Bio: Jamie White is an author,
blogger, photo geek, music addict, editor, pop culture geek,
paranormal junkie, and a pet servant.
She spent more than a decade as a
Journalism student, geeking out over Pagemaker, layout design, and
other stuff.
In college, she took it a step further
and became the only student to be on all three of her college's
publications, serving as Editor-In-Chief for two of them. Later, she
went on to freelance writing and blogging.
Jamie began her journey into fiction
writing in 2010 after joining a writing group. Since that first
meeting, she has completed a bunch of short stories, five
manuscripts, and several in progress. Her first novel, The Life and
Times of No One In Particular, was released in 2012. She followed it
up with a story in the Lyrical Muse Anthology in 2013. The end of
2013 will see two releases with Pagan Writers Press.
When Jamie's not writing or blogging,
she takes pictures, meditates, practices Reiki and chanting, watches
favorite shows/movies, takes walks, and serves as a volunteer for the
Florida Writers Association by running their social media and a
writing group (Gulfstream Writers).
Social Links:
Book Genre:
Paranormal/New Age
Publisher: Pagan
Writers Press
Release Date: November
27, 2013
Book Description:
It’s
her last summer before going away to college and Fiona finds herself
facing more than she bargained for: A boyfriend she doesn’t want
who has a strange hold over her, a friend pushing her to expand her
boundaries, and a new guy named Ted whose presence is more than a
distraction.
If that isn’t enough, Fiona is being haunted with horrifying nightmares of burning at the stake—nightmares so real, she feels as though she’s losing her mid.
Are they only dreams, or are they trying to warn her about this new guy she can’t help but want?
If that isn’t enough, Fiona is being haunted with horrifying nightmares of burning at the stake—nightmares so real, she feels as though she’s losing her mid.
Are they only dreams, or are they trying to warn her about this new guy she can’t help but want?
Audio Excerpt:
Excerpt:
The flames from the torches danced around her, creating a terrifying
glow on the gathered crowd. The young girl struggled against her
restraints in an attempt to escape the fate that awaited her. The
jeers of the spectators echoed through her mind like a demonic
chorus, sending chills down her spine.
The more she struggled, the tighter the ropes that bound her felt.
She knew it was a futile endeavor—even if she did get free, she was
in no condition to attempt an escape. Plus, contrary to their insane
notions, she had no special powers. Her only power was her knowledge
of the earth and how its resources could be used to cure ills. What
good would that do against a mob such as this?
Her heart pounded and her breathing came quick and ragged as the men
kneeled down to light the kindle piled beneath her. She closed her
eyes and took a deep breath, willing herself to keep calm. Her fate
was sealed, but she could at least deny them the pleasure of seeing
her fear. She opened her eyes, and her gaze settled on one of the
spectators.
***
Fiona Stevens gasped as she sat up in bed. She took a deep breath and
shook her head in an attempt to rid herself of the horrifying images
that had begun to haunt her sleep. For the past week, she'd been
having nightmares so real it took her a minute to realize who and
where she was.
“Another nightmare?”
Her sister’s voice brought her back to reality. She was safe and
sound in the bedroom she shared with her sister, centuries removed
from the days when events like the one in her dream happened. Get
a grip already. “Yeah, it’s no big deal.” She reached for
the book on her nightstand and tossed it into a drawer. “I think I
need to stop reading this stuff before bed. It’s just fueling my
muse.”
Rebecca smiled. “Writers—you’re all insane.” The younger girl
grew serious as she studied Fiona’s face. “Are you sure
you’re okay? You’re white as a sheet right now.”
“I’m fine. Seriously; it's no big deal.” Fiona pushed the
comforter aside and stuffed her feet into a pair of slippers by the
bed. She stood, gra.bbed the robe lying on the end of her bed, and
then wrapped herself in the soft, warm material. “I think I’m
gonna go downstairs and get something to drink. Sorry I woke you; go
back to sleep.”
Her sister frowned but shrugged her shoulders. “All right. See you
in the morning.” Rebecca rolled over and pulled the comforter
tighter to her body.
Tell us your latest news?
When and why did you begin writing?
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
What inspired you to write your first book?
Do you have a specific writing style?
How did you come up with the title?
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Interview:
Where are you from?
I’m born and raised in South Florida (living in Hollywood). Just
for the record, let me tell you that the name “The Sunshine State” is a dirty,
ugly lie. LOL. Especially this year.
Tell us your latest news?
Right now, I have been busy getting things ready for this tour,
but I also am currently waiting for Beta feedback on a WIP while also trying to
get a few other WIPs completed in addition to a couple of Facebook events
(details on my website). I also just recently submitted a couple of flash fiction pieces
for two different anthologies, so the “biting the nails” phase has started!
I’ll be updating my site and newsletter with more as I hear back. ::crosses
fingers::
When and why did you begin writing?
I have been a writer since high school but besides a few poems and
lyrics, I mostly did pieces for the yearbook. Later on, it was stuff for the
college paper and magazine and freelance assignments/blogging after I graduated.
Fiction started for me in 2010 by chance. My husband, who is also an author,
wanted to attend a writing group and I decided to check it out. I really
enjoyed putting the short stories together, so I kept it up and it evolved from
there.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve always considered myself a writer. I’ve always enjoyed it,
even when I was mostly focused on journalism and I truly believe that if you
love writing and you write (whether it gets published or not), you’re a writer.
What inspired you to write your first book?
My first book was The Life
and Times of No One in Particular. I used to be part of a role play group
online in the late ‘90s/early 2000s based on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. There was a period where a lot of us struggled
to come up with RP plots, so we started joking about evil muses. One day,
another member and I decided to make muse characters that would cause a bit of
trouble within the game. When I decided it was time to write a book, I thought
about that character and wondered what a muse would think of the way we talk
about them. What would they think about our current pop culture and other
stuff? I decided to let that character I made up years ago answer those
questions and she took it from there. J Since I wrote that, I
have adopted her as my own personal muse. Let me tell you, she is tough!
Do you have a specific writing style?
I’m drawn to the YA/NA style and usually write in third person.
Most of my stories have some paranormal or spiritual aspect to them.
How did you come up with the title?
I had signed up yet again for NaNoWriMo and was having a hard
time with a title, so I started browsing a topic they had in the forums called
“Adopt a Title”. As soon as I saw Stains
on the Soul, I thought it would fit, but there were also a few other good
ones. To choose the winner, I made a poll on my Facebook page to let my readers
pick and Stains won.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I hope, first and foremost, that people just enjoy the story. I
did end up working some New Age and spiritual themes into it, so if that
inspires people to explore and maybe find something that resonates for them
that way Christopher Pike’s Remember Me
did for me, that would be amazing.
How much of the book is
realistic?
That is an interesting question. If I’d gotten this interview a
few months ago, I would have said that there were certain aspects of my and
others’ personalities in it as well as some things I love (crystals,
meditation, etc.) Then one day, I decided to sign up for an online challenge
where you do different meditations and exercises designed to get you in touch
with your past lives. Interestingly, I ended up getting some information that
seemed to point to the parts that deal with Witch Trials just might be more
real than I thought.
Are experiences based on
someone you know, or events in your own life?
As I mentioned earlier, I definitely put a few little things here
and there that were inspired by people I know or my own personality/interests.
In the book, Fiona begins having terrible nightmares that might just be more
than dreams. I have had prophetic dreams in the past, so I definitely drew from
that uneasiness that can come from that.
What books have most
influenced your life most?
Christopher Pike’s Remember
Me started me on my spiritual journey, so I would say that was a huge
influence in my life. I also was influenced by The Babysitters Club and Sweet
Valley High in that they sparked my love of reading more than any other
books I read as a kid.
If you had to choose,
which writer would you consider a mentor?
Pike, definitely. I really admire the way he doesn’t talk down to
his YA audience and he weaves so many different things into his work. I also
very much admire a couple fellow indie authors, Marni Mann and Laura Deluca.
Their work definitely inspires me and they make me want to improve and grow. I
also have to give a shout out to my publisher, Angelique Mrozcka, whose work I
really enjoy. She ran a flash fiction workshop that helped me in so many ways.
What book are you reading
now?
I have just started Laura’s The
Forgotten Pharaoh and am also beta reading for another author friend,
Angela Fattig.
Are there any new authors
that have grasped your interest?
Laura, Marni, RM Ridley, Karen Booth, Regine Allison Claire,
Katheryn Kiden, Scott A. Lerner, and Michael F. Stewart.
What would you like my
readers to know?
I’d like them to know that weird is good! Don’t be afraid to think
differently than others, to dabble in things that interest you even when people
think it’s strange, and to just be you.
Thank you for hosting today!
ReplyDeleteHi there - Really enjoyed the interview with this author. Thanks for the post! :)
ReplyDeleteD. Coto (fictionzeal.com) - Pit Crew
Great Interview! I also agree if you are writing then you are a writer!:O)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the host. :) BK, you rock for organizing this.
ReplyDeleteDiane, thank you do much for following the tour. :)
Michelle, absolutely! Thanks for stopping by!