I am delighted to welcome Jacqui Jacoby onto my blog today, author of With A Vengeance, which was released April 9th by Samhain Publishing.
Jacqui is new to me as a writer, but appears to have been living in the writing world for a fair old while now, including being a Golden Heart Award Finalist with the RWA in 2009. So without further ado, let’s get to know Jacqui that little bit better, with a round of twenty questions…
1) Have you always been a writer or is it something you fell into?
I’ve always made up stories. I didn’t start writing them down until I got out of college.
2) Do you have a particular writing style or ritual?
I try to write every day, that is pretty much my ritual. I am used to having to account to a family’s schedule and interruptions so that I am programmed to just jump in and write when I can as opposed to a set time table. Writing daily keeps the story and characters fresh. If I have to miss I never so more than two of three days before I am back at the computer.
3) Is there a book or an author that has influenced you in your writing?
Clive Cussler. I know, I know. I write romance and he doesn’t. But I have been reading him since I was fifteen years old and he was a huge influence on me. He’s why I got into action adventure.
4) Is there one piece of writing (or life?) advice that has stuck with you, or that you would like to share?
Never give up. No matter how long it is taking you have no way of knowing how close you are to your big break. To stop now might mean you never get to cross that finish line so just keep going.
5) Can you tell us three things about yourself that we probably don’t already know?
I’m a vegetarian.
I collect Fossil watches, buying a new one for each writing milestone.
I never go anywhere – even to bed – without lipstick and perfume.
6) What five luxury items or gadgets would you hate to be without?
My iPhone.
Pedicures.
My Channel #5.
My Ray Bans.
The Yankee Candle I keep burning on my stove, scent determined by season.
7) Congratulations on your recent release of With A Vengeance, what was your inspiration for writing Jaime and Stephen’s story?
I had a very tough chick come into my head from out of the blue and dictate her story to me. I didn’t have a choice but to type it out.
8) Did the story flow from your finger tips or did some scenes take a bit of cajoling?
When I did the first draft, I couldn’t write it fast enough. With each rewrite, and there were many, I slowed down.
9) From what I can see, With A Vengeance appears to be your debut novel—is that right?—so how long did it take for the initial spark of the story to make it onto the page and then onto the publisher’s desk?
I wrote the first draft of this story in 1994 in under three months. I had a long, long journey from inspiration to publication.
10) Do you have a favourite paragraph or sentence from your story that you would like to tantalise us with?
Yes, but I can’t. It would give away the villain!! J
11) Over to you, what can you tell us about With A Vengeance, to make us rush out and buy it?
It’s an “E” ticket ride, taking you all over the world with two of the hottest new characters to come to life.
12) What can we expect from you next? Is there something you are working on right now?
I am currently editing another suspense novel, one with a Russian hero who just wants the chance to be left alone and the heroine who stumbles onto his secret.
13) Plotter or pantser?
Both. Depends on the book I am working on. Some I plan out, others I just start typing. Both end up being fun.
14) Secret Seven or Famous Five? (please tell me you know them!?)
Neither? LOL When I was a teenager I was reading Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt series.
15) Digital books or print books?
I’m switching to digital, though I still have a library full of print. I just as few minutes ago ordered a hard back biography on the life of Rod Serling so I still do both.
16) Tea or coffee?
Tea. Earl Grey with milk. Daily.
17) Cats or dogs?
Cats. More precisely, my cat Gomez. He lives in my office with me.
18) Extrovert or introvert?
I think I used to be more of an extrovert, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve switched over to introvert.
19) Save or spend?
I try to do a little of both.
20) Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook @ Jacqui Jax Jacoby; Twitter JaxJacoby. I am much more active on Facebook.
And that’s a wrap!
Thank you so much for taking part, Jacqui, I wish you every success with your new release.
To follow Jacqui, and to keep up with her latest projects, you can visit her at:
Website Facebook
Samhain
Amazon
B&N
PowellsBooks
Read an Excerpt
Read Reviews
Jacqui is new to me as a writer, but appears to have been living in the writing world for a fair old while now, including being a Golden Heart Award Finalist with the RWA in 2009. So without further ado, let’s get to know Jacqui that little bit better, with a round of twenty questions…
ACT ONE – all about you…
Award winning author, Jacqui Jacoby lives and writes in the beauty of the Valley of the Sun. Currently adjusting to her new digs, Jacqui is a self proclaimed, self-defense hobbyist. Having studied martial arts for numerous years she retired in 2006 from the sport. She is a working Mom, whose career includes writing books, teaching online and live workshops and penning short non-fiction. She can be reached via her web site at www.JacquiJacoby.com
I’ve always made up stories. I didn’t start writing them down until I got out of college.
2) Do you have a particular writing style or ritual?
I try to write every day, that is pretty much my ritual. I am used to having to account to a family’s schedule and interruptions so that I am programmed to just jump in and write when I can as opposed to a set time table. Writing daily keeps the story and characters fresh. If I have to miss I never so more than two of three days before I am back at the computer.
3) Is there a book or an author that has influenced you in your writing?
Clive Cussler. I know, I know. I write romance and he doesn’t. But I have been reading him since I was fifteen years old and he was a huge influence on me. He’s why I got into action adventure.
4) Is there one piece of writing (or life?) advice that has stuck with you, or that you would like to share?
Never give up. No matter how long it is taking you have no way of knowing how close you are to your big break. To stop now might mean you never get to cross that finish line so just keep going.
5) Can you tell us three things about yourself that we probably don’t already know?
I’m a vegetarian.
I collect Fossil watches, buying a new one for each writing milestone.
I never go anywhere – even to bed – without lipstick and perfume.
6) What five luxury items or gadgets would you hate to be without?
My iPhone.
Pedicures.
My Channel #5.
My Ray Bans.
The Yankee Candle I keep burning on my stove, scent determined by season.
ACT TWO – all about your new release…
The more she wanted out, the more they dragged her back in!
Daughter to murdered CIA officers, niece to a deputy director, Jaime Walsh has never known life outside the world of espionage. Until a high-action case in Buenos Aires leaves her gutted. Physically, emotionally…and professionally.
She’d planned for her long-overdue vacation to be a time to rest and reassess. With her longtime partner Stephen not far behind, it’s a tropical paradise away from work. A paradise where boundaries will be tested.
From their training days, Stephen Reid has watched Jaime kick ass while performing what has become his second job—watching her back. But now his feelings have grown.As best friends look at each other in a new light, they like what they see. And Jaime dreams of a new life outside “the company”.Except someone from their past won’t be satisfied until Jaime and the man she loves are hunted to the brink of death. Now Jaime must find the strength to trust her heart and let go of her fear. Before she loses everything…
7) Congratulations on your recent release of With A Vengeance, what was your inspiration for writing Jaime and Stephen’s story?
I had a very tough chick come into my head from out of the blue and dictate her story to me. I didn’t have a choice but to type it out.
8) Did the story flow from your finger tips or did some scenes take a bit of cajoling?
When I did the first draft, I couldn’t write it fast enough. With each rewrite, and there were many, I slowed down.
9) From what I can see, With A Vengeance appears to be your debut novel—is that right?—so how long did it take for the initial spark of the story to make it onto the page and then onto the publisher’s desk?
I wrote the first draft of this story in 1994 in under three months. I had a long, long journey from inspiration to publication.
10) Do you have a favourite paragraph or sentence from your story that you would like to tantalise us with?
Yes, but I can’t. It would give away the villain!! J
11) Over to you, what can you tell us about With A Vengeance, to make us rush out and buy it?
It’s an “E” ticket ride, taking you all over the world with two of the hottest new characters to come to life.
12) What can we expect from you next? Is there something you are working on right now?
I am currently editing another suspense novel, one with a Russian hero who just wants the chance to be left alone and the heroine who stumbles onto his secret.
QUICK FIRE ROUND – it’s pop quiz time…
13) Plotter or pantser?
Both. Depends on the book I am working on. Some I plan out, others I just start typing. Both end up being fun.
14) Secret Seven or Famous Five? (please tell me you know them!?)
Neither? LOL When I was a teenager I was reading Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt series.
15) Digital books or print books?
I’m switching to digital, though I still have a library full of print. I just as few minutes ago ordered a hard back biography on the life of Rod Serling so I still do both.
16) Tea or coffee?
Tea. Earl Grey with milk. Daily.
17) Cats or dogs?
Cats. More precisely, my cat Gomez. He lives in my office with me.
18) Extrovert or introvert?
I think I used to be more of an extrovert, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve switched over to introvert.
19) Save or spend?
I try to do a little of both.
20) Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook @ Jacqui Jax Jacoby; Twitter JaxJacoby. I am much more active on Facebook.
And that’s a wrap!
Thank you so much for taking part, Jacqui, I wish you every success with your new release.
To follow Jacqui, and to keep up with her latest projects, you can visit her at:
Website Facebook
Twitter Author Page
Buy it now…
Samhain
Amazon
B&N
PowellsBooks
Read an Excerpt
Read Reviews
Hmm, we have even more in common than I thought. Jacqui is a vegetarian and I am one most of the time because my husband and in laws are. I'd love to discuss food with Jacqui at some stage, like what do you do to alleviate boredom in your diet and the like. She's also a lover of tea - well so am I. I recently converted from 'chai' with milk and sugar to green tea, with no milk and sugar.
ReplyDeleteAurelia, you really are the most terrific interviewer. I've learnt a lot about Jacqui today. And I must look up Clive Cussler.
Boredom of vegetarianism? Hum I never thought about it. I have some excellent cookbooks that keep things fresh though some of them came out in the nineties. The Moosewood Cookbook, Horn on the Moon Cookbook -- **excellent** white lasagna in that one. And probably my favorite Meatless Dishes in Twenty Minutes. I love any meal that will take under twenty minutes!!
DeleteHooray, us veggies are slowly taking over the world one continent at a time ;-)
DeleteAnd thank you for visiting Maria.
Aurelia, you're a vegetarian? I didn't know that either. Wow!
DeleteThanks so much Michael for the kind words. I have to say this was a fun interview to do and not so easy either. Coming up with five items? That took some time =D Hope you enjoy the book if you decide to indulge!!
ReplyDeleteNo worries on the Dublin! I don't think I mentioned I can't spell or type to save my life!! LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks Aurelia for asking these questions to Jacqui! We got to know a little bit more about her from your probing questions and thanks for hosting Jacqui!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Jacqui!
Congratulations on the release of WITH A VENGEANCE and all the best!
Nas
Thanks Nas. You are a dear!! And yes, thank you Aurelia for hosting me. It was alot of fun!!
DeleteThank you Nas, and thank you Jacqui for your intriguing answers. I'm so glad you enjoyed it :-)
DeleteHi Jacqui! I'm glad you stuck with your "never give up" thought because I LOVE With A Vengeance. Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by Michael, and for taking the time to comment. In fact, you've made me realise it's been too long since my last trip to Dublin.
ReplyDeleteA nicer compliment was never given!! Thank you TashNz. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteHey, it's great to see a fellow Dubliner on here. Hope your writing is going well Michael.
ReplyDeleteAnd Aurelia? Thanks for hosting Jacqui!
ReplyDelete