Friday, June 13, 2008

Interview with Vicki Lewis Thompson

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Vicki Lewis Thompson. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.





I understand you have a new release out called Wild & Hexy. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Wild & Hexy is the second in a series, but don’t freak out if you haven’t read the first one, Over Hexed. You won’t get lost, I promise. Wild & Hexy features a nerd who lost his chance to date the beauty queen during high school, and now has a second chance when she returns to the little town of Big Knob, Indiana, for her sister’s wedding. To make the most of that second chance, he needs a little magic, conveniently provided by a matchmaking witch and wizard. The conservative residents of Big Knob have no idea a witch and wizard live in Big Knob, and they would have a conniption if they found out about the dragon in the forest and the lake monster in the lake!

Wild & Hexy is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

This is officially called the “hex” series, so the titles needed to work that in somehow. I started it off with Over Hexed, and then my editor suggested Wild & Hexy. Her boss came up with the third title, Casual Hex. It’s a fun word game we’re playing. I’m open to suggestions for future books.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book?

Research of the most interesting kind – reading about the traditions of magic. But once I ventured into light paranormal, I realized I had tremendous freedom to make stuff up, which I love doing.

What character did you like writing about the most, and why?

That’s like asking me to choose my favorite child! I loved writing about Annie, because she had to come back to town a former beauty queen who is 20 pounds overweight. Then there’s Jeremy, my computer nerd, and nerds will *always* find a place in my heart. Dorcas and Ambrose, the witch and wizard, are a hoot, but my favorite character is George the dragon, who claims he’s ADD. George is a typical teen, except that he weighs 2,000 pounds and breaths fire. He’s a prankster who loves listening to his iPod and playing Texas Hold ‘Em with the raccoons. How could I not love George?

If your book was made into a movie, what actor would you like to fill your hero’s shoes?

I’d pick John Krasinski, from The Office, but I also loved him in License to Wed.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Absolutely. When I was in high school, I read Huckleberry Finn and became enamored of Mark Twain’s writing. Then I fell into a big non-fiction hole during college and, later, the diaper-changing years. I finally managed to climb back out and enjoy fiction again when I started reading romance in my – if you can believe it – mid-thirties! I devoured Jayne Ann Krentz, Sandra Brown, Barbara Delinsky, and, of course, Nora Roberts. Susan Elizabeth Phillips is another writer I really admire because she likes to make her readers laugh, which is one of my main goals, too. And I can’t leave out Jennifer Crusie and Janet Evanovich. Lately I’ve become a huge fan of Alexander Smith McCall.

What do we have to look forward next?

I have an anthology coming out from Harlequin in January, 2009, and the third book in the hex series, Casual Hex, will hit the shelves in February, 2009, just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Thanks, Vicki!

To celebrate her book release, Vicki is offering a free copy of Wild & Hexy to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please make sure we have a way to contact you if you win) She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio. New York Times bestseller Vicki Lewis Thompson sold her first book 25 years ago, and it’s been a rollercoaster ride ever since. She’s written more than 90 books for Dell, Harlequin, Bantam, St. Martin’s Press, and NAL in both series romance and single title. Besides being an eight-time RITA nominee, she’s won numerous RWA chapter contests and will receive the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award at RWA’s national conference this summer. Her latest book is WILD & HEXY, out from NAL Onyx June 3.

Check out author’s website at http://www.vickilewisthompson.com/

Buy Wild & Hexy. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Wild-and-Hexy/Vicki-Lewis-Thompson/e/9780451412584/?itm=1

28 comments:

rozdennyfox said...

Good morning and happy hexing!

I'm over half way finished with the book and loving every page. What I've always loved about Vicki's writing is her ability to mix passages that touch your heart with those that tickle your funny bone.
Looking forward to book 3 and many more in the series.
Roz

Anonymous said...

Hi, Roz! What a nice thing to say. Thank you!

For those who don't know Roz, she's one of those treasured friends who shows up at every book signing and supports all the writers she knows and many she's never met. That's in addition to writing her own fabulous books.

Happy Friday the 13th, everyone!

lrhubble said...

I love you Nerd books. They are such fun to read. They are so great. This sounds like a really great series. Can't wait to see where you go with this series.
:-)


Larena

Diana Castilleja said...

*pounce* Hi Vicki! LOL

Sorry.. Ahrm.. *straightens Vicki's crown*

I love your newest take on the nerds Vicki. And George is the best. I'll be looking for CH in '09.

I definitely agree with Roz. Vicki's humor is one of the things that keeps me coming back for more.

(Don't worry 'bout puttin' my name in the drawing. I'z already gotz it. ) LOL

Cindy said...

Hi Vicki, I just wanted to say that I love your books, they are so funny & cool.
Cindy

CrystalGB said...

Hi Vicki. Great interview. Your new 'hex' series sounds great. I love your writing. :)

Laurie Schnebly Campbell said...

Vicki, what a treat to see you twice in one week! And I love your description of George as a teenager -- anybody who's loved through those years will know EXACTLY how awful and how adorable such a creature can be. :)

Anonymous said...

Hey, is anybody eating this plate of fudge? If not, I'm bringing it over here next to me. :-)

Larena, thanks for giving the new series a shot. It's been a fun experience, but then, that's what writing is supposed to be about, huh?

Diana! (Picking self up off floor) So good to see you, you and your enthusiasm, LOL. Thanks for already buying the book, but I'll bet it's not autographed, now is it?

Anonymous said...

Cindy, I just want to say that I love your comments. Thank you!

Crystal, I had a great interviewer. :-) She also made this fudge, I understand. Thanks for sending the warm fuzzies my way.

Hi, Laurie! (I was lucky enough to have coffee with Laurie on Sunday up in Tempe.) Thanks for showing up here, too! As a mom who is only recently past the years of living with a teenager, I'm sure you can totally relate to George's behavior.

lrhubble said...

Vicki - you're in AZ correct? I am in Scottsdale area. :-)

Larena

Diana Castilleja said...

Well an autographed one is certainly tempting. *wink*

What's this about fudge?

*sigh* All I've had to day is yogurts and a whiney child. Care to trade?

Natalie Hatch said...

It's great to read a book that lets you giggle, so many lately have serious, life threatening scenes and sometimes it can wear thin, but the opportunity to laugh and find romance is just too good to pass up.
Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Yep, Larena, I'm in Arizona. In fact, there's a library event taking place in November and I don't have the info in front of me, but I'm pretty sure it's in the Scottsdale area. Anyway, I'll be there. Anyone here have that info handy?

Diana, if you have to deal with a whiney child, you should be treating yourself to some chocolate at the very least! Here, have a big piece of this fudge. There's some with walnuts and some without, so take your pick.

Natalie, that's so great to hear. I live to make people giggle. I'm glad it worked for you!

Anonymous said...

Hi Vicki,
Thanks for blogging with us today. Can't wait to dig into your book. I love the title. And the hunk on the cover. The Scottsdale event is November 15th at the Scottsdale Civic Center I believe. You can find out more information on the Desert Rose RW website. I'll be speaking on, what else, group blogging.

lrhubble said...

Thanks for the info. I will definitely be checking out the site to get some specifics. :-)

Sarita Leone said...

I love interviews because they give a behind-the-scenes peek! This is a good one and the series sounds like fun.

Happy Friday the 13th everybody!

Diana Castilleja said...

Good luck at the event!

I hope it's a blast.

*steals the last brownie* hehehee...

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Kim, both for the info on the event and the great comment on the book!

Sarita, glad you could stop by. Did you get a brownie? Oh, no! Diana took the last one! Fortunately, I have a box of Godiva hidden behind this vase of flowers . . .

Anonymous said...

Hi Everyone
*takes a piece of chocolate*

Love the books. I grab Vicki's books the second I see them.

I personally like Dee Dee and George. Who can resist a dragon and a lake monster??

Ohhhhh, Wait I think I hear the Goodyear blimp going by. *grin*

Anonymous said...

Hi, Georgi!

Thank you so much for stopping by and saying such nice things! Glad you like my creatures. I'm hoping to change forever how people look at the Goodyear blimp. Is it a blimp . . . or something else?

Good chocolate, huh?

Unknown said...

Yay Vicki, great interview!!! I cannot wait for this book. Witches, dragons and nerds, what else do we need in life???? All my favorite things. I think your books are so fun and so funny. I always feel so good after reading one. And I feel like your heroes are someone real, that we could really meet one like him one day!!!!
Thanks so much!!
Becky
braible@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I will look at the Goodyear blimp differently from now on. Thanks for the new perspective on something that had grown a bit average. Now the blimp will again make me smile.

Why do you keep the guys in the dark about the strange things in Big Knob??

Is there a lady dragon in George's future?

Anonymous said...

Hi, Becky! That's why I love writing about nerds, because they are like guys you could actually hope to meet. In fact, people tell me all the time about the wonderful nerds they married.

Well, Georgi, I hope one of these days George the Dragon will hook up, but it hasn't happened *quite* yet! I keep the folks in Big Knob in the dark about the strange creatures because I'm not absolutely sure they could all handle it. Some might, but some might freak out, and that would not be a good thing.

Thank you all for hanging out with me today on Friday the 13th. It's been great fun! And the chocolate here is outstanding.

Carrie Weaver said...

Vicki, as one who is currently trying to survive teenage sons, I'll definitely have to pick up WILD & HEXY. Maybe George will give me insight into my own dragons...er...sons. It sounds like great fun!

Carrie

Grace Tyler said...

Hoping I'm not too late. Hi, Vicki! This sounds like a very fun book.

Grace

Georgi said...

Thanks for the chocolate and the great blog.

I sent you some title ideas Vicki. :)

Anonymous said...

Good morning, Vicki

Nice to see I've been keeping good company. I haven't read the Hexed series yet but will pick up the first one (I'm such a purist, I always want to start at the beginning). Knowing how delightfully you write, I can already imagine what a treat it will be.

Congratulations on the Lifetime Achievement Award!!! I can't believe I'm the last kid on the block to hear about it. It's well deserved and well earned. Isn't it fun being an overnight success?:-)
--Connie

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to Sarita Leone, the winner of Vicki's book. Woohoo.