Interview with YA Author Denise Jaden

Denise Jaden is, or has been, everything from a professional Polynesian dancer and fitness competitor to a mushroom farmer and church secretary. Most of her time now is spent homeschooling or playing with her seven year old son or in front of my computer writing. I was thankful that she took some time out to answer some questions about writing and her debut novel, Losing Faith.

When did you decide to become a writer?

It kind of happened by accident when I was in my thirties. Growing up, I’d never been much of a reader or writer, but one day while reading a novel (A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton) I was struck by the language and wording of it. The idea of putting words together that exquisitely really appealed to me. I started with a bit of free writing and journaling and it took off from there.

Why kidlit?

My first novel (yet to be published) was aimed at the mainstream adult market, but many of my critique partners said it felt very YA to them, even though it had a thirty year old male protagonist. My second idea for a novel centered around a theme very prevalent to teens, so I figured why not give it a try. I could tell from the first paragraph that the genre was for me.

How did you go from aspiring writer to published author?

Wow, you ask hard questions! Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t think it’s overwhelming talent or anything I’ve done along the way that has made it happen for me. I’ve written lots, taken and implemented lots of criticism, and submitted lots. I’m constantly trying to improve my craft, but every writer I know does that. There’s definitely a certain amount of kismet involved in this business, and so I just consider myself very, very blessed.

How did you come up with the idea for Losing Faith?

I lost a close friend when I was sixteen, and I’ve always felt like losing someone at that age is a big area to explore. One thing I love to say when people ask me what Losing Faith is about is this: It’s about secrets and wishing you had paid more attention. That, for me, was the biggest memory that spring boarded the idea of my book: wishing I had paid more attention.

Even though I am Jewish, I found it easy to connect to your characters and their experiences. Were you at all concerned as you wrote the book about using so much religious content?

I was very concerned. My main critique partner is also Jewish, and she helped me shape the religious content so it didn’t come off as preachy or heavy-handed. Since the book has been out, I’ve been surprised at the number of readers who not only have mentioned they felt this was handled well, but have also commented that they don’t feel there is enough religion in YA fiction.

Each of your characters had to deal with loss of a loved one and the failure of a parent(s) to handle that loss. Is there any reason you chose to portray them that way?

I honestly don’t know. It wasn’t done intentionally on my part. With Alis and Reena, I realized over time what had happened to their mom and how it would work best into the mystery. That family situation was tweaked a lot over time because it was integral to the plot. I brought Tessa in during my first draft, and her story appeared to me pretty much how you see it now in the book during the initial writing. I knew I wanted an unlikely friend for Brie, but one she could somehow relate to somehow. I didn’t sit down and plan this out any further. It all just kind of…happened.

Who reads your writing before it is published? Do you belong to a critique group? Do you ever test your work out with your audience?

I have a small number of critique partners I call on to read my work. They’re not really a group, but I’ve spent several years discovering the writers I really connect with and work best with. I’m not part of a “critique group” of any kind, and honestly, I don’t know quite how one of those would even work. I really like that I can swap chapters or entire manuscripts with my CP’s and they can always get me the kind of feedback I need. I used to be quite active on Critique Circle and at that point I had several teen readers. Other than that, I haven’t really tried much of my writing out on my audience.

Are you represented by an agent? If so, how did you get him/her to represent you?

My agent is Michelle Humphrey from ICM Talent and I adore her! I’m a slush pile success story—I didn’t have any previous communication with her, and she just made an offer of representation after liking my query and reading my full manuscript.

How did you find your editor? When did you know that he/she would be a good match for this project?

I met my editor at a writer’s conference, before I even had an agent. Even though my editor requested to see my manuscript at the conference, I chose not to submit it until I had an agent. I had a chat with my editor later on the phone about her vision for my book before accepting her offer, so I knew we would be a great match.

What was the process like once you were picked up by an editor?

Long! LOL. If you think waiting for a reply on a query is a painstaking process, believe me, it’s nothing compared to the publication process. At first it didn’t quite feel real that I had actually sold a book, so the waiting process for that first revision letter felt the longest. I think I received my offer in March and I didn’t get revision notes until around July or August. But then there’s also waiting for back cover copy, art design, advance reader copies. The whole process took a year and a half, but other than the waiting, it was really pretty wonderful!

What do you feel you do best as a writer? What do you still need to work on?I think I have a very natural writing voice for YA, and can write a good mix of serious, hard-hitting topics that still include a bit of comic relief. I have a lot of things I still need to work on, but the greatest of these is my passive writing. It takes me several drafts to get my characters, especially the main ones to be really engaging and active.

Thanks so much for answering my questions. I just have one more: What are you working on now?

I’m working on another YA contemporary novel called APPETITE FOR BEAUTY. It’s about cheeky and forthright Loann Rochester, who discovers a dangerous, self-destructive side in her sister, and has to decide between helping her sister and a powerful and unfamiliar desire to become appealing to a mysterious boy.

For more information on Denise Jaden and her books, visit her author page.

Learning to Write by Reading (YA Paranormal)

Some writers have told me that they can't read when they are writing, or if they do read it has to be in other genres. I find the opposite to be true. I read in my genre to see for myself what the experts are doing. I read as a writer. And since each story I read is unique with it's own voice, mine should be too.

So here's what I'm reading as I write a Paranormal YA. Some of the books I've read previously, which influenced me to try this genre. Some I read in anticipation. Others I've read as a break from my own paranormal universe. And I'll be honest, I didn't like all of them. But that's part of the learning experience to. I've listed them in chronological order (as in, date I read them)

Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Shiver and Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

The Thirteen Treasures by Michelle Harrison

Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Wicked Lovely Series by Melissa Marr

Wake and Fade by Lisa McMann

iDrakula by Bekka Black

Birth of a Killer by Darren Shan

Fallen and Torment by Lauren Kate

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Three Quarters Dead by Richard Peck

Wings and Spells by Aprilynne Pike

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer

The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller

Slayed by Amanda Marrone

Need by Carrie Jones

Captivate by Carrie Jones

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith

I think that's all of them. Now off to the library... to get more.

Interview With Middle Grade Author Laura Toffler-Corrie

Laura Toffler-Corrie is a freelance writer who holds an M.S. in school psychology, as well as an M.F.A. in dramatic writing from New York University, where she also taught writing. She has written for a number magazines including 'Parenting' and 'StoryWorks.' Laura lives in Westchester, New York with her husband, twin daughters and a variety of noisy pets. This is her first novel.

When I first met Laura, she was an aspiring writer. As a great networker, she used her connections to run a number of events for my group, The SCBWI Writers of Lower Fairfield. It's been exciting to know her as she went through this process of getting an agent and finding a home for her book. I hope her experience will inspire you.




How did you come up with the idea to write THE LIFE AND OPINIONS OF AMY FINAWITZ?
Growing up, and into college, my best friend and I used to write each other these letters, in the form of plays, poems, short stories, just for a laugh. They were all about our lives, boys, friends, parents, neighbors. This inspired the letter format for AMY. The character of Beryl came from my experiences with the Chabad, an ultra religious Jewish sect. As far as the historical facts in the book, I stumbled on those, but they’re all true.

Who read your writing before it was published? Do you belong to a critique group?
I enjoy the social aspect of critique groups, but it‘s hard for me to share my unfinished work. Too much feedback (even when it’s intelligent and well meaning) just disrupts my process. I do attend Pat Reilly Giff’s writing workshops at The Dinosaur’s Paw in Fairfield. She’s an amazing teacher and often reads my work aloud to the class. That’s an invaluable, sometimes humbling but usually exhilarating, experience. I would recommend a good workshop to any writer.

I know you have an agent. How did you get her to represent you? What was the process like once you were represented?
I’m repped by Elana Roth at the Caren Johnson Literary Agency. I initially queried an agent at Firebrand Literary Agency, who expressed interest, but his plate was full. Just about this time, Elana joined the agency, so he passed my manuscript to her. It was great kismet for me! She was excited about the book and signed me on. We moved to CJLA and the rest is history. My agent found my editor, the wonderful Nancy Mercado at Roaring Brook Press, MacMillan. Basically, I trusted Elana’s judgment about the match. Then once Nan and I started talking about the book I knew that she was exactly the right person for me and AMY.

What was the process like once you started moving towards publication?
At first, it was a bit scary. You want to make your book the best it can be, you want to please your editor, you fear that she will discover you’re really an imposter and ask for your advance back! Really though, once you start working with your editor, it’s very inspiring. I’ve learned so much. Over the course of the process, I received a few ‘revision letters,’ with all of her suggestions mapped out. It was a useful tool to refer to. But there were phone calls too and emails that went back and forth. Primarily, it’s about mutual respect and communication. You both want the same thing: a great book.

Last question. What do you feel you do best as a writer? What do you need to work on?
I think I'm good at humor and character. I wish I was a bit more disciplined and was more creative in the morning. I’m pokey in the morning. As it stands, I do my best writing later in the day, but then sometimes at night, I’m just fried.

Thank you so much for answering these questions, Laura. I'm looking forward to reading THE LIFE AND OPINIONS OF AMY FINAWITZ when it comes out this Fall of 2010.

For more about Laura and AMY visit her on her website, on
Facebook, or on Twitter.

You can also leave a question for her in the comments. She may stroll by and answer.