Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Interview with Virginia Jennings - Author of 'The Alien Mind''

Today we have an opportunity to follow up with a groovy, writer girl we met earlier this week, Virginia Jennings. We know a little about her book, 'The Alien Mind', (If you haven't read it search tag Virginia Jennings)....now we get to ask her some fun questions & get to know her!

Let's dive right in................



 
Where did you get the idea for your book?
I wanted to do some research on how futuristic space travel might work, so I headed to my local library. The idea came to me while I was reading some quantum physics theory books!

What does your title represent? How did you determine it?
My book is about Rivi’s journey since being abducted, how her life changes. She is taught by her alien adoptive parents who rescued her from Aruk captivity. It is because of all that she learns that her mind changes and she can do things like Amalgamate with computers and fold objects into the fourth dimension. The title The Alien Mind also represents the emotional changes she has to contend with as she is kidnapped, rescued, raised among aliens, sent away to live on earth, learns to make friends, and then captured and tortured by the Aruk once again.

Since becoming a writer, what’s the weirdest question someone's asked you?
Hmm, I don’t get very many weird questions. Most people want to know what it is like to have a book published, or how I come up with my ideas. Though I do have two weird questions that stick out. “Are you famous yet?” To which I laughed! And: “When you die, what do you want your obituary to say about you” which I found a little ‘twilight zone-ish’, at the time- my grandmother had passed away just the year before that question and her name was Virginia Jennings as well. When I googled my name, my websites showed up along with TWO obituaries under my name… my grandmothers, and another lady. It was really weird!

Which did you do first...pick a title or write the book?
I normally like to have the concept of the book in my head before I write down the title. The latest I have ever gone was 1/4th of the way through writing a book before figuring out the title.

What is your favorite book and genre to read?
My favorite books are plenty. I am especially fond of fantasy books. Fablehaven, Redwall, Twilight, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson- those sorts of books. I also like to read Science Fiction but the last good science fiction book I had time to read was a few years ago- the New Jedi Order series.

Do you plan on doing any book signings?
I am always open to doing book signings or school functions if I am asked. There is a small bookstore in my town that has invited me to come back for another book signing and I will probably do so in the future but I have no dates set yet.

What's next on your writing agenda?
I have a book tentatively called ‘The Sword of the White Knight’ that I would love to start writing down. It has been stuck in my head simmering for years! I also have a possible series that I am trying to work out that is tentatively called ‘Defenders of Madesteroc’.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspiration…really anyone who I hear of who has broken out of their box and succeeded at doing something that no one expected them to do! This list is long but it keeps me going. I am also inspired by my kids. My two youngest kids love books and my oldest is still on the hunt for that one type of book she can really ‘get into’. I love aiming to write something that I think they would enjoy.

What is your best childhood memory?
Hmm… I loved camping, and girl scouts, but I would have to say that my favorite childhood memory was being able to go to Space Camp down at the Kennedy Space Center for a week. The G-force simulator was my favorite. We also got to see the shuttle launch pad and the rover in person! We met an astronaut and participated in a mock shuttle mission. That was probably THE coolest thing ever!

Besides writing, what is your favorite pass time?
Besides writing, my favorite pass time is singing. I sing soprano and love to learn new songs. My second favorite pass time is spending time online in the ‘Where Writers And Authors Meet’ facebook group. There is never a dull moment in there and I have learned so much and met so many interesting writers and authors! In the evenings and on the weekends I prefer to spend time with my family, watching movies or finding new things to try out.

'Where Writers And Authors Meet' writers group online at
Where Writers and Authors Meet or
Where Writers and Authors Meet on Facebook




Find out more about Virginia, her books,
follow her, friend her & share her here:
 


 
Thanks so much for hanging with us again Virginia! You had some really amazing answers to my questions & it has been just delightful meeting you! I am looking forward to following your books and chatting again soon.
 
Make sure to ENTER HER GIVEAWAY!!!
 
Stop by again soon and if you enjoy it, please share my blog with a friend, leave me a comment, or hit me up on one of my other sites :)
 
Peace Peeps
~Paige

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for being such a wonderful and insightful host Paige! I really enjoyed your questions!

    For Paige's readers- here is the link to the rafflecopter- Just Two Days Left! ;)
    http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f41ce30/

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  2. It was sooooo my pleasure darlin! You were a wonderful guest with an interesting story :) I wish you all the best & hope you come visit us again soon & share your next project :)

    ReplyDelete