Interview with Hannah Jayne

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Hannah Jayne. 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 UNDER ATTACK. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Under Attack is the follow up to UNDER WRAPS, which is the first novel in the Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles. Sophie Lawson, her vampire roommate Nina LeShay, and the hot fallen-angel detective Alex Grace are at it again – this time, trying to track the mythical Vessel of Souls. They’re not the only ones on the hunt, however, and there are plenty of firey, maggoty run-ins with some very big baddies hell-bent on stopping Sophie’s search. There’s also cantaloupe and, most importantly, a plethora of chocolate-marshmallow pinwheels…

UNDER ATTACK is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

I wish I had some great, author-ly story about how it came about, but seriously? I was sitting in the Target parking lot, talking to my editor on the phone and we were kicking around names. He said “Under Attack?” and I said, “done!” Totally beat out my working title, which was Underwear.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I have always loved the supernatural/occult/paranormal, but honestly, it never occurred to me to write it. I started out (poorly) writing romance. That fizzled quickly, mainly because I locked up every time I needed to use the word “penis” in a sentence. (My mother might read that!) My agent suggested I try paranormal and two sentences in, I was hooked! It’s a great genre to write.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

It really kind of zipped right out of the first book, UNDER WRAPS, which is quite funny because although it is a series, each book can stand alone. I guess once Sophie had this adventure, I felt like readers – and myself! – needed to know more about Sophie and her mystical connections.

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

Accurate legendry for all my demons/beings is really important to me, so everyone in my books is based on actual accounts or legends/cultural myths. The Field Guide to Demons is a favorite research book for that and Forensics and Fiction is my favorite for pretty much everything else.

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

I know it’s hokey, but that’s like asking a mother who her favorite child is! Because the book is 1st person, Sophie is obviously fun to write, but every character has their great quirks – Vlad with his empowerment movement, Nina with vamp-fashion sense… They are all fun!

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?

I do have a UDA bible that lists every character, where they came into the story, their looks, traits, background, etc. I don’t do interviews per se, but – I know this sounds weird – I don’t consider a character well developed until I know what they eat for breakfast. What people eat for breakfast says a lot about someone! The characters and the world are totally interconnected, especially since the UDA was created specifically to serve the Underworld, so yes, there is a definite influence there.

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

My world is San Francisco – above and below! I consider it one of the most supernatural places in the world even without my meddling, and I say that as an SF native and with nothing but complete reverence! It’s a world unto itself.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Constantly. I was born and bred on Southern authors like Kaye Gibbons and Jill McCorkle. Jen Lancaster and Celia Rivenbark are favorites and make me feel that much less crazy. Juliet Blackwell and Penny Warner are mystery/mythical geniuses!

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

I really love signings because I love meeting fans face to face, but blog tours are the best for promotion, and I love being able to offer random prizes to blog readers. You guys are the best!

What do we have to look forward next? Sophie steps in it again this spring! Look for UNDER SUSPICION in May 2012!

Thanks, Hannah!

To celebrate her book release, Hannah Jayne is offering a free book of UNDER ATTACK 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...

Check out author’s website at www.hannahjschwartz.com