Everyone, please give a warm welcome to Jennifer, author of Nonutopians!
Hola! How does it feel to have your first book out in the world?
It is a bizarre feeling. There is a lot of commitment involved in writing a trilogy because when you love writing and you feel comfortable doing it, a bunch of ideas starts to pop-up but you have to stick to the one that is already on the market. After four years of hard work, when book #1 got published, I was already thinking about book #2 and the end of the series and the next book…it is kind of frantic in a good way.
I completely understand what you mean when ideas start popping up everywhere. There's never enough time to follow them all! We writers have a hard time accepting that. Did you always know that you wanted to be a professional writer?
I knew it since I was eleven years old. By that time, I was already in love with art, literature, and science. I began writing poems and songs in Spanish, and reading books in English, but life and its ways got me into studying electrical engineering, which is an exciting career too.
While I was at college, I began writing short stories and French poems, some of them are part of my first book. Besides studying engineering, I learned as many languages as I could (Italian, English, French). I also enrolled for an English Poetry class because I knew it would be useful later on in my career as a writer.
I wish I'd spent my college time as efficiently as you! While I did focus all my time on my English Literature classes, I regret never finishing the Italian classes. You delved in a lot of topics that helped your writing, but who or what has influenced you the most?
Ernest Hemingway and his short story: A Clean, Well-Lighted Place, triggered some type of writing “style” in my mind; it is one of the best short stories ever written, but traveling around the world has helped me to have a bigger picture of life and its colors. The love for art, science, poetry, cafes and “strangers” influence in my writing.
After you're all inspired and ready to type, is there anything you must have when you sit down and write? Coffee, Music, Cookies?
I love to sit down at a café with a cup of coffee with latte art on it. To hear people around chatting while having their favorite drinks, is a thrilling moment for me. It is then when I get my two shots, caffeine and inspiration!
We've talked about the many things that inspire you. Now, what sparked the idea for Nonutopians?
One morning at 4:00 a.m., I had a vision while traveling with my little son and husband from Atlanta to Florida. I was first introduced to Amrit and Ansel and their intolerable love. I saw this movie in my head where two kids separated by a fence and pushed away from each other. Their parents did not want them together because they were different races, Puro Di Cuore (people with big hearts) and Optima Mens (big headed persons). They now play a vital Role in the development of the Nonutopians series.
What is your favorite scene from Nonutopians?
The instant when Shem and Vanora decided to go for a dive into the ocean at Flamenco Beach in Culebra Island is my favorite scene ever. It was there when they awoke to their common purpose. Many Nonutopians fans loved this scene. I think it is magical and unique how they got to love each other at that moment where their souls literally blended in a kiss.
If you could spend an afternoon with one of your characters, who would it be, and what would you do for fun?
I would spend an entire week with The Guide, because she comes from another dimension where everything seems clearer. She sees and knows pretty much about all the characters, their lives and more. I would go to the beach with her and have piña coladas…but I know she would love to take me to Paris instead…
Describe Nonutopians in five words or less.
Intriguing, transforming, LOVE, transcendental, and mystical.
It's been great having you here, Jennifer. Anything else you'd like to say to your fans and future readers?
Thank you for reading Nonutopians #1, but you will definitely enjoy it if you read it as a “Memoir” instead.
Jennifer Jimenez is a writer, songwriter, painter, dancer, and engineer.
Author Links:
Website / Facebook / Goodreads
NonutopiansAuthor: Jennifer JimenezPublisher: Self published, 2013Buy: Amazon
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