The Series that Wasn't Meant to be a Series 🤭 (Updated)

When I published the book We're All Animals in 2016, I didn't anticipate that it would turn into a series. Now, over 10 books later, it's taken on a life of its own. Check out the first few books in the series, and click HERE for the entire list!

It started with a broken heart, and it took no time for Chase Jacobs' world to spin out of control. An unwanted pregnancy allows his mother and obsessive future bride to manipulate and control his life, turning him bitter and resentful. His destiny becomes a dark road to misery and whenever he tries to take the wheel, temptation only leads him further astray.

When a provocative and sinister side of life introduces itself, Chase discovers an animal is lurking inside each of us: a powerful creature that wants to take over. But will he let it win?

Check out the YouTube video here.

The second book in the series is Always be a Wolf, published in April 2017. 

In the gripping sequel to We're All Animals, Chase Jacobs moves to Toronto with his Colombian bosses, Diego, and Jolene Silva, where they expand their elite sex party business. The underground's best-kept secret is going legit, but just as Chase starts a brand new life, tragedy strikes.

The heartbreaking lessons ahead of him are the most difficult he's ever had to face, and Chase must rely on his new family to help him through. But will his blind faith in Diego and Jolene prove to be a mistake, and has he underestimated just how far they are willing to go to prove their loyalty?

He learns there are times when passion and anger cause you to throw away the rule book even in the face of deadly consequences. He learns that words have a great deal of power but not as much power as silence. But most of all, Chase learns that in a world full of sheep, one should always be a wolf.

Check out the YouTube video here.

The third book in this series was published in the fall of 2017 and is called The Devil is Smooth like Honey. 

El narco. A monster. Un diablo. Jorge Hernandez had been called many things, and it always made him laugh. If there was one word that could be used to describe him, it would be untouchable. Corrupt politicians combined with his charming disposition had contributed to Jorge’s success, but it was often the underlying threats behind his handsome smile that sealed the deal. He was unstoppable.

In Paige Noël, he had met his match. She was a woman as dangerous and sadistic as she was soft and gentle. The last thing he expected was to propose after an explosive first meeting, but the intense fire between them was as addictive as the thrill of violence and power.

When some of his personal enemies turn up dead, Jorge shuffles his daughter into a Canadian school, deciding that things are getting a little too hot in Mexico; but does life ever slow down in this dark underground world?

The devil is smooth like honey, but is heaven ever far away?

Check out the CBC interview here.

Check out the YouTube video here.


The fourth book is A Devil Named Hernandez


In the thrilling sequel to The Devil Is Smooth like Honey, Jorge Hernandez is muscling in on the Canadian marijuana industry, unleashing the same savagery that made him a big player in the Mexican drug cartel. Whether it's controlling politicians and government officials or using intimidation and violence to get what he wants, few people dare stand in his way. Although he takes on his enemies with deceptive ease, it only takes a single threat to his family to bring out the demon inside of him. Fueled by blinding rage, he attacks with relentless brutality, showing no remorse and offering no mercy. In a world tainted by racism, corruption, and greed, he proves once again there is a devil, and his name is Jorge Hernandez.


In this eye-opening look into the life of the silver-tongued Mexican fox, you find yourself rooting for society's underbelly, as sex, drugs, and death intermix with family, love, and friendship (Amazon review).


Check out the CBC interview here

To learn more about my writing, please go to www.mimaonfire.com or check out my YouTube channel!

Why I Hate Being Stuck in a Genre 😩 (Updated)

I hate the word ‘genre’. It sounds so limiting. As if you define your book in one, single category rather than having it overlap in many areas. Then again, is that surprising since we also live in a world that wants us to define ourselves into small categories that are easily digestible, uncomplicated, and make other people comfortable?

I stopped trying to define my books. Except for The Rock Star of Vampires and its follow-up, Her Name is Mariah, I have always stuck with the genre of ‘fiction’ when checking in with my publisher and later when asked which category my books fit. For me, a great book should overlap into many genres. There should be some romance – but not too much. There should be some drama – but not to the point that it becomes unrealistic. There should be some suspense but not necessarily non-stop from chapter one. There should be some erotica but not in the Fifty Shades extreme. I think readers should get a glimpse of themselves in the story as well as a fantasy version of themselves.

When I write a book, I visualize it as if it were one of my favorite dramas on television. I like surprise twists and turns. I love strong emotions. I like diving into dark topics. I love contradictions. I like the light side of our personalities that makes us human. 

Genres tend to be suffocating. When asked for themes in my first book, I stupidly suggested ‘romance’ even though it was only a fraction of the book. My publisher immediately suggested that I change the ending and do things differently to connect with the ‘romance’ fan. I wasn’t about to make my book into a tacky, $2 trash romance book and immediately said no. Same thing with the vampire books; I was told they weren’t ‘vampiry’ enough, not what fans wanted in this kind of genre – but to me, that was the point. Who says that all vampire books have to be the same? Isn’t the point of creativity to be unique? Sometimes I think this is no longer the case. 

What is Your Song? 🎶 (Updated)

I've often mentioned that each of my books brings a soundtrack. This is a collection of songs that inspired me throughout the writing process. These songs suddenly get in my head and stick around until the book is complete. Interestingly enough, once the process is over, the song seems less prevalent in my subconscious.

Not only does each book develop a collection of songs that take me through the writing process, but I've noticed that there's always one song in particular that stands out as being the one that best represents the protagonist. I'm sure the same can be said for each of us too, and in various phases of our lives.  

In my first book, Fire, Tarah Kiersey's song would probably be Possession– Sarah McLachlan 

This song went through my mind for months, possibly even years, before I started to write this particular manuscript. At the time, I would envision a scene that would later fit into my first book, even though I wasn't yet sure of its significance. All I knew was that it was powerful and that the character behind it was pushing her way through to tell her story.

A Spark before the Fire was the prequel to Fire and discussed the life of a strong character from my first book, Jimmy Groome. There are so many songs that could fit this character, but if I had to choose one, I would say Something in the Way by Nirvana. Depending on how you interpret this song, you could view this in a couple of different ways, and in honesty, either would apply in this situation.

I switched things up when I decided to write about vampires in The Rock Star of Vampires and a young woman named Ava Lilith. She lived a secret life that had to be hidden from everyone around her. Her song was Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls. 

In my first book in the Hernandez series, We're All Animals, I would say Chase Jacobs' theme song would be Animal I Have Become by Three Days Grace. This song suits him to perfection. It describes the raw power behind the story.

My Hernandez series have so many songs that have popped up along the way. So many have inspired my writing and characters. If I had to pick one, I would say it's Masters of Puppets by Metallica. It's powerful and intense, just like Jorge Hernandez. 

So what's your theme song? Tell me about it in the comment section. 

What my Characters Teach ME 🤓 (Updated)

My readers might be surprised to discover that each of my protagonists develops from a place deep inside me and transforms before my eyes as I tell their story. Readers may be even more surprised to discover that with each lead character comes a great lesson.

So what kind of lessons have I learned along the way? Check this out.

Ava from The Rock Star of Vampires: 

In The Rock Star of Vampires, Ava underestimates her powers. However, after a few mishaps (including a powerful hex that put her boss in the hospital) Ava began to recognize the power inside herself. Ava learns she's capable of doing things that she had never imagined possible. Most of us don't realize we are much more powerful than we ever thought possible. We just have to believe.





Mariah from Her Name is Mariah:

In Her Name is Mariah, the protagonist grows up in a difficult family situation and learns resiliency at a very young age. She's forced into young independence that serves her well as an adult, better preparing her for a tough world. One of the strongest characters I've ever written about, at one point Mariah Nichols declares herself the wolf in a world full of sheep. She intimidates, manipulates, and never allows anyone into her heart. Mariah Nichols teaches us that our strength is often much more powerful than we ever thought possible, and it's something we should embrace with no apology.





Natasha from Different Shades of the Same Color:

Natasha in Different Shades of the Same Color wanted to make the world a better place. She saw the importance of reaching out, connecting with people, and doing what she could to help those vulnerable in society. I think we sometimes get caught up in our own lives and forget the importance of connecting with our community. Natasha wanted to be their voice when they couldn’t speak, something we all should do. She also was goofy, not afraid to wave her freak flag and love life. Isn't that what life is all about?

Jorge from the Hernandez series

The sly Mexican fox himself has a way of reminding us that power is a state of mind. Where other people may feel helpless in various situations, Jorge is always locked in his sense of power. Whether or not it is true, or just in his head is irrelevant. It is because he believes it, that others do too. 

Paige from the Hernandez series

The wife of protagonist Jorge, it's not surprising that she's his opposite. Where he is loud, abrupt, and often rude, Paige is calm, centered, and level-headed. I often think I would like to have these same traits, but more times than not, I feel like I'm a little more Jorge than I am Paige. 

The characters are, in essence, a part of the author, and writing a book is often a very cathartic experience. I know it is for me.

Canadian author Mima is known for her complicated and diverse characters, a dark style, and for never shying away from controversial topics. To request an interview or if you are interested in doing a book review, please send requests here  

 

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Why read a book when you have Netflix? 📺 (Updated)

I sat in a dentist's chair when I decided to sign up for Netflix. My hygienist told me about the (at the time) relatively new site, how it worked and why she loved it. My curiosity peaked, and it only took some mild convincing from her to encourage me to go home and sign up.

And it was fantastic! I had the opportunity to watch various series from episode one and explore new movies, and it was all at a price I could afford.

I was in love.

So with this in mind, why are people still reading books? What do they have to offer in the world of Netflix, the Internet, and five billion television channels? 

People have asked me these questions more than once, almost as people were challenging why I even bothered writing books. What could I possibly offer them that other forms of entertainment - entertainment that takes far less effort than reading a book - couldn't surpass? 

Fair enough.

Movies are easy. Television is easy. You flick them on, and off you go. But they do have limits.

I recently read a book that blew my mind. The ending wasn't anything I could've anticipated. I was stunned. I was impressed that the author had managed to surprise me. Knowing this book was also made into a movie, I didn't hesitate to check it out.

I hated it. The movie didn't live up to the book. It was terrible. Some important parts of the book were removed, and the ending completely changed. It was boring and terrible. I was horrified that the writer allowed her book to be butchered. 

We've all seen great books annihilated by soulless Hollywood producers, but that isn't always the case. I can also think of a great television show based on a series of books that I found very lackluster.

The point is that movies and television are different monsters. It's hard to beat the visual aspect of an action-filled car chase or the beauty of a sunrise in a far-off land. 

On the other side, movies and television have limits. The average length of a movie is 130 minutes, so audiences have to be pulled in fast and told a story that makes sense, with all the key points at a pretty accelerated pace. Directors and producers are limited by their budget and may not be able to film specific scenes because they would cost too much. Other factors such as investors may also factor into what does and doesn't make the final cut. And, of course, the right actors can make all the difference in the world. 

Books are the wild west of the entertainment world. There are no limits. You can write a 200 or 1000-page book; it's up to the author. Details and descriptions can be never-ending or limited. Editors may suggest you cut down the length or make other suggestions, but I feel that a writer has a little more room to breathe and can choose to work with publishers that share their vision.

Plus, there is a connection with the characters. If you're reading a book, it's over some time. You read their most inner thoughts, fears, and desires. This isn't always as easy to do in movies or series. It may take a few episodes of a show or a good portion of a movie before you decide how you feel about a character. It depends on their vulnerability or relatability. 

It might be just a personal thing, but I find that there's something peaceful about grabbing a book and spending time alone, getting absorbed in the pages, and doing so at your own pace. You can read quickly, finishing a book in a night. Or you can slowly absorb each line, each paragraph at a relaxed pace that allows you to not miss a detail. You can see yourself in each character or envision a celebrity in the role. To a certain degree, the story is as much yours as the authors because you can envision the scenes, the characters, and every detail in just the way you wish.

Canadian author Mima is known for her complicated and diverse characters, a dark style and for never shying away from controversial topics. To request an interview or if you are interested in doing a book review, please send requests here

 

Mima is the author of Fire and the prequel, A Spark before the Fire, as well as The Rock Star of Vampires  Her Name is Mariah and Different Shades of the Same Color. Join Mima on Facebook, Twitter, G+ and Goodreads also, check out her Amazon Author Page

For some reading, check out her blogs – personal or writing

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Why overly structured writing doesn't work 💻 (Updated)

Growing up, I was told that a writer had to have a well-constructed plan created before starting a book. You needed to create characters and have them figured out well in advance. You needed to know all the details before writing the first chapter. And you needed to know the ending before you started.

I think this is wrong. Overly structured writing, much like an overly structured life, doesn’t work. It’s awkward, it is uncomfortable, and it’s not fun. The characters create themselves, as do their storylines, and really, that’s what makes the entire process magical and exciting. If your imagination is allowed to run wild, it can go to many exciting places. 

I often say that attempting to force your characters to be or act a certain way steals something from the creative process. It's similar to forcing your children to be something they are not. If Billy Jr. hates hockey, he's not going to become an NHL star, and even if he does, it's not going to end well if his heart isn't into it. You can't play God with characters, but you can let them lead the way. That makes the best storytelling of all. 

Canadian author Mima is known for her complicated and diverse characters, a dark style and for never shying away from controversial topics. To request an interview or if you are interested in doing a book review, please send requests here

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