Interview with Jennifer DiCamillo:
Hi Jennifer. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...
- Please tell us about your latest book
The Price of Peace is the greatest thing I’ve written—a romance that squeezes your heart and makes you re-evaluate what “having a good man” means.
It’s about a girl named Carys who wants nothing more than peace, and love. She is surrounded by clan warfare. Rob ap Axtyn is forced into taking her, and her people in. Against his will, (because her father was his father’s enemy,) he is drawn to her beauty, and grace. Their romance is one of those frustrating things that you will love and hate, (maybe too real sometimes?) and then, ultimately, say…it is one of those “loves of a lifetime.”
It has been honored as a CAPA nominee for Best Historical Fiction. Also, you could say it is an epic discussion of what men and women will do for peace—modern classic literature set in 13th Century Wales.
In the tradition of true, historical romance, the tale is a sweeping saga about finding love in the midst of turmoil and intrigue. At 160, 000 words, it’s a thick, juicy, emotional involvement. So, for those looking for something they can get wrapped up in—it’s a great reading choice.
- What can we expect from you in the future?
Well, I have a lot of irons in the fire. I have two books coming from Zumaya Publications: Courting Disaster, 2006, and Dead Line, 2007.
I also have my own true love story of how my husband and I met—that will be out in October 2005, through Adams Media. Look for “Lucky Break” in Cup of Comfort for Women in Love.
- How do we find out about you and your books?
My website is probably the best way to keep track of what I’ve got coming out next. Jennifer DiCamillo.com
- How may readers contact you?
There is a link on my website—to my personal email…which is currently: poorboy@atlascomm.net
- How many readers contact you?
Quite a few. I’m really surprised at the emotional response. I love it, though.
In fact, I had one guy call me from Las Vegas at 2 a.m. to rant about The Price of Peace. He’d been asked to review it, and received it via Fed Ex at about 9 p.m.—by 2 a.m., he was so far into it, and excited about it, that he had to find me (by google, I guess)—to discuss it. We talked until 6 a.m. That was a bit crazy, and, as much as I like to chat with readers, I beg daylight hours in future! ~laughing~
That’s the big surprise to me, I think. That both men and women love the book. And, I can’t hear that enough.
- Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?
Absolutely. I prioritize my writing according to what the majority are asking for.
- Do you have a favorite comment or question from a reader?
~laughing~ Yes. One reader told me, “I read a ton. But your novel, The Price of Peace, consumed me. When I was done with it, I felt like I’d survived the war. But, it wasn’t just the clan warfare stuff—it was the emotional depth that is now lodged in my chest. Books like that don’t happen every day.”
All I could say is, “Wow. You liked it, then, right?”
- Why did you decide to write romance novels?
Ah…because I’m a true romantic. I believe that we are all looking for our soul mates—someone to love us unconditionally.
- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
That’s a funny question. A lot, I think. I am really all about love and peace, and that’s in everything I write, even when I include things like clan warfare.
I can pinpoint one scene in The Price of Peace that is very personal to me. It was written right after 9/11. A friend of mine in NY, (an able bodied male,) and I, were talking about the aftermath, the news coverage, and I mentioned how broken hearted I was over it all, and wished I could do something physical to help.
Well, I guess I spurred his soul. He went down to see what he could do, since he was close enough to lend a hand. But, when he came back, he was horrified by what he had seen. Heart-sick over his description, I wrote a scene about how horrible it was after the war. One man, Phelip, stumbles over the battlefield in tears.
What’s most poignant about that vignette within the story is the fact that Phelip represents my friend, and so many others—people who stood by while things happened, and then suffered for the consequence. I think many people will identify with the feelings of impotence—in knowing that politics around us are out of our control. I’m not a political activist, per se, but I do believe in speaking up for what is right.
- When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?
Ah. My husband pushed me into it. I’ve always been a storyteller. He bought me a computer and told me that it was so I could write the next great American novel. That’s how The Price of Peace was born.
I felt a tremendous urge to create one thing that was a real contribution to the world. ~laughing~ It may sound too pompous. I don’t mean it that way. But, if I could only have written one book—writing one that includes a deep romance, and encourages peace across the known world—I think that’s a good thing.
- Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?
Ah. I’m pretty fast when I’m writing. I’ve finished a short novel in a week. Mm. I did that twice in the last couple months.
- What is your writing routine?
I get up, get dressed (brush my hair and teeth) and go straight to the computer. I stay there until someone makes me live a real life.
- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?
Go with the flow, baby. ~laugh~ Sometimes I write well into the early hours of the morning.
- What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions??
Well, I have five kids. AND A HUSBAND. That means…interruptions all the time. Usually, when I’m really wrapped up, I put my headphones on and rock out. They don’t bother me much when I’m in that mode. Otherwise, it’s a constant conversation. I like multi-tasking, though, so it doesn’t bug me most of the time. What DOES bug me is the television coming on. Aaaagh! There’s a terrible distraction.
- What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
I travel. I go out to eat. I go to writing conferences.
- What truly motivates you in general? In your writing?
Entertaining myself. I figure, if I do that, then it’ll never be time wasted.
- Where do your ideas come from?
Um, I’m not real sure about that. The air?
- Do you feel humor is important in women's fiction and why?
Oh, yeah. I love to read humor. I think it’s important because women need anything/everything they can get to relieve the stress of real life pressures.
- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?
Um~laugh~I love love scenes. I say…just make them smooth, lead me in, I want to be seduced and satiated. But, I’m not for gratuitous sex. Give me some real reasoning for the act.
- What kind of research do you do?
Hours and hours. Genealogy sites. Buku reading and cross referencing—especially for a book like The Price of Peace. The facts need to be in there correctly when you do a historical, but unobtrusive to the reader.
- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?
I write in many genres. Courting Disaster has a similar feel to old England but is set in a fantasy kingdom, and Dead Line is a contemporary.
- What does your husband think of your writing?
He says he hasn’t met, or read, a better writer yet. He’s my biggest fan. (He’s great!)
- Do you ever ask him for advice?
Oh, yeah! I read him passages and he tells me what he thinks works, or doesn’t. And, when I want to know how a man would react, I often ask him what his opinion is on it.
- Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)
Hm. Well, as I said, I have five kids. That’s my biggest deal. Four girls and a son. Other than that, I’m a dog and horse lover, and voracious reader.
I’ve ran a preschool and a beauty pageant, and sold Amway…back when it was called Amway. ~laugh~ So, I’m an all around, all purpose, kind of gal.
- Fill in the blank favorites –
Dessert: Chocolate! Any kind’ll do me!
City: Las Vegas
Season: I love autumn—today.
Type of hero: I like those manly men—big, broad shouldered, tight bunned. Old fashioned Marlboro Men types. Guys that are a little rough around the edges, and are willing to overlook a woman’s imperfections, too.
Type of heroine: I am drawn to the lonely that deserve a little taste of happiness. I’m not real impressed with “sticks.” I want a woman described to believable proportions. I’d rather see insecurities over cellulite, than a girl whining over her size 3 bikini riding up. Sorry. I’m a big, beautiful woman, and I don’t believe any woman is truly happy with her body. But, maybe there are some out there. I prefer seeing imperfect women who find someone who loves them “as is.”
- What are some of your favorite things to do?
Drive around the country side, talking to my husband. (Yeah, I still love his company—after 24 years. Crazy, I know.) Aside from that? Hang out with my kids. They’re too funny. Read. Watch movies.
- Do you have a favorite author? Favorite book?
Well~laugh~ I really like Carys Weldon (adult romance.) Aside from that, I am a Sue Ellen Welfonder fan. Why doesn’t she write more, faster?
- Who are some of your favorite authors?
Susan McBride, Denise Swanson, Cait London.
- Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?
~laugh~ Harlequin?
- Are you a member of any author groups - RWA, critique groups, etc.??
I have a list a mile long. Do you really want them?
- What do you think of critique groups in general?
New writers absolutely need a good critique group. You’ve got to polish your work. I’ve learned so much since I finished The Price of Peace, and the other novels I have under contract—I can honestly say—the work is getting better and better all the time.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
Well, that’s funny you ask. If I listen to the picture my husband paints…I will be wealthy from all my writing, in a castle—that he didn’t have to build himself. (Ha!)
I picture myself sitting in a newer computer chair. ~laugh~
- How long have you been writing - have you always wanted to be a writer?
Three years professionally. I DO remember writing a book in first grade, and being told in the seventh grade that I was “most likely to become a real writer.”
- How many books have you written, how many have been published?
The Price of Peace is the first. I’ve mentioned some of the others that are under contract. I also write under a pseudonym and have signed and completed…mm…fifteen contracts under that name.
- After you've written your book and it's been published, do you ever buy it and read it?
Yep. That’s something that never fails to amaze me. I love to do public readings. I love The Price of Peace, inside and out. (So funny! I’m the biggest fan of that book.)
- Among your own books, have you a favorite book? Favorite hero or heroine?
Gotta love Carys, the heroine of The Price of Peace. Check her out. You’ll see why.
- What book for you has been the easiest to write?
Courting Disaster came very easily.
- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
One person. The story, and other characters, appear around that one central figure. You could say I build out from the center of the tale.
- What are the elements of a great romance for you?
Pull me in. Make me care about the two people. Make it believable.
- What is the hardest part of writing/the easiest?
The hardest part is finishing once I’ve figured out how it will end. And I think that might have something to do with the fact that after it’s finished, the hard part of selling it begins.
- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?
They come alive. They rule the page. Sometimes I sit back with narrowed gaze and mutter, “I can’t believe you did that!”
- Have you experienced writer's block---> If so, how did you work through it?
Yep. Who hasn’t? I go for a drive, or rent a movie. Go out to eat. You know, get away from the keyboard. Maybe read a book. Writer’s block doesn’t last long for me.
- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
Feeling a sense of accomplishment. It’s good to complete something that you’ve worked hard on.
- If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?
Driving around more? ~laugh~
- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
Yes. Set small goals. Figure out what you have to do to work up, and to improve your craft. As you apply yourself to that, you will see yourself as a writer. Tell people you are a writer. Make it so. Then tell people you are a good writer, and make that so by improving more, and sending your work into contests—where you can be rewarded for your efforts, and learn where you need to improve. Email me. I’ll come to your writer’s group and motivate you personally.
Thank you very much Jennifer, for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to what is probably a VERY busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creation from your talented imagination!
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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