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Jennifer McConnel Interview 1/4/2013 6:01:05 PM
Author Jennifer McConnel discusses her debut novel & the writing life! LTS: To kick off the first author feature of the New Year, I’m proud to introduce you to the oh-so talented author and poet, Jennifer McConnel. I’d like to begin by having you share a little information about yourself with our readers, Jen. What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
JM: Thanks so much for having me, Lorna! When I’m not writing, I’m usually stuck in a book: I’ve always loved to read! I also teach writing composition at a community college, and my students keep me busy. When time and money allow, I love to travel with my husband; we’ve had some amazing adventures so far, and I can’t wait to see what’s around the next bend!
LTS: You’ve been writing poetry from an early age. When did you decide to tackle fiction writing? Was becoming a published author a lifelong dream?
JM: Absolutely! I always wanted to write fiction, and even had a short story published in the local paper when I was in 8th grade. As a kid, I envied Louisa May Alcott, and I think it was my love of her character Jo March that really sparked my desire to write. Somewhere along the way, however, I stopped writing anything but poetry; I was scared of rejection. But in college, I found my way back to fiction, and I started seriously pursuing the craft of novel writing about five years ago.
LTS: I had a chance to read an excerpt from your debut novel, The Burning of Isobel Key and I could see why it’s been receiving great reviews! What was the inspiration behind this story and can you tell us a little bit about your protagonist, Lou?
JM: Thank you for the compliment! I traveled to Scotland in 2007 and I hated the weather, so I was really surprised when, in 2009, I started writing a novel set in the misty, magical land. I’m not sure where I got the inspiration for Lou; she’s very unsure of herself, and even when I make mistakes, I tend to act over-confident. But the more I got to know her, the more I enjoyed telling her story. I think everyone can relate to her sense of listlessness; at one time or another, we end up lost, and telling Lou’s story gave me a chance to see her grow stronger and find a purpose.
LTS: Without giving away too much, can you reveal what’s in store for the readers when they crack open The Burning of Isobel Key?
JM: This New Adult novel is a dual tale: Isobel was a healer who lived in the seventeenth century, and Lou is a modern young woman who tumbles into a mystery while on vacation in Scotland. There’s a bit of romance, some intrigue, and some dark deeds, as well as a handsome Scottish tour guide and a rakish seventeenth century heartbreaker.
LTS: The road to publication is difficult at the best of times. Was it difficult for you to land an agent? Do you have any advice you’d like to share with the author struggling to find representation?
JM: Actually, my publication journey has been filled with twists and turns! I signed with a wonderful agent to represent my as-yet unpublished YA Fantasy books, but after a few months together, she left the agenting business to pursue a different career. I decided to pursue publication on my own. After the thrill of forming BrightFish Press and publishing The Burning of Isobel Key, I’ve started looking for an agent again to represent my YA titles. One thing I’ve learned in all this: be flexible! You never know what opportunities will present themselves, and you never know where you will find a niche. There are so many paths to publication right now, and if you’re creative and willing to take risks, you might discover a road you never considered!
LTS: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned on the road to publication?
JM: Never say never, and ALWAYS be open to possibilities that look different than you imagined.
LTS: Still on the subject of writing styles, are you a plotter or pantser? The readers would like to know if you tend to plot out your story line in great detail or if your writing is more organic with the characters and events unfolding as you write.
JM: I’m a pantser, until it comes to the second draft. I subscribe to the NaNoWriMo and Anne Lamott first draft theory, and I just get it down on the page. My editing and revision process is very structured, however; it’s balanced, which works for me!
LTS: Some authors meditate, others need to fuel up on coffee or listen to music. Do you have any rituals, ones that can be shared with the readers, that you must do before you hunker down for a writing session?
JM: I write best in the mid-morning or early afternoon, so on a writing day, I tend to wake up and putter around online for an hour before I settle in to write. One thing I’ve started doing lately before I write may seem silly: I make sure that I shower and get dressed, so that my brain knows it’s time to work. (Otherwise, I’d likely hang out in PJs all day, and I’ve found when I do that I’m not the most focused writer). Also, I drink LOTS of tea before, during, and after a writing session.
LTS: At one time or another, most writers hit the wall and their work stalls because of the dreaded writer’s block. What do you do to get around or over this mental wall to resume writing?
JM: Someone once told me to imagine the worst thing that could happen to my characters, and then to write it. I try this when I get stuck, and usually the disaster throws me back into gear again. If that doesn’t work, I take a break and fill out some character personality charts for my protagonist and secondary characters. If I’m still stuck, I turn off the computer for the day, remembering the immortal words of Scarlet O’Hara: “After all, tomorrow is another day.”
LTS: Who is your favourite author and how has he/she inspired you to write or influenced your writing style or choice of genre?
JM: There are so many authors who have influenced me: Susan Cooper, Neil Gaiman, Laini Taylor, Lynne Reid Banks, Phillipa Gregory, Diana Gabaldon, Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Dickens...the list goes on and on, but the shared influence they’ve all had on me was to teach me to believe in magic, and to remind me that there are many ways of telling tales. I also owe Joseph Campbell a huge debt, because his hero’s journey influences the structure of much of my YA.
LTS: What do you foresee in your future over the next five years and do you hope to branch out from YA into other genres? Can your fans expect a sequel to The Burning of Isobel Key in the near future?
JM: Yes! The Key Inheritance, a novella that picks up ten years after Isobel Key ends, will be out on January 15, 2013. I’ve also begun playing with another New Adult title, only this time, it’s distinctly paranormal. I also have an idea for a YA steampunk novel kicking around in my head, so we’ll see if anything comes of that!
I tend to write the stories I want to read, so who knows where I will go next. It’s an adventure, and I’m loving every wild minute of it!
LTS: Thank you so much for taking the time to share in your stories and your writing experiences! For more information about Jen McConnel and her novels, check out:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook |
YouTube | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page
