes and going to conferences. I sold the novel, and it came out when I was 40. The two years were the gearing up for that, and it seemed like a very long time indeed! But it was all the years of hard work before that that led up to the point of my being able to sell it.


Phoebe: How did you feel when you finally saw your first published book came out in print and how do you feel about your other novels being published?


Jessica: I feel that I was very naive when my first novel came out. I was thrilled, but I did not realize all the hard work that a writer has to do to get her book out in the world. Now I am very familiar with all the work a writer must do to be seen—blogging and interviews and book signings and movie trailers and web sites. It's a business, and when I first started, I thought being a writer was about art and words and expression. It is, but there is this whole other side to the writing life that isn't about writing at all!


Phoebe: How do you handle your writing schedule and your personal life without going insane?


Jessica: Who says I'm not insane :) Okay, I'm not, but how I keep myself on the good side of the line is to manage time. I write in the morning after doing my teaching work. I make sure to write at least 300 words a day, no matter what. My children are grown now, so it is much easier to managed my time, and my boyfriend doesn't always expect dinner (and most of the times, he'll make it for me!). So I just make sure to keep myself in order in terms of tasks, and I can always find the time to whip out a scene or two.


Phoebe: What do you do to relax after having spent a long while writing?


Jessica: I exercise every day, about 2 hours. That helps. I read. I walk with friends. I watch TV with my boyfriend, and we have a glass of wine. I garden. It seems to work fairly well, though the holidays ARE stressful.


Phoebe: Do you have any hobbies?


Jessica: I think I just answered that in the question above! Well, what else? No, I think that's about it. Oh, bird watching. And I do like to clean my house. Sick and sad, but true.


Phoebe: Is there any advice that you would give to an aspiring romance writer that you wish someone had given you?


Jessica: Really, it would be that your book won't sell itself. Get out and do what you can to promote your book. Blog, get on the romance sites, make sure you have a web site. Find ways to show people your books so that some little bit of word-of-mouth can start. But ultimately, it would be to write the stories you want to write. That keeps writers happy.


Phoebe: Is there any writing tips, research tips, promotion and marketing tips that you would give to an aspiring romance writer that you wish someone had given you?


Jessica: Blogging has been the best for me. I blog on Red Room and the word-of-mouth has been very helpful. Also, networking—I will be teaching some classes through a RWA chapter online starting next year. The listing for those will be on the Yosemite Romance Writers site. Teaching through them also broadens my reader base. But again, it's all about how to get out in the world!

2 comments:

  1. You've been bookwormed! I'm awarding you the coveted "Bookworm Award" this post will give you more details.

    http://thebookloversden.blogspot.com/2008/12/bookworm-award.html

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my Talk About My Favorite Authors blog. Comments written here are much appreciated and I hope that you enjoyed your visit and will be coming back soon.

Labels

A Tale of Shar Series (1) Abby Cooper Psychic Eye Mystery Series (1) Adrianne Brennan (2) Advance Readers Copy Reviews (31) Aisling Grey Series (1) Alexis Duvall (1) Alison Kent (2) Ally Carter (2) Alyson Noël (2) Amanda Ashby (2) Amanda Matetsky (1) Amy Redwood (4) Anastasia Rabiyah (1) Anastasia Steele (1) Angela Cameron (5) Angelis Family Series (4) Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series (3) Ann DeFee (1) Anne Elizabeth (1) Aphra Connolly Death Mystery Series (2) Apple Products (1) April Bostic (3) Argeneau Family Vampire Series (1) Ashen Twilight Series (1) Ashlynn Monroe (2) Ashton Grove Werewolves Series (5) Australian Series (2) Authors (21) Ava Rose Johson (1) BDSM (1) Betty Smith (1) Beverly Barton (1) Bitter Creek Series (1) Black Daggar Brotherhood (3) Blog Talk Radio (18) Blogs (11) Blood and Sex Series (3) Bonnie Dee (1) Book Blogger Appreciation Week (6) Book Bloggers and Publishers Online Conference (3) Book Challenge (1) Book Expo of America (2) Book Reviews (177) Book Trailers/Videos (6) Books turned to Movies (6) Bragg Saga Series (4) Brenda Joyce (18) Bridgerton Family Series (1) Brody Crossing Series (1) Broken Heart Oklahoma Vampire Series (1) Brotherhood of the Sword Series (5) Bubbles Yablonsky Series (1) Buchanan Family Series (3) C.H. Admirand (2) Cajun Contemporary Series (1) Cameron Sisters Series (1) Captive Hearts Series (1) Cara Summers (4) Casa Dracula Series (3) Cassandra Curtis (1) Catherine Anderson (7) Catherine Coulter (8) Catherine Lanigan (1) Cathy Maxwell (3) Cathy McDavid (1) Cavendish Square Trilogy (1) Cecilia Tan (2) Celestial Lovers Series (2) Celia May Hart (1) Celina Summers (1) Centurion Series (1) Charlaine Harris (9) Charles Towne Belle Series (1) Charline Ratcliff (3) Charlotte Dillion (1) Charlotte Hughes (3) Charlotte McClain (2) Chelsea James (1) Chesapeake Bay Saga Series (1) Chicago Stars Series (1) Christian Grey (1) Christian Romance (3) Christina Dodd (1) Christine Feehan (2) Chrysalis Series (2) Ciar Cullen (1) Circle Trilogy (1) Clare Austin (3) Claudia Dain (1) Comanche Series (1) Contest (12) Coulter Family Series (1) Courtesan Series (1) Courtship Wars (3) CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (1) Crossroads Series (3) Crystal Green (6) Crystal Jordan (6) Cynthia Eden (2) Daddy in Progress Series (3) Dakota Johnson (1) Dallas Duet Series (1) Dara England (1) Dark Gate series (1) Dark Hunter Series (1) Dark Moon Series (1) Dark of kNight Series (1) Dark Ones Series (1) Dawn Atkins (1) Dawn Thompson (1) Dead World Series (1) Debbi Rawlins (1) Debbie Macomber (1) Debora Dennis (1) Debra Cown (1) Dee Tenorio (2) Deirdre Martin (1) Demon Princess Chronicles Series (1) Dena Celeste (2) Denise Lynn (1) Desert Secret Series (1) Devil's Duology Series (1) Devyn Quinn (1) Diana Castilleja (1) Diana Holquist (1) Dirk and Steele Series (1) Dolan Brothers Family Series (1) Dollaganger series (1) Dorothy Garlock (8) Drake Family Series (2) Dukes of Wyndham Series (2) E. L. James (3) eBooks (177) Eden Bradley (1) Elizabeth Lowell (2) Elle Amery (6) Emily Bryan (2) Erica Orloff (2) Erotic Horror Romance (1) Eva Gordon (5) Fadó Trilogy (2) Fae Sutherland (4) Federation Series (3) Fever Series (5) Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy (3) Final Prophecy Series (3) Firehouse 59 Series (1) Francesca Cahill Deadly Series (1) Fred the Mermaid Series (3) Friday’s at Luciano’s Series (1) Gabriella Hewitt (2) Gail Roarke (1) Gallagher Girls Series (2) Genella deGrey (2) Gerry Bartlett (4) Ghostwalker Series (1) Glory St. Claire Vampire Series (4) Goddess Fish Promotions (4) Grace Coopersmith (1) Graphic Novels (1) Guest Blog Reviewer (7) Guest Blogger (59) Gwen Hayes (1) Gwen Rowley (1) Gwynne Forster (1) Hailey North (5) Harlequin American Romance Series (10) Harlequin Blaze Series (25) Harlequin Special Releases (1) HarperCollins Publishers (1) Harry Potter Series (1) Highlander Series (9) Historical McKettrick Series (4) Hope Tarr (1) Hot Cops Series (1) Hotel Marchance Series (1) House of Night Series (5) Houston Family Series (1) Immortals After Dark Series (4) Immortals Series (2) Imprint William Morrow (1) IN DEATH Series (2) In The Garden Trilogy (1) Indencent Proposals Series (2) Indie Publishing (1) Inez Kelley (1) Inspirational Romance Series (1) Interview (74) Irish Trilogy Series (1) Irish Western Series (1) Isabo Kelly (1) J.D. Robb (3) J.K. Coi (2) J.K. Rowling (1) J.L. Oiler (1) J.R. Ward (5) Jacquie D'Alessandro (1) Jade Lee (1) Jaid Black (3) Jamie Dornan (1) Jane Austen (1) Jane Feather (2) Janet Chapman (10) Janis Reams Hudson (1) Jasmine Aherne (3) Jax Cassidy (1) Jayne Ann Krentz (2) Jeanne St. James (1) Jeannie Ruesch (1) Jenna Bayley-Burke (3) Jennifer Crusie (1) Jennifer Haymore (1) Jennifer Leeland (1) Jeri Smith-Ready (1) Jess Granger (1) Jessica Andersen (3) Jessica Barksdale Inclán (3) Jessica Brody (1) Jessica Coulter Smith (12) Jessie Colter (1) Joan Johnston (6) Joanne Rendell (1) Jodi Lynn Copeland (1) Johanna Lindsey (1) Joie Cain (1) Joneses Family Series (1) Jordan Summers (1) joy nash (1) Judith McNaught (4) Judy Christenberry (1) Julia London (2) Julia Quinn (4) Julie Garwood (6) Julie James (2) Julie Kimbrell (1) K. Celeste Bryan (1) Kane/Cabot Vampire Series (1) Kara Lennox (3) Karen Anders (3) Karen Erickson (1) Karen Marie Moning (8) Karen Robards (3) Karen Rose Smith (3) Karin Tabke (1) Karoline Barrett (1) Kate Holly Case Series (2) Kathleen E. Woodiwiss (7) Kathryn Caskie (3) Kathy Lyons (1) Kathye Quick (3) Katie Alender (1) Katie MacAlister (11) Kazuo Ishiguro (1) KB Alan (1) Keisha Mennefee (1) Kelley Nyrae (2) Kelly Jones Thriller Series (2) Kelly Marcel (1) Kendra Ballantyne - Pet-Sitter Mystery Series (6) Kerrelyn Sparks (8) Keta Diablo (13) Key Trilogy Series (1) Kiki Howell (3) Kim Knox (1) Kimberley Troutte (1) Kinley MacGregor (7) Klaus Brothers Series (2) Kresley Cole (7) L.L. Foster (2) Lara Adrian (1) Laura Bickle (1) Laura Marie Altom (2) Laurell K. Hamilton (6) Lauren Dane (5) Lauren Fraser (2) Lauren Murphy (1) Laurin Wittig (1) League of Sensational Abilities (LSA) Series (2) Legacy Series (1) Leigh Ellwood (1) Leigh Michaels (1) Leslie Wainger (1) Lex Valentine (2) Lilli Feisty (1) Linda Francis Lee (1) Linda Gerber (2) Linda Howard (3) Linda Lael Miller (20) Linda Mooney (1) Linda O. Johnston (6) Linda Palmer (8) Linda Windstead Jones (1) Linore Rose Burkard (2) Lisa Jackson (5) Lisa Lane (6) Lisa M. Campbell (2) Lisa Marie Wilkinson (1) Lisa Whitefern (1) Lissa Matthews (2) Logger Series (1) London Undead Series (1) Lone Star Sisters Series (3) Look Book Series (1) Lorhainne Eckhart (3) Lori Borrill (1) Lori Foster (12) Lori Handeland (3) Lori Perkins (1) Lori Wilde (3) Love at Stake Series (6) Lucinda Betts (1) Lust in Space Series (1) Lust in Translation Miniseries (1) Lynsay Sands (1) M. Jean Pike (2) M.A. Ellis (1) M.G. Braden (2) M.J. Holliday Ghost Hunter Mysteries Series (2) M.L. Lacy (3) MacAlister Series (5) MacBook Pro (2) MacKade Brothers Series (1) Madonna Lacy (3) Maggie Shayne (1) Magic Series (1) Male/Male Erotic Romance (4) Manic Readers Review (10) Margay Leah Justice (2) Marguerite Labbe (1) Maria Murnane (1) Marine Series (1) Mario Puzo (1) Marisa Chenery (3) Marjorie M. Liu (1) Marta Acosta (4) MaryJanice Davidson (4) MaryLu Tyndall (3) McKettrick Series (9) Megan Hart (1) Melissa and Christopher Golliday (2) Men of Mercy Medical Series (2) Men of the West Series (1) Merry Gentry Series (1) Message Boards/Forums (5) Michele Bardsley (2) Michele Dunaway (1) Michelle Gagnon (2) Michelle Lauren (3) Michelle M. Pillow (5) Midnight Breed Series (1) Millie Criswell (1) Minnette Meador (2) Missy Lyons (1) Moira Keith (3) Mojo Sheepshanks Books Series (2) Monère Children of the Moon Series (3) Montana Brides Series (2) Montana To Die Series (2) Morganville Vampires Series (5) Movie (2) Nancy O'Berry (3) Nell Dixon (1) New Books (3) New Moon (1) New Orleans Series (1) Nicole Jordan (5) Nicole Morgan (2) Nightcreatures Series (1) Niki Green (1) Non-Romance (1) NOOKbook (1) NOOKcolor (1) Nora Roberts (22) Norah Hess (1) Northbridge Nuptials Series (5) One True Love Trilogy Series (1) Orphan Train Series (1) P.C. and Kristin Cast (5) Paige Turner Mystery Series (1) Paige Tyler (5) Paige Warren (3) Pamela Clare (1) Pamela Palmer (1) Paradise Series (1) Patricia Sargeant (1) Patti Berg (1) Penguin Publishing Group (1) Penny McCall (1) Penny Watson (3) Perfect Anatomy Series (3) Personal (44) Phoenix Chronicles Series (2) PJ Schnyder (1) Podcast (18) Portia da Costa (2) Promotional (88) Puffin Harbor Series (1) Pump Up Your Book Promotion (5) Quaid Horses Series (1) Quartzton Series (4) Queen Betsy Undead Series (2) R.F. Long (4) R.G. Alexander (2) Rachel Caine (5) Rachel Vincent (1) Rae Lori (5) Raintree Series (1) Rating 3 Open Books (6) Rating 3.5 Open Books (18) Rating 4 Open Books (78) Rating 4.5 Open Books (39) Rating 5 Open Books (6) Ravenous Romance (1) Realms Beyond Series (1) Rebecca J. Vickery (3) Reese Johnson (2) Requested Reviews (117) RG Alexander (1) Rhiannon Leith (2) Rie McGaha (3) Rikki Donovan (1) Rita Gerlach (1) Rita Sawyer (3) Rob Graham (1) Robin Shope (1) Romance Divas Promo (15) Romantic Suspense (1) Romantic Times BOOKlovers Convention (2) Route 66 Series (1) Royle Sisters Trilogy (3) RT BOOKlovers Convention Special (16) Russian Series (1) Saint Georges Series (1) Salamander's Tales Series (1) Sam Taylor-Johnson (1) Sandra Hill (1) Sara Taney Humphreys (2) Sarah Strohmeyer (3) SBC Fighters Series (5) Second Romance Series (2) Secret Lives of Cowboys Series (1) Seeds of Oden (1) Sela Carsen (1) Servant Series (2) Sexy Series (1) Sharon Sala (3) Shayla Black (2) Shelley Munro (3) Sherbrooke Bride Series (2) Sherrilyn Kenyon (4) Shiloh Walker (3) Sign of Seven Trilogy Series (3) Silhouette Nocturne Series (3) Silhouette Special Edition Series (15) Silver Dragons Series (2) Sinclair Brothers Series (1) Sisters of the Lone Star Series (1) Small Town USA Series (1) Song Series (2) Sookie Stackhouse - Southern Vampire Series (8) Soul Screamers Series (1) Stella Bagwell (1) Stephanie Adkins (2) Stephenie Meyer (4) Sunny (4) Susan Andersen (2) Susan Elizabeth Phillips (1) Susan Johnson (1) Susan Mallery (5) Sutherland Brothers Series (1) Sweetbrier Academy Series (2) T.A. Ford (1) T.L. Mitchell (2) Tales of the Darkworld Series (1) Tall Dark and Dangerously Hot Trilogy Series (3) Tamela Quijas (2) Tami Hoag (2) Tanya Michaels (1) Tara S. Nichols (4) Tatiana Caldwell (1) Tawny Taylor (3) Tawny Weber (6) Teresa D'Amario (1) Teresa Medeiros (3) Teresa Southwick (2) Terisa Wilcox (1) The Darkness and the Night Series (3) The de Warenne Dynasty Series (9) The Doomsday Brethren Series (2) The Masters of Time (1) The Scandal Series (1) The State of Parenthood Series (2) The Suds Club (4) Theresa Scott (2) Thursday Thirteen (11) Tori Carrington (2) Tracy Cooper-Posey (3) Triton Experiment Series (1) Twilight Saga (1) Twilight Series (6) Two Showgirls Series (1) Undercover Lovers Miniseries (1) V.C. Andrews (1) Vampire Bite Series (2) Vanessa Jaye (1) Veronica Wolff (3) Victoria Chancellor (1) Victoria Laurie (3) Victoria Pade (5) W. Somerset Maugham (1) Wasteland Series (3) Websites (14) Wendy Ely (4) Widgets (1) Wild Horse Press (22) Winston Family Series (3) Wolf Maiden Chronicles Series (4) Wolf of My Heart Series (1) Writing (3) Writing Romance (10) WVMP Radio Series (1) Young Adult (28)

Total Pageviews

Featured Post

Fifty Shades of Grey Movie

Fifty Shades of Grey Movie Poster It was more than year ago that we had heard rumors that there would be a Fifty Shades of Grey movie com...

My Favorite Quotes

2018 Reading Challenge

2018 Reading Challenge

2018 Reading Challenge
Phoebe has read 0 books toward her goal of 20 books.
hide

My Loyal Readers

Social Media Profiles

Amazon ProfileBlogger ProfileFacebook Fan PageGoogle ProfileLinkedIn ProfileMySpacePhoebe Jordan’s PayPal Verified!SkypeTwitterIn the Life of…An Aspiring Romance WriterYahoo! ProfileYouTube Channel

I'm Currently Reading...

Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog

To Be Read Pile

Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog

*

Goodreads Updates

TAMFA Podcast

Listen to internet radio with Phoebe Jordan on BlogTalkRadio

FeedBurner

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner


Popular Posts

Blogs of Interest