Welcome back from the holidays! We are back to the normally scheduled Sunday Speed Dates. This week I’ve got Jewel E. Leonard joining me.
Thank you for having me! I’ve been looking forward to this for quite some time now. :)
Jewel E. Leonard has been writing since the early 1980s and enjoys reading and writing historical fiction, paranormal (vampires, werewolves, and witches, oh my!), and romance (the steamier, the better).
When not writing, Jewel may be found wielding pointy sticks (knitting hats, gloves, and socks) or conjuring fabric from hooks (crocheting). Those who know her well can tell you all about her penchant for pumpkin spice everything, coffee, felines, flowers, and friends.
She lives with her husband, 8-year-old son, 2-year-old daughter, and slightly evil cat (Pandora), in North Central Texas.
Welcome Jewel! First, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m a jackie of many trades, master of basically none… mom of 2 exceptional kids, lucky wife to an amazing hubby… life-long writer, fiber crafts enthusiast (for the uninitiated, I love knitting and crocheting)… and I have a day job with an undisclosed employer.
I’m totally jealous of your fiber crafts. I’m all thumbs when it comes to yarn.
Tell us a little about your latest project.
I’m currently working on filling out missing scenes for the second book of my Witches’ Rede series. I wrote 60,000 words of Possession during NaNoWriMo a couple years ago and while I technically won, I consider this poor book a casualty I’m desperately trying to correct now. I nearly threw out the NaNo draft in favor of a full rewrite but my husband intervened.
Oh, NaNo… it’s always such a blessing finishing the crazy word count, but a curse (or worse!) going through all. the. revisions. I feel your pain on that score!
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Well, being a published writer has been a desire of mine since the early 80s. I knew that was a silly dream, of course (keeping in mind that at the time, self-publishing didn’t exist as it does today and even self-publishing was a dream beyond my realizing; about as ridiculous as finding an agent) so I went with something more down-to-earth.
Literally.
I dreamed of being a geologist–a dream which followed me partly through college.
Wow! That’s…unexpected and interesting–and I mean that in the best way possible. I love science. :)
Which is one of the favorite places you’ve ever visited?
You’re making me pick one? I couldn’t!
The Pacific Northwest is pretty amazing (Crater Lake is a must-see). I loved Vancouver, BC. And of course I have a soft spot for destinations, Disney.
Oh! I love the Pacific Northwest. It’s so… green! Such a change from the Southwest.
What made it special?
The scenery, the weather, the people, the rides. :)
Agreed.
I’ve been following you on facebook and am so, so inspired by your daughter. She truly is a miracle. Can you tell us a little about Team Kaela?
My family created the Team Kaela page to help foster a supportive community to help us get through the tough times associated with having a girl like her, in addition to sharing our joy when she exceeds doctors’ expectations.
A diagnosis like microcephaly is devastating and scary, so it’s definitely important to get all the support we can. We were inspired by the Hartley family, which has support numbering in the tens of thousands. We…are not quite there yet but we have some amazing friends who have been there to cheer Kaela on.
She is such a special girl. Literally one in millions. It’s so wonderful seeing the progress she makes. :)
Your writing is so varied, from contemporary erotic to steampunk fantasy. Where do your ideas come from?
The ideas come from virtually everywhere: a line in a TV show, a theme in a book, a song lyric, a dream, a silly character my son created in NHL14 for XBOX (true story), snippets of conversation overheard at that mall.
Inspiration is all around!
One of my favorite story ideas (and upcoming book) is based on a line of dialogue from a TV show. Glad I’m not the only one. :) Inspiration really is all around us.
Your husband, Scott, plays a big part in your writing life. Is the rest if your family as supportive?
He sure does! I believe he contributes so much to my process that his name should be on the front cover alongside mine (but he insists otherwise). I’ll wear him down, yet!
The rest of my family varies. A few people are very supportive and others… not so much.
I hear ya on that one. Though it is nice having a cheering section.
Do you have a talisman or mascot? Maybe something that has to sit on your desk, or a favorite pen you write with? Pictures please!
Nothing yet but I anticipate that will change soon. I just picked up a cubby style storage unit to employ as a hutch above my desk and it’s about to get geeky up in here! (I’ve got first gen My Little Pony dolls coming out of storage, figures of two of my favorite NHL players that will be going on display. And soon? All the Funko figures. OK, OK, not all of them. But for sure 10th Doctor and Doctor Strange.)
I’m also in the process of crocheting dolls of Rafaele and Maeve (from my Witches’ Rede series–so far it’s just Rafaele and he’s woefully under dressed).
I’ve just discovered my Funko Pop! obsession. I can’t wait to collect more!
Anyone who follows you on facebook can see all the fun you have in the name of writing. What was the most fun or unusual thing you have done in the name of research?
We took a trip to the Tombstone Courthouse during a particularly bad monsoon. I’m on etymonline.com pretty much every day to make sure nothing used in dialogue is anachronistic. Nothing too exciting.
Yet. :)
I’d call a trip to Tombstone exciting! #jealous
Of all the characters you’ve written, who is your favorite? Why?
Rafaele, no question. He has the most interesting back story. He’s a religious Catholic who has a knack for attracting all sorts of paranormal creatures.
He wants to be seen as a bad guy when he’s really just about the kindest soul you’d ever meet (ignoring the jealous streak). He’s an alpha male with the ego of an insecure teenage boy. I can’t go much more into this because of spoilers.
And of course I just love Italians.
I adore complex characters like that. They always get what they need, not exactly what they want! LOL
Tell us a little about your Witches’ Rede series
The Witches’ Rede blends several genres: paranormal, romance, adventure, Steampunk, fantasy. Though the romance is a central feature, you’re more likely to see in my books a grittier side to “adult shenanigans” (iykwim) than you’ll see heaving bosoms.
It starts out in Arizona Territory in 1883 and stars a witch, a maybe werewolf, a quirky artist, misunderstood inventor (is there any other kind), and of course, the bad guy.
Throughout the series, my characters travel, grow older, go through a variety of life changes–both good and bad–and encounter all sorts of paranormal creatures–from vampires and zombies to Native American deities, and more.
I give you tons of kudos on that. I am pretty much useless when it comes to paranormal-ish things. I love to read them, but my mind just doesn’t bend that way to write it.
You’re a big Disney fan. If you could be any Disney character, who would you be and why?
I would be inclined to say Rapunzel (have you seen Flynn Rider??) ;) but I don’t relish a young lifetime of seclusion.
Stitch is indestructible, which is pretty alluring (but it’s amazing what you can live through).
I’ll go with Ariel… and never have a bad hair day in my life, have a fantastic singing voice, and basically never have to fear drowning.
Good choice. Plus, she’s a princess on land and under the sea! Have I got you singing that song yet? LOL
What’s your motto in life?
Be kind. You never know what others are going through and your little act of kindness may make all the difference in the world to the person who receives it.
#truth I think we all need to remember that.
What was the first live concert you attended?
Weird Al at the Orange County Fairgrounds.
I, uh… I don’t get out much.
LOL!
What advice would you give to pre-published writers?
Find your method. It is yours and yours alone. Pay no mind to people who claim there is a right way or a best way. The best way for you is the way that makes you most productive and–more importantly–the happiest.
YES! This. I’m going to make this into a meme.
I just love the concept of the Witches’ Rede. What is coming up next in that world?
Lots of spoilers! I think I kind of already answered this one previously (oopsie!) :)
No biggie. I’m sure you’ll tell us soon enough.
Where can we find out more about you and what you write?
You can check out my website and sign up for my email newsletter.
I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and on Amazon.
I just want to say CONGRATULATIONS on Tales by Rails being nominated for a Summer Indie Book Award. That is a huge accomplishment!
Thanks so much!! To this day I’ve no idea the kind souls who nominated it but if they happen to see this, I hope they know how deeply I appreciated it.
I’m sure they do. Thanks again for stopping by and chatting with me. I’ll see you around online!
You’re welcome! This was so fun–thanks again for having me. :)
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