Just Erotic Romance Reviews

Ann Jacobs - where Romance and Erotica meet

Our interview for this issue is with the prolific Ann Jacobs. A multi talented author of a diverse range of books, Ann creates characters that you want to walk through your door and whisk you off to the nearest bed, and worlds you just long to visit. Her characters are not always physically perfect, but they always have that special ‘something’ that makes them linger in your mind long after you have finished the book.

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Excerpt from Michelle’s diary.

Jan 01, 2005
Happy 2005. A new year and a new attitude. I’m going to do more than review this year. I’m going to do an interview. Just replied to the email. Wonder who my victim…umm author will be? Someone starting out, I hope. Someone relatively new on the scene who won’t notice my faux pas.

Jan 02, 2005.
What on earth was I thinking? Did I really volunteer to interview the prolific Ann Jacobs? Am I even worthy of her notice?

Chocolate. Lots of chocolate. That will calm my nerves and give me the energy to draft my questions.

Jan 16, 2005
OK. Deep breath. Just calm down. Just write the email asking Ann to answer your questions. But how the hell to you start the email to an author who writes across so many genres and creates characters that you can see walking towards you, with a sexy grin his face and a glowing, satisfied woman on his arm? Oh well I might just as well start with ‘Hi Ann’. All she can do is think that I am crazy. So what’s new?

Jan 17, 2005
Oh-oh my PC just beeped at me. New Mail. I bet that’s from Ann. Do I open it or do I just stare at it? Oh I can’t leave unread mail in my inbox, just open it and get it over with.

Why was I worried? Ann is so friendly and willing to answer all those questions. Now all I have to do is put my thoughts onto paper in a coherent way (well as coherent as I can manage) and all will be fine.

End Diary Excerpt.

Well enough of my rambling, it’s time to let Ann have her say. First the serious questions and then on to the fun ones (my favorite!). So over to Ann.

Could you describe yourself in 3 sentences for our readers?

I can do it in two: I’m average, sort of nondescript, quiet in crowds, a dreamer and not a do-er. My fantasies stay on the pages or in my head—I’d never dare bring them out to play!

I can relate to that. Now a really interesting one – can you describe a day in the life of Ann Jacobs for our readers?

Getting up, getting the kids prodded to get to school, playing chauffeur… if I’m lucky, by nine AM my day is my own. I sit down at the computer with a cup of tea, check e-mail, and try to put out 4-6,000 words a day if I’m on (or behind on) deadlines. I take a break, usually, to go work out at the gym, have dinner with the kids and DH, and sometimes go back and put a couple more hours in on my writing.

Phew, you are a busy lady. How do you discipline yourself to keep on track? You have so many fires burning, or more like raging all at once, on various projects and still keep to deadlines. What is the secret to your success?

I write some every day, no matter what. When I’m on deadlines, I really push to do 5,000 words a day, but I don’t always make it. Sometimes, on the other hand, I do twice that, when I really get going. I’ve found I do better by concentrating on one project at the time, and that when I have to go back and forth between a new manuscript and edits on ones I’ve finished it messes up the rhythm of my brain, such as that may be. The secret to my success, such as it is, is to write about characters I can fall in love with as I tell their stories—and to write a LOT of stories.

I am sure I speak for all of us, when I say that we are EXTREMELY glad you write lots of stories. Outside of your family and writing, what keeps your interest? Do you have any hobbies that occupy your time and help with the creative process?

Reading’s probably my favorite leisure activity. I work out at the gym a couple of days a week, but that’s for my health, not my pleasure..

I totally agree – gyms are nasty places filled with torture devices. Now onto a more interesting and less strenuous topic. When did you start writing and what attracted you to writing erotic romance?

I started writing around 1991, I think. I’ve always leaned toward the steamy side of romance, but not to pure erotica, so erotic romance was a natural for me when it started becoming so popular.

And am I glad it has become so popular. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Yes, but without a computer, I probably never would have gotten that first chapter of that first book written. If I had to rely on typewriters, I’d be spending a lifetime just trying to get a manuscript that I’d dare to send an editor.

*laughs* Oh yes – thank goodness for spell check and the backspace key! How did it feel to have your first sale?

Wow! I’d just about given up ever getting the call when Judith Palais, then a senior editor at Berkley, called and said she wanted to buy my first book.

I bet it was time to celebrate! What was your first book sold to Berkley?

Heaven Above, which came out in 1996.

Do you continue writing for Berkley?

I haven't had a Berkley release for six years now, but I do have a manuscript in Cindy Hwang's hands and high hopes that if it doesn't make the grade, the next one I propose will be that story she simply can't resist. *g*

This leads me very nicely on to my next question. Has your family supported you in your career choice?

Yes, but they probably wouldn't have if I hadn't already abandoned the high-powered business world to stay home and raise my family. No one in my family actually READS my books, though.

How do they feel about the wonderful and sexy stories you write and the awards you've garnered in your writing career?

They're proud of the awards I've won for writing, but as I mentioned above, they don't read my books.

Well, in some ways, that's a good thing. Keep that reputation clean for the straight- laced relative. Now a question that I always enjoy asking - what stirs the creative juices?

Reading, strangely enough. Sometimes movies suggest a story idea, and once in a while I read about something in the news that lights up a bulb in my brain.

Well, being a voracious reader, I am not surprised by that. Do you have a favorite genre? Any reasons why this is your favorite one?

I prefer contemporary books, both to write and to read. The psychological phenomenon of BDSM intrigues me, and I've written a good many erotic romances that have elements of that genre. I guess I like to read and write stories in settings that are familiar to me, more than to create worlds of the future or do the research required to do accurate historical settings. I have had a lot of fun, however, with the one futuristic world I created, although I'll be the first to say that Luna Ten's populated with Earthlings pretty much like you and me, not the fanciful creatures some authors manage to bring to life on the pages. My vampires are all contemporary—otherworldly beings who fit into contemporary life on Earth.

Yum-yum. I LIKE your vampires. Of all your stories, which one is your favorite? Which of your characters is your favorite?

That's a difficult question. I love all of my heroes—if I didn't, I couldn't have written their stories. I'd have to say Bittersweet Homecoming, I guess, if I were going to choose just one book—or Eye of the Storm, where two basically lovable characters have to work out their hang-ups to realize what they really want is to mend their fractured love affair. Mmm. Luna Ten's heroes were all to die for, too, especially Shedir, who gave up his own dreams to embrace those of Doreen, his lover.

Mmm, Luna Ten. Guy holds a special place in my heart. Your stories range from vampires to contemporary. How do you keep your muse happy?

That's a good question. If I knew the answer I'd probably be on the NY Times bestseller list!

That elusive muse! She (or he) tends to be rather fickle, don't they? Do you belong to a critique group? If so, do you find this a motivation to your writing? Do you believe this has improved your writing technique and skills?

I don't belong to a formal critique group. I critique now with Joey W. Hill—and to a certain extent with my fabulous editors, with whom I do a good bit of bouncing ideas around. I credit Joey with picking up places where I tend to shortchange emotions or hurry scenes. She never fails to come up with suggestions that make my writing stronger. I hope I help her half as much! My editors, too, push me hard to write the best stuff I'm capable of, and I'm grateful for it.

A round of applause for Ms Hill and your editors. Please carry on pushing – we readers appreciate the fruits of your labors. The characters in your stories have a variety of professions from lawyers to knights and some have physical scarring or disabilities. These are all realistic and believable characters. How much research and preparation go into your stories?

Well, it depends on how much I had in my bank of knowledge to start with. I haven't had to research contemporary professions a whole lot, because I've pretty much stuck with career choices for my characters that I'm already familiar with. As for the disabilities, that took weeks of research just on my amputee hero in Dallas Heat. (He'd been a secondary character in another book, and the fact of him being an amputee was a big part of a subplot so couldn't easily be ignored, LOL). I knew absolutely nothing about the limitations being an amputee might place on him, so I hit an amputee list on the Internet, a couple of local orthotics/prosthetics professionals, and the local medical library to find out all I could. That's the only contemporary I've ever had to spend huge amounts of time researching—but there's always some detail I end up having to look up with almost every book.

All I can say is well done. You certainly create believable characters. I can just picture them walking through my door with a come-to-bed look on their face. How do you feel about all the attention that you deservedly receive for your excellent and erotic books? Has this changed your perspective on how you view your writing?>

Awards are great to post on my website, and good reviews give me a warm, fuzzy feeling—but it's the reader letters that make me feel I'm doing something that really touches people's hearts. When I first started writing, I did it to satisfy a need in me. As I've had more books published, I've come to realize I can provide pleasure to a lot of people, and that makes me feel good about what I do.

You have various pseudonyms, with Shana Nichols being one of them. Do you find it difficult to swap between writing as Ann and then as Shana?

Well, Shana writes urban fantasy—contemporary vampires. I've never tried that genre as Ann, or crafted as much of a suspense plot into a story. I don't generally swap between books while I'm in the middle of a first draft, other than to set the current work in progress aside to do edits on one that's already finished.

Phew, I had visions of you swapping between pseudonyms on a whim. What is the difference in writing style between Ann and Shana?

Shana's more plot, more meat, more sensuality as opposed to the raw sexuality in most of Ann's current work.

And I love books by both of them! You've written for a variety of publishers, both electronically and traditional publishers. How did you come to diversify into e-publishing? What brought about your decision to try e-publishing?>

Mary Janice Davidson and Angela Knight brought about my decision to submit to Ellora's Cave when they insisted during a discussion on the Secrets author list that yes, one actually could make money on electronic books there. Since I've always written very hot romance, I decided that might be an ideal spot to submit. I was right! Not only Ellora's Cave but also Changeling Press and Loose Id have provided me with substantial income – in some cases more, per word, than I've made to date from my mass-market print books.

Have you found any similarities or differences between these two mediums?

Similarities: both put out books. Both pay authors money when books sell. Both have dedicated professionals who help authors' stories become the best they can be. In general, I've experienced more insightful edit as to content on my e-books, more accurate proofreading for mechanics on traditional ones.

Differences: Traditional publishers pay advances, and it is typically at least a year or more before a book is released and begins to "earn out". E-publishers don't generally give advances, but the time lag between contracting and release of a book is usually much less. Earn-out from most e-publishers is less than from most traditional publishers, but e-books are generally much shorter and theoretically quicker to write than traditionally published books.

It's great to get an insight into the publishing industry from someone who has seen both sides. Now my favorite question. Do you have any upcoming projects? Can you tell us briefly about them?

I always have upcoming projects! I just turned in TIP OF THE ICEBERG, a contemporary BDSM/suspense for Ellora's Cave. I'm working furiously on Shana's #2 Dark Knights book, Darkness of Night. Hearts and Handcuffs is waiting in the wings—it's a Valentine-themed continuation of my Members Only BDSM series for Changeling. After that, it's Heart of the West, a three-novella BDSM western contemporary series for EC, Dark Knights #3 (and maybe 4) for Loose Id, and two more novellas, both Inspired by the 80's, for Loose Id. The planet Obsidion calls me again, so there will be another series of futuristics coming along—and a sequel to TIP OF THE ICEBERG. A dark contemporary suspense, SACRED GROUND, is on the table to put together for a major print house.

Well, I suppose I should have known you would have loads of books coming out. Oh dear my poor credit card. Now most importantly, where can we get our greedy little hands on your books?

From my publishers' websites www.ellorascave.com, www.changelingpress.com, and www.loose-id.com … from www.amazon.com or www.booksamillion.com …from Borders or Waldenbooks in your hometown although you may have to order them…

Oooh print books. I love print books! Now for some questions for us readers. Do you know who your readers and fans are?

Not specifically, other than the members of my chat and newsletter groups. My impression is that they're mostly women – women I'd like to have as friends – who enjoy reading graphic, steamy sex but want a happily-ever-after ending and a strong emotional connection with the characters.

Well you may be right that the majority may be women but more and more men are reading women's fiction, especially women's erotica today. Do you try and cater to the men who are your fans? Do you consciously write for women, men or both sexes?

I consciously write erotic romance – sex that arouses me, between a heroine I can identify with and a hero I'd die to have slide his boots under my bed. Since I'm a woman, I guess this means I write mostly for women even though most of my stories are driven by the hero, not the heroine.

You are definitely doing something right and your heroes can drive me anytime, anywhere. How can your readers contact you?

At either of the following emails addresses: ann@annjacobs.us or shana@shananichols.com.

Thank you for answering my serious questions. Now for the fun ones. I love hearing the answers to these ones. Do you have a favorite sexual position?

On my back (I'm lazy!)

No, no you simply believe in conserving your energy! Well that's my answer, anyway. Now what about a favorite sex toy?

Handcuffs and a blindfold.

Sounds verrrrry interesting. If you could spend a day with anyone (living or dead) and ask them one question, who would it be and what would the question be?

Hmmm. I have no idea. There are so many people out there that I want to question, my answer changes daily.

I have to agree – I would struggle to name only one person. What sound do you love?

Running water, as in a stream, not a leaky faucet

Eew – leaky faucets. Not good. What sound do you hate?

Rap music!

My poor abused eardrums concur heartily with you on that one. What is your favorite curse word?

Oh, shit.

Sounds mighty familiar to me. If Heaven exists, what would you like God to say when you arrive?

"Come on in, you've earned it."

Wow, that's a good answer, and I hope it comes true. Thank you very much for giving me a glimpse into your creative process and for answering all my questions. It has been a pleasure and an honor to interview you.

Ladies and gentlemen, Ann Jacobs.

The coordinators and reviewers of Just Erotic Romance Reviews wish to thank Ann Jacobs for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer all our questions. We congratulate Ann on her writing achievements and thank her for all those wonderful, highly memorable, emotionally charged erotic books. We wish Ann all the best for the future, and long may she continue to satisfy our voracious appetites for her books.

Her website addresses are www.annjacobs.us and www.shananichols.com.

Back to Interviews 2005