21 Questions with... Denise Jaden

Denise Jaden
Losing Faith

September 7, 2010
Simon Pulse

I like to start out my days with a laugh. Soo… What makes you literally LOL?
Honestly, almost everything! I love to laugh. My husband makes me snort my tea through my nose too often. The latest thing that made me LOL was TREASURE MAP OF BOYS, the third Ruby Oliver book by E. Lockhart. I love to listen to audio books in the early hours of the morning, but I couldn’t with this one – I ended up waking the whole house up!

I'm the same way. I even laugh at things that shouldn't be laughed at. my bad.

Has anything AMAZING happened to you as a writer? (Other than getting published?)
I’ve had some amazing compliments come my way via editors and other published authors. I often have to pinch myself.

How about something EMBARASSING?
Oh, if only I had a whole page to list the embarrassing things! Well, to name a few, I’ve made a few major screw-ups on my blog, mentioning things I shouldn’t have or naming wrong names. I’ve addressed query letters to the wrong people. I’ve pretended that I’ve read authors books, only to be called out on it. The list goes on and on (but at least I love to laugh, even at myself, so there’s always that!)

How did you celebrate getting published?
I had some out of town friends staying with me at the time. After they’d helped calmed down my hysterics, they went out and bought some champagne so we could celebrate with that.

What/Who inspired you to become a writer?
Probably Jane Hamilton. It was her writing that made me start to fall in love with words and the way they could be put together.

If not an author, what would you have been?
I think I still do everything I would have otherwise done. Besides being an author, I’m also a professional Polynesian dancer. I’m a homeschooling mom. I do all the bookkeeping for my husband’s business. Even without writing, I think this would be enough to keep me busy.

Polynesian dancer? That's pretty sweet.

Can you in any way relate your life to your book title, Losing Faith?
I think no matter what someone’s beliefs are, everyone goes through times where they feel like they’re losing faith in something or someone, or just the world in general. I’m no exception. I have good days and bad days; days where I feel like life couldn’t get much better, and days where I can’t understand why such horrible things happen. When I was sixteen, a close friend of mine was killed in a senseless accident, and that was definitely inspiration, in part, for the title and subject matter of the book.

Why did you direct Losing Faith towards the YA generation?
I love writing for young people. I’m very young at heart, in speech, and I think I often act more like a teenager than an adult. It just felt right.

What's your guilty pleasure?
Baskin Robbins or Coldstone Creamery. It’s a toss-up.

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your closet right now?
I love a ratty blue Old Navy T-shirt that I’ve had for years. Also, my fuzzy blue pajama pants.

What could you eat all day long and never grow tired of?
Sugar snap peas. (chocolate I would get sick of – I’ve tried that!)

What’s your favorite fairytale? Have you ever thought of re-doing it?
My favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast. I think it’s been re-done enough though. I love going to see it live at the theatre when I can. Also, my critique partner is stellar at re-tellings and because I’ve seen through her process how difficult it is, I don’t know that I’d be able to do a re-telling justice.

When you get stuck writing, how do you unglue yourself?
Um, I work on interviews instead. Haha. Actually, I jump around a bit in my manuscript until I find some passion for it again. When I find a part that really entertains me, then I can usually go back and fix the tough spot.

Are you planning a release day party? I would.
I’m hoping to do an online release party and an in person one in my hometown, or near my hometown. Watch my blog http://www.denisejaden.com/Blogl for details. LINK

What’s something you can’t live without?
My computer. I’m getting to the point where I have to say my iphone too.

Write a mnemonic, using your first name, which describes you.
What’s a mnemonic? Dense Denise – how about that?

not quite what i was looking for, but it works. (=

Is there any moment in your life you’d like to relive?
Hmm. There are probably many, but the one that comes to mind was the first agent phone call offering me representation. It was the first moment that I felt truly validated as a writer.

What’s a random fact about you?
I’m not a huge fan of jewelry or flowers. I’d rather have ice cream.

Do you have any words of wisdom?
We all still have a lot to learn.

i like that.

What’s your favorite imaginary place to visit?
My head.

Now it’s time we put things in reverse. Do you have any questions for me?
What’s the last book you read that you really loved and why? I love to hear about what other people love in books.

Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten. I had never read a book with a similar premise so it was totally new to me and definitely original. I love how she worked the clues together and how everything like just matched up. It was pretty much amazing. Also, who doesn't love a chapter book with pictures? That right there is a dreal breaker.

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Thanks so much for having me!
Thank YOU for being here Denise.

Be sure to visit Denise on the web!

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