Interview with J.K. Beck

After reading When Blood Calls and When Pleasure Rules I contacted J.K. Beck to see if she would be interested in doing and interview. It is a honor to have J.K. Beck here with us today. You can find my review for When Blood Calls (here) and When Pleasure Rules (here). J.K. Beck is giving away a signed copy of When Wicked Craves, more details below.

To start with, would you mind telling the readers a little about yourself?

Sure! I'm a former attorney, although I quit practicing about 6 year ago to write full time. I live in central Texas with my husband, two girls, two cats and two fish! I love to travel, though I don't do nearly enough of it anymore, and my current favorite television shows are Mad Men and The Vampire Diaries.

What can you tell us about the Shadow Keeper series?

The series centers around an ancient paranormal judicial system, the purpose of which is to investigate, apprehend and adjudicate shadowcreatures that break the Covenant, a system of laws that's existed back essentially to the dawn of time. The creatures over which it has jurisdiction--the shadow creatures--are the beings that we humans think are only the stuff of nightmares--vampires, werewolves, succubi, daemons, and the like. They're out there, and it's the Preternatural Enforcement Coalition that keeps them in check. As the series develops, more and more of the world is revealed to the readers--the deals that are formed behind closed doors, the corners that are cut, the way politics (even in this world) play into the mandate of justice. It has some heavy, fascinating themes, along with dark and twisty plots. But at the heart, each book is a romance, with strong men and women at the core.

How does the Shadow Keeper series different from the books you write under Julie Kenner?

For the most part, the series is much darker and more intense than my Julie Kenner books, which tend toward more quirky and/or lighter. (The exception being the Blood Lily Chronicles, which was pretty dark in theme.) Also, the SK books are romances, and while I do write romance as Julie Kenner, the majority of my recent books under that name have been urban (or SUBurban) fantasy with the Blood Lily books and the Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series. Based on fan feedback, though, readers who've enjoyed the Julie Kenner books will enjoy the J.K. Beck series as well!

Rumor has it that the Shadow Keepers have been extended to at least three more books, can you tell us what is in store for us?

Sure! As you say, there are three more books in the works, along with an e-novella. A tiny spoiler comes in the description of WHEN PASSION LIES, so stop reading now if you haven't finished WHEN BLOOD CALLS. In PASSION, we get Caris and Tiberius's story, and there will also be a related e-novella that delves into their back story several centuries prior. In WHEN DANGER HUNGERS we get Serge's story, and then in WHEN TEMPTATION BURNS, we get Doyle as the hero!

All of the characters in the Shadow Keepers are so strong and full of life, do you have a favorite?

That's like asking if you have a favorite child! I don't! I really don't!

What was your favorite scene to write to date from the Shadow Keepers series?

Another hard, hard question. Probably some of the sensual scenes in Wicked--Nick and Petra can't touch without her cursing him, and so those scenes were both challenging and fun to write.

What is unique about your series, compared to other paranormal and urban fantasy series currently on the market? 

That's another hard question, since I think every writer brings their own voice to a series that, by default, makes that series unique. In this case, I think the voice and themes and situations that are coming up in the world are a bit more intense and dark, as well as the judicial system setting for the world in which the stories take place.

When did you know that you wanted to be a writer? Was your family and friends supportive?

I can't remember not wanting to be a writer, so very, very early. And yes, everyone has always been extremely supportive. At the same time, I don't and didn't have the personality to just dive in fresh out of (or during) college. I did the law school thing and got the steady paycheck, and it wasn't until the creative bug was biting so hard that I took the plunge and started seriously trying to get published. And then it was another leap to quitting my job to write full time!

What is the writing process like for you? Do you have a particular writing process or any writing rituals?

No rituals, actually. In fact every book always seems to be a little bit different (maybe that's a ritual in and of itself?). I tend to start the process with an idea, then I flesh it out into a synopsis. From there, I dive into the story, trying VERY hard to just blow through and reminding myself I can edit later. (That's hard for me; I'm an edit-as-you-go type who wants to be a blow-through-a-draft type). I try to stop the writing day mid-scene so that it's easy to pick up the next day. And when I'm on a tight deadline and have to do X number of pages or words each day, I'll break the big number down into chunks, write the chunks (250 words, or whatever) on post-its and line them up on my wall. When the goal is met, the post-it comes down!

In your free time what can you be found doing?

Mostly cleaning up after kids :) These days, unpacking, too, as we just moved and apparently we own Too. Much. Stuff. Other than that, reading, biking, traveling, and believe it or not, writing...

What are you currently working on? Anything you can share regarding your current Work in Progress?

WHEN PASSION LIES -- no scenes or anything to share at this point, but I will say I'm having a lot of fun with it!

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Just that I love to hear from readers! You can email me at jk@jkbeck.com, check out the website at www.theshadowkeepers.com, friend me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/authorjkbeck) and follow me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/jkbeck). Thanks for the great interview!

J.K. Beck is giving away a signed copy of When Wicked Craves. To be entered please leave a question for J.K. Beck, and also fill out the FORM. You have until 11:59pm (EST) on October 20 to enter and the winner will be announce October 21st..

Want extra entries.....
+1 entry for asking J.K Beck a question (required).
+1 for filling out the form
+2 entries for becoming a follower of this blog
+1 entries for tweeting about this contest, blogging about it, ect..(please tell me where).