What have you had published?
JODY:I have self-published a Christmas
novella and a Christmas Anthology. One of my short stories was published in another
Christmas Anthology by Fuse Literary. Kara and I have Dangerous Love out next month
and Jaded Love following later this year. I also have a children’s book, Sweet Dream
Sisters, coming out in January 2016.
KARA: I’ve had some steamier contemporary romances
published with various small presses, but am actively moving away from that
sub-genre. I’ve had a New Adult book, Death of a Waterfall, published two years
ago. Of course, there’s this book, Dangerous Love :) Jody and I have a
sequel planned, which will be released later this year. I’m now agented as
well, so I’m working on a book for my agent, Dawn Dowdle.
What genre(s) of book do you write?
JODY:I write contemporary romance
for the most part but sometimes I feel like there are elements of women’s fiction
in there too. I need the happily ever after of contemporary and I love the dual
point of view. But I also love the internal struggle and journey that we see in
books like The Witness or Fangirl. I like a little suspense too. And I write children’s
books.
KARA: I’m a contemporary romance girl at heart.
Everything I’ve written thus far has been in this sub-genre, but I’m hoping to
branch out this year. Maybe write a thriller or get one of my young adult
novels published.
What inspired you to write your first book?
JODY:Getting signed by my first agent.
She had signed me for my children’s books and I was so eager to show her my versatility,
I wrote a novel. We ended up parting ways since...she signed me for children’s books.
But it was a great push forward and it opened my eyes to what I wanted to do as
a writer.
KARA: Wow. It feels like ages ago since I’ve written
my first book. lol. I’d always had the idea for two characters in my mind:
young, teenaged kids who were high on life and low on experience. I wrote one
version of the book that was just super fun. I knew it would never see the
light of day, but it helped me get started and put me on the path to learning
how to write a book that would actually sell.
How long did it take you to write “Dangerous Love”?
JODY:Yes, I think it was four or
five months. I don’t know that it takes less time-- I tend to write very quickly
and I think Kara does too but what I’ve noticed is that the work we do together
ends up being more polished than the work I do alone. We’re constantly reading over
each others work so that we know what’s happened and where to pick up and that means
there’s a lot of editing along the way.
KARA: Four or five months, I think? Writing a book
with another person takes a lot less time than writing it all by yourself. lol.
What is the working title of your next book(s)?
JODY:With Kara, Jaded Love. On my
own, Caught Looking.
KARA: As Jody said, together we’re working on Jaded
Love, which is a spinoff from Dangerous Love. We’re also possibly considering a
third book, Broken Love. I’m also working on another co-author project (with a
different author) that’s a YA thriller entitled Warped Remains. And I have a
series of new adult books with the first one being titled, Tempting Tanner.
When and why did you begin writing?
JODY:I wrote a poem when I was
11 years old and I brought it home to show my older brother. He liked it and asked
me to write another copy for him to have. And since he was 8 years older and I thought
he was so cool, I gave him a copy and in some way, I’ve been writing ever since.
KARA: I’d always dabbled in writing as a teen, but
never pursued it all that seriously. As a stay at home mom, when my youngest
finally started school, I found I had a LOT of time on my hands during the days
and needed a creative way to spend my time. So, I began writing again.
Do you self publish your books or go through an agency?
JODY:I have self-published. I have
been part of an anthology published through an agency. I have four books (3 with
Kara) coming from Anaiah Press. My next step, hopefully, is finding an agent to
work with, long term. This journey is better with someone at your side.
KARA: Right now, all of my books are published via
small press, but I’m hoping in the near future to get a traditional publishing
deal with one of the Big 5.
What part of writing books do you find the hardest?
JODY:Conveying the right emotion
with the character’s actions and words is very hard.
KARA: I have to agree with Jody and say character
emotions. I have a really bad habit of taking the emotions to the extreme.
They’re either too flat or too dramatic. lol. It’s hard, in my opinion, to find
that happy medium and keep it consistent throughout the book.
What do you do in your spare time?
JODY: Obsess about writing. :) I
spend time with my family, watch TV. I work full time so between that, my family,
and writing, it can make the days go fast. I like to cook and go for walks. I like
to read. I like to do all things at once cause I get restless if I’ve got nothing
going on.
KARA: Read. A lot. I’m also an editor at Anaiah
Press, so that takes up a lot of my non-writing time. I enjoy spending time
with my family, going to the movies with friends, and walking with my two
pitbulls.
Who is your favourite author?
JODY: It’s too hard to just say one.
Rainbow Rowell, Nora Roberts, Sophie Kinsella, Rachel Gibson. Jill Shalvis, John
Green.
KARA: Ryan Winfield, Stephenie Meyer, Stephen King,
Lora Leigh. If I’m being 100% honest here, I’m not sure I have a “favorite
author” so much as I have favorite books by certain authors. I mean, I
absolutely love Ryan Winfield, but I don’t love everything he’s ever written,
if that makes sense.
What’s your favourite genre to read?
JODY: Contemporary romance with some
suspense.
KARA: Young adult books with strong romance. I also
love romantic suspense and any book that can bring me to tears. Those are the
best ones.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
JODY: Get to know other writers:
they are your saving grace and, often, your life line. It’s not easy to continually
put yourself out there. You can fall into a pattern of feeling almost good
enough and some days it is hard to keep going. Your writing friends, and your personal
support network, will help you continue. Keep writing. Trust others but also trust
yourself. You don’t have to listen to every piece of advice but if you’re hearing
common themes, think about how you can strengthen those areas.
KARA: Write for yourself and no one else. I know,
it’s every writer’s dream to write the next bestseller that results in multiple
movies and crazy amounts of merchandise, but if YOU don’t love your book with
every fiber of your being, no one else will either. Write what you want write.
Tell the story that is consuming your mind and heart. Don’t worry about trends
or what other authors have done. Be true to you and your story. The emotion and
excitement will shine through on the page, and that’s what makes a story
great.
What have you had published? 
