Author Q&A: Rektok Ross

Rektok Ross, author of the YA novel Prodigal (you can find my review here), very kindly allowed me to ask some questions and provided some great answers! Prodigal follows Lexy through her senior year of high school as she deals with serious issues, gets involved with a handsome and popular guy at school, and starts asking questions about faith and the future.

{ About Prodigal... }

How did the idea for Prodigal come to you?
Writing a YA was a no-brainer for me because I feel like everything starts with high school. That’s where we begin the path to finding out who we truly are and who we are going to be in this world, so it’s fun to start a story at that point in time. While I LOVE love stories, I didn’t want to write just write a simple romance. My faith is very important to me and I feel like asking why we are here and what’s our purpose is the most fundamental question we should all be asking. Sadly, there seems to be a gaping hole right now for mainstream literature that helps kids answer that question. So I wanted to write something that was fun but that also asked you to think about the bigger questions in life.

How did you decide on Prodigal for the title?
This is a really popular question from my readers! I’m glad you asked it! The title, PRODIGAL, is a throw back to the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which is one of the stories in the Bible. In it, a father gives the younger of his two sons his inheritance before he dies. The younger son, after wasting his fortune (the word 'prodigal' means 'wastefully extravagant'), goes hungry during a famine. He then repents and returns home, where the father holds a feast to celebrate his return. The older son refuses to participate, stating that in all the time the son has worked for the father, he did not even give him a goat to celebrate with his friends. His father reminds the older son that everything the father has is the older son's, but that they should still celebrate the return of the younger son as he has come back to them. It is the third story about redemption, following the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin. For me, the parable has lots of parallels to Lexy’s and Ash’s stories. In some ways, Lexy is running around lost during a lot of the book – much like the younger son in the parable—until she eventually comes to learn about God and figure out what she believes in. I don’t want to give away too many spoilers but it’s also safe to say that Ash too has his own redemption story that runs throughout the book.

Lexy wants to pursue a degree in journalism, just as you did. How did you move from journalism into fiction writing?
It was a very long and winding road! I always loved writing and thought getting my degree in journalism would be a lot of fun but my goal back then was to go on to graduate school and become a lawyer. I guess, like Lexy, I wasn’t sure that I could ever really make a living as a writer and law seemed like a safer bet. After law school, I decided to try and conquer corporate America and became a trial lawyer for Fortune 500 companies. I did that for a long time but then one day I kind of just woke up and thought to myself, well, I’m making a great living but I don’t know that I’m living my life dream. Maybe I should try that next?

How long did it take you to finish Prodigal, from idea to finished work?
Ugh. F-O-R-E-V-E-R. When I was writing PRODIGAL, I was still working at my law firm 24/7 so it took be about three to four years to get the book into good enough shape that I could send it to my editors and then we worked on it for about two more years. Since this was my debut novel, I think I can say that the first few drafts needed A LOT of help.

What do you hope readers take away from reading Prodigal?
Each of the characters in PRODIGAL has their own way of looking at life and love and God. What’s important to me is that people take time to think about these things for themselves and really start to challenge themselves on what it is that they believe in. If PRODIGAL can do that, if reading it makes you spend even a few minutes reflecting on your life, then I’ll feel like I’ve fulfilled a little of my purpose here.


{ About writing... }

Can you describe your writing process?
I always outline first because I like to know exactly what my characters are doing and why. However, I don’t research in advance, but as I go along. I also like to read books in the same genre while I’m writing because it really gets me inspired. The one other thing I do--which may be kind of silly—is that I usually write using this book I got called The Romance Writers’ Phrase Book. There are all these cheesy expressions in it for facial expressions and voices and other things like that which I put in as placeholders as I’m writing dialogue because descriptors are really difficult for me to do on the fly and if I don’t do it when I’m drafting I tend to just write “he said” and “she said” with nothing else. After my first draft, I go back and tweak.

Where do you find you do the best work?
I guess I have a talent for being able to shut out the world so I can pretty much write anywhere. My bedroom, the office, a plane, the car, on a boat, in the bathroom, you name it and I’ve probably written there at some point.

Do you have any words of advice for hopeful future authors?
Write because you love writing, not for any other reason. There are no guarantees that anyone else is going to like your writing or that you will make a living doing it. But if you write because you have all these ideas in your head and can’t live with the thought of never putting them down on paper and sharing them with others, then you will be happy as a writer. There is so much rejection in this industry that it really is all about believing in yourself and doing it for you only. The rest is all icing on the cake.

Any projects in the works you would like to share?
Yes! Thanks for asking, LOL. I am deep in the middle of my second novel, tentatively titled GRACE, and am really excited about it! It will be totally different from PRODIGAL in that it is a survival/action adventure story set in college, but of course there will be the signature swoon-worthy boy, a female protagonist with strong character, and discussion about the meaning of life that I consider hallmarks of a Rektok Ross story.


{ About reading... }

What is your favorite genre to read?
Young Adult of course! Oh wait, I know some people are uptight about calling that a genre (even though I still think it is . . . ). I guess I am a sucker for a good romance but I also love horror and thrillers. I really enjoy parables and satires as well. I read a lot of nonfiction too because I love to learn. Pretty much the only thing I don’t really enjoy is history because, yuck, it’s history right?

What’s your favorite book of all time?
Wow, how hard is this question because I love so, so many books? I guess if I had to pick it would be Gone with the Wind. I’m not sure why but it’s left the biggest impact on me and the characters just seemed so real and the story was so very tragic.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
The ones I look up to the most are those that can tell a story that really makes you think long after you finish the book. That doesn’t mean it has to be a literary masterpiece but it does mean you have to make people feel something and I think that is a lot more challenging. I was obsessed with Christopher Pike as a kid because his books were so layered; Night by Eli Wiesel is still one of the most powerful books I have ever read and I cried a long time when I finished it; C.S. Lewis, of course, because who else could write a book about a lion who is Jesus. I’m also impressed with all that Stephanie Meyer and J.K. Rowling have accomplished with their literary empires and for the Young Adult genre. If screenwriters count then I also have a massive writing crush on Wes Craven, Kevin Williamson, Josh Whedon, and Guillermo Del Toro. I have a soft spot for a good horror story.

When a book is made into a movie, do you read the book first or watch the movie first?
I don’t really have a preference. I think I do whatever I am exposed to first. I’m not one of those people that is a snob and goes, oh the book is always so much better so I will only read the book first, or something like that. I guess I’m equally split between a movie lover and a book lover and I think both mediums can do something really amazing with the right story.

Do you prefer to buy books or borrow them from the library?
My family didn’t have a lot of money growing up so getting to buy an actual book and take it home to keep was really something special for me. My mom was a teacher so we really spent a lot of time at the library instead. I would spend the entire day there picking out books and reading them so I think I have special place in my heart for libraries. I guess I would pick the library if I had to except now I have such limited time I don’t get there as often and tend to buy my books online these days.

Do you prefer to read print books or ebooks?
Ebooks hands down. Looking back now, I was anti-ebook for a long time because I always believed in having a physical book in your hand. I loved the feel of one. Now, I am obsessed with my ereader and the ability to download books in a few seconds. The sheer convenience of ebooks and the laziness factor (as in, I don’t have to get in my car and go anywhere, and I don’t have to flip a page when I’m laying in bed) weighs in favor of ebooks hands down. Seriously. Everyone get an ereader. Now!


{ About everything else... }

Do you prefer coffee or tea?
I don’t drink coffee. I have a fear of caffeine. Seriously. I am a control freak. But I drink tea. Yes, I know it also has caffeine, but it has antioxidants too which makes your skin look nice. So it’s a trade off . . .

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food. Chocolate and marshmallow. How can that go wrong?

If you could travel through time, what time period would you choose to go to?
I don’t think there is any time period I would want to go back to. History freaks me out. I know things aren’t perfect right now but Medieval Times? No thanks. Haven’t you seen Game of Thrones? I’ll pass!

What is the one place in the world you are dying to visit?
I think the one place I am really dying to go is South Africa. I like the beach, the animals, and the accents.

What is your favorite quote?
“In the real world as in dreams, nothing is quite what it seems.” It’s by one of my favorite authors, Dean Koontz. I know, it’s not really inspiring per se and is actually quite haunting but that’s what I love about it. I guess for inspiration, though, I would pick “Carpe Diem!” Simple and to the point.

Anything else you’d like to share?
I think there are a lot of questions PRODIGAL leaves open and there’s a lot there to discuss long after you finish. Because of that, I usually recommend it as a book that is really good to read together -- either with your friends or your parents or in a book club. And, if you can’t find anyone else to chat with about it, contact me! I love talking with my readers!

Learn more about Rektok Ross at www.rektokROSS.com,
and follow Rektok on Facebook and Goodreads!

Find Prodigal on Goodreads and Amazon!

Author Q&A: Kenechi Udogu

Kenechi Udogu, author of the YA fairy tale retelling The Other Slipper (you can find my review here), very kindly allowed me to ask her some questions about her writing and herself. The Other Slipper is a retelling of the Cinderella story which asks, what happened to that other glass slipper...?




{ About The Other Slipper... }

How did the idea for The Other Slipper come to you?
The idea for The Other Slipper came to me on my way home from work one day when I misread a café sign that said “The Other Side” for “The Other Slipper”. This got me wondering about what might have happened to Cinderella’s other slipper after she left the ball and I came up with a story where the glass slippers have an adventure of their own.

Without spoiling anything… Jo grows throughout her journey, but she realizes she’s not the only one who’s grown. Did you start out with the idea to develop multiple characters along the way or was that something that evolved as you wrote?
The story took a life of its own pretty much after I wrote the first few chapters. I had an outline written down but once I started writing down conversations, the characters took over and drew me in a slightly different direction to what I had planned. You’ve read the story so you know what happens in the end but that was definitely not what I had in mind originally and I blame all the eclectic characters who kept popping into my head.

What do you hope readers take away from reading The Other Slipper?
That nothing is ever as it seems.

How long did it take you to finish The Other Slipper, from idea to finished work?
I work full time as an Architect so the only opportunity I get to write is at night and weekends, so most of my novels take a long time to finish. It took just over a year to complete the first draft of The Other Slipper then a little longer to get it ready for publishing.

If you wrote another fairy tale retelling, which fairy tale would you pick?
I recently read a collection of Grimm fairytales and discovered Bearskin. I was surprised I’d never heard of it as it is such a lovely but dark story. If you haven’t read it, go find a copy now.


{ About writing... }

Can you describe your writing process?
Day dream about the idea for ages, jot down notes when I finally have a coherent plot, sit in front of my PC, surf the net for facts, google unrelated nonsense as a distraction, type a few words, stare into space, watch some telly, type some more, play an online game, more typing, decide it’s time to shut down for the night. Recommence the next evening.

Where do you find you do the best work?
In my head, hahaha. Seriously though, I work best if I’m in the right frame of mind so it doesn’t matter if it’s on the train, in front of my PC or lying in bed. Recently I’ve found that I prefer writing on digital mediums than on paper because I love, love, love the undo button. So much better than crossing out bad ideas.

Did you always want to be an author?
As a child, I read a lot of books and comics and it didn’t take long for me to start forming ideas about what I wanted to read. Then I started to write the ideas down and draw comic strips in my note books. My family was always supportive of my work even when what I produced was probably laughable and I’m eternally grateful to them for that.

Do you have any words of advice for hopeful future authors?
Don’t give up! Listen to your critics but try not to get too upset when their opinions are different from yours. Instead, keep an eye out for the criticism that can make you a better
writer. Oh and edit, edit, edit.

Any projects in the works you would like to share?
I’m currently scheduled to release a new YA paranormal romance in December. It’s called Aversion and is about a girl who can push thoughts into people’s heads. There will no werewolves, angels or vampires in sight as I’m trying to make it a little different from a lot of books currently out there.


{ About reading... }

What is your favorite genre to read?
I’m a sucker for fantasy, romance and comedic fiction (even better if they’re all in one book). I also need a good horror story every now and then to get rid of all the fluffiness.

When a book is made into a movie, do you read the book first or watch the movie first?
I’d rather read the book first because if it was good enough to inspire a movie, I want to know why. The only problem is that I tend to be too critical of movies when the adaptations don’t stick to the original story.

Do you prefer to buy books or borrow them from the library?
I buy books then give them away (to a friend or a charity bookshop) when I’m done. I’m in full support of keeping libraries open though.

Do you prefer to read print books or ebooks?
E-books for my train commute to work and print books for bedtime reading or when I’m on holiday. As a result, I tend to have two books on the go.


{ About everything else... }

Do you prefer coffee or tea?
I have a special combination of a cup of tea with a quarter teaspoon of instant coffee added. Don’t question it until you try it. .

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
It sounds really boring but it’s vanilla (I’ll hang my head in shame). Let’s be honest, you can’t go wrong with vanilla. But to redeem my bland favourite choice, my second favourite flavor is Pralines and Cream.

What is your favorite quote?
If you can’t beat them, form you own group.

Learn more about Kenechi Udogu and her books on her blog,
and follow her on Facebook and Goodreads!

Find The Other Slipper on Goodreads and Amazon!

Author Q&A: Veronica Blade

Veronica Blade, author of the YA romance From Fame to Shame (you can find my review here), very kindly allowed me to ask her some questions about her writing and herself. From Fame to Shame is a short and sweet romance with just the right amount of steaminess. She also writes paranormal romances which are, in her words, "always light on the paranormal, heavy on the romance."



{ About From Fame to Shame... }

How did the idea for From Fame to Shame come to you?
I haven’t met a writer yet who can explain where they get their ideas. In the real world, problems pop up and we have to solve them. In fiction, the author is creating the problems on purpose and then solving them. But these conflicts and solutions don’t just come to me in a dream. I work for them. Yeah, some ideas do come easily, but it’s because I’ve rolled up my sleeves and dived in. I can get pretty obsessive when I’m doing a first draft. I’ll think about it ALL the time until I have everything ironed out.

I usually begin with the main elements, then I get busy with the little details and work out all the story bugs. In From Fame to Shame, I started with twins, then upped the stakes by throwing shy, good-girl Maddie in the public eye — Hollywood. She’s the kind of girl who can’t go against her own morals, so of course, I tossed some delicious fruit her way — the forbidden kind — in the form of Dallas, the hot movie star who’s already dated Maddie’s sister. It’s all about creating vivid characters who are forced out of their comfort zone, then you add in more conflict.

If you had a twin (wait..do you have a twin?), would you switch places with her?
I don’t have a twin. But, hell yeah, I’d switch places in a heartbeat.

Between Dallas and Luke, who is your favorite hottie?
Dallas all the way!

How long did it take you to finish From Fame to Shame, from idea to finished work?
It’s been a while since I finished From Fame to Shame, but I think the first draft took me about a week (it’s short). That’s the fun part. Then the real work, the revisions, took six to eight weeks.

Can you describe your writing process?
I’m a spewer. I vomit out the first draft at record speed just to get the story down, so by the time I reach The End, it’s usually unreadable. Then I’ll go back through it a couple times to clean up the mess and fill in the plot holes before sending it to my sister-in-law Sara to weed out the worst junk. Once I’ve taken out the trash, I’ll pass it by another reader before sending it to a writer buddy. I keep sending it out and revising until the story comes back clean. Just when I’m sick to death of the damn thing, my excitement is renewed because I see the gem it’s become.

Where do you find you do the best work?
I like to be comfortable, which is semi-reclined in bed.

Do you have any words of advice for hopeful future authors?
Yes. It’s easy to type The End and think you’ve got a masterpiece. Trust me, your first draft (or even second) probably isn’t that great… yet. But it can be. We don’t see our own mistakes, but others do. Surround yourself with people who know the craft of writing and then you should pay attention to their feedback. That said, it takes a village to write a book, but it’s your book, so don’t try to please everyone or you might end up losing your story in the process. It’s a slippery slope. Most of all, remember that if writing a fantastic book were that easy, everyone would be best-selling authors. It’s hard work, but it’s an amazing ride!

Any projects in the works you’d like to share?
I’m working on revisions for My Wolf’s Bane, book one in the Shapes of Autumn series, releasing in January 2013. Here’s the short blurb:

Caught in a centuries old battle between her kind and werewolves, a teenage shifter risks revealing herself when she chooses to fight for the boy she loves — her only ally but natural enemy, a werewolf.

{ About everything else... }

Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Both! I do decaf in the morning, then lemonade iced tea later in the day. If I’m feeling naughty, it’s Dr. Pepper.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate. Always chocolate.

If you could travel through time, what time period would you choose to go to?
I’d take my chances in the future, rather than revisit the past.

What is the one place in the world you are dying to visit?
Hawaii, because the weather is always perfect. But I haven’t been there yet, because those giant, flying roaches scare me. I prefer spiders and snakes!

What is your favorite quote?
Right now, this one by Dr. Seuss is a fave: “Unless someone like you cares a whole lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

All of us are good at complaining about what’s happening around the world. But how many of us are actually doing something about it? It’s not someone else’s job to fix things. It’s everyone’s job.

Thank you, Veronica! :)
That was fun! Thanks so much for having me, Jillian!

Learn more about Veronica Blade and her books at veronicablade.com,
and follow her on Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook!

Find From Fame to Shame on Goodreads and Amazon!

Author Q&A: Courtney Cole

Courtney Cole, author of the YA novel Every Last Kiss (you can find my review here), very kindly allowed me to ask her some questions about her books and herself. Every Last Kiss is an amazing book that mixes history, mythology, and romance into one beautiful story that you won't be able to stop reading.


{ About Every Last Kiss... }

In Every Last Kiss, the Order of the Moirae is interwoven with ancient Egyptian history. Are you into history and mythology? Did you have to do a lot of research?
I find Egyptian history and mythology utterly fascinating. And I did SO. MUCH. RESEARCH. Hours and hours and hours.

Charmian was a real historical figure, right? How did you decide on Charmian for one of Macy’s previous lives?
Charmian was a real person- she was the handmaiden to Cleopatra. And she really died with Cleopatra. I chose her because in addition to always being fascinated with Cleopatra, I needed a pairing- I needed a woman whose life ended tragically who had a strong-willed confidante. You find out more about that in book two, Fated....

What can we look forward to in the next books in the Bloodstone Saga?
The Bloodstone Saga is a complete series. Every Last Kiss, Fated, With My Last Breath and My Tattered Bonds.

Can you tell us about the Moonstone Saga?
Well, it’s sooo much fun to write. It’s a spin-off of the Bloodstone Saga and it’s about the daughter of the goddess of witchcraft and the moon. She’s been cursed by her father to drink mortal blood and souls in order to survive, so she’s a siren/succubus. She’s cursed to kill everyone she loves and after centuries of seclusion, she falls in love with a mortal. Or is he?

Do you have any words of advice for hopeful future authors?
Don’t give up. And write every day.

Any projects in the works you’d like to share?
Ooh- yes. I’m working on a new series called The Minaldi Legacy. It’s about three beautiful brothers who live in Malta. I can’t wait to share the first book!


{ About everything else... }

Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Kona coffee with cream and sugar. LOTS of it.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
I’m not a huge ice cream fan, but I do like to pick the cookie dough out of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.

If you could travel through time, what time period would you choose to go to?
Ancient Egypt.

I thought you might say that. :) What is the one place in the world you are dying to visit?
Athens, Greece.

What is your favorite quote?
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”-Eleanor Roosevelt My grandma taught me this quote when I was in junior high when I was miserable because of some mean girls. And you know what? Truer words were never spoken.

Can you tell us more about your domestic zoo?
I live in the suburbs, close to Lake Michigan, which I think is one of the most beautiful places in the US. I have a wonderful husband, two ornery teenage boys and a little girl. We have two big dogs, two cats (one is named Cleo-catra because we got her when I was writing Every Last Kiss) and a crawdad. Yes, a crawdad. He lives in the fish tank and eats the fish. It’s been a learning experience.

Thank you, Courtney! :)
Thank you so much for having me! It’s been a pleasure.

Learn more about Courtney Cole and her books at courtneycolewrites.com,
and follow her on Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook!

Find Every Last Kiss on Goodreads and Amazon!

Author Q&A: Angie McCullagh

Angie McCullagh, author of the YA novel Spectacle (you can find my review here), graciously allowed me to ask her a whole slew of questions about her novel, her writing, and herself. I found Spectacle to be wonderfully honest and true to the high school experience, and I really wanted to "chat" with Angie to get her own thoughts on her book.



{ About Spectacle... }

How did the idea for Spectacle come to you?
I am six-two, and like one of the two protagonists–Emily, I was/am artistic and not athletically-inclined. Trix, her best friend, came to me as I wrote and turned out to be the character to which I’m getting the best reaction. She’s spunky and troubled. Both girls just want to feel okay in their own skin.

How did you decide on Spectacle for the title?
The title has to do with kids–teens– feeling like they’re so out there, such spectacles, as they grow and mature. It’s a tricky time, because adolescents want attention, but also desperately want to blend.

How long did it take you to finish Spectacle, from idea to finished work?
Two years, almost exactly.

Between Emily and Trix, who is your favorite character?
Emily is more autobiographical, so certainly I can relate to how she sees the world, but Trix kind of captured my heart as I was writing.

What do you hope readers take away from reading Spectacle?
I hope everyone who reads it is entertained, but I particularly hope that young girls take away a sense that absolutely every other teenager is struggling and that they are not alone.


{ About writing... }

Can you describe your writing process?
I send my kids off to school, work my part-time job, which I can do from home, then open Word and start typing away. Family life leaves little time for writing, so when I get the chance I have to dive in and go.

Where do you find you do the best work?
Sitting on my couch, under a blanket, with a laptop.

Did you always want to be an author?
Always.

Do you prefer to write YA or adult novels?
I love writing both. There is a freedom to writing adult novels, in that I feel I can transcribe a broader depth of life experiences. YA is fun, but I also sense more responsibility in writing for younger eyes.

Do you have any words of advice on indie publishing?
Find a mentor, someone who has gone through the process or is going through it but is a few months or years ahead of you, and learn from his or her successes and failures. This alone will save you a lot of headaches. That said, don’t be afraid to experiment on your own, too.

Any projects in the works you would like to share?
I am currently working on a somewhat experimental YA novel (as yet untitled) about a girl named Nelly Platt who is an actor in L.A. with a role on a YouTube-based cop drama called True Blue.

She's falling for the wrong guys (narcissistic actor types), and panicking as her younger brother Graeme starts displaying symptoms of an aggressive disease.

When he gets really sick and Nelly loses her job on True Blue (which is the family's bread and butter), she has to figure out how to keep everything afloat.

The twist on this whole thing is that Nelly is an uber organized control freak who keeps continually updated lists on her iPhone. The novel is told in list format.

I'm not sure how it will be received, but am really interested to find out.


{ About reading... }

What is your favorite genre to read?
Literary, contemporary fiction.

What is your favorite book of all time?
I can’t choose just one, but I loved Prep, by Curtis Sittenfeld, The Paris Wife, by Paula McClain, and anything by Jhumpa Lahiri.

When a book is made into a movie, do you read the book first or watch the movie first?
If I read the book I don’t want to watch the movie because it ruins the reading experience for me, and if I watch the movie I lose interest in reading the book. So, one or the other, but not both.

Do you prefer to buy books or borrow them from the library?
I love to support authors by buying books, but I’ve recently put myself on a strict book budget, so have been checking them out. A couple months ago I discovered checking out books from the Seattle Public Library on my Kindle, which is fabulous!

Do you prefer to read print books or ebooks?
I love both.


{ About everything else... }

Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Salted caramel.

If you could travel through time, what time period would you choose to go to?
I would not want to travel to any era before antibiotics.

What is the one place in the world you are dying to visit?
Before last summer, I would’ve said France, but I had the privilege of going in July, so now I’ll say that I’d love to check out southeast Asia, specifically Thailand.

What is your favorite quote?
I cannot retain quotes, but I’m sure it’d be something by Ghandi or Henry Thoreau.

Anything else you’d like to share?
Just thank you for reviewing Spectacle and giving me the opportunity to answer your questions. It’s been fun!

Thank you very much for answering them all! :)

Find Spectacle on Goodreads and Amazon!