Author Interview: Stacey Jay

Stacey Jay is the author of the amazing You Are So Undead to Me and it's sequel, Undead Much? which will be reviewed tomorrow!  Stacey is also the author of My So-Called Death, which was released yesterday!

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When did you know you first wanted to be an author?

I think I might have figured that out last year...sometime after my first few books had sold! Lol. Honestly, I never believed it would be possible for me to be a writer and nothing else. I thought I'd always need a "day job" to make money. It's exciting to know that won't be true for at least a few more years.

How did you come up with You are So Undead to Me and Undead Much?
I wanted to write something scary, funny, and romantic. Somehow, zombies seemed necessary to the equation. 

Will there be another book about Megan and Ethan?
Sure hope so! I've got a 14 page outline ready to guide me through book 3, but whether that book will ever hit the shelves is up to readers. My publisher wants sales of UNDEAD MUCH? to be as strong as the sales of YOU ARE SO UNDEAD TO ME. If they are, and you readers prove zombies aren't a dying trend, then I'll get to write another book!

Are you currently working on another novel?  If yes, what's it about?
Yes! A couple:

THE LOCKET--Razorbill January 2011--A shy girl, two possible true loves, and a very nasty piece of jewelry that messes with the fabric of time. It's a scary, romantic read I hope fans of the "Undead" series will enjoy.

JULIET IMMORTAL--Delacorte 2011--Juliet and Romeo didn't die in the tomb. They lived to become immortal enemies, fighting for the eternal souls of destined mates throughout the ages. Action and romance and Juliet as a kick-ass warrior for true love. I'm so excited to finish this book!

Do you listen to music when you write?  If yes, what kind of music?  If no, why not?
I don't listen to music while I write--I find noise of any kind distracting--but I do make sound tracks for my books and listen to them while I run. The soundtrack for JULIET IMMORTAL is full of surging, action-y pop, romantic Celtic music, and some fun punk cover songs. It really helped me brainstorm the story and keeps me pumped to make my words every day.

What is your writing process like?

I write every day. At least 1000 words, and usually more. I do this for a living so I can't afford to take my time. But I love my daily word habit. There's nothing I'd rather do than write--except play with my kids and husband and I make plenty of time for that too!

What were your favorite and least favorite subjects in high school and why?

I loved drama class. I wanted to be an actor and every day in Mr. Salter's class was a joy. I hated Health. What a FREAKING important class and yet they had the coaches teaching it. There are serious health issues that can be avoided by eating right and exercising in high school. I wish my teachers had felt as passionately about kid/teen health as I do as a mom. (Yeah health teachers, I'm calling you out. Wake up and smell the "need-real-sex-ed-and-information-about-eating-disorders-and-the-importance-of-exercise-and-good-nutrition-and-preventative-health-measures" coffee.)

What was the weirdest time you've ever gotten inspiration?
When I was standing in six inches of icy, melting snow, holding a screaming baby while I waited for my husband to wrestle the car seat into the car. My feet were frozen, my poor baby was melting down, but I was thinking about a story line. Lol. I think that kept me from starting to cry right along with Baby.

Why did you choose to write for teens and not children or adults?

I do write for adults. Under a different pen name. I use a different pen name because my adult work is sexually graphic. I'm not afraid to say that. That's why I urge teens NOT to read my adult work, even if they can Google-Fu my other pen name. I'm all for celebrating sexuality, but there are some things that are a little too intense for younger readers. I wouldn't recommend reading my older books until you're at least 18-21.

That said, I love writing for teens. It's such a dramatic time in everyone's life and that makes for great inspiration. I also hope to write for younger readers sometime soon. I have two little boys who will be reading in a few years and I'd love to create something that spoke to their experience and entertained them.

Ask yourself a question and answer it! :)
Q: Stacey, why do you love red meat so much when you were a vegetarian for 10 years?

A: Because...it's yummy. I can't help myself. I am weak and love the flesh of the cow. Also, I think writing about zombies might have negatively influenced my appetite.

Thanks for the interview Hope!!

Stacey Jay

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Thanks for stopping by Stacey!

And if you haven't checked out You Are So Undead to Me, Undead Much?, or My So-Called Death, please do!  Stacey's a wonderful author. :)

Don't forget to check out her website!

hope.