My name is Jen or Wonder_Struck on Inkpop, I'm 19 years old and a writer. Books are a passion and obsession in my life and I'm sure I'll be buried with them :)
I'm an optimistic type who loves romance and strong female leads. I'm an emotional sort of person which leads to a lot of angst for my characters.
Writing for me, is opening my heart and pouring it into paper. If I'm feeling sad or angry, my characters will feel it. I let myself to seep into the pages and I give myself to my characters. It's such an escape for me to do, it's something that I can't let go of. I can go into my character's world and get away for awhile and I think that's the best part.
Q: So you wrote stories about talking animals when you were little, has that effected your writing today? Do you remember one specifically and if so, what one is your favorite?
A: You know, I would say it's affected me in my creativity. I mean, I was writing about talking animals that went on all these adventures. As a child there were no boundaries to my imagination. I think that in terms of my writing now, I think outside of the box and can come up with great creative ideas. In terms of the animal stories I wrote there are two that stand out to me. One I wrote on my own which was about a unicorn and his forest friends and how they used to help out people who needed it. It was the longest story I ever wrote when I was little (it was about 10 pages.) The other was for class and we had to invent a legend. We had been talking folklore and legends and I decided to write about how rabbits got their tails. My teacher told me it was the best story she had seen and I never got phrase from her.
Q: Have you always wanted to do something that involves writing and books?
A: I think I have. I've only gone through one period in my life where I chose to give up writing. It was when I was in my tweens and I convinced myself it wasn't worth it. I stopped for a few years and I'm back at it. It's just something I've always felt I was going to do. It never seemed to be a choice. I know I'll be doing other things and have a different career then just being an author but it's still there and it's something I know I'll do.
Q: Does your belief in astrology (I'm a Gemini too!), affect your writing at all?
A: No it doesn't. In fact, I don't even know when my characters birthdays are! I should probably remedy that. The fact is, I view it as a personal belief of mine like anything else and I don't want it to seep into the writing in case it ruins it. I don't want Anna, (one of my characters), not to run away from *spoiler* because her astrological chart said she couldn't. I always give a little of myself to my characters but my personal beliefs stay personal to me. (Just to note, that I also wouldn't let my astrological chart ruin what I was going to do, my belief doesn't go that far.)
Q: On your profile you mention that the YA genre has gotten a "bad name due to some books", if you could change this opinion that some people may have, how would you do so?
A: I think I'm already doing it. I'm writing in the YA genre and I'm trying to make my books stand out. What people don't realize is just because a book involves romance and the supernatural it doesn't make that book for example, Twilight. Not everything is a rip off of Twilight and Harry Potter. Mine certainly aren't. My books are ones I want published someday and I want people to see a strong female main character and a story that catches their attention and makes them go "Hey the YA genre isn't bad." I don't want them to look at the cover and think they've read it all before. They should give some of the books a chance, they might be surprised.
A: I think I'm already doing it. I'm writing in the YA genre and I'm trying to make my books stand out. What people don't realize is just because a book involves romance and the supernatural it doesn't make that book for example, Twilight. Not everything is a rip off of Twilight and Harry Potter. Mine certainly aren't. My books are ones I want published someday and I want people to see a strong female main character and a story that catches their attention and makes them go "Hey the YA genre isn't bad." I don't want them to look at the cover and think they've read it all before. They should give some of the books a chance, they might be surprised.
Q: Being a romantic, has that too affected your writing? Do you enjoy writing projects with romance in it?
A: It has. It's interesting because I've never had a serious relationship but my characters do. There is always romance in my novels. It's just something beautiful to write about and it can create so much conflict. I do love reading projects with romance in it. That doesn't mean I like a project solely focused on romance however. I like there to be more (like action, drama, etc) but I definitely gravitate to the projects that have it. Also unlike my belief in astrology this is a trait of mine not a belief therefore it makes more sense it would transpire into my writing.
A: It has. It's interesting because I've never had a serious relationship but my characters do. There is always romance in my novels. It's just something beautiful to write about and it can create so much conflict. I do love reading projects with romance in it. That doesn't mean I like a project solely focused on romance however. I like there to be more (like action, drama, etc) but I definitely gravitate to the projects that have it. Also unlike my belief in astrology this is a trait of mine not a belief therefore it makes more sense it would transpire into my writing.
Q: Looking on your profile I noticed that you said that you had a cover made by a wonderful Inkie for your Midnight series. What is your Midnight series and what is it about?
A: The Midnight series is my baby. It's a project that started off with a one line idea and grew into this huge thing that I'm so excited to be writing. I actually did scrap the original idea and am completely starting anew with it. But, I'm really excited to do my new idea. It's going to be a series although I have no idea how many books. I'm really bad with that sort of thing because I come up with such intricate plotlines and story arcs, most of my series books end up being longer then I anticipate.
The Mark of Midnight
Seventeen year old Anna is just a normal teenager. She goes to school, work, has friends, and parties. Death is never in her mind -- she has plenty of years to live. On the cold night of December 9th she is returning home from a party when she skids at an intersection and gets into a violent car crash.
She is immediately rushed to the hospital but the doctors say she is beyond help. Anna's heart has stopped beating and she has no brain function left. At the stroke of midnight on that night, December 9th, she is declared dead.
But she comes back.
Her family and friends are thrilled that she has been given a miracle, relieved to have their beloved Anna back. Anna, though, starts to wish that she'd stayed dead. Strange things start to happen when she is around fire and flames and her dreams are plagued with nightmares of a boy who tries to kill her over and over.
Anna attempts to try to control what is happening to her but she may be at the breaking point.
She has been Marked.
A: The Midnight series is my baby. It's a project that started off with a one line idea and grew into this huge thing that I'm so excited to be writing. I actually did scrap the original idea and am completely starting anew with it. But, I'm really excited to do my new idea. It's going to be a series although I have no idea how many books. I'm really bad with that sort of thing because I come up with such intricate plotlines and story arcs, most of my series books end up being longer then I anticipate.
The Mark of Midnight
Seventeen year old Anna is just a normal teenager. She goes to school, work, has friends, and parties. Death is never in her mind -- she has plenty of years to live. On the cold night of December 9th she is returning home from a party when she skids at an intersection and gets into a violent car crash.
She is immediately rushed to the hospital but the doctors say she is beyond help. Anna's heart has stopped beating and she has no brain function left. At the stroke of midnight on that night, December 9th, she is declared dead.
But she comes back.
Her family and friends are thrilled that she has been given a miracle, relieved to have their beloved Anna back. Anna, though, starts to wish that she'd stayed dead. Strange things start to happen when she is around fire and flames and her dreams are plagued with nightmares of a boy who tries to kill her over and over.
Anna attempts to try to control what is happening to her but she may be at the breaking point.
She has been Marked.
Q: What is the Immortal Series you are writing?
A: Well it's a series (I believe it will be anyways) that is in the planning stages. It's just a really good idea that started when I was talking on the Procrastinator's thread with Candy. It grew into this piece that I was helping her with but she told me I should write it. So I decided I would. I thank Candy for her encouragement :D
Basically it's about how far you would go for someone. Everyone would like to believe they would choose their family above all else. But there's a line, that line in the sand that some people can't cross and the story kind of looks at that line and says how far would you push it for family?
Anyways, here's the pitch and the title of the first book.
Amaranthine
Keenan and Siobhan have always been extremely close. They'd do anything for each other, from defending their brother or sister to cheering the other on. It doesn't matter what it is, they would do it.
Technology in the world is developing, making it possible for people to become immortal. Instantly Keenan and Siobhan jump at the chance. They'd love to be immortal, always be alive and never grow old.
But the technology is faulty. Something in the immortal compound is making it hard for the immortals to stay alive. Some are dying while others are managing to stay alive with the help of human blood. Because of the genetic DNA issues, which make the compound, react differently to different people, the immortals keep on dying.
Soon Keenan and Siobhan find a runaway named Alex. They take her in and begin to care for her, providing food, shelter, and help. Soon, though, Alex begins to steal Keenan's heart. But with Siobhan fading fast from the immortal compound, will Keenan choose his sister or a girl?
The bond of siblings is never broken.
A: Well it's a series (I believe it will be anyways) that is in the planning stages. It's just a really good idea that started when I was talking on the Procrastinator's thread with Candy. It grew into this piece that I was helping her with but she told me I should write it. So I decided I would. I thank Candy for her encouragement :D
Basically it's about how far you would go for someone. Everyone would like to believe they would choose their family above all else. But there's a line, that line in the sand that some people can't cross and the story kind of looks at that line and says how far would you push it for family?
Anyways, here's the pitch and the title of the first book.
Amaranthine
Keenan and Siobhan have always been extremely close. They'd do anything for each other, from defending their brother or sister to cheering the other on. It doesn't matter what it is, they would do it.
Technology in the world is developing, making it possible for people to become immortal. Instantly Keenan and Siobhan jump at the chance. They'd love to be immortal, always be alive and never grow old.
But the technology is faulty. Something in the immortal compound is making it hard for the immortals to stay alive. Some are dying while others are managing to stay alive with the help of human blood. Because of the genetic DNA issues, which make the compound, react differently to different people, the immortals keep on dying.
Soon Keenan and Siobhan find a runaway named Alex. They take her in and begin to care for her, providing food, shelter, and help. Soon, though, Alex begins to steal Keenan's heart. But with Siobhan fading fast from the immortal compound, will Keenan choose his sister or a girl?
The bond of siblings is never broken.
Q: When will these projects be up on Inkpop?
A: I’m hoping to have Midnight premiere in February. As for Amaranthine, I have no idea. If anyone wants to be notified about either, they can go on my profile and tell me
A: I’m hoping to have Midnight premiere in February. As for Amaranthine, I have no idea. If anyone wants to be notified about either, they can go on my profile and tell me
Q: Do you have a constant theme in your projects?
A: I do. I think one of my constant themes is taking an ordinary MC and making them extraordinary. I challenge them and put them in situations where they never thought they would survive or be able to handle. At the end of the series or book (no matter if the ending is tragic or not) they always come out stronger than before.
A: I do. I think one of my constant themes is taking an ordinary MC and making them extraordinary. I challenge them and put them in situations where they never thought they would survive or be able to handle. At the end of the series or book (no matter if the ending is tragic or not) they always come out stronger than before.
Q: What are your favorite genres to write in? Do you enjoy reading these genres as well? Why or why not?
A: Well obviously YA. I just love the genre as a whole. The stories appeal to me and as another plus the books are cheaper than adult fiction ;) I like writing fantasy, romance and paranormal. For me, I just love having a supernatural element to anything. It's also what I love to read. There's something so mysterious and interesting about the supernatural, so much can be done with it. It's great to write in and to read.
A: Well obviously YA. I just love the genre as a whole. The stories appeal to me and as another plus the books are cheaper than adult fiction ;) I like writing fantasy, romance and paranormal. For me, I just love having a supernatural element to anything. It's also what I love to read. There's something so mysterious and interesting about the supernatural, so much can be done with it. It's great to write in and to read.
Q: When you write, what element of writing affects you’re writing the most (strong characters, plots, point of view, dialogue, etc)?
A: I would say dialogue and characters. I love acting and in drama class I wrote scripts. So I know how to do dialogue. I'm also a cut to the chase writer, I don't draw out descriptions and generally when I edit is when I describe what I need to. Characters though are so important to me. The one compliment I always get is the emotion I bring across in my writing. I can't do that without my characters. They give me a lot and I give them bits of myself. It's a very give-take relationship.
A: I would say dialogue and characters. I love acting and in drama class I wrote scripts. So I know how to do dialogue. I'm also a cut to the chase writer, I don't draw out descriptions and generally when I edit is when I describe what I need to. Characters though are so important to me. The one compliment I always get is the emotion I bring across in my writing. I can't do that without my characters. They give me a lot and I give them bits of myself. It's a very give-take relationship.
Q:Are you often inflicted by writer's block and when you are, what are some things you do to get unstuck?
A: Oh yes. I wouldn't call it Writer's Block though. It's more losing the voice of my MC or getting so distracted I become disinterested in my idea. Generally, I'll know where the plot is going but I just can't write it.
The tips I've come to use are mostly tried and true methods of battling writer's block: do some Word Wars, put down the project and do something else, take a break from writing it altogether and just working through it.
I have found a rather interesting method that probably seems crazy but it works for me. I absolutely love acting as I said previously. So when I get stuck or don't know how to continue, I act out a scene. I'll actually become my character and act out what I want the scene/ chapter to be like. It works surprisingly well for me.
A: Oh yes. I wouldn't call it Writer's Block though. It's more losing the voice of my MC or getting so distracted I become disinterested in my idea. Generally, I'll know where the plot is going but I just can't write it.
The tips I've come to use are mostly tried and true methods of battling writer's block: do some Word Wars, put down the project and do something else, take a break from writing it altogether and just working through it.
I have found a rather interesting method that probably seems crazy but it works for me. I absolutely love acting as I said previously. So when I get stuck or don't know how to continue, I act out a scene. I'll actually become my character and act out what I want the scene/ chapter to be like. It works surprisingly well for me.
Q: Is there a certain time (like at night) when you work the best? Or a certain place?
A: Not really. I don't do any writing in the morning however because my thoughts are always jumbled and a mess. I generally write when inspiration strikes or I'm doing a Word War. I don't have a certain place where I write although I want to have one. I'm in the process of eventually moving into a bigger bedroom (mine is really tiny) and I think that place will be where I write. Currently, I write in my teeny tiny bedroom but I feel like inspiration gets lost there at times because it's so cramped.
A: Not really. I don't do any writing in the morning however because my thoughts are always jumbled and a mess. I generally write when inspiration strikes or I'm doing a Word War. I don't have a certain place where I write although I want to have one. I'm in the process of eventually moving into a bigger bedroom (mine is really tiny) and I think that place will be where I write. Currently, I write in my teeny tiny bedroom but I feel like inspiration gets lost there at times because it's so cramped.
Quick questions:
Favorite author and book? This is impossible to answer. I don't really think I can pick any as my one favourite.
Cookies or brownies? Cookies (especially Snicker doodles)
Pink or green? Emerald Green
Football or hockey? ALWAYS hockey :D
Favorite author and book? This is impossible to answer. I don't really think I can pick any as my one favourite.
Cookies or brownies? Cookies (especially Snicker doodles)
Pink or green? Emerald Green
Football or hockey? ALWAYS hockey :D
Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
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