Author Interview Deborah Lynn Jacobs

Author InterviewDeborah Lynn Jacobs

DEBORAH LYNN JACOBS is the author of POWERS, Roaring Brook Press, 2006. It was nominated as an ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers.
Kirkus Reviews called it, "…a bewitchingly pulpy and enjoyable fast read."School Library Journal said it was, "A traditional story of teenage angst with a refreshing twist."And VOYA said: "Told in the alternating voices of Gwen and Adrian, this novel is more than a typical fantasy/science fiction exploration of psychic powers."
Deborah's newest book, CHOICES, a young adult novel, will be available in September, 2007, from Roaring Brook Press. She is currently working on a new novel.
Previously, Deborah wrote feature articles for regional newspapers and magazines. Deborah has ten years experience developing curriculum and teaching adult learners. She is an active member of Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and has presented at local writers' conferences.
Most people call her Deborah, then Debbie, and then Deb…all within the space of, oh, about ten seconds.She likes Deb the best, but thinks Deborah is a much more sophisticated name for a YA novelist. I mean, really-Deb Jacobs on the cover of a book? Nah….
Welcome, Deborah. Thank you for joining me here for an interview .

AF - What inspired you to be a writer?

DLJ - I'm not sure. I loved reading from the start, and used to stay in at lunch hour to help the school librarian shelve books. I wrote my first book at age eight, but got stuck in the middle. It's a problem I still have!

AF - Can you tell us about your latest book release?

DLJ - POWERS is about two teens who develop psychic powers and nearly destroy each other before they learn to work together. It's a story about power on many levels, personal, relationship, physical, sexual. I'd rate it for 13-and-up.CHOICES came out in fall 2007. Here's the blurb: Overcome with guilt over her brother's death, Kathleen slips through multiple universes in an attempt to find one in which he is still alive.Both are written in more than one voice, which makes revision a total pain!

AF - What prompted you to write your books? Are they based on true life or are they completely fiction?

DLJ- They're pure fiction. I grew up on science fiction, and most of what I write starts with the question, "what if?" What if psychic powers were real? What if the multiple universe theory is real?

AF - Would you take us through your typical writing day?

DLJ - Alarm clock rings. Nudge husband. Repeat six times. Try to fall back asleep. Most times succeed.Get up later, make coffee, answer emails, do promotion stuff like setting up library/school visits, answer messages on MySpace and LiveJournal. Eat, shower, go for my walk and then write for the afternoon. At some point, it occurs to me to make dinner. My husband arrives, we eat and watch an hour or two of TV. Then, write for another few hours. Go to bed at midnight or so.

AF - Do you think about your readers when you write a book?

DLJ - Not so much at first. Writing, to me, is organized daydreaming. I think the story in my head, hear the dialogue, see the characters. As I get further along, I pay attention to my themes. I wonder, "what am I saying here?" For example, CHARLOTTE'S WEB was a great story, but it was also about friendship, loyalty and the circle of life. POWERS is a fun, quick read, but it explores the themes of corruption, friendship and getting past the public mask a person wears. In the end, POWERS is about being totally honest with yourself, and facing your inner demons. CHOICES (Sept. 2007) has the themes of "there's more than one kind of love" and "each choice you make in life takes you down a different path." It's not that I write "messagey" books. Not AT ALL! But I think every book says something about the way we see the world. In writing for teens, I want to be aware of what my stories say on a deeper level.

AF - What sort of things do you do when you're not writing?

DLJ: Read, watch movies, cook (I love unusual or ethnic foods), garden (mostly perennials-I start them from seed, collect wild seeds, try to grow stuff native to this area) .

AF - What are some of your favorite things?

DLJ - Hearing the red-winged blackbirds return in the spring. They have such a party when they all arrive. Hearing the frogs wake up from their winter sleep and call to each other. Watching the house finches build a nest in my hanging Impatiens pot. Loons. Eagles. Dobermans. The robins that raise their young in my backyard. The little vole that steals seeds from the base of my bird feeder. My kids, my kids, my kids.Dark chocolate. Hot tubbing on a cold winter night. Canoeing. Lakes, rivers, oceans, streams, creeks. Campfires. Being the first person to leave footprints in a pristine field of snow.

AF - Many writers speak about writer's block. Do you ever have that, and if so what are some things you do to get over it?

DLJ - Oh, I do. Mostly it's because of fear that my story will be of interest to no one, or because I'm trying to force the plot or characters. I take long walks, ask my characters questions, try to outline, and complain to my writer buds. One thing that helps me is to set an alarm for one hour and allow myself to JUST WRITE. After an hour, I usually get into it and then spend several more hours writing.

AF - If you could say one thing to a new writer what would it be?

DLJ - Persevere. Join a critique group. Join writing related lists on the Internet and learn from those who have gone before.

AF - If you could say one thing to the children reading your books what would that be?

DLJ - I'm writing for teens, and I know it's not the easiest time of life. I remember…oh, boy, do I remember! So, I guess I'd say:"Be the person YOU want to be. It's okay to be different, whatever 'different' may be for you. It's okay to have only one or two good friends in high school. Not everyone belongs to a group. It's okay to follow your dreams, however unrealistic others tell you they are. You only live once. Live without regret."Oh, and just to be really self-serving, I'd say, "If you like my stuff, tell your friends! Blog about me! Spread the word!

AF - When it comes to writing what's next for you?

DLJ - A novel that's part dystopia, part contemporary. It's written in two voices, with roughly parallel but very different story lines. I'd tell you the premise, but then…uh…you know…

AF - Are you available for signings, school visits and writing workshops?

DLJ - In a heartbeat. My website is: http://www.deborahlynnjacobs.com/Click on Presentations, or Contact Me.