Interview with Jacqueline Seewald, Author of THE INHERITANCE

Author’s Bio: Multiple award-winning author, Jacqueline Seewald, has taught creative, expository and technical writing at Rutgers University as well as high school English. She also worked as both an academic librarian and an educational media specialist. Sixteen of her books of fiction have previously been published to critical praise including books for adults, teens and children. Her short stories, poems, essays, reviews and articles have appeared in hundreds of diverse publications and numerous anthologies.

What inspired you to write your book?

I enjoy writing romantic mystery fiction. The idea for this particular novel just seemed to evolve organically from my imagination.

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

I would have to say reading the Bible was influential. As far as regular books go, I’m a big fan of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

Is this your first book? How long did it take to start and finish your book?

This will be my 17^th published book. It took me six months to write the complete first draft of this novel. However, I’ve rewritten and edited it several times. So I’d say it actually took a year to complete.

Do you write with an outline, or just let it flow organically?

A little of each. I always start with a flexible rough outline. Then I write a separate character study fleshing out names and traits of all main characters plus their back story. They become real people to me long before I sit down to write. When I actually start my first draft, I will be making changes as I work both in plot and character.

Do you listen to music when you write? If yes, is there a theme song for this book?

I love many kinds of music but when I write I need to focus and concentrate. Music is a distraction for me when I’m writing. I need to hear the words in my head.

What are the keys to success in getting your book out to the public?

One way is by exposure on blogs such as this one. I also maintain two blogs, one a personal blog, the other shared with fellow authors. I spend a bit of time on Facebook and Twitter as well although I’m not all that active.

What advice would you give to new authors?

Don’t let rejections discourage you. Keep writing, rewriting, reading. Writing is a commitment and requires effort. If you need to write, you’ll keep at it. Find a comfortable time to write each day even if you have a full time job.

How about sharing an excerpt from THE INHERITANCE?

First, here’s a brief synopsis:

Jennifer Stoddard, a thirty-five-year-old widow with an eight-year-old son, receives a surprising letter which will change her life. Jennifer’s grandmother has passed away and named Jen as sole heir to her estate. To claim her inheritance she must return to Bloomingvale, the town in the Midwest where she grew up. Jen is informed by her grandmother’s attorney that to inherit she must meet the condition of living in her grandmother’s house for two years. Since the estate is substantial, she agrees. However, there are those who will stop at nothing to make certain that Jennifer does not inherit.

Excerpt:

Late that afternoon as Jen left the house and started to drive away, a strange sound whizzed across the open front car windows from the driver’s side through the passenger side. She was startled by the sound. Her heart began to pound. Jen glanced over at the thicket of overgrown shrubs and trees to the side of the grounds that led back into woodlands. Had the sound been a bullet? If so, it had nearly hit her. Her hands shook on the driver’s wheel as she took off at high speed.

One block away she heard the police siren and saw the flashing lights. She groaned. Not again! He signaled with his hand, pointing his index finger for her to pull over. It was all she could do not to burst into tears.

Grant Coleman approached the car like a gunfighter in a spaghetti western. “I thought you learned something the first time,” he said. “Guess I was wrong. License and registration.” He held out his hand with a bored, impatient gesture.

“I have a very good reason for speeding.”

The smile was more of a smirk. The man was infuriating! “I’ve heard them all, but you can try.”

“As I left my grandmother’s house, a bullet passed through my car. I had the windows rolled down. So they weren’t broken, but it just missed hitting me.”

He stared at her. “Maybe it was a kid with a Beebe gun. Are you certain it was a bullet breezing by you? How familiar are you with weapons?”

“Not familiar at all, but I know what I heard.” Jen swallowed hard. “I think someone might have intended to shoot me.”

He let out a loud laugh. “In Bloomingvale? I doubt that very much.”

“So you’re not taking this seriously?” She folded her arms over her chest.

“Admit it. You’re just looking for an excuse to keep me from writing you another ticket.” His intense gray eyes bore into her like the steel blade of a dagger.

Jen raised her chin and stiffened her spine. “You are so wrong. Why don’t you check the area near the house, just to see if you can find anything.”

“Waste of time.” He leaned toward her and she felt his breath on her cheek which caused her to shiver. “Tell you what I will do though. I won’t write you a ticket this time because that’s the most creative excuse I’ve ever heard.”

“So glad I managed to amuse you,” she said.

Jen watched him drive off. He was probably still laughing, the sexy jerk. Several people had come out of their houses and were staring at her. Jen managed to restart her car and drove off before others gathered. She certainly didn’t want to make a spectacle of herself. Letting out a shaky breath, Jen wasn’t certain now if she’d really heard what she thought she had. A professional law enforcement officer didn’t think anything of it. She supposed it might have been nothing at all. Maybe it was a child with a Beebe gun as he suggested. But try as hard as she might, Jen couldn’t convince herself.

What’s next for you?

I have a number of short stories that will be published in the coming months, one with SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY MAGAZINE which has published a number of my mystery stories and articles in the past, OVER MY DEAD BODY! as well, NEW ZENITH MAGAZINE which will publish one of my literary stories, FANTASY DIVINIA, and also the anthology BREWED AWAKENINGS.

At the moment, I’ve just completed a YA novel and an historical adult romance.

Where can readers find out more about you and your book(s)?

• Website: http://jacquelineseewald.blogspot.com
• Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/jacquelineseewald
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacqueline.seewald
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/search?q=jacqueline%20seewald&src=typd     
• Blog: http://jacquelineseewald.blogspot.com
• Book buy Links:
• https://www.amazon.com/Inheritance-Jacqueline-Seewald/dp/1940758505
• http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-inheritance-jacqueline-seewald/1124086025?ean=9781940758503
• as well as many other booksellers.

It’s been a pleasure having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.