Welcome to author Jackie Pulpit who left his magical Shelties and took time away from his love of nature to answer a few questions for us.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Typically, it takes me about six months to write a cozy novel from concept to finished product.
Do you write under a pseudonym? If not, have you ever considered it?
Yes, I do. Jackie Pulpit is a pseudonym, in case it wasn’t already obvious. 😊.
What comes first for you, the plot or characters?
Almost always the plot first, but as the story gets more fleshed out, characters start to integrate themselves.
How do you select the names of your characters?
Sometimes their names just come to me, but more often than not, my characters are loosely based on people in real life. Baby name books are also quite helpful.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
My spirit animal is most certainly the Tardigrade. Those cute, microscopic moss piglets that can be found in your backyard are nearly indestructible and absolutely adorable.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Gaming, podcasting, and taking nature walks.
Do you ever Google yourself?
Of course! Who doesn’t? Who knows what zany conspiracy theories might be wrongly linked to me. Gotta make sure my Google profile isn’t a mess.
What is your favorite childhood book(s)?
The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein. I believe it teaches us all the value of giving and the lessons learned in taking.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Don’t self-publish in 2006. Hone your writing craft for a few more years before assuming you are an accomplished writer.
How did you come up with the idea for your cozy series?
The Naturalist Selection series is based on my wife, an accomplished naturalist. She has twenty years of experience working for a major metroparks system, and I was fortunate enough to take part by volunteering, and I got to meet wonderful people, and learn the inner workings of how such a place functions.
My name is Jackie Pulpit, lover of all things Nature! I volunteer for my local Metroparks and spend my free time writing cozy mysteries. My wife, my muse, is the inspiration for the Naturalist Selection series, and when she’s not providing for me new story ideas, she assists in caring for our two wonderful Shelties, Kirin and Kobold.