Today, please welcome the talented author of Firelight, Sophie Jordan. Thank you so much for taking the time out to do this interview, I appreciate it! I really enjoyed this novel and I'm thrilled to see the outcome of the next installments. If you haven't bought Firelight yet, what are you waiting for!? Check out my review here.
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Sophie Jordan grew up on a pecan farm in the Texas hill country, where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she's also the New York Times bestselling author of Avon historical romances. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she's not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes and Diet cherry Coke preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with true-crime and reality-TV shows. Sophie also writes paranormal romances under the name Sharie Kohler.
-GoodReads
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Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 336
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.
Book Trailer:
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Author Interview:
Sophie Jordan grew up on a pecan farm in the Texas hill country, where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she's also the New York Times bestselling author of Avon historical romances. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she's not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes and Diet cherry Coke preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with true-crime and reality-TV shows. Sophie also writes paranormal romances under the name Sharie Kohler.-GoodReads
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Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Genre: Young Adult FictionRelease Date: Available Now
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 336
Summary:
A hidden truth.Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.
Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form. Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy. Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.
Book Trailer:
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Author Interview:
1) When did you first consider yourself a writer?
SJ: Interesting question. I guess I considered myself a writer after I completed my first manuscript about six years ago. That’s when I started actively submitting. Once I’d suffered a few rejection punches, I figured I earned the designation. I think anyone who’s actively writing and submitting their work deserves the title writer. There are definitely days when rejection hits you hard and you wonder if it’s just a pipe dream. You wonder if you should hang in there for another year, month, week… Being a writer isn’t all about the successes. It’s about the struggles, too.
2) What inspired you to write Firelight?
SJ: I’ve been published in romance for a few years, and like any writer published in one genre, I often like to delve into books from other genres during my reading time. So I started reading YA fiction. And I was hooked! It had changed so much since I was in high school. I quickly realized YA fiction could be anything, about anything! I was particularly delighted to see romance at the core of so many YA books. If I know anything from years of writing romance novels, it was how to write some steamy boy/girl interaction. Ideas started brewing, and before I knew it I had the idea for Firelight.
3) If you had to describe your book in one word, what would it be and why?
SJ: Ohh, you’re killing me! One word? Hmm: intense.
4) What can we expect from The Draki series?
SJ: I think when you start reading the series, you’re going to sense that Jacinda’s story is “big” and won’t end with book one. I definitely feel like I’m writing a sweeping saga. Answers will be resolved at the end of each book, but new questions will arise. And, as mentioned, romance is at the heart of the story. The series has elements of fantasy and paranormal but it’s very grounded in the modern world. Even though my protagonist is this mythical being, she’s really “Everygirl” in her fears and desires. It’s even a bit thriller-ish with its twists and turns. You’ll be on the edge of your seat, to be sure!
5) Do you prefer writing Historical Romance or Young Adult books?
SJ: Well, that’s like picking a favorite child! On certain days, I would rather be writing in one genre … especially when that “baby” is misbehaving for me. ;) But at the end of the day, I love them both.
6) Do you have any other projects you're currently working on?
SJ: I’ve just finished the second book in the Firelight series and should start revising it soon for my editors. And believe it or not, I’ll soon start plotting book #3.
7) What was your experience like as a former English high school teacher?
SJ: Well, it definitely shaped the way I write my teen characters. Nothing watered down in those adolescents! I was in my twenties at the time I taught high school, and not much older than my students, so they were often more “real” with me than with my colleagues. I was a “safe” grown-up for them. They could come to me without fear of judgment. And for that, I got to see it all!
8) Besides being a writer, what else do you like to do in your free time?
SJ: Ha! Am I supposed to do anything other than write? I love hanging out with my family. My husband and I are big foodies. We’re always grilling outside and trying new recipes. We love to entertain and have friends over. I love movies, and reading of course.
9) What book are you currently reading?
SJ: Hourglass by Claudia Gray – I’m hooked on that series.
10) Do you have anything to say to all your present and future readers?
SJ: Just that I hope everyone loves Firelight and tells everyone about it! The film option has already been acquired so who knows? Maybe we’ll see Jacinda and Will on the big screen someday soon.
11) What's the craziest thing you've ever done that you wouldn't dare share with others (besides us of course hehe)?
SJ: Wow. Hmm. Well, I don’t know if it’s crazy but one of my most mortifying moments was when I was sixteen and I took a very ugly spill down a flight of stairs in a pair of high heels that I really shouldn’t have been wearing – I could hardly walk in them much less handle stairs! And, of course, who was standing at the bottom of the stairs other than the guy I was crushing on and trying to impress? Not my finest moment.
SJ: Interesting question. I guess I considered myself a writer after I completed my first manuscript about six years ago. That’s when I started actively submitting. Once I’d suffered a few rejection punches, I figured I earned the designation. I think anyone who’s actively writing and submitting their work deserves the title writer. There are definitely days when rejection hits you hard and you wonder if it’s just a pipe dream. You wonder if you should hang in there for another year, month, week… Being a writer isn’t all about the successes. It’s about the struggles, too.
2) What inspired you to write Firelight?
SJ: I’ve been published in romance for a few years, and like any writer published in one genre, I often like to delve into books from other genres during my reading time. So I started reading YA fiction. And I was hooked! It had changed so much since I was in high school. I quickly realized YA fiction could be anything, about anything! I was particularly delighted to see romance at the core of so many YA books. If I know anything from years of writing romance novels, it was how to write some steamy boy/girl interaction. Ideas started brewing, and before I knew it I had the idea for Firelight.
3) If you had to describe your book in one word, what would it be and why?
SJ: Ohh, you’re killing me! One word? Hmm: intense.
4) What can we expect from The Draki series?
SJ: I think when you start reading the series, you’re going to sense that Jacinda’s story is “big” and won’t end with book one. I definitely feel like I’m writing a sweeping saga. Answers will be resolved at the end of each book, but new questions will arise. And, as mentioned, romance is at the heart of the story. The series has elements of fantasy and paranormal but it’s very grounded in the modern world. Even though my protagonist is this mythical being, she’s really “Everygirl” in her fears and desires. It’s even a bit thriller-ish with its twists and turns. You’ll be on the edge of your seat, to be sure!
5) Do you prefer writing Historical Romance or Young Adult books?
SJ: Well, that’s like picking a favorite child! On certain days, I would rather be writing in one genre … especially when that “baby” is misbehaving for me. ;) But at the end of the day, I love them both.
6) Do you have any other projects you're currently working on?
SJ: I’ve just finished the second book in the Firelight series and should start revising it soon for my editors. And believe it or not, I’ll soon start plotting book #3.
7) What was your experience like as a former English high school teacher?
SJ: Well, it definitely shaped the way I write my teen characters. Nothing watered down in those adolescents! I was in my twenties at the time I taught high school, and not much older than my students, so they were often more “real” with me than with my colleagues. I was a “safe” grown-up for them. They could come to me without fear of judgment. And for that, I got to see it all!
8) Besides being a writer, what else do you like to do in your free time?
SJ: Ha! Am I supposed to do anything other than write? I love hanging out with my family. My husband and I are big foodies. We’re always grilling outside and trying new recipes. We love to entertain and have friends over. I love movies, and reading of course.
9) What book are you currently reading?
SJ: Hourglass by Claudia Gray – I’m hooked on that series.
10) Do you have anything to say to all your present and future readers?
SJ: Just that I hope everyone loves Firelight and tells everyone about it! The film option has already been acquired so who knows? Maybe we’ll see Jacinda and Will on the big screen someday soon.
11) What's the craziest thing you've ever done that you wouldn't dare share with others (besides us of course hehe)?
SJ: Wow. Hmm. Well, I don’t know if it’s crazy but one of my most mortifying moments was when I was sixteen and I took a very ugly spill down a flight of stairs in a pair of high heels that I really shouldn’t have been wearing – I could hardly walk in them much less handle stairs! And, of course, who was standing at the bottom of the stairs other than the guy I was crushing on and trying to impress? Not my finest moment.
6 comments:
Yay great interview! I <3 Firelight :)
OMG i need the second book in the firelight series! wantz!! lol
Awesome interview. I can't wait to try this one :)
Fantastic interview, Eleni! I'm actually really excited to get my hands on Firelight. I've read fabulous reviews on it and the cover is really beautiful. I love it. =)
Aww I love you embarrassing moments question in your interviews. They're always funny and a great way to remind us that these authors who we idolize so much are people just like us =) Great interview!
Sophie Jordan takes us on a roller coaster ride of excitement and fluctuating feelings. With an emotional whirlwind worthy of a Disney or Hallmark movie. Vanish opens the story with their great escape and continues the journey alternating between internal turmoil and thrilling peril inside and outside the pride.
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