Interview With Reena Jacobs and a Giveaway!

 Today I am pleased to introduce you to Reena Jacobs, author of Shadow Cat. Don't you just love the cover?

Hello Reena. Welcome to my blog.

Thanks for inviting me, Glynis.

Please tell us a little about your book and yourself.

I’m an avid reader and absolutely love paranormal romances but have been dabbling in YA novels lately. Writing is a new scene for me. Recently, I published my first full-length novel, Shadow Cat. It’s a contemporary fantasy with strong romantic/erotic elements. A blurb anyone?

Eric Randall’s plan is simple—fix the mess his researchers have created in Malaysia, experience the pleasures the country has to offer, and return to the comforts of America. All it takes is one beautiful aborigine, and Eric finds himself stranded in a world of Malaysian myths and legends.

A novice shaman amongst her people, Berani is free and independent. Yet all is not well in her homeland. Demons prey on her people, pushing them to extinction. When a strange speaking man invades her forest, she has one more worry to add to her already troubled life. Attraction or no, she will fight Eric tooth and claw to maintain her freedom. But will she destroy herself in the process?

If Berani wishes to save her family… if Eric wishes to reclaim his old life, they must stand together against the threats of encroaching wehr-tigers and bloodsucking demons… or perish.

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Glynis: I have written on and off over the years, but when I was 50 my lifestyle changed and I could write to my heart’s content.

Q. When did you start writing? 

Reena. My first attempt at writing was in high school. I produced a short chapter which I showed my mother. She asked why are the mother and daughter fighting? Granted, I had a wonderful relationship with my mother, but all my friends had crappy relationships. I was just writing what I thought others experienced. Well, I gave up writing and didn’t pick up the quill again until August 2008 for a short month, then again August 2009. I’ve been working on my writing career since.

Glynis: I am learning to organise my notes and to try and outline. I find it hard at times.

Q. Do you outline?

Reena. For my non-fiction projects during college, I outlined everything, which was wonderful. It allowed me to skip around and come back to tougher parts later. Not sure why I didn’t stick with that with fiction. I started as a pants seater but got tired of the plot holes so fell back to outlining. I still write by the seat of my pants when it comes to short stories though. ☺

Glynis: My days are hit and miss when it comes to writing. I try and write something every day. I have no particular routine.
Q. What is your writing routine?

Reena. I’m not a morning person… okay I’m not an afternoon person either. I’m a last minute, work into the dead of night type of person. Around 5 or 6 p.m. the urge to write begins to grow on me. I might produce a little, but usually not, as I prefer spending time with the procrastination bug. Around 10 o’clock, I become anxious about my lack of productivity and get to work. My goals are simple right now. I’ve dedicated 100 words a day to a story which is burning to get out, and 200 words a day to the sequel of Shadow Cat. I usually do a little more, but those small goals keep me moving forward. Next month, I’m dedicating myself to finishing the sequel to Shadow Cat.

Glynis: I tend to have a character appear and tells me the basis of a storyline.
Q. Which comes first for you? The character's story or the idea for the novel?

Reena. Hmm… that’s a tough question. A scene comes to me first which includes a character. From there, the scene evolves into a story, and the characters flesh out to become real enough to invite to dinner.

Glynis: I have several inspirational moments for my work.
Q. What sparked the idea for your novel? How did you come up with the title?

Reena. Honestly, I’m not sure exactly where the idea for Shadow Cat came from. I can say that I’m a huge fan of shape-shifter novels, but the thing is, they’ve all been done, right? That didn’t stop me for trying to add a little uniqueness to an overdone theme. Wild cats have always fascinated me, so I started there. I spent quite a bit of time researching tigers and came across a Malaysian based folklore about tiger shape-shifters. Not a lot of information, but it provided an excellent foundation.

And the title: No proof exist that black (melanistic) tigers are real, but people have claimed to have seen them. Shadow Cat provides an explanation of why folks believe they’ve seen black tigers but have no evidence. As for the Striped Ones series, Orang Belang is Malay for The Striped Ones, which is the name the people give to the shape-shifters.

Glynis: I loved Little Women and often focus upon the girls for characteristics for my characters.
Q. What books have most influenced your life most?

Reena. I’m not sure about influences, but The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan is my all time favorite. The characters touched me… made me feel like I wasn’t alone in the mother/daughter relationship. I totally related to the characters and their hopes.

Glynis: I love several historical novel writers. I think I would ask Catherine Cookson for help.
Q. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? 

Reena. Sherrilyn Kenyon, definitely. I love her story of how she struggled in her early days of writing. She met rejection after rejection and still put herself out there. A bestselling author today, but she still keeps it real. She’s humble and treats her fans great. Sherrilyn Kenyon rocks!

Glynis: I have learned discipline in writing is needed. I also found I end in prepositions, and have focused upon kicking the habit.

Q. Did you learn anything from writing your book? Did you notice a bad habit, if so what was it?

Reena. OMG did I learn from writing this book. Or rather, I learned a lot more after submitting my work to the critters. For one, putting oneself out there is not for the faint of heart. I had a few tearful days after my work was ripped apart, but I hate failing so worked even harder. As for bad habits? I have my overused words: just, then, could, it, there. I spend a lot of time zapping them during the editing phase.

Glynis: If I had to offer advice to a writer, it would be remain focused on your dream. Never doubt yourself.
Q. Do you have any advice for other writers?

Reena. Never give up and don’t cave to the criticism. The competition is fierce, but belief has to start with oneself. And read.☺ It’s easy to get caught up in the “I’m too busy writing to read” syndrome, but reading is invaluable in learning what works and what does not. It’s too easy to let critters destroy your confidence in your writing ability. Reading works that are published is a great confidence builder when being hit by the rules which stifle your creative ability.

Glynis: Advice for writers is often, read, read and read some more to enhance your craft.
Q. What book are you reading now?

Reena. I read a minimum of one novel/novella a week. Currently, I’m reading Unearthly by Cynthia Hand. Last year I read my first YA novel, and I’m really getting into the genre.

Glynis: My original career was a nurse. Florence Nightingale is someone I would love to chat with.

Q. If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Reena. OMG. Another tough question. Would Jesus or God be too obvious? I have a lot of why questions. ☺

Q. Are you currently working on a new book and if so can you tell us anything about it?

Reena. I always seem to be working on a new something or another. Right now, I’m chipping away at book 2 in the Striped Ones Series, Stray Cat (working title). This one features Mujur, the shifty wehr-tiger in Shadow Cat. We get a little deeper into the overall plot of the demons which plague the wehr-tigers. I’m about 40% done with the first draft. I’ve already written the first draft of final book in the series, Alley Cat (also working title) which features Bryan from Shadow Cat.

I’m also working on a New Adult novel called, I Loved You First (working title). Right now, this is my love child. It’s about a college student who’s in love with her best friend. Her story is a journey of discovering herself. This one’s about half-way finished.

Thank you, Reena for an interesting insight into your life. It has been great to have you on the blog today.

Thanks for having me, Glynis.

Reena Jacobs is just your typical writer who loves to see her words in print. As an avid reader, she’s known to hoard books and begs her husband regularly for “just one more purchase.” Her home life is filled with days chasing her preschooler and nights harassing her husband. Between it all, she squeezes in time for writing and growling at the dog. You can find Reena on her website, Ramblings of an Amateur Writer, Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Goodreads, and Smashwords.

Reena is offering  free giveaways for two lucky Important  Ones. Just leave your answer to this question:
Which famous person would you like to have dinner with, and why? 
Reena will choose her favourite answers, and we will contact you on your blog if you are one of the lucky winners.