I’m so happy to be part of the blog tour for Jolene Perry and her book, Night Sky hosted by Tribute Books. Today, I have Jolene Perry for an author interview.
Have you really seen yourself become an author?
Being an author was something I always wanted, but never thought I could do. Once I decided I wanted it bad enough, I jumped in and started writing.
Before becoming an author, how did you see yourself in the future when you were a kid?
First, I was going to be wonderwoman. I mean, I’d change her outfit a bit, but yeah. That’s what I was going to do. In high school I got into competitive show-jumping, and was offered a spot to train with a U. S. Olympian during college. I knew that would be my life, and I wanted other stuff, too. I live for diversity. I was a teacher before becoming a writer, and I loved that. I taught both middle school as well as high school, and miss it.
What or who inspired you to be become an author?
This is simple. I have just always loved books, and have always wanted to be able to tell stories. Once I started, I couldn’t stop.
Briefly describe to us the exact feelings you got before and after you finish your first book—the writing process, getting a call from an agent, getting approved by a publisher, etc.
My first book was the best book every written, until I realized how much it wasn’t, lol. I’d started writing for fun, not expecting it to turn into anything, and then I hit page 100, and realized there was a lot more story to tell. That was thrilling.
I seriously teared up when I got the offer to publish The Next Door Boys—my first book. And when I signed with my agent, I was past the point of jumping up and down because I’d started to realize that even with an agent, there’s a lot of waiting involved in publishing.
Why did you choose Contemporary genre over the other genres? Do you want to try other genre/s as well?
I have a huge love of Contemporary, but I have two completed paranormal manuscripts, and one that borders on sci-fi. I also have a ghost story mapped out. I will say, though, that even my paranormals are more about the personal experience of the person that the world or abilities.
Tell us more about your current book, Night Sky.
Night Sky is about Jameson, whose senior isn’t the smooth-sailing that he expected it to be. He loses his best friend on page one to another guy, and then he meets Sky. And he struggles with letting Sarah go, and finding his footing as himself while his family life and his love life start to fall apart.
What is the most striking or unforgettable line in Night Sky?
Well, this is totally subjective, lol. This is my favorite:
Now that they’re both in view, the problem is clear. Girl I’ve loved, girl I’m falling for. Let’s meet in my driveway and see if we can give Jameson his first heart attack.
Did you ever base any of the characters in real life?
ALL of my characters have traits of people I know. But that’s all I’m saying about that, because it could seriously get me in trouble…
Was there a part of the story that was hard to write?
There’s a part near the end—the scene where Jameson’s phone ends up on pieces on the floor—and that’s all I’m going to hint at. That was hard to write. I hated to see so much go wrong for him.
What advises can you give to aspiring authors (like me)?
Remember that writing should be fun.
Also remember that getting published is a lot of work no matter how you go about it—self-publish, small press, medium press, large press, etc.
Thank you so much Jolene Perry for giving us a little bit of your time to do this interview!
Thanks so much for having me here today!
ABOUT THE BOOK
RELEASE DATE. March 1, 2012
PUBLISHER. Tribute Books
SYNOPSIS. After losing Sarah, the friend he’s loved, to some other guy, Jameson meets Sky. Her Native American roots, fluid movements, and need for brutal honesty become addictive fast. This is good. Jameson needs distraction—his dad leaves for another woman, his mom’s walking around like a zombie, and Sarah’s new boyfriend can’t keep his hands off of her.
As he spends time with Sky and learns about her village, her totems, and her friends with drums—she’s way more than distraction. Jameson’s falling for her fast.
But Sky’s need for honesty somehow doesn’t extend to her life story—and Jameson just may need more than his new girl to keep him distracted from the disaster of his senior year.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads ABOUT THE AUTHOR. Jolene grew up in Wasilla, Alaska. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a degree in political science and French, which she used to teach math to middle schoolers.
