JudyAnn – Welcome to Bibliophile’s Retreat.

1. Who do you want to meet and why?

Hugh Jackman…because he’s Hugh Jackman!

2.What’s your favorite comfort food?

Chinese Food

3. What would be your dream vacation?

A week in Australia

4. Is there anyone who has influenced / encouraged you to write? Who and how / why?

I would have to say my high-school teachers. Yes all of them. I went to a small catholic high-school in Maryland. And all my teachers, even the “tough” ones were supportive. They kept pushing me forward and for that I thank them.

5. Can you give a brief synopsis of your journey to publication with your first piece of fiction?

It was quite simple actually; Write a novel, query an agent, get rejected, repeat a dozen times. It’s a big sea of books out there. Everyone is hoping to be the next great writer (too bad there isn’t a reality tv show) and getting someone to truly believe in your work is a hard thing. I was lucky and was able to find a small publishing company, Tri-Destiny Publishing, who believed in me.

6. What else have you written / are you currently writing (including unpublished works)?

I have another young adult series coming out this fall called Moonrise, which follows the relationship of a human and an Angel. Besides that I have a lot of outlines all over my room of novels I want to write. I love young adult and fantasy novels but I also want to write about so much more.

7. What first gave you the idea for this book/series?

It’s actually really funny. The idea behind Adela Arthur came to me while I was in class. I was so bored, senioritis, and just thought about I wished I could jump on a dragon and fly away. That night after a shower I was in my bathroom singing my heart out to Party In The USA. As I cleared the steam off the mirror I found myself wondering what if there was a world behind here…two months later I had Adela Arthur and the Creator’s Clock.

8. What else would you like to share with readers about yourself or this book/series?

I think Adela Arthur in many ways reflects all of us. How we are all searching for the light. How we all want to find out who we are and where we come from. This series, which I’m calling the Chronicles of A, is about growing up when that feels like it’s holding you down. Adela Arthur feels like life is a roller coaster; sometimes you throw your hands in the air, sometimes you scream or laugh, and sometimes you just want it to be over.

9. Share with us one of the craziest things you’ve done or that’s happened to you?

I jumped out of a plane…for fun. My friends told me lets go skydiving and I did. When I touched the ground I just wanted to roll into the fetal position before going again.

10. What five books would you take with you to a desert island?

Only five? But I have two hands I can at least bring ten. If somehow I lost an arm and could only bring five it would be

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Where the Sidewalk Ends By Shel Silverstein
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
And The Bible to keep me sane

11. What quote or saying is deeply meaningful to you in this season of your life? And how does it influence your writing and life?

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” ~Maya Angelou

First I think Maya Angelou is a genius and just amazing. I chose this quote because it truly describes what it means to be a writer. There are always 3 or 4 stories in my head and if I don’t make a rough outline of them and file them away I would go mad. It influences my writing because I know I don’t want to have just one good series of books. I have to write until I can’t write anymore…and then figure out how to write some more.

12. Why did you start writing and when?

Honestly I’m not sure when I started writing or why even. It’s just something I did. Whenever I found myself day dreaming I was trying to capture that dream in words.

13. How do you choose names and get to know your characters?

I love this question because I really do work hard on names! After I think of a story idea it takes me about a week to figure out names. I research what names mean and try to make the first name flow with the last name. Every character in my books; past, present, and future, has a name that means something. Some names are even clues.

14. What’s your favorite character/scene from this book/series (so far)?

Ahh! How can I choose? I love them all! It’s like picking your favorite child. But again if I had to choose…I would say…I seriously can’t pick one.

My favorite scene would have to be when Adela first enters this new world, Cielieu, is basically standing in the middle of the road with mythical creatures…

15. Do you have any teasers you can share for the sequel or your next book to be published?

The next book in the Chronicles of A is Adela Arthur and the Eternal Evergreen. In this book Adela has to come to terms with what she has learned about herself and those around her. She is also stuck in summer school at the castle since she is so far behind…however with the darkness that’s coming for revenge she may never finish school.

16. Are there any closing remarks you’d like to share?

I want to thank you all in advance for your support. It’s been so awesome to find people who want to read and have been asking for the second book! You all really make me feel like an author.

Thank you for taking the time to share with my readers.