Jayde Scott, Author of “A Job From Hell”

Welcome Jayde. What is your book about?

A Job From Hell is about a young woman, Amber, who takes a summer job in the Scottish Highlands in order to save some cash for college. Once there, she unknowingly enters a paranormal race and promptly wins the first prize. This prize is wanted by many, including a few creatures of the night who would do anything to get it. Now Amber has to decide who to trust. The hot boss who’s a vampire but claims to share an ancient bond with her? Or maybe the Shadows, an immortal group of Shaman warriors? Or the devil’s daughter, Cassandra, who always seems a step ahead of everyone else?

How long had the idea of your book been developing before you began to write the story?

About ten years during which I finished several drafts, tossed them all out only to start again with new characters, new twists and more action than in the previous version.

Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?

My favourite character is Kieran because of his stunning blue eyes and his bad boy attitude. I love bad boys. They’re fun and handsome, but they can break your heart in an instant. Kieran has had his share of conquests and is yet to meet his soulmate. But even once he does, I doubt he’ll lose his bad boy attitude completely. No bad boy ever does.

Who is your most unusual/most likeable character?

Definitely the devil’s daughter, Cass. She’s psychotic with a short temper and very cocky. She has a horrible sense for fashion and likes to crack jokes about herself and Kieran, but she has a huge heart and likes to help everyone else out. However, she wouldn’t be the devil’s daughter if she didn’t have a few vices like telling the odd fib and thriving on chaos and drama.

How long did it take you to write your book?

Not counting the previous drafts, I’d say a little more than a year during which I wrote, rewrote and edited about 25 times before I was happy with the end product. It was a long process that taught me how to edit as I go along, meaning I now know better than to take a year to write a novel.

How much of a story do you have in mind before you start writing it?

I usually have the title before I start writing, then brainstorm the major plot, characters and twists. After that, I come up with new developments as I go along and I like to let my stories guide me in whichever direction they want to take. So I’m very flexible in that sense.

Did you do any research for the book? If so, how did you do it? (searching Internet, magazines, other books, etc.)

I did a lot of research on Shamanism and rituals, on twin flames and the afterlife. Particularly the new book, Voodoo Kiss, needed a lot of research on black magic and performing rituals. I mostly read books and articles on the matter, but I also visited forums and talked to people with real experience.

How (or when) do you decide that you are finished writing a story?

When the story is told and I feel I don’t have anything else to say (in this book). That’s when I usually write THE END.

Is there a message in your writing you want readers to grasp?

I usually write about people with faults, people who make mistakes. I want my readers to know that one can be beautiful and flawed at the same time. For example, Amber hangs onto her abusing ex even though she has a new hunk on her arm. It takes her a while to realize a pattern in her previous relationship. I want my readers to experience her transformation into a confident person who isn’t emotionally dependent on someone treated her badly.

What was the most difficult part about writing the book?

Finishing it. I had never finished a book before. Besides, it’s such a huge book with so much plot that I thought I’d never get it done.

Do you prefer to write at a particular time of day?

I mostly write in the night when my noisy neighbors from hell have finally gone to bed. I hope I’ll finally be able to move soon and start writing in the morning like I used to before I rented this place.

Do you have a favorite snack food or favorite beverage that you enjoy while you write?

Coffee (preferably with chocolate cake or cherry and chocolate muffins – yum). Coffee is my vice and I drink way too much of it.

What are you working on right now?

I’m currently working on the fourth book in the Ancient Legends series, following A Job From Hell, Doomed and Voodoo Kiss.

A Job From Hell on Amazon 99¢
http://www.amazon.com/Job-Hell-Ancient-Legends-ebook/dp/B004YTI17M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1312881264&sr=8-2
A Job From Hell on Barnes & Noble 99¢
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Job-from-Hell/Jayde-Scott/e/2940011300509/