Jordyn Redwood Interview

Q: How did you get your start writing fiction and what genre do you predominantly write in?

A: I started writing fiction in elementary school. I used to take those Portfolio folders that had animated pictures on them and write short stories based on those pictures. I write in the suspense genre.
  

Q: What does your writing space look like?

A: I’m very lucky with my writing space because my husband is a woodworker and built me all these fabulous bookshelves!

 
Q: In this busy world, how do you find time to connect with God and how does this impact your writing?

A: I’m one of those authors still working a “day job” as well as trying to establish a full-time writing career so this is one area of my life that definitely needs more focus. Currently, I’m trying to get in the habit of doing daily bible reading/devotion/Bible study time because I know the closer I am to God, the more the principles of grace, mercy and forgiveness will come through in my writing.

Q: What part of a writing career do you find most difficult?

A:  Finding balance—and not just between work/writing/family life but within the writing life itself like how much time to spend on social media, marketing, developing new book proposals, and actual writing on my current book project.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Fractured Memory?

A: Julia Galloway is a pediatric ER nurse who was the sole surviving victim of a serial killer called The Hangman. She’s just beginning to get her life back in order when a hit is placed on her life and she is forced into protective custody. Who is trying to kill her and why is the crux of the story.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

A: I saw one of those murder mystery shows (Dateline or 48 Hours) where the beginning scene in Fractured Memory happened to a woman and her daughter in real life. Imagine starting your day with a nice soak in the tub when there’s a knock on the door. A stranger tells you someone wants to kill you and to save your life you need to leave with them right then and there. After seeing that, I always knew I would start a story with such an event, but of course the main plot would need my own special design and twists with a little medical mystery thrown in.

Q: Tell us a little about your main character and how you developed him/her.

A: Julia Galloway is literally a girl after my own heart. Fractured Memory was contracted through the Blurb to Book contest. I didn’t have a lot of time for character development as this was a completely new manuscript so I patterned Julia’s nursing career after my own.

Q: What did you enjoy most about writing this book? Least?

A: I love the plot of Fractured Memory and writing all of its twists and turns—particularly the car versus river scene. Least would be the time crunch I was under. Since this was part of the contest, I had about six weeks to write the novel which left me two weeks to edit. Some authors, I’m amazed, do this all the time, but it was a first for me.

Q: What is the main theme or spiritual message of this book?

A: A lot of tragedy has happened in Julia’s life which has led her to live a fairly lonely existence. God wants us to live in community with one another and this is the hurdle Julia has to overcome. Is she willing to leave her isolated life and trust someone she doesn’t even know?

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?

A: Currently, I’m writing an indie novel called The Cipher’s String that hopefully will be out by the end of the year. After that, I’ll be working on my next LIS title which I’m really excited about. Imagine if the only doctor who could save your sister’s life suddenly disappears? What lengths would you go to as a bounty hunter to find and help her?

Q: If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?

A: Dean Koontz and Lisa Gardner—two fabulous suspense authors. I would love to sit for hours and just pick their brains.

Q: Do you have a favorite hobby?

A: I love to cross stitch to relax.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing you have ever done?

A: Tough question. Of course, getting married and having children is up there but helping to save a child’s life is pretty amazing.

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?

A: I’m on FB, Twitter and Pinterest under Jordyn Redwood. Also, my website, jordynredwood.com, but don’t look there for a couple of weeks as it is currently under reconstruction.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?

A: Thanks so much for hosting me! I’m excited to hear what readers think of my first LIS book.