Author Interview and Giveaway with Judith Ann McDowell

Welcome everyone. I would like to introduce Judith Ann McDowell, author of Rougarou, Rougarou II, Fated Memories and Long Ago Memories. She is here today to answer a few questions and give away two e-book copies of her book, Rougarou, to pave the way for the release of Rougarou II which will be released later this week. Just in time for Halloween. These are both great horror reads with a twist of hot romance. The Rougarou, better known as the werewolf, isn't the hot sexy hero of the story. Instead he is the vicious villian. Judith holds nothing back in this spine tingling tale. All you have to do to enter the drawing is leave a comment. Winners will be drawn on October 30th and we will forward each winner a copy of Rougarou in whatever format you require for your e-readers. Remember to enter a comment to participate.

Thank you Judith for agreeing to participate in this giveaway and allowing your readers to learn a little about you. And of course the book giveaway itself. Everyone likes to enter contests.

So, Judith, tell us your latest news. Rougarou II
Genre: Horror/Suspense Release Date 10/22/2011 Description: A powerful vendetta is brought forth against the people of Saint Anthony Parish, Louisiana. Detectives Donavan Hays and Jack Olivier' find themselves pitted against an evil that has walked this plane for over two centuries and who has now taken up residency in the Hindel Mansion. Evil doesn't forget: Especially when that evil comes in the form of a werewolf.

When and why did you begin writing?I began writing about twenty-years ago after a very vivid dream about a reincarnated Blackfoot girl. When I woke, I began putting on paper what I had dreamed. The results were Long Ago Memories.

What do you like to do when you are not writing? I like to travel to different cities and states to research ideas for my next book.
Montana was  the setting for Long Ago Memories and Fated Memories.  I was never able to spend a lot of time in Montana but, from what time I was able to spend there, I found the people and the beauty of Montana to be warm and inviting.
The setting for Rougarou and Rougarou II is Louisiana in the bayous. I wanted  to go to some voodoo rituals to learn first hand what went on but, my husband was against the idea. He seemed to think I could be in danger by going to such a ritual.
I was able to overhear a conversation one afternoon while we were having lunch in a small café in Louisiana. Three men were talking about a strange happening one of them had that morning. I listened for a while and then walked over to introduce myself and apologize for eavesdropping on their conversation.
The one man was telling of seeing a creature near his traps. He described the creature as having short thick and black hair covering his entire body and the  face, although covered with hair, looked human.
I asked him what he had been ingesting or drinking or smoking that morning and he said he was cold stone sober but, that after he went home he got drunk. 

What was it he had seen that early morning in the bayous? Could it have been a werewolf or as the Cajuns like to call it a Rougarou?  

  
What inspired you to write your first book?

As I said a very vivid dream inspired the creation of my first book.  After that it became something I enjoyed doing. Lucky for me  as it became common place for friends and family to let me know it was a good thing I became an author since I sure as hell couldn't do anything else. However I didn't take offence to this pronouncement as I found while watching a documentary that I was in very good company. My  favorite actor, Al Pacino, had been told the same thing.

What do you think makes a good story?A story that is believable. Even if that story, such as in Rougarou and Rougarou II, is about werewolves. I always tell the story from all my characters' point of view. Since we all have one I think it is important to tell the characters' point of view too. It makes them more alive and readers can identify more easily with them.
I have had readers tell me how much they hated a character and wished them ill-will. And at the same time, there were also characters they took to their hearts and wanted to hear more about in a sequel. The believable characters become like family and readers want to know they are all right. 

How do you want readers to feel after they read your stories?  The one question I wait for after a reader finishes one of my books and tells me how they liked the book is..."please tell me you have a sequel to this story." So far I have.

What is your favorite character out of all the books you have written?For a long time I thought the answer to this question was Tia my character in Long Ago Memories. But now, I don't have a favorite. They are all close to my heart. When you allow someone to live in your skin for months at a time, you come to love them and feel about them as you would a child. As the mother of four sons I love them all equally.

What influences your creativity of your characters?When I begin a book, I turn on the music, I have selected for this story, full blast and write. The characters just seem to fall into place. I act out each characters' feelings. I scream, laugh ,cry and cuss just whatever is happening in a characters' life at any given moment. Good thing my neighbors love me.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Fated Memories:
The soft strains of a Christmas carol came to her from across the room. Glancing up she saw the smiling face of her husband, one hand on his chest the other outstretched, dancing his way across the room towards her.
"Care to join me, Mrs. Thornton?" He wiggled his dark brows.
Charlotte picked up one of the small packages. "I need to finish these presents, Eathen."
Unwilling to be deterred, he lifted her to her feet to draw her into his arms. The package fell, unnoticed, from her hand. As they moved around the room in time to the music, she saw the sad eyes of Dave Houston watching them.
"Eathen, please. I don't have time for this," she whispered, trying without success to pull away.
"We got a whole week to finish gettin' those presents wrapped, darlin. Right now, I'm in the mood for dancin' with my beautiful wife." He twirled her away from him, only to pull her back against his broad chest a moment later.
A happy squeal and childish twitter brought laughter from both of them at the sight of Hattie dancing around the room with a gleeful Jessie in her arms.
"If you want to keep up with his family, I guess you're gonna have to grab a chair," Eathen called out to Dave as he stood watching them from the doorway.
"Either that, or go on into Cut Bank and find a live partner," Dave returned. His cold eyes riveted on Charlotte's flushed and happy face.
"Dat's whut Ah'd do effen Ah wuz you, Mist' Dave." Hattie smiled over at him, watching the resentment covering his face at the sight of Charlotte dancing in the arms of her husband.  "It ain' good fer a man wid yo' looks ter bes all by hisseff." She twirled herself around, bringing a fresh squeal of laughter from Jessie. "Gwan an' finds yo'seff sum lil' gal ter keeps you wahm on dese cole nights. 'Cause it bes fer sho you ain' gwine ter ketch one hangin' roun' hyrah."

What are some of the goals and future plans with your writing?My goal as a writer and published author is to sell nation wide. But, if it should all end tomorrow I would have to say, it's been one hell of a ride!

Thank you, Karen for this interview I have enjoyed it.

Congratulations to Sunny and Lori for winning a copy of Rougarou!