Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
Hmm, here are a few interesting facts about me that you won’t find in my bio:
* I love going to theme parks (#UniversalOrlandoAnnualPassholder).
* I am a compulsive ice-chewer.
* I am addicted to m&m’s (milk chocolate).
* Favorite outfit: my pajamas.
* Playing “Dance Dance Revolution” on my Wii is the closest that I’ll ever get to
actually dancing (#uncoordinated).
Which writers inspire you?
Oh, my! There are so many! As far as the genre of fantasy in concerned…I’d
have to say C.S. Lewis. I can vividly recall reading “The Magician’s Nephew”
and just being fascinated by the world that the author had created.
Have you written any other novels in collaboration with other writers?
No. I am, however, currently working on a second novel—which is exciting!
When did you decide to become a writer?
I think that my love for all things related to storytelling was first kindled in high
school. It wasn’t until college, though, that I actually started to consider pursuing
a career in writing.
When I started college, my declared major was general health science. My plan
(devised during my high school years) was to become a doctor—specifically, a
pediatrician. After two semesters, however, I realized something: I wasn’t
enjoying my science-related courses. Was I to spend the next seven years of my
life studying something that I wasn’t passionate about? No. I couldn’t. I met with
my advisor and switched my major to undeclared. I remained undeclared for a
few semesters while I tried to figure out what it was that I wanted to study.
Recalling how much I enjoyed English in high school, I enrolled in several
literature classes. I loved it. Before I knew it, I was no longer undeclared; I was
an English major.
As the end of my final semester in college approached, I made the decision to
write; I told myself that, upon graduation, I would finally pen the novel that had
been floating about in my head for ages.
Do you write full-time or part-time?
Full-time.
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea
takes you?
I like to outline. In my opinion, the outline has a function akin to that of a
compass; it helps one better understand the different directions in which a story
can be taken. Nonetheless, I tend to use it exclusively as a guide. Once I actually
start writing, I often find myself deviating from the outline or making certain
amendments to it. Hence, when I’m at the helm, a story that was initially bound
west can very easily find itself heading east.
Do you have a strategy for finding reviewers?
When you’re starting out as a writer, one of the biggest hurdles involves
overcoming the challenges associated with obscurity. Not only do readers
perceive you as an unknown, but—often times—you are invisible to them as a
consequence of the sheer number of writers out there.
Personally, the strategy that I’ve found to be most effective in garnering reviews
entails the following:
1. Seeking out reviewers who are interested in the genres that I write in.
2. Directly drawing the attention of said individuals to my book.
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
Reviews—provided that they are constructive—are great! They provide writers
with feedback. It’s the best way to ascertain what readers liked and disliked.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
I am on Goodreads (just recently joined) and on Twitter (just recently got back
on). Here’s the link to my Goodreads’ page: http://bit.ly/1MXOHUd. My Twitter
handle is @jessy_marie77. I welcome friend requests and followers!
Any Comments for the Blog readers?
Thank you so much for reading this interview!
Any feedback for me or the blog?
I have only praise for you, Joselyn. Your blog is the first bilingual blog that I’ve
come across. It is absolutely fantastic!
Oh! I loved The Magians Nephew too! I like your idea that teh outlin eis akin to a compass. I never thought of it that way.