Author Invterview with Laura Jackson

Today I'm interview an author I (Naomi) really enjoyed reading Laura Jackson!

What people are saying:

We each have a future that can be wrapped in the love that God has for us. ”
Diginee|

I grew to understand her insecurities and struggles for acceptance. ”
Stacey Zink| “

Recommended for teens, young adults, and the young at heart who enjoy
a fun Christian read. ”
Alicat|

Back cover:
Doesn't anyone feel she's worth their time?

Routinely ignored by her single mother, high school senior Lindsey Hamilton hides her loneliness behind a mask of flirtatious self-confidence that has many boys wrapped around her finger. However, during community service required for graduation, she meets a shy guy with a haunted past who barely gives her the time of day. Why doesn't he like her?

Then the father she thought had abandoned her before birth wants to meet, and she discovers everything she believed about him is a lie.

How will Lindsey learn to trust so she can realize that she has been loved all along?

On to the question but make sure you stick around 'til the end!:

(1)    What was your first reaction when you were offered your first contract?

I may, or may not, have done a little circle dance. I was at work, and my hands were shaking I was so excited!

(2)    When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I always enjoyed writing for fun, but I didn’t get serious about it until 2010 when I became a librarian and missed writing with my students.

(3)    Where did you get the idea for Worth The Time?

I wanted to know why Lindsey was so mean. Behind most mean girls is a girl desperate to be loved. Many times the people who need our love the most ask for it in horrible ways.

(4)    Can you name some books that are similar to Worth The Time?

I can’t think of one that is similar, but Jenny B. Jones is my favorite Christian YA author. Her voice is unique and fantastic. The Christy Miller series by Robin Jones Gunn was my favorite series as a teen and the friendships in my books are inspired by that series.

(5)    What is your favorite part of being a published author?

I love hearing from people about my book. I pray they minister to people, and to hear that they are is amazing.

(6)    Are you a fast writer or a slow writer?

Both, I wrote Worth the Wait quickly—like six weeks. Worth the Time took longer, six months or so. The book I’m working on now has already taken me 8 months although many of those months were while I was working on Worth the Time as well. I learned I can’t write two books at the same time.

(7)    Do you listen to music while you write? And if you do, what kind do you like listening too?

I listen to sports radio. I love the Houston Rockets, so I listen to their games while I write. So, don’t be surprised when basketball shows up in my books.

(8)    Do you have any advice for other writers out there?

Read. Good writers read, and good readers write. I’ve told kids that for 13 years now, and it’s true. They go hand in hand.

(9)    If you could have a book made (or re-made) accurately into a movie, what would you choose? (not counting either of yours.)

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers would be a good movie. It is a beautiful example of the gospel.

(10) Where do you do most of your writing?

Surrounded by pillows in my bed. I try to write outside or even in the dining room, but I find myself too distracted.

 

Okay, Readers, now it's your turn to answer a question! What's your favorite fictional book you ever read? Comment with your e-mail address for a chance to win a copy of Worth The Time! (I loved Worth The Time and highly recommend it if you love YA Contemporary Christian fiction as much as I do!)

** Kara and I are aware that people aren't comfortable with having your email addresses plastered everywhere. So, on March 23rd (the end of the contest), after a winner is chosen and responds, we will delete the comments with email addresses in them. :)

Thank you, Ms. Jackson, for coming on Writing to Inspire! :)

Author Bio:

Laura Jackson loves books--reading and writing them. A life-long reader, Laura studied English in college and taught 7th grade language arts before earning her Master's degree and becoming a school librarian. Now, she spends her days sharing great books with kids and her evenings writing books about teenage girls discovering God and His plan for their lives.

Cover reveal with Roseanna White

Guess what? It's time for Kara's and mine very first cover reveal! (unfortunately, it's not for a book by either of us... but it's still exciting!) :)

 
Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. The Lost Heiress is Roseanna’s tenth published book. Her novels range from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. She lives with her family in West Virginia. Learn more at www.RoseannaMWhite.com

Mrs. White was kind enough to answer a few questions along with the cover reveal. So, here it goes!

1.      What inspired you to write this novel?

Oh my. This is a hilarious question, because the original idea came when I was 12, and I first wrote the book over a year and a half then, finishing when I was 13. This version is a rewrite of a rewrite of a rewrite of that, LOL. I don’t remember much of what inspired me, other than Lori Wick’s The Hawk and the Jewel—my favorite book at the time. =)

I can tell you, though, that the inspiration for this version came about by my agent asking, “Say, do you have anything Edwardian? Or that you could make Edwardian?” I went through my folder of completed, unpublished manuscripts, and got a definite, “Hmm…” when I saw this one. It had been Victorian in its setting, but as I considered the personalities and plotline, I realized that Brook would work much better in the changing mindset of the Edwardian era than she did in the 1860s. I dove into this final, enormous rewrite with glee. I took out some extraneous aunts and uncles and cousins, gave her a father (who had in previous versions been dead) who totally stole the show in some ways and became one of the most awesom characters I’ve ever written, LOL, exchanged a few horses for automobiles, and just knew that this was the way this book was always meant to be. =)

2.      Can you name a few books that are similar to this one?

Well, the original did bear a definite resemblance to that Lori Wick book, LOL. These days, not at all. I now say it’s Anastasia meets Downton Abbey…which aren’t books, I realize. =) But there are a whole host of books right now set in the Edwardian Era or Gilded Age, thanks to how Downton has popularized it.

3.      Was there an overall Biblical theme you kept coming back to? (whether on accident or on purpose)

Love this question! I thought, as I wrote the first draft of this version, that it was forgiveness. But as I was working on the revisions my editors requested, it required tweaking some motivation for my heroine…and then I realized in a flash that Brook’s issue wasn’t with forgiveness after all. It was with fear, and with trusting God to protect her heart. This is one of those deliciously ironic themes, because Brook always comes off as fearless…when it comes to wild horses, automobiles, or wearing trousers. But when it comes to love—not so much.

4.      What is one thing you want readers to come away with after reading this book?

I think my editor put it best when she said, “The romance is great, and we love it. But what makes this books so special is family.” Brook has to find her family, and her place in it, throughout the book. And even though most of us know where we belong in name, at least, I think most of us struggle at some point or another with finding our true place within that family or school or workplace. I hope readers come away knowing that they have only to be who God made them, and trust in Him to lead them on the path He wants them on.

5.      Do you have any advice for any authors out there?

“Always move on…never give up.” This book was 19 years in the making. Had I just deleted that file or tossed the original handwritten manuscript because it wasn’t “good enough,” then The Lost Heiress wouldn’t exist today. And yet, had I not put it aside and worked on all those other books in between, I don’t think I could have done the story justice. I’ve learned SO much in those 19 years, both about writing, the industry, and what I want my stories to mean. So for other writers on the path, just let me assure you that you don’t need to rush, you don’t need to stubbornly cling. You just need to be always willing to learn…and always willing to work hard to make your dreams come true!

The back cover: 
Brook Eden has never known where she truly belongs. Though raised in the palace of Monaco, she’s British by birth and was brought to the Grimaldis under suspicious circumstances as a babe. When Brook’s friend Justin uncovers the fact that Brook is likely a missing heiress from Yorkshire, Brook leaves the sun of the Mediterranean to travel to the moors of the North Sea to the estate of her supposed family.

The mystery of her mother’s death haunts her, and though her father is quick to accept her, the rest of the family and the servants of Whitby Park are not. Only when Brook’s life is threatened do they draw close—but their loyalty may come too late to save Brook from the same threat that led to tragedy for her mother.

As heir to a dukedom, Justin is no stranger to balancing responsibilities. When the matters of his estate force him far from Brook, the distance between them reveals that what began as friendship has grown into something much more. But how can their very different loyalties and responsibilities ever come together?

And then, for a second time, the heiress of Whitby Park is stolen away because of the very rare treasure in her possession—and this time only the servants of Whitby can save her.

If you want to check her website, here you go! Or her blog here. You can also add The Lost Heiress on Goodreads, you can also preorder it, and sign up for her news letter!

And now, the moment we've all waited for.... *drum roll* The cover of The Lost Heiress! (isn't it pretty? :) )

 

Thank you all for stopping by! Tell me what you thought about the post in the comments. :)

Author Interview with Tessa Emily Hall

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

1.    What was the hardest part of getting published, for you?

The hardest part was the sacrifice I made to pursue publication rather than having the normal teen experience. Although I have always felt a bit different from others my age, at times I wondered what it would be like to attend a normal high school and have more of a social life.

However, as an introvert, that was never too appealing for me. Of course, I still had friends. I wasn’t too much of a hermit, haha =) And honestly, if I had taken the route that most teens do, then I would have probably been miserable. I would’ve wondered what it could have been like if I’d pursued writing instead.

To me, it was worth it. It was worth getting a head start in my career. It was worth living my dreams rather than waiting until after graduation. And for that reason, I will never regret this decision.

 

2.  Can you name a few titles that are similar to Purple Moon?

Great question! Although there may be many books that have similar elements as Purple Moon, they’re not an exact replica, so it is a bit difficult for me to pinpoint a similar title.

However, I will say that—in my opinion—you might enjoy Purple Moon if you enjoyed other YA Christian fiction novels, such as: Summer Promise by Robin Jones Gunn, There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones, and Glass Girl by Laura Anderson Kurk.

 

3.  Besides getting offered the contract and receiving the books, what are a few highlights of your publishing career?

There are so many highlights of my publishing career!

To name a few (other than the ones that you mentioned): Seeing my book in print. Feeling the soft cover. Hearing the audible version of it. Receiving letters from readers telling me how they enjoyed Purple Moon, how it ministered to them, how they received Christ because of it, etc. (That is my absolute favorite aspect of this job!) Signing with literary agent, Sally Apokedak. Holding book signings. Speaking to schools and homeschool groups, encouraging them to pursue their dreams. Being a finalist in the YA Fiction and First Book categories of the 2014 Selah Awards.

Although I still have a long road ahead of me, I am grateful for each and every milestone that has brought me to where I am today.

 

4.  Do you have any advice for people who are trying to get traditionally published?

Make sure that you are familiar with the industry and craft before diving in. Sometimes we can become so eager to achieve our dreams that we forget the most important part: the preparation process. This is a vital part of any career.

If you are trying to become traditionally published, I would recommend that you spend at least a year studying by reading writing-craft books, blogs on the craft, attending a writing conference or workshop, writing practice books/short stories, etc. Learn how the industry works, but also become familiar with fiction techniques and the rules of formatting a manuscript. You do not want to come across as an amateur when you begin submitting to agents and publishers.

Even though this process may take a while, it will get you further in the long wrong. Trust me.

5.  Where do you get some of your inspiration?

I can become inspired in the most random ways. A story idea will come to me while watching a movie, listening to music, looking at photographs, reading books or quotes or the Bible, listening to the news, etc.

Story ideas are literally everywhere—and as a writer, it is our job to be on the lookout for them at all times.

 

Bio:

 

Tessa Emily Hall spends her days sipping on lattes, immersed in a book, and cuddling with her Teacup Shih-Tzu. She spent her high school years writing about a teen whose life was far more interesting than hers. This resulted in her debut YA novel, PURPLE MOON, a Selah Award Finalist published by LPC. She is also a blogger at ChristisWrite.blogspot.com, a teen columnist for Whole Magazine, and on the Teen Advisory Board for DevoZine. Tessa resides in South Carolina where she is currently studying to earn a degree in Creative Writing.

 

You  can like her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter and Pinterest, or stay updated by her website.... and last but certainly not least-- you can buy her book Purple Moon from Amazon.

What I Do To Prepare an Author Interview-- by Naomi

Recently I've felt like I've done a lot of Author Interviews... and I know I've only done two, so far but I have possibly a few more in the works. So, for a little bit there I was a little paranoid I was overloading you...

Now that I've pretty much reassured myself I'm not I'm going to offer advice on how to do an author interview. (Noted: These are my suggestions, things I do, not necessarily the only thing you can do to have a successful author interview... Haha! :) )

1. Email them-- and if you have it-- use a professional email address.
Usually, I just email them to say hello, introduce myself, offer to do a blog interview (say I liked their book if I read it and liked it. If I read it and didn't like it... well, I might not want to do an author interview for them. :) ) and give them a brief sum of what I do on the blog.

2. Usually they email back and say yes, to which I return an email thanking them and saying that I'll give them an the interview questions shortly, but in the meantime I ask them for some things... a lot of things. Their author bio (and picture if they want/have one), their back cover copy and cover, and some endorsements, if they have some. Usually, as I'm telling them everything I want, I tell them, "if you want too"... and, honestly, I could find all of these things myself, but.... besides the fact I'm lazy, I point out (to myself) that I am doing them a favor. :)

3. During the time it takes them to send everything that I asked for, I usually try to think about what questions to ask them. I'm still trying to figure out how many I should ask them, but the last few interviews I did I think I had ten.

4. Around this time, maybe a little before, is when I figure out if they are actually going to follow through with the interview. If they never respond, I get the hint. They aren't interested, and that's okay. I don't really mind.

So, that's what I do. :) Do you like my interviews? Is there any advice you have?