JENIE GEORGE
1. Has writing been your hobby from childhood or did it just come to your mind recently?
Writing was a hobby for me from a young age. I started writing short stories at about ten years old—back when I thought it was cool to make all my characters’ names rhyme. As I got older, I started writing poetry and song lyrics, and I journaled almost every day. Even through the busy college years, I squeezed in creative writing courses wherever I could. The idea of writing a full-blown novel was intimidating to me for a long time, but a few years ago, I decided to give it a try. Shortly after making that decision, the inspiration for XODUS hit me. Fate? You decide.
2. What motivated you to start writing?
I honestly don't know exactly where the motivation to write began. I have always loved reading, and language is fascinating to me, so I would guess it stemmed from those two things. Wherever the motivation came from, once I started writing, I was hooked. I actually start to feel uneasy, almost anxious, if I go too long without writing. It's therapeutic for me.
3. And is there any inspiration from any person around you for writing?
I take a lot of inspiration from people around me, and it's pretty clear to anyone who has ever seen me with my siblings that the family dynamic between Lali (the protagonist in XODUS) and her brothers and sisters is largely based on how I interact with my own. None of my characters are just based on one person; I like to combine characteristics from people I've encountered and give my characters life experiences and motivations that I would imagine would lead to those personality traits—probably because I was a psychology minor in college. I am forever psychoanalyzing people in an effort to understand behavior and what makes people tick.
4. What is your book about? Any particular genre?
In short, XODUS is a Young Adult Paranormal/Fantasy novel about a girl who discovers she can astral project and tries to use her new ability to find her mother. Along the way, she meets a somewhat questionable boy who has a similar ability, but a very different outlook on right and wrong. He is trying to find his sister, and the two team up to help each other. The story explores the idea of what is right versus what is necessary and what types of morally gray choices can be forgiven when it comes to rescuing someone you love.
5. Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?
It wasn't so much a choice to write YA as what naturally comes out when I put pen to paper. That could be because YA Paranormal/Fantasy is my favorite genre to read, or it could be because I don't want to grow up, and I'm still a teenager in my head. Or it could be both. It's probably both.
6. How long have you been writing? And how many hours do you spend on writing in a day?
As I mentioned before, I've been writing since about fourth grade, but if we're talking specifically novels, then I've been writing for just over three years. (Yes, it took me nearly three years to write XODUS.) I try to make myself write for two chunks of three and a half hours every day. Sometimes it works out according to plan; sometimes I get blocked for a day or two or get inspired and go crazy writing for ten hours straight.
7. Do you read a lot of books?
Yes! I love books! I have a really bad habit of reading too many books at once. It's kind of like Bright Shiny Object Syndrome. I can't be trusted to come out of bookstores or libraries with just a single book.
8. What was the hardest part of writing XODUS?
The hardest part of writing XODUS was leaving the scenes alone once they were "done." I suffer from perfectionism, and it's nearly impossible for me to read something I've written and not want to make changes. I always think I can make it better. If I didn't have the wonderful people who make up my writing support system, I don't know if I ever would have published XODUS. I'd probably still be trying to change things.
9. What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
For me, it was really fun to write the scenes with Lali and her siblings. I grew up the second of five children, and Lali is the oldest of five children. The way the siblings in the story banter back and forth is very similar to the way my siblings and I are when we are together. I loved creating that dynamic and revisiting what it was like growing up in such a busy house.
10. What do you do in your free time?
I move around and travel a ton, so I like to explore the area highlights of wherever I am living. I'm also a huge fan of both board and video games. And, of course, I read. A lot.
aN interview with DAKOTA WILLINK
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What motivated you to start writing?
I dreamed of one day writing my own book, but life and responsibilities had a way of getting in the way. Then one day, I met someone from my hometown that had written a novel and self published. For me, she was inspiring and showed me that anything was possible if you put your mind to it. So I said to myself, I'm going to do this. I pulled out my laptop and started typing the first thing that came to mind.
2. And is there any inspiration from any person around you for writing?
I can’t say that one person or another inspires my writing - it’s music that inspires me. The emotional feel that I get from a song often triggers new book and chapter ideas.
3. What is your book about? Any particular genre?
My book is a contemporary romance novel called Heart of Stone.
Here is the book synopsis:
Krystina Cole was a girl on a mission. She had big dreams and aspirations, none of which included a man by her side. She knew better than that – at least until she met Alexander Stone, the New York billionaire real estate tycoon. She saw the way that he looked at her, and the dark promises in his eyes. She was curious about his world and all that it entailed. But the shadows of her past haunted her, making her afraid to explore possibilities that she could never before have imagined…
Alexander Stone was a man who knew how to get what he wanted. He understood the value of finesse, and the importance of patience and diligence to achieve the desired result. He was successful and wealthy, relying on his naturally sharp instincts to guide him through life. But a chance run in with Krystina Cole quickly turned his world upside down. Her quick wit and firecracker attitude was the complete opposite of what he wanted in a woman, and his instincts failed him at every turn…
However, both Krystina and Alexander are clinging to the secrets of their past, and neither of them are willing to compromise. Krystina’s hardened heart makes emotional surrender a hard limit. But for Alexander, revealing his past could have devastating results.
4. Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?
It’s what I felt most comfortable writing because that’s what I read more than anything.
5. How long have you been writing? And how many hours do you spend on writing in a day?
I have been writing for as long as I can remember, but most seriously over the past two years. The amount of time I spend varies for one reason or another - I am a mother of two very busy teenagers, so scheduling is sometimes an issue. However, when the words are flowing, it’s not uncommon for me to spend 18 hours typing new material on my computer. On those days, my husband picks up my slack with the kids.
6. Do you read a lot of books?
I read a ton of books. My favorite genre is contemporary romance, but enjoy most other genres too.
7. What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
My goal was too simply publish - that alone is a huge accomplishment. My more long term goals are to finish and publish the next books in my series, and hopefully make a few pennies along the way.
8. What was the hardest part of writing this book?
Putting myself out there…it was one thing to write, then another to make the commitment to publish. I felt great satisfaction upon completing my novel, but I was also afraid of negative criticism. I haven’t gotten any yet, so my fingers are crossed.
9. What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Writing the part from Alexander’s point of view…it was fun trying to “get into a guy’s head”. It’s a challenge, because I don’t really know how men think. But then again, does any woman?
10. How did you get to be where you are in your life today?
I can thank my husband for where I am today. If he didn’t push me, I don’t know if I would have had the courage to quit my regular job and write full time. His support has been immeasurable.
11. What process did you go through to get your book published?
Tons and tons of research, and many mistakes along the way. In the end, I decided to go with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and CreateSpace. Since I was new to self-publishing, I found Amazon to be the most user friendly. CreateSpace was a great way to provide paperback versions of my book to those that prefer to turn a page the old fashioned way. However, because my book is a contemporary romance (content for 18 years or older), any potential advertising with Amazon was out. Because of that, I will be looking to expand my audience with Kobo Books, Nook, and other eReader platforms after my agreement with Amazon’s KDP Select is over.
12. What do you do in your free time?
Spend time with my family. With our busy schedule, free moments are precious.