TQ: Welcome to The Qwillery!
Judi: Hi and thanks so much for having me.
TQ: Writing quirks! What are some of yours?
Judi: Sadly, I'm kind of boring when it comes to quirks. I need either absolute quiet or a white noise environment. Typically I play classical piano music on my laptop/tablet so that it blocks out the sounds around me and I can't sing along to it. If there's a song that I can sing to, forget it. I'm pulled out of my writing and it takes me a while to get back in. I will say that my family has laughed at me a few times because they'll walk by and see me with my eyes closed and my fingers flying over the keyboard as the story flows out of me. That's got to be the best writing experience.
TQ: Who are some of your favorite writers?
Judi: Gosh, where to start? Auto buys for me are Karen Rose, Cindy Gerard, Kate Brady, Jill Barnett and Julia Quinn.
TQ: Are you a plotter or a panster?
Judi: Pantser. With selling on proposal, you do learn to put a plot together, even if it's just a basic outline (a lot of "and then stuff happens" in it), but keeping to it can be challenging when the characters are the ones driving the story.
TQ: What is the most challenging thing for you about writing?
Judi: Finding enough hours in a day. Of course, that's true about anything in my life, but writing can be really intensive when the story is working and to have to stop and go do something else can be really frustrating.
TQ: The most recent Bottled Magic novel is Magic Gone Wild. What inspired you to write the Bottled Magic series?
Judi: I'd started I Dream of Genies, the first in the series, back before I'd sold my Mer series to my publisher. I'd wanted to do something different in the paranormal genre. Something you didn't see a lot of. So I went back to what I love - and I grew up on I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched. There were already a bunch of witch stories on the market, so I went with the genies. And it's been a ball ever since.
TQ: Do you base your paranormal/supernatural elements on existing lore, make things up or both?
Judi: I always try to put as much realism into my fantastical worlds. Makes it easier for the reader to suspend disbelief and get into the world quicker. For instance in my Mer series, I decided that Atlantis had to be under Bermuda. The beauty of that is that Bermuda is known for its underwater caves... what better place to put the capital city of Mers? With Bottled Magic, I pulled on a lot of mythology, as djinn (or genies) come from Persian mythology. I worked that mythology with the pop culture references we're familiar with to create a set of rules and world that worked for the reader and the characters.
TQ: What sorts of research have you done for the Bottled Magic novels? What is the oddest bit of information that you’ve come across in your research?
Judi: You know, one of the things that never fails to amaze me is that I've been able to find in the mythology/history exactly what I need for the stories. That's when I know I'm on the right track. For instance, in I Dream of Genies, I needed a beast for the High Master's garden. I wanted something like the Behemoth out of the bible but in a Persian context. I found out that the Hadyosh was exactly what I was looking for. I didn't have to make him up at all, just play with that cultural consciousness to make him work in the story. I've always been a student of mythologies and being able to bring many of them into my stories has been a lot of fun.
TQ: Tell us something about Magic Gone Wild that is not in the book description.
Judi: The town Harrisonville is based on: Williamsport, PA. My husband's family is from there and we go up for family reunions. It was the perfect type of town I wanted to use, but without naming it its true name. There, that's the first time I've put this bit of info in print.
TQ: In the Bottled Magic series who was the easiest character to write and why? The hardest and why?
Judi: Easiest characters are always the wise-a** sidekicks. In this case, it's Merlin, the gender-curious, cross-dressing phoenix. Most time they come fully formed in my head and I basically channel them; I don't have to think too much about them. I just let him have free reign with the page.
But those characters are also the hardest, specifically because they want to take over the whole story. They have a lot to say about the main characters, and usually their life philosophy, so it's a challenge to keep them contained.
TQ: Which character in the Bottled Magic series has surprised you the most?
Judi: Harv, the yale from Genie Knows Best. I knew he was a hard a** and hadn't seen any redeeming qualities to him. When he showed up at the final showdown and got involved to the extent that he did, I hadn't seen that one coming.
TQ: What's next?
Judi: I'm excited to have launched my Once-Upon-A-Time Romance series with the first book, Beauty and The Best. It came out in April and it's about a bumbling guardian angel (think It's a Wonderful Life) who will earn his wings by helping the hero and heroine of each story. This story was in the American Title contest (RT Magazine and Dorchester Publishing) and a Top 20 finalist in the gather.com/Simon & Shuster First Chapters contest, where it was the only romance to make the Top 20. Next up in that series is If The Shoe Fits, followed by Fairest of Them All.
I'm also debuting the first in my BeefCake, Inc series at the end of the month: BeefCake & Cupcakes: Magic Mike has nothing on Gage and his guys. Baker shop owner Lara agrees, but what can a hot guy like him see in a woman like her--unless he's only interested in her cupcakes?
TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.
Judi: Thanks so much for having me!
About Bottled Magic
Magic Gone Wild
Bottled Magic 3Sourcebooks, August 7, 2012
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 384 pages
Every Time She Uses Magic Something Goes Terribly Wrong...
Vana wishes she hadn't dropped out of genie training. Now she's determined to get a grip on both her genie magic and her life. But the harder she tries to fix things for her intriguing new master, the more she drives him crazy...
Except There's Nothing Ever Wrong About Him...
Pro–football player Zane Harrison finally has control of the family estate and is determined to put to rest his grandfather's eccentric reputation. Until he discovers that behind all the rumors is a real, live genie who stirs feelings in him he's never known before. The more Zane tries to help Vana harness her powers, the more her madcap magic entangles his heart...
Genie Knows Best
Bottled Magic 2Sourcebooks, November 1, 2011
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 384 pages
Be careful what you wish for. . .
Samantha Blaine is about to make a fateful discovery. A tall, dark, handsome, ohmygosh kind of fateful discovery...
Kal is very pleased to meet his attractive new master – especially since he intends to seduce her into granting him freedom. But when seriously dark magic spells trouble for both of them, Kal can't help himself from falling for the woman who holds his fate in her hands. . .
Warmly acclaimed by readers and critics alike, Judi Fennell brings to life a fabulous world of magic and mayhem where wishes come true in the most unexpected ways!
I Dream of Genies
Bottled Magic 1
Sourcebooks, January 4, 2011
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 416 pages
He needs to change his luck, and fast!
Matt Ewing would gladly hunt down a fortune in lucky pennies if he thought it would help save his business. But for all his hoping, Matt’s clueless when his long-awaited lucky charm falls in his lap in the form of a beguiling genie. He just can’t believe that this beautiful woman could be the answer to his prayers...
She’s been bottled up for far too long!
Spending 2,000 years in a bottle would make any woman a little stir-crazy. So when Matt releases Eden from her luxurious captivity, she’s thrilled to repay him by giving him the magical boost he needs...
But for all her good intentions, Eden’s magical prowess is a little rusty and her magical mistakes become more than embarrassing. And though Eden knows falling in love will end her magic and immortality, she can’t help but be drawn to the one man who wants her just for herself...
About Judi
Website : Blog : Twitter : Facebook : Goodreads
The Giveaway
THE RULES
What: One commenter will win a copy of Magic Gone Wild (Bottled Magic 3) from Sourcebooks! US/Canada ONLY
How: Leave a comment answering the following question:
Which real town/city/village should be the basis for setting
in a Paranormal Romance novel?
Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.
You may receive additional entries by:
1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.
2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.
There are a total of 3 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry) and, Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.
Please leave links for Facebook or Twitter mentions. You MUST leave a way to contact you.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a United States or Canadian mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 22, 2012. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.
*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*
Havertown. Its in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pa. There has always been talk of paranormal activity there. I don't know if its true or not but the city (Philly) is certainly old enough and has lots of history.
ReplyDeleteHow about the small town and farming community of Kahlotus, WA? :)
ReplyDelete+1 Comment
+1 Follower of The Qwillery
+1 Tweeted: https://twitter.com/yadkny/status/235793131008839681
yadkny@hotmail.com
Thanks for a great post and giveaway! I just a few of Judi's books and I can't wait to start reading :)
ReplyDeleteI'd say Roswell, NM as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the supernatural and paranormal.
+1 gfc: erin
+1 comment
efender1(at)gmail(dot)com
I think the town of Nowthen, MN would be a good location just because it has a quirky name.
ReplyDeleteI am a GFC follower as Suekey.
I commented.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Thank you so much for sharing with us today. I think this series sounds like a hoot and I particularly want to get to know Vana, sound like there may be some chuckles there. I think San Francisco is the ultimate city for paranormal fun doings. Of course it is one of my favorite cities of all time so that has nothing to do with this opinion LOL You have to admit even with my prejudice there is so much potential for spooky fun.
ReplyDelete+1 GFC
+1 comment
+1 tweeted = https://twitter.com/ZDz59001/status/235802603647270912
dz59001(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi! I'm here! I just got bogged down in the job, my formatting business, kids, food shopping... busy busy day! Thanks so much, everyone, for stopping by and sharing the "love"! I'm so glad everyone is enjoying the story. I had a lot of fun with this one, but then, I have a lot of fun with all of them.
ReplyDeleteWanted to let everyone know that Beefcake & Cupcakes is actually out now. I thought it was going to be the end of the month, but my editor got it back to me sooner than anticipated and out it went! I'm running a contest to have a character named after you, so check me out on FB or twitter to get the details. In the meantime, I'm taking note of your city ideas. Havertown is close by.
I think Forks Washington is perfect. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteBeauty and the Best sounds great! I will be keeping my eyes out for that in the future.
ReplyDeleteFun when books are in a city that you know. I would use my home town. Its small and quaint, like Gilmore Girls Stars Hallow type. The perfect setting for some paranormal happenings, right where no body would expect it =)
GFC Lexi
eyesofblueice (at) gmail
I think somewhere in Transylvania for a great setting.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
follower
Judi I love your books .I think since it would be paranormal what could be better than Kill Devil Hills North Carolina .Thank you for sharing today you're one of my favorite authors I look forward to reading this book.Have a fantastic week.
ReplyDeletegfc follower
wanda f
tweeted
https://twitter.com/lilblupixie/status/235918649716785152
posted to my blog
http://ilovealldogs.blogspot.com/
flanagan@mebtel.net
Hi Judi! I know that this is veeerrrry unoriginal, but NOLA has got to be my #1 choice. I love reading books that the story takes place in New Orleans. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! bpatrick64113@sbcglobal.net +1 Comment, +1 Follower
ReplyDeleteSalem, MA and New Orleans, LA!
ReplyDeletegfc & email follower
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
I think that large cities would be best for paranormal series generally, especially for vampires, demons, witches, etc. Cities like NY, LA, NOLA. This way they can blend in, not have too many people too interested in them like in smaller towns.
ReplyDeleteBut for shifters, I would think that areas with less people, more open space would be best (Alaska, desert areas, places with lots of woodlands, etc) so that they can shift and hunt but not have a lot of witnesses.
+1 Comment
+1 GFC follower: June M.
+1 tweeted: https://twitter.com/juneannm/status/235942476756705280
June
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
Well, I think New Orleans makes a great setting for paranormal romance stories, but I'd like to see something set somewhere like St Louis or Omaha, just to be different. :D
ReplyDeleteBarbed1951 at aol dot com
GFC: Barbara E.
New Orleans or the Carparthian Mountains!
ReplyDeleteGFC: books4me
tweet: https://twitter.com/BooksForMe2/status/235961314365800448
books4me67 at ymail dot com
All great suggestions, folks! I was just in N'Awlins and, yup, definitely the perfect place for some paranormal activity (and with what I saw on Bourbon Street, there might have been some of that going on! LOL)
ReplyDeleteI love San Francisco and find the city very magical with all its history and location by the water and the fault lines, perfect. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is always London because that is just my city but for paranormal, I like a city like Galway or Dublin (Ireland) for the most part would be good
ReplyDelete+1 comment
+1 GFC Caitlin Rahm
I always go with Chicago =)
ReplyDeleteGFC Krystal Larson
edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom
Is it silly that I'd love to see the teensy, tiny town I grew up in, Kannarraville, Utah, as a setting? (Population: 232, when I was in High School! Did I mention it was tiny? LOL!)
ReplyDeleterissatoo
+3: commenter, follower, retweeter
New Madrid, MO
ReplyDelete-comment
-follower
-tweet - https://twitter.com/DonnaS1/status/237793382276141056
bacchus76 at myself dot com
An exotic location like St. Maartens!
ReplyDelete+1 comment
+1 follower
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
New Orleans, Chicago, Austin, or maybe somewhere in the mountains in Colorado. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteForgot email
ReplyDeletesariahwalters at gmail dot com
I am also a follower
A small village in Spain
ReplyDeleteI follow the blog.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com