Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Writer Chat Wednesday: Janine Caldwell

I am so pleased to have as my guest today for Writer Chat Wednesday Janine Caldwell, a fellow Arizonan and debut YA author. Janine just released her first two novels and I'm glad she was able to stop by so you have a chance to get to know this dynamic woman.

Natalie Wright (NW): Do you have any news to share about your work?

Janine Caldwell (JC): I just released my debut YA fantasy series called The Vortex Series. The e-versions are available everywhere and the print versions will be available soon through Amazon.

NW: That is exciting news!  What books have you written so far?

JC: Rematch and Double Fault are the first two books of The Vortex Series.

  
NW: What was the inspiration for The Vortex Series? 

JC: A few years ago I was leading a Bible study in my house for a group of eighth grade girls when they introduced me to The Twilight Series. Not only did I fall in love with the books, my girls also informed me that Stephenie Myers lived in the next town over from us. Now, as an English major I’ve always loved literature and have even dabbled in screenwriting, but I had never tried to write a novel. Something about knowing an author such as Stephenie was creating these stories miles from my house inspired me to write again. I’m a sucker for all things fantasy and romance, so I dreamed up a story that I myself would want to read. Living about an hour from Sedona, naturally I was drawn to the mysterious nature of the Sedona vortexes and what hidden power they might have. Combine all that with learning that I’m a direct descendant of The Brothers Grimm, I felt my true calling was to write YA fantasy.

NW: What is one of  your favorite scenes from one of your books and why?

JC: In REMATCH, it has to be the last scene of the book when Trent’s heart is truly revealed to Cassie. We learn that even the best of intentions can still cause life to go terribly wrong if it’s not the destiny you are to follow.

NW: What genre do you write in?

JC: YA fantasy

NW: What works in progress do you have?

JC: I’ve completed about a third of a new novel entitled VISITED and am outlining DEUCE, the final book of The Vortex Series.

NW: Which character from your books do you like most / are most like?

JC:  I would have to say that in high school, I was most like Kelli, Cassie’s best friend. She’s sort of tough and mistrustful of high school boys and is very selective about who she gives her heart away to.

NW: Which book do you wish you had written?

JC: The Hunger Games--doesn’t everyone?

NW: What is your favorite movie – the one you can watch over and over again?

JC: Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” with Keira Knightley and every single Harry Potter movie. I could never get tired of either story.

NW:  What is your favorite band or musical performer?

JC: I’m hopelessly addicted to alternative rock and have been an avid fan of the Foo Fighters since Dave Grohl started the band. I wish I could’ve quoted every line from “Times Like These” in REMATCH because the song depicts Trent’s agony and crossroads in life perfectly. In fact, “Times Like These” would’ve been a great alternative title to REMATCH since there is an element of time traveling in the series.

NW: What do you hope readers will take with them from your writing?


JC: I hope that they will be entertained first and foremost, but for my teen readers, I also hope Cassie and Trent’s story will make them pause before they make any major decisions in their lives that will influence their future forever.

You can connect with Janine here:

Janine Caldwell, YA Fantasy Author
www.janinecaldwell.com

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