There is an old African proverb that says “we stand on the shoulders of our ancestors” and this means many things to many people. For me, I’ve found I like to build upon and am inspired by those that come before me. In writing we all have heroes and they earn the honor for different reasons. Personally the writers that have influenced me are many, yet the first criteria for hero status is their writing must move me in some way. As I started my journey as a writer I looked at my favorite authors to read and studied how they got to where they were. Similar to how a young ball player studies a star athlete, I looked to see how the writer became elite. There’s the old quote… “If you want to be a millionaire hang around millionaires.” I wanted to be a writer so…well you get the idea
Case in point, I’ve loved Judy Blume since I was young and admired her because she writes from grade school to erotic under the same name without a backlash. I love Sherrilyn Kenyon because of how she treats her fans so well and her journey to become an author was filled with rejection yet she persevered. My guest today is no exception.
I first learned about Darynda Jones when I was looking into entering the Golden Heart award for my first book Chrysalis. Darynda had just won a few months earlier and had J.R. Ward’s endorsement for how amazing her book was.
(This is when I earmarked her name in my mind. J.R. Frickin’ Ward! Seriously. The woman who has inmates all over the world begging to be Cellies…yes I’m a cellie and proudly read the Warden’s books. Okay back to the author at hand.)
Then I got Mrs. Jones’ first book First Grave on the Right. If you haven’t read it…do, but if you have bladder issues take note you will laugh outloud while reading this book. Darynda has become the author all smart-ass writers look to as our queen. When did she become my hero you ask? When I sent her a Kindlegraph request and it was returned with a personalized message in less than 24 hours. It seems like a simple thing but look back a few paragraphs and see how I love writers that appreciate their fans. I posted my love of her all over my page and suggested all go check her out. When I asked for an interview and she said yes…It’s a bit embarrassing how I acted, but contrary to popular belief I didn’t pee my pants…okay, I might have a little.
We all want to become our heroes and let me tell you if I could become the hybrid child of Judy, Sherriyln and Darynda I’d feel good about who I became. For I would not only be an amazing author, but I’d be a good person and someone who I could respect when I looked in the mirror.
Okay, enough of this sappy crap. I’m interviewing the woman who created Charley Davidson and I can see Charley rolling her eyes and trying stop from gagging as she sits besides the great Darynda Jones.
Five questions for Darynda Jones
MP- Your heroine Charley seems to walk around with one area or another of her body bruised or in a state of healing. What’s the worst injury you’ve had to suck it up and walk around with?
DJ-I broke my foot in three places once when I stubbed my toe. LOL. Yeah, I think that’s the worst injury I’ve ever had. I may or may not have had a concussion once after a tragic cheerleading accident. (I was 9.) I was pretty banged up after a car accident once. But fortunately I’ve never been shot or stabbed. I used to be the quickest healer. I was always up and around days before the doctors expected. But not anymore. I’m a wuss. The last surgery I had ate my lunch. I was bedridden for days and it was laparoscopic!
MP- Do you ever fear running out of quotes?
DJ-You know, I did worry a little at first, but I have a list of hundreds! People send them in and I am constantly finding new ones.
MP- You have a fifth book in the Grave Series coming out. How many books do you think we have to look forward to?
DJ-Well, my editor wants it to be ongoing, so there’s just no telling. I would love for
it to continue for quite a while longer. I adore writing about Charley and her
antics. Not only that, I have a spinoff in mind I’m really excited about.
MP- I’ve scoured the internet…or paid attention to The Paranormal Book Club’s quote queen Sam to find one of your biggest fans to ask you a question. So Sam your question for Darynda is…"Would Charley ever cheat on Mr. Coffee with a foreign stranger like Keurig knowing it could only be a one shot deal? And if so...would she be able to look at Mr. Coffee the next morning?"
DJ-HAHAHA!!! Sadly, she has been eyeing a Keurig. It’s dark red and tempting as hell. But, no, I don’t think she’d be able to look at Mr. Coffee ever again. She’d probably have to put him in a closet and that would just be sad.
MP-Finally we’re going to play a little game called Marry, Dump or Date. I’ll give you three guys please assign them one spot. Only one per spot.
Reyes Farrow, Mr. Wong, and Angel…
DJ-
Marry: Mr. Wong. He is very loyal and never steps out. He’s a great listener and hardly ever interrupts. Yep, he’s a keeper.
Dump: Angel. He’s jailbait. Never mind that he’s older than Charley in actual years, he died at 13 and that’s just weird.
Date: Reyes. Dating him would be challenging and exciting. And you’d never need a jacket.
Follow Darynda on Facebook , Twitter or on her website
Buy Darynda's books on Amazon, Kindle, Barnes and Noble, Nook, Powell, BAM, Indie Bound, iTunes
Case in point, I’ve loved Judy Blume since I was young and admired her because she writes from grade school to erotic under the same name without a backlash. I love Sherrilyn Kenyon because of how she treats her fans so well and her journey to become an author was filled with rejection yet she persevered. My guest today is no exception.
I first learned about Darynda Jones when I was looking into entering the Golden Heart award for my first book Chrysalis. Darynda had just won a few months earlier and had J.R. Ward’s endorsement for how amazing her book was.
(This is when I earmarked her name in my mind. J.R. Frickin’ Ward! Seriously. The woman who has inmates all over the world begging to be Cellies…yes I’m a cellie and proudly read the Warden’s books. Okay back to the author at hand.)
Then I got Mrs. Jones’ first book First Grave on the Right. If you haven’t read it…do, but if you have bladder issues take note you will laugh outloud while reading this book. Darynda has become the author all smart-ass writers look to as our queen. When did she become my hero you ask? When I sent her a Kindlegraph request and it was returned with a personalized message in less than 24 hours. It seems like a simple thing but look back a few paragraphs and see how I love writers that appreciate their fans. I posted my love of her all over my page and suggested all go check her out. When I asked for an interview and she said yes…It’s a bit embarrassing how I acted, but contrary to popular belief I didn’t pee my pants…okay, I might have a little.
We all want to become our heroes and let me tell you if I could become the hybrid child of Judy, Sherriyln and Darynda I’d feel good about who I became. For I would not only be an amazing author, but I’d be a good person and someone who I could respect when I looked in the mirror.
Okay, enough of this sappy crap. I’m interviewing the woman who created Charley Davidson and I can see Charley rolling her eyes and trying stop from gagging as she sits besides the great Darynda Jones.
Five questions for Darynda Jones
MP- Your heroine Charley seems to walk around with one area or another of her body bruised or in a state of healing. What’s the worst injury you’ve had to suck it up and walk around with?
DJ-I broke my foot in three places once when I stubbed my toe. LOL. Yeah, I think that’s the worst injury I’ve ever had. I may or may not have had a concussion once after a tragic cheerleading accident. (I was 9.) I was pretty banged up after a car accident once. But fortunately I’ve never been shot or stabbed. I used to be the quickest healer. I was always up and around days before the doctors expected. But not anymore. I’m a wuss. The last surgery I had ate my lunch. I was bedridden for days and it was laparoscopic!
MP- Do you ever fear running out of quotes?
DJ-You know, I did worry a little at first, but I have a list of hundreds! People send them in and I am constantly finding new ones.
MP- You have a fifth book in the Grave Series coming out. How many books do you think we have to look forward to?
DJ-Well, my editor wants it to be ongoing, so there’s just no telling. I would love for
it to continue for quite a while longer. I adore writing about Charley and her
antics. Not only that, I have a spinoff in mind I’m really excited about.
MP- I’ve scoured the internet…or paid attention to The Paranormal Book Club’s quote queen Sam to find one of your biggest fans to ask you a question. So Sam your question for Darynda is…"Would Charley ever cheat on Mr. Coffee with a foreign stranger like Keurig knowing it could only be a one shot deal? And if so...would she be able to look at Mr. Coffee the next morning?"
DJ-HAHAHA!!! Sadly, she has been eyeing a Keurig. It’s dark red and tempting as hell. But, no, I don’t think she’d be able to look at Mr. Coffee ever again. She’d probably have to put him in a closet and that would just be sad.
MP-Finally we’re going to play a little game called Marry, Dump or Date. I’ll give you three guys please assign them one spot. Only one per spot.
Reyes Farrow, Mr. Wong, and Angel…
DJ-
Marry: Mr. Wong. He is very loyal and never steps out. He’s a great listener and hardly ever interrupts. Yep, he’s a keeper.
Dump: Angel. He’s jailbait. Never mind that he’s older than Charley in actual years, he died at 13 and that’s just weird.
Date: Reyes. Dating him would be challenging and exciting. And you’d never need a jacket.
Follow Darynda on Facebook , Twitter or on her website
Buy Darynda's books on Amazon, Kindle, Barnes and Noble, Nook, Powell, BAM, Indie Bound, iTunes
As a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a RITA®, and a Daphne du Maurier. As a born storyteller, she grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike. Darynda lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.
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