Hi everyone, today we have an interview with Jamie Magee, the author of Insight joining us for an interview, guest post, and giveaway! :) Her second novel, the sequel to Insight, called Embody, is being released on 31st June, and so a bunch of book pages on Facebook joined up and organised a big release event for it! So, without further ado, here is out interview with Jamie!
Some of us book pages have come together to celebrate the release of Embody, the sequel of Insight, by the one, the only, Jamie Magee. Part of the celebration Jamie has been kind enough to take time out to do an interview with all of us. And on with the show!
Hi Jamie! Welcome to the mad house of book pages! Thank you for taking time out of you busy life to answer some (or a lot) of our questions.
Hi everyone! This is absolutely amazing. I cannot wait to answer each of these questions. I’ve always loved how FB brings together not only friends and family, but leads us to new found friends that we would have never known otherwise!
Best Books: How did you get the idea for Insight?
I honestly feel like Insight found me. I had a craving for a unique love story that held paranormal elements that I have always found fascinating. In the beginning I only saw Willow ~ she in turn told me her story.
Peace, Love, Teen Fiction: How much research did you do for your book? Was it hard or did you enjoy it?
I completely enjoyed the research I did. The string theory is something that is truly studied – the element of alternate dimensions is just one of the many aspects the theory suggests. The ideas behind this theory are extremely fascinating and can cause anyone’s imagination to run wild. Looking into the Zodiac was almost like a personal awaking. I admit that I have barely begun to grasp the oldest science in the world, but I can’t help but find it odd how certain personality aspects are often reflected in our birth charts.
All Things Books: While writing do you require silence and to be left to your own devices or do you prefer it to be on the louder side with people around?
Silence is not really a word in my vocabulary J Even if I write in the dead of night while my family is sleeping I have my headphones in and music blaring!
Taking it One Book at a Time: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing? (i.e. changed appearances, personalities, turned into an asshole, lol)
I have to say Drake. Every good book has a villain - the one that everyone is meant to hate, but I couldn’t hate him. As Drake developed throughout the series it easy to see why I had the emotion from the very beginning. This character is very charismatic, gorgeous, and powerful – but he also has a different side that he will slowly reveal. I will tell you this – I’m glad I do not have to make the decisions that Willow Haywood does!
My Home Away From Home: Describe your book in 5 words or less.
This is such a hard question because I’m so bashful – umm lets go with this:
An addicting, compelling love-story.( at least I can say this is my goal description!)
Love Fantasy Novels: If you could be one character from your books who would you be?
I love them all, but I want to say Willow simply because the private moments between her, Landen, and Drake are the ones that seem to drive the story forward. If I were any other character I would deeply miss the emotions and insight the three of these characters bring.
Book Lover 1989: If you could write a novel with another author who would you choose and why?
J.K Rowling – I simply love her in-depth imagination.
Bookies: Was it difficult to come up with a title for your book?
In a way it was. I had called it ‘Gifted’ from the moment I began to write it, but after walking through the aisles of my local book store I discovered that title had been taken. I toyed with the idea of “Eight beyond the Sun and Moon” and countless others. I knew I wanted a one word title ( I don’t know why. I guess I was looking for simplicity) I went back and forth with my friends and family for weeks toward the publication day. One night I came home and handed my husband a list of possible titles. The expression on his face led me to believe he was not found of any of them. At that very moment the IPOD changed songs and now playing was “It ends to Tonight” by the All American Rejects. The last time I had heard that song was the night I’d written the ‘fight’ between Willow and Landen in Insight. As the course began to play my children began to sing along “Just a little Insight will make this right” my husband and I looked at each other and both said ‘Insight” at the same time. I’ve always found eerie that when you truly seek and answer you are always – even if by chance - led to the answer.
Bookaholics: How easy was it to write Embody after your experience with Insight?
I have often referred to Insight as my ‘first child’ in the realm of writing. Every part of it was a learning experience. As I wrote Insight I had to discover who each of the characters were – the world they lived in. Understanding who they were made it easier to express their emotions and reactions as the story of Embody came to life. Embody and the stories beyond the first two were far easier to master.
YA Books: If you become leader of the world, what would be the first thing that you'd do with your power?
Enforce the saying ‘pay it forward’ – is one of many steps I would take!
Book Reader Addicts: I know you have said before that with each book you are going to go more indepth with different characters. Do you have an order and how did you choose that order?
I have no order in mind lol. The main story through book four ( I’m at the mercy of the rest of the stories) focuses around three main characters Willow, Landen, and Drake. Their circumstances do bring other characters into focus and allow the reader to discover them.
Just before I begin writing any story and sometimes along the way I will write down random ideas I have – it could be anything from a phrase or a description. At the end I always look back – and invariable discover that the path the story took was not what I had in mind in the beginning. It is hard to say who will come forth in the future but I look forward to discovering them with each of you.
Best books: How do you feel when you’re writing?
Alive! It is the one thing I could do all day everyday and not expect anything in return. I love the rush of emotions – I’m sure it is quiet comical to watch me write – you will see everything from laughter to sadness– shocked expressions and anger. I’ve even been caught clapping.
Peace, Love, Teen Fiction: What is it like being a published author?
To this day I have not been able to fathom the idea. In my mind I’m simply sharing my words with a large group of friends!
All Things Books: Who is your dream cast should Insight ever be made into a movie?
I’ve been asked this before and I have yet to come up with an answer. I would hope that if this day came that the cast would be full of people who just needed one chance – that it would be their perfect ‘break’ and we would all indulge in the new found talent.
Taking it One Book at a Time: Who's the one author that can completely & utterly make you forget the outside world?
J.K Rowling – I love love love her imagination.
My Home Away From Home: What is one question that you have always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
Ummm….what’s my favorite color???? – Purple J
Love Fantasy Novels: If you could have dinner with one famous person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I could go really deep here and reach back and say Nostrdamus – my purpose in this dinner would be to understand what he was ‘seeing’ when he made his prophecies – to apply them to modern life and debate the path of humanity.
Or- I could just be real and say Ben Burnley – I love this musician.. His lyrics have inspired scene after scene in my series – I would want to know what inspired him to write them in the first place, and of course – thank him!
Book Lover 1989: What are you top 5 favorite books/series of books?
Hard List to come up with….
Redeeming love – Francine Rivers
Charlotte’s Web – EB White (we all have to start somewhere!)
The Notebook/ Wedding - Nicholas Sparks
Harry Potter Series – J.K Rowling
Romeo & Juliet – William Shakespeare
Bookaholics: Do you write to a soundtrack and if so,what music was your inspiration whilst writing Embody?
Oh how I love music! Sometimes songs inspire writing and others simply remind me of the story. The Embody playlist I have now is:
My Never – Blue October
The Diary of Jane – Breaking Benjamin
Dear Agony – Breaking Benjamin
Point #1 - Chevelle
Bring Me to Life –Evanescence
Cold – Evans Blue
Eclipsed – Evans Blue
A Cross and a Girl Named Blessed – Evans Blue
Fair Fight – The Fray
Everything Will Be Alright – The Killers
Possibility – Lykke Li
Breathe Into Me - Red
All around Me - Fly Leaf
YA Books: If you were a superhero, what would be your super power, what would your name be, and would you be a goodie or the baddie?
Scorpion – power: emotions – I would be good (Wait – I feel like I know someone like this?!) Sorry… I tried to be unique – but as my daughter would say ‘I got nothin’ lol
Book Reader Addicts: Since I have already read Embody I have to know….when is the third book coming out? (No, rush or anything. LOL)
I was so excited about the first reviews of Embody that I sent ‘Image’ to the editor the first week of May – I do not have a date set – but I can tell you it will be THIS year
Jamie, again thank you so much. I can not wait to read more from you. Before when end this is there anything else you would like to tell you readers?
I want to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to share this daydream with me – it means more than I could ever express in words!
If you haven’t read Insight yet I have one question for you. What are you waiting for? Go get in now. If you have read it then go pick up Embody. You can get these great books at Amazon.com,barnesandnoble.com, and smashwords.com.
One last thing! Jamie has a surprise for you! Tell them Jamie!
I know we all love release dates and SWAG – so for Embody’s release each page will have a swag bag – complete with an ebook version of Embody! Good luck everyone and happy reading! (giveaway at bottom of post)
For more chances to win visit all of the pages that were involved with the interview. Links are below. (I'm YA Books by the way :) )
Best Books
Bookies
Love Fantasy Novels
Taking it One Book at a Time
My Home Away From Home
YA Books
Book Lover 1989
Peace, Love, Teen Fiction
All Things Books
Bookaholics book club
Book Reader Addicts
It is the small, almost insignificant moments – the ones we do without a thought or reason that often bring forth a wave of change in our lives. I never imagined that a thoughtless New Year’s resolution or opening a blank word document would lead me here today. As I write these words a smile is across my face and gratitude for all that my life has brought me is beaming from my soul.
I will never forget 1/1/09 - the first the day of New Year, the last year in decade and turning point in my life. I never expected that day would bring so many amazing characters, readers, authors and new found friends into my life – and now I live in a constant state of expectancy – I’ve learned to expect the unexpected because I have no idea where this series or my career will lead me – I just know that I plan to enjoy every smile and tear it may bring my way.
I cannot tell you how mind blowing it is for me to be releasing the second book in the Insight Series, Embody. The first flash – the vague image I had of Willow Haywood was almost painful. I remember feeling so sorry for her – heartbroken that she was where she was at that point in her life. I could only see Landen through her eyes at that moment and his urgency to reach her was alarming. I mulled over this image of a green eye girl in countless day dreams. I had to understand who she was – what her name was and what brought her to the moment I was seeing. Not knowing any of this I just began to write. I’ve said before I began Insight with “It was a warm day in Franklin” at that moment I had no idea that Chara existed – that Esterious existed – that the string was a breathtaking passage connecting all of humanity. All of the answers seem to rush at me at me at once and one by one the characters of the Insight series began to emerge and whisper their perception into my thoughts.
When I finished Insight I realized that the moment I’d seen had not come. It was an awkward moment in my life. One thought would tell me that I’d wasted three months of my life writing a story that would never be read – the next would tell me that this was simply the beginning. As I let my friends read Insight I found the moments I’d carved out to write in my life were empty – after successfully organizing every closet and drawer in my house my restlessness became too much for me to handle. Before I had the verdict from my friends on my story I began to write again. This time I didn’t start at the beginning like I had with Insight. I finally wrote the scene that I’d first seen in my mind’s eye. At first it felt like I was writing a book outside of the series but then Willow showed me how she reached that point. I’d written what is chapter 12 in Embody all the way to end before I had any feedback on Insight, at that point it didn’t matter if anyone else was in love with Willow and Landen – I was!
Undoubtedly through the life of Willow Haywood I have felt every emotion that the human soul can perceive. I cannot wait to share not only this story, but each one I have seen past this point with each of you. Thank you so much for experiencing this adventure with me!
The contest is international, and will run for 48 hours, so be quick! :) It'll start on Sunday 29th May, and will finish on Monday 30th May! Winners announced on Tuesday 31st, so quick, enter for your chance to win!
*Winners picked out using Random.org. The prizes will be mailed out by the author, so I accept no responsibility for items lost or damaged in the post.
__________________
Some of us book pages have come together to celebrate the release of Embody, the sequel of Insight, by the one, the only, Jamie Magee. Part of the celebration Jamie has been kind enough to take time out to do an interview with all of us. And on with the show!Hi Jamie! Welcome to the mad house of book pages! Thank you for taking time out of you busy life to answer some (or a lot) of our questions.
Hi everyone! This is absolutely amazing. I cannot wait to answer each of these questions. I’ve always loved how FB brings together not only friends and family, but leads us to new found friends that we would have never known otherwise!
Best Books: How did you get the idea for Insight?
I honestly feel like Insight found me. I had a craving for a unique love story that held paranormal elements that I have always found fascinating. In the beginning I only saw Willow ~ she in turn told me her story.
Peace, Love, Teen Fiction: How much research did you do for your book? Was it hard or did you enjoy it?
I completely enjoyed the research I did. The string theory is something that is truly studied – the element of alternate dimensions is just one of the many aspects the theory suggests. The ideas behind this theory are extremely fascinating and can cause anyone’s imagination to run wild. Looking into the Zodiac was almost like a personal awaking. I admit that I have barely begun to grasp the oldest science in the world, but I can’t help but find it odd how certain personality aspects are often reflected in our birth charts.
All Things Books: While writing do you require silence and to be left to your own devices or do you prefer it to be on the louder side with people around?
Silence is not really a word in my vocabulary J Even if I write in the dead of night while my family is sleeping I have my headphones in and music blaring!
Taking it One Book at a Time: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing? (i.e. changed appearances, personalities, turned into an asshole, lol)I have to say Drake. Every good book has a villain - the one that everyone is meant to hate, but I couldn’t hate him. As Drake developed throughout the series it easy to see why I had the emotion from the very beginning. This character is very charismatic, gorgeous, and powerful – but he also has a different side that he will slowly reveal. I will tell you this – I’m glad I do not have to make the decisions that Willow Haywood does!
My Home Away From Home: Describe your book in 5 words or less.
This is such a hard question because I’m so bashful – umm lets go with this:
An addicting, compelling love-story.( at least I can say this is my goal description!)
Love Fantasy Novels: If you could be one character from your books who would you be?
I love them all, but I want to say Willow simply because the private moments between her, Landen, and Drake are the ones that seem to drive the story forward. If I were any other character I would deeply miss the emotions and insight the three of these characters bring.
Book Lover 1989: If you could write a novel with another author who would you choose and why?
J.K Rowling – I simply love her in-depth imagination.
Bookies: Was it difficult to come up with a title for your book?
In a way it was. I had called it ‘Gifted’ from the moment I began to write it, but after walking through the aisles of my local book store I discovered that title had been taken. I toyed with the idea of “Eight beyond the Sun and Moon” and countless others. I knew I wanted a one word title ( I don’t know why. I guess I was looking for simplicity) I went back and forth with my friends and family for weeks toward the publication day. One night I came home and handed my husband a list of possible titles. The expression on his face led me to believe he was not found of any of them. At that very moment the IPOD changed songs and now playing was “It ends to Tonight” by the All American Rejects. The last time I had heard that song was the night I’d written the ‘fight’ between Willow and Landen in Insight. As the course began to play my children began to sing along “Just a little Insight will make this right” my husband and I looked at each other and both said ‘Insight” at the same time. I’ve always found eerie that when you truly seek and answer you are always – even if by chance - led to the answer.
Bookaholics: How easy was it to write Embody after your experience with Insight?I have often referred to Insight as my ‘first child’ in the realm of writing. Every part of it was a learning experience. As I wrote Insight I had to discover who each of the characters were – the world they lived in. Understanding who they were made it easier to express their emotions and reactions as the story of Embody came to life. Embody and the stories beyond the first two were far easier to master.
YA Books: If you become leader of the world, what would be the first thing that you'd do with your power?
Enforce the saying ‘pay it forward’ – is one of many steps I would take!
Book Reader Addicts: I know you have said before that with each book you are going to go more indepth with different characters. Do you have an order and how did you choose that order?
I have no order in mind lol. The main story through book four ( I’m at the mercy of the rest of the stories) focuses around three main characters Willow, Landen, and Drake. Their circumstances do bring other characters into focus and allow the reader to discover them.
Just before I begin writing any story and sometimes along the way I will write down random ideas I have – it could be anything from a phrase or a description. At the end I always look back – and invariable discover that the path the story took was not what I had in mind in the beginning. It is hard to say who will come forth in the future but I look forward to discovering them with each of you.
Best books: How do you feel when you’re writing?
Alive! It is the one thing I could do all day everyday and not expect anything in return. I love the rush of emotions – I’m sure it is quiet comical to watch me write – you will see everything from laughter to sadness– shocked expressions and anger. I’ve even been caught clapping.
Peace, Love, Teen Fiction: What is it like being a published author?
To this day I have not been able to fathom the idea. In my mind I’m simply sharing my words with a large group of friends!
All Things Books: Who is your dream cast should Insight ever be made into a movie?
I’ve been asked this before and I have yet to come up with an answer. I would hope that if this day came that the cast would be full of people who just needed one chance – that it would be their perfect ‘break’ and we would all indulge in the new found talent.
Taking it One Book at a Time: Who's the one author that can completely & utterly make you forget the outside world?J.K Rowling – I love love love her imagination.
My Home Away From Home: What is one question that you have always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
Ummm….what’s my favorite color???? – Purple J
Love Fantasy Novels: If you could have dinner with one famous person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I could go really deep here and reach back and say Nostrdamus – my purpose in this dinner would be to understand what he was ‘seeing’ when he made his prophecies – to apply them to modern life and debate the path of humanity.
Or- I could just be real and say Ben Burnley – I love this musician.. His lyrics have inspired scene after scene in my series – I would want to know what inspired him to write them in the first place, and of course – thank him!
Book Lover 1989: What are you top 5 favorite books/series of books?
Hard List to come up with….
Redeeming love – Francine Rivers
Charlotte’s Web – EB White (we all have to start somewhere!)
The Notebook/ Wedding - Nicholas Sparks
Harry Potter Series – J.K Rowling
Romeo & Juliet – William Shakespeare
Bookaholics: Do you write to a soundtrack and if so,what music was your inspiration whilst writing Embody?
Oh how I love music! Sometimes songs inspire writing and others simply remind me of the story. The Embody playlist I have now is:
My Never – Blue October
The Diary of Jane – Breaking Benjamin
Dear Agony – Breaking Benjamin
Point #1 - Chevelle
Bring Me to Life –EvanescenceCold – Evans Blue
Eclipsed – Evans Blue
A Cross and a Girl Named Blessed – Evans Blue
Fair Fight – The Fray
Everything Will Be Alright – The Killers
Possibility – Lykke Li
Breathe Into Me - Red
All around Me - Fly Leaf
YA Books: If you were a superhero, what would be your super power, what would your name be, and would you be a goodie or the baddie?
Scorpion – power: emotions – I would be good (Wait – I feel like I know someone like this?!) Sorry… I tried to be unique – but as my daughter would say ‘I got nothin’ lol
Book Reader Addicts: Since I have already read Embody I have to know….when is the third book coming out? (No, rush or anything. LOL)
I was so excited about the first reviews of Embody that I sent ‘Image’ to the editor the first week of May – I do not have a date set – but I can tell you it will be THIS year
Jamie, again thank you so much. I can not wait to read more from you. Before when end this is there anything else you would like to tell you readers?
I want to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to share this daydream with me – it means more than I could ever express in words!
If you haven’t read Insight yet I have one question for you. What are you waiting for? Go get in now. If you have read it then go pick up Embody. You can get these great books at Amazon.com,barnesandnoble.com, and smashwords.com.
One last thing! Jamie has a surprise for you! Tell them Jamie!
I know we all love release dates and SWAG – so for Embody’s release each page will have a swag bag – complete with an ebook version of Embody! Good luck everyone and happy reading! (giveaway at bottom of post)
__________________
For more chances to win visit all of the pages that were involved with the interview. Links are below. (I'm YA Books by the way :) )
Best Books
Bookies
Love Fantasy Novels
Taking it One Book at a Time
My Home Away From Home
YA Books
Book Lover 1989
Peace, Love, Teen Fiction
All Things Books
Bookaholics book club
Book Reader Addicts
__________________
And now, I have a guest post written by Jamie herself, for you to enjoy:
I will never forget 1/1/09 - the first the day of New Year, the last year in decade and turning point in my life. I never expected that day would bring so many amazing characters, readers, authors and new found friends into my life – and now I live in a constant state of expectancy – I’ve learned to expect the unexpected because I have no idea where this series or my career will lead me – I just know that I plan to enjoy every smile and tear it may bring my way.
I cannot tell you how mind blowing it is for me to be releasing the second book in the Insight Series, Embody. The first flash – the vague image I had of Willow Haywood was almost painful. I remember feeling so sorry for her – heartbroken that she was where she was at that point in her life. I could only see Landen through her eyes at that moment and his urgency to reach her was alarming. I mulled over this image of a green eye girl in countless day dreams. I had to understand who she was – what her name was and what brought her to the moment I was seeing. Not knowing any of this I just began to write. I’ve said before I began Insight with “It was a warm day in Franklin” at that moment I had no idea that Chara existed – that Esterious existed – that the string was a breathtaking passage connecting all of humanity. All of the answers seem to rush at me at me at once and one by one the characters of the Insight series began to emerge and whisper their perception into my thoughts.
When I finished Insight I realized that the moment I’d seen had not come. It was an awkward moment in my life. One thought would tell me that I’d wasted three months of my life writing a story that would never be read – the next would tell me that this was simply the beginning. As I let my friends read Insight I found the moments I’d carved out to write in my life were empty – after successfully organizing every closet and drawer in my house my restlessness became too much for me to handle. Before I had the verdict from my friends on my story I began to write again. This time I didn’t start at the beginning like I had with Insight. I finally wrote the scene that I’d first seen in my mind’s eye. At first it felt like I was writing a book outside of the series but then Willow showed me how she reached that point. I’d written what is chapter 12 in Embody all the way to end before I had any feedback on Insight, at that point it didn’t matter if anyone else was in love with Willow and Landen – I was!
Undoubtedly through the life of Willow Haywood I have felt every emotion that the human soul can perceive. I cannot wait to share not only this story, but each one I have seen past this point with each of you. Thank you so much for experiencing this adventure with me!
__________________
And lastly, the bit I'm sure you've all been waiting for: The giveaway! I know I'm excited, this is my first, EVER giveaway! :) Jamie has kindly offered to giveaway a swag bag full of Insight and Embody swag, an e-Book copy of Insight and Embody and the first 3 pages of the third book, Image! Want to win? Of course you do!
The rules:
All you have to do is enter your name and email into the form, and yay, you're entered! That's it, all you have to do. But, if you want to tweet/facebook/blog about it to spread the word, that's awesome and much appreciated (though it's not necessary)! :)Fill in THIS FORM to enter!
The contest is international, and will run for 48 hours, so be quick! :) It'll start on Sunday 29th May, and will finish on Monday 30th May! Winners announced on Tuesday 31st, so quick, enter for your chance to win!
*Winners picked out using Random.org. The prizes will be mailed out by the author, so I accept no responsibility for items lost or damaged in the post.
I love that the first title comes from an AAR song! Haha I started singing that line as soon as I saw the song title.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! =)
Nice!! Thanks so much for the giveaway :D
ReplyDeleteWow, great giveaway Bella. Congrats on it being your first one :) Donna & Jess
ReplyDeletewow!! thanks for Giveaway and making it internationally
ReplyDeleteGreat post.Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDelete