Hi Guys,
I'm thrilled today to be bringing you all an interview I carried out with Jennifer E. Smith. I'm a huge fan of her work, so I was really excited to have the chance to interview her for the blog.
Before we get into the questions, here's a little about her.
About the Author
Jennifer E. Smith is the author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, The Storm Makers, You Are Here, and The Comeback Season. She earned her master's degree in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and currently works as an editor in New York City. Her writing has been translated into 28 languages.
The Statistical Probibility of Love at First Sight | This is what Happy Looks Like | The Geography of You and Me | You Are Here | The Comeback Season | The Storm Makers
Interview
What made you want to be a writer?
I've wanted to be a writer since I was ten years old, when I won a school-wide short story contest. After that, I definitely caught the bug, and I was constantly scribbling down stories. But while I always knew I'd be a writer, because I loved doing it so much, I never imagine I'd be an actual author -- that always seemed to me like being an astronaut or a ballerina, something that would be amazing, but maybe not terribly realistic. So I feel incredibly lucky!
Of all the books you’ve written, which has been your favorite?
I love them all in different ways, and I think I'm always the most fond of the one I'm working on at the moment, if only because it's so immediate. But The Comeback Season was my first, so that will always hold a special place in my heart, and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight has been a big favorite among readers, and and I'm very grateful for that.
Do you get writers block? If so, how do you handle it?
I do, and there's no real trick for dealing with it. Some days, the best thing I can do is just grit my teeth and try to write through it, and other days, it's more useful to walk away and give myself some space.
Are you working on anything at the moment?
Yes, I'm finishing up my next YA novel, which is about a couple that's been together for two years, on the night before they leave for college. They're both headed to schools on opposite sides of the country, and they haven't decided whether or not to break up yet, so they spend their last twelve hours together, revisiting all the places that were important to their relationship as they try to make a decision.
What’s your favorite book?
There are too many to pick just one!
Besides writing, what are your other interests?
I'm also an editor, so I spend a lot of time with books. But aside from that, I'm a big animal person -- I have a crazy little beagle, and I teach therapeutic horseback riding. And I absolutely love to travel. Some of my favorites have been South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, Prague, Italy, Australia, Alaska, and so many more. Later this year, I'm going to Iceland for the first time, which I'm very excited about, and also Japan. So I never stay put for too long!
Any advice for aspiring authors?
Read as much and as widely as you can -- it's the very best way to get a feel for the way a great story works.
I've wanted to be a writer since I was ten years old, when I won a school-wide short story contest. After that, I definitely caught the bug, and I was constantly scribbling down stories. But while I always knew I'd be a writer, because I loved doing it so much, I never imagine I'd be an actual author -- that always seemed to me like being an astronaut or a ballerina, something that would be amazing, but maybe not terribly realistic. So I feel incredibly lucky!
Of all the books you’ve written, which has been your favorite?
I love them all in different ways, and I think I'm always the most fond of the one I'm working on at the moment, if only because it's so immediate. But The Comeback Season was my first, so that will always hold a special place in my heart, and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight has been a big favorite among readers, and and I'm very grateful for that.
Do you get writers block? If so, how do you handle it?
I do, and there's no real trick for dealing with it. Some days, the best thing I can do is just grit my teeth and try to write through it, and other days, it's more useful to walk away and give myself some space.
Are you working on anything at the moment?
Yes, I'm finishing up my next YA novel, which is about a couple that's been together for two years, on the night before they leave for college. They're both headed to schools on opposite sides of the country, and they haven't decided whether or not to break up yet, so they spend their last twelve hours together, revisiting all the places that were important to their relationship as they try to make a decision.
What’s your favorite book?
There are too many to pick just one!
Besides writing, what are your other interests?
I'm also an editor, so I spend a lot of time with books. But aside from that, I'm a big animal person -- I have a crazy little beagle, and I teach therapeutic horseback riding. And I absolutely love to travel. Some of my favorites have been South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, Prague, Italy, Australia, Alaska, and so many more. Later this year, I'm going to Iceland for the first time, which I'm very excited about, and also Japan. So I never stay put for too long!
Any advice for aspiring authors?
Read as much and as widely as you can -- it's the very best way to get a feel for the way a great story works.
I just want to say a huge thank you to Jennifer for taking the time to answer these questions for my blog. I loved having the chance to do this interview.
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