Interview with Jade McCulloch

Published 2017-10-20.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
I like browsing the internet to see what catches my eye.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I kind of do. I was in first grade and I wrote a story about a dog. I only remember this because I wrote B instead of D, so the dog was a bog.
What is your writing process?
I recently changed it. I didn't do outlines before, but now I know how important they are. I outline, write, and then edit.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
My parents used to read to me all the time, but the first book I ever remember having a big impact on me was the Spanish Kidnapping Disaster. I think I was a little young for the book at the time, but it did make me want to write my own short story. I also have a special fondness for Goosebumps books. I used to try reading each book before the tv series when I was younger.
How do you approach cover design?
I look for a cover artist on fiverr. When I start to make more money with my writing I will be able to put more money into my books.
What do you read for pleasure?
Whatever interests me. I love urban fantasy and have recently been trying to read more indie authors, but I think I read a little bit from all genres. The next novel I want to read is Final Girls (I know it's not indie, but it seems very interesting).
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I have a very basic tablet that I have downloaded kindle and hoopla on.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
I plan to use twitter and facebook a lot.
Describe your desk
I actually turned an old vanity into my desk. I wanted my desk to be one of a kind so I painted it pink with gold accents. It's currently cluttered, but hopefully I'll get to clear some space off soon.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
Louisiana. I set a lot of my stories in Louisiana.
What's the story behind your latest book?
I am currently putting the finishing touches on The Fortune Teller's Gift. It's about a girl named Mackenzie (Kenzie for short), who is cursed with the ability to see ghosts. I got the idea for it when I saw the trailer for the all female Ghostbusters and thought about how it could have been better. What I have now doesn't resemble ghostbusters in any way, but it was a fun story to write.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I tried publishing the 'regular' way when I was about nineteen. I remember querying one agent who spent the time to write me a personal letter, but the letter was addressed to my main character. She was the last agent I sent an email to. I think that's part of why I want to publish on my own, and the other part is because I want to know how publishing works.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I like when an idea for a character comes to me and I have to figure out what world that character would belong in.
What are you working on next?
The Fortune Teller's Curse
What are your five favorite books, and why?
Carrie- It was probably one of the first books that I felt I could really relate to. I think we've all felt like an outsider at one time or another.
The Sookie Stackhouse Series- It's just a fun little series, but it did get me more into urban fantasy.
Darkly Dreaming Dexter- I was both laughing and ready to throw up all at once.
Fight Club- I may have watched the movie first, but I do think this book is amazing. It has quotes that make sense and characters that are complex.
Kitty and The Midnight Hour- This one was a tough one. I was torn between a Mercy Thompson book and this one. I haven't completed either series, but I do find Kitty to be a tad bit more complex than Mercy. They both go through such horrible situations, but I guess why I like this one better is because it gave me a look into a career as a radio host. I got to see a lot of character growth within the book as well.
When did you first start writing?
As soon as I could hold a pencil.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
It hasn't yet, but I sure hope it does.
What do your fans mean to you?
I don't have any yet (besides my family and friends), but I hope to one day.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Lately I have been driven to get up early and work on my novel (after a trip to the gym).
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Usually with my dogs, but I'm also a huge fan of video games. I mostly play fighting games, but I'll play anything that catches my eye. I also love watching movies and don't know what I would do without netflix.
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