In preparation for the release of Jessica McQuay's first novel in her Paige Taylor Series, Black Moon, Jessica has kindle agreed to a lovely interview and a generous giveaway - yay a signed paperback!Enjoy the lovely interview and getting to know Jessica that little bit better. Then scroll on down to enter Jessica's rafflecopter.
Why not check out our review of BLACK MOON too when you've finished! Bex
1. Tell us a
bit about yourself. Hmm, let’s see. I’ve lived in CA my entire life. In fact, I’ve always lived somewhere in Sacramento or its suburbs. I am the oldest of 4 siblings and I have 4 little munchkins of my own. I met my husband in high school. Yeah I know, high school sweethearts. LOL! We just celebrated our 12th anniversary. I love coffee. I totally have a starbucks addiction. Pumpkin Spice and Cinnamon Dulce Lattes all the way. I also play the clarinet in the community band and I love to zumba!
2. What inspired you to write Black Moon?
My best friend Karin. She was the one that encouraged me to start writing again. After becoming a mom I had so little time for anything but being a mom. But the desire to write never left. One day she just said, “Put pen to paper and see what happens. At least you won’t be able to say you never tried.” And she was right. I can’t thank her enough for that.
3. How did you come up with the name for your main character Paige?
It’s funny that you should ask this because a fan just asked the same thing of me earlier today. The answer isn’t as thoughtful as most people would assume. LOL! Mostly, I wanted her personality reflected in her name. Paige is very independent, but not in the traditional sense. She is a loner, no friends at all. She prefers herself as company, but only because she is socially awkward and feels out of place. She enjoys school and that definitely sets her apart from her teenage counterparts. But as the story progresses, you learn that Paige is very unique. And I wanted her name to be similar…different, rare, and interesting.
4. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book Black Moon?
That I could love my characters so ferociously. When I read a book I do tend to gravitate towards a character and fall in love. Or crush on them big time. LOL! But I didn’t expect to love my characters so much. It’s maybe a little creepy because they sorta feel like real people sometimes. Okay, who am I kidding? They feel real all of the time.
5. Why did you decide Black Moon would be a series?
Before I started writing the
book, like when I was mapping out characters and personalities and plot, I knew
this would be a series. I couldn’t possibly tell Paiges story in a single book.
That and I have so many scenes to write that the book would have ended up a
thousand pages long. LOL! And it was confirmed the more I progressed into
writing Black Moon and I began
thinking about future characters,
future stories, and future ideas that I wanted to happen with Paige.
I don’t necessarily know if this is a ritual, but I write out of order. I write by scene, not by chapter. It’s important for me to feel excitement or passion or funny or any other emotion when I sit down to write something. If I make myself sit and write when I am not “feeling” what I aim to write about, then it ends up being a wasted writing session. So, I write what I feel that session. If I am in the mood to write a fight scene, I write a fight scene. If I am in the mood to write an intimate scene, I write one. Then I end up going through and piecing the story together, like a puzzle. LOL!
7. What book
are you reading now? I am currently reading Wander Dust by Michelle Warren
8. What new author has grasped your interest?
AshleyMadau, for sure. Her debut novel Morningside is this unique take on vampires. Seriously, you should check it out if you haven’t yet.
Random Questions:
1. What was the last Halloween costume you wore?
We
just had our Halloween Concert with the community band and I went as a cat.
LOL! Whiskers, ears and all. The kids at the concert loved all of us band geeks
dressed up in costume though. 2. Where did you last go on holiday?
My husband and I just spent a weekend away being kids for our anniversary. We went to Southern Cali and visited Disneyland and Hollywood studios!
3. If you could be a faery, what would you want your powers to be?
You know I had to answer this one! I would be EXACTLY like Paige. She’s pretty kick ass if I do say so myself. Her powers are extraordinarily different.
Thank you for this giveaway...
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
DeleteGreat interview! Thanks for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteJessica is such an awesome woman. She was such a pleasure to connect with. Good luck!
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