Please Welcome Jennifer Murgia!

Today I'm super excited to have Jennifer Murgia here for an interview with The Cover Contessa. I had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer back in August 2012 at YA Fest 2012 in Easton PA. She is one of the cofounder's of this SPECTACULAR event that I will now be attending every year! It was amazing to see so many authors of great talent all in one place. Here is a picture of me and Jennifer:

(Jennifer on the left, me on the right)

It was a totally awesome time and I'm so excited that she has agreed to come chat with us today! So here's a little about Jennifer and her books!

Jennifer Murgia has been writing ever since she was nine years old. After receiving recognition for her poetry, she went on to use her talents to bring characters to life in fiction novels that are authentic, intriguing, and personal. She currently resides in Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.

You can stalk Jennifer at these sites:

Goodreads

Author Website

Facebook

Twitter

Have you read any of Jennifer's FABULOUS books?

Title: Angel Star (Angel Star #1)

Publication date: May 1, 2010

Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing, LLC

Buying Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Seventeen-year-old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight-point star etched into the palm of his right hand; the mark of an angel. But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel's malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows.

Divinely woven together, Angel Star takes readers on a reflective journey when one angel's sacrifice collides with another angel's vicious ambition in a way that is sure to have readers searching for their own willpower

Title: Lemniscate (Angel Star #2)

Publication date: March 21, 2011

Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing, LLC

Buying Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

For Teagan, these last few months have been heaven on earth - especially now that Garreth, her boyfriend and guardian angel, is earthbound. But perhaps Garreth is becoming a little more human than either of them expected.
Now, Teagan must realize that her world is once again about to shift, as she questions the faith she held in others against those once considered enemies.
In this continuation of Angel Star, Lemniscate will draw you even deeper into the world of dark and light as Teagan realizes the angel who could possibly save them all is the one angel she feared the most

Don't they just look totally amazing? GO BUY THEM! LOL!

And now, let's hear what Jennifer had to say in response to my questions!

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or did you want to be something else?

I’ve wanted to be lots of things – architect, designer, actress … but being an author has been a long dream of mine. I sometimes still pinch myself! 

How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish? 

That really depends on the story itself and if the universe lines up just the right way. I wrote Angel Star in eight months and Lemniscate in five. If I take into consideration the other novels I’ve written (yes, my awesomely wonderful agent has those on submission) then I’d say my average is about five months.

How do you come up with themes for your stories?

Would it sound alright if I admit to my very warped imagination?

Do you have a schedule of when you write?

Absolutely! With two children in school I use those hours of alone time to the fullest advantage! Rarely will I write at night or on weekends. Family time is precious to me.

How are you able to balance other aspects of your life with your writing?

Like I said, I treat my job as an author as just that – a job. I basically write from 9 to 3 daily. More if I’m on deadline.

What elements do you think make a great story line? 

Strong believable characters, wicked plot twists and world building. And who doesn’t love a swoon-worthy love interest?

What was the hardest thing about writing a book?

Worrying about what others will think of it. Will it sell? Will the reviews be good? So many what if’s  . . . The first book an author writes is always the easiest, you write it for yourself and don’t have those pesky black clouds hovering over your head.

How many books have you written so far? Do you have a favorite? 

I’m on my 7th! Angel Star and Lemniscate will soon be joined by a companion/prequel. I hope to announce news on that soon! I have two on submission, and am currently writing two more simultaneously. My favorite is on that is on submission as we speak – it’s a historical mystery.

Do you have a favorite character?

Ooohh … Hadrian!

Where do you write? 

At my dining room table on my laptop. Glamorous, isn’t it?

When deciding on how to publish, what directed you to the route you took?

I suppose I’m a traditional sort of girl, so I really didn’t want to self publish. Let me tell you, it’s hard. It takes a lot of patience and a thick skin. I wasn’t able to sign with an agent my first time around, but finding a home for my book was very important to me. I garnered interest from some larger houses, but not enough to get my foot in the door. My break came along in the form of a smaller traditional house – Lands Atlantic. I loved the fact that they were starting out fresh, just like me. We were a good fit, still are:)

Have you gotten feedback from family about your book(s)? What do they think?

Oh my family is just wonderful! I’m so lucky to have an amazing support system.

What kinds of things do you like to do outside of writing?

Reading, of course, and I love to indulge in watching horror films! I’m also a volu

nteer at my local library where I help with book groups, organize the annual Giving Tree, and I’m also the coordinator and co-founder of YAFEST.

What kinds of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing?

Do. Not. Give. Up. Authors are passionate and will always churn out incredible stories. It’s what we choose to do with those stories that makes the difference. Be strong and keep pushing. It takes just one editor to fall in love with your manuscript and champion it all the way to publication!

What is your favorite book? favorite author? Do you have an author that inspired/inspires you to write? 

Really? I have to narrow it down? Ugh. Let me give you two – A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray, and The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfeld. Both Gothic and mysterious and magical.

Do you have any go to people when writing a book that help you with your story lines as well as editing, beta reading and such?

My fabulous agent Amanda Luedeke is always there for me. She’s great to bounce ideas off of. My very good friend Cyn Balog and I have been beta reading for each other for a while now. She brings me up when I’m down. 

Are you working on anything now?

I am actually working on two different manuscripts. Both are dark and a bit sinister, and one happens to be a co-authored book. Can’t spill any more than that! Top secret!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, Jennifer. It's been so great having you hear! I love reading all about you and your writing. Keep on doing what you are doing and making your readers oh so happy!