For the final installment of Inkitt’s author Q&A sessions, we chatted to Jen! Jen has shared her inspiration for writing Immortal Dawn (which you can find on Inkitt’s sister app, Galatea), and she has revealed that she doesn’t drink coffee! What!?
This is a great interview, and you’re defineitely going to want to read it.
What inspired you to start writing Immortal Dawn?
I had a vision for a predominately gay-celebrated, fantasy-based TV show that I thought would not only do well, but was what television needed. Since I couldn’t produce a TV show, I just sat down and started writing. The only vision I had in my head was how Grace and Lea would meet. Besides that, I had no idea how I was going to fill pages and pages of a novel, and to be quite honest, I didn’t even know that I could. I sat down and just started typing. I told no one, not even my current girlfriend, that I was attempting to write a book, until I was about 60% finished. The book was coming together, and I thought it was pretty damn good! I read it to her, and she loved it and she inspired me to complete it. I then stumbled upon Inkitt and posted the novel.
List five adjectives to describe yourself.
I am a positive, vegan, nature-loving, creative, fun woman.
Who are your favourite authors and why?
I read A LOT. I would say my most favorite authors are ones who are either relatable, or can transport me to a new world that is so incredibly well written it’s believable.
For relatable, three of my absolute favorites are Glennon Doyle Melton, Brene Brown, and Camille Pagan. Their abilities to write about everyday experiences, pain, and triumph is not only brave, but admirable. It is a gift to create a page-turner with your everyday life experiences, infuse your own humor, and get me to highlight the entire book. Hats off to these ladies.
Now, for fictional. My favorite writers are Pierce Brown, J.K. Rowling, A.G. Riddle, and Ernest Cline. These are also my absolute favorite writers for the same reason…their imagination is off the charts. To be able to create in such detail these worlds of fantasy and magic and to so eloquently put that to paper is incredible. If you haven’t stumbled upon Pierce Brown yet, his “Red Rising” series is BY FAR my favorite series of all time. It even trumps Harry Potter for me. Yes, I said it.
What’s your proudest achievement to date as an author?
My proudest achievement to date is getting published. I worked very hard, spending countless hours writing and rewriting and submitting to publishers. My hard work and belief finally paid off.
What’s been your biggest surprise as an author?
My biggest surprise as an author is literally that, that I am an author. I published a book, and I have written two more after that. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I could do it, but I’m not done yet. I feel as if I am just getting started.
What’s your greatest challenge – and how do you deal with it?
I would say my greatest challenge is self-confidence or trust in myself. I remember the day I was finally ready to post my book to the Inkitt site. My stomach was in knots. What if no one liked it? What if I got a bad review? So many questions of doubt ran through my head, yet I posted anyway. Now, a few years later my book is published. I am seen and appreciated. Not only did I step outside of my comfort zone to write this novel and post it for the world to read, I never gave up. I have learned that we can do anything we put our minds to but also our hearts. If we don’t truly believe in our potential it will never be reached.
If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go and why?
Oh man, I am a travelholic (I made that word up). I have a bucket list a mile long of places that I wish to go and plan to go, but the number one place I think for me would be Patagonia and Antarctica. I love nothing more than seeing our planet’s natural wonders and taking photos of them.
Are you spring, summer, fall, or winter? Please share why.
Immediate response would be summer. I have always despised cold weather, which was one of the reasons I moved to Hawaii. Our seasons are summer and summer. I love being at the beach and in the water. As I have gotten older though, I feel myself gravitating towards all seasons. I think change is important. It keeps us on our toes and from being bored. I love snow now and playing in snow. Getting all bundled. So, I guess, I would have to say summer and winter 😊
Tea or coffee?
I’m afraid to admit I am pretty boring. I only drink water, but if I had to choose I would choose hot black coffee.
What is one of your favorite reader reviews on Galatea?
My most favorite reader review would have to be my first. The first words of affirmation that someone liked my book besides myself. Besides that, I love all of my reader reviews! I wouldn’t have been published if it wasn’t for the support and reviews from the readers.
