Hey everyone! Happy Independence Day! Are you going to see fireworks today? Have a barbecue? Mmm...I love BBQ parties.
Today we have a special guest.... *trumpet fanfare*
A Walk on Words interviewed Jeff LaFerney, the author of Jumper. You can see my review of Jumper here.
Interview with Jeff:
1. Did you have to do a lot of research on biblical history when
writing Jumper?
A lot could mean a lot of things, Danielle, so I’m not sure. I was
originally researching the Ark of the Covenant when I stumbled upon the Jewish
mythology of the Staff of Moses which I found to be fascinating—and which I
used in my story. The Biblical stories about the staff and the death of Moses
were known to me, so I just double-checked to assure accuracy. The stuff about
the Byzantine Church of Moses was easy to find as soon as I googled Mt. Nebo.
So the answer? Maybe?
2.
How long did it take you to write Jumper?
From the starting point of coming up with my original ideas until
it was published and for sale was a process that took eleven months. The actual
writing of the book was more like four months—four months from September
through December when I was working full-time as a teacher. Revision and
editing took probably another two months before I was satisfied with the
finished product.
3. Where do you like to write?
Danielle, I have the coolest writing room. I converted a bedroom
into my office. It has a nice big window and a vaulted ceiling, so it’s bright
and roomy. I have a huge desk—big enough to spread all sorts of things out on
it. I have a couch and a couple of comfy chairs to relax and think in (okay…to
nap on). It has a closet and two large bookshelves full of books to give me a
proper environment. The walls are decorated like a man-cave with banners and
pennants and McFarland sports figures. And there’s even a basketball hoop on
the wall. I play music, look out my window, and generally love my writing
space.
4. How did you come up with the idea of Teddy the grizzly bear? Now I want a
pet grizzly bear :)
Honestly, this is a much more complicated question than you might
think. One reason was because each time Cole moved Hannah to a different time
period, she had contact with the King of Jordan who seemed to know her. I felt
it would be more realistic and more like she and Cole were being manipulated by
the angels if she ran into something else common each time as well. A second
reason is I thought if Hannah had a pet, she would be more likable, but I
figured her “pet” needed to help her too, and a ferocious grizzly bear had that
potential. A third consideration was I wanted a comedic element to lighten the
tension, and I wanted there to be something that Hannah and Cole had in common.
A bear worked because it was so unusual that he cared about the two heroes—and a
huge, scary pet who loved Hannah so much not only fit my story but my
mountainous settings as well. Finally, the bear was the final motivation, the
final impetus that propelled Hannah to her confrontation with the king. I
wanted a “character” that readers would love and would believe that Hannah
could love in such a short time. My grizzly fit all the
criteria.
5. Are there definite set in stone release dates for sequels?
The book is self-published, so I don’t have a publisher pushing me
for sequels. I’ve managed to produce a book a year for four consecutive years,
and though I’d like to get books published faster than that, having a full-time
job makes it difficult to pull off. I would expect book two in my time-travelers
series to be out in April or May of 2014.
6. As an English teacher, how do you make your class fun and
interesting? My English class this year was not very interesting and was even
sorta...boring. (Shhh don't tell my teacher)
Teaching isn’t what it used
to be for more reasons than I can go into, but I try to keep my kids busy with
a variety of activities each hour. I try to combine writing with our reading
and I try to give the kids regular opportunities to write creatively--often
with music. Being a good teacher has an awful lot more to do with
relationships, with respect given and earned, and with an environment where the
kids feel safe and comfortable, knowing their teacher expects a lot of them but
believes in them and cares about them.
About the Author:
Jeff LaFerney has been a language arts teacher and coach for more than twenty years. He earned his English and teaching degrees from the University of Michigan-Flint and his master's degree in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University. He and his wife, Jennifer, live in Davison, Michigan. Torey and Teryn are their two children. Loving the Rain is his first novel. His second, Skeleton Key, is also available. His third, Bulletproof, was released on April 25th.
Jeff LaFerney has been a language arts teacher and coach for more than twenty years. He earned his English and teaching degrees from the University of Michigan-Flint and his master's degree in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University. He and his wife, Jennifer, live in Davison, Michigan. Torey and Teryn are their two children. Loving the Rain is his first novel. His second, Skeleton Key, is also available. His third, Bulletproof, was released on April 25th.
Find Jeff online:
Thanks Jeff! Have a FANTASTIC Fourth of July everyone!
~Dani & Steph
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