Welcome Ravenous Readers,
Today we are hearing from Jane BIteme, prosecuting attorney and author of the newly released Legally Burned. Please enjoy this interview with the author.
ILVN: Hi Jane, welcome to ILVN. We are excited to chat. Why don’t you introduce yourself.
JB: My name is Jane Biteme – I was jealous of romance writers who get to select these frilly names to match the genre so I decided that fantasy authors should be able to do the same. I am from Boston, Massachusetts and I moved to Naples, Florida to become a prosecutor.
ILVN: So about how long have you been writing or when did you start?
JB: My writing journey reminds me of that bumper sticker about pets rescued from shelters, “Who rescued who?” That bumper sticker is relevant because my writing fiction started out as an egocentric journey to flex my legal knowledge and using my ego to drive a story’s outcome and slowly after my father’s death, my writing became my escape from depression.
ILVN: Many of us can relate to that. What drew you to write paranormal romance/fantasy fiction?
JB: To be honest, I didn’t start out in this genre. I started writing something that I felt was more mainstream because that’s what a lawyer is supposed to do. However, I hated my bosses and so I decided to make them vampires. Then, I thought, why not make the defendants vampires too? Vampires are committing all sorts of crimes. A lot of times they get arrested too, but it bothered me that no one knew who was prosecuting these creatures. My mind started obsessing over the court system and I thought the courtroom could be so boring, so why not add witches and make it more fun? I love True Blood inspired by Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse, Diana Gabaldon’s strong character, Claire, in the Outlander, and I love how fantasy authors build worlds for us. Fantasy is where I’ll stay.
ILVN: What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
JB: I know the journey that my main character Sloan Reynolds go on. She starts as a hard core, win at all costs, sort of prosecutor and then she evolves and goes through the court system as a defendant, defense attorney, and judge. I want my readers to walk away with an understanding of the evolution that lawyers go through. My characters will pop in through music. I know when a scene stops advancing in my head and the characters stop talking that it means another character is arriving. I then focus on music and listen for character inspiration.
ILVN: That’s a very unique approach. What’s your favorite type of paranormal creature and why?
JB: I have a necromancer in my book. His name is Sam. I fell in love with him. He raises people from the dead and operates from a place of love. I don’t think there’s anything sexier than someone who knows the rules don’t apply to them, but they’re not criminals.
ILVN: Tell us about your heroine/hero. What inspired her/his quirks and struggles?
JB: My heroine is very outspoken. I know there are a lot of books about male attorneys or females that use physical violence towards vampires. I wanted to create a female character who could battle men and vampires with her intellect. I also wanted to create a female attorney who has depth.
ILVN: Love it! Would you and your main character get along?
JB: Probably. We both like drinking bourbon and litigation. I’d dislike her as a defense attorney though.
ILVN: What is a significant way your book has changed since the first draft?
JB: I’d say I’ve changed more …from the first draft. I had an amazing editor who helped me delve into the characters.
ILVN: Where can our readers find you?
I hope my readers find me on TikTok @janebitemeauthor
Grab Jane’s book, Legally Burned today!
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