Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Ask the Author: J.R. Ward

Answered Questions (17)

Sort By:
Loading big
An error occurred while sorting questions for author J.R. Ward.
At first, thank you very much for BDB series and for every book you wrote. When I have bad day, your books are my light in darkness. I am falling in love to every chatacter.of course Z is my biggest love. And my second biggest love is Lassiter. So please tell me that you will write one book about him? I love his sense of humor. Have a nice day.
J.R. Ward Absolutely Lassiter will be getting a book! Not sure when, but I love him, too- man, he's such an a&&. Wait'll you see his outfit at the end of THE SHADOWS!
flag
Could you tell me if talks are underway to produce a movie of the BDB and if not, why??
J.R. Ward Nope, no talks for any of that lol there's been a lot of interest in the series for years from various players- the issue is, they'd be very expensive to make well? If the right production company comes along with the right vision, I'd absolutely sign on for either a TV or a movie deal, but my focus is on writing the books and making my deadlines lolol.
flag
You talked about the new series BDB Legacy. Does that mean that you are going to stop writing the BDB Series or will you write both? I don't think that I could take it if you stopped writing the BDB Books.
J.R. Ward Nope! I'm going to write both! I can't live without my BDB's either!
flag
Love your BDB and F.A series!!!! I'm so excited to hear that you're doing a spin off series getting back to the Brothers, can't wait for it!!! My question for you is; is there any character that has been particularly hard for you to write, one that didn't speak as loudly as others or, that argued with you a lot about things???
J.R. Ward Vishous. Hates. Me. *sigh* We don't get along. I love him, though!
flag
ok so i was wondering about the new series about the bdb trainees (OMG BEST IDEA EVER!) plus the bourbon kings and regular bdb.... does this mean we will always have 3 books a year from you or will BK's be like every 2 years or something? because i'm just trying to think from your standpoint.. you must write constantly!! don't get me wrong though, i'm all for it! :) lol xoxo ps.. you are awesome!
J.R. Ward LOL! Right now, I'm writing these three books a year for three years- it's an incredible work load for me because I'm a control freak and I won't outsource anything? After three years, we'll see how I'm feeling and whether or not I was able to keep the quality up. Quality is job one for me; if I feel like I didn't do my job sufficiently, I'm going to down shift back to two books a year!
flag
In Lover At Last you introduced Sola, that is a brazillian girl, and I am from Brazil, so is inevitable that I cherish her a little bit ;). Is there any chance she get a full novel about her and Assail?
J.R. Ward Absolutely, positively YES! I love Sola! And her grandmother especially lol the way her grandmother orders around those big vampires is hysterical lolol
flag
When did you decide you wanted to be a writer? Where did you learn your craft and who were your biggest influences? Also, If the BDB ever made it to television and you could have Channing Tatum play one character, Who would you want him to play? Much love and mad respect- Bobbye from middle America.
J.R. Ward Hi! I just always was a writer. I've always had pictures and people in my head, and learned after a while that the only way to get them to shut up was to write it all down? I never took creative writing classes or any of that stuff- I just developed my own internal editor by deconstructing books that worked or didn't work. I also listened to my mentor (Sue Grafton) when she told me I was being stupid. Accepting criticism gracefully is really important- as is knowing what your weakness is (my default is writing one dimensional females, for example.) Channing Tatum = XCOR!
flag
I love Spike from your "Romance" days. I discovered them after I started reading the BDB and I immediately thought half-breed. Am I right?
J.R. Ward YUP :D He is- the question is whether or not he knows it lol
flag
I am a big big fan of your books and think they are written very well and the language was cool and interesting. What made you decide to add an "H" in the names of the Brothers. Also, do you listen to a lot of hip hop while writing? I developed a love / obsession of hip hop / rap / gangster, especially JayZ's "99 Probems" after reading early BDB books.
J.R. Ward Thankies! That's just the way they were spelled? And I listen to rap and hip hop when I run- it helps me keep my speed up. I don't listen to music when I write- I can have the TV chattering on softly in the backround, but no music. Oh, I love JayZ...
flag
Will you ever revisit Z and Bella's story in one or both of their perspectives? I read somewhere that there is a possibility that you may revisit the original 6 brothers. Is that true? I'm in love with your books and your writing is a gift! Thanks and much love from Canada!
J.R. Ward YES! And I hope to have announcement about this soon!!! And thank you so much!
flag
Has there been any character that you've really wanted to write their story and it just hasn't happened? Ps very happy ive found your BDB series so many thanks ill just hug Rhages book because i cant hug you ( police could be called lol)
J.R. Ward Murhder- he's coming, people, he's coming (that's what she said)- I just have to fit him in (that's also what she-)

Okay, that escalated quickly....
flag
What writing software do you use, if any? (the usual Word, or Scrivener?)
J.R. Ward What is Scrivener? You're the second person to ask me that recently? I just use Word, Times New Roman, 12 font, double spaced. It's the only formatting I can use- I can't write in any other font for some reason? I tried Courier once and it was like trying to sign my name with my left hand? And I'm a rightie?
flag
I am a member of The BDB book club on fb. I am one of fifteen thousand members. We talk about the brothers everyday and we love them and we love you. Layla has been the topic lately, our thoughts are about Quinn's daughter. Yes, Quinn'sDaughter. We are concerned about Layla running off with Xcor and taking the baby. I feel LAyla will leave with Xcor and leave the baby with Quinn and Blay. Can you give us a hint? <3
J.R. Ward
This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)
flag
What made you decide to branch out from mainstream romance to your Brotherhood Series? Quite a leap and an awesome one at that! I've devoured every book in this series! I love the development of each character. Your books are incredible well written! Thank you!
J.R. Ward Aw thankies! And I branched out because I got fired from my publisher at the time- and PS they were right not to renew my contract because my books weren't selling enough. This is a business, and I know they wanted to keep working with me and me with them, but it is a numbers game, and my numbers weren't working.

It was the best thing that has ever happened to me. It forced me to get real with myself and what I wanted to write- hell, what I COULD write. The Brothers showed up in my head and BOOM! I was off and running. I expected to get fired again, however. And believe it or not, I still do. You know, I think if I'd been really successful right out of the box, I wouldn't still be working as hard because that fear of losing this job and not being able to do what I love for a living wouldn't have been cattle-prodded into me. Fear is good. It helps us respect the luck we've been given.
flag
When you're plotting/writing, do you work through the main characters' plot lines first and then work in the side characters and their stories afterwards (or, more or less towards the end of your process, as the case may be, since writing can be such a cyclical process), fitting side story pieces in here and there as necessary? Or, do you plot/write it all out together?
J.R. Ward OMG I know this is going to sound lame, but I honestly don't work on anything. I just watch the movies in my head and put them together in a way that makes sense? I extensively outline, but that's recording what I've been shown and trying to get it an order that flows and is chronologically sound? But I don't have a process in the sense that I dictate anything. The stories are to be found or discovered intact as they are revealed. They are not driven by me. If I do try and have an opinion, or force them to do something or go somewhere they don't want? Everything shuts up. Learned that back with Lover Revealed- it was the only time I've ever had writer's block.
flag
Is it ever difficult for you to write?
J.R. Ward Only if I try to force the material? As long as I leave it alone, I don't get writer's block.
flag
What is the one item you need beside you at all times when you write?
J.R. Ward My dog! I had my beloved Jonah with me for eight years, nearly nine. And now I have my Nomers (Naamah.) I'm a goldie person- I've had them for twenty-six years now, and they are a huge presence in my life.

Yes, I'm a crazy dog lady.

And yes, I just looked for a place to attach a photo of her. I'm that sad...
flag
J.R. Ward
52,064 followers

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more