Jessica Redmerski
Books
DIRTY EDEN
THE MAYFAIR MOON - Book #1 in the Darkwoods Trilogy
Book Review (Coming Soon)
Links
Interview
1. Please tell the readers a bit
more about you.
I was born
in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1975 and started writing in 1976. Ok, not so much,
but it feels like it! I’ve been writing
since I was thirteen, the first time I dove into an actual novel. I can never
see me doing anything else. Also, I have three great kids and a Maltese.
2. What types of books do you write?
I’ve
published a YA Paranormal Romance titled THE MAYFAIR MOON and a Contemporary
Fantasy novel titled DIRTY EDEN, but I’m also working on a MG Fantasy and a
Post-Apocalyptic Science-Fiction novel.
3. Who's your main audience?
Right now it seems to be YA
readers.
4. When it comes to writing- what
are your strong points? What are your weaknesses?
I love to write dialogue. It feels
and flows more natural to me. I feel I struggle a little more with description,
but it’s because I’m impatient and sometimes it feels like description is
slowing me down. But I pace myself! If I didn’t, the entire novel would be a
giant conversation.
5. What do you think of this term-
Writer's Block? How do you overcome it?
As a term, Writer’s Block is a disease, in my
opinion. And I’ve said in a few interviews before, the way I overcome it is by
not getting stuck in it in the first place. I’m all about prevention as it’s
easier to prevent a disease by taking the necessary precautions beforehand,
than it is it cure it. The way I prevent it (usually – sometimes it still gets me!) is by never ending my
writing day at the end of a scene or sentence. I end the day in the middle of a scene or sentence. It keeps
my mind fresh and constantly churning, thinking about what I still need to
write to finish out where I left off.
6. How many books have you written?
Four
7. How many are published?
Two – THE MAYFAIR MOON and DIRTY
EDEN
8. Are you self-published or
traditionally published?
I am a proud self-published author, but that’s not to say I would not
still like to be picked up by a traditional publisher someday.
9. What's the hardest part of the
writing process for you?
The beginning! The first couple of chapters are so daunting because all I
can think about is how much I still have left to write. Like I mentioned, I’m
totally impatient. After about the third chapter, I get more relaxed.
10. What type of books do you enjoy
reading?
The same
stuff that I write – YA Paranormal, Contemporary Fantasy, Urban Fantasy. But I
really have a soft spot for anything dark, unique, weird and witty.
11. Who's your favorite Author?
I have three: Neil Gaiman, Anne
Rice and J.K. Rowling
12. What's your all-time favorite
book?
That’s
tough! It would probably have to be…OK, I can’t choose one. ALL of the HARRY POTTER
books, NEVERWHERE by Neil Gaiman and THE VAMPIRE ARMAND by Anne Rice
13. How long does it take you to write a book?
Typically, 6-7 months to write it and a few months of extensive editing
14. Out of all of your characters, which is your favorite? Why?
My favorite would have to be from my first
finished novel, which hasn’t been published. Her name is Josephine and she’s my
favorite because her story and those in it hold a dear place in my heart.
15. What is one of the most surprising things you've learned as a writer?
That these days there’s A LOT more to being a
writer than writing. Social-networking, blogging, etc.
16. What does your family think of your writing?
They are very proud and hope to see me succeed.
17. What does your writing schedule look like?
I’m currently writing Book Two in the
Darkwoods Trilogy titled KINDRED.
18. Do you manage to write every day?
I try to make it a point to write every day. It doesn’t matter if it’s a
sentence, two paragraphs or twelve pages. It’s the only restriction I put on
myself and it seems to work.
19. What's the latest news you'd like to share?
KINDRED will be sexier, the love will be deeper, the tragedies will be
more unbearable and the ending will be intense!
20. Do you have any advice for new writers?
Other than the things I’ve already mentioned, I guess it would have to be
that if you love to write and tell stories, don’t ever let anyone or anything
stop you from doing it. Not the market, not the ‘subjective’ aspect, not the
naysayers or the critics. And no matter what, always write for you, first and foremost. Everyone else
you’re writing for are those who love your work. Never lose sleep over those
who do not.