Behind the Pages #18: Jennifer Donnelly on the Waterfire Saga

Jennifer Donnelly, the awesome author of the Waterfire Saga, is next in the behind the pages series. Jennifer is currently busy with the release of Rogue Wave but has taken the time to answer a few questions.  Check out the interview below and enter the giveaway:

1. What or who inspired you to become a writer?

My huge love of stories. I've devoured books ever since I was a small child, and I've always known I wanted to one day write a few of my own. Stories are as essential to me as food and air. 

2. Your earlier releases were mainly historical fiction. What led you to write fantasy? 

A chance trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art a few years ago, where I saw a wonderful exhibition of Alexander McQueen's work, which inspired a longing in me to write about the sea. That combined with a call from Disney - that came the very same day! - asking me if I'd like to work on a story idea with them that involved mermaids. 

3. How challenging is it write this new series, as oppose to writing mystery or historical fiction?

All writing is challenging to me. Grappling with a magical universe -- and the new way of thinking about rules and logic that it demands -- was particularly daunting. As was the world-building for the Waterfire Saga. But it was also a great deal of fun. And I was also able to very much bring my historian self to this project in coming up with a new origin story and mythology for the mer folk. 

4. Did you feel any pressure to make Rogue Wave live up to the success of Deep Blue?

I always feel a lot of pressure to produce a good story. I really want to engage the reader and surprise her and make her feel deeply for the characters and give her a sumptuous visual feast. Hopefully, I've succeeded! 

5. Can you give readers a little tease into what Serafina and others will be facing in Rogue Wave?

A deadly shipwreck ghost. A romantic surprise. And one seriously bad dude! 

6. I noticed that there will be four books in the series. Do you have titles for books 3 & 4?

The third book is DARK TIDE, and we're still working on a title for the fourth one. 

7. Aside from writing, is there anything else you enjoy just as much?

I love to spend time with my family, to ride my horse, and to scavenge for old and interesting things at garage sales and flea markets. 

8. Thank you for taking the time, Jennifer. Please leave a message for aspiring writers.

Never, never, never give up! No one can ever guarantee that you'll get published, but one person can guarantee you won't -- you. By quitting. So don't. Keep on writing.

Author Bio:

Jennifer Donnelly is the author of seven novels - Rogue Wave, Deep Blue, Revolution, A Northern Light, The Tea Rose, The Winter Rose and The Wild Rose - and Humble Pie, a picture book for children. She grew up in New York State, in Lewis and Westchester counties, and attended the University of Rochester where she majored in English Literature and European History.

www.jenniferdonnelly.com | facebook.com/JenWritesBooks | @JenWritesBooks

Win a copy of Rogue Wave. Open to US entrees only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast: Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly

Series: Waterfire Saga #1
Release date: May 6th 2014
Publisher: Disney Press
Pre-Order: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

The first in a series of four epic tales set in the depths of the ocean, where six mermaids seek to protect and save their hidden world.

Deep in the ocean, in a world not so different from our own, live the merpeople. Their communities are spread throughout the oceans, seas, and freshwaters all over the globe.

When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens on the morning of her betrothal, her biggest worry should be winning the love of handsome Prince Mahdi. And yet Sera finds herself haunted by strange dreams that foretell the return of an ancient evil. Her dark premonitions are confirmed when an assassin's arrow poisons Sera's mother. Now, Serafina must embark on a quest to find the assassin's master and prevent a war between the Mer nations. Led only by her shadowy dreams, Sera searches for five other mermaid heroines who are scattered across the six seas. Together, they will form an unbreakable bond of sisterhood and uncover a conspiracy that threatens their world's very existence.

About the Author

Jennifer Donnelly is the author of five novels - Revolution, A Northern Light, The Tea Rose, The Winter Rose and The Wild Rose - and Humble Pie, a picture book for children. She grew up in New York State, in Lewis and Westchester counties, and attended the University of Rochester where she majored in English Literature and European History. 

Jennifer’s first novel, The Tea Rose, an epic historical novel set in London and New York in the late 19th century, was called “exquisite” by Booklist, “so much fun” by the Washington Post, a “guilty pleasure” by People and was named a Top Pick by the Romantic Times. 

Her second novel, A Northern Light, set in the Adirondacks of 1906, against the backdrop of an infamous murder, won the Carnegie Medal, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Borders Original Voices Award, and was named a Printz Honor book. Described as “rich and true” by The New York Times, the book was named to the Best Book lists of The Times (London), The Irish Times, The Financial Times, Publishers Weekly, Booklist and the School Library Journal. 

Revolution was named a Best Book by Amazon, Kirkus, School Library Journal, and the Chicago Public Library, and was nominated for a Carnegie Medal. The audio edition was awarded an Odyssey Honor for Excellence.

Jennifer lives in New York's Hudson Valley with her husband, daughter, and three rescue dogs.

www.jenniferdonnelly.com | facebook.com/JenWritesBooks