I knew Kale from that same time (we worked together at Edwards 21 Cinemas, I was his supervisor, haha). We have kept in contact, despite me moving, and he had gotten together with me and brainstormed before I moved, on plans for book 2, but we ended up scrapping a lot of those plans and saving them for book 3. Kale has come on board as a co- author in the last few months, and plans to cowrite book 3.
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Question: What are book 2 and 3 about?
Kackie: Book 2 is about Jagger and 'Babbit' Conner, their amazingly complicated love story and adventures. You may have picked up on some clues in book 1 about Jagger and Babbit... Megan and I are always joking that their story could have been a soap opera, save for all the adventure and fantasy in it. Megan and I are both admittedly in love with Jagger, so this book has taken a long time for either of us to actually "finish." But it's mostly about Babbit coming back into Jagger's life, just as he is about to marry Selena, and generally throwing everything completely off. Get ready for tissues, as well... you will need them!
Book 3 is going to be Kyler's book. That is all I can say, because a LOT can change quickly. But it's going to be good- hey, it's Kyler, isn't it? :D
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Question: You've based some characters on people? Who?
Kackie: Well, Kyler is inspired by my friend Kale. He saw himself in Kyler before I even realized it. Kale is a good, loyal friend, very cool and if he's reading this, he will tell me it's not true and he is not that great, but I think he is. :D Babbit is almost completely drawn from my dear friend Megan. Megan's nickname has been Babbit since she was quite young, which is where Babbit Conner's nick name came from. That is also where a lot of Babbit's spunk, musical taste and determination, strength came from. Jagger, of course, has a lot of Keith Urban in him. When I first imagined Jagger, I saw this Australian guy in cowboy boots, jeans, a black button down and with this wonderful shoulder length hair. It's funny, at the time I hadn't yet seen the 'Raining on Sunday' music video, but that almost perfectly fits Keith's description in that video. Jagger is not a musician, but he has that same rock-star quality, and yet that same sweetness like Keith. Of course, Jagger is all his own... he has taken the reins many times in his book and said, "nope, mate, this is how I am. If you don't like it, write about someone else." Jade (Ewan's sister) is based in part on my friend Heather who's nickname is Jade.
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Question: So, is Pandora based on you?
Kackie: No, not at all. Pandora and I are actually less alike than I am with perhaps any of the main characters. I have been asked that a lot... maybe because she is a blonde and the main female lead in Book 1? I don't know which of the women I am the most like, but I would say it would fall between Babbit and a few of the women characters that weren't introduced yet in Book 1. I have more in common with Alex (being the responsible one), Jagger (being a people person and quite passionate about things) and Ewan (though he has a better sense of humor than I do!)
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Question: What did you do the first time the book was in the newspaper?
Kackie: I was out of town that day in Branson, MO on a family visit and mini-vacation. I knew the article was going to be running, so I called to talk to Benjamin (who interviewed me) and then also had my work hold two copies for me. When I got into town, I ripped open those newspapers and nearly cried. That week, the bookstore Tweedle Bros was also running an ad about the book. Very cool! It was full color and everything. They called it a "gripping thriller," God bless them.
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Question: Which is your favorite Keith Urban album?
Kackie: "Golden Road", hands down. It was my first, it's been played more often than any other CD I have and I love every song on it. I love all of his albums, though. I own all five of the studio albums, plus I have a collection of the oddball ones from other CDs, demos, unreleased, etc. Someone said that "Golden Road" is all about journeys. I am still in that stage of my life, even as I was when it came out in 2002. I'm still on that golden road, still taking that journey, so I think I relate to it so closely that it is just a wonderful part of my life, an expression of where I have been, where I am going and where I am right now. I would love Keith to someday actually write a song called "Golden Road" about the road of life he has taken to this point. I think it would be amazing, like that movie "Interstate 60" with all the weird stops along the way.
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Question: What other music do you like?
Kackie: I love so many different kinds of music. Top favorites are Keith Urban, Enya, the Dixie Chicks and the BeeGees. Then comes Shania Twain, ABBA and so many others in the 80's, 70's, country, some pop, soft rock categories. I also admit I have almost every CD Kenny Chesney has ever put out. I was hooked the day "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems" was first played, and begged my station to play it more. That was then. Now Kenny is huge. Crazy, haha.
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Question: What's your favorite Keith Urban song?
Kackie: Released: "She's Gotta Be" from Be Here. Unreleased/demo: "Lucky Ones" from the Raining on Sunday single... a beautiful song to go with Raining on Sunday, just wonderful. I also love "Future Plans" from the Keith Urban 1991 album, because it can make me cry, and "Who Wouldn't Be Me?" will always have a very, very special place in my heart, because it was my first favorite. :D
