So, a few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Jodi Meadows, author of the Newsoul trilogy, Incarnate, Asunder, and Infinite, at a book signing. She was accompanied by Brodi Ashton and Cynthia Hand, how cool! The event was awesome, and I even received a knitted butterfly, knitted by Mrs. Meadows herself, for asking a question. Yay me!
Even though Jodi is busy these next few weeks with book signing events and various other interview commitments, she pleasantly agreed to answer a few of my questions. Thanks Jodi!
1. Stephen King wrote in his book, On Writing, “Write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open.” What is your preferred atmosphere when you write? Do you need a closed door?
“For me, it really depends on the project. I have one friend who usually reads my stories as they fall out of my head. (It’s as messy as it sounds.) She can always tell what kind of comments I need when I’m super close to the manuscript (and therefore sensitive). My agent also sees in-progress drafts sometimes, when I need her opinion. Occasionally I need to talk out plot/themes/character motivation and development with friends and crit partners, but for the most part, I keep my drafts close until I’ve revised once or twice. A lot of it depends on what I need and what I can handle in the way of comments.”
2. Publishing one novel is a grand accomplishment, publishing two is phenomenal! How did your experience differ between publishing Incarnate and Asunder?
“I was a lot less anxious with ASUNDER! I knew, mostly, what to expect, and I was able to just sit back and enjoy the experience a lot more. I think it’s going to be the same with INFINITE, the final book in the trilogy. But when my next series launches, I expect to be a neurotic freak again.”
3. As a writer, I find that my need to write, at times, comes at some inopportune moments. Do you experience this? Can you give us an example? And how do you manage to hold those great ideas in your mind until you are able to write?
“Writing is my full-time job (I’m very lucky!), so most of the time I actually sitting in front of my computer and writing, whether I want to or not! Even when I’m out, there aren’t a lot of times I can’t stop what I’m doing and make a note — unless I’m driving, of course. Then I just have to hold it in.”
4. How do you deal with writer’s block? What has been your worst experience with this stiller of imagination?
“I don’t think I really get writer’s block, exactly. Sometimes I do get stuck in what I’m writing, because I’ve made a wrong turn somewhere. Even though I plot my stories ahead of time, I still do a lot of moving things around and adding/subtracting as I actually write the draft. So, even just recently, I thought I had a great idea, started to add it into my story . . . but once it was there, it just wasn’t working, and I couldn’t press forward until I’d figured that out. And sometimes I’m just tired or don’t feel like writing — and I make myself do it anyway. The trick is figuring out whether the words aren’t flowing because there’s actually something wrong, or if I’m just being lazy.”
5. As a successfully published author, you have most likely experienced some highs and lows of the publishing world. What was your scariest moment during the publication of your Newsoul series? And…what was the most exciting moment with its publication?
“Getting edits is always kind of scary! Like most authors, I really, really want to impress my agent and editor. I want to make them proud. When people start reading my books is also pretty scary! Those first few reviews from readers/bloggers I really trust and admire are always nerve-wracking. And, of course, when people like my stories — when they connect with the story in a very personal way — that is always very gratifying, amazing, and humbling.”
6. What was the most unique/interesting experience with a fan/fans?
“Oh gosh, I don’t know. All experiences with readers are unique and cool in their own way, and I love getting to meet them in person! Oh, but one cool moment was when a young teen came to one of my signings and started asking questions — all the questions I wanted readers to be asking! I tried to be evasive and promised they’d be answered in books 2 and 3, but she was persistent and kept coming at the questions from different angles. And her questions were good ones — questions I didn’t hear from most adults. So that was really fun.”
7. What are you going to be for Halloween?
“I’m going to be a writer on deadline. Good times!”
It’s freakin awesome that Jodi took time for this interview. Again…thanks Jodi!!! Recently, she did a video interview with Rachel from RayKayBooks. Check it out here…there’s a ferret in it!
frankie ash 