Book 5 in the Heller series.
Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.
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About JD Nixon:
The Heller series (first book Heller - free!) features the frequently outlandish adventures of security officer, Tilly Chalmers, and her complicated relationship with her beautiful, mysterious and intense boss, Heller.
The Little Town series (first book Blood Ties - free!) features police officer, Tess Fuller, and her struggle to survive a long-standing vendetta with the feral Bycraft family and at the same time manage the tense relationship between her new partner, Finn Maguire, and her boyfriend, Jake Bycraft.
My author dream is to one day write a short story (which for me will probably be about 50,000 words!) where Tilly & Heller meet Tess & Finn. What a story that would be! Maybe over the end-of-year break???
I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoyed writing them! I'd love to hear your feedback, so why not email me at: jdn.author@gmail.com.
INTERVIEW
Jillian and I had the opportunity to send off some questions to the amazing JD Nixon! We both love the Little Town and Heller series that JD has created and we cannot wait to sink our teeth into more of her work. What makes us love JD beyond her books is her interaction with her readers! JD is active on her Facebook page as well as her fan club page.
I know I personally found JD though my friend Jenn (you may remember her from our post about the NYC Occasionalist Author Event) after she found this amazing free book called Heller. After a few weeks of listening to her pester me and tell me that I had to check out this series I finally caved to her whim and well… the rest is history! I immediately jumped on the JD Nixon bandwagon and never want to get off. As you can tell by its inclusion on my Honor Roll list, the Heller series is a personal favorite of mine! Jillian’s discovery of JD happened rather similarly to mine, however, I may have played Jenn’s role. She is more partial to the Little Town series, but we can both agree that JD is one heck of a writer!
On to the questions!
What is one secret Heller hasn't told anyone?
JD: He’s afraid of being alone.
Danielle: I never would have guessed that! Though, the way he “collects” lost souls I can see it now that I think about it! It really would explain a lot about him.
Jillian: Oh I totally can see that. Even though he wants you to think he is this big tough guy, I think he's afraid of way more than he lets on!
If we were able to ask Heller's mom to describe him in 10 words or less, what do you think she would say?
JD: He was a difficult child to understand.
Danielle: Why am I not surprised by this? I hope we get to meet Heller’s mom!
Jillian: I think that he is the way he is BECAUSE his mom couldn't understand him and nurture him the way he needed her to. I also don't think she tried very hard!
Danielle: You know, you may be onto something there Jillian!
What is Tilly's biggest fear?
JD: Loving Heller.
Danielle: Huh…. I think I need to sit and contemplate this for a while, I hope there is a HEA for Tilly AND Heller in our future! *anxiously bites nails*
Jillian: Yeah, I'd be afraid to love him too!!!
Will Daniel ever enter the "real world"?
JD: I don’t think so.
Danielle: This makes me really sad! I love Daniel and really want nothing more than for him to be happy.
Jillian: Me too!!! He is probably one of the kindest, most tortured characters I have ever "met".
Will Dixie start playing a bigger role in the story line at any point?
JD: No.
Danielle: Darn, she’s a hoot!
Jillian: LOL. Maybe she’ll hit it big and ran off to star in some blockbuster!
What color hair does Victor have?
JD: Black? Dunno yet.
Danielle: Darn, my scheme to find out more about Victor seems to have been thwarted!
Jillian: I think he's Hellers imaginary friend!!
Will we ever meet Victor?
JD: Yes.
Danielle: *SQUEE!!!!*
Jillian: Haha. Ok so MAYBE he is real.
You announced on the JD Nixon Fan Club on Facebook page that you are planning on releasing two Heller books in a row before re-visiting Little Town, what was the motivation behind that?
JD: I felt as though I robbed all my readers by not producing books on order. But especially Heller readers :) Also, it’s easier for me to stay in one world to write more than switch between the two. It really takes a while for my mind to adjust to the different characters, tempo, surroundings and context. After writing a book where I’m fully immersed in that world, I actually feel rather resentful being pulled into the other, and it takes me a while to start loving those characters again. Right now, I’m in Heller land, and it’s Tessie and Finn WHO????
Danielle: Well as a Heller fan this makes me super excited… but I want more Tess and Finn too! Such an “awful” dilemma. I guess I’ll just have to hold out a bit longer for Tess and Finn while I gobble up some Heller and Tilly deliciousness!
Jillian: I NEED to know what happens with the Sarge!!! Maybe you will throw out a teaser for us Little Town fanatics, JD?!?
Where has your inspiration for Heller's world come from?
JD: Partly from a dream I had about the Warehouse, partly from Carlos, The Ranger, in the Stephanie Plum books, partly from a guy I saw on TV, mostly from my imagination :)
Jillian: That's too funny. I IMMEDIATELY thought of Ranger when I started this series. Then once I really got into it he flew right out of my mind!
Danielle: Wow, JD you have one great imagination! I kind of wish I could be a fly on the wall of your brain… maybe I could find out more about Victor that way!
If you could "poof" any one of your characters into existence who would it be and why? (from either series)
JD: Maybe Heller himself. I’d be interested to inspect just how beautiful he really is :)
Jillian: Yummy!!!
Danielle: Ah… JD is obviously my kind of woman!
Are any of your characters based on real people?
JD: No.
Danielle: Darn, that means there is no “real” Heller to drool over, huh?
Jillian: I knew he was too good to be true!
When did you start writing?
JD: July 2009 – Heller was my first book.
Danielle: And what a great first book it is!
Jillian: Yeah, seriously great start. Never stop please!
What prompted you to sit down the first time and start writing a book?
JD: I was informed in a work-based survey that I lacked ‘self-actualisation’. After I looked that up, I realised people were telling me I was not creative enough. WTH? After writing these books, I still get people at work telling me they’re surprised I’m creative! I’m really good at keeping secrets.
Jillian: Way to stick it to them and prove them COMPLETELY wrong!
Danielle: I find it fascinating that people don’t think your creative JD. The vividness of both the Warehouse and Little Town in my mind are proof that you are incredibly talented! I can’t imagine myself creating even one, let alone two, entirely fictional worlds!
What is your writing process? Are you a start to finish writer or a plan and notes type of writer or something in between?
JD: I call myself an ‘organic’ writer. I have a general idea of the story, but sometimes it evolves in ways I don’t expect!
Danielle: I wonder what has happened in Heller that JD didn’t expect?!?!? (Okay, Little Town too!)
Jillian: That's so cool. It sounds like so much fun to develop a story like that!
Do you have any other books/series in the works?
JD: I have ideas for series after Heller and Little Town.
Danielle: Glad to know there will be more from you once its time to *sniffle* leave the Warehouse and Little Town, JD… I know all good things must come to an end, but I will definitely miss these two series once they are done. Thank goodness I can just re-read them whenever I want!
Jillian: WOOHOO! Can't wait to see what else you have cooked up!
Is there any advice you'd give new authors about writing?
JD: Never whine about reviews. Not everyone will like your book – get over it and keep on writing :)
Danielle: GREAT advice JD!
Jillian: But probably VERY hard to follow!
How about self publishing?
JD: I’m totally a Smashwords girl!
Danielle: Hear that Jillian?
Jillian: Yeah, yeah!!! I hear it! LOL
How are you feeling about the decision to cut your hours at work?
JD: Very conflicted. I’ve worked there a long time and they are very staff stressed at the moment. I have to decide if I love my books more than my workmates. It’s so hard … I’ve since decided my books (and more importantly my family’s health) is more important than that job. I’ve left. So hard…
Danielle: I can only imagine the stress this decision has caused you JD. I sincerely hope it turns out to be the best decision of your life! I know your fans are excited about you having more writing time at least! I think I can speak for both of us when I say we sincerely hope that both you and JD Jr start feeling better soon!
Jillian: That is tough! I admire you for being strong enough to take that leap!
Now that you've decided to write full time, do you think you'll come out as JD Nixon in your personal life?
JD: I’m not sure I’ll have a choice – my hubby can’t keep a secret to save his life!
Danielle: Husbands are good at blabbing aren’t they? And they say “we” are the gossipers!
Jillian: HAHA! Isn't that the truth!
Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
JD: A humble, humble thank you for taking a chance on an unknown author <3
Danielle: I think JD needs to stop thinking she is an “unknown” author... just sayin’!
Jillian: Yeah...and a big thank you to HER for giving us all HOURS of amazing entertainment.
Is it true that you really enjoy torturing them? Some of those teasers you posted right before you released the first chapter of Heller's Decision were pretty brutal! (Of course we all loved you for them too!)
JD: Um…. [I think I hear the phone ringing!]
Danielle: Un-huh…. Just what I suspected!
Jillian: Keep them coming!! Come on...give us some good old fashioned Little Town torture!
Finally, how do you balance being a mom with both your "real" career (especially when you were working full time) and being a writer? Do you think it was easier/harder because JD Jr was older (as in not a toddler and presumably in school most of the day) when you started writing?
JD: Terrible balancing. Big failure. JD Jr went through a medical crisis and everything was suspended then. More tests for him in the near future, so who knows … I’ve had a bit of a medical issue myself recently that has made me re-evaluate what’s important, and I can tell you that work is a low priority. I feel rather blessed at the moment to perhaps do something I love for a living. We’ll see how it goes – you’re only as good as your last book! :)
Danielle: Both Jillian and I can relate to kids having medical crises, it does make any balancing act a lot tougher. I know my world has stopped a few times when Baby Girl has had issues related to her health and prematurity. Here is to JD figuring out what is going to work for her, her family, and her writing! We hope both you and JD Jr are feeling better soon!
Jillian: Oh totally! I never thought I'd be able to juggle 6 doctor appointments, a full time job and a play date in one week. But I have! AND I even managed to shower and brush my teeth too!
Thank you again JD for sitting down and taking the time to answer our questions. We are truly humbled that you were willing to take a chance on our little blog!
You are most welcome, and thanks for even considering interviewing me! It’s a pleasure :)
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Loved the interview. Thanks JD, Jillian, and Danielle.
ReplyDeleteWow, that was amazing. You guys worked very hard to get that interview and I appreciate it!
ReplyDelete