Ask the Author: Jenny Moss
Answered Questions (7)
Jenny Moss
Thank you so much for writing! I'm so happy you enjoyed the book.
Christa McAuliffe was a wonderful subject to write about. One of the challenges I had was making her a character in the book, but staying true to who she was. I read books about her and watched TV interviews, trying to figure out what a conversation with her might be like. I also reached out to people who knew her. At some point, your imagination has to fill in the gaps. It was a challenge, but I hope I was able to accurately capture her. Do you have access to a lot of information about the person you're writing about? If so, that can help. But, then again, if it's an obscure figure in history, then I do think you're free to let your imagination take the facts and extrapolate from there. Otherwise, the person won't feel real enough to the reader. If you do recreate (i.e., deviate from what's known): I would explain in an author's note what you did & why. Do you already have someone selected?
The reader needs to feel that she/he is in the scene with your characters. Details can help immensely in creating the scene, in getting the reader in close. Sensory details, for example. Try to get close to your characters. Get close to the scene. Be "right there" with them.
Good luck!!
Christa McAuliffe was a wonderful subject to write about. One of the challenges I had was making her a character in the book, but staying true to who she was. I read books about her and watched TV interviews, trying to figure out what a conversation with her might be like. I also reached out to people who knew her. At some point, your imagination has to fill in the gaps. It was a challenge, but I hope I was able to accurately capture her. Do you have access to a lot of information about the person you're writing about? If so, that can help. But, then again, if it's an obscure figure in history, then I do think you're free to let your imagination take the facts and extrapolate from there. Otherwise, the person won't feel real enough to the reader. If you do recreate (i.e., deviate from what's known): I would explain in an author's note what you did & why. Do you already have someone selected?
The reader needs to feel that she/he is in the scene with your characters. Details can help immensely in creating the scene, in getting the reader in close. Sensory details, for example. Try to get close to your characters. Get close to the scene. Be "right there" with them.
Good luck!!
Jenny Moss
Good morning!
My agent and I pitched a sequel to SHADOW to Scholastic, but they were reluctant to commit.
Honestly, I think I could write a whole series for Shadow. I have many, many ideas for that world. I play with the characters a lot in my imagination.
I hope to one day publish a sequel. I'm not giving up on it.
Thanks for writing and reading,
Jenny
My agent and I pitched a sequel to SHADOW to Scholastic, but they were reluctant to commit.
Honestly, I think I could write a whole series for Shadow. I have many, many ideas for that world. I play with the characters a lot in my imagination.
I hope to one day publish a sequel. I'm not giving up on it.
Thanks for writing and reading,
Jenny
Jenny Moss
Think & imagine & play with stories in my head until I have to write them down or I'll go mad.
Jenny Moss
A young adult Gothic - mystery, romance, an old mansion, misguided ghosts - spooky & fun to write.
Jenny Moss
Write, read, and revise.
Jenny Moss
Absolutely the writing.
Jenny Moss
When I'm stifled creatively it's usually because of deadline pressure. The best thing for me is to get away from the manuscript for a bit: take a walk, eat chocolate & think about how yummy it is, watch a movie, read a book that has nothing whatsoever to do with the genre/subject my own manuscript is about, a nice chat with a friend -- all of these help.
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