Q&A with Jade C. Jamison discussion

What are you dying to know about any of my books?

How do the characters in your book come to you before you start to write. I read your books and I think "wow" how did that character reveal itself to Jade

Jennifer wrote: "How do the characters in your book come to you before you start to write. I read your books and I think "wow" how did that character reveal itself to Jade"

That's a great question, Jennifer! Sometimes my characters are already with me long before I write, if that makes any sense. Like Riley in Everything But, for example...I'd seen one facet of him in Tangled Web, but I knew there was a lot more to him, and he was one of those guys that I knew would have a lot more substance as he matured. So I thought about him for a few months, letting the story jell in the back of my mind, and then when I started writing--BAM!

Most of the time, though, and this even includes Riley, I know them part way before I start writing and then, as I go, they reveal more to me. A good example of a character completely surprising me would be Jesse from the Nicki Sosebee series. When I started writing the series, I had the first four or five books loosely plotted in my head (but I knew that minor changes would happen along the way as the situation and characters "took over"). Jesse was meant to be "just" Sean's friend, and he was going to be a flash in the pan. Nicki was going to date him for one book just to make Sean jealous. Well...Jesse clearly had other plans and he is not content with just being a little blip on the radar. He let me know in Dead that he would not settle for being just a Nicki boy toy, and he is now a major player, and--believe me when I say this--he is still a major player. You have not heard the last from Jesse. I love that!

So...to answer your question (I hope!), I often have a good feel for my major characters long before I start writing them, but sometimes they surprise me anyway, and I LOVE that. It keeps writing exciting and fresh!!!

If I haven't fully answered your question, please feel free to grill me. :) I'm sure I have it coming! LOL

Great answer. I know music plays a huge part in your writing and wanted to know if there are pieces of band members or just everyday people walking by you that will shape the looks of the individual's you write about? I guess I'm asking do you get ideas from people watching and say thats a nice tat, piercing, or a particular mannerism and use that along the way.

Jennifer wrote: "Great answer. I know music plays a huge part in your writing and wanted to know if there are pieces of band members or just everyday people walking by you that will shape the looks of the individua..."

Oh, goodie! Another fun question! Yes, I am a huge music lover (and it's pretty evident what genres influence me). I can't imagine my life without music, and that's why I've decided to so heavily integrate it into my writing, even with characters who aren't quite as rabid as I am. :)

I've been a lover of hard rock/heavy metal since my teenage years, so I've been observing the evolution of tattoos and piercing over a long period of time. If it gives you any idea, I was a Motley Crue fan before Tommy Lee's torso was tatted. ;) I'd say I'm inspired on the whole, but that there isn't one particular piece that makes me pause and think I need to add it. Instead, it's more like an amalgam, and as a character flushes himself out in my mind, his particular elements pop out. Obviously, I have my soft spots which I'm sure by now have made themselves evident, and--actually, now that I think about it--do have real inspiration. For example, Sully Erna--love when he wears a soul patch and I dug his pierced eyebrow. Miss it terribly. I loved, loved, LOVED Jerry Horton's goatee (watch Papa Roach's "Burn" video if you want to see it). I love Wayne Static's pierced nose (inspiration for Jesse's). Actual tats, though, seem so personal to me that my characters have their own, and I usually don't talk about them, because I want you to envision them in your mind. Of course, there are exceptions. Jesse and Nicki talked about two of his and he got a new one in One More Time that readers needed to know about.

So...long story short (too late, I know!!!), I'd say I have a huge memory bank and a whole lotta fascination that fuel my characters. Oh, and my fascination *does* extend to real life too. Every once in a while you meet people who embody that whole lifestyle. They want to be noticed, so I look. :) And they fall into my memory bank too.

Thank you for letting me pick your brain it is a gifted one LOL.

Jennifer wrote: "Thank you for letting me pick your brain it is a gifted one LOL."

Thanks, Jennifer. :)