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!
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