Author Interview with Jami Gray
I’m interviewing Jami Gray on my blog today, author of paranormal romance / urban fantasy “Shadow’s Moon”. Welcome to my blog, Jami, and thanks for answering my interview questions.
When did you know you wanted to become an author?
I’ve been a huge reader since I first figured out DICK, JANE, AND SPOT books. Yet, I hit on writing after being adopted at the age of fourteen. My state mandated therapist suggested I keep a journal. Funny thing, it got boring so instead I started creating stories and characters that were much more interesting than reality at the time. I started writing fiction in earnest as a freshman in high school. Back in the dark ages, typing on an actual typewriter was a required class. My parents had invested in an electric typewriter so the six of us in high school could practice our typing skills. Needless to say, I would hover over siblings until they finished then I would commandeer the typewriter for my own nefarious purposes. By the time I began to pack for college at eighteen, I had almost 200 pages of YA fantasy novel done. And no, it will never, ever, see the light of day again. After that, writing was something I had to do.
Where did you get the inspiration for Shadow’s Moon?
Xander made her first appearance in SHADOW’S EDGE, and although Raine McCord kept the spotlight in hand, Xander had no qualms about speaking up. She made sure to let me know there was a book in there just for her. Not to mention how in love I’ve always been with wolves in general, then to add in what happens to a tormented alpha when he mets a female that will rock his world and drag his furry ass out of the dark. Yep, Shadow’s Moon was a fun write.
What is your editing process like?
I tend to edit as I go, which is not what I would suggest to any writer. Only recently have I figured out how to get over that stumbling block of trying to nail it right the first time. I just finished SHADOW’S CURSE, which is Natasha Bertoi’s story, and woo-eee, that was not an easy character to work with. Yet, to get inside her head, I sometimes had to write the dialog first, then go back and flesh it out. For Xander, she was a bit more relaxed, I had individual scenes set in place, it became a matter of tying them together. The biggest challenge I face every time I sit down to write, is to get out of my own way. Nothing is every perfect, but it can be good enough to move on to the next page.
What was the most challenging part about writing this book?
The romance, strangely enough and having a fairly well-balanced heroine. Urban Fantasy with romantic elements is my first love, but doing a story where the romance actually holds center stage was a bit of a challenge for me. Instead of having to worry about the big bad lurking in the shadows and what threats it brought with it, many of Xander and Warrick’s struggles are actually found inside themselves and how they view their “relationship”. Plus, Xander has a past, but it’s no where near as twisty and dark as Raine McCord (the main character in the first two books). For goodness sakes, Xander’s mother actually pops up in Shadow’s Moon. This was also the first time I switched between my heroine and hero’s point of voice. That turned out much more fun than I anticipated.
What are your writing goals for 2014?
The fourth book in the Kyn Kronicles, SHADOW’S CURSE, follows Natasha Bertoi, the Demon Queen, and will be out in Fall 2014. I just turned it in to my editor, so I’m now taking a break in June to do research for my second series, PSY-IV Teams. It’s a Paranormal Romantic Suspense (yes, I do see the irony after explaining writing romance was challenging for Shadow’s Moon). The first book in this series, HUNTED BY THE PAST, is out July 11th. I’m hoping to get the second book done by end of 2014. After that, I’m focusing on a two book release per year—one with the Kyn Kronicles, and one with PSY-IV Teams.
Are you working on something right now? If so, can you tell us about it?
Research, lots and lots of research. I’m delving deeper into psychic abilities, realistic terrorist threats, guns, and the military to make sure this next PSY-IV book has my readers hanging on by their fingertips. Then it will be on to Cheveyo’s story for the Kyn—witches, wizards, Native American folklore, (rubbing hands together) I so love being a writer.
Shadow’s Moon
Author: Jami Gray
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy
Even a wild heart can be broken…
A blonde, a brunette and a monster walk into a bar and all hell breaks loose.
It should have been the start of a bad joke, but days from a full moon Xander Cade, Tracker for the Northwest Motoki Pack, finds nothing funny about confronting an enraged Shifter in a crowded Portland nightclub filled with unsuspecting humans. The resulting carnage frays an already thin veil of secrecy shielding the supernatural Kyn community from public scrutiny, and ensures she can’t escape the one man she’s been determined to avoid, her Alpha and mate, Warrick Vidis. Dominating, protective and compelling, Warrick threatens her individuality like no other.
As the Northwest Alpha wolf, compromise isn’t in Warrick Vidis’s vocabulary, but when his reluctant mate, Xander Cade, refuses to leave off the hunt for a killer, he has no qualms using whoever or whatever necessary to protect her or his pack. A series of unusual deaths involving lone wolves, along with anonymous threats against him and his Pack, begin to jeopardize his normal steely control. Add in Xander’s continual reluctance to fully accept their Soul bond, and the line between intellect and instinct begins to blur, leaving him wondering if one woman’s love and acceptance will be enough to save both man and wolf.
As the danger escalates, threatening not just their Pack but those closest to them, Warrick and Xander must find a way to trust each other and accept their rare bond or risk losing everything-their pack, their friends and each other.
Author Bio
Jami Gray grew up on the Arizona-Mexico border, and was adopted at the age of 14 to suddenly become the fifth eldest of 37 children. She graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s in Journalism and three minors-History, English, and Theater. (Decision-making was not her forte at the time.) Shortly after marrying her techie-geek hubby (who moonlighted as her best friend in high school) she completed a Masters in Organizational Management from University of Phoenix Oregon.
Now, years later, she’s back in the Southwest where she’s outnumbered in her own home by two Star Wars obsessed boys, one Star Wars obsessed husband, and an overly-friendly, 105-pound male lab. Delving into the wild paranormal worlds where romance collides with suspense and Urban Fantasy is queen, manages to salvage her sanity. Or so we let her believe…
Links
Website: http://www.JamiGray.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamigray.author
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/JamiGrayUFWriter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/
Google+: https://google.com/+JamiGray
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.com/e/B006HU3HJI
Black Opal Books: www.BlackOpalBooks.com
Muse It Up Publishing: http://museituppublishing.com
Giveaway
Thank you, Majanka for letting me come visit with you and your readers. Good luck, everyone, with the tour wide drawing!