First of all, I want to say thanks to Mandi for asking me to guest blog. Thanks so much, Mandi!
As some of you may know, I have a book coming out today — Spider’s Bite, the first book in my new Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series. The star of the book is Gin Blanco, a part-time cook and waitress at the Pork Pit barbecue restaurant. In her spare time, Gin moonlights as the assassin the Spider.
For this blog, Mandi asked me to talk a little about how Gin is a strong, kick-butt assassin who still maintains her feminine qualities. So here goes.
I think it’s the little things that really make a character come to life. I wanted to not only make Gin feminine, but also just a character that people can relate to in some small way. Because, let’s face it, assassins aren’t exactly the most sympathetic characters around. They kill people for money, and Gin is no exception.
So how did I make Gin not only feminine but (hopefully) likeable as well?
First of all, by giving her people to care about. I don’t think there’s anything more feminine — or more fearsome — than a woman protecting the people that she loves. It’s just an instinct that kicks in, no matter if we’re talking about kids, siblings, parents, friends, or even pets. Gin has several people that she cares about — her foster father and brother, her dwarven mentor, even the Goth dwarf who disposes of the bodies that Gin leaves in her wake.
We’ve all heard stories about women lifting cars off their kids to save them. Gin is doing the same thing with her knives — protecting the people that she loves. Gin just gets a little bloodier and her soul a tad blacker in the process. But to her, it’s a small price to pay to keep her friends and family safe.
I also gave Gin some character quirks. For example, she loves to cook, and she’s fond of reading classic (especially southern and Greek) literature. I don’t know that these things make Gin more feminine, but they certainly humanize her and hopefully make folks relate to her.
Gin does have a love interest in Spider’s Bite — a sexy detective named Donovan Caine. Gin isn’t shy about letting Donovan know that she’s interested in him, but she also wants to be desired in return. Gin wants the detective to be as into her as she is into him. I think this sort of yearning is pretty universal, and it shows a chink in the armor that Gin has put around her heart. She wants to open herself up to the right person, but she’s still afraid to at the same time. Who among us hasn’t been there?
Now, Gin’s a tough girl, and there’s no one who’s more ruthless in a fight than she is. But Gin also has her weaknesses and vulnerabilities, just like the rest of us do. Her family was murdered when she was thirteen, which led to her living on the streets and eventually becoming an assassin. Her family’s murder is something that still haunts Gin and still has the power to take her back to that time when she was a helpless young girl.
Overall, I think it’s the combination of sass and smarts, strengths and weaknesses, toughness and vulnerability, that makes Gin so strong and feminine at the same time. She knows her skills and her limits and is confident in her abilities. And to me, there’s nothing sexier than confidence, no matter who you are.
So there you have it. Some of the things that went into the making of Gin
Blanco and Spider’s Bite. Got questions? I’ll try to answer them in the comments. In the meantime, happy reading! ;-)
Thanks Jennifer!!
Jennifer has kindly offered to give away one copy of Spider’s Bite today. To enter, just leave a comment! Contest open through January 27th and I will announce the winner on Thursday. Open to US/Canada only.
I'm looking forward to reading Spider's Bite! I love smart and sassy heroine!
I love the opening line:
My name is Gin, and I kill people.
What a great way to start. I'm immediately intrigued. I'm looking forward to reading SPIDER'S BITE, especially after reading the short story you provided. Did that first line come to you immediately Jennifer? Did it lead to the rest of the story? Or did it come later?
:)
Sounds like a great book. I'm looking forward to reading this book!
Hi, everyone! I just want to say thanks for all the nice words about the book here and on the review post as well. And thanks to Mandi for the awesome review.
Jennifer and Bells — I hope you both have as much fun reading Spider's Bite as I did writing it! ;-)
RK — You know, that line just came to me. I'm usually pretty good at opening lines, but I knew that this one was something special. It really sets the tone for the whole story and immediately tells the reader what the book is about. And yep, everything else just flowed from that.
Count me in! I am trying very hard not to enter contests but I'll make an exception for a book I really want to read. :)
I've read Spider's Bite and it is the opposites in Gin, like you described, that made her such an incredible character. What did me in was the fact I got to meet a highly skilled assassin but when she made a discovery at the Pork Pit coming back from *peep spoilers*
That moment really showed me there was so much more to Gin then her being an assassin. I just had to get to know her better. Can I ask how you came up with the Runes and its significance in the world of Ashland?
PS: can I just say; love Jojo and Sophie!
I've been hearing great things about Spider's bite. Gin sounds like exactly the kind of character I love to love; count me in!
Spider's Bite sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it!
Gin sounds like a great character! I can't wait to read about her!
booknerdd(at)gmail(dot)com
Awesome name!! I love thta you humanized her by her love for cooking. I'm looking forward to reading it.
I've been hearing alot about this one, can't wait! tWarner419@aol.com
Leontine — I actually came up with Gin's rune — the spider rune — in kind of a strange way. I work as a journalist and over the years, I've done some stories on psanky, the Ukranian art of easter egg dyeing. One of the symbols used is a spider, which represents patience. I just thought that was a cool symbol and would make a great assassin name. Some of the other runes are also based on psanky (spiral curls), and some I just came up with myself (like the heart-and-arrow sign for Northern Aggression).
I like Sophia and Jo-Jo too. :-)
I am really caught by this book. I would love to win this one!!! Please enter me in the contest. Thank you so much! Have we told you lately you are the best? Well… you are;)
hayden392@comcast.net
Nice post. I'm really excited about reading this one :)
Gin sounds like a great character. I'm loving her occupation – cook/waiter/assassin :D She could whip me up a dinner and kick some ass for me! Love it!
Gins sounds like my kind of girl. I love when heroines have a tough kick ass side, but at the same time show vulnerability and quirkiness.
I loved Mandi's review yesterday and am putting this one on my You Better Buy It List.
Great Interview *waves*
Gin sounds awesome! I can't wait to read Spider's Bite, love UF and it sounds really good!
Great post! :)
Please enter me!
xxsquigglesxx(at)gmail(dot)com
Great interview Mandi! Gin sounds like my kinda girl!
A new to me author! would love to give it a go! Sounds awesome!
Amy J
djsfoxylady@gmail.com
I'm looking forward to reading this! I love a kick-ass heroine. :) Thanks for the chance to win!
Waitress by day, assassin by night. Oh this I have to read.
Jennifer–Thanks for visiting. Your book sounds great. Who are some of the strong and feminine characters in books that you admire?
This sounds interesting and different. I love the assassin/waitress combo. I've read Jinx by Jennifer Estep and I found what I like about her writing is her ability to take someone with powers and/or skills that are way above average and make the character still seem real and flawed. Like someone you might hang out with, despite the fact they are a superhero, or, in this case, an assassin.
Will put this on my TBR list for sure!
Too bad the giveaway is only US/CA :) But I'm curious about this book anyway and I'm adding it to my TBB list. Want to find out for myself how a assassin can be made likeable ;)
oooh me me me! I so want to read this book now :) I am not above shameless begging LOL
I'm seeing this book everywhere.
I can't wait to read it.Seems everyone is enjoying it
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
LSUReader — I would have to say that one of my all-time favorite female characters is Beauty from Beauty by Robin McKinley. Beauty doesn't necessarily do anything kick-butt (not like Gin), but she makes the most of the strange new world that she finds herself in and is kind enough to love a beast. (Can you tell that Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales?) ;-)
To mention some more YA reads, I also really liked the heroines in Graceling by Kristin Cashore and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Both of those were strong, smart, capable heroines who used their survival skills to outsmart their enemies. (I've also been on a bit of a YA reading kick lately).
And I also like Murphy from the Harry Dresden series by Jim Butcher. Murphy doesn't have powers like Harry does, but she's right there fighting alongside him.
Of course, there are tons of other strong women characters in urban fantasy books these days by authors like Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs, etc.
Michelle — Thanks so much. That's something every writer wants to hear.
Definitely will read this. A cook/waitress/assassin..what's not to love? :)
I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com
I can't wait to read this book. I sounds fantastic!
Me!Me!Me!
No, I have no shame.
I love how she says, "…I'm still one of the bad guys."
Spider's Bite sounds wonderful. I am adding this book to my wishlist. :)
This sounds so great! I want to win :)
kaylajohnson3969@sbcglobal.net
I've been seeing so many great reviews for this that I'd really love to win a copy! I love the cover-that kick butt looking heroine is great and really gives you a great idea of the fun and suspense coming your way.
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
Gin sounds amazing! I want this book and I want it bad!! Great post Jennifer!!
I'm very much looking forward to reading her latest book. I have read her other series and it was fantastic and funny as hell at time! Still going to get if I don;t win it, but I would much rather win it : )
I just wanted to say thanks again for all the nice words about Spider's Bite. I appreciate them!
I actually did a book signing this past weekend, and I was warning folks that this is quite a bit darker than my Bigtime books. But you know what? Everyone was totally okay with it. Everyone seems to like the dark, gritty reads right now …
This book sounds great! I can't wait to read it.
I'm looking forward to reading Spider's Bite.
Love smart and sassy heroines.
I love to start a new series and this one looks good. Plus she's a new-to-me author which is always nice.
forwhlz at gmail dot com
I've been seeing Spider's Bite all over the internet lately. I can't wait to get a crack at reading it! Please count me in for the contest!
I've seen several interviews and Spider's Bite is on my list of February releases to buy.
Hi Jennifer :)
This new series sounds absolutely fab, congrats on your release and good luck!
This is the first I've heard of Spider's Bite, but now I'm dying to read it. I love a strong, confident heroine – sounds like a great story.
Been seeing this one a lot the past few days & it looks great. New to Me author, and I do so love finding new authors to read.
Great post. Congrats on the release. I am really looking forward to reading Spiders Bite.
This sounds like a very intriguing book, I would love to read it.
This one sounds really good. Please enter me for it..
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Great post! I see good things happening for this book!
Thia book sounds so good~Thanks for the chance to win :-)
deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com
Gin sounds so awesome. Love a good kick-butt heroine! I can't wait to read this.
This sounds like a great plot for a story with a strong heroine. I really like the cover. Thanks for the chance to read this.
Nice interview. I liked the bit about trying to make the character relatable/likable. I think a lot of authors would just focus on the kick-ass bits or decide to make the character an anti-hero you're not supposed to like. Personally, I tend to prefer books where I can at least sympathize with the main character. Spider's Bite sounds like it should be an interesting read. I'm always on the lookout for fantasy books to recommend to my SF/F bookclub.
Cathy
cathydalek at gmail dot com
I think that this book sounds really good and would love to be entered in the contest. Plus, a strong heroine is a must for me!
samantha.1020@yahoo.com
Sounds like a book I'd love to read. And everyone's responses make me feel like this is a good read. I'm sold.
patronus89013[at]yahoo[dot]com
Thx for the chance to win – it sounds like a great read :)
Amber
a.leigh86(at)yahoo(dot)com
Spider bite, that's a title that gets your attention.
samnstacyATmeDOTcom
What an interesting concept. Looking forward to checking this out.
Spider's Bite sounds great! I can't wait to read it!
notreallysouthernvampchick(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like something right up my alley.
Thank you!
cheleooc at yahoo dot com
This book sounds really good. I am looking forward to reading it!!
jbbird [at] duo-county [dot] com
Great interivew!
Can't wait to read spider's bites!!
Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com
This book's been on my Goodread TBR for a month. Sign me up!
leighofthestone(at)yahoo(dot)com
This book's been on my Goodreads TBR for a month. Sign me up!
leighofthestone(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like an interesting read. I'll look for it in my local bookstore, which I happen to work at.
lynnflagler(at)yahoo(dot)com
Please count me in.
simplystacieblog at gmail dot com
I've been looking for a new Urban Fantasy read and this one sounds good. Enter me in the contest! Even if I don't win, I plan on buying this book.