Do you have a specific writing style?
Not yet. I have written in third person, past tense
for the Eternal Curse series of books. But for a new novel I’m currently
working on, I write in first person present tense. I think being a novice, I
will probably test out a few different styles and genres before I settle on my
favourite or preferred style.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I do touch on a few sensitive issues in the book. My
main character, Jo, is the victim of bullying, even though she is never
physically harmed. She also experiences difficulties with first love and is on
a path of self-discovery. So there may be some subtle messages in all of that,
although I didn’t set out to write the book to send a message. As a writer, it
seems inevitable that you will put your own personal views forward, and
sometimes that can happen without you realising it until someone points it out.
Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?
There is one scene in the second book , that
actually happened to me when I was at school. I laugh every time I read it,
remembering. The only character who is based on someone is Jack, Beth’s little
brother. He is based on my own son.
What books/authors have influenced your life?
There are various authors who I am in awe of, and
love. As for influence, I think poetry has had a big effect on me. I believe anyone
who is clever enough to convey emotions and meaning with fewer words is a
genius. I was inspired to write the Eternal Curse trilogy, by The Lady of
Shalott poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson. It is to date my favourite poem. I am
fascinated by the thought that someone can be cursed and not know why, or how
it eventuated. To live a life being an observer and not a participant, is an
intriguing although, disturbing concept.
What book are you reading now?
I just finished another Taylor Street book, called
Blood Lust by Jessica Degarmo a few days ago, which I loved. Now I’m reading
Sharc by Paul Rudd. I’m delving into horror, which is unusual for me as I’m usually
a big scaredy cat. I love to have at least two books on the go at the one time
and swap between them, depending on my mood.
What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?
I am currently writing a book called Cold Grey. A spoof
on an old classic fairytale. This is the book I’m writing in first person,
present tense. I love Savath, my storyteller. He is quirky and likes to speak his
mind.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Here’s a scene from Cold Grey. And the possible cover design.
The Darker Woods. Apt name. There’s barely
a glint of sunlight passin’ through to the base of these big trees. The
undergrowth so thick there’s no room to manoeuvre. But I know some parts are
clear, and I head for these. I want to go deeper today, deeper than last time.
That’s where the best game is.
Takes me a good hour but I’m in the thick
of it. Mutt stays close. I hunker down next to a bramble hedge and tune it to
the sounds buzzin’ around me. The wet mossy grounds soaks though the knees of
me wool trousers, but I need to keep low to catch a goodun. I part the thorny
hedge, the clearin’ greets me eyes. I’d say beautiful, but as ye know I’m not
one for the mush. So its green, green as a new blade of grass, everywhere I
look. I’m about to crawl through to a large flat rock hangin’ over the trickle
of a stream, when I stop and grab Mutt by the fur on his rear end.
A figure stands loomin’ over a clump of
purple daisies. It’s hard to make out who it is. Doesn’t look like no guard.
The cloak is grey and the hands seem pale and youthful. Then the cloaked one
turns and looks straight at me. Piercin’
sapphire eyes the bluest I’ve ever seen. Rose coloured cheeks the rosiest I’ve
ever seen, and lips, deep ruby red, the reddest I’ve ever seen. I freeze unblinkin’. Then she turns away and
scurries off in the other direction. There’s only one thing for it, I have to
follow. (This is unedited of course and
may change)
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Writing is always a challenge. Whether it’s getting
into a character’s head, or setting the scene just right, or making sure the
words on the page make sense. There is always a constant challenge. But the
sense of achievement you feel, when you do get it right, negates all the hours
spent. It is a wonderfully satisfying feeling.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Love it, and continue to love it no matter what road
blocks come your way. Don’t expect to be the next JK Rowling overnight, because
in all likely hood that won’t happen. But if you feel strongly enough in your
story, keep the belief alive that one day someone else will too. And in all
honesty it only takes one person who gets it, or enjoys it, to make you smile,
and say, well, all that was all worth it.
So, in a nutshell, hang in there.
Do you have a song or playlist (book soundtrack) that you think represents this book?
I have a pretty wide taste in music, and growing up
in the eighties; I love songs from that era. I do love listening to Adele at
the moment. But the one song that always reminds me of my book is, My Immortal
by Evanescence. A great song.
Here are some links:
Web site: http://www.taylorstreetbooks.com/
Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eternal-Curse-series/248812455248382?success=1#!/pages/Eternal-Curse-series/248812455248382
Book Trailer for Reflections: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNCvAS5HXio
Book Trailer for Shadows:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMpcQdMENK0
November 30 Guest blog
Reviewing in Chaos
December 2 Interview
Fang-tastic Books
December 3 Promo
Cover2CoverBlog
December 4 Guest blog
All Things Paranormal
December 5 Interview
Roxanne’s Realm
December 6 Guest blog
Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
December 7 Guest blog
The Creatively Green Write at Home mom
December 9 Promo
December 11 Interview
Books in the Hall -
December 12 Promo
Sapphyria's Book Reviews
December 13 Interview and promo
JeanzBookReadNReview
December 14 Guest blog
Lisa’s World of Books
Reflections
Eternal Curse Series Book One
Jacoba Dorothy
Jacoba Dorothy
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Taylor Street Books
ISBN: 13: 978-1480058040
ASIN: B009NY724G
Number of pages: 272
Word Count: 74,621
Cover Artist: Tim Hewtson
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/aNCvAS5HXio
Book Description:
Jo doesn’t know why she inherited a magical ring.
She doesn’t know why her father abandoned her when she was a baby, or the truth about her mother’s death.
Jo doesn’t know a lot about her past. But she’s about to find out.
Nearing her eighteenth birthday, she’s about to discover what really happened to her father all those years ago.
She’s on a new path, a path including her first love, a path that will lead to the truth about a family secret held for generations.
Jo’s about to face her first real challenge. ‘Reflections’ part one, is just the beginning.
About the Author:
Jacoba Dorothy lives in Canberra, the bush capital of Australia. She is the mother of two and works part time teaching children with English as an additional language. Most days she can be found bashing away at the computer, either writing, editing, reviewing great books or face-booking. Oh and of course balancing her time to make sure she give special attention to her husband and family.
The Eternal Curse trilogy is her debut series, the second in the series, Shadows, should be released later this year. And the third installment, sometime next year.
2 comments:
A lovely interview.
I enjoyed Reflections recently and now I can't wait to read Cold Grey.Best of luck with both books.
Thanks Babs.
Yes, Grey is a lot of fun to write.
Cheers for having me on your site.
J.
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