Ask Jay Crownover and Cora Carmack - Wednesday, June 26th! discussion
Ask Jay and Cora!
Irene wrote: "Hi thanks for the invite. I'm a big fan of Jay Crownover's books, loved both Rule and Jet.My question to Jay is did you get your knowledge of tattoo's from getting one yourself or did you do rese..."
I am a very tattooed girl. I have spent a lot of time in shops getting my own work done. It is a profession and lifestyle/counter culture I am very familiar with and personally immersed in.
Victoria wrote: "Thanks for the invite, I really enjoyed Losing It and Rule.My question to both Cora and Jay, how much time do you put into choosing your character's names? What factors if any do you consider?"
A lot. I needed names that were strong enough and memorable enough to stand alone as a book title. I just have to like them and think they fit the character...
Sarah wrote: "Hi,thanks for the invite. I haven't read any of Cora Carmack's books yet (although I hope to!) but I absolutely loved both of Jay Crownover's books (especially Rule) and can't wait to read about Ro..."Wishful thinking...or maybe in D-town. There are a lot of hot dudes in Colo.
I just write the characters how the seem to be. The girls are in school, they are trying to figure it out. The boys are wild cards and opted for nontraditional employment that just happened to pay off because they were all talented at what they were passionate about. I think the theme is life is pretty great to discover and live on your own, but when you meet the right person, no matter the fight to end up together, it's even better. I really just try and write about real people in unrealistically dramatic situations.
Jennifer wrote: "Hi Jay! Enjoyed both Rule and Jet. Thanks for both. I'm wondering if you have considered writing in a serial format (somewhat different from your current serial format), i.e. 75-125 pages an ins..."For me no. I sit and write a full story from beginning to end. To break it up and add all that extra editing and formatting would make me go bananas. Plus I'm long winded on the page as it is...I would never be able to cut the content down!
I Love Rule and Jet and Rome and all these Lovely men.... Who are YOUR Muses for these sexy devils?
Yes! u made my day Jay! all of them need their OWN BOOK! I really enjoyed the read rule and Jet! but sooo far Rule is my favorite!
Thanks for the invite. I loved both rule and Jet.And,i can't wait to read the story of Nash, Rome cora and the rest of the guys.
Regarding Losing it ,Faking it i really liked bliss and cade characters. (I hoped they will end up together....)
Keep up the GREAT WRITING Ladies!
Cora. What future books do you have planned? Aside from keeping her! Will this series continue or have you moved on to something else
I've read Rule about 5 or 6 times so that's a pretty good indication that I loved it from the first page till the last one. I loved Jet but sorry to say, not as much as Rule. The question that I had is answered, being does Rome gets his own story. So yeh!! Great. Will there be more books following in this series?
This is for Jay...Maybe if I had read your two books in my twenties my life would have turned out different. ;). Let's just say I can relate a bit to Shaw and her initial drive for everyone's approval. Not that I am unhappy where I am today, but I love how you wrote characters who either do or learn to own who they are and who they want to be.
It was hard to finish these stories without feeling like a part of the group. Just curious- will we get to read about Rule and Shaw's wedding? And did you ever consider whether Shaw stayed connected to Orlando after Remy's death? (Or was she in the first place?)
I think it is great that you seem so accessible and appreciative of your fans! Can't wait for more.
Kristin Vaira
Seattle in September... either of you lovely ladies going to be there?
Thanks for the invite! I loved Losing It.I wanted to ask two things that I can't get out of my mind: are Cade and Bliss going to meet again? Will Bliss and Max be "introduced" to each other by Cade? I really want to know it!
Thank you very, very much.
Good luck for you too!
Love, Sofía.
Thanks for the invite! I have a question for Jay.Will Rowdy have a book? Please say he will get a book, but honestly, I'll be happy with a novella! After his comment to Jet, his advice "... When you find someone who gets you, who understands you, it's worth fighting for. The last thing you want to do is be five years down the road and look back and wonder what could have happened. Trust me..." After THAT, I have to know more! I want to be Core. To be surrounded by all these hot, sweet guys that take no shit. Some girls have all the luck!
Jay,Is there any talk of getting the marked men series in audiobook format? I love these book! I could reread your books over and over again! You are a very talented author! Thanks for Rule and Jet. I hope there is more interaction with them in your next book. Can't wait to read more!
Jeanine wrote: "Jay,Is there any talk of getting the marked men series in audiobook format? I love these book! I could reread your books over and over again! You are a very talented author! Thanks for Rule and Je..."
I'm not sure..HC would have to release them in audio and they haven't said if they are one way or the other to me...
Carol wrote: "Thanks for the invite! I have a question for Jay.Will Rowdy have a book? Please say he will get a book, but honestly, I'll be happy with a novella! After his comment to Jet, his advice "... Wh..."
I sure hope so...I sure want to write it.
Kristin wrote: "This is for Jay...Maybe if I had read your two books in my twenties my life would have turned out different. ;). Let's just say I can relate a bit to Shaw and her initial drive for everyone's app..."
Everything that happens for Rule and Shaw will play out in the background of all the following books so you'll just have to keep reading to see what happens with them :) AS for Orlando all I can say is I hate loose ends!!
Melissa wrote: "I Love Rule and Jet and Rome and all these Lovely men.... Who are YOUR Muses for these sexy devils?"I have a good imagination and Colorado has some really hot dudes running around!!
Great series with Marked Men ..... Role and Jet. Who is in the works after Rome? So many great choices. Also will you do another series anytime soon?
Jay, if you need us to bug the living hell out of HC so they contract you for the rest of the series, let us know. I think we'll all happily do it. I personally can't wait for Rowdy's story. Well, I can't wait for all of the stories but Rowdy somehow won my heart in "Jet".
@paula, I'm up for that, we need all the marked men series.
For Jay- I'd just like to say thanks for the series, and please write more. I adore all your boys and their modifications. I've got a few piercings that my husband has benefitted from for years, but as he is unmodified, I'm left to live vicariously through your heroines as they enjoy their apadravyas, and jacob's ladders (I don't recall if there is a Prince Albert in there somewhere). I don't mean to completely objectify your characters- the best part is that their unique personalities outshine their hotness. Thanks again!
Part of me is happy I caught this series Marked men) from the beginning but another part wishes I had not found them until all of them were out. Impatiently waiting for Jan. 2014 to get here so Rome's story can be MINE!I haven't read Losing it or Faking it yet but they are on my must read list!
Keep up the good work!!
This question is for both authors:Unlike the other novels people might compare your books to, you both focus more on character development rather than numerous overly detailed sexual encounters which effectively "closes" a story at the end of your books where as other authors have multiple books detailing a character's development.
Was this something you planned or was just something realized?
Speaking of Rome. Why is his pub date so far away? Why do they choose to do this
CORA
why did you choose CADE? will faking it have another book?
why did you choose CADE? will faking it have another book?
Jay wrote: "Kristin wrote: "This is for Jay...Maybe if I had read your two books in my twenties my life would have turned out different. ;). Let's just say I can relate a bit to Shaw and her initial drive fo..."
Thanks! Can't wait! Keep up the fabulous work!!!!
Awww thanks for accepting me, I have not read the book but I have good Jay wanted because I find it more interesting that this tattooed guy ...A question for Cora What inspired you to create your chosen Bliss and Cade precisely to star in book Faking It?
Cora- one of the things I love about your books is that I feel connected to your characters in a way that sort of removes me as the reader from he whole equation. For example, in Losing It- I was totally in love with Bliss and Garrick to the extent that I was irritated about Cade's love for Bliss. I found the reverse true in Faking It- I was with Cade every step of the way right from the beginning. I found myself frustrated at Bliss and Garrick flaunting their love- which made no sense to me since I adore both of them. I'd love to know if we will see more of Cade and Max in the future. I'd love for Max to meet Cade's grandma, and I would really enjoy watching Max grow as a musician and really be "out" as herself completely. Thanks for a great series!
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Mod
*Tatoos are sexy! (I know, most people figure this o..."
I agree! Tattoos are sexy!
The preview for KEEPING HER actually just posted yesterday! It contains the first chapter of the novella from Garrick's POV, and the bonus Garrick scenes I wrote as extras for the FAKING IT pre-order campaign. You can find it on my blog: http://coracarmack.blogspot.com
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. Im a big fan of Cora Carmack's Losing It and Faking It. I just love...love..love the GOLDEN BOY!!!!"
Awww... Golden Boy loves you back! <3
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THANK YOU! I hope you're still enjoying Cade's story!
Cora wrote: "Reen wrote: "Ladies, I was so happy to hear about this discussion group because I am a big fan of both of yours. Things I've learned since I read your books:*Tatoos are sexy! (I know, most people ..."
Yay!! Love Garrick!
Mod
Hi Augusta,
Right now... Keeping Her is probably the end for Garrick and Bliss. They do make appearances in FAKING IT, and we get to hear from Bliss in Kelsey's book, FINDING IT, but I don't have any more sequels planned.
Honestly, I didn't even plan to do Keeping Her. But there was such an overwhelming love for them as a couple that I agreed to give a little something more. But there story has reached it's natural end. :)
Mod
Anyway my question is for the awesome Cora Carmack...
I would just like to know if it's possible for you to maybe "visit" or drop by Philippines and hol..."
Hey Lexa!
It's good to hear from you again! <3 Book events are a hard thing to promise. These days, publishers are usually only willing to pay for a select few events (if they pay for any at all). And unless a book just sells INCREDIBLY well in another country, any foreign tours are usually paid for by the author. So, the only way I'll ever do an event in the Philippines is if I happen to be there for a vacation or something else. Which I'm not ruling out! I would love to visit! But fitting a vacation into my busy schedule is difficult at the moment.
But some day! I do love to travel, and the Philippines sounds like an amazing place to add to my list.
Mod
My first question is, how did you come up with that great opening (awkward!) situation in Lo..."
Hi Jen! Thank you!!!
Well... when I originally thought of the idea, all I really knew was that Bliss was going to chicken out of a one night stand. The how... I wasn't so sure about.
During the scene, Bliss sees an antique cat cookie jar that pushes her to say the word "Cat!" And ironically enough, that's about how it happened for me. I inherited just such a cat cookie jar from my Great Grandmother when she died, and it happened to be sitting on my dresser when I was writing that scene. Bliss and I have similar thought processes, so we both just latched onto the first thing we saw and went with it.
And for whether or not my love for awkward situations is inspired by real life... absolutely!!
I read a lot, and sadly, it's very rare that I find a heroine that I strongly identify with. Most heroines are either shy or brazen, introverted or kickass. I, myself, fall somewhere in between those extremes. I *try* to be bold and kickass. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it fails miserably. And even when I do manage to be bold, I'm a complete mental case on the inside. So, in writing LOSING IT, I just wanted to give voice to a girl that was like me, a girl that didn't quite fit into any of the traditional heroine molds, but still deserved her happily ever after.
Mod
Can't wait for Rome's story. I hope Nash gets a story too. But of course no one come's close to my Rule!!!!
To Cora, will Milo have a story, I w..."
Oh, Milo! I do love him as well.
There's definitely room there for a story. I've had people asking for his story, as well as Spencer's, and a sequel to FAKING IT.
The answer is... I'd be happy to write all of those stories, but it isn't always that simple. Because FAKING IT is traditionally published, I can only write about those characters for my current publisher. I can't turn around and self-publish a book about any of them (not until my contract runs out, that is, which will take a while). So, the only way those stories will ever happen is if my current publisher wants to buy them (which in turn will only happen if they see FAKING IT as successful enough to warrant more books). So, it all depends on how well that book sells.
So, unfortunately, my answer is... I don't know.
But if you want more books or sequels from an author (any author), the best thing you can do is buy their books, encourage friends to buy their books, etc. Make the publishers sit up and pay attention. :)
Mod
Excite to hear there might be stories for Rowdy and Nash!!! I love Nash so can't wait!
To Cora,
LOVED LOVED LOVED Losing It! Just started faking it last night I have heard nothing but am..."
Thanks Kirsten! Hope you're enjoying Cade's story! <3
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Question:Have you ever stared out with a character knowing exactly how you want them to ..."
Hi Adrienne,
Only all the time! In fact, my second book, FAKING IT, is about Cade, who was a secondary character character in my first book LOSING IT.
When I first conceived of LOSING IT, there was no Cade. I added him a few chapters in because I thought Bliss needed a male friend around. I only ever intended him to be a minor character. But then a few chapters later, he told me pretty firmly that he was NOT going to be a minor character. His story arc grew from there, and now he has his own book!
That's actually one of my favorite things about writing... the way characters surprise you. Similarly, I didn't even know that Garrick was British until he first spoke, and suddenly of her own volition, Bliss was freaking out over her accent.
That sounds crazy, I know. But once you form a character, sometimes they just take over.
Mod
Hi Adriana,
I'm not 100% sure what you mean by "choosing" Cade. If you mean choosing him as a character... well, he really chose me. I mentioned this in a previous comment, but Cade didn't even exist when I first thought of the idea for LOSING IT. I added him because I thought Bliss needed a male friend, and then he ended up situating himself fully into the story. He (and his feelings for Bliss) became a major part of the story.
*SPOILER ALERT*
When Bliss chooses Garrick over Cade, I knew there was no way I could leave it like that for him. I *had* to give him his happily ever after.
If you meant how I chose his name... that too, is a funny story. He actually started out as a Wade. Then somewhere along the way as I was writing, I accidentally switched to Cade without even realizing it. By the time I realized the mistake, he was 100% Cade, and Wade didn't seem to fit anymore.
Mod
Are we going to continue getting updates on past stories (like Rule) in future connected books? Oh and if you wanted to give Rule another book, I'd buy it.
Cora- I don't have a question, be..."
That's okay! Hope you're still enjoying it!
Mod
What or who inspired you to write the specific story in detail?
To Cora,
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you for taking so much of your time in focusing..."
I'm so bad at answering questions like this. I don't really have a specific inspiration for any of my books. Most of them just kind of pop into my head out of nowhere. My mind wanders easily, and crazy things just pop up all the time.
I usually start with one small thing, and the rest just forms naturally. For LOSING IT, I knew I wanted to write a different kind of heroine. I wanted to take the sexy, dark New Adult feel and turn it on it's head by making it humorous and romantic (and yes, still a little sexy). For FAKING IT, all I knew in the beginning was that I wanted Cade to fall for a girl that was the complete opposite of Bliss. The rest came pretty easily after that.
And your second question-- First, you're welcome! I'm glad it struck a cord with you!
As for my intentions... in a way, I was writing this book for one very specific reader (and I hoped that it would affect others like her). There's a person in my life, who I love, but she had a tendency to get caught up in living life on other people's terms and schedules. She was feeling pressured to do something because everyone else had done it. My goal for LOSING IT was to show that everyone has to live life at their own pace. And I think that's an important lesson for many aspects of life, not just sex.
Mod
I relate to Bliss SO MUCH. To be honest, if you've read FAKING IT, I fall almost directly in the middle between Bliss and Max.
Sometimes I can be awkward, but more than that... I'm weird. I am a giant nerd who says stupid things and makes funny faces and isn't afraid to make a fool of herself. It took a long time (and some great friends) to get me to the point that I was 100% okay with being that weird girl, and not caring about what others thought. I wanted to pay homage to that in LOSING IT, and to the friends who helped teach me that life lesson. That's why there are a lot of moments in LOSING IT that are based on real events from my college years. It was my way of saying thank you and celebrating that.
Mod
My question to both Cora and Jay, how much time do you put into choosing your character's names? What factors if any do you consider?"
It varies from character to character. Bliss was Bliss from the very beginning. She just popped into my head with that name. I spent a while searching for Garrick's name, trying to find one that fit. In choosing a name, I try to find a name that's unique enough that people will see it and recognize immediately what book you're talking about. But at the same time, I try not to pick anything too off the wall that wouldn't realistically be someone's name. I also look back at what names were popular in the year that my character would have been born.
Max's name was a little harder to pick. I knew I wanted a girly name that could be shortened into a boyish name. Originally, she was Jocelyn/Joss, but then I read On Dublin Street whose main character is Joss. So, I had to go back to the drawing board. Mackenzie/Max seemed like the best fit after that.
For secondary characters and minor characters, I don't worry as much. I frequently sub in names of friends or I'll just steal a name off my facebook friend list or from a fan I met at a recent signing. :)
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Thank you, Trish! I do plan to keep it up! <3
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Ahh... only a bazillion. :)
Besides Keeping Her, I have FINDING IT releasing in October. It's about Kelsey (Bliss's wing woman in LOSING IT) and her experiences as she backpacks around Europe. It was a BLAST to write. And after that, I've also got a novella that is a prequel to FINDING IT and from the guy's POV. His name is Jackson Hunt and he is DELICIOUS.
That's everything that is official.
I've got three or four other things in the works that I can't really talk about yet. But all of them would be new. There's one I'm leaning toward working on first, and I envision it as really funny (closer in tone to LOSING IT), but will a bit of suspense thrown in. I'm SUPER excited about it. :)
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I will be! <3
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I wanted to ask two things that I can't get out of my mind: are Cade and Bliss going to meet again? Will Bliss and Max be "introduced" to each other by Cad..."
Yes. All of those things happen in FAKING IT. :)
Nope