A. J. Nuest, author of Jezebel's Wish

Thanks to Emma Lai for hosting me on her blog today. It’s a real treat to be here, Emma!


(A.J. will be giving away a copy to one person who leaves a comment. So don't forget to say 'hi'.)

How are your story ideas born? God gives them to me. I know this might sound kinda wacky, but it’s the only way I can describe where they come from. I guess I’ve just been blessed with an over-active imagination. I don’t generally get my ideas from newspapers or the media, although I must admit, each time I hear a bizarre story it reconfirms that life is truly stranger than fiction, and that maybe the scene I just wrote wasn’t such a far stretch after all. What I can tell you is each time I craft a story I challenge myself to work in a new way. Either I write from a different perspective or try out a genre I haven’t written before, maybe I make the chapters flip through time or create a character way outside my own personality. To me, the joy of writing is heightened each time master a new style, one I never realized I had the ability to write.

How many works in progress do you have? Right now, just one – an “inspirational with romantic elements” I am desperately trying to finish. I like working on several things at once, whether writing or anything else for that matter. I’m a little OCD, a little ADHD, and for some bizarre reason, having a lot of projects at once keeps me focused. Lately though, with the release of Jezebel’s Wish, another manuscript under consideration at WRP, and an editor waiting for pages on my inspy, I haven’t had time to start anything new. I currently have three stories vying for space in my head, so need to get my inspy finished and off to the publisher before I can get started on those. Things are getting a little crowded in there…  

What is your writing process? Sit down at the keyboard and pound out the chapter. Great process, right? But if I think about the scene too much or overanalyze what I’m trying to accomplish, I don’t get any work done. During the first pass I concentrate on action, scenery and language. Then I go back, revise, edit and insert emotional elements. When the chapter is done, I let it marinate for a day or two, replay the scenes in my head, tweak certain areas, work on flow and consistency throughout, making sure it fits in with the rest of the story, and then I do a final read through. I generally read each chapter 5-7 times before anyone else sees it.

What writing mechanic challenges you? Moving time. I HATE moving time. I labor over it, trying to keep the action and interest high while at the same time propelling the story forward. I’d much rather just write the good stuff, but then I’d have all these scene with no connecting fiber. I’m getting better at moving time, but I doubt it will ever be easy for me.

What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Finding out who my characters are. I start with an idea, and depending how long the story has been floating around in my head, usually have a good sense of who my characters are. But without fail, once I put the words to paper, things change. The characters take on lives of their own and sometimes just don’t want to listen to me. It’s really quite fascinating, and without a doubt this is the one thing that continues to draw me back to the computer.

What’s your least favorite part of the writing process? I don’t have one. I love it all. Even when I grumble and moan, shake my fists in the air and stomp around the house, I’m doing what I love. I don’t think any author would torture themselves with writing unless they truly loved the craft.  

How long did it take to write your latest release? Jezebel’s Wish was written in about two months, but at the time, I really didn’t know what I was doing. The story got accepted because of its emotional element, but technically, my poor editor had her work cut out for her. Looking back, I’m kinda surprised she took the story when it was so raw. But because she did, I learned a lot while going through the editing process. She truly made me a better writer.   

Do you have a favorite line or scene from your story? From Jezebel’s Wish I would pick the moment when Jezzy wakes from a nightmare, and goes outside to find the night sky filled with the Aura Borealis. I love that scene. The juxtaposed horror of what’s she living against the beauty of the sky brings her torment into sharp focus, and to have that play out visually really heightened the scene for me.

Thanks so much for hosting me, Emma!

Jezebel’s Wish Blurb:

Haunted by nightmares, tormented by guilt, Jezebel came to Redemption Ranch to escape the past—except now she's stuck in the middle of nowhere with no redemption in sight. When her mother pushes her into riding lessons with local veterinarian Matthias Saunders, Jezebel balks. Sure, the doctor is gorgeous, but he’s completely obnoxious and knows how to push every one of her buttons.

Only her deep connection with The Reverend, a gentle stallion who guards her darkest secrets, has her agreeing to spend any more time with Dr. Saunders. Caring for the stallion is the first bright spot in her life in months, and if being around the horse means she has to deal with Matthias Saunders, then so be it. Surely a city girl like her can handle one country vet—even one with disturbing blue eyes. Can't she?

Jezebel’s Wish Excerpt:

Jezzy stopped. “I thought I was having a riding lesson.”

“You are.” He nodded toward the empty paddock. “Go in.”

“Go in?” Jezzy propped a hand on her hip. “You sure you know what you’re doing? Because it was my understanding that an actual horse is needed for a riding lesson.”

“Don’t you think it would be wise at this juncture to leave the understanding up to the professionals?”

Jezzy rolled her eyes. “You’re making this way too easy. Professionals? Please. Don’t get me started.”

“Why not? Getting you started is exactly what I’m here for.”

Jezzy’s jaw dropped. She didn’t quite know how to interpret that remark.

He held out the rope. “Now go in. And take this lead line with you.” Steely blue determination glinted in his eyes. There was no way he was going to give in.

Jezzy snatched the lead line from his hand and stormed through the gate, then turned when he closed it behind her.

He put a foot on the bottom railing and rested against the gate, facing the horizon. “Take the chair to the center of the paddock and sit down.”

“And just exactly how is that supposed to teach me to ride?”

He cocked an eyebrow. “You want out of the deal?”

Jezzy’s fist clenched tight around the lead line. What she wanted was to march back to the fence and smack his face.

Jezebel’s Wish Buy Link:

The Wild Rose Press...http://tinyurl.com/446f7r3

Amazon.com...http://tinyurl.com/3b89ogb

AJ Nuest lives in northwest Indiana with her loving husband and two beautiful children. She is the author of two contemporary romance novels.

Visit her on the web at:

http://ajbooks.blogspot.com

http://www.twitter.com/ajnuest

Email:  ajnuest@yahoo.com

Facebook: Tattered Pages