Author Interview - Jaclyn Weist

Please give Jaclyn Weist a big welcome to the Far Edge of Normal. She's releasing her first novel into the wild. We hope it does well and thrives out there in the big bad world. It's a fun romp with leprechauns, of all things. Check out Stolen Luck and don't forget to enter the drawing at the end of the post! Now on to the interview...

Jaclyn is an Idaho farm girl who grew up loving to read. She developed a love for writing as a senior in high school, when her dad jokingly said she was the next Dr. Seuss (not even close but very sweet). She met her husband, Steve at BYU and they have six happy, crazy children that encourage her writing. After owning a bookstore and running away to have adventures in Australia, they settled back down in their home in Utah. Jaclyn now spends her days herding her kids to various activities and trying to remember what she was supposed to do next.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaclynweistauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaclynWeist

Blog: jaclynweist.blogspot.com

Tell us about your writing - What genre do you prefer to write? What books, stories, other publications that you've written are your personal favorites? Anything new coming up?

When I was younger I loved to write children’s books. I’d pick a name, an animal and run with it to see where the story would go. Now I enjoy writing YA fantasy books. It started with this story and it’s grown since then. My picture book will always be my favorite (It’s not published yet) but this leprechaun story comes in very close second. I have another book that’s a time travel/Sleeping Beauty book where two girls switch places. It was a lot of fun to write. I’m also doing a series about Atlantis with a few other authors. It’s been fun to collaborate.

What about you as a person? What do you do to relax? Favorite movies or tv shows? Hobbies?

I love to read, bake and make candy (Mostly at Christmas), sew, and draw. I love Merlin, Psych, Once Upon a Time, Dr. Who, and I have several movies I love to watch. Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorites. I love to play sports for relaxation. I also love to watch my kids in sports and have learned the true meaning of soccer mom. 

What gets your creative juices going? Do you write to a music, and do you want to share your playlist?

When I’m really stuck in a spot, I’ll ask my kids for ideas. They come up with some great ones. The biggest and best plot twist in this book came from my oldest son. I also love to listen to the Piano Guys channel on Pandora. I’ve been known to listen to Backyardigans with my kids a few times. 

"All writers must have cats, especially if they write fantasy or speculative fiction." Do you have a stand on this one? Any cute pictures of your kitty or other pet?

We actually have no pets at this time. We had guinea pigs until I became allergic to them. Such a sad day. We’re planning to move later this month and we will have ducks and chickens and the kids are hoping for a dog. My husband, on the other hand, wants a white chicken named Shadowfax. I told him that’s a must.

What organizations do you recommend for those wanting to become writers? Any advice you'd like to share about writing?

I really like iWritenetwork. Their chat is a great place to go when you want to do sprints or work out parts of your story. My advice would be never to give up and also find other writers that you can work with. They’re invaluable. Go to any writing conferences in your area. You get to know other authors and you learn great tips from other writers. I’ve been to LTUE, Writing for Charity, and LDStorymakers. They’re all great conferences and there are so many more.

What writers inspired you to become an author?

My dad used to call me Dr. Seuss. I would blush and shake my head because those are huge shoes to fill. I think my writing is more like Jon Scieszka. I’ve always wanted to write but having my bookstore where we had many book signings is what finally got me to write. I had the opportunity to talk to many of them about writing and that’s where I learned about the conferences.  

Any special appearances or events coming up that you want to mention?

I have an online book launch on facebook on Tuesday the 3rd to help kick off my ebook. I’d love to have you all come!

On the 7th I’ll have my book launch at the American Fork Library from 2-4 with six other authors—Jaleta Clegg, Wendy Knight, C Michelle Jefferies, Holly, Kelly, Christy Dorrity, and Andrea Pearson. I’m excited! 

Hopefully I’ll have other events after that. :)

If you could travel to any time in history, when would you visit?

I’d love to go to the 1800’s. I want to wear all the fancy, huge dresses. Which is funny since I don’t like wearing dresses.

If you could have dinner with any of your characters, which ones would you choose? What food would you serve?

I’d have dinner with my three main characters because I love their interactions. We’d have pancakes because that’s what they tend to eat the most in my series. Louie the Leprechaun would not be invited.

If you could travel anywhere, on earth or off, where would you go?

Ireland. Then the rest of Europe. And then back to Australia. 

What color would you wear if you had only one choice?

Yellow is my favorite color but I tend to go with fall colors. So maybe a Fallish Yellow. But, really, I tend to wear a lot of black.

Describe your dream writing spot.

Right now my writing spot is hanging out  on my couch while my kids sit around me. I love it that way. Sitting in a cabin away from everything would be wonderful, as well.

Enter to win!

Stolen Luck - Sixteen year old  Megan Crenshaw has everything going for her until the day a leprechaun shows up on her doorstep and steals all her luck. Not only that, he follows her around and wreaks havoc in her life. With the help of her friends, Megan must get her luck back before he manages to destroy her life and the lives of all those around her.

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