Retirement Communities, Blood Fetishism, and Personal Pleasure Devices: Dark and Humorous Romance by Jewel E. Ann

Retirement Communities, Blood Fetishism, and Personal Pleasure Devices: Dark and Humorous Romance by Jewel E. Ann
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MW: Tell me a little bit about yourself and how you came to start writing and publishing romance novels. You were formerly a dental hygienist as well as employed by the family business, what other jobs have you had on your journey to this one?

JA:My favorite role will always be Mom. I have three boys and I homeschool my youngest. For five years between my dental hygiene career and my venture into the writing world, I owned an eco-living store. I'm a huge proponent of healthy living and environmental stewardship. My first book/series is about a tree-hugging, vegan chef. Like most authors, I started writing what I knew before venturing into what I wanted to know.

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My start in writing was a sudden whim. My mother told me for years that I should write. So one day I opened a blank document and started writing with very little direction or even that much confidence that I would finish it. To my own surprise, it became an obsession. Once I started I couldn't stop. The words came faster than I could type. I averaged 3-4 hours of sleep a night while writing my first series. I don't know how long I'll write, but I image it will be until the characters stop telling me their stories.

MW:You live in Iowa, did you ever attend the Iowa Writer's Workshop or take any classes there?
JA: I have not attended the Writers' Workshop. I read LOTS of books on writing and follow many blogs on my craft. My editors are the best mentors and I will forever be their student. I've learned to love, even crave, the editing process.

MW: The Jack and Jill series seems to elude readers as to which genre or genres it falls into or can be categorized as. Do you consider it to be a dark romance or do you feel like it's more romantic suspense? Is the story over with the completion of Dawn of Forever, or do you foresee writing more with these characters in the future?

JA: My books don't fit neatly into one particular genre. I think any writer who truly writes from within will not "fit." We are unique.

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The Jack & Jill Series is romantic suspense with a bit of a dark edge. However, it has my signature humor as well.
Dawn of Forever is the final book in the series. Two of the supporting characters will get their own book, but it is a stand alone novel and not considered part of this series.
In the dedication of the first book in the Jack and Jill Series, End of Day, you shout out to strong female characters. Who are some of your favorite literary heroines?
I love Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Eyre, Katniss Everdeen, Nila Weaver, Eleanor Schreiber, Lisbeth Salander, Adler Brecken, Jillian Knight, Vivian Graham ... and the list goes on. Not all of my favorite characters are considered strong. I'm drawn to women who are flawed but show growth, forgiveness, and humility by the end of a book. I actually want to see heroines make epic mistakes and bad decisions. In truth, I want to see "character" in my favorite characters.

MW: How does the Jack and Jill series differ from other novels you've written? Did you outline the plot of the entire series or did it come to you as you wrote the books? Are there any specific works or writers that informed your work or inspired your characters?

JA: The Jack & Jill Series is a complete indulgence of my imagination with no particular reader in mind. It was a 40th birthday gift to myself. I wanted to write something without thinking about sales, rankings, reviews, or how my characters would be perceived. Complacency is one of the few things I fear. I want to always take risks with my writing.

My plot is nothing more than a blurry sketch in my mind. I don't take notes or plan much in advance. I write on the fly and let my characters tell me their story. Yes, I hear voices in my head. Outlines stifle my creativity.

Tiffany Reisz's The Original Sinners Series inspired me to take a chance on writing the Jack & Jill Series in 3rd person. I have over 40 characters in the series and 1st person felt like a disservice to the story.

My parents' neighborhood loosely inspired the Peaceful Woods neighborhood in the Jack & Jill Series. My father and his best friend have characters in the book that share personalities similar to theirs. Jillian/Jessica, my heroine, is a physical and emotional beast of a character. I gave her cinderella dreams, Jason Bourne skills, and a past riddled with the unimaginable.

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MW: What is the most difficult part of being an indie writer? And the best?

JA: Visibility, credibility, and name recognition are some of the most difficult obstacles of being an indie writer. My books don't sit on the shelves at B&N, Target, Wal-mart, or gift shops in airports. Getting readers to take a chance on my writing is a hard sell even with a $3.99 price tag.

As a self-professed control freak, I have to say the control over my manuscript, covers, and publishing dates is a huge incentive to stay self-published.

MW: Can you tell us what you're working on next?
My current project is a stand alone romantic comedy called One. The main characters were introduced in the Jack & Jill series. The hero is a quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings and the heroine is an amputee who blogs about dating. That's the loose premise of it. I'm not that far into it.

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For the win . . .


MW: Least favorite flavor in a big Valentine's Day heart-shaped box of chocolates?
JA: Nougat

MW: What was the last thing that made your laugh?
JA: My 7 yr. old. He's a professional giggler--to the point of tears. He keeps me in stitches all day with his silliness.

MW: If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?
JA: Daydreaming without purpose.

MW: Favorite secret indulgence?
JA: Ed Sheeran YouTube videos

MW: Posters you had on your wall in elementary school?
JA: I didn't have posters on my wall. Weird. I know. However, if I would have pinned something it would have been a Purple Rain poster with Prince on his motorcycle, Michael J Fox in Back to the Future, and Top Gun Tom Cruise.

MW: What would surprise readers the most about you?

JA: I had home births with two of my children.

You can read more about Jewel E. Ann and her work at http://www.jeweleann.com

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