It was harder in that the book was already sold before I wrote it. (It was the second book in a two book deal). So I had a specific deadline for when the book had to be done. But overall, it was much, much easier for me to write than The September Sisters because I had more direction when I started, and I already had an agent and an editor to give me immediate feedback when the book was finished.
2. Both novels deal with loss. Do you get emotional when writing about such sad topics?
To a certain point, yes, because I do get very involved in the story as I’m writing. But with The Life of Glass, I wrote it just after my grandfather died, and so, in a way, writing Melissa’s story and writing her through her loss, actually helped me feel better.
3. How do you get your character’s voice to sound so authentic?
That’s a good question, and I’m not sure I really know the answer to that! I’ll say that when I’m writing, the character feels real to me, not like a character at all, but a real person I’m pretending to be for a while on the page. Sort of like acting, I guess, only without the stage fright and all the people watching!
4. Do you carry a notebook around to jot down anything that comes to your mind when not near a computer, or do you just file it in your brain for later use?
No, I don’t carry a notebook, but I should! I end up writing my ideas on scraps of paper, old receipts in my purse, or paper plates. Then I end up with a collection of random scraps and plates on my desk. Clearly, a notebook would be much more sensible – I keep meaning to get one.
5. Do you see yourself writing different genres in the future?
I do have an adult book coming out this fall, so yes, I see myself writing in that genre as well. But in terms of whether I’d write anything fantasy or romance or non-fiction, I’d say probably not. I see myself sticking with mostly realistic fiction because that’s what I love and what I think I can do well.
6. Which author would you like to meet the most?
That’s hard to answer because there are so many! I said Meg Cabot in an interview last week, because she writes YA and middle grade and adult books and does them all so well! But I just read this really interesting article about James Patterson in the NY Times, and now I’d love to meet him and pick his brain on the marketing aspects of putting out a book!7. Is there a book that has changed your life? If so, what was it?
I don’t think there was just one book that changed my life, but the fact that I was always a voracious reader and my parents encouraged me to read anything and everything from a very young age – this changed my life. Books were always valued in my house growing up, and I’m certain that’s what led me to want to be an author from a very young age.
8. What was your favorite book when you were younger?
I used to love the book The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. I don’t remember too much about it now, except that it was a mystery, and I read it at least four or five times because I liked it so much.
9. Favorite classic book?
The Great Gatsby. It was one of the only books I was forced to read in high school that I just really truly loved. I reread it again a few years ago, and I still loved it.
10. What is your goal for this year?
Last January I left my teaching job for what I thought would only be a semester, but then due to a combination of things – a paperwork snafu and another book sale last spring, I haven’t yet gone back. Now that I have been writing full time, my number one goal, is to keep being able to do that. Thus, my goal is also to hopefully sell both my next YA book and my next book for adults this year. (They’re both out on submission right now – so wish me luck!)
This coming fall my first book for adults, THE TRANSFORMATION OF THINGS, will be released by Avon/HarperCollins. It’s the story of a woman who, after a fall from grace, begins dreaming things about her friends and family, only to learn that her dreams might actually be truth, and the truth she thought she knew might be a lie.
On the YA front, my next book is a love story that takes place on the US/Mexico border against the backdrop of illegal immigration. Like I said above, it just went out on submission, so cross your fingers that it will soon find a good home, and that I’ll have more information coming soon!
12. What were the challenges to bring Life of Glass to life?
I really didn’t have too many challenges actually writing the content of the book. Melissa story came very naturally to me, and as I was writing, I just knew what I wanted to write. Maybe because it was a story I needed to tell at that time in my life because of my own loss at the time.
The challenges I had were related to figuring out how to make the time to sit down and write every day, and to make sure I got the book done within a deadline, even when I had a lot of other things going on in my life. This usually is the challenge for me with my writing, because I also have two young kids to take care of, and finding quiet time to write – to do anything – always presents a challenge!
Giveaway Details:
THE LIFE OF GLASS GIVEAWAY
Enter to win free copies of Jillian Cantor's books and cool prizes! One grand prize winner will receive two glass spirit stones (one for you, one for a friend) from Arizona, where THE LIFE OF GLASS is set, along with an autographed copy of each of Jillian's novels: THE LIFE OF GLASS and THE SEPTEMBER SISTERS. Two lucky runners-up will receive a signed copy of THE LIFE OF GLASS. To be eligible, send an email to contests@jilliancantor.com with the subject line "The Life of Glass Giveaway". All e-mail entries must be received by midnight (PST) on February 14, 2010. The winners will be selected at random on February 15, 2010. Be sure to include your name and e-mail address with your entry (If you're under age 13, give your parent's contact info). One entry per person. Jillian Cantor's complete blog tour schedule can be found at www.jilliancantor.com. Good luck!
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