Author Interviews! First Up … JR Ward
March 23, 2006 by shilohwalker
Blogger is apparently having PMS or something because every time I try to upload a picture, it times out on me. Finally got one up, although it’s not JR’s latest book. Ah well… it’s still an awesome cover.
Today, the victim is
JR Ward and JR has kindly agreed to give away a signed copy of Lover Eternal to some lucky poster. Yes… to win, you have to post.
Dark Lover, the first of JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series, appeared on shelves last fall and many, many paranormal fans fell in love.
With the author interviews we are doing, we are letting the readers ask the questions. For a week, readers are given the chance to post their questions to the yahoo group associated with the blog,
ScampsVamps& SpicyRomance.
The readers who ask questions may be entered in a drawing for a prize, but that prize is only available to the participators, so if you want to increase your chances of winning, just visit the group’s home page or send an email to
And onto the interview…
1) Will there ever be any female warriors in this series?Or will they all stay male?
Absolutely. There is a female named Payne whom you’ll meet soon and she is… VERY cool. I like her and I believe I know who she ends up with. And the thing is, with a female coming into the Brotherhood, you’re going to see a lot of the essential social values of the race get skewed. Males are supposed to protect their counterparts. But Payne is not in need of protection. She’s going to shake up the scene, but in a good way. She’s also not one of those annoying, brash, in your face types. She is power. She is strength. She is as up front and direct as any male warrior so she doesn’t need theatrics. She just levels her weapon and gives you a choice: you either do it her way or you end up with a leaky hole. I like her because she’s really an amalgam of male and female characteristics…
Can you tell I’m into her? 😉
~*~
2)Which authors do you think influenced you most in the writer you became?
Ummmm… Stephen King for the horror aspect and the world building. He’s fabulous, a true genius. And I like his stripped down style of prose. Suzanne Brockmann for the romance. She’s incredible… she can create emotion in a reader in like, two sentences. I also like her style, very mainstream. Sue Grafton for craft. She has a great command of story fundamentals and she’s helped me a lot. She’s also very disciplined both in her prose and in her approach to business, so yeah, definitely Sue. Plus I dig her books. My CP, Jessica Andersen, without whom, I think I might be behind bars for a heinous crime against an inanimate object (the compy). Jess also has a great line by line, cleanliness to her work and she’s wonderful at suspense. And then I think of my friends… because other writers can influence not just what you put on the page but how you deal with this business of ours. So… Linda Francis Lee and Gaelen Foley and Tina St. John and Shi and Lora Leigh and I’m sure I’m leaving folks out. You need people to talk to, you know?
~*~
3)Who is your favorite brother and why?
Zsadist. Definitely. Without a doubt. He is violent and unpredictable and dangerous. He’s also… awkward and not a total savage. I like the darkness in him because it makes his redemption so much more vivid and engrossing. But I will say, that this dark side of his is grounded in what has happened to him- there’s a reason for why he is the way he is. I wouldn’t be in love with him if he were just a bastard. The fact that he’s suffered is the way I connect with him.
~*~
4) If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why?
Queen’s Under Pressure. Because I’m usually stressed out and over-focused and feeling like I wish I were doing things better.
~*~
5)If you were to describe each of the brothers as an ice-cream flavor,what would it be and why?
Ummmm… I can’t! I just don’t and can’t see them like that! LOLOL So much for the writer’s imagination… *hangs head in shame* See? This is my point about the song choice. I can’t answer this question and I think I failed the interview!
~*~
I don’t think you can fail this kind of interview, JR. 😉 Although I was wondering who was going to be Rocky Road. *G*
Okay…floor is open for comments and JR will pop in later if anybody has other questions.
You can learn more about the books at
www.jrward.com and she has a reader group @
I’ll be posting who the next author interview is here in a few days, so if you want to get your shot at asking the questions, join the group!
Shi
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Vamps and Scamps 
JR,
1) When you’re under stress, what crazy behaviors do you exhibit?
2) What leisure activities or stress management methods keep you away from the straight jackets?
Hi JR,
I am new to your work and have not had the pleasure of reading your books yet.
How would you tease and entice me to buy your books?
How would you describe your books to entice me to buy them?
Billie Jo
Just me again,
One more question:
If you could be one of your characters, who would it be and why?
I look forward to learning more about you and your work.
Billie Jo
How much time do you spend doing your hair each morning?
Jenny…you like to ask the most off the wall questions.
😉
Shi, last I checked, the definition of scamps haven’t changed so JR should know what’s coming. Besides, I KNOW JR will love these because she hasn’t answered them to death already! LOL
If a fan rings up during a radio interview telling you to divorce your husband and marry him, what would you say?
In your opinion,
1) what’s better than sex?
2) what’s the next best thing to sex?
JR~
I was wondering if you miss your work in the medical field? I am loving your characters. I have just started reading Dark Lover and I cannot put it down. They are amazing.!! Thank you so much for taking the time to come and talk with us.
Lori
1) Now that you’re published, how are things different from how you imagined they would be?
2) Does your husband ever joke about the writing sensation you’ve become? Quote the one that strikes you as most funny.
Hey Jennybrat-
Crazy behavior? Hmm I become really obsesive about everything. Like I have to do this NOW and I have to that NOW and what the hell is this doing HERE… I just spin tighter and tighter until I don’t eat and sleep and my husband threatens to put a stake in the ground in the back of the house so I can run around in circles until I wear myself out… 🙂
Stress management for me is working out at the gym. I just go nuts until I’m about to hurl and then when it’s over I feel… clean. Does that make sense? 🙂
Billie Jo… do you like alpha males with hearts of gold and mouths with fangs? Because take those two elements, put the males in question in leather, add a couple of tattoos and a dagger or two, and that’s the Brothers!
When are you going to write Payne’s story?
Do you have any tattoos? If you have, describe them.
LOL Jennybrat!
Um, my husband’s cool with what’s going on in my career. There’s nothing to joke about. He and I are both really focused people so… sorry about that one! LOLOL Hair in the morning? Nada, brush it back and get me a scrunchie. I only do it right if I have to play like I’m a human not an author.
As for the marrying someone else, my response would be, I’ve found the perfect man for me so anyone else would be a let down. And I’m serious about this. 🙂 As I was telling a friend yesterday, it’s like what Cher said in Moonstruck: Ah, ma, I love him something awful.
And nothing is better than sex. Except diamonds, maybe and only if they’re really big. Next best thing? Ummm, oh! A real hot car with a stick shift and clutch you can pop like a knuckle joint.
Lori! You rock!
And sometimes I miss the medical stuff, mostly I’m just in love with the Brothers though and I can’t wait to get to them every day!
Hi JR,
thanks for the interview. Great answers.
Now I have another question. You told me once that the brother are talking to you. Who was the first one who ever talked to you?
JR~
The Brothers are very easy to fall in love with!! They really just pulled me in and I just cannot wait to read more. I have already bought Lover Eternal. Your covers are awesome, as well.
JR,
AYE Carumba – you are describing my favorite man!!! yummy There is nothing like an alpha male in leather- lol.
Well done, you enticed me.
Thank you for the answer.
Billie Jo
I think it’s safer for your patients that you left the medical facility. Never know what mischief the Brothers will get up to…LOL
JR, is your birthday or wedding anniversary coming soon? Might want to drop your dh a hint to drop by this page…*w*
What food can you happily eat morning, afternoon and night?
How has your legal education and previous job helped you in your writing?
JR —
What made you start writing? Have you always wanted to write? & who (if there was someone) gave you that extra push to write?
Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions!
Christina
How long have you been writing full-time?
Hi JR-
Love the Brothers and can’t wait until September!!!!!!!!!:)
You keep rockin!!!!!!!
Hi JR-
I love the Brothers and can’t wait until September!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing them with us cellies!!!!!!!!!!:)
Sorry….for the multiples…….
JR,
When you get yourself in writing mode, do you literally go in a zone where you hear nothing going on around you?
Billie Jo
i think i’m gonna put a gag on Jenny.
She’s lost control.
Thank you so much for the great interview JR. I like the theme song you picked!
Questions:
As someone who is new to your work, I was wondering do your books need to be read in order?
Also for fun: If you were a breakfast cereal, what would it be and why? What would your prize be?
LOL. Shiloh on the gag for Jenny comment. Maybe she just really wants to win (unless it is one entry per person) or is just curious…LOL.
-Jennifer Yates
Hi JR,
In whose book will we meet Payne in? And will she get her own book?
dar
Shi, I guess really wants to win. Like we others too. LOL. The rest is just quieter than Jenny *wink*
JR,
The devilish CGinCA is here… aka acountrygirl4ever in your yahoo group.
All I can say is that I love the brothers, which you know.
I love knowing that there is another writer out there like me whose characters exist and talk and can “seem” to appear in front of them for talks. It is so nice to know I am not crazy.
Hi JR! Love the books!
From Darius’s comment to Wrath in Dark Lover about Beth’s mom I assume that vampires can fall in love with humans but what would happen if a vampire and a doggen fell in love? Are there rules against their being together? What if a doggen and a vampire had a child together? Or is that even genetically possible?
I hope Payne hooks up with V. Boy would that make for some interesting fireworks!
Hi JR,
Really dont have a question because I know alot of it since being on the board(lucky me)
I just wanted to say hi and that I cant wait for Z’s book! You know that he has my heart and reading LE just gave me a little more of a piece of him! You are awesome!
(((Hugs)))
Celena
Who is/are your favorite author/s?
I’ll be honest and say that I have never read one of your books. I think I’ll have to pick one up at the online bookstore!
Danny- Wrath was the first one… scared the ever livin’ pi$$ out of me actually.. 🙂
And Jenny- no tats… *sigh*
Lori- I LOVE the Covers too! OMG they do such a great job… love Z’s… 🙂
Christina- I’ve always written, since a very early age. I was compulsive about it. Just had to and I kept it up… 🙂 Now, I just feel blessed to do what I love every day.
Billie Jo- yeah, that’s what it’s like for me. I see the scenes in my head and the Brother’s voices are all I can hear…
Nice way to pass the time, I gotta tell you!
Celena!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugger! How are you!!!
(((((((((((((Celena)))))))))))))))
Jodi- Suz Brockmann is one of my all time favs. Elizabeth Lowell. My CP Jessica Andersen. Ummmm you know, Shi damn good too *winks*
VAX
Have you ever named a character after a family member or friend?
If your book was made into a movie, which actress and actor would you want to play Mary and Rhage?
Hi MQ!!!!!
Lovin’ me my girlie!
Hey acountrygirl4ever and cginca- wait, I spelled that last one wrong, didn’t I…
Yes, absolutely, you are not crazy!
Payne is awesome! I don’t know when her book comes but the Brothers will tell me… I think I know who she ends up with but it’s not V… 🙂
What a lovely interview! Thank you! I’m so excited with the idea of a female vampire warrior. She should turn the brotherhood inside out and confuse the bejeezus out of them! JR, I’m sure you’ve heard it a million times, but I simply adore your books. The Brotherhood blows away all the other vampire romances out there!
There’s that weird malady of yours again, JR.
I would attempt to discuss the virtue of patience, but that would sound lousy, coming from me.
i’m workin on it… promise.
JR,
Love the books!! 🙂 Counting down until September! 🙂 Do you listen to music while you write? Do you listen to what the brother’s do?
Thanks!
Tina
also Jr, I was wondering, do you lay out like character charts and stuff as you’re writing, I would imagine with the SV and the different levels of society you have a pretty intricate chart
Tina
Hi JR 🙂 You seem to have really lucked out with outstanding artwork for the covers of your books. They’re very eye catching (which makes me want to pick them up and keep them forever *g*). My question is… Is the cover art what you imagined when you were writing the books or did you picture something else?
Hi Tina 🙂 – no charts or anything like that for me. I just listen to what the Brothers tell me. I will say that I outline extensively so I can keep control of the various plotlines, but otherwise it’s in my head. 🙂 And I’m glad you like the Brothers!
Oh, music? Not while I’m drafting. What’s going on in my head is too complicated. But for planning, I’ll listen to hard core rap. 🙂
Lisa- thank you!! 🙂
I think I came late but I wanted to pop by and tell JR how much I’m loving her books 🙂
Hey JR
If you could travel anywhere with the brothers Where would you take them and why
mare
Do you have a good luck charm or superstition?
What one interview question would you be happy to never get asked again?
JR,
Ey Chica! K, the one Q that really bugs me…”What is crammed up the Scribe Virgin’s *looks around, unsure if I’m allowed to cuss* ‘nether region’?” That whole I’m-superior-you’re-inferior attitude of hers grates on me. I mean, yeah, I know she created them & all, but then she said she took such joy in all her children – then why does she keep such a tight leash on them? I understand needing to control such powerful beings, but throwin a clot just cuz they asked you a question? I think the SV needs to get some.
– Mitch
JR,
Do we ever find out about John’s parents? Like maybe in his book – he does get a book, doesn’t he?
– Mitch
will john have his own book? Thanks for the answer about the female warrior she sounds exactly like the type of heroine I prefer. I was hoping that that would be your answer.
Hi JR.
Love your books and recommend them all the time!
My question: Does your DH have any qualms about your spending so much time with the Brothers? Does he ever feel intimidated by them?
Deb, my DH is a saint. He doesn’t mind at all… which is just amazing and part of the reason I love him so much! 🙂
PamK- absolutely John gets his own book! I don’t know exactly when but right now he’ll be either the 7, 8, or 9th book… 🙂
Mitch, you’ll have to keep reading for the John’s parents bit… 🙂
Mitch, the SV is her own deal. I don’t ask a lot of questions. She’s tough but into balance. I like her… even though, yes, she is very hardcore. I guess the complexity of her is the attraction. 🙂
Kimw- hmmmmm not really. I can’t say I have a superstition or good luck charm. 🙂 And I like all the questions, I honestly do! Esp. Jennybrat’s about the hair!
Mary, frankly, the best place to take them is nowhere. I just like to sit quietly and listen to them… lame answer, yes??? It’s true though!
Erin- (hi Eronkey!) honestly, I don’t have any kind of eye at all for that kind of thing… so when they sent me DL I was like WHOA that’s perfect! Even though if you’d have asked me what perfect would have look liked, I wouldn’t have been able to describe it…
🙂
Rae- you are too kind!!! J.R.