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Interview with Romance Junkies
by Patti Fleischman
(This interview originally appeared at Romance Junkies.com.)

Hi Jaycee! Thank you so very much for visiting with us at Romance Junkies. We’re excited to have you here and appreciate how you’re letting us peek inside your world for a short while. Are you ready to begin? Sit back, kick off your shoes, and just relax.

Your first novel, DEADLY SHADOWS, has gotten some rave reviews. I just read the excerpt and was completely enthralled. Congratulations on being published – I can only imagine how you’re feeling. It must be like walking on clouds. I can see from looking at your website that you have several pieces in the making. Will this be a series you’re working on? We’d enjoy hearing about these exciting new novels, Jaycee. Would you mind sharing with us?

Thank you. I'm still in a bit of a shock, actually, that one of my books is for sale. <g> DEADLY SHADOWS was released in April and the first of the Kinncaid brothers. DEADLY TIES is being released in June and DEADLY OBSESSION in August I believe. Two other brothers are waiting on their stories to be completed. They are all romantic suspense, contemporary.

Like you, I began reading Nancy Drew as a child. They were the first mysteries I ever read. Then I found the Hardy Boys and I was hooked for life. Frank and Joe were the coolest and oh, so handsome. At least they were in my mind. It was all about how I read the words that were carefully written so I could bring them to life inside my mind. Having those books available to me as a child gave me the desire to keep reading and using my imagination. Do you feel that reading helped you discover your love of writing, too? How important were those cherished books in your life as a youngster?

I've always loved to write. Probably even before I really loved to read. I believe I picked up my first Drew in the third or fourth grade and fell in love with the whole mystery aspect. I did think the Hardy Boys were handsome, though I didn't read as many of their books. I kept waiting for Nancy and Ned to get together, but they never did. Or not in the books I had. Lol. Living out of town in the country, I didn't have a friend's house to just run over to whenever the need struck, so I guess reading was a big past time for me. I moved on from Ms. Drew to YA horror/thriller with R.L. Stiene and Christopher Pike. I liked Pike's REMEMBER ME. From there I just branched out to whatever sounded good. But suspense seems to be a base for me. My best friends and I used to fight over Mary Higgins Clark books in the seventh and eighth grade. Of course we were also writing our own
murderous mayhems, but then no one ever said we were normal.

I read that you’re married to your high school sweetheart. That is like a fairy tale come true. What was the first thing that caught your eye when you first laid eyes upon him, and did you know that one day you’d be married to this man?

Sigh. Well, we were actually set up on a blind date, and lived in different states-did I mention I never did anything normal? But it was his eyes. Dark and crinkling at the edges on his smile. Yeah, it was the first thing I noticed, followed, by: Wow! THIS is the guy she set me up with? And yes, just for a moment, for a split second, something seemed to freeze and I just knew. Sounds crazy I know. Jaycee, it sounds magical and romantic - something that was meant to be. Cherish it always.

Being a mom on the go with two children and many pets, how do you find the time to write? Is there a special time of the day that you set aside for only you?

Whenever I get the chance. Usually, though, the mornings are good, or after their bed time. Or when they get busy building a city out of their blocks or constructing a new train track.

You have a degree in elementary education, which is something I commend you for, Jaycee. The children really are our future and they have so much to offer. Is there one moment that stands out in your mind that made you smile on the inside as well as the outside during your teaching years? What prompted you to major in this field?

Well, first off, I never actually got a chance to teach full time. I graduated and subbed (substitute teaching) thinking I would get in the next term. But then I learned I was pregnant and there were some complications so I stayed home-and it all turned out okay, thank goodness. But, from the times I was in the classroom between my student teaching and subbing, I don't know that there was ever any one moment that shadows all the rest. It was a wonderful experience, though I don't know that I'd ever go back to the classroom. I chose that degree because I liked children and the university was known for its education program. Though now? Well, I'd probably choose something different. I'm always changing my mind about things.

Since we are a romance site and I just couldn’t leave out this question…if you could plan a special anniversary trip for you and your husband, where might you like to visit? Of course, wouldn’t it be grand if you could solve a mystery while you were sightseeing, too?

Ummm, probably not the mystery solving. I'd end up hounding the local cops for tours and interviews (which would be a blast, but not exactly romantic.) Anywhere? Well, of course the beach is clichéd, even if romantic and my husband, a jeans and boots kind of guy is just not a sand and surf kind of guy. Sooo, hmmm. We'd both love to go to New Orleans, or Washington state, though, as many times as I've watched The Matchmaker, he's said he'd like to go to Ireland, so that would be a cool place too.

How do your children and husband feel about having a famous author as a mom and wife? When you first received word that DEADLY SHADOWS was going to be published did you do something special to commemorate the moment?

Well, the kids are too young to really grasp it, and famous? Snort. My husband has always been very supportive, even when others weren't. He's an if-you-want-it-go-for-it kind of guy, very driven. Bless him, he may not understand everything about writing, but we're similar enough that he understands wanting something that others tell you is a waste of time. He bought me flowers, the day we found out I decided to take the contracts. And then he knew I'd be writing even more, so we converted a room into an office and bless his perfectionist heart, he wallpapered it because he said I was too impatient. (Hey I chose this kind without a pattern for a reason. I never claimed to have spatial intelligence.)

I have this feeling that non-romance readers think that romance authors are always tailored in the finest of clothes and their hair is always perfect…never a strand out of place, and that they walk around in heels all day long. What are your clothes of choice while at home?

I've NEVER had any fashion sense. At home? Pajama pants and tee shirts for the most part. Though jeans are great too.

While you’re writing, Jaycee, do you see what you want to happen in your mind as you’re typing? Do you plot out your characters and scenes before you even begin the writing process? Every author has a different and unique style – which works best for you?

As I'm typing, yes, it's sometimes like a slow-motion picture in my head. I can 'see' them as they are talking, or laughing, or eating, or crying or whatever. I do sometimes plot out scenes before writing, but mostly I will delve into my characters heads to know what they are thinking, the rest tends to fall into place for me. What are their likes and dislikes? Quirks and looks. Jobs, music, ect. I have to have a solid picture of the characters and why they do what they do before I start. I usually have a vague outline of plot, generally with all the main high points. I have to write the stuff to string those points together. If I do plot it out scene by scene, it usually is a waste of time for me because I'll deviate from that.

I understand you are part of an online group called, The Raven – Happy Hour with the M&M’s. Their website is quite different and unique. How did you find your way there and would you please tell us what it’s all about?

LOL. The Raven, yeah, it's a great place. Sort of your paranormal margaritaville with a soap opera of otherworldly characters. And it's a great place for a new twist on author interviews.

Well, I've known M&M (Mandy Roth and Michelle Pillow) since signing with NCP. We all signed about the same time, all came on board, and as the newbies, we just sort of bonded I guess. Personally I think they often use me as the referee between the two of them. No, really, they're great and since they'd disown me if I said otherwise, I'd claim them as my friends. (Seriously, they are both very talented women and have made this great experience of being published even better) For those that haven't checked it out, The Raven is a happening place.

You’re stranded on a desert island and the only thing in your possession is the one small suitcase you managed to save. It was most important to you and its value is priceless. What’s inside?

Ummm my family and a potion to get us home? Oh wait, you said small. (Size is always so relative. <g> ) I suppose I would want a few snapshots of my family. A pot, a hunting knife, a whetstone, a box of matches would be nice. A compass and a waterproof atlas and star chart. A canteen of water so I would have something to drink until I could find some sort of water source. A flare gun and flares. A waterproof satellite phone (hey, this IS fiction) and I suppose since it's hypothetical, I'd like a watch with a tracking device in it. J Granted these wouldn't be my normal choice of priceless and important, but if I'm stranded for an unseen amount of time on a deserted island, those would all be my new best friends. And some quinine tablets. I'd really rather not get malaria before someone could rescue me.

MORE FUN:

When you just have to have it…and nothing else will do…what is that one food you reach for most often?

Coffee or very strong and sweet ice tea.

Your hair is absolutely gorgeous, Jaycee. Have you always had long hair and how do you take care of it?

It's a wig. No I'm kidding. Thank you so much. Most of the time yes, it has been long. I did whack it off to a tomboy cut when I was little. Then I cut it to my shoulders after we got married and five years ago I cut it off in a bob at my ears. So it's been short, long, short, middle. But mostly long. As for care, I just wash it and condition it-though I condition only about once a week. That's about it. Mostly it's in a bun, or a twist or a braid.

How do you spend your family time? What are some of your favorite activities that you enjoy doing with them?

Well, we read every night, and they like to build tracks (trains) and paint. As for all of us together, that's basically the weekends. We mess around the house, then grill burgers and hotdogs every Saturday. We usually tell stories at the dinner table. One of the boys will start and it'll bounce around to each person, which is always interesting to say the least. We also go on vacations. Though hubby just mentioned today that we should all go play golf again every Sunday afternoon, now that the weather is nice. Unfortunately, we don't get to do things together as much as we'd all like, but we try and have fun no matter what we're doing.

Jaycee, this has been so much fun. I feel a kinship with you – maybe it has something to do with pajama pants and tee-shirts as that is what I SO like wearing, too. HA! Now, hurry and get to the stories of the brothers…we’re all waiting breathlessly. So many brothers…so little time. ;-)

Please make sure to visit Jaycee’s website, http://www.jayceeclark.com/, where you can read all about her latest ventures and see her beautiful hair, of which I am SO jealous. ;-)

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