Interview: Judith Rochelle
12 Feb
Today’s interview is with author Judith Rochelle, the creator behind The Phoenix Agency series.
LZ: Where did you get your inspiration for The Phoenix Agency series—Freeze Frame in particular?
JR: The first book, Always On My Mind, was inspired by an old Townes Van Zandt country song, If I Needed You. I started to think about a couple who could communicate telepathically who had an emotional connection, and what would happen if one of them was in trouble and this was the only means of communication.
I have always been in love with alpha males in the military, black ops, covert work, etc. And I needed Faith, my heroine in Always On My Mind, to have a place she could go for real help when every other door slammed in her face. The book was so well received that my readers kept asking for stories about the other men of Phoenix.
When I was researching different kinds of psychic ability, I discovered that remote viewing has been used by the government for years as a means of trying to gather more intelligence information. And of course, the drug cartels are all over the headlines these days, especially with the number of kidnappings going on.
LZ: Did you intend to write a series when you wrote the first book? Will there be a fifth?
JR: Oh, yes. Troy Arsenault’s story has yet to be told and I’m outlining it right now.
LZ: Do you have a favorite character from the series? Why or why not?
JR: You’ll think I’m crazy but it’s the dog from Scent of Danger. After all, how many psychic dogs have you ever met? And the Caucasian Ovcharka is truly considered to have certain psychic traits.
LZ: Is there anything you think is important for readers to understand about this series or your work in general, something you most want everyone to know about your writing?
JR: This goes for everything I write. I spend a lot of time developing my characters, although my books are plot-driven. But I want my readers to fall in love with my characters and remember them for a long time. The very first book I wrote was in an effort to create a hero as memorable in one in Linda Howard’s Cry No More.
LZ: What was it about the hero in Cry No More that you found so memorable?
JR: He was dark, mysterious, a true alpha male, but when the chips were down, he was all about the heroine. He went above and beyond when she was in crisis and I loved that about him.
LZ: As an author, what marketing advice do you have for writers just starting out? What works? What doesn’t?
JR: Sometimes it’s just hit or miss. There are a number of great Yahoo loops out there that hold chats and have promo days where you can get your name out. I’ve learned by trial and error which ones work the best and try to stick to them. I also use a PR agent to hit the cyberwaves whenever I have a new release.
But just starting out, I’d ask people which Yahoo groups would be the best to join and spend some time commenting on other people’s posts until your name becomes familiar. Also, blogging is great. If you have a blog, you can reach out to people and promote the link on Yahoo. Also, you can exchange guest blogs with other people, thereby expanding your audience. And, of course, Twitter and Facebook. You’d be surprised how many new readers I’ve picked up using social networks.
LZ: What was the most memorable feedback—positive or negative—regarding your writing you’ve ever received? Why did it resonate strongly with you?
JR: When On The Run came out — it’s a romantic suspense that deals with domestic violence — I had a reader who had herself gotten out of an abusive relationship email and tell me I’d really nailed it. To know that I was able to communicate about something that serious as honestly as I’d hoped made everything worthwhile.
LZ: Do you have any writing goals for 2010?
JR: Always. I have two series I hope to complete. Also, I have an agent who is working on selling a four-book series that she really believes in, so I hope in 2010 she finds a publisher for it. And of course, to increase my reader base and continue to write books that people love.
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To purchase Freeze Frame from its publisher, Cerridwen Press, visit www.jasminejade.com/p-7782-freeze-frame.aspx.
For details on or to contact Judith Rochelle, visit www.judithrochelle.com.
Tags: author, authors, cerridwen press, fiction, Interview, judith rochelle, writer, writers, writing
I loved reading your interview Judith. I find authors blogs & yahoo groups to be a rich source for new reading material.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I think you do a very good interview.
Your new book sounds fantastic and I can’t wait to read it.
Love all Judith’s books and have everyone. Can’t wait to get my hands on this one.
Hi, Judith.
I enjoyed reading the interview and I look forward in reading The Phoenix Agency series.
What is your opinion on book trailers? Do you think they help in book sales?
Thanks.
Hi, Judith! Happy Valentine’s Day : ) Great interview. How intriguing for the couple to be able to communicate by telepathy. Reminds me of another favorite song: “You Were Always On My Mind”. I have learned so many new authors and books from blogs, websites and reviews. I have really expanded my reading horizons : )
It sounds like a great book. I love the characters that stay with after you read the book. You go back and read the book again and learn more about tha author and the book.
horseunicornkey@
I really enjoyed the interview I think this sounds like a great book and I can’t wait to read it.
I find new authors through blogs and yahoo groups so I agree those are easy ways to promote. Do not be a promo hound because there are certain authors who try to saturate a yahoo group with their books and I just delete as soon as I see their name. Have always loved paranormal stories so this sounds interesting.
I loved the interview. I have been fascinated by psychic talents. Remote viewing has come up in several books I hvae read lately.
Hi Judith, this is such a great series, I love your Phoenix heroes, and the paranormal storylines are so unique and tie the characters together so well.
Great news for us fans on your four book series, hope you hear back soon.
Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.
Judith’s books are great and this is a wonderful interview.
I enjoyed the interview very much. It is fascinating to learn how you find your ideas for your book.
tamsyn5@yahoo.com
I love alpha males myself. I too use yahoo groups and blogs to find new reading material.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to leave these really great comments. OH, nad Virgina, I also love Always OPn My Mind, the Willlie Nelson version. Listen to it a lot.. Happy VAlentine’s Day, y’all.