Interview with Jennifer Wilson - Author of the New World Trilogy from OfTomes Publishing
Hi!
Welcome once again, this week, I decided to interview an author because I received a copy of her book New World Rising from OfTomes publishing and I really enjoyed it a lot. Phoenix, the main character of the story, reminded me a lot of the bravery that Katniss shows us through the Hunger Games series. I kept in contact with Jennifer after reviewing her book and I asked her if I could interview her to gain some insight into her book and the sequel which will be released soon (I can't wait to read it!) I hope that this interview helps any reader understand her book and the inspiration she had for the story and the characters as well.
I liked being able to witness the transformation that Phoenix makes through the book. At first, she's calculated and very cold after witnessing her parent's murder and having to survive on her own but through her relationship with Triven and Mouse, she's able to change and transform into someone she never thought she could be.
I have also left the links to purchase her book in Amazon and the Goodreads page in case you need any more convincing towards reading this series. Enjoy!
1. What was your inspiration behind Phoenix?
Phoenix is a whole lot of me and so much more. Honestly, every character I write carries a little piece of myself. Well… maybe less so when it comes to Maddox. When I first had a vision of the story, I saw this tough, life-worn girl standing on a roof’s ledge staring down at a destroyed city below as the wind pulled at the hood shadowing her hardened face. I knew at that moment, I had to get to know her—to find out her story. Why was she alone? What had aged her past her years? Why did anger and distrust twist her once beautiful features? Shortly there after, Phoenix was born. To me, she is strong and broken, fearless and terrified, she is so many of the best and worst qualities of a person all wrapped up into one. But mostly she is human and proves that even those of us that are broken can heal when they allow themselves to be loved.
2. How did you visualize this world and these characters?
I have always had a bit of an overactive imagination. My mind tends to wander and being a very visual person, I generally get these flashes of scenes—a girl on a rooftop, an action-packed fight sequence or an impassioned kiss. From there, my mind melds around these moments and a basic plot begins to develop. As the plot matures, so do my characters. I tend to have a really loose technique when it comes to writing. I always have an idea of where my story is going, but often the journey getting there is just as unexpected for me as it is for my readers. I jot notes on everything and anything within reach when inspiration strikes, old receipts, paper bags, or on my hand. I find these moments of epiphany are where some of my best ideas originate—not forced but inspired.
3. Any character you can particularly relate to?
Phoenix, for sure. While a little of myself goes into every character I write, Phoenix holds the largest part of me. She and I think similarly, we are very calculated. While she is colder than I am, there is a camaraderie I feel between us. She is fiercely realistic about every situation, but also has this can-do attitude that she can take on the world. She is not perfect and at times a little unlikeable, but that’s what makes her so human. She is not your average hero, and I like her even more for that fact.
4. What was your favorite part of writing this story/series?
As for the actual writing part, I love seeing Phoenix’s relationship with Mouse and Triven. They both bring out a side of her that is more likeable. She grows and blossoms under their influence, and it was nice to see her experience love for the first time. I also thrive on the action scenes. I nerd-out on action movies, so getting to write these epic fights is heaven for me. It’s like my mind sets on fire and I can visualize the whole thing as it’s happening.
As a side effect of writing the series, I have adored getting to know my fans. The book world is filled with some of the most passionate and amazing people. I have cherished each interaction and new relationship more than words can say. I love the fans I already have and can’t wait to meet the new ones.
5. How has it been working with OfTomes publishing?
I am very lucky that I happen to click really well with the Oftomes team and couldn’t be happier under their name. Aside from getting to work closely with the Oftomes team and Ben—who is outrageously talented and passionate—Oftomes has really bred a family feeling amongst its writers. My fellow authors are some of the best people to work with. We share, support and help one another at every turn and truly want to see each other succeed. It is amazing.
6. What can we expect in the sequel?
Ashes picks up right where Rising left off. Phoenix’s life is thrown into chaos as she is plunged into a world she doesn’t remember, but that remembers her. Taking place almost entirely inside the confines of The Wall—inside of The Sanctuary—Phoenix’s past is brought to light while some of Mouse’s silent secrets begin to unfold. Questions will be answered, while others twists will keep you wanting more.
7. Any part of the story that you decided to edit/remove? And why?
I generally do remove some of parts of the story in the final rounds of editing. It can be easy to go off on a tangent sometimes when the writing bug takes hold, but that doesn’t always mean that the inspired writing is integral to the story. I don’t believe in adding more words just to fill space or pad the book, so if my editor and beta readers agree, I will pull things from the storyline that aren’t as important.
8. What inspired Phoenix's story?
New World: Rising was born out of an epiphany moment for Phoenix. I could see this girl racing on rooftops, hiding in the shadows, being kind of a badass. The opening scene in the first book is the moment Phoenix was born in my mind, a dark shadowed figure standing on the ledge of a building as her hair whipped around her face in the wind, the city below her in ruin. The world just spiraled out from there, shaping around her. I wanted to write about a girl who could take care of herself, who was just as tough as the boys and preferred to rescue herself rather than be recused. But of course she is not without her flaws. It was important to me that she—and all of the other characters—were still human, relatable and made mistakes. There is a lot of grey area in this world. So much of my stories are based on me asking myself why... Why is that person so damaged? Why would she say that? Why did this happen? What would he do?
9. Were you an avid reader? If so, what was/is your favorite book and why?
Currently, I read like there is no tomorrow, but honestly my love for books didn’t start until I was in high school. I was a terrible reader when I was young and had some issues with dyslexia. I was a really slow reader and struggled with words, so kids used to make fun of me when I had to read aloud in class. I began to hate reading because of that. It wasn’t until a very persistent friend nagged me into reading the Harry Potter series that I began to love books and read them. Since then, I read every night and love getting lost in good story. Other authors now inspire me every day. So obviously, J.K. Rowling’s books are at the top of that list, but there are many other authors I look up to: J.R.R. Tolkien, Rick Yancey, Dan Brown, Suzanne Collins, Cassandra Clare and Diana Gabaldon, to name a few. Alexandra Bracken and Marie Lu are also recently added to my author crush list—I love that they too write about strong female leads, who are imperfect and vulnerable at times. So long story short, favorite books… Harry Potter. Always.
10. What would you like to change from your books?
Now this is a loaded question. There is almost always something you would write a little differently, a scene you wish you had added, a character interaction you wished you had pushed a little further. But the truth is, at some point you have to walk away and let your work be done, otherwise no books would ever get finished. There are things I would change given the chance to write the story all over again, but I have come to terms with the fact I have to let those things go as to not make myself crazy.
