Interview with JK Hogan

Today we're chatting with author JK Hogan about her novel, FIRE ON THE ISLAND.

Welcome to We Do Write! Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm a country girl and I provide my husband with endless amusement with what I'll call my “dialectal idiosyncrasies.” I'm an avid reader and an artist in addition to being an author, and I also enjoy dog sports such as agility and dock diving. My husband and I are also expecting our first child.

That's awesome news! Congratulations! How long have you been writing?


I've been making up stories probably since the time I learned to talk, but I only started writing them down in the last 10 years or so. (That makes me sound old, doesn't it? I'm only 30, I promise!) It was only in the last year that I actually completed something that I thought was worth publishing.

Tell us about FIRE ON THE ISLAND. What’s the story about?

It's about a young Scottish woman who finds herself mixed up in a battle with demons trying to take over the human world. Along the way she meets a parapsychologist who comes to Scotland to investigate rumors of her being a witch. Much to both of their surprise, the rumors turn out to be true! Together they must find a way to defeat Alastore, the demon king, and close the gate between the worlds before Samhain, when he is the strongest. You'll have to read to find out how they do it!

Sounds awesome! How did the idea of the story come to you?


Would you believe it just popped into my head? Memories from a recent trip to Scotland—specifically the Isle of Arran where the story takes place—gave me Isla, my heroine, and the setting. Blues concerts with my friend, especially New Orleans' own Tab Benoit, gave me Jeremiah and his love of blues guitar. The rest just happened. My husband took me out to dinner one night and I told him I planned to write a book. I then spent the next two hours blurting out the entire story. He was so sweet about it—even as his eyes glazed over.

Are you a planner or a pantser?


Definitely a panster. I'll have a concept or a general idea of a plot (see above) but I'm definitely the 'sit down and write' type. Occasionally I'll have to storyboard a bit if I write myself into a corner, but that doesn't happen often.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?


Contrary to what many may believe, a lot of it is hard, but rewarding as well. Right now, I'm finding the hardest part to be actually being able to sit down and focus when I have the opportunity to write. Scenes tend to come to me at the most inopportune times, but when I have a block of time with no interruptions, I struggle to get it out. When that happens, I generally just let it stew until it has to come out, no matter what I'm doing!

What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?


Definitely my iPod. And coffee. Lots of coffee.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?


I'd be able to fly. Kind of cliché I know, but I used to have these wonderful dreams as a kid where if I just ran fast enough and jumped high enough, I could take off!

What's the weirdest thing you've googled?


Oh boy, I have a disturbingly curious nature so I've probably googled just about everything under the sun—some not fit for polite company. To make it easier, I'll keep it in the context of my book. The funniest thing I googled while researching for FIRE ON THE ISLAND was a variety of Cajun and French Cajun slang, curses and insults. It was pretty entertaining.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: rigorous, satin, and vacuum.

“She rigorously vacuumed the satin sheets after her lover shed all over them.” Shapeshifters, anyone?

LOL! That was great. Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably...


Reading! I know, *snore*. But it's true! I'm so addicted to reading, I sometimes have to force myself to put down my Kindle so I can write my own books. If not reading, than I can be found practicing or competing in dog agility. Google it, it's really fun!

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.


My husband James, and my family have been super supportive. Also my group of friends from the place we train for agility, Dog Haven, has been amazing. They were always encouraging me in the process of writing and publishing this book. Lastly, I have to give a shout out to my favorite musicians, Jonny Lang and Tab Benoit for providing the soundtrack to the story in my head.

And finally, where can people find you and your book online?


I love talking to readers. You can find me here:
http://jkhogan.com/
http://twitter.com/JK_Hogan
http://www.facebook.com/OfficialJKHogan
http://www.goodreads.com/jkhogan
http://www.amazon.com/author/jkhogan

And my book:
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Island-J-K-Hogan/dp/1938404173/ref=la_B008UXO15E_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345334929&sr=1-1

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Island-Vigilati-ebook/dp/B008RO8BZM/ref=la_B008UXO15E_1_1_title_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1345334929&sr=1-1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fire-on-the-island-jk-hogan/1112102519

Thank you so much for chatting with us today, JK! Your book sounds amazing!