Interview with Linda Wisdom

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Linda Wisdom. 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 Demons Are A Girl’s Best Friend. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Maggie is my latest witch. She’s part of the Hellions, a security guard that protects all supernaturals. She’s come up against underground club owner, Declan, who’s a half fire demon. She’d rather stay away from the sexy guy but it’s not going to happen when they’re both thrown together in their dreams and while awake. Maggie’s attracted to him, but she’s got a job to do. One where she’s meant to save the world due to an ancient Mayan curse involving a blood sacrifice and a psychotic demon who wants to rule. As if that’s not enough Maggie’s in charge of a snarky teenage girl who’s the target of the curse. But then Maggie isn’t a 700+ year young witch for nothing. You’ll also meet Elegance, “Elle” Maggie’s jewel encrusted black widow spider who’s looking for a spell to keep her lovers alive after sex, over caffeinated ferret messengers, and a Seer pavilion straight out of the 1960s.

Demons Are A Girl’s Best Friend is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Actually, my editor came up with the title. This book was originally titled The Best Hex Ever, but she decided she wanted to go with the demon hero.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I’ve always loved paranormal and fantasy and urban fantasy is just the frosting on the cake. I wrote my first paranormal book in the late 1980s and I wanted to write more, but it wasn’t easy to sell them then. I didn’t stop though and managed to get one out every few years. Now I’m doing what I truly love.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

Maggie is my kick ass witch and I knew she’d need a guy who could handle her. Enter half fire demon Declan. I’ve always been fascinated with the Mayan culture and thought throwing an ancient Mayan/demon curse into the mix would be perfect. Not to stop there, I added a snarky teenager girl who gave Maggie a run for her money.

What are your favorite paranormal research books or sites, and why?

Yasmine Galenorn has written wonderful non-fiction books such as Embracing the Moon, Trancing the Witch’s Wheel and Totem Magic. There’s also books by Silver Ravenwolf that’s excellent.

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

That’s not easy. I did enjoy writing the ferrets. All their names ended with ickie so Rickie, Ickie, you name it. They speak faster than the speed of light, manage to stuff entire scrolls in hidden pouches, and they’re mouthy.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

Scary thing is most of them pop into my head, so I see them in 3D inside my imagination. I work up character sheets with a history. Especially with the witches since they’ve been around so many years. If I feel I’m hitting a snag I do a quick interview or ask that character to vent. I don’t think research or the world affects my characters since they tend to fit very well.

How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

My world is the same one we see every day. The only difference is that there’s witches, vampires, and Weres out in the open and they have their own places where they feel more comfortable. For all you know, you could be out clubbing and end up dancing with a vampire or see a Were playing in a dog park.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

So many! Yasmine Galenorn, Kim Harrison, Jennifer Estep, D. D. Barant, Jeaniene Frost to name a few. What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book? I don’t know if there’s any one thing that’s most effective. I enjoy guest blogging and on line interviews because I get to ‘meet’ readers I ordinarily wouldn’t have a chance of meeting.

What do we have to look forward next?

My next witch book will be released in January 2012 with Lili the doctor, a demon considered a homicidal maniac, a cursed hospital, and a magickal plane called Inderman. You’ll also meet the cat who hangs out with Lili. Cleo, yes THAT Cleo who gives the term diva a whole new meaning. I’m also working on some young adult books, another urban fantasy, and since I’ve regained many of my backlist books I’m in the process of putting them up as ebooks.

Thanks, Linda!

To celebrate her book release,Linda is offering a free book of Demons Are A Girl’s Best Friend to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.) She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio. Linda Wisdom was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California. She majored in Journalism in college then switched her major to Fashion Merchandising when she was told there was no future for her in fiction writing. She held a variety of positions ranging from retail sales to executive secretary in advertising and working for a personnel agency. Her career began when she sold her first two novels to Silhouette Romance on her wedding anniversary in 1979. Since then she has sold more than eighty novels and one novella to six publishers. Her books have appeared on various romance and mass market bestseller lists and nominated and winning a number of Romantic Times awards and two time Romance Writers of America Rita Award finalist. She lives with her husband, Barney, spoiled mini white Schnauzer, Syd, an equally spoiled parrot and Florence, her tortoise with attitude in Southern California. A number of Linda’s backlist books, including her Hex paranormal series, has been optioned for film and television.

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

Buy http://www.amazon.com/Demons-Are-Girls-Best-Friend/dp/1402254393/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300567901&sr=8-1.