Aspiring Author Thursday: Introducing J. A. Bennett

So, I'm sitting in the Burger King parking lot at 10:00 at night because my stupid internet still isn't working. Grrrrr..... I've seen quite a few interesting characters around here though. I'm taking notes! LOL

Anyway, today I wanted to welcome, J. A. Bennett! She is so nice and full of awesome and has an amazing blog. Check it out, here. ;)

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

I always enjoyed writing, but I never thought I would be good at it. I always assumed that being a writer meant that you had to have perfect spelling and grammar. It wasn't until I got a great English teacher in high school that taught me writing was so much more than that. He really believed in me and pushed me to the limit.

Ha! Perfect Spelling and Grammar. That's funny. :)

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

I wake up at 4:30 in the morning so that I can write. My husband gets up at that time so it works for me. There are days when I don't quite find the energy to wake up that early, but I always beat myself up about it when I don't so it's worth it in the end.

Holy freak! 4:30? *dies* You. Are. Amazing.

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

I actually love to cook. Food is my other passion. I'm big at finding ways to make my favorite foods healthier so that I don't feel guilty eating what I like. Plus it's fun to find new ways to make tasty things :)

Send some of that loving to cook vibe over here! I can cook, but I don't love 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.)

Going back to my previous statement, I would probably say a place to cook (and an island stocked with amazing food)

Ha! Awesome. At least you wouldn't starve to death, right? :)

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

I have a few favorites but right now I'm going to say Divergent. I just want to pick the thing apart and find out how it ticks.

I'm reading that RIGHT NOW! :D I love it and I'm only on the second chapter! lol

What book are you dying to read this year?

Possession is pretty high on the list, also Matched and Crossed. Why haven't I read these yet? I need get on that...

Matched is a great one. Can't wait for Crossed! I also have Possession on my bookshelf waiting to be read!

What genre do you write and why?

I write YA fantasy because it presents a range of emotions and possibilities. I like my writing to be elastic.

Love this.

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

I have to have my headphones in. When I am in my world I don't want to know what anything else exists. Even though my kids are asleep when I write if I don't have music plugged into my ears I just worry that they are going to wake up.

I love my headphones. I love writing with music, but I have to edit in silence. ;)

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

I look for inspiration everywhere, I over analyze why I like something or don't like something. I think about why other people like things and what makes them great stories. I observe everything and then I take what I can from that.

Awesome. It's amazing where you can find a little inspiration, huh? Even the littlest things spark great story ideas. At least for me.

Any advice for other aspiring authors?

People are going to be constantly telling you what is right and what is wrong. Take everything with a grain of salt and don't let anyone tell you can't do it. You can just stand up and take what you want.

Totally agree. Love this.

Random Writing Question: If your MC could choose to have any magic ability, what would it be and why?

My MC does have a magic ability, and it suits her well. She has the power of the element of the Earth. :)

Oh, man. I LOVE Elementals! :D Thank you so much for being here today!!