Happy Holiday! Thank you for taking time during this busy season to join us.
Your latest release, Amelia Gallant, has been well received. Can you tell us a little about Amelia’s story?
Amelia is a character we first conceived about five years ago. We wanted to write someone strong and intrepid who was a little quirky and different. In her first book, she falls in love and saves a group of people from destruction. She’s headstrong, knows immediately what’s right and wrong. She doesn’t mind taking chances with her life if it means realizing her objective. We think she might be how we (and probably lots of other people) would be if we could. Also, her story gave us a chance to visit with some old friends from the same universe from a previous book, Chrysalis
Is there a difference when writing alone as compared to working with another author?
We’ve never written seriously alone. But we’re told there are many differences. For one, you can’t hug your story close to you. You have to be willing to share. But it’s fun tossing ideas back and forth like some shining ball between us so there’s the compensation for not being selfish with your thoughts.
Your work covers more than one genre; do you find your writing style differs with each category?
Some aspects definitely change although we feel you can see who we are in everything we write and every story has many aspects in common with others. We like to write people who are average but doing extraordinary things. We like to write positive, upbeat, entertaining stories. We read fiction to be entertained, not to necessarily carry some meaningful message.
Your books display a wide range of concepts and imaginings, where do you find your inspiration for the different ideas in your work?
Everywhere! It helps that we read everything from science fiction to ancient archaeology. We’re interested in everything. We have clipping from newspapers and magazines hanging on the walls in our office alongside pictures of places we’ve been that we think might inspire another story.
Given the variety of characters you have created, do you have a particular favorite?
That would be like saying we have a favorite child. Which we don’t. Love you all the same, Chris, Jeni and Emmie. They read these interviews, you know.
Your new release, The Everything Guide to Writing a Novel, has very relevant and useful information for aspiring authors. What made you decide to write this helpful book?
We wanted to help other writers who are just getting started and try to de-mystify the process. There was so much we didn’t know when we got our first book published in 1999. We hope this book will make other writers more knowledgeable when they write their first book and have it accepted for publication.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of completing and publishing a book?
Just a feeling of having told the tale of another life. That’s what writing is all about anyway. Telling the story.
What else would you like to accomplish in your writing career?
We’d like to publish a magazine about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Maybe we’ll try that next.
With it being the holidays, can you share your favorite holiday tradition with us?
Our favorite holiday tradition is just being with our family. Otherwise, we seem to change our favorite holiday traditions every year!
Are you currently working on another story? If so, can we get a hint?
We’re currently working on the second book in the Peggy Lee garden mystery series. The first book is due out in May 2005. We’re not sure about the release date yet for the second book but this time around, Peggy’s up to her ears trying to find out what happened to a good friend, taking her Great Dane to obedience classes and trying to decide of she can give up her teaching job and just work at the Potting Shed, her urban garden shop.
Thank you Joyce and Jim. I truly appreciate you both taking time to stop by and visit. Readers, if you have not had an opportunity to check out their latest releases, stop by their site and take a look.
Happy Holidays!
Interviewed by: Amanda
