Let's talk about Jolene Silva 👄(Updated)

Jolene Silva first popped up in this series in the latter part of We're All Animals and has continued to be part of the cast of characters throughout the Hernandez series. 

An interesting aspect of this character is how difficult it is to learn anything about her. She was always a mystery and even as the writer, I was having difficulty pulling anything out of her secret world. As it turns out, she had a lot of surprises that would come out as the series grew. We would eventually learn about some of her vices and vulnerable side.

What I love about Jolene is her strength. Even when she hits some low points, she's a character that always rises above everything and comes back stronger. Jolene is very passionate about what she believes in, and she always does what she perceives as the right thing even though, many times, she chooses to do so in secret rather than share with her tribe. I think that many of us can hide within ourselves and try to avoid sharing our fears and struggles, but in the end, just like Jolene, we discover that there's more support for us than we believed.

Jolene creates a nice balance within the group. Although she certainly makes a lot of mistakes along the way and risks her own life, there's just something about Jolene Silva, a strength that always makes her rise back to the top.

Do fairy tale endings really exist? (Updated)

What's a 'fairytale ending' exactly, and why do people want them? More importantly, why you'll probably never find one in the majority of my books.

This all started a couple of weeks ago when I received an email from a stranger. Let's call her a 'fanemy'. In it, she said that she had 'tried' to read my latest book, And the Devil Will Laugh but couldn't get through it. She essentially found it troubling that the protagonist was not a good guy. Not only was he not the good guy, but he was also winning at being bad.



Of course, this is an unusual concept in books. The protagonist is usually morally outstanding in most books, tv shows, or movies. Then there's another character, usually the bad guy/girl, and of course, regardless of the struggles along the way, the good guy/girl always wins. This is what I refer to as the fairytale ending.

It's probably not the 'fairytale' ending you're probably thinking of right off the bat; it's no Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Disney cute ending. It's not a nicely folded-together finality, the fictional version of a hot, cozy bath. It doesn't make people feel good about the fact that the 'good guy/girl' won and the 'bad guy got what he/she deserved'...and they all lived happily ever after.

Or did they?

This is the part where I come in and shake things up. See, I'm not into that specific kind of ending. I find them a tad predictable and boring. I also find them somewhat unrealistic. I prefer to give people something to think about after finishing my book. Kind of in the same way as the final episode of The Sopranos left me with something to think about when the screen went black with no further explanation. This pissed off a lot of people, but you know what? To this day, I still think about that episode and debate with myself about what that meant exactly. I've discussed it with friends and listened to their thoughts on the subject. Had this been the usual, happily ever after ending, I probably would've forgotten it by now or, even worse, stopped caring.

The thing is that we, as people, are complex, and so is life. Things usually don't end up good or bad, and people are not saints or sinners. Many people would prefer things were that simplified, but they are not. It might work for some people, but it doesn't work for me.

How a simple story turned into a brutal series 🙀(Updated)

It started with a simple concept. The first book in the series is about Chase Jacobs, the wide-eyed boy next door who finds others taking control of his life, leaving him bitter, resentful, and bringing out a dark side that no one saw coming. With his introduction to the sinister underworld in his small town, there's a sense that once Chase has opened the door, he could never turn back. 

If you jump ahead to the 3rd or 4th book in the series, it might be surprising to see what a jump things had taken from We're All Animals. What starts as the story about teenage heartbreak turns into a series involving violence, corruption, and murder. I feel it's a smooth transition and one that allows you to understand how someone you'd never expect could get involved with a gang or cartel. Our lives and decisions can take us down many roads, but in the end, there's a reason why we choose them. 

I've often said that this is the series that wasn't meant to be a series. However, the characters were so compelling that I had to keep writing. Who knew where it would lead me. 😈

Why people love the twisted relationship between Jorge & Paige Hernandez ❤️(Updated)

A reader once referred to Jorge Hernandez and Paige Noël as 'the twisted couple of the literary world' but is this why fans love such an unconventional couple?

I think that once upon a time, we mostly saw 'too good to be true' couples in television and books, but somewhere along the way, we moved to the other extreme, where fictional couples appeared to have a lot of issues. Jorge and Paige are a couple that deals with problems but still manages to contain some of the 'magic' that we love to see in fictional relationships. There's a strong, almost instant connection between the two that is fascinating and yet they strive to deal with daily issues most couples have, such as dealing with children, jealousy, and worrying about your partner's safety. Granted, the latter probably is compounded by their less than traditional lifestyles.

The couple met in a very unconventional manner in my book, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey. Despite the dangerous circumstances, Jorge was immediately attracted to Paige, bolding making her aware of his feelings. Although she was hesitant, the two ended up sharing a glass of wine and had a very unexpected, whirlwind romance that quickly led to marriage. Although this isn't the kind of thing that I usually write about, there was just something so uncharacteristic about Jorge Hernandez being in this kind of situation that made me want to explore it. This storyline developed a part of his personality that countered his usual violent and heartless reputation, allowing readers to see another side of him.

As for Paige, it was interesting to see how someone calm, balanced, and yet very dangerous would react to the bold, abrupt Mexican because their personalities could've easily clashed. However, both find comfort and are fascinated by one another. Perhaps part of the intrigue is the fact that they demonstrate how two vastly different people can bond over their similarities and mutual respect, despite their many differences.

Some of your questions answered 👍(Updated)

I'm asked questions regarding my writing and thought I would answer a few of the most common ones. 🤩

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I remember writing as a child, and in fact, I wrote my first full-length manuscript when I was a teenager. Due to a lack of confidence and guidance, I didn't pursue my dream of writing until around 2007-2008. I published my first book in 2010.

When did you write your first book?

My first book was Fire, published in 2010. 

What inspired you to start writing?

My goals have been to make people think, be empathetic, and see various perspectives. I enjoy provoking people because they are more likely to get involved in the story if they feel an emotional connection. 

How long does it take you to write a book?

I write a chapter a day and 50 chapters in my books, so in essence, 50 days to complete the first draft. Editing and figuring out details such as a synopsis and cover image also take some time, but it can vary. For the last few years, I've published two books a year. 

What is your genre, and who is your audience?

I hate being stuck in a genre because I think my writing falls into many categories: suspense, thriller, murder, crime, romance, and more. I even have a couple of books that fall into the fantasy category. My audience varies. 

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

I gain information from reading or watching documentaries and interviews about topics that interest me. Many of these topics end up becoming a part of my books. For example, I often read about cartels, violence, and the psychology of a criminal, which ends up making it in my books. 

How long does it take to research for your books?

I don't pay attention but research when needed. 

Do you write using a pen or computer?

Computer. However, I write notes about characters and each chapter in a journal to keep organized and for reference.

What part of writing is most difficult?

Editing is the most difficult because it's very tedious and requires extreme focus. Writing the back cover synopsis is also a challenge. How do you sum up an entire book in a few words without giving too much away? 

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Sixteen so far and it's too difficult to choose! 

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? ( if you have any?)

I only write chapters early (like 6 AM) in the morning, and I do so with no interruptions unless necessary. I don't get up to eat, take out the garbage, or do anything else when I'm writing. I try to stay focused and not divert my attention because it's a struggle to get back on track if I do.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

It tends to be the other way around. I usually write around my work schedule. On mornings that I'm not working, I get up and write. On the mornings I'm working, depending on how much time I have, I might do some light editing, work on social media, upload or record a video for YouTube, or any other task that requires my attention. 

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I recently read a quote that said that writers aren't playing God when writing a book but are merely secretaries. This is very accurate. You cannot force a character to do what they don't want to do unless you enjoy getting writer's block. 

What is your favorite type of books to read?

I mostly read non-fiction on topics that interest me, but I've been known to sink into a good fiction book from time to time. 

Were there any authors of books that had a particular influence on you or your writing?

George Orwell. He was a genius. Orwell could observe and analyze human nature and create works of fiction that reflected how he viewed the world, in a way that served as much as a warning as an entertaining tale.


How do the books get published?

This could be a rather long answer, but essentially, you can self-publish, seek out a smaller publisher who is interested in your specific genre or seek out an agent. Large houses generally only deal with agented writers. Always do your research when doing any of the above. There are a lot of scumbags out there. I recommend Writer's Beware. 

Do you design your book covers?

My publisher designs the cover, but I pick out the image I would like them to work with and perhaps make suggestions such as darkening the image, colors I prefer, etc. 

How do you market your books? 

I mainly use social media, but I also use my website, send press releases when new books come out and give out bookmarks with all my covers. I'm always trying to think of new, creative ways, but social media is my first stop.

Where can we get your books, other than here?

Everywhere online!! Check out my site for more details. 

All my books have hidden themes 🤫(Updated)

Did you know that my books have a theme? This is the message that takes the driver's seat and creates a direction for the entire book or, in some cases, the series. But why are themes important?

In a nutshell, themes are the 'point' of everything you do. For example, when you pick jobs, there's probably an underlying reason that goes much deeper than a paycheque. When you choose a mate or friendships, chances are there's a theme there too. With my writing, there are underlying themes that create a central idea behind by books. Themes are essential because they are the lifeblood of the story. I think the best way to demonstrate this is to give some examples.

In my first two books, Fire and A Spark before the Fire, my theme was how our culture often doesn't see entertainers as real people but rather machines whose every move is meant to be entertainment, their lives on constant display. This happened when I watched a celebrity have a very public meltdown, and people were essentially laughing at her rather than having any concern for her mental state. It frustrated me that we have tabloids and silly shows that focus on everything the stars are doing, and actually, this has only grown worse since writing these two books over ten years ago. Of course, this wouldn't exist if there wasn't a demand.

My third and fourth books had a vampire theme. Not surprisingly, the vampires in my books represent the 'bloodsuckers' or 'vampires' in our lives. Around the time I wrote these books, I saw an increasing number of people who fell in this category, not even in my own life but the world in general. We view it in the news regularly as many of these questionable characters float to the surface, in clear view. The Rock Star of Vampires is my first of two books that dive into this area, and in it, we discover that the protagonist, although she's a vampire, is probably less of a vulture than other characters in her life. In Her Name is Mariah, we learn about a young, troubled woman who preys on others because it's the only way she knows to survive, therefore, showing both sides of the same situation.

My current (Hernandez) series eased the reader into the whole world of organized crime and an underground world that people may assume is rare if they even believe it exists at all. The central theme is corruption, crime, collusion, and the belief that sometimes it's hard to distinguish the 'good' people from the 'bad'. Although my books follow a group of criminals, there is a point where readers see that the lines are often blurred. My goal was to make readers think and perhaps ask some questions, if only to themselves. Who runs the world? Politicians, corporations, religious leaders....or is it you? Who controls what we see and what we know? Is it manipulated? These are the questions that I've explored as the series unfolded a few years ago, and I continue to ask myself.

A theme gives us a larger focus, which is essential to both the writer and the reader. 

Why readers love to be shocked? 🙀(Updated)

I'm sure there's a part of our brains that light up like a Christmas tree when we read something shocking. Let's talk about why. 

It's interesting how we're iffy about surprises in our everyday life, but we do love it in our entertainment. There's something about the unexpected that is alluring. I've often said that I'm sure there's a part of our brain lights up when something exciting or stunning happens to our favorite character (in books or television) that we never saw coming. That's entertainment.

When I'm writing a book, I tend to be very conscious of when the story starts to take a low point. It doesn't mean it's terrible to do so, but I don't like to have things go an even course for too long. My rule is if I'm feeling a little bored, so is my reader, and therefore, it's time to shake things up.

Shocks can come in many forms. It could be as simple as a character's comment or reaction to a situation or something more alarming, like violence, an impromptu sex scene, an argument, unexpected news, sudden death, illness, or when surprising characters show up. Of course, there are many other options, but the main idea is to add something that readers didn't see coming, and ideally, neither do you, as the writer.

Shocking twists keep the story alive. Readers want to be entertained, so entertain them.