“Inspirations and Influences” is a new series of articles in which we invite authors to write guest posts talking about their…well, Inspirations and Influences. The cool thing is that the writers are given free reign so they can go wild and write about anything they want. It can be about their new book, series or about their career as a whole.
Today’s guest is Molly Harper, author of the awesomely hilarious, compulsively readable Jane Jameson (“Nice Girls Don’t…”) series. Part chick lit, part urban fantasy, part paranormal romance, with a healthy dose of snark and comedy throughout, Molly Harper’s got the writing thing down pat. When we were offered a chance to read and review her books, we were ecstatic – and we loved them. Then, when we were given the opportunity to have Molly over here to chat about her sources of inspiration and various influences, and to participate in an interactive Q&A with YOU, dear readers, we were even more stoked.
Ladies and gents, please give it up for the lovely Molly Harper!
********************
I know there’s a post-Millennium backlash against holding your parents responsible for how you turn out, but really, my parents have no one to blame but themselves.
My parents are voracious readers. They can sit down with a good book and finish it in an afternoon. So it wasn’t a huge surprise to my mom when four-year-old me started sounding out words on the Lucky Charms box. My parents indulged my love of reading with trips to the library and a membership in the Especially for Girls book club. Sunday afternoons were usually marked with a sojourn to Waldenbooks and a new Babysitters Club paperback.
There were early warning signs. People asked what I wanted to be when I grew up- I said, “Mad Scientist.” I checked out those non-fiction “Mysteries of the Paranormal” books from the school library so many times that the librarian sent a concerned note home. I was repeatedly caught reading Stephen King tucked inside my seventh-grade English textbook while everybody else was working on diagramming sentences.
(I ended up marrying that seventh-grade English teacher’s nephew, David. If I had known that the Stephen King incidents would be brought up at every major family event for the rest of my life, I probably would have just done the assignments. Learn from my example, kids.)
My family is “blessed” with a dry, sarcastic wit. If you want to survive Thanksgiving, you learn to quip. Writing was a chance to get all the words in my head out on paper, because no voice could keep up with my runaway brain. I liked the puzzle that writing presented, fitting the different words together in a way that sounded pleasing, but still got my point across. And it turned out that while my humor was probably inappropriate in say, a Sunday School setting, it was pretty darn funny on paper. The self-deprecating thoughts I didn’t dare express to friends, the comebacks I couldn’t come up with on the fly, they all came out on paper. And eventually, I could voice those thoughts and sling the comebacks… and survive Thanksgiving.
Still, I never considered a career in writing until a teacher compared my voice to a young Erma Bombeck. After I looked it up and realized that was a good thing, I developed an interest in journalism and humor columns. My parents were baffled. I said I wanted to be a newspaper reporter and my mom asked, “What happened to Mad Scientist?” We’d never had a writer in the family before. We were a staunch clan of nurses, teachers, construction foremen. And it wasn’t exactly the sort of talent you could “show” people. Their friends’ kids were musicians and dancers and athletes. What was my dad going to do, pull one of my essays out of his back-pocket and show his buddies my thoughts on being flat-chested?
Still, they supported me. I said I wanted to study at a college we knew nothing about. They took me on a campus tour. I spent my summers doing newspaper internships that paid very little. They helped me survive the rest of the year. I got a job writing for our hometown paper. They didn’t gripe when I wrote columns poking fun at them.
For six years, I covered education for The Paducah Sun, writing about school board meetings, quilt shows, a man “losing” the fully grown bear he kept as a pet in his basement, and a guy who faked his death by shark attack in Florida and ended up tossing pies at a local pizzeria. There was also an incident involving potentially explosive feminine products. But I think a statute of limitations has to run out before I’m allowed to discuss it publicly.
When people wonder where I developed my sense for the odd and quirky, I tell them I was steeped in it like overbrewed sun tea. Weird things happen in Paducah. My hometown has been featured on Unsolved Mysteries twice, which is twice more than any town deserves. Combine that with the bizarre tales David brought home from his police shifts and you have a recipe for dark, hyberbolic comedy.
I loved my job at the paper. I loved meeting new people every day and never knowing where I would end up. But somehow, the ever-shifting schedules of a police officer and a reporter did not equal “family friendly.” One of us needed to take a normal job for the sake of our young daughter. I took a secretarial position at a local church office, which left me with dependably free evenings for the first time in my adult life. We were living in “The Apartment of Lost Souls” while building our new home. This was the place where appliances and small electronics went to die. Every night I would tuck our snoozing child into bed and wait for the washing machine to start smoking or the dishwasher to vomit soap on the floor. It was either write a book or go nuts. I think I made the right choice.
I wanted to write something I would enjoy reading; something funny, outlandish, Southern. I wondered what would be the most humiliating way possible to be turned into a vampire- a story that a vampire would be embarrassed to share with their vampire buddies over a nice glass of Type O. Well, first, this poor woman just got canned so her boss could replace her with someone who occasionally starts workplace fires. She drowns her sorrows at the local faux nostalgia-themed sports bar and during the commute home she is mistaken for a deer and then shot by a drunk hunter. And then she wakes up as a vampire. And thus, Jane Jameson and the wacky denizens of Half-Moon Hollow were born.
It took me almost a year to complete and edit a draft of the book. My mom, a lifelong romance reader, was a great barometer for what worked in the story and what didn’t. David figured this was a weird way to spend my time, but if it kept me out of a padded room, he was happy. Dad promised to never, ever read a love scene I’d written. Ever.
I spent three months using agentquery.com to ruthlessly stalk potential literary agents. I was gently rejected by at least half of them. I corresponded with some very nice, very patient people, but ultimately signed with the fabulous Stephany Evans of Fine Print Literary Management. The book sold quickly, which was great. Then came the hard part, telling family members, my employers at the church, heck our own church family, that I was about to be launched as a vampire romance author. Some were shocked, confused. One sweet little old lady, pursed her lips and said, “But you’re such a nice girl.”
For my parents’ part, and David’s, they just shrug and tell me they figured this was how I would turn out. Decidedly odd, but theirs all the same.
********************
Molly Harper is a former newspaper reporter and humor columnist. She studied print journalism at Western Kentucky Unversity. She lives in western Kentucky with her husband and children.
Check out Molly’s web site at mollyharper.com. For a daily dose of snark, friend her on Facebook or follow her blog at singleundeadfemale.blogspot.com.
A huge THANK YOU again to Molly!
And now, for the Giveaway:
As with our Adrian Phoenix interactive Q&A last month, Molly will be here to answer your questions. And it gets even better – courtesy of Simon & Schuster and Molly, we’ve got TWO sets of the Jane Jameson (“Nice Girls Don’t…”) books up for grabs. Entry is easy and simple – just leave a comment here asking Molly a question (about her I&I post, her books, her writing process, her favorite authors or films, etc). The contest is open to residents of the US only, and will run until January 30th at 11:59PM (PST). Good luck, and let the questions begin!
sharing is caring
107 Responses to Molly Harper Spotlight – Inspirations & Influences (and a Giveaway)
Leave a Reply
Subscribe
Hey Molly,
I love your series! I nearly choked on my cereal the morning I was reading “Don’t have Fangs”, I was laughing so hard. I was like, my hometown. Getting mistaken for a deer, getting shot, and then getting saved by a vamp. I could so see it happening. And Jane’s parents- I know these people- really. Anyway, thanks for the great series, I hope you have lots of books in it(50 maybe) Also read a blurb on “And one Last Thing”,
sounds like a laugh a minute. Can’t wait.
Please enter me in the contest.
I would love to read this series.
Molly, Did you have any runner up embarrassing ways to get turned into a vamp?
Lisa B-
I blame my family.
Robin K.
I stick mostly to the Southeast. I am pretty excited about the RWA conference in Nashville in July.
Are there any other genres or audiences that you tackling?
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
Hi Sarah,
Thanks! Right now, I have two (untitled) books contracted with Pocket for the werewolf series. The first book’s about Mo, who moves from Mississippi to Alaska to get away from her clingy hippie helicopter parents. It’s as far as she could get without changing her citizenship. She’s welcomed into her new commnity but stumbles into a werewolf family drama centering on her obnoxious new neighbor, Cooper.
If you’d like a preview of Mo and Cooper’s interactions, see this post on my blog:
http://singleundeadfemale.blogspot.com/2010/01/snoooooooow.html
The second book, which I’m writing right now, is about Cooper’s sister, Maggie.
hi molly,
What’s your favorite childhood book of all time?
The booksmugglers have won me over, I hope i get a chance to read your books.
Deborah-
I know a couple of people who write zombie romance and I love them to death… but there’s just no way I could find zombies sexy.
Chelsea B.
I have a central document where I keep my rules and lore, so I don’t mess up and change something from book to book. I write outlines but they’re loose enough for the unexpected to happen between the first and last chapter.
Great post, I look forward to reading your books. You’re posts are too funny, keep up the good work.
Nicole- Finding enough hours in the day.
There are nights where I only get two or three hours of sleep. Those nights suck. But I figure this is my “dues paying” phase and I need to earn my future books.
Abigail,
Excellent question.
I only had scenarios involving slipping on ice in the bar parking lot and getting run over, and bottle rocket related injury. Don’t ask.
Ava North,
I was a huge Roald Dahl fan growing up, so I’m going to say Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Matilda.
I LOVED Babysitters Club! Nancy Drew and Babysitters Club were my obsession. I really loved the ones where you could choose the ending. This was a great post, thank you.
Thea told us she thinks your books are better then Sookie, so I have added your books to my pile, and I am super excited to read them.
I haven’t read any of your books yet but they sound great and I will get around to reading them soon.
Have you ever thought of adding a shapeshifter to your books?
Julie S.
jellybelly82158@gmail.com
Julie-
I don’t know. I’ve been writing about werewolves for a while. I think my next paranormal venture would probably center around ghosts.
Molly,
Just have to say, I envy your “warped upbringing that led to my writing career”.Your family sounds like a hoot and I would have loved to have been a part of it. My parents also indulged my love of reading but unfortunately it only led to an adult who will read the backs of cereal boxes if I don’t have a book near by.
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
I want to apologize, first. I haven’t read your books…YET. I just found out about them, so they’re on my to be bought list.
My question for you, though, do you find yourself distracted while you write and almost annoyed with the fact that you must finish the story? Like it becomes it’s own demanding creature of sorts? I know it sounds odd, but I found myself there once. wondered if it was just a phase of writing or just odd little me. Thanks!
Laney
Lisa- Thanks!
Laney, good question.
In every book I do, I hit a phase around the 24,000 word-mark where I get writer’s block. I think, “Ah, this is total crap. I’m a fraud. I can’t finish this! AHHHH!” Then my husband hands me a Coke, tells me to put my big girl panties on and deal with it. Seriously, I wouldn’t be here without him.
I only start to “resent” the story when I’m like two chapters away from finishing and I’m eager to start a new project.
Awesome Author Spotlight. Molly Your Books Sound Great. They Definitely Belong On My Reading List.
Hey Molly What Are One Or Two Things We Wouldn’t Normally Know About You?
Here’s the burning question: Do you drink lots of Ale-8 to fuel your writing?
I lived in Morehead for one short year and still got addicted to the stuff.
(Nope, not what you might be thinking, people–it’s a regional soft drink!)
Racquel-
1) I am terribly, terribly afraid of clowns. Which sucks because people think it’s funny to shove coulrophobics toward clowns in clown-related situations. It’s not fun for me or the clowns.
2) I am allergic to real Christmas trees and cats. Or as my daughter puts it, “Mommy, you’re allergic to everything fun.”
Collette,
Believe it or not, it’s hard to find Ale 8 around here! It’s mostly an Eastern Kentucky thing.
Hi Molly, Loved ‘Nice Girls don’t have Fangs’!
Since Jane’s world is set in the south, does it bother you to have comparisons made to Charlaine Harris’s Southern Vampire series?
Can’t wait for the werewolf story!
Marie
Marie, not really. And I do realize there are some similarities. But I think there are just as many differences. Harris is a great writer. And I enjoy her work.
I would like to know, if any other books were inspiration for your books?
Courtney,
Probably every vampire movie, TV show and book I’d ever read.
Hi Molly! Thanks for this fun post. After Ana and Thea’s joint review I’m itching to get my hands on your books. I was wondering if you had an idea when you first started this series of the overall arc it would take and/or how many books it would involve or if it’s been more take one thing at a time for you?
Loved your books. I borrowed the first two from a friend and then bought the third and I am having serious withdrawal. I hope you are going to be continuing them soon. I’ve grown quite fond of the bunch.
I actually have two questions.
One: Have you read JR Ward’s Brotherhood books?
Two: Do you have plans for vampires to gain more rights in the next Jane book because…honestly, they’re being treated like the stuff you find attached to the bubble gum on your shoe sole.
I already own and read the books – and really loved them! I loved reading your story Molly, I definitely recognized the voice from the books in this short text.
Angie, once I finished the first book, I knew there was more to say about Jane, so I mapped out the second and third books. The villain changed from the outline, to the finished third book, but everything else stayed pretty close to my plan.
Tiara,
1) No, I hear great things about them. But I’m sort of afraid of being pulled into a good series and rendered incapable of writing until I read the whole thing. I might try them on my next vacation, though!
2) If I’m able to continue the series, I think I’m going to start granting them more rights… say, the right to be legally married? (Ah! I’ve said too much!)
Thanks, Kay!
Don’t enter me in the contest. I found out about the first book from the league of reluctant adults and spent four months grumbing with B&N to get it (long story). Bought the next two books as soon as they came out.
I love the humor in the books, its so hard to find. I am definely going to get the werewolf books. My question is Can you make them print faster?
Dana-
Well, if ruled the world… yes. But sadly, as my evil plots for world domination have failed time and again, (stupid inept henchmen!) you’re going to have to wait. But the non-paranormal book I have coming out in August, AND ONE LAST THING, is plenty funny. Despite the absence of vampires.
Great Post…What do you do to get your creative juices flowing, when you have writer’s block (if you do get that)?
Hi, Molly! Loved your post.
Q. What is your most treasured Stephen King “incident”?
Just wanted to tell you I love the series! Great job!
Tanya-
Good question.
For minor block, like I can’t write the final 200 words of my 1,000 nightly word plan, I get up, drink a Coke, maybe take a shower. I usually get my best ideas in the shower. It’s like the shampoo works the idea loose from my brain.
For moderate blockage, I’ll stop, watch a good movie or CSI:NY. For some reason, watching Gary Sinise being all sciency and authoritative makes my brain reboot. (Mmmm… Gary Sinise…)
Major blocks, I mean, MAAAAAAAJOR problems, I’ll take a day or two off. But I don’t do that very often.
Kelly,
Probably the time I was reading “Among the Shadows” (A really good scary short story collection by LM Montgomery, it wasn’t always Stephen King.) tucked inside my textbook and I was so into the story that I didn’t realize my teacher had called on me twice and was standing over me until I finished it.
I got a note home on that one.
Poor Mom.
Thanks, Melissa!
Molly, have to say, love LM Montgomery. Although it sounds like “Amoung the Shadows” was more up your alley than mine. It creeped me out in the worst way possible, but I wanted to get through her whole backlist.
Was that your favorite Montgomery?
(Mine has been the Blue Castle for forever).
Actually, I haven’t read that much LM Montgomery. My favorite story in Among the Shadows was about Janet and Avery and the love potion. Or maybe the one about the paralyzed girl who faked being a ghost.
Which story creeped you out? I didn’t find any of them to be particularly scary.
Now if you want scary short stories, read the Ghost Writer by John Hardwood. Geez. It’s a collection of extremely creepy Victorian ghost stories framed by a weird, atmospheric detective story. One of them scared me so badly I slept with the light on for a week.
Lovely contest!
My question is: has there been a book you heard great things about, but when you read it it was a big disappointment?
And has the opposite happened and you have been pleasantly surprised by a book?
Marianna,
I really don’t like to criticize other writers. Not so much because I’m trying to take a moral high road, but because there’s always a small chance I could run into them at a conference. (I have really bad luck when it comes to stuff like this.)
But I will say that I didn’t expect much from the Twilight series. Because I’m stubborn and don’t like doing things just because everybody else is doing them. But I ended up loving the books and reading them in like a three week span.
How many books will there be in this series?
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
Molly, what was your inspiration for this series?
Please enter me in the giveaway,
I love the first book in the series and I was devastated to find my library only carried the one =( so I have to wait a bit for the other. My question is this:
What is the longest length of time you have been at a library in one visit?
There was this time in college I went to the university library to research a paper, found a book of ghost stories written by one of my professors… and realized six hours later that the library was about to close.
It was a really good book.