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About Jodi Jodi is a YA and Adult author, black belt, and registered nurse. She lives with her husband, three sons and an evolving herd of undisciplined animals in Colorado. She has a well-earned fear of bears, but tolerates the Teddy and Gummy variety. She has been obsessed with books, both reading and writing them, for most of her life and prefers the written word to having actual conversations. The most current projected completion date of her To Be Read book collection is May 17, 2176. Welcome to the Spotlight Lounge! Thanks for coming to chat with us today and let’s start with what your favorite drink would be to have while we chat. A -I have a weakness for a frosty, icy Coke. But I’d also love to sip on a steamy cup of tea. Musers hail from all around the globe – so where do you live and do you draw your inspiration from there? A- I was born in Portland, Oregon, and live in Colorado, but all my inspiration has come from traveling. The Rum Runners series is set in Louisiana and The High Crown Chronicles is the culmination of trips to Ireland, London, and two trips to Scotland. The Elyphesian gods in The High Crown Chronicles were inspired by a long-standing love for Greek mythology and a trip I took to Ephesus in Turkey. The earlier books I read from you were Historical Fiction but today come the highly anticipated release of book 1 in your new YA Fantasy series - The High Crown Chronicles! So how do you decide what you want to write?
History, and especially Royal history can be quite a rabbit hole to dive down. Do you have any favorite books, movies, or TV shows that inspired you?
Do you have a favorite character in the High Chronicles? If so who is it – and are they based on anyone in the real world?
I’m also very fond of Kennard. He’s a great, big grumbly presence who is both terrifying and intriguing. Are you a planner or a pantster? (I read this somewhere and had to steal it! Basically do you plan where your books are heading or do you write and see where the story takes you? I started The High Crown Chronicles as a pantser. I just had a vague idea where this story was going and no idea how we were getting there. The beauty of pantsing is that you get so wrapped up in the novel, that you don’t really realize where you’re heading until you’re there. There were times I gasped as I realized something had just happened that I had no idea was coming (Chapter 29, page 118!). The problem with being a pantser is that it can be chaotic during revisions and it’s hard to keep the timeline straight. I am now a “plantser” (1/2 plotter, ½ pantser). I outline an overview of where my story is going with major plot points, but it isn’t terribly detailed. It’s kind of like if I planned a trip from Colorado to Louisiana and I know I’m stopping in Albuquerque and Dallas, but how I get to each point, what I do along the way, and how long it takes will be decided on the road. What for you is the hardest part of writing a book?
Where do you get your ideas?
If you could give younger you one piece of advice what would it be?
A- I’m dying to catch up on the most recent season of Schitt’s Creek. I finally watched Little Fires Everywhere (LOVE!). I’ve been working and writing a lot though, so I haven’t been able to keep up. I need recommendations! What’s the last movie you watched and how would you rate it? A- The last movie was My Spy on Amazon. It was cute, good for family watching. Nothing too cerebral though. Being a nurse during covid has left me gravitating toward light-hearted entertainment. Jodi, thank you so much for chatting to us today! Before you leave please let the Musers know where they can stalk you! Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/JodiLGallegos Twitter - https://twitter.com/JodiGallegos_ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jodigallegos_/ Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B077WZKF4M Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17175445.Jodi_Gallegos BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jodi-gallegos Let us know what you think of Jodi's answers below and I'm sure she will be happy to jump in and answer any questions you wish I had asked! And Be Sure To Check Out The Release Day Post And Giveaway HERE! |