Author Jeannie Holmes Interview and Book Contest – LIVE Here!

BBB: How old were you when you began writing, and what was the first piece you ever wrote?

JH: I was about six years old when I wrote my first short story for a class project. It was about a young worm who lost his way and was trying to get back home. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the title, but I do recall it was fully illustrated. I wish I still had it because it would be fun to look back on it now.

BBB: Are there particular activities or places that inspire you as a writer, or does inspiration just come out of the blue anywhere and anytime?

JH: My greatest inspirations come from life. They appear out of the blue. It could be from the news, a science article online, a snippet of an overheard conversation at the airport, a museum, a song–the possibilities are endless.

BBB: What books did you most enjoy reading while growing up? As a teen?

JH: I was a strange kid because I read any book I could get my hands on. I loved Nancy Drew and Encyclopedia Brown mysteries as well as classics like Black Beauty, Treasure Island, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and of course, Tolkien. I also read a lot of mythology and natural history books. As I grew into my teens, I religiously read Terry Brooks’s “Shannara” series. They’re still among my favorites. Other favorites included Anne Rice, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.

BBB: What genres do you read for pleasure now?

JH: Anything and everything! I honestly don’t discriminate between genres. I read what interests me, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction. However, I do admit to having a low tolerance level. If I’m not hooked in the first 25-50 pages (if that long!), then I don’t finish reading the book. Sad, but true.

BBB: What hobbies do you have, and what do you enjoy doing for relaxation?

JH: I read, of course, but I also enjoy drawing and painting. I’ve been involved with studio art as long as I have been with writing. I listen to music and attempt to sing along–much to my husband’s and cats’ chagrin. Other hobbies include making jewelry and bath products (soap, bath salts, etc.), and baking. I’m currently teaching myself to crochet. It’s not going very well.

BBB: You recently contributed the story “Seventeen Coppers” to The Mammoth Book of Ghost Romance, and have another story soon to appear in a futuristic romance anthology. Do you find the challenges of writing in short-form more daunting or kind of freeing?

JH: This may sound weird but I find short stories to be both. On the one hand, they’re freeing because I can explore new characters and worlds. On the other hand, they’re challenging because I have a finite amount of words to build this new world, describe the characters, and tell their story. It’s a daunting prospect whenever I begin a new short story, but after a while, I settle into the pace and rhythm of it and have fun.

BBB: Speaking of “Seventeen Coppers,” this story is a departure from the world of Alex and Varik. Please describe this cool story with its steampunk and futuristic elements to our readers.

JH: “Seventeen Coppers” is a steampunk-inspired romantic fantasy. Ro Vargas is a thief who’s hired to steal a man’s soul. Unfortunately for Ro, an old flame, Mason Beck, is after the man’s soul as well. It’s a huge departure from the world of Alex and Varik, which is grounded in modern police and forensic procedures. Ro and Mason live in a world of airships, ecto-orbs (special vessels for capturing and transporting ghosts), alchemy, and steam-driven mechanical wonders. I like to think of their world as being the result of Jules Verne writing Pirates of the Caribbean with Robin Hood in the starring role.

BBB: Out of all of your characters, which have you most enjoyed writing and which has proven the most difficult?

JH: I love writing all of my characters and for different reasons. Alex and Varik are great to write because of the constant threads of sexual tension and a shared dark past that pushes them together but also pulls them apart. Ro and Mason were a lot of fun because they were new. I think the most difficult character to write has to be The Dollmaker from “Blood Secrets.” It was very draining to be inside the mind of a sadistic serial killer. Writing his scenes took me to a very dark place and honestly, it took a long time for me to crawl out of that place.

BBB: What aspect of being an author do you most enjoy?

JH: Meeting readers! Yes, building worlds and creating characters are fun, but I love meeting readers and hearing what they have to say, not only about my books but any books. I’ve been a reader longer than I’ve been a published author so I always enjoy meeting others to simply love a good book.

BBB: What do you think the future holds for urban fantasy?

JH: I think urban fantasy it going to continue to grow and change as more authors add their voices to the genre. However, I do think we’re going to see a larger distinction between the darker fantasy-horror-thriller-style plots and the lighter more mystery-humor-romance books. But, with that said, I don’t see the genre going away any time soon.

Readers, don’t miss your chance to meet Jeannie Holmes and spend some time with her, as well as other awesome authors and readers at the Olde City, New Blood mini-convention this February 8-10^th , in St. Augustine, FL. We’ll be spending two days chatting about our favorite stories, and meeting some of the crazy-cool people who bring them to us. Be sure to check out OldeCityNewBlood.wordpress.com for all the details. Also, keep an eye out on this blog, and on the official site, for a contest announcement coming very soon (hint – chances to win registration to the event!!)

Author Bio:
Jeannie Holmes is the author of the Alexandra Sabian series, and fears spiders, large bodies of water, and bad weather. She moved from the backwoods of southwestern Mississippi to the Alabama Gulf Coast where she now lives with her husband and four neurotic cats. She enjoys art, exploring old cemeteries, traveling, and when she isn’t writing or has her nose stuck in a book, she spends her time searching for a really good cup of coffee.

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Learn more about Jeannie Holmes here:

Read reviews of the author’s work here.
www.jeannieholmes.com/
twitter.com/JeannieHolmes
www.facebook.com/pages/Jeannie-Holmes/21546867860

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