Interview: Jools Sinclair

I have been lucky enough to get to interview Jools Sinclair, author of the novel 44.

Hi, Jools! I am so happy to have you here!

Hi, Melissa! Thank you so much for having me as a guest on The Book Addict! I’m thrilled to be here and want to thank you too for reading and reviewing 44!

Where did the idea for your book come from?

As I sat down to write 44, I wanted the story to be about a few things: A girl struggling to put her life back together, sisters needing each other, and a bit on the small city of Bend, Oregon (which is where I live). I also wanted a great ending, something that was unsettling and unexpected, something that readers wouldn’t see coming. I love stories like that, the kind that send you back into the text re-reading sections and then saying, “Oh, yeah, right.” I wanted to write that almost from the beginning. The rest of the story unfolded as I focused on those things

How many books are planned for this series?

44 will be a trilogy, and I’m close to finishing up Book 2, which will be released this summer (probably late July). Book 3 will out in the fall.

Do you listen to music while you write, or do you prefer quiet?

I love listening to music when I’m writing! I love all types, even hard rock at times if I’m writing a gritty scene, or jazz if I’m writing about certain characters, or really sad music if I need to be “inspired” in that way. Music is so great because it takes you to certain emotions. When I’m in a final edit, I listen to instruments so I can concentrate.

If you do listen to music while writing do you have a playlist to go with 44?

I’m still working on it but so far I have this:

Mazzy Star Into Dust

Mazzy Star Fade Into You

Adele Love Song

The Cure Pictures of You

Dwight Yoakam 1000 miles from Nowhere

If you could be any kind of creature (other than human), which would you pick and why?

Ha! This is fun question! Sure, those fangy all-powerful vamps are appealing, as are the beautiful sorcerers who cast incredible spells…but I’m a simple person, really, with simple needs. I would be a cat. Cats are just the best! They’re smart, confident, playful, worry-free, fun-loving, and able to take long naps in the sunshine. Now that’s a good life!

Can you tell us something interesting about your writing process?

For me, writing is very mystical at times. In the beginning, I feel like I’m chasing the story. I’m forcing the words down on the paper, overthinking the characters, overwriting the setting and characters and scenes. The story is out in front, ahead of me, and I don’t always know where it’s going. It requires a lot of faith to keep on the path.

But then, something incredible happens. Suddenly the story stops running away and instead turns around to help me out. It feels like magic. I guess it’s just the creative process, but it’s really the best part of writing…when everything just comes together.

What is your favorite Ice Cream flavor?

Dulce de Leche rules this girl’s world!

Melissa, thank you again for inviting me over to your fabulous blog for a chat! I’ll be checking in for some great suggestions on great books!