5 Minutes with Jackie Kessler

“5 Minutes with…” is a section of the blog that is a a set of questions that are pretty much the same give or take a few. That are meant for us to get to know our favorite authors a little bit more. Some are funny, some have nothing to do with their books; while others hopefully get to the “nitty-gritty” of what the author is thinking. And as with all of our 5 minutes we have a contest to honor our writers. Stay tuned at the end to find out how to enter. Now let’s give a Naughty Chick welcome to Jackie Kessler. And as always there is a free book giveaway at the end of this interview.

What project are you currently working on? (C’mon, give us a hint!)

About to start a sizzling paranormal romance for a charity anthology. Hint: It will be a Hell-related story about Angel.

What is your favorite snack?
Chocolate.

Will electronic readers ever take the place of the humble paperback?
Not completely – and if I’m wrong, then not right away.

If you could be one of your characters – Who would you be?  And why?
None of them. I know the bad stuff that will happen to them – do you think I’d wish that on myself???

Who or what influences you when you write?
Neil Gaiman is my biggest influence. I have a personalized, signed ENDLESS poster that’s framed and hanging up in my office.

When you have writer’s block how do you break free?
For me, writers’ block means I’ve taken the story down a wrong turn. So I have to first figure out where things went wrong and start that section again. Sort of annoying. But hey, when characters hold the book hostage, you have to learn to negotiate.

Who is your perfect hero?  And why?
Harry Dresden. Because he’s Harry Dresden. I even have the button that proclaims “Harry Dresden Is My Hero.”

Is there a genre of book you would like to write but haven’t yet?
Hmm. One day, I’d like to write a straightforward YA novel without any hint of the paranormal, or magical realism. But the magic keeps slipping in.

What kind of research do you do for your books?  Do you enjoy the research process?
I read a lot. And when I need to get quick information, Google is definitely my friend. The big problem with doing research is it can be very distracting. I start by looking up one thing; two hours later, I have tons of information that will basically translate into two sentences in the finished book. But it’s worth it.

What is your favorite movie of all time?  The one where you can watch it and still get affected at the same spots each and every time?
I don’t have a favorite, sorry! But one of my current favorites is DOGMA (even though it’s not a new movie). Mmm. Matt Damon!

What is your favorite way to relax after a hard day working and writing?
Watching the previous night’s DAILY SHOW with my Loving Husband.

What is the one era you would love to go visit and why?
Nope. Not time traveling. Dude, haven’t you heard of paradox???

Have you ever faked sick?
Faked being sick? **cough cough** What do you mean?

Do you believe in love at first sight?
Absolutely. That happened the first time I met my husband. Seriously.

What is your perfect pizza?
Currently, cheeseless. (Darn these pseudo-vegan tendencies!)

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
JK Rowling.

Out of all your books, do you have a favorite one?  If not, then which one is closest to.
Ooh, tough one! My favorites are HUNGER (coming out next fall!!!), HOTTER THAN HELL (out now!!!) and a book that’s currently on submission (fingers crossed!!!)

What character out of all your books is the closest to your personality?
There’s definitely a lot of me in Jezebel. I like to joke that if I were a demon, and she were Jewish, we’d be the same person. (Of course, I’d be lying. But hey – demons lie.)

Have you ever been nervous over reader reaction when a new book comes out?
Ever? Goodness, when am I **not** nervous about reader reaction?

How much does reader response mean to you over your books?
When I get mail from readers telling me that they enjoy my books, the day gets a little brighter, and the angels sing a little louder. And when I get hate mail, my sense of humor expands.

What do you hope readers get from your books after they read them?
For most of my books: if the readers were entertained and want to come back for more stories, I’m thrilled. (For HUNGER, which is an issue novel, I hope the reaction will be a little stronger. But I have almost a whole year to be nervous about that.)

If you could make a movie of any one of your books which one would you choose and who would you cast at the h/h?
HELL’S BELLES, totally. Would be **tons** of fun. I always thought Christina Ricci would be a phenomenal Jezebel. Daun could be pretty much any handsome actor. And the actor who plays Hoyt on True Blood would be the perfect Paul. Just give him a bit of a Boston accent—you know, a touch of Matt Damon. (I just changed my mind: Matt Damon would be the perfect Daun.)

Who is your favorite author?
Neil Gaiman.

What is the weirdest thing a reviewer has ever said about one of your books?
I choose to take the fifth in case the reviewer is reading this interview.

What is the nicest thing a reviewer has ever said about one of your books?
One reviewer compared my work to Neil Gaiman’s. **faints**

Do you have a bucket list? If so, what are 2 things on it?
Nope. I’m gonna live forever.

What is your favorite color besides YELLOW?
Don’t have a favorite. But I’m partial to royal blue, red, hunter green, and black.

Boxers or briefs?
Commando.

Red Pill or Blue Pill?
The one that means I don’t have to hang out with Neo. (Loved THE MATRIX. Hated the other two.)

Thank you Jackie for spending some time here at NE.Com. The first time I met Jackie I had no clue who she was and it was my first RT convention ( RT Pittsburgh).  I came up on her and Richelle Mead putting out their promo alley items and I was like “OOo and author! (squee with delight)  I have a picture somewhere in this mass of crap I call a computer.  I will post it if I find it. *sigh* I miss being young. You knew where everything was. Again thanks for letting us interview you and we will be waiting for the new book to hit the shelves. 

Where you can catch Jackie:

Website

Blog

Social sites:

Jackie’s MySpace page
Jackie’s Facebook page
Jackie’s Publishers Marketplace page
Jackie’s Twitter page

Booklist:

Hunger* (Harcourt Graphia), fall 2010 paperbackShades of Gray** (Bantam Spectra, July 2010 ­ trade paperback)The Road to Hell (Kensington/Zebra Books, November 2009 ­ mass-market reissue) Black and White** (Bantam Spectra, June 2009 ­ trade paperback) “A Hell of a Time,” Eternal Lover (Kensington Publishing Corp., April 2009 ­ mass-market reissue) “Hell Is Where The Heart Is,” A Red Hot Valentine’s Day (Avon Red, January 2009) “When Hell Comes Calling,” Lilith Unbound (Popcorn Press, September 2008) Hell’s Belles (Kensington/Zebra Books, September 2008 – mass-market reissue) Hotter Than Hell (Kensington/Zebra Books, August 2008 – trade paperback) “A Hell of a Time,” Eternal Lover (Kensington Publishing Corp., April 2008) The Road to Hell (Kensington/Zebra Books, November 2007 – trade paperback) “Red,” Realms of Fantasy (April 2007) “To the Core,” Dreams & Desires Vol. 1 (Freya’s Bower, February 2007) Hell’s Belles (Kensington/Zebra Books, January 2007 – trade paperback) “Why Monsters Don’t Do Group Therapy,” From the Asylum (December 2006) “The Ties That Bind,”*** Farthing (Spring 2006) “Giving the Devil His To-Do’s,” From the Asylum (December 2005) “Reflections,”**** Ruthie’s Club (November 2005) “Hunger,” Byzarium (September 2005) “The Compromise,” Wild Child Publishing (August 2005)   “Guilty Pleasures,” Allegory – formerly Peridot Books (Winter 2005)

HELL’S BELLES    •     THE ROAD TO HELL    •     ETERNAL LOVER    •     HOTTER THAN HELL
LILITH UNBOUND     •     A RED HOT VALENTINE’S DAY &  BLACK AND WHITE

This weeks contest is for The Road to Hell

The Road to Hell
Kensington/Zebra Books
November 2007 (trade paperback)
November 2009 (mass market reissue)

Hell on Earth, Book 2

Jesse may no longer be a succubus, but she’s got a Hell of a past. She wants to come clean about her infernal history with Paul Hamilton, her white-knight-in-training lover, except he’d never believe her. Just like some people are worth being (shudder) monogamous for, some secrets are worth keeping. So Jesse keeps mum—until three of her former associates strong-arm her into returning to the Pit. Now, unless Jesse faces off against the King of Hell, she’ll lose Paul’s immortal soul. If she’d known love was this tough, she never would have turned her back on Lust…

 

First, spread the word and second, comment. But I will tell you, A:  We ask that comments be respectful and not hateful.  B:  And absolutely no spamming your own stuff on someone else’s post. I hate that and you would too if it was your post.  If you want to have some time with us on a post or a guest blog contact us via email not on a post.  Contest Ends November 14th at 11:59pm EST. Now there are two ways to enter in to the contest:

1. Comment. If you comment you get 1 entries.
OR
2. Add us to your Facebook , Twitter or your own blog if you have one, and re-tweet and/or re-post will be eligible for the drawing.
***Good for an extra entry on top of your comment. DON’T FORGET TO LET US KNOW YOU DID. In twitter when you re-tweet keep our name in.

As with all our 5 Minute spots, they run for a week this contest will end November 14th at 11:59 EST. A winner will be picked then and emailed accordingly. Good Luck!