Let's start with the basics!
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi, guys. Jodie, thank you for having me. Well, I was born and raised in Romania, which was great; I actually spent my 20th birthday at Dracula’s Castle (but no, the big man didn’t put in an appearance...). My first love is writing, but I also like to travel as much as I can. I also draw, play the piano a little, and never miss an opportunity to go out dancing (I love salsa). I’m married and have a son.
2. How exciting! Now tell us, where did you get the idea for Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale?
I get my best ideas in the shower. No kidding! I figured it has something to do with me being a water sign (cancer), because I always brim with ideas in the shower. So that’s where I was when I first thought of Hex.
3. Do you have a certain place where you prefer to do your writing?
Not in the shower, obviously :) But no, I write wherever I can. I’m a mom with a very busy daily schedule, so when I do find a spare moment, I get right on it. I never feel like there are enough hours in a day, if you know what I mean.
4. Are you currently working on anything now?
Yes and no. I have this idea for a new story, but I’m at that stage where I still get to know my characters. It’s a fun time; for instance, I’ll stop in the middle of a conversation and rush to jot down ideas, dialogue, and stuff that will never go in the book. Like I said, I’m just acquainting myself with this brand new set of characters. I expect I’ll have a new novel finished in a few months.
5. Do you think you'll always stick to writing YA? Oh yeah, definitely. I’m totally incapable of writing for adults. I feel there’s nothing I could tell them that they don’t already know.
6. Living in Moscow, you've found a passion for pie. What's your favorite?
Mmm, pie! I make it from scratch, as often as I can, and eat it in what my husband calls “industrial quantities”. My favorite? It’s a tie between raspberry and chocolate cream.
7. Favorite books?
I love “Sense and Sensibility”. “The American”, by Henry James. “The Lady of the Camellias”, by Al. Dumas fils. And then I love the contemporary stuff - Annette Curtis Klause blows me away. Jenny Downham’s “Before I Die”. Sarah Rees Brennan, Holly Black, Cassandra Clare. There are too many authors (and books) to count!
8. Hobbies or special interests? I like to run, and I try to do it daily (though, lately, I haven’t). I like art, so I’ll never miss an opportunity to spend some time in a gallery, or at a museum. I have a thing for ballet, and I like to go whenever I can.
9. Favorite music bands or singers? Again, too many to count. I’m a big fan of the 60’s music. Other than that, I listen to Snow Patrol, Linkin Park, Dashboard Confessional, Placebo, The Kooks, The Decemberists ... and many, many others.
10. What's your most rewarding experience since getting published? It’s all been great, you know. My son asked me one night to switch his usual fairy tale for something out of “my pink book”. But generally speaking, it’s people’s response to Hex. They’re interested to know, to read it, to email me about it. It’s a great feeling.
11. How important do you think it is to read and tell stories to our children?
Extremely important, I’d say. I have a six year-old boy who is autistic, and who likes his routine very much. It comforts him to know that, before going to sleep, mommy will read a story to him. And it’s a beneficial exercise all around - not only does it improve his vocabulary and the ability to express himself but, on a basic level, it provides me with an easier way to explain abstract concepts, such as “good” and “bad”, and the relationship between actions and consequences. Obviously, my son is different. With most children, it’s a way to bond with their parents, a time to ask a million questions, and to exercise their imagination. I’d say, reading to your child on a daily basis is one of the best things you could do for him or her.
I get my best ideas in the shower. No kidding! I figured it has something to do with me being a water sign (cancer), because I always brim with ideas in the shower. So that’s where I was when I first thought of Hex.
3. Do you have a certain place where you prefer to do your writing?
Not in the shower, obviously :) But no, I write wherever I can. I’m a mom with a very busy daily schedule, so when I do find a spare moment, I get right on it. I never feel like there are enough hours in a day, if you know what I mean.
4. Are you currently working on anything now?
Yes and no. I have this idea for a new story, but I’m at that stage where I still get to know my characters. It’s a fun time; for instance, I’ll stop in the middle of a conversation and rush to jot down ideas, dialogue, and stuff that will never go in the book. Like I said, I’m just acquainting myself with this brand new set of characters. I expect I’ll have a new novel finished in a few months.
5. Do you think you'll always stick to writing YA? Oh yeah, definitely. I’m totally incapable of writing for adults. I feel there’s nothing I could tell them that they don’t already know.
6. Living in Moscow, you've found a passion for pie. What's your favorite?
Mmm, pie! I make it from scratch, as often as I can, and eat it in what my husband calls “industrial quantities”. My favorite? It’s a tie between raspberry and chocolate cream.
7. Favorite books?
I love “Sense and Sensibility”. “The American”, by Henry James. “The Lady of the Camellias”, by Al. Dumas fils. And then I love the contemporary stuff - Annette Curtis Klause blows me away. Jenny Downham’s “Before I Die”. Sarah Rees Brennan, Holly Black, Cassandra Clare. There are too many authors (and books) to count!
8. Hobbies or special interests? I like to run, and I try to do it daily (though, lately, I haven’t). I like art, so I’ll never miss an opportunity to spend some time in a gallery, or at a museum. I have a thing for ballet, and I like to go whenever I can.
9. Favorite music bands or singers? Again, too many to count. I’m a big fan of the 60’s music. Other than that, I listen to Snow Patrol, Linkin Park, Dashboard Confessional, Placebo, The Kooks, The Decemberists ... and many, many others.
10. What's your most rewarding experience since getting published? It’s all been great, you know. My son asked me one night to switch his usual fairy tale for something out of “my pink book”. But generally speaking, it’s people’s response to Hex. They’re interested to know, to read it, to email me about it. It’s a great feeling.
11. How important do you think it is to read and tell stories to our children?
Extremely important, I’d say. I have a six year-old boy who is autistic, and who likes his routine very much. It comforts him to know that, before going to sleep, mommy will read a story to him. And it’s a beneficial exercise all around - not only does it improve his vocabulary and the ability to express himself but, on a basic level, it provides me with an easier way to explain abstract concepts, such as “good” and “bad”, and the relationship between actions and consequences. Obviously, my son is different. With most children, it’s a way to bond with their parents, a time to ask a million questions, and to exercise their imagination. I’d say, reading to your child on a daily basis is one of the best things you could do for him or her.
Thanks so much Ramona! Curious to know more about Ramona Wray? Check out her blog,website, add her on Facebook or become her friend on Goodreads. Check out my review. You can purchase at Amazon
.Now, let's hear about the story!
Like most girls at Rosemound High School, seventeen-year-old Lily Crane is acutely aware of Ryder Kingscott. Hands down the cutest guy in school, Ryder is cool, mysterious, and utterly untouchable... especially for Lily. For when she touches someone, Lily instantly learns all about their lives. And while such a skill might seem nifty, in truth it is wrecking Lily's life. So she is shocked when Ryder asks her out-and even more shocked to discover he has a rival. Lucian Bell is the gorgeous new kid who can't take his eyes off of Lily. Being pursued by two hotties should make a girl happy, but Lily is skeptical. The boys act as if they've met before, hating each other with a passion that could only be rooted in a dark, dangerous past. A past full of terrible secrets. The kind of secrets that could get a girl killed.
One copy of Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale is up for grabs!
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Enter HERE
Giveaway will end 3/6 at midnight
Giveaway will end 3/6 at midnight
Awesome interview! Thanks so much, Ramona and Jodie.
ReplyDeleteRamona, my daughter has a lot of the same interests in common with you. Maybe one day she will turn out to be as successful as you are? Ha! I can only hope, right.
Romania must have been a very interesting place. I have many visions of what it must be like, I'm sure they are all wrong though. :)
I think of a lot of things in the shower as well. Usually they belong on my daily to do list, but by the time I am out of the shower and dressed I've usually forgotten the task from the shower. ;)
I agree in your choice of music and about reading to children everyday. My daughter is now 11, so she no longer needs me to do that anymore. She is very much so a book lover and enjoys a good book just as much as I do.
Thank you again for taking the time to share with us. I enjoy learning as much as I can about authors.
I won't be entering the contest because I have already purchased HEX. Thanks for the chance though. :)
Happy Reading and Arrivederci!
Amy
Amy, thank you for your lovely comments and for buying my book - I hope you'll enjoy it. Thank you, Jodie, for the interview, it was a pleasure to be here.
ReplyDelete