I had the pleasure of meeting this mother and son writing duo
several years ago. They are simply fantastic people, but they are also an incredibly
talented writing team. Their first novel is a unique twist on timeless mythology,
and their creativity is endless! Read on to find out a little more about this
amazing team!
JHappy ReadingJ
1.
First
off, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. Please start by telling
us a little bit about your novel.
Jennifer: In “The Awakening of Agnostos” the Greek Gods
take part in the creation of an unexplained phenomenon, The Bermuda
Triangle. We crafted a story that
included a scorned Goddess of Magic, bickering Olympians, and a battle of wits
and power between the 12 gods and goddesses and an unknown God. It is the first in the Myths of The
Olympians series, and you will see a running theme throughout these books that
make them educational as well as entertaining.
2.
As
a mother/son writing team, tell us what it was like co-authoring this book.
Jennifer: It was great fun. I enjoyed “arguing” with Nick about things
like grammar, dialogue and character development instead of cleaning his room
and doing homework.
Nicholas: Overall it was fun, but at times it was a
little difficult because as we got going we kept sending drafts back and forth
to each other by email and had to make sure we were always working off the
latest one.
3. How many books are in this series?
What can we expect next in this series?
Jennifer: The Myths of the Olympians series, as of now,
will be four books. The next book, will
be centered on The Drake Passage, the turbulent water passage that links the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans at the southernmost tip of South America.
4. What was your inspiration for this
story?
Jennifer: To be truly inspired, you need to have a
passion for a topic. Ever since I was
young the Greek gods have fascinated me, so it was very easy to write about
them. Also, the ocean plays an important
part in our lives, as we visit it often and it spurns great story ideas and
inspiration.
Nicholas: I always had a passion for mythology and my
mother entering a fantasy-writing contest happened at the same time I was
reading the latest edition in a very popular mythology series. I then
encouraged her to write a mythology story for her fantasy submission.
5. Tell us a bit about your regular
daily lives.
Jennifer: I live in Manhattan with my husband John and
two fantastic sons, John and Nicholas.
Work and everything that goes with raising teenage boys takes up most of
my time, but I try to write whenever possible, which is usually after
hours! Reading has been a lifelong
passion of mine, and one that I am proud to have handed down to my boys. When I’m not at the beach, you’ll find me at
either a zumba or a belly dance class!
Nicholas: I will be entering my junior year at
Stuyvesant High School. I enjoy good
books, swimming and art.
6. What are some of your favorite
books/authors?
Jennifer: Anything by Stephen King, Nelson DeMille and
Ken Follett.
Nicholas: To Kill A Mockingbird, The Outsiders, Catcher
In The Rye, and The Hunger Games series!
7. What is the best writing advice you
ever received? What is one piece of advice to aspiring authors?
Jennifer: I took a writing class many years ago and the
comment “First throw up, then clean up” really hit home. Just get it all out on paper first, then
shape and mold later. Also, edit, edit,
edit! Typos make me cringe.
Nicholas: As of now, all I’ve gotten are comments from
my English teachers on essays!
8. When I’m writing I have to have
while writing, I must have coffee and music! What is one thing you MUST have
during writing time?
Jennifer: Coffee in the morning, wine in the
evening. And always edit sober.
Nicholas: Silence.
9. Aside from this series, what else
can we expect from you?
Jennifer: We are working on the next book in the series
now, which has been greatly inspired by many summer walks on the beach. I am also writing a memoir with my mother –
think David Sedaris – and have a completed full-length novel that is a medical
thriller. I have a vault of ideas and
other novels started…and am confident they will get finished!
Nicholas: I have the SATs coming up…ugh!
10. Now, please share one last tidbit
about you!
Jennifer: It gives me great joy when someone enjoys
something I have written. Nicholas and I
have received so many kind words of encouragement and support and we personally
respond to each one.
Nicholas:
I’m a passionate person and always
believe that you should never give up on anything.
Thanks so much, Jennifer and
Nicholas!
Click
here to get their book from Amazon:
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