Jillian David

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

I like to tell folks that I "run slowly and snack often." It's true. For a while there, Hubs and I were doing 50K trail races until life and my knees decided maybe 8 hours of running wasn't the greatest idea. We still enjoy trail running, albeit shorter distances. I also love my cats (Fluffy, Fred, and Wilma). Traveling is also something I love, and I've been to over 20 countries and tons of national and state parks!

When and why did you start writing books?

Since I was a kid, I have loved creative writing. In fact, my college major was English writing, poetry concentration (super marketable major, I know!). I then went to medical school and put my writing to the side while I trained and then started practice -- so there were about 12 years of no writing. Then one day I thought of a story and wrote it down. Fast forward another 12 years and here we are! lots of fun books written, and more to come!

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

As a doctor, sometimes it's tough to deal with patient challenges, illnesses, or disorders -- in the hospital and in the clinic. Some days, even my best advice can be hard for patients to either adhere to or afford. They're often frustrated by their health or the system of delivery. I can't make them happy. Enter writing! I love writing and getting my books into readers' hands. Writing is this one thing I can do that makes ME happy and makes OTHER PEOPLE happy. And it doesn't have any side effects (except for sleepless nights up reading, or so I'm told!).

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

It's so hard to pick just one. It's like picking your favorite child! Honestly, whichever book I'm working on at the time is the book I love the most (or love to hate the most)!

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

As of this interview (5/24) the hardest book for me to write is one I haven't published yet. I was recently contracted by a publisher to write a 3-book medical romance series: Yukon Valley Hospital. The series idea is basically Grey's Anatomy meets Northern Exposure! Oddly, the first book of the series about a rural physician doing a locums stent in Alaska, was the hardest book for me to write because it felt autobiographical. It's not. But writing this book reminded me of my professional history and what I love and fear about medicine. This book, out of everything I've ever written, made me feel extremely vulnerable and exposed as an author. I'm really proud of the story that came out of that challenging writing process, though, and I hope readers love it, too!

Who is your favourite author and book?

My favorite authors are: Anne Bishop (Black Jewels series) Anne McCaffrey (Draonriders of Pern series, Crystal Singer series, etc..) Robin McKinley (Damar series, Sunshine, and (OMG) Deerskin, among many others) J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood) there are more, but these are my top ones

What book are you reading right now?

I am reading Quarry Girls right now.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

-Several of my books feature female physicians, so obviously I draw on experience with those. -Book #1 of Project Morpheus (military romantic suspense) the whole book came from a storage bench built into my walk-in closet. I wondered, what if there was a trap-door under this bench seat, where would it go and who would need to use it? That's how the story came to be! -Book #1 of my medical romance series basically took the concept of Hart of Dixie meets Life Below Zero and -- voila -- a book!

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Sleeping (I'm a doctor who is often on Ob call), reading, editing, writing, hiking/running.

Do you have any new books in the works?

YES! -Project Morpheus Phase 2 series is about to be proposed to my publisher, Evernight. Hopefully they'll love this next 3-book series as much as I did writing it! -Yukon Valley Hospital 3-book series is in the works!!! -And I have another romantic suspense sitting in the wings. It's a suspense set on a cruise ship. The concept is: The Love Boat meets the Zodiac Killer!