LISA RENEE JONES

LISA RENEE JONES

Multi-talented and multi-pubbed Lisa Renee Jones knows her way around romance. Specializing in steamy, suspenseful page-turners, once you pick up one of Lisa's novels, it's hard to put it down.

Formerly a corporate shark, Lisa quit her day job to devote herself full time to pursue her passion – writing. So far, it's been paying off as she's authored over ten novels, seven of which are currently available. The latest, Protector, is the first of a new paranormal series she's releasing with Ellora's Cave, the premier venue for "romantica" (that's a cross between romance and erotica). To get a flavor of her work, she also has a new "quickie" available from EC, the super-sizzling Addicted, which is currently available for just $2.99.

Back in her corporate days, she owned a staffing agency. Although she gave that up, apparently some of her workaholic ways stuck, as did her ideals. Back then, she serviced clients and got people jobs. Now, aside from writing, she also manages her brainchild, The Author's Red Room. This is a promotional service site for writers and online readers' community. So, basically, she services clients (readers) and helps people get and expand their jobs (writers).

Generous and energetic, Lisa is an inspiring person. Sometimes very funny, often full of suspense, and always provocative and steamy, her writing is sure to inspire, too.

1) Who are some of your favorite writers, and how do you think they've influenced you?


My favorites are each very different. I love them for their unique flavors:



Historical : I don't read historical but I stumbled onto these two authors and they write so beautifully. I read them and just am amazed at how perfectly they paint the pictures. That would be Galeen Foley and Nicole Jordan. Galeen especially. Amazing talent, that woman. The emotional connections and brilliant sensuality always makes me stumble and say, 'you think you can ever be good enough to be on the shelf next to them?' They inspire me to improve.



Paranormal:



Feehan: I never like this genre until someone talked me into reading a Feehan DARK series book. I read one and zipped through 6 in a few weeks! Her earlier books in this series just amaze me. She really had a brilliant concept with this series. The mates and the ultimate 'I want to but I can't' that is so critical to a good story. And she is a great writer. In some of her newer series she jumps heads a lot. I like the older Feehan.



Kenyon - she does characterization like no other. She is my idol in that area. I aspire to make my characters as alive and perfect.



Contemporary:



I don't have any particular favorites in this area.



Stella Cameron - she is so wonderful at weaving a cast of people with troubles who all impact each other. And she does a damn good macho hero.



Brockmann- I have loved the SEAL series. She does a great job of giving you a big cast you want to know about but not making it confusing. I also met her parents and amazingly humble and proud. I listened to Suzanne speak as well and she is so down to earth and approachable.



A few other notables...Like paranormal, I thought I didn't like first person. The Anita Blake series proved me wrong. I love those books! Her humor is terrific as are those characters. And the time put into world building is huge and well done!



2) What do you think is your greatest strength or asset in your writing? Your biggest weakness or flaw?


Well, lets ask my agent that question GRIN. This is an interesting subject actually. When I started writing I wrote full size novels. I plotted and built a good structure. Then, I started spitting out shorts and shrinking. I have now realized it impacted my writing. I have such better skills as a writer but my pacing and characterization got all screwed up with the short novellas. I did some retraining. Much like Tiger retraining himself on his swing lol only I am not in his class...I feel like I have grown immensely the past few months. And we shall see. The product of that growth is now on NYC desks.


3) Your work so far is quite varied: Hidden Instincts is a legal thriller, Man Made Delights is a romantic comedy, and your new Underground Guardians series is paranormal. And they all have very steamy romances intertwined in the plots. So you've proven you can write, and succeed, in nearly any genre. That said, do you have a favorite niche that you most enjoy working in?


Another interesting subject. I wrote contemporary at first because its what I knew. As I grew confident and found my voice and skills, I felt the freedom to explore. An editor who just read my contemporary told my agent she wanted to see paranormal from me. I laughed because that is what has become my joy. That my writing felt like it should be in that genre to an editor was interesting. My newer work is dark, erotic, and suspenseful. Gone is the lighter side. Well, I do have a funny contemporary coming out with EC. THOUGH despite the humor in it, it very erotic, and I think a bit dark as well. Even with all of this said, I still write in multiple genres. I have Romantic Suspense with some editors being read and paranormal with others.



4) You write very strong female leads. What do you think is more important – character or plot? When you first conceive of a story, novel, or series, does it originally grow from the set up or from the characters?



Well, there again, this has been a HOT topic with my agent. Character for sure! You need a strong premise and plot without question though so I am not dismissing that. The key here is that premise and plot must be solid. the CHARACTERIZATION makes it unique and different. There are only so many basic plots. The characters make the book shine.



My initial idea tends to grow off the premise though its not always completely clear in my head. BUT, now, after working with my agent, I couldn't write past chapter one without doing character arcs. I often write chapter one or the outline rather, just to get the idea rolling. Then, the character arcs which are very detailed (check out what Galeen does on her website! Talk about detailed!). And even more unusual to my past habits, I need a synopsis. An outline of where I am going to avoid major plot problems. I think this comes from submitting to editors on proposal. You have to learn to write a synopsis that gives a good plot and character outline without ever writing the entire book. I hate writing the synopsis so before this recent window of time I would never have seen it as the tool I now do.




5) You've been quite successful so far with so many novels published novels. What, to you, is the hardest part of the business of publishing and what is the best part of it?


The eworld is a good place to learn but you have to be careful to keep your eye on the carrot and to continue to grow your skills to a level that will get you there. Finding a good agent is like marriage. You must find the right one. I picked the first one who said yes the first time around and lost a year plus in my efforts. The minute I signed with my next agent things changed. I feel closer to the dream than I ever have and my agent has a HUGE role in why and how that has happened. So remember, an agent is good. BUT, pick the right one. Don't be so happy someone says yes that you forget to take that step back and research and ask questions. In truth, I might not have been ready for an agent that first go around. I don't think my current agent would have said yes as I look back on my writing from that period of time. None of us want to be NOT READY but when its your time, the right agent will know it.


6) Stock question: Dinner with anyone, dead or alive. Who is it?


My kids. They remind me why I am blessed.




7) One CD, one book, one DVD and a desert island. What book, CD, and DVD do you take?



Janet Jackson's JANET CD. Why? 1) reminds me of a fun time of my life 2) very sexy music that gets me in the mood to write 3) She had just transformed her body and you can feel that new feeling of confidence she had in her songs and her voice. Its that empowerment I want my female characters to have.

8) Other than fiction writing, what's the biggest lie you ever told?


That I don't like diamonds. lol.. Back in my broke days (the first time around. I am now living the second time around lol) I would say that and I actually believed it. Then during my corporate executive years when I had money I got all into jewelry. I sold it all to follow my dream. To write. So, do I like diamonds? No. That's my, I'm poor, and in denial answer.


9) You can't have both: Would you rather have respect from your peers and critical acclaim (but not making cash from writing), or would you rather be a bestselling author with the fat coin?



I spent years making money and doing something I hated to try to make my kids futures better. I am living the part of my life where I want to do something that makes me happy. However, being this dang poor while I do it isn't all that enjoyable. To be comfortable and do what I love would be a blessing.



Ok. I usually only ask nine questions, but you get ten since you're special:



10) The HEAT. The SIZZLE. The SEX. This is an area that so many writers are unwilling to delve into. I go there, happily. And it seems like you do too. Is this a conscious effort on your part to work in this genre, or do you think the sensuality and romance flows easily from you? And, most important, what do YOU think is your hottest story yet?



The hottest story yet is on editors desk now. My writing has gotten more sensual as I have evolved. This comes, in my opinion, from getting more comfortable putting down what I feel is natural on paper. With experience, comes confidence.



I believe that sex and love come hand in hand (or should). To me, to write a romance, you must live the experience that all new found loves do. That hot, can't get enough of you, passion that burns like a fire on your skin. I also think sex is a normal human need. To deny we want and need is crazy. People who sneer at the sex I write make me upset. My response is...so I should write serial killers who strangle and rape the victims and you would brag that you know me? Hello? That is not healthy or normal. Sex is.



Writing for Ellora's Cave, I think I am mild in comparison to other authors. I don't use certain words. I don't do threesomes. However, my characters are hot for each other and they act on it. Of this, you can bet. They can't help themselves. Just like I can't help but let them go for it!



Susan, thanks for inviting me to chat! And I love your site!