When I first became serious about writing back in 2006, I hopped online and looked for resources and like-minded folks. There was a plethora of both, but one site caught my attention and lured me in. It was a community of aspiring writers who were willing to critique each others’ work. I immediately signed up and met some awesome people. One of those writers is N. L. Gervasio (known as Jinxie), a fabulous author and all-around awesome person. She’s hosted me on her sites a couple of times and now that she has a book being released I can finally return the favor. Her book is called Nemesis: A Kick-Ass Girls Club Novel, and is available through Running Ink Press. Would you like a taste? Following my enticing interview with Jinxie is a short synopsis.
Missy: Jinxie, keep in mind that you’re my first ever interview and don’t laugh at me (Technically I interviewed Jimmy Thomas second). Now, let’s see…um, tell us how you came up with the names Nemesis for your heroine and Clancy for your hero?
Jinxie: First ever interview, really? I'm so honored!
Well, I'm not sure you read this story as I posted it on that site where we met, but originally, the main character wouldn't tell me her damn name (I know, right?), so I had to substitute—and this will sound crazy—mine in its place (the Jinxie name, not the N.L.). I just couldn't even think of a name for her, but her story was unfolding fast (it took two and a half months to write), so I had to get it written down and I sure as hell wasn't going to call her Heroine (although, that would have been hilarious on the site). Then, my CP/editor/business partner Sharon put a stop to it real quick once things started heating up in the story because she didn't want to read about me, which had me falling over laughing because it wasn't really me. Finally, I just started looking at nicknames with a particular meaning, used a Thesaurus, and ta-da—Nemesis, Nemy for short.
I can't believe I just admitted all that. Only for you, Missy. Okay, I'd have done that for Sharon too, but that's it!
As for Clancy—I needed an Irish name and I love Clancy Brown. 'Nuff said. Sharon will really hate me now. She can't stand Clancy Brown.
Missy: Cool. Okay, so did you already know Nemesis was going to be a kick-ass kinda girl? Or did she begin as someone different and evolve into her finished character?
Jinxie: Is there such a thing as multi-polar, rather than just bi-polar? LOL She was all over the damn place, but she was still a kick-ass type of girl. She's always been that. Her emotions have just been off the charts. I'm still fixing some of that in the final edit as I answer your questions. It's been hell. I keep catching things and thinking, "how'd I miss that the last four runs?" Bear in mind that I finished this novel two weeks after my 7 ½-year engagement to the love of my life ended, so MY emotions were all over the place too. I'm still trying to figure out how I even finished it after that mess. I think Nemy kept me sane somehow.
I'd say the kick-ass part of her is about the only thing that's been a constant throughout the book as it's changed.
Missy: I know you’ve been working on this project for a while, and I know of a couple of other projects I’m (impatiently) waiting on. Can you tell us what’s next on your publishing agenda?
Jinxie: Oh crap, that's right. You want the werewolf book. And that "other" one that I won't discuss in public because there's nothing else like it on the market. =) The next one is Dusk of Death, the first of my Armageddon trilogy. I think you've read the original. It's not changing much. I also hope to finish my novella Tir na nOg before the end of the year, but I'm working on finishing my Bachelor's degree by December too, so we'll see. After that, the werewolf book, Native Moon, will be next.
I'll also edit and re-release The Vampyre Prophecy and Gemini soon because I've been working (sort of) on the third book in that series. You can read the first person POV blog called Gemini Rising, but the book itself will be third person and filled with a lot of things you won't see on the blog. Though it's still fun to write from my vampire Shawn's POV. He's probably one of my favorite characters.
Missy: Speaking of publishing, you have your hand in a few pies at the moment. How did the e-zine Forever Nocturne begin and what’s new with that project?
Jinxie: That is the understatement of the year. LOL Aside from my own writing, I'm a freelance editor, run Running Ink Press with Sharon Gerlach, designed the site and gear and write posts and attend conventions for Zombie Survival Crew, and as you mentioned, produce the free e-zine Forever Nocturne with Sharon.
FN actually began quite simply—Sharon and I carried on a conversation on each other's profiles on the site where we all met, and I think I said, "we should just start our own damn magazine." She agreed and the dialog continued along that vein until a friend, Tammy L Boehm, saw it and said, "DO IT!" And the rest is history. FN was put on hold for our March issue this year, but we are taking submissions for our October issue. We take short stories, poetry, and art, all of which can be submitted to forevernocturnezine (at) gmail (dot) com with the genre (short, poetry, art) in the Subject line. Attachments are only allowed for art images.
Missy: And lastly, as an author I know I put a little of myself into my heroines. Is there something of you in Nemesis? If not, is there some part of her you wish you had more of?
Jinxie: There's quite a bit of me in Nemy, and yet, she's evolved into her own person, which I'm in awe of, truly. The part of her I wish I had more of—aside from Clancy—is that she's much stronger than I am, even though I had her emotions all over the place. In certain situations, the girl just kicks ass, and I do that as well, but our circumstances that bring that ability about are completely different. I have to be backed into a corner. She doesn't at all. She'll put you in your place immediately. Ha!
Missy: Jinxie, thank you so much for visiting my blog today!
Since we’re both doing Birthday Blog Tours this month (because we’re both awesome Gemini gals) our readers get the gifts! Ms. Gervasio is giving away a copy of Nemesis to one lucky reader here, and I’m giving away a prize pack over on her blog. All you have to do to enter either/both is leave a comment: here answer the question, if you were written into a fantasy story, what is one trait the character would have to have to truly be you? The winners will be chosen tomorrow evening using random.org, and ALL comments on both blogs will be thrown into the pot for my Birthday Blog Tour grand prize. Good Luck!
Nemesis by N. L. Gervasio:
Prince Charming was a putz.
Prince Charming number two was even worse.
After the last prince ran off without any notice, breaking her heart and their engagement along the way, Nemesis Mussolini swore off men and passed the time kicking ass and slinging drinks, something her mafia father would never approve of. But, when her boss Clancy ups his flirtations, it’s difficult to remember she’s not interested, especially when he gets that delicious evil glint in his eye that has her melting. Just when Nemy starts to think all men might not be bad, she hears whispers about Clancy’s less than legal past, and wants to run like hell from the idea that he could be just like her father.
Great … Prince Charming number three may possibly be on FBI’s Most Wanted.
While Nemy and Clancy tumble down the romance road, hitting potholes every step of the way, Nemy discovers how much of her heart already belongs to Clancy, and how much of a Don’s daughter she really is. When Clancy’s daughter is kidnapped, they must work together to use every talent and connection they have to get her back, which means Nemy must learn to trust again. If they fail, Clancy could lose his daughter forever. Can Nemy surrender in time to get her happily ever after, or is she hell-bent on letting her past keep her from the one man who could be her true Prince Charming?
Bio:
N.L. "Jinxie" Gervasio was born on Friday the thirteenth. Her dad wanted to call her Jinx. Her mom said no. It took thirty-four years for her to discover the nickname, and she's grown quite attached to it. She lives in Tempe, Arizona with Umi (her mother) and Moon (her Alaskan malamute). She enjoys riding her beach cruiser "The Betty" around downtown Tempe, loves a good pub crawl, and has had the pleasure and the heartache of experiencing a love far greater than she could have ever imagined.
She welcomes you to her world.
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