Aspiring Author Thursday: Introducing Jolene Perry

Okay you guys. I know most of you know this amazing hilarious writer, but I had to interview her anyway. She just landed an agent and her books are so awesome. If you haven't been to her blog, get over there and give her a follow! You won't be sorry. :) And I can say that I met her at a writers conference this past May! Just as hilarious and so sweet in person!

When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I wanted to write when i was little (like elementary). I entered contests and finished LOADS of journals. When I was about 25 or so, I started to write, but quickly realized that when I started it would sort of take over my life, so I stopped. About two years ago I had a random conversation with my husband where he mentioned my imagination and that I really should write some of it down for fun. A few months later, I had my first novel. I remember being sort of in shock.

That's awesome! Having a supportive husband is the best. Seriously. :)

Do you have a writing schedule, or do you just sit down whenever you get a spare moment?

Mike thinks my writing schedule is anytime I'm awake, lol. NO schedule. I write in any and almost all spare moments. When I'm NOT writing, I'm listening to the playlist of whatever project I'm working on. This means that when people talk to me, I'm really only half-present in the conversation, lol.

Sounds a lot like me! lol I'm always half-listening. Well, mostly just to my hubby! Ha ha! ;)

Could you tell us a little about yourself? Random facts? Hidden talents?

I flipped a raft twice in the Rogue River and honestly thought I might drown.
I drew the plans and built two houses (my dad's in construction, so I grew up around it - and yes, I was out there with hammer and nails, building a house)
When my husband was deployed in the Army I taught myself to play the guitar (I'm not great).
I taught middle school math with my degree in political science and French
When I was in high school I rode horses, and even had the chance to take a few clinics from riders who rode in the Olympics.

Ugh. Math is the worst subject EVER! lol Not really. I just suck at it. ;)

If you were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing you couldn't live without? (Besides your family and a laptop of course.)

Music and books. So, that's two things. But I'm always breaking rules like that ;D Oh, and some really good dark chocolate. I really hope I'm never put in that situation because I clearly will not be able to decide.

I hope no one's ever in that situation! lol

What is one book you could read over and over and over?

I'm going to sound so... boring. But Pride and Prejudice. Love the language. Love the setting. Want to smack Elizabeth and shake Darcy, but you know...

Agreed.

What book are you dying to read this year?

Catching Jordan by Kenneally - I'm a sucker for contemporary, and this looks fab.

I'll have to add this to my monstrous list!

What genre do you write and why?

My first was a women's fic. Then i wrote a few LDS fic, the first comes out in October!! Now I write YA, almost all contemporary, but I am in the process of reviving my paranormal.

Awesome. And by the way, Jolene is a GREAT writer. Seriously.

Do you have any writing rituals? Music, silence, eating, etc.

All of the above. It depends, sometimes I'll listen to the same song over and over while working on a scene, but only when Mike's not home. I HAVE to read a little over something I've written in that WIP before I can just jump in - it's helpful for self-editing and getting me in the groove of the character. The best is having a huge cold bottle of Pellegrino and some dark chocolate almonds.

Mmmm... Almonds.... I thought I was the only one who listened to the same song over and over. Great minds think alike, eh?

Where do you come up with your ideas? Dreams, while driving, etc?

They start with something real. Some of them have started with something personal, but as soon as I start writing they take on a life of their own. 

I think the best stories tend to start with something real and personal.

Any advice for other aspiring authors?

WRITING SHOULD BE FUN.
Editing isn't always fun, but the whole process of writing a book and finding a publisher/agent should be FUN (even the disheartening stuff - like rejection after rejection).
You're not starving in a third world country, you're writing. Pretty awesome.
Never feel bad about doing things the way you want to do them.
And find critique partners that you TRUST and ADORE.

Great advice. :)

Random Writing Question: If your MC could pick a best friend from any published novel, who would it be and why?

I will answer this from Leigh who's the MC in my book coming out this fall (The Next Door Boys) because she's NOT a romantic. I think she wouldn't choose Anne from Anne of Green Gables, because she professes to hate that story, but her and Anne would be great friends because they're equally stubborn. And it takes both of them WAY to long to recognize love. Or maybe they'd hate each other for that same reason...

Ha! Love it! Thanks Jolene!! :D

Thanks Chantele! Your blog rocks, your writing rocks, and you're just pretty freaking awesome :D