Saturday, June 1, 2013

Interview with Jennifer Allis Provost!


Welcome Jennifer Allis Provost!
What is your biggest pet peeve in fiction writing?
 
It’s a two-part peeve: the dead not staying dead (or there’s an identical twin, or they were in a coma, yadda yadda yadda) and blaming recent events on a dream a la “who shot JR?” Both, in my opinion, are lazy storytelling.
 
Worldbuilding is such an important part of writing. What would your words of encouragement for aspiring authors be when it comes to developing their own worlds?
 
The devil is in the details when it comes to worldbuilding. What kind of a society is it – medieval, iron age, futuristic? What do they eat? What’s the weather like? If you can hammer down the basic details, you can take your setting from so-so to amazing.
 
Where do you do your best writing? Do you like to have certain surroundings?
 
I wake up super early and write in my living room in dead silence. I don’t even listen to music; my full focus needs to be on the story.
 
If you could live in one book for a day, what would it be?
 
Hmm. Narnia?
 
Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?
 
I have young children, so I don’t really have free time. We enjoy gardening, museums, Thomas the Train, and The Wiggles.
 
Which came first for you--the characters, the idea for the setting, or the plot?
 
For Holiday Magick, the idea came when I read the call for submissions. I was desperately trying to craft a story about Arbor Day, but it just wasn’t coming. Then, I got a local college’s newsletter highlighting alumni that had gone on to great things, and Paper Hearts was born.
 
When you were growing up, what did you want to be?
 
Either a comic book artist, veterinarian, or a powerful wizard.
 
When you are reading, what make a character compelling to you? Is it the same aspects that make a character you are writing compelling?
 
Flaws – real people have them (hey, I’ve got tons) and good characters have at least one major flaw. Who wants to read a story about someone who’s always good, and always planned things to perfection? What makes things interesting is when the character makes the wrong choice, and has to navigate their way out of the hole they’ve dug.

Thanks for letting me stop by, Emma! This was fun!
 
My pleasure Jennifer! It has been wonderful having you here!

Holiday Magick

 
Other novels include:

Sara had always been careful.

She never spoke of magic, never associated with those suspected of handling magic, never thought of magic, and never, ever, let anyone see her mark. After all, the last thing she wanted was to end up missing, like her father and brother.

Then, a silver elf pushed his way into Sara's dream, and her life became anything but ordinary.
 
Thank you for stopping by
The Writers Voice
 


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