GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Sheep Interview: Jackie Gamber Sela Blog Tour + Give Away | I Smell Sheep

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Sheep Interview: Jackie Gamber Sela Blog Tour + Give Away


check out Jackie's theme music! Excellent choice
We have a really cool author here today. She writes about dragons! Her recently released YA Fantasy Sela, book #2 in the Leland Dragon series, is getting great reviews. Check out her theme music and hold onto your pants; we talk about her books, touching old things and dragon poop! I know, right? So please welcome black sheep loving Jackie Gamber! Stick around because Seventh Star Press is offering 3 winner's some awesome prizes, including a print copy and I Smell Sheep will give sheep swag including winners choice from the sheep store!

Sharon: Do you smell that? It is the flock welcoming you! Don’t worry you get used to it after a while. Grab a moonpie and some kool-aid and take a seat on the dragon throne; we brought it in just for you.
Jackie: Thank you, it’s very comfy. For the record, I love farm animals. I come from a farming heritage, and I always wanted one of everything that lives in a barn. Especially sheep.
Sharon: Flattery will get you everywhere *passes dragon tiara to Jackie*

Sharon: For all our readers who don’t know about your YA fantasy series The Leland Dragons, could you tell us a little about it?
Jackie: Sure! In Leland Province, dragons and humans once worked together, a pretty symbiotic relationship, sharing land and fighting wars together. But that was a long time ago, and now dragons and humans fear each other. Resent each other. And in particular, recent months have brought a drought to Leland, and her farmlands are all but dying. Book One, REDHEART, is the story of Kallon Redheart, and Riza Diantus, a dragon and human that manage to connect among the danger, superstition and political morass of their time. Book Two, SELA, is the continuing story of the second generation in Leland, and the ever-present threat of war.
Sharon: Same characters or new ones?
Jackie: SELA has the cast of the same characters, as well as some new ones.

Sharon: Book 2, Sela, just released. Do readers need to read the first book, Redheart before Sela?
Jackie:I’m one of those sticklers in my own reading that must read a series starting with book one. I have a few “Book Two”s on my bookshelf I haven’t started reading yet because of that. But! Life is a complicated thing, and not everyone gets their hands on a series from the beginning right away. So I did write SELA with that in mind. I’ve had readers say they read SELA first and enjoyed it as a fully-fleshed story unto itself, and then went back to read REDHEART. Totally doable. But of course, the spoilers are pretty magnificent that way, so I’d suggest reading them in order.
Katie: I'm exactly the same about reading in order! We understand.

Katie: Game of Thrones is a huge hit right now, both in book and tv, do these types of shows help top fuel your creative fire?
Jackie:It depends. I don’t actually watch a lot of tv because there are only so many hours in a day, and I’m not always up to date on the current hits. And for a book (or tv show, or movie) to jazz me up, it has to be pretty well done, and hit me at a time between projects when I can give it my full attention and appreciate it.
I will say, though, that any time a writer (of books or screenplays) finds success, I’m so happy for them! This is a brutal business. Making one’s way is a challenge, and any success of a fellow writer trickles that positive energy out to all of us.

Sharon: How many books do you have planned for this series, and has the story deviated from your original idea?
Jackie: So far, the story is on track to my original conception of it! I’ve always envisioned it as a three-part series, and so my intentions are to have Book Three be the last.


Sharon: Do you already have another series waiting in the wings? Can you share? 
Jackie: Waiting in the wings! Great pun. I don’t have a series of books planned, but I’m working on a steampunk fantasy novel now. Also, my husband and I have established Allotrope Media, a movie studio, to produce short films as tie-ins to my writing projects. Many of the shorts will be a series to follow, with novels or a novella as the fully disclosed story ending. We’d like to get our fans and friends involved in the storytelling as well, with ways to vote and participate in works-in-progress.

Sharon:  Writing fantasy involves an incredible amount of world building. In the beginning did you plan out everything so you wouldn’t get lost or do you let the story take you where it goes?
Jackie: I did both. Once I had cemented the world in my mind, and had characters populating that world with wants, dreams, and hopes, I let the story take me along with it. One of the drawbacks to that is coming to a place in the story that’s a surprise, even to me. If I let a character get in too much trouble, how do I get them back out? On the other hand, that’s exactly the fun of writing, too.

Katie: If you had the chance to ride on a dragon where would you go?
Jackie: If I had a chance to ride a dragon, I would swing over to Europe. England, as a first stop. I’ve always wanted to run my hands over buildings older than the U.S. as a country. To walk down streets Charles Dickens once walked, and to see the view from a knoll in the English countryside.
Katie: On the back of a dragon no less!
Sharon: I went to London back in college and went to the pub where he would go and write J
Jackie: Color me jealous! I guess that would be green.

Sharon: Why did you choose to write a dragon YA instead of an adult?
Jackie: I wouldn’t say I actually chose to write YA. In the early days, I didn’t even realize that’s how it would be classified. I was just writing from the heart, and exploring things from a character who is searching for his place in the world. His reason for living. Kallon Redheart’s personal struggles are set against a society that he doesn’t understand, and doesn’t want to be part of, directly. I think it’s a universal struggle of mankind, but is most keenly felt in our YA generation, and so is closely identified with that reading group.

Sharon: Is there romance in this series?
Jackie: Romantic tension abounds! Subtle, in places, where the characters call for that. More overt for others. But romantic interest is a strong drive in most our real life stories, and so it’s a natural (and interesting!) element to fiction, I think.
Sharon: smut love makes the world go round, right Katie?
Katie: Oh, for sure! Smut love makes all things just go round and round…
Jackie: Romantic tension, you guys. The series is YA, after all!

Sharon:  You lecture about writing at high schools. What is the most helpful advice you try to give these kids?
Jackie: One thing I try to press into artistic minds (including the mind of my own kids) is to KEEP DOING what you’re driven to do, designed to do, whether it’s writing or fine art, or graphic/digital works. Even when people don’t “get” it. Even when others might discourage or mock. When we repress our own work, we lose a part of ourselves, and that’s not doing anyone any good. Keep writing. Keep practicing. Keep reading. Even if it’s only for the pleasure of it, it’s still valuable time.

Sharon: Okay, now it is time to get personal! If every time you walked into a room theme music/song played. What would yours be?
Jackie: Ooooh. Do I get to choose the theme song? Or do I get stuck with something just appropo? Are there any songs about being a doofus?
If I get to choose, I’d pick “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. I remind myself every day that:
"Today is where your book beginsThe rest is still unwritten"
Sharon: nice choice…

Sharon:  This is a very important question I have been pondering about dragons. How come in books and movies no one ever runs across a big pile of dragon poop? You know it has to be huge! Do dragons poop mid-air like birds?
Jackie: That’s a great question. Would you believe I’ve discussed this with my family? Like that scene in “Jurassic Park” where the paleontologist is trying to figure out why one of the dinosaurs is sick. She slides on a latex glove as long as her arm.
From talking about the delicate subject with dragons I know, my understanding is that they are careful about their droppings from survival instinct, much like a cat buries their scent. So lobbing from mid-air is out of the question. Except, perhaps, aiming at their worst enemies.
Sharon: I can buy that theory…wouldn’t it be cool if it had magical powers, like makes you look younger if you bathed in it?
Katie: *gags*
Jackie: I guess I’d rather rest in a field that’s been fertilized with it, rather than make direct contact.

Sharon: What in nature do you find breath-taking?
Jackie: Mountains. Shaggy, rumpled mountains covered in trees, and draped with fog as delicate as grandma’s Irish lace. I adore the Smokies, and I would live there in a heartbeat. Except I might not get any writing done, because I’d just stare at them all day.
Sharon: No kidding?! I have lived in NC my whole life and right now I live about 1.5 hours’ drive Boone, NC. I absolutely love the mountains too. I drive the Blue Ridge Parkway every so often just to rejuvenate my soul.
Jackie: Egads, jealous again! I’ve been to Asheville, and felt as though I was stepping into a dream land. So beautiful.

Katie: Something you MUST do before you die is….
Jackie: See the Grand Canyon. Haven’t made it that far west, yet. And, of course, see Europe.
Sharon: that’s right; you want to run your hands over old stuff. Just don’t touch any old people they might not understand
Katie: I can think of some old dudes that might understand just fine. *winks*
Sharon: *gags*

Time for a little Rapid Fire!

Sharon: tadpoles or frogs?
Jackie: Both!

Katie: Draco or Toothless?
Jackie: Draco, seriously.
Katie: Well, Toothless is too freakin cute!

Sharon: hiking boots or sandals?
Jackie: Hiking boots. To get me closer to those mountains.

Katie: Willow or Labyrinth?
Jackie: Yikes, toughie. Willow.
Sharon: I am not sure I could pick either…

Sharon: Coke or Pepsi (and yes, you have to pick…it is a moral imperative)
Jackie: Diet Cherry Pepsi? Does that count?
Sharon: why yes, yes it does! *fist pump*
Katie: Pfft. Whatever. Not like I care. *starts crying in lap*

Katie: You'll never take me alive! or King Kong ain’t got *beep* on me! ?
Jackie: You’ll never take me alive!

Sharon: math in your head or on your fingers?
Jackie: Fingers.
Sharon: I am a finger counter too

Katie: Boat payment or Sports car payment?
Jackie: Had a boat payment once. We sold it!

Sharon: The Terminator or Jason Voorhees?
Jackie: Terminator.

Katie: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us today Jackie, would you like to add anything before we wrap?
Jackie: Come and find me on the web, and keep an eye out for Book Three of the Leland Dragon Series and other exciting projects I’ve got going on. I try to make it easy on people. Here are all my addresses:
For more information about Jackie and her mosaic mind, visit
http://www.jackiegamber.com
And meet Jackie elsewhere on the world wide web at:

Check out the other sites hosting Jackie's Sela blog tour
through Seventh Star Press here






~~~GIVE AWAY~~~
First place: print copy Sela + set of Sela Art cards and bookmark (US/CAN only) + Your choice from the Sheep store!
two runners-up: ebook set of Redheart and Sela (INT) + Sheep swag packs
*all prizes come with Kool-Aid
 and zombie hunting license.
Sheep Store Swag (no you can't have Baaart)
To Enter: 
1. leave a way to contact you
2. If dragon poop had magical powers, would you bath in it?
*as always, followers of the flock get double entries -mention how you follow

27 comments:

  1. Very nice interview. No, I wouldn't.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very nice interview. No, I wouldn't.

    I follow via email.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hei!! I want to protest! Our flock is a sweet smelling flock! We don't stink, not even a wiff of it.

    Right, on to the question. Nop, not a chance. Well, except if it'll give some thing i really, really, really wanted, then i'll consider it. Maybe. Probably. Perhaps.

    Follower here!!

    smile_1773@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. OMG!! Lol if dragon poop had magical powers I would make my hubby bathe in it so that he could protect me and use his magic to do stuff for me lol :) see every once and awhile being married does come in handy!

    I follow GFC Savannah Miller

    savannahm1987@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. oh come on, is not like humanity haven't put wrose things on them just to look beautiful, like to have whiter skin, cutting finger to have smaller feets.
    so if i can get powers or good stuff from bathing in dragon poop, i will totally do it!
    i want powers!!

    email: reyiel_ananke@hotmail.com

    i follow you here and in facebook ^^

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a fun interview! All that and dragons too -- loved it! Great choice of theme music. Dragon poop? You know they're carnivores, right? I might do it once depending on what the benefit was going to be -- and it better be good -- but I'd insist on doing it next to a lake so I could jump in afterwards!

    I serve the sheep! Twitter, facebook, you name it.

    BTW, had trouble with the theme music link, so here's a vid of the singer performing "Unwritten" (love it!!!)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7k0a5hYnSI

    ReplyDelete
  7. hmm, Would I? I suppose it depends on what the magical powers convey. And like Dani, I'd certainly want some crystal clear water nearby! Oh, and some Kool-Aid. (fact: I was born in the same town as Kool-Aid!)

    I follow here
    lizziestarr AT neb DOT rr DOT come

    ReplyDelete
  8. Maybe - if the magical power were worth coping with the grossness factor :D

    follower: ilona
    felinewyvern at googlemail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I think it would depend on what those magical powers would be and if they would be worth it.

    Follower: Megblod
    Megblod@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nope, probably not. But I might use it, just not full body bathe in it. Thanks for the giveaway! I'm international so only entering for the second one.

    GFC - JessS
    jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great interview, thank you ladies. And I loved the pics as well. One of my desires is to see the Grand Canyon during a tour around the States.

    No, I would not bathe in dragon poop, no matter what the magic would do to me. Not even if it smelled good. You would encounter pieces of bone and clothes and stuff, gross!

    International follower by email.
    auriansbooks at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Would I bathe in dragon poop. Okay, IF- and this is a big IF- I had to save the life of my kids, husband or possibly myself. Remember on Walking Dead when they covered themselves with zombie guts? YIKES! I think dragon poop would be better than that. I agree with Lizzie-- I'd need Kool-Aid afterwards-- to POUR on myself!

    Cool interview:) I follow too--
    wayfaringwriter at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great post! I cant say that i would bathe in dragon poop. But who knows, if for the right circumstances, i just might. Maybe if i needed something important, etc. Thanks!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would as long as I only had to go up to my waist. Anything past there, no way! Great interview and thanks so much for the giveaway!

    Lmackesy @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hmmm. Might depend on the smell.
    Lovely interview.
    Sheiladeeth at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. giganticgreengrapes (at) gmail (dot) com
    I'm a GFC Follower; I joined the Flock!

    If dragon poop had magical powers, would you bath in it?
    Yes, most definitely I would bath in the Poop for a few hours and let those magical powers soak in and then have a thorough shower after, so I'll come out smelling like roses!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. forgot to mention, International follower.

      Delete
    2. Now also following on Facebook (Emma And-Ali Jonez) and on the tweety (@Henny_Jonez)

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    3. thank you! I would too, we are talking magical powers people! so worth the poop bath...

      Delete
  17. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Definitely. I've changed babies diapers where the child in question seems to explode and end up covered in... well you know what...

    since I'd love to have magical powers, I'd definitely brave the smell and ickiness :P

    kashtastic@gmail.com (I'm a GFC and twitter follower)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lol, been there done that! and I agree. It would be worth it for the powers. especially if it made you younger! yeah, I am shallow...but at least I am honest with myself

      Delete
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