November 4, 2012

Grace Doll Blog Tour and Jennifer Laurens interview

 
 
                                                      Interview Questions
1. How did you come up with the concept for this book?

After I left college, I worked in the entertainment business as a stand-in on The Love Boat and Dallas, Dynasty and other shows and commercials. I met lots of fascinating people, one of whom was a makeup artist whose son also worked in the business with me. Between that situation and my own experiences with my dad and his wife who worked in the business at the time, I came up with parts of the story for Grace Doll. Originally, I wrote it as a screenplay. Then I wrote it as a women's romance. It went through many drafts and changes before coming into its present form of a YA novel.

2.How did you come up with the names for the characters?
My aunt's name was Grace Doll---a name so different, everywhere she went people asked her about it. I thought it was the right fit for the unusual story of Grace Doll, plus, using her name added a personal touch--something I like to do in all of my books. Brenden came from someone else I know: a neighbor boy I've used in my book trailers. I liked the unusual take on a very common name: Brandon. Through all the drafts of Grace Doll, Rufus Solomon has always been Rufus Solomon and Judy was always Judy.

3.How much are you and the characters alike?
There's always a little bit of me in some of my characters and/or book. Setting, phrases, idiosyncrasies, situations all work their way into my storytelling because my writing is a part of me----an elaborated journal of sorts. My feelings toward my estranged father are very much Brenden's feelings toward his absentee father. Brenden's father worked in show business/my father worked in show business. Some of Grace's qualities I borrowed from my grandmother.

4.Do you read a lot and what are you reading now?
 I write first, read second but I try to always have a book handy--right now it's Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller --- a book I've read over and over again it's so well crafted.
5. What made you decide to go young adult?
I avoid writing sex and profanity so YA is a good fit for me, even though I started out writing women's romance.
6. How did the cover come about?
As an indie author I conceive cover concepts and have a team of designers. I loved the idea of the girl in the director's chair. I have lots of resources for actors, and an actress friend posed for the cover. I found some grunge film frames and had my designer take it from there.
7. So what is your next project and when is it due out?
 I'm writing a futuristic project and seeing how that feels to me. I wanted to finish it by the end of this year but life takes precedence. Maybe it'll be out next year. Crossing fingers!
8. Do you have a daytime job or are you a full time writer?
I'm a full time writer.
9. How did you get into writing novels and were you worried about peoples reactions to your books?
I started writing when I was in junior high school, then took it up full time when my 6 kids were all in school. I don't worry about what others think of my books, I write for me. I never consider "popularity" or the "commercial" value of something.
10. One last thing do you collect anything personally?
Dolls! Dollhouses ( I have 4 - ridiculous, I know!!) Antique plates.
As an only child, my mom started many collections for me, all of which I still have today.


Check out Jennifers book Grace Doll on Amazon HERE!

 
 
 

1 comment:

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