Author Interview: Denise Jaden
1. First, let us know where we can find you online such as blogs, websites, Facebook, etc.
My website is www.denisejaden.com
I’m on Facebook at facebook.com/denisejaden and on Twitter at twitter.com/denisejaden
My main blog is on my website at www.denisejaden.com/Blog.html
2. What inspired you to write fiction? If you don’t mind, please tell us about your short story work previous to your first novel.
I actually began with novel writing, and only took a little detour into short stories as I was awaiting replies from agents on my queries. I began writing very late in life, in my thirties, and I think it all started with some journaling that I started playing around with – sort of, “What would happen if someone else went through what I was going through?” and from there I loved writing about other imaginary characters so much that I gave them their own plotlines.
3. Are there any particular writers who inspired or influenced you? What genres do you enjoy reading?
Laurie Halse Anderson is a huge influence of mine, both writing-wise and as a person. She’s so proactive in writing the truth and making the world a better place for young people. I enjoy reading all young adult fiction, and some adult fiction, but my number one love is contemporary YA.
4. Your bio is truly engaging, most especially your time as a professional Polynesian dancer as well as fitness competitor.
What sparked your interest in Polynesian dancing?
It was something I started when I was very young. My parents enrolled me after a family vacation in Hawaii, and I loved it so much I stuck with it.
Would you care to regale us with any highlights from your fitness competitions, such as awards that you’ve won?
That whole side of my life feels like a lifetime ago, so I feel a little like I’m making stuff up when I admit to awards. Let’s just say I did get first place in one fitness competition and I also did really well in some strength competitions. But oh so long ago!
5. Your first novel, Losing Faith (Simon Pulse, Sept. 2010) is a deeply emotional YA story of loss and mourning wrapped in an intriguing mystery that also deals with the theme of Christian fanaticism. What inspired the story?
My main inspiration was the loss of my own best friend when I was sixteen. I was left with many questions and I’ve always felt like there was a great deal to explore with losing someone at that very tumultuous time in life.
As for the religious aspects, I used to be a secretary of a church with a large group of very passionate young people. I think anything taken to an extreme and without proper support can be dangerous, and this was just a matter of writing about one area I knew about.
6. What can you tell us about your second novel, formerly titled Appetite for Beauty? Have you chosen a title yet? Has a release date been set?
We’re still working on a title for this one. It’s the story of the fragile relationship between two sisters: one, a gifted photographer, the other, a dancer who struggles with bulimia. It’s set to be released in summer 2012.
7. Can you give us a hint of other writing projects you have lined up?
I’m always working on something, and at the moment my project is a companion novel to LOSING FAITH. This one will be told in Tessa’s point of view and is tentatively titled FINDING HOPE.
8.
What does Denise Jaden do when she isn’t writing?
I’m still involved with my Polynesian dance troupe and love performing with them. I also homeschool my seven year old boy and keep active at the gym. That keeps me really, really busy.
Denise was also featured in the March 13 Writer's Digest eNewsletter article, Using Conferences to Your Querying Advantage
