Behind The Book -- 50 Ways To Hex Your Lover

Naturally, I had to talk about my babies, even if I’ve guest blogged about the series so much I’m sure there are many who’s moaning “again?”

I’ve always loved writing paranormal and wrote several for Harlequin and Silhouette Books, so now it was time to write something ‘more’.

Jazz popped into my head in 2006 with “you really need to write my story. I’m a 700-year young witch who, along with the rest of my class, was expelled from the Witches Academy in 1313. But we were also told if we behaved for 100 years we could return to the academy. As you can see, that didn’t happen.”

She talked about Nick, her curse elimination business, and her magickal friends. Especially Stasi, the second witch to come to mind, with her special boutique.

Jazz was fully formed in my imagination. I could see her as clearly as if she was standing in front of me. And every time I saw her I saw her wearing a pair of fangy bunny slippers. And sometimes smoke coming out of a microwave oven. Just as I saw her driving a classic T-Bird convertible and riding shotgun would be a ghostly matron who died in the 1950s.

Fluff and Puff named themselves. They thought they looked innocent, but we all know that isn’t the case. Mischief is in their DNA and they’ve evolved right along with the series.

From there, characters, scenes, and even bits of dialogue would have me constantly typing or just writing something down.

I had a series in mind and it was time to start writing the first book.

Talk about fun! I had these characters chattering away inside my head (wouldn’t a psychiatrist have a blast with that) and the story just kept on going.

Over the years some books have been easy to write, others have been difficult, and some have been outright fun. This was definitely in the latter.

I started out with magick, mischievous bunny slippers, a sexy vampire, and a snarky witch.

Many of my friends say they hear my voice when they read Jazz. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. :} I know some readers haven't liked Jazz or her attitude. So maybe that means they wouldn't like me as a person either. Not that I make microwave ovens blow up or anything. And Jazz does say things I wish I'd say.

Each time I finish a book I wonder if I can top the previous one. After all, what can be better than Jazz, Nick, and Fluff and Puff?

I've learned maybe I shouldn't worry so much about topping the previous book, but to make the next one just as much fun and exciting for the reader.

I do my best, but no matter how many books I write, I won't forget Jazz and the slippers. After all, they were the beginning of my magickal journey.

Linda