Eclectic night owl who loves Sour Patch kids, Twizzlers, organic salads, Vitamix smoothies, my Keurig coffee brewer, wine, books and movies.
Do you write full time?
Currently, yes. But in the past I’ve written while practicing law and teaching legal writing.
What are 5 fun/interesting facts about you?
I used to go skiing every year in Vermont. I loved it. The icy beauty of the trails, the physical challenge of it, and sitting in the lodge at the end of a long, glorious day – I miss it!
I’ve never been in a hot air balloon, but I’d like to go up in one someday.
I’m not overly fond of cooking, but baking Christmas cookies once a year is fun.
I love old libraries and the smell of old books. (If you’re reading this, I’m betting you do too!)
I wish the library at Alexandria hadn’t burned.
What are the “must haves” for you when you sit down to write a book?
Coffee, my computer, and some idea about where the story is going.
What made you decide to become a writer and how old were you?
I’ve been a lifelong reader but didn’t try to write a novel until I was in my 30’s and on maternity leave. For the first time in ten years, I had the time to try, and for the first time in a lifetime, I had the confidence (craziness?) to think I could learn what it would take to become published.
Who or what was your inspiration for writing “this book”?
My inspirations for Dark Light of Daywere numerous and varied. But my usual answer to this question is that Noon Onyx, the main character, was very loosely inspired by the Egyptologist Evelyn “Evie” Carnahan from the movie The Mummy. In a nutshell, I was having lunch with a bunch of writers during the time when I was seeking inspiration for a new project. I sat next to a librarian. We each shared with the other that we felt our day jobs were fairly pedestrian. I then mentioned Evie, the librarian from The Mummy, as an example of a terrific librarian character, who found love while battling the undead, despite her bookish ways. So that conversation got me thinking… If Evie could do it, maybe another similarly bookish lawyer character could do it too.
Do you feel that you can relate to one character in this book more than any other? And why?
I identify most strongly with Noon, the main character. I intentionally designed her based on my experiences as a law student, legal practitioner, and adjunct professor. That said, Noon is not me. She is much younger, more conflicted, and more dynamic than I am.
What do you love most about writing?
Immersing myself in the world of the story.
What is your biggest challenge when you write?
Tying all of the disparate elements of a story together. My stories often have elements and sub-plots from more than one genre (fantasy, romance, mystery, post-apocalyptic and legal fiction, even “new adult”). I also like to weave in some backstory myths that highlight the themes I’m exploring.
Do you have any advice for any other aspiring writers out there?
Read in the genre you want to write in – and outside of it. Read non-fiction. Sign up for workshops, take classes, and get involved with a writer’s group. Keep writing! Don’t be afraid to submit your work, but make sure it’s truly ready to submit (or as ready as you can make it at the time). Don’t give up or get frustrated. Learn from constructive criticism and rejection. Celebrate small accomplishments and enjoy the process, as much as the product.
What do you do when you are not writing?
I have two young children who are still in elementary school, so most of my non-writing time is spent doing “kid stuff.” They are active in sports and we do a lot of weekend activities with friends and family.
When you’re not writing what kind of books do you like to read?
I’ll read books from almost any genre (and some literature) but my favorites are speculative fiction, romance, and mystery.
Since becoming published, what has been your favorite part of the process?
Three of my favorite things so far have been seeing my first cover, getting my first box of author copies, and attending my first book signing, which was at New York Comic Con. Geesh! If I never do another thing with my writing career, I’ll feel like I had a great ride. Those were fantastic, never to be repeated experiences that I’ll always be grateful for.
If you can, tell us what is up next for you?
Later this fall, I’ll have a new cover, new title, and new blurb to share for the next book in the Noon Onyx series, which is due for release on May 28, 2012.
Thank you, Melissa, for interviewing me and allowing me to share more about Dark Light of Day and Noon Onyx with your readers.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Dark Light of Day Noon Onyx #1 Author:Jill Archer File Size:612 KB Print Length:384 pages Publisher: Ace (September 25, 2012) Language:English ISBN: 0425257150 ASIN: B007A9KSMY Summary: Armageddon is over. The demons won. And yet somehow…the world has continued. Survivors worship patron demons under a draconian system of tributes and rules. These laws keep the demons from warring among themselves, the world from slipping back into chaos.
Noon Onyx grew up on the banks of the river Lethe, daughter of a prominent politician, and a descendant of Lucifer’s warlords. Noon has a secret—she was born with waning magic, the dark, destructive, fiery power that is used to control demons and maintain the delicate peace among them. But a woman with waning magic is unheard of and some will consider her an abomination.
Noon is summoned to attend St. Lucifer’s, a school of demon law. She must decide whether to declare her powers there…or attempt to continue hiding them, knowing the price for doing so may be death. And once she meets the forbiddingly powerful Ari Carmine—who suspects Noon is harboring magic as deadly as his own—Noon realizes there may be more at stake than just her life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jill earned a bachelor of science from Penn State University and later moved to Baltimore to attend the University of Baltimore School of Law, where she graduated magna cum laude. She went on to practice law as a “dirt lawyer” for ten years, specializing in real estate law, municipal development, commercial leasing, and anything involving exceedingly lengthy legalese-like contractual monstrosities.
Jill now lives in rural Maryland with her two children and husband, who is a recreational pilot. Weekends are often spent flying around in the family’s small Cessna, visiting tiny un-towered airfields and other local points of interest.
Melissa Rheinlander is a Momma to a beautiful, spunky, fun loving little girl. Lover of family, friends, books, Mexican Martinis, sometimes Bloody Marys or Margaritas, & Wine. Melissa has worked in publishing for years, helping International Best-selling authors. She is the owner of MSRheinlander Consulting as well as Biblio Babes.
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