Ask the Author: Jill Jones
Answered Questions (7)
Jill Jones
It depends on what you consider Gothic Romance. In my world, it's works like Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, Rebecca, a lot of the work of Mary Stewart, i.e. set in 19th century England with dark alpha male threatening but also alluring to the innocent heroine. With these parameters, none of my books really fit, although the last two, written under the pseudonym Emily LaForge, were sort of "new American Gothic," at the request of my publisher. In Beneath the Raven's Moon, I pulled out all the classic devices from traditional Gothics, including Poe's ravens, DuMaurier's bones under the boat house, Charlotte Bronte's mad person in the attic, (could be a spoiler), evil house servants, etc.. I set it in a looming post-WWII castle built by the heroine's wealthy and eccentric uncle in upstate NY, with all the requisite creepy atmosphere. But into this, I threw cell phones, helicopters, holograms, and other modern paraphernalia. I didn't know how it would turn out, but actually, I think it's quite fun. I especially liked the way the Audible reader interpreted it. The book that followed, Shadow Haven, has its Gothic elements as well, set in the haunting bayous of south Louisiana.
Jill Jones
From my work as a museum director and in a National Heritage Area over the past 15 years in western North Carolina, I have learned a great deal about how complex was the settlement of the NC mountains and foothills. Many cultures and subcultures came together, mostly not peaceably, but over two centuries created a unique Southern Appalachian culture that incorporates European, Cherokee, and African traditions.
Jill Jones
I love good story-telling, and I get inspired by writers whose works I find compelling. History and the complexity of human relationships also inspire me.
Jill Jones
I have recently begun my research and working up an outline for a novel that is very different from what I have written in the past. For the last 15 years, I have worked for a history museum and a nonprofit Heritage Area, both of which have fed my appetite for history. I love multi-generational historical fiction where I can follow the families of the main characters through time and see how their lives affected events and history. My story will be about the settlement of Western North Carolina, where I live, and the complex mix of cultures--European, Indian, and African--that have created a unique blended culture in the Southern Appalachians.
Jill Jones
Independence. Provided you have the discipline to treat your writing as seriously as you would a "real job," it's great to be able to make your own schedule and do things on your own time.
Jill Jones
Write. Too many aspiring writers talk about writing, go to writers groups, conferences and lectures. The hardest part is to put your bum in the saddle and do the work. Editors and agents aren't going to take a look at a partial from an unpublished author. They want to make sure you can finish the work. Once you have an established relationship with them, your next work might be sold on a partial and an outline.
Jill Jones
First I apologize for not answering this and these others a year ago. I have recently retired from full time work and now have time to pay attention to my real work! So far, writers' block hasn't been a big problem for me. I have to sort of zone out and think about my characters and what they would do, and somehow they sort it out for me. I guess my advice would be to not try too hard and let your creative juices just flow. Even if you write bad stuff, you can always delete it, but sometimes that opens the doors to the good stuff.
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