Zaidi Features: Interview With Jacqueline George





1.    When did you know you wanted to be a writer? What were some of your first steps toward making your dream a reality? How would you say most of your stories are conceived? Dreams? Research? Experience?

      My first book was published 25 years ago… What an amateur I was then; how
      much better am I now? Mmh – jury’s still out. Stories come from day-dreams, but 
      always brought to life with experience. I am insistent on true-to-life, even in a 
     fantasy setting.


2.    What 3 things would you like readers to know about you?

Really – I just don’t care! I want people to know and like my books, and don’t feel that I matter at all

3.    What role does your family play in your writing, if any? Any pets? If so, how many and what kind?

A lot of my books are sexy, so I make a point of refusing to discuss exactly where the line between fantasy and reality lies. Would not be fair to my partner! On the other hand, my cat Rudy is fair game. If only he could read perhaps he would stop being so arrogant.

4.    Tell us about your books. Genre, titles, any favorite characters? What can we look forward to from you in the near future? WIP’s, upcoming releases?

Most of my output is either sexy romance or adventure. As I said above, all of them are meant to feel real, even when they are talking about witches etc. It’s always easier to make a story real if you have an actual location in mind. I have been lucky enough to live in several countries (we were part of the oil industry) so exotic locations, food, people are frequent. I have written a little history too and right now I am working on an explanation of fracking – I shall call it Fracking 101. My absolute best seller is a lifestyle title - How to make Wild, Passionate Love to your Man

5.    Is there a common thread in your books? How do your values show up in your writing? What do you want readers to take from your writing?

      I don’t do sad, horror or violence, and I insist on my heroines standing up for 
     themselves. So Anesthesia Steele in Fifty Shades wouldn’t get a walk-on part! I 
     would love women to take encouragement from my books, and recognize that sex 
     can only help their relationships. So give yourself enough time to make love – it’s 
     important!



6.    What do you look for in a good book? In what ways would you say your books exhibit these qualities?

First and foremost, it has to be a good story. Real characters, real settings, sensible motives – real! Then you need a plot that keeps the reader engaged. Even if they guess that it is all going to end well, they still won’t exactly how that is going to happen…


7.    What are some things you know now about writing and being an author that you wish someone had told you at the very beginning?

It would have saved a lot of heart searching if I had been told that the book trade is not concerned too much with the quality of your writing. As long as it reaches a certain minimum standard, it’s good enough. (Look at The Da Vinci Code… and that sold zillions.) It took me years before I realised that my writing was pretty good but I just lacked the vital ingredient for success – a favourite uncle in the book trade.

8.    Along that same line, what are some of your favorite resources?

Google and Wikipedia! Life is just so easy for us now, with the instant research tools. Another great resource is knowledge of places. Given a choice, the reader will always go for a back street market in Kalimantan over the familiar shopping malls of home.

9.    What lifts your spirits when you’re discouraged?

The next sale. It’s all about people giving good money to read my books – always makes me feel good.

10.Other than writing, what’s your passion?

I live in a remote village in the far north of tropical Queensland. I am passionate about life here; it takes so much time to get the simplest stuff done here.

11.Not limited to writing, what do you believe are some of your greatest accomplishments so far?

You know, I have done things that make people jealous but I can’t characterize them as achievements myself. I don’t look at my life that way…

12.What tips can you offer towards building and maintaining a strong support system as a writer?

Keep in constant touch with your writing friends (I am blessed with several). Swap ideas, edit for each other, promote each other’s work. What goes around, comes around.

13.For the adventurous, write a descriptive 4-line poem.  You’re welcome to freestyle):


Jacqueline,
Going her own way,
Butterfly brain and
Pain in the bum!








Comments

Jacqueline said…
Now I read all that, it's a touch embarrassing. Like being caught in your underwear - and I volunteered for it. Never mind; at least I remembered the underwear today!
Muffy Wilson said…
I thought it charmingly you: open, honest, straightforward, slightly self-effacing, and funny. Very you; very revealing. Xo
Muffy Wilson said…
I thought it charmingly you: open, honest, straightforward, slightly self-effacing, and funny. Very you; very revealing. Xo
Muffy Wilson said…
I thought it charmingly you: open, honest, straightforward, slightly self-effacing, and funny. Very you; very revealing. Xo