Author Spotlight featuring Jessica Redmerski

Jessica Redmerski

Books

DIRTY EDEN

THE MAYFAIR MOON - Book #1 in the Darkwoods Trilogy

Biography

Book Review (Coming Soon)

Links

Website

Goodreads author Page

Twitter

Facebook

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.