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An Interview With Jessica Coulter Smith

Tell us a bit about yourself. What would you like us to know about you?

I have been writing since high school. Until recently, I mostly wrote poetry. In the 1990's I had several poems published in anthologies and received two editor's choice awards. Whispering Lake is my first completed and published novel.

What are you doing now? (Career? Married? Single? Children? Pets?)

Currently, I'm working on a werewolf series called the Ashton Grove Werewolves. In addition to writing, I also work for a local college in the Department of Education. I have worked in higher education for about three years.

I have been married for almost nine years and have two wonderful children. My daughter, Devin, is my social butterfly. She flits from one subject to another and talks non-stop all day. My son, Gavin, is the laid back one of the two. Although he still finds time to get into mischief (like removing all of his clothes from his dresser and hiding them throughout his room).

We have a house full of pets! My family always refers to my house as the family zoo. We have two dogs (Golden Retriever and a Bi-Black Sheltie), two cats (one black and one tabby), a ferret, and a horse (Chestnut American Saddlebred Gelding).

What is your favourite food?

Hmmm... it's hard to choose a favorite food. It's no secret that I love to eat! I would have to say that pizza is at the top of the list, along with Baskin Robbins World Class Chocolate ice cream!

What is your favourite colour?

I don't particularly have a favorite color. You'd understand if you saw my house. My bedroom has jewel tones, my living room has blues and grays, my kitchen is forest green and cranberry... and on and on.

What is your favourite sound?

The ocean! Even though I haven't lived near a beach for quite some time, I can still hear the ocean if I close my eyes. I can even smell the salt and feel the breeze blowing through my hair.

Who is your favourite person?

I would have to say that my mother is my favorite person. Granted, we argue like siblings a lot of the time, but she's helped shape who I am. Because of her, I am a strong independent woman.

What is your favourite place?

Stone Mountain, Georgia is one of my favorite places. I love the hiking trails, including the steep climb up the mountain. They have a petting zoo area, museums, a beach, and much more. You can literally spend the whole day there and still not manage to see everything.

What is your favourite memory?

My favorite memory is the day I saw my daughter for the first time on an ultra-sound. I was so worried that she wouldn't cooperate, but we saw her beautiful face (and were able to find out she was a girl!). It was one of the happiest moments of my life.

What is your favourite article of clothing?

My Calvin Klein jeans! I've already worn out two pair and I'm down to one. When these wear out, I'm not sure what I'll do.

What is your favourite word?

I honestly don't have a favorite word. Each word is special in its own way. There isn't one particular one that stands out.

What is your favourite writers' quote and why?

"With me poetry has not been a purpose, but a passion." (Edgar Allan Poe)

People who just suddenly decide to write poetry and go about it in a methodical way tend to write so-so poems. Those who write poetry because they are inspired, inflamed, or incited are the ones who will take you to a new place and time. Poetry isn't about method, punctuation, or rules... well, okay, there are rules, but poetry is really about passion, just as Poe said.

What is your most favourite quality about yourself?

I'm tenacious. My husband often tells me that I'm like a dog with a bone. Granted, he doesn't always mean that in a good way, but once I start on something I don't stop until it's finished.

What is the least favourite quality about yourself?

I can be a perfectionist at times... well, okay, if I'm honest, I'm always a perfectionist! While that can be a good thing at times, it can also be my downfall. There truly is such a thing as fixing something too much.

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

I would love to go to the Bahamas. I went with my mother during high school and had a blast. Our hotel was right on the beach, so I would go down after it was dark and just listen to the ocean for a good hour or two.

What inspires you to write and why?

I've always been a dreamer. While I've loved to read since elementary school, I discovered in high school that I love to write just as much... possibly more. It's enjoyable to enter someone else's reality for a while, but it's even better when you create your own.

What is your favourite book and why?

Wow, I have to pick just one? It isn't necessarily just one book, but a series that I have read and re-read a hundred times over... the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Series by Charlaine Harris. I think I've almost memorized the first few books.

What is your favourite genre and why?

Paranormal romance. I love vampires, werewolves, witches, and anything else that goes bumb in the night. However, I also love... well, love. While I love to read just about romance, the paranormal ones usually jump off the shelf (and into my shopping cart!).

List your three favourite authors (any genre) and why?

Stephenie Meyer - she took my two favorite subjects - vampires and werewolves - and changed all the rules. Everything you thought you knew, throw out the window! It was absolutely delightful to read her Twilight series and be constantly surprised.

Charlaine Harris - I love her Sookie series as well as her Harper series. She is so versatile that she can write sci-fi with a romantic twist and then turn around and produce a first rate mystery novel! The woman is an absolute genius!

Meg Cabot - Anyone who can succeed as both an adult and YA author deserves a standing ovation! I have read both her YA series as well as her adult books and love both equally.

What do you think makes a writer successful?

I think that in order for a writer to be successful, they need to not only write a book that will appeal to the public, but they should also write on a subject they are passionate about. Without passion, it's just words on a page... add a little passion, and you've created something for others to enjoy.

Whta is it that makes you successful as a writer?

Not only am I passionate about my writing, but I'm also passionate when it comes to promoting my book. A lot of authors don't realize that signing a publishing contract is just the beginning and not the end. If you aren't out there doing book signings, requesting reviews, and blogging, then your book isn't going to do as well as you had hoped. You have to be an active participant in the PR part of things. After all, who better to promote your book than you? No one else knows it half as well.

What are your goals as a writer?

My goals are long-standing ones... I'm just hoping that they aren't too long-standing! I would love to be on the NY Times Bestseller List, and of course I'd love to quit my day job and just write 24-7.

What is the best tip you can give to fellow writers?

Don't give up! If you submit your book to twenty publishers and receive twenty rejections, find twenty more publishers to submit to. In order to succeed, you have to be prepared to fail first.

What do you hope to provide your readers with through your writing?

I hope to provide my readers with an escape from reality, even if it is just for a little while. People typically read to unwind after a long day... to forget about the mountain of bills, the cooking and cleaning, the laundry... and everything else that piles up on our shoulders throughout the day.

List your three favourite online writer-resource sites and why (include URLS).

Ebooks Cafe - they have a lot of resources. They offer a free e-book list for authors, in addition to have two sister sites (Writer's Gazette and Writer's Manual).

Coffee Time Romance & More - they offer an online store for e-book purchases, reviews, advertising, and much more.

Romance Junkies - they offer a Writer's Program where you can find a critique partner, writing contests, and articles on writing. In addition, they have reviews, free reads, and a goodies section where authors can send in bookmarks, pens, and other promotional items.

If you have published a book, tell us about your publishing success (title, publishing date and company, where it is available to purcahse).

My first book, Whispering Lake, was published as an e-book in August 2008 by Hearts on Fire Press. It is currently available for sale at www.heartsonfirepress.com and www.coffeetimeromance.com. In addition, it was released in October 2008 as a paperback, available through WordClay's bookstore.

How long did it take you to write your book(s)?

It took me about six months to write Whispering Lake. However, I've been working on my current book for five months and probably have another two months before it's completed. I think the length of time depends on the book itself, in addition to the day to day things going on in the author's life.

What would you do differently if you could repeat the same publishing experience?

I'm not sure that I would done anything differently. I'm happy with my publisher and have had a good experience.

What have you learned about the publishing world?

A lot! I didn't realize how much stuff went on behind the scenes. You see a book in a bookstore and you don't even think about the process in getting it from the author to the shelf.

This is your chance to 'Talk Back' to your readers. What would you like to say to them?

If you're wanting a serious book, don't read mine! My books tend to be quirky and have sarcastic humor at times.

What's the one thing that you want them to know about your writing?

I write because it's what I love to do. If you want a book that will make you feel as if you're part of the character's world, then you should definitely give mine a shot. I've had people who don't usually read romance tell me that they absolutely loved it.

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