It’s Friday and I’m going through the first stages of 30 Rock withdrawal, but Community is back so I’m semi-okay. Today I get a chance to interview someone I admire, J. Naomi Ay, the author of the Two Moons of Rehnor series. Since reading Thad’s Mistake, I have become a huge fan and am happy to do whatever I can to spread the word.
1. When did you know you were a writer?
About a week ago. I was having a conversation with a friend about something very heavy-duty emotional going on in my life right now. I remarked that I had to write it all out, put the whole experience on paper and that it was cathartic to do this. My friend replied, "Well of course, you're a writer." That's when it hit that not only am I a writer but others look upon me as one.
2. What inspires you?
My kids. They do the strangest and funniest things which I love to incorporate in my books. My oldest son who is nearly twenty-two is always getting himself into odd situations which work well for science fiction/fantasy with a few minor tweaks. A great deal of "Golden's Quest" is based on his adventures with some stretching and artistic liberty. My daughter made a comment one day about weird people wearing red bow ties and I took that and featured a strange guy wearing a red bow tie in "Metamorphosis." My middle son's experiences as a freshman at the University of Washington and the challenges of Frat life play a part in the new yet unnamed Book 8.
3. What do you do when you’re not writing?
I'm in sales in the Renewable Energy/Recycling sector. When I'm not doing that, I'm walking the dog or doing the laundry or making dinner. If I'm not doing any of these things, I'm probably sleeping.
4. What do you enjoy most about writing?
Things can turn out exactly like I want them to. That doesn't happen in real life you know.
5. And the least?
There really isn't anything I don't like probably because I view it as a hobby not a profession. I write because I want to and it's fun and I love to read what I have written. The day it becomes a job, I'll probably quit.
6. Do you have a process, or do you just sit down and write?
The first 5 books of The Two Moons of Rehnor I just sat down and wrote over a 20 year period. If I saw something or read something that interested me, I put it in the book. I would make someone do this or have that happen to someone. There was no rhyme or reason to any of it other than it tickled me. I figured nobody but me would ever read it anyway. After I published all of those books and realized I could keep going with the series, I tried to sit down, brain storm and take notes. That was essentially a waste of time because other than a few general ideas, I never follow the notes.
7. Tell us about your series The Two Moons of Rehnor.
The entire series follows the life of a man who was created by his grandfathers to be king of the planet Rehnor. He turns out very different than anyone expects as he has strange silver eyes, telekinetic and telepathic abilities and a few other oddities including very ugly toenails. The stories are all told in first person narratives by the very "normal" people who surround him and include a great deal of history and backstories on them as well. I've had a great deal of fun putting these normal folks in normal situations with this very paranormal man.
8. What are you working on now?
I'm working on the as of yet unnamed book 8 in the Two Moons of Rehnor series.
9. Where would you like to be in ten years?
Someplace warm and sunny.
I agree. Thank you, Ms. Ay, for spending time with us today. I just started reading The Boy who Lit up the Sky and, as with Thad's Mistake, I'm hooked.. The link to my review of J. Naomi Ay’s book Thad’s Mistake is listed below. For more information regarding Ms. Ay’s books, visit her Author Page on Amazon.com, or go to:
Thank you for hosting me!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. And thank you for participating. I really appreciate it.
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