Author Judith Graves stops by Open Book Society to chitchat with reviewer Annabell about her novel Under My Skin. She also lets readers in on why she loves the paranormal genre so much, what her perfect hot guy would look like, and if she could create her own library what would she place inside—among some other fun questions.Annabell: Where did the idea for Under My Skin come from? How did you approach the creating the concept of Wolvens?
Judith Graves: About seven years ago, working as a library technician in public and school libraries, I noticed a lack of kickass, commercial, fun, paranormal fiction set in Canada and written by Canadian authors. I started writing the SKINNED series to show Canadian YA fiction could be as cool and action packed as the titles coming out of the US.
Canada is a vast country, with precious, undeveloped lands. I thought it would be interesting to have paranormal creature migrating to the last bit of “unclaimed” territory – a monster influx if you will.
I wanted to have my main character, Eryn, as a shapeshifter, and with our wolf populations in Alberta, Eryn’s shifting into wolf form was a given. Wolven are different than werewolves. They’re born, a natural species. Werewolves are forged of dark magic, soulless beasts who do their master’s bidding.
Annabell: What is it about the paranormal and supernatural genres that you love so much?
Judith Graves: The conflict. The drama. The intensity. The mystery and the magic.
Annabell: There is a juicy love triangle in the book which introduces two sizzling male leads: Alec and Wade. What type of qualities do you look for in a guy? If you could create your own perfect guy, what would he look like?
Judith Graves: Why thank you, lol…I think both the guys vying for Eryn’s heart are pretty smokin’ hot. Poor Eryn’s got a tough decision to make at some point. My perfect guy…oh, he’d be about 6’2, athletic, sporting a goatee, and have piercing blue eyes. Exactly like Mr. Graves, in fact. 😉
Annabell: As a fellow obsessed book lover, if you could create your own library, what would you want it to look like? Would you include anything other than books inside the library?
Judith Graves: As a library tech, oh…how I could go on and on about the perfect library! I’ve worked in public, academic, special, legal, and school libraries. Best feature of them all? The books.
Everything else is the gravy.
Um…one of those cool, built-on-tracks library ladders would be a plus.
Skin?Annabell: What do you hope readers take away from Under My Skin?
Judith Graves: That you are what you decide to be and hopefully readers won’t be content to be the sidekick in the story of their lives – they’ll choose to be the hero.
Annabell: You have been a singer/songwriter for the past ten years. Where did the passion for music come from? What was one of your best memories from creating music?
Judith Graves: Composing music and writing lyrics were how I got my start with fiction. My father taught me and my brother to play guitar when we were kids and I also took piano lessons. Becoming a singer/songwriter was as easy as breathing. I’ve performed in bands since high school, busked on street corners, played in bars, pubs, music festivals, basements and garages.
Any time jamming is a good time. Karaoke is also a blast, but open mics are better.
Annabell: Now time for some fun stuff:
Judith Graves: Favorite Hangout Spot: Libraries, bookstores, and cafes.
Favorite Word: Lovely.
What’s one of the best places to visit in Alberta, Canada? Banff. You can’t beat the rockies.
If you could ask Edgar Allan Poe any question, what would you ask him? How do you feel about your portrayal in “The Raven”?
Annabell: Thank you to Judith Graves for funny and fun interview!
Where to Find Judith Graves:
Website: http://judithgraves.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/
