Author Interview: Denise Jaden

Happy Monday lovely Readers! Today's guest is Denise Jaden, author of Losing Faith. Denise is stopping by today as a part of her official blog tour. To see her other blog stops and find out about the contest Denise is hosting stop by Denise Jaden's website at http://www.denisejaden.com. What I can tell you is that leaving comments on today's post would be a very good idea. :)

1.Tell us a little about yourself.

I've been writing for close to six years. Aside from writing, I'm a professional Polynesian dancer and a homeschooling mom. I've held a wide variety of jobs over the years, including church secretary, fried chicken cook, and mushroom farmer.

2.What got you started writing? What brought you to YA?

I started journaling just over six years ago, and somehow, accidentally, turned my journal into a story. Once the story and characters became fictional, I had so much fun I couldn't stop.

Even though my first novel was officially written for the adult market, I've come to realize that my writing voice has always leaned toward YA. The inner teen in me is very strong!

3.Tell us about your most recent/ upcoming release?

LOSING FAITH is about a teen, Brie Jenkins, who is on a quest to solve the mystery of her sister's death. Through her journey, clues about her late, so-called predictable sister lead Brie to some very unexpected places.

4.Do you plot out in advance, or just start writing and see where things go from there?
I've been a plotter and a panster, but now I prefer plotting. Even though my outlines are very long and involved (the last one was 33,000 words), I'm not afraid to stray from them, even if it takes me in a brand new direction. I do like having the outline to come back to when I'm stuck though.

5.Many authors have told me their characters talk to them, and sometimes even have different ideas of where the story should go than the author. Do you hear your characters?
I'm very close to my characters. I have a theatre background, and I'd say I "become" my characters more than "hear" them. I slip into character. This is one reason that I hate being interrupted while writing.

6.Who is your favorite character (of your own)?
Unfair question! I really, really love all my characters, but okay, if I HAD to name one, I'd say Tessa Lockbaum. Tessa was not in my very involved outline for LOSING FAITH, but just showed up in the writing and took over every scene she was in.

7.What hobbies do you have when you're not writing?
As I mentioned, I'm a Polynesian dancer, which I love. Aside from that, parenting, and reading, there really isn't time for much else.

8.If you had not become a writer what would you have done instead?
I think I'd be living my life in quite a similar way. Except I'd have more free time.

9.Where can readers find you online?
My website is the best place to find me - www.denisejaden.com and readers can also find links to my Facebook, Blog, and Twitter on there.

10.Your turn. What question do you have for readers of Want My YA?
I love to hear about recent favorite books. I'm always on the lookout for great reads.

Thanks so much for the interview, Heather!

Thanks for visiting Denise! Remember readers stop by Denise's website to find out where else she'll be in the coming days. And leave those comments! :)