Jodie Bailey Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. This question always gets me, because I could literally talk about anything! I am North Carolina born and raised. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we used to snap beans on the back porch and shuck corn on the picnic table in the summer… and I’m not nearly as old as that makes me sound. ? I have terrible handwriting. I love a good drive to the beach in the Jeep with the roof off, preferably in the fall when the fishing is good. I’m a (retired) Army wife, a mom, a former teacher, and an avid reader. And I’m in the market for a good hobby. Have any ideas?

Q: What started you on your writing journey?
A. I have no idea. I’ve written stories my whole life. I can’t remember not writing. For fun, I decided to add a second major—creative writing—in college, just because I could. What started me on taking it seriously was sitting in a Beth Moore Bible study one day. I’d been writing for fun for years, even co-writing with a friend, saving big documents on my computer, but I never considered this as a career. It felt too much like saying, “I want ot be a rock star when I grow up.” So there I was, sitting in this Bible study, and I thought, “Wow, Beth Moore has the coolest job in the world. She gets to talk about Jesus, to write about Jesus…” I like to say God hit me with a Bible in that moment. It was this lightning flash of, “Well, DUH. Why do you think I gave you this passion? To hide it in a drawer?” And the rest is a rather twisty, turning journey to today!

Q: What distracts you from writing the easiest?
A. Facebook. Other people’s books. Definitely other people’s books. I say often, “Why can’t I stop this and read someone ELSE’S words for the rest of the day?” That happens most often during revision.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Christmas Double Cross?
A. I am so excited about this book! It’s the second book in a three-book series about the Texas Rangers and their hunt for a cartel leader and his sister… who may be innocent OR who may be just as danger as he is. I’m book two, and I got the joy of sharing this journey with Elizabeth Goddard and Sharon Dunn. My book tells the story of Colter Blackthorn, a Ranger who is being chased by the failures of his past. He’s pursuing the cartel leader’s sister when he comes face to face with a woman who could be her twin. Danielle Segovia has her hands full with her business and her sixteen-year-old brother, who’s heading down a dark path of his own. When the cartel sets its sights on Danielle, believing she’s the missing sister, Colt finds himself having to stay close when he really wants to keep his distance. Colt and Danielle have to face his past in order to save each other… and to save her brother when he gets caught in the crossfire.

Q: Where did the idea for this story come from?
A. Our editors laid down the germ of the story for us and gave us a wonderful setup to work from. Elizabeth, Sharon, and I worked together on the details and the story across the three books is exciting and filled with all kinds of twists and turns on the way to the conclusion.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. As I type this, I am sitting in Panera waiting for my car to get an oil change. Yep. The writing life is amazingly glamorous! I am actually doing something I have never done before… I took a month off. The past three years have been a whirlwind of book after book after book, and my brain needed a breather and to spend some real, concentrated time with Jesus. It’s been hard to stay away from the keyboard, though! I’m looking forward to next week, when my month is up and I can start back up again. I have several ideas perking, and I’m not sure which one will get my attention first. I’ll let you know, though!

Q: What kind of books do you enjoy reading?
A. If you set it in front of me, I will probably read it. When I was a kid, I was caught reading the dictionary when there was nothing else available. Seriously. I’ve even curled up with a cookbook when I had no other options.

Q: What is your favorite food?
A. Oh my. What isn’t? I love food. I love eating. This is why I now have a standing desk. ? As for favorites? Uhm, chips and salsa. Baked potatoes. A really, really good salad made by someone who isn’t me. Anything you throw over charcoal on the grill. And dark chocolate.

Q: What makes you smile and/or laugh out loud?
A. I have had the privilege of spending more time with my young niece and nephews over the past few months. Those three are downright hilarious. My youngest nephew is three and his comedic timing is absolutely perfect. The things that come out of his mouth… He’s going to be famous one day, I just know it.

Q: If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A. A cat. They’re so graceful and they’ve got lazing in a sunbeam down to an art. Except I’d be a cat who can read… There’s the catch.