Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Meet Nevada MG/YA Author Jacci Turner

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes Nevada MG/YA author Jacci Turner and her debut MG story Bending Willow.

First, a short bit about Jacci:

Jacci lives in Reno, Nevada with her husband David and their dog Rocky.

Why did you pick to write books for MG/YA?


I write both Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction because I enjoy those age groups. The mind is so open and creative at that point, and I love the energy and hope of young ones.

What types of books do you like to read?

I love to read fantasy and historical fiction, but I'll read almost anything!

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

I have a full-time job working with college students, and I love that. I also enjoy any time I can get with my family.

Tell us about Bending Willow and how the story came to be.

Bending Willow, first book of The Finding Home Series, has been a break-out book for me. It was chosen to represent Nevada at the National Book Festival in Washington D.C. This means that librarians liked it which is a good thing! A friend, who had middle grade kids, asked how come someone didn't write books with strong female characters for her girl's ages and that got me thinking. Riley and Mia came to life from that challenge.

Here's a peek at Bending Willow:





When Riley finds her grandmother dead, she knows her world is about to collapse. Determined to find the father she knows only by an address, Riley and Mia take off on a journey with so many twists and turns Riley begins to doubt they'll ever find a real home. She ignores the question that keeps popping into her mind-if they do find her father, will he even want them? Or will he send them away?






Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

My young adult series is called The Birthright Series in which teens use inherent gifts to solve a mystery. I had fun writing it.
  
What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

I'm finishing up The Finding Home Series and writing a new book, unrelated to my previous series. I can't tell you what it is about yet, but it's YA and I'm very excited about it. It will be my first dip into fantasy.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Find a writer's group and a critique group. If they don't have one in your town, join an on-line group. They are so important for feedback and encouragement.

Anything else you want readers to know?

I write about the difficult issues we face today, but I do it from a hopeful perspective. My stories are not dark, or full of language, or sex. They are, like me, full of hope and resiliency. 

Where can readers find you and your books?

Jacci's website

My books are on all on-line outlets: Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, Smashwords etc.


10 comments:

  1. Great to get to know more about Jacci and her books. Your books sounds like a great coming of age story. I am also a huge fan of middle grade mystery, so I will have to check it out. Thanks so much for joining us on the Kid Lit Blog Hop

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  2. Those are great ages to write for--plus, you're making an impression on young minds. Some things that I say and think today come from books I read as a child and teen.

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  3. Visiting from #KidLitBlogHop40. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. What a wonderful book introduction and a lovely interview! Thank you for sharing at the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
    Maria

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  5. Ok, I have to ask ... how do you pronounce "Jacci"? It's making me crazy! lol I love the basic premise of this story - sounds like a great choice for young girls. Thanks for introducing us to yet another wonderful author Cheryl in the Kid Lit Blog Hop

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    1. Hahaha, you can blame that on my mama! It's pronounced Jackie. Short of Jacqueline. Mama made it up.

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