Today on Make-Believe Mondays my guest is Juniper Bell.Juniper first tell us a little bit about the manuscript you’re working on now.
Juniper: First of all, thanks so much for having me on your blog! I’ve read so many fascinating things from other authors here. It’s an honor to be here!
Debra: Thank you, Juniper. It's a pleasure to have you here.
Juniper: My first Samhain book, “Doll,” is coming out on December 15 – it’s a contemporary erotic romance. Here’s the blurb:
Even a plaything can be pushed too far…
Chloe Barnes thought her marriage to a wealthy politician would be the stuff of fairy tales. Instead, he took advantage of her naiveté and used her as a plaything to fulfill his twisted sexual needs. Ten years is enough. She returns to Bellhaven Island to sell the summer cottage she inherited, hoping the money will buy her freedom—and custody of her daughters.
Fisherman Dustin McDougal never forgot the childhood crush he once had on the fairy-like Chloe. The woman she’s become has a haunted look that brings his feelings back, stronger than ever…with a mature edge. Along with all his protective instincts.
Their passion blows stronger than a Maine nor’easter, awakening Chloe to the joy of true love. Yet it may not be strong enough to free her from the past…
Debra: Congratulations on your first Samhain book.
Is there a point when your characters begin to come alive and you can see and hear them?
Juniper: Oh, definitely. One of the joys of writing is getting to know my characters. For me, they start out as little wisps of a thought, or an impression, or maybe an image. The more I write, the more they start to move through time and speak and interact with other characters, the more I understand them. The first draft, for me, is a “getting to know your characters” draft. When I go back for a second draft, it’s hilarious to see the things I wrote that I now KNOW my characters would never do or say!
Debra: Those little wisps can be so tantalizing as they draw us in to write. Maybe that is where the magic starts to happen.
As a child did any particular book or author pull you into their imaginary world?
Juniper: I was obsessed with the Chronicles of Narnia. Totally obsessed. I was convinced I could find a way into Narnia if I looked hard enough. My family lived in England for one summer and my sister and I used to roam the countryside, poking into old barns and searching for a portal into Narnia. (I’m pretty sure we never told our parents about that!) Later, I became convinced I was Jo March from Little Women in another lifetime.
Debra: What fun you must have had searching for it!
Is there anything else you would like to add about the role of imagination, and dreams in creating fiction? Any other message for our readers?
Juniper: Imagination is one of my favorite topics. I don’t think it’s limited to “creative” people. Everything starts with imagination – not just books, but inventions, civilizations, gadgets, cars, houses, chia pets, everything. To me, imagination has a spiritual aspect. We can’t really control it. We have to respect its mystery and power, and have faith in where it’s leading us. I don’t know why my imagination expresses itself in books (especially erotic romance!) but for some reason that’s what I feel drawn to do. Whoever you are and whatever you do in life, respect that incredible blessing of imagination we’ve been given. And enjoy it!
Debra: Yes, imagination, that creative spark is the beginning of everything. And there is something very spiritual about the source of all things. Excellent thoughts to leave us with.
Juniper, thank you for joining us here on this Make-believe Monday to share a little bit of the magic of writing with our readers.
Readers please visit Juniper at JuniperBell.com and authorjuniperbell.blogspot.com
----------------------
Debra's News/Debra is Watching:
Well this week I started a job working as a courier. So I plan to post the Make-Believe Mondays interviews late Sunday night for Monday morning. Just a bit of juggling going on here.
www.debraparmley.com
Posts
