Today we are pleased to welcome Ellora's Cave new author Jana Mercy.
Thank you, Jana, for being with us.
Jana, do you have a writing schedule? How do you balance your personal and writing time?
I don't have a specific writing schedule but I tend to write late at night. I'm a night owl through and through and that's when I feel the most creative.
I don't have a specific writing schedule but I tend to write late at night. I'm a night owl through and through and that's when I feel the most creative.
Do you write character driven or plot driven stories?
Definitely character driven stories. To me it's all about the characters. Yes they have to be in an interesting situation, but if you put some boring clod in the most interesting of plots, they're still boring. But if you put an exciting character in a boring plot--well, there's not telling what kind of mischief they'll get into to liven things up.
What do you consider to be the key elements of a great story?
Not hard to guess after my last answer, but THE CHARACTERS. I can forgive a lot if the characters are sympathetic, interesting, three-dimensional.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Dermot Mulroney. I want him.
How you develop your characters?
Honestly, most of my characters just show up in my head. Does that sound a little too schizophrenic? Eek. But seriously, a character gets inside my head and won't let up until I write their story. Do deadlines help or hinder your muse? I wish I knew. :) So far I've already had the books I've sold written, so I'm not sure how it'll affect my creative process.
Do you outline your books or just start writing?
I'm a total pantser and just start writing and keep going. I write fast because I want to know what's going to happen next. It's like reading, I keep going because I can't quit until I know what happens next. And then I have to know what happens next. And next. It seems to work for me.
Can you give us a short synopsis of your new release?
He was her last fling. She was his first.
Tired of dead-end relationships, KATY SIMMONS is determined to find her forever man. Only problem is every time she thinks she's found him, he turns out to be a dud and she no longer trusts her instincts where good-looking men are concerned.
After years of walking the straight and narrow while caring for his ill mother and building his career, NOAH HILTON has earned the right to let loose. He's ready to taste the wilder side of life. However, his matchmaking mother has other plans.
When Noah's mother and Katy turn to the same computer dating service, the embers of Katy and Noah's not so forgotten encounter spark to life in a flame that threatens to devour Katy's best intentions and Noah's worst.
Will Katy deny their sizzling sexual chemistry in her search for Mr. Right? Or can Noah risk his heart to become more than just Her Last Fling?
Tired of dead-end relationships, KATY SIMMONS is determined to find her forever man. Only problem is every time she thinks she's found him, he turns out to be a dud and she no longer trusts her instincts where good-looking men are concerned.
After years of walking the straight and narrow while caring for his ill mother and building his career, NOAH HILTON has earned the right to let loose. He's ready to taste the wilder side of life. However, his matchmaking mother has other plans.
When Noah's mother and Katy turn to the same computer dating service, the embers of Katy and Noah's not so forgotten encounter spark to life in a flame that threatens to devour Katy's best intentions and Noah's worst.
Will Katy deny their sizzling sexual chemistry in her search for Mr. Right? Or can Noah risk his heart to become more than just Her Last Fling?
Your upcoming books?
Whether you want to be tricked or treated, Heavenly Hunks has the eye candy for you. Join the party on Halloween night for their annual Strip or Treat bash!
Needing a break from her carefully planned-out life, Sophia Walker agrees to manage her ill aunt's male strip club. Only nothing in her dull existence has prepared her for her aunt's yummy bartender.
TBI agent, Gray Erickson prides himself on his cool resolve, but when his prime suspect's sexy niece takes over, Gray feels anything but cool. From the moment Sophia barges onto the scene, Gray is smitten by the leggy blonde. Too bad he can't trust her.
When Gray replaces a stripper for the Halloween bash, it becomes a toss up as to who's being tricked and who's being treated as Sophia teaches him how to strip-his clothes and the protective layers from his heart.
Can they forgive their deceit as love emerges from the masks they hide behind?
Needing a break from her carefully planned-out life, Sophia Walker agrees to manage her ill aunt's male strip club. Only nothing in her dull existence has prepared her for her aunt's yummy bartender.
TBI agent, Gray Erickson prides himself on his cool resolve, but when his prime suspect's sexy niece takes over, Gray feels anything but cool. From the moment Sophia barges onto the scene, Gray is smitten by the leggy blonde. Too bad he can't trust her.
When Gray replaces a stripper for the Halloween bash, it becomes a toss up as to who's being tricked and who's being treated as Sophia teaches him how to strip-his clothes and the protective layers from his heart.
Can they forgive their deceit as love emerges from the masks they hide behind?
Please tell us about your work in progress?
I just recently sold my first futuristic to Ellora's Cave. It's called Underground Pleasure and I'm not sure when it'll be released as of right now. Hopefully during 2008.
Where can we find your books?
And Strip or Treat will be released in October 2008 at www.ellorascave.com
