New Author Interview - Jesse Kimmel-Freeman - Bella Notte

Jesse Kimmel-Freeman is a new author and is working on getting her first novel, Bella Notte, published. This is an interview I had with her and I hope you all check out her awesome website and support her first novel!

Danielle: First of all, would you like to let everyone know what Bella Notte is about?

Jesse: Bella Notte is a YA supernatural vampire romance. Now I'm not talking about a cheesy Buffy the vampire slayer falls for Angel the vampire or the not cheesy at all relationship between Bella and Edward. My story is different. All of my main characters start out as human in the beginning of this book. They go through a "change" and they become vampires/werewolves. But besides dealing with all of this vampire/werewolf stuff, they still have to deal with everyday teenage stuff and some stuff that most teens don't have to deal with. No spoilers for you!

D: How did you come up with the idea for Bella Notte?

J: I've always loved vampires, and when I say love, what I mean is that they are my obsession! When the genre began to open up more for writers, I decided that my story wasn't out there and that it needed to be told. It still isn't out there. So I took my undying love for vampires and wrote the book I wanted to read.

D: When did you first start writing?

J: I've always written and told stories, apparently as that is what all my friends have been saying now that I wrote a book. As for Bella Notte, it took me about a year and a half to get it done, but that doesn't include the 9 months that I was pregnant with my son and on bed rest- like serious lay down all the time bed rest.

D: What did you find was the most difficult part of writing the book?

J: Everything! My characters had really strong voices in my head, but they had no names, no homes, nothing! It was difficult to come up with the histories for so many people and then I went and threw in mythological stuff too (sorry to those creatures that really do exist)... it just made it even harder!

D: Would you say the story revolves more around the world of the supernatural or around the relationship between the characters? I guess what I mean is, is it more of an action story or a romance?

J: I would have to say that it is a romance, as it is a love triangle. But the self-discovery within the supernatural is also important, but I think that it will be more present in the next book, can't for say for sure as it is still floating around in my head... but the love stuff will be there too.

D: On your web site you say that your "vampires are different from the everyday type." How are they different?

J: Well, when I started mapping out Bella Notte, I made a list that I had everyone contribute to as for the stereotypical traits of vampires and werewolves. Then I hand picked the traits for my creatures. I chose the things that I thought would be necessary for my characters to deal with the things that they will face... so you won't find any Draculas or sparkly vampires here.

D: Do you believe in any kind of supernatural beings in real life?

J: Now you're going to think I'm insane. I have to admit that I do believe in all supernatural beings. I believe in vampires, werewolves, ghosts, the monster in my closet and under my bed. I know, it sounds completely nutty. But I think that it helps make my writing unique, as I write stuff that I believe could really be out there.

D: Are you planning on making Bella Notte into a series?

J: Of course! There will be four books! The title translations are Beautiful Night (book 1), Beautiful life (book2), beautiful sadness (book 3), and beautiful death (book 4). I've already written out the prologues for all four books and you can find the first two on the site. I wanted to post the other two but there are too many spoilers in them, so they will just have to wait! And I've begun writing the beginning of Bella Vita (Beautiful Life).

D: I know you find it helpful to have conversations with your characters so, if Emma (the main character) could say one last thing to readers of her story, what would it be?

J: Dang that's a hard one. I think that she would probably let them know that this is not the last they will hear from her and OMG can it get any worse?

CHECK OUT THE Bella Notte WEB SITE!!! http://bellanottethebook.weebly.com