Jacinta Maree Author Interview ~ JeanBookNerd

Book Nerd Interview

Self confessed chocaholic, Jacinta was born and raised in Melbourne Australia with her loving family of five. Even as a child Jacinta had an itch to write. Writing was the one constant hobby she clung to, also trying her hand at piano, flute, tennis, horseback riding and drama.

Jacinta works full time in the family business and spends her afternoons either playing basketball, reading, writing or hanging out with friends. She is always happy to try something new; getting her real estate license, practicing ninjitshu, Zumba and parkour to name a few.

For her future, Jacinta sees herself writing. It is a large part of her identity and something she hopes to continue. Aside from her love of stories she loves Japan and its unique and beautiful culture and history. From their delicious sushi dishes right down to their wooden sandals and kimonos. She is also a huge cat person and loves to snuggle up in front of the fire for a good movie or book. Her favorite genres are paranormal and fantasy but she also loves anything written by thriller writer, Stephen King.

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What was the greatest thing you learned at school?

Not to sound too corny or anything, but the greatest thing I learnt was how to interact with people. Not only with people in my own age group, but both student and teachers and so many different personalities and different cultures. I found it really helped develop a sense of who I am as well as opening up my eyes to the world around me.

Is there such a thing as a formula for storytelling?

Besides the basic Start, Middle and End I find having a climax point very important and to stay clear of clichés. I personally love to run the plot in my head like a giant movie; I get to watch these characters outside of the main story line as if I’m stepping behind the restricted tape. You have to understand their mannerisms and understand their fears and hesitations. Once you understand your characters you can start putting them into different situations and figure out how they would react, and why something would be difficult for one character and not the other. Story telling is creating something believable out of the unbelievable.

What are some of the common challenges that new and experienced authors face and what advice do you have for over-coming them?

Common challenges, I would say is finding an audience. Sometimes you feel like you’re a tiny voice in the middle of a crowded room, trying to yell over the top of the all the noise. You need something special, to stand out so you’re not just a voice anymore. I, personally, try to use art. I’m not much of an artist myself so I commission other artists to breathe life and colour into my characters so they are no longer just words on a screen. They are people with faces, with expressions and depth. Hopefully, with these art works I can catch the attention of a suitable crowd.

In your new book, The Demonic Ghost; can you tell my Book Nerd community a little about the novel?

Gladly, My Demonic Ghost is a story about two young people thrown into a world of demons, spirits and monsters. One, a young girl by the name of Rachael and the other is a 14 year old banished spirit boy who calls himself Lock. Through the book we explore the world through the eyes of a demon spirit as he tries to seek refuge from being trapped in Hell. These are desperate spirits tainted with evil, but as Rachael figures out during their adventure, these bad spirits are not what they appear to be.

Not all demons are bad and not all angels are good. The afterlife is not what Rachael or anyone was expecting it to be. Taking on the notorious Seven Deadly Sins, this book is not for the easily scared as we climb into the lives of the dammed.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating Rachel?

Rachael’s bravery is what surprised me most. She is only 15 years old when Lock takes her soul for himself but even though she is chained to a demon she doesn’t hide under the covers in fear. If anything, she twists the tables on the snarky demon boy so he ends up treating her as an equal and not a battery source. Rachael is inspiring with her ability to see past the surface and understand the spirits and demons that surround her. She starts to love them despite everything that has happened to her, and in return these demons start to love her back.

Do you have a favorite quote that you keep visible in your work environment to help inspire you?

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

If you could introduce Lock to any character from another book, who would it be and why?

Hmm… I think I would like to introduce Lock to Aragorn from Lord of the Rings, mainly because I feel that Aragorn would be able to teach and train Lock to become someone honorable. Plus, Lock would be able to vent out his frustrations out and finally let the resentment he’s been holding onto go. I really believe with the right push, Lock could become a hero.

What are some of your current and future projects that you can share with us?

I am very excited to say my NaNoWriMo focus is on my newest work, a Sci-Fi romance about an alter dimension earth and the effects of pollution. In this alter universe, the human race have advanced in their understanding of science and technology but at the cost of their home planet, making the environment hostile and impossible to survive on. Adapting to their worsening situation, the humans have been exchanging their human organs with mechanical counterparts starting from the age of five. By adult hood they are more machine than organic. Through an unnatural electrical storm a young girl from our planet is transported onto theirs, revealing to the cyborg population that there is hope for a normal life or perhaps a new possible world to claim as their own.

Aside from that, I have also finished the second instalment of My Demonic Ghost- Reapers. I plan on releasing three in total for the series. Each book is different from the first, focusing on different spirits and their different stories. First was the Banished, Second is the Reapers and Third is about the Hunters. With this method I hope to create a 3D understanding of exactly what is going on in the afterlife and how perceptions can be misleading.

Most horrifying dream you have ever had?

Recently, I’ve had a nightmare where I was at my boyfriend’s place preparing for a party. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a masked man standing by the window with a blade against the glass. Even though I couldn’t see his face, I just knew his eyes were on me as he dragged the tip of the knife down the glass.

I panicked and tried to warn everyone but no one would listen. As I bolted outside to get help the masked man stepped up to the walk way and made his way in. It felt like I was running under water. As we passed each other, me sprinting out of the house and the masked man, casually striding in, he turned his head in my direction and watched me go. As I raced across the road to get help from the neighbours all I remember hearing were screams hollowing out from the house. I reached the neighbours place, hammered my fists on the door begging for help. They didn’t believe me either and just continued to watch their t.v sitcom. I felt a chill move on my neck, forcing me to turn around just as the mask man stepped onto the road and made his way up the drive way. Again I panicked and bolted down where he again watched me pass before entering into the neighbour’s house to slaughter them.

I ran and ran but my body was failing me, every step my legs felt like they weighed 100 kilos and my heart was squeezing so hard that I couldn’t take a breath. Before I could catch myself I found myself crumbling to the ground, landing on my hands and knees. There was so much screaming that I couldn’t help but look over my shoulder. He was there again, standing by the curb with his mask tilted down.

My scream hit the top of my throat and froze, my body melted into the road that I couldn’t even scrambler to get out of the way of his blade. His shadow was like a black wave of water, crawling up my ankles and calves until my head was underneath the darkness. He raised his hand behind his shoulder and I just remember closing my eyes and feeling myself jerk upwards out of my dream.

When asked, what’s the one question you always answer with a lie?

How much sweets I’ve had today… I have such a terrified sweet tooth it’s almost saddening. People usually say they have an extra stomach for desserts well I think I have an extra four.

If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise me the most?
Hmm…. I would have to say my stack of self-made comic books. When I was younger, before I wrote any stories I would always draw them out in manga style. If they were any good, I’ll transfer the characters into novel form. I have folders and folders of these books in my closet.

When was the last time you cried?

In all honesty I can’t remember exactly when, but I know I’ll cry if you were to play the Lion King in front of me. Or even hearing the Titanic music seems to be able to wring a few tears free.

when was the last time you told someone you loved them?

I told my boyfriend I loved him this morning when I was leaving the house.

Who was the last person you hugged?

It had to be my boyfriend again; at the same time that I told him that I loved him.

Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?

Yikes, I’ll hate to repeat myself but my boyfriend. But, if he is unable to talk I’ll always tell my mum or my little sister. They can’t escape me; I know where they live lol.

Where can readers stalk you?

Outside my room in the bushes… nah I joke, we don’t have any bushes left. XP

I have a few websites that I visit practically daily; I have a facebook page here. http://www.facebook.com/#!/jacinta.maree.10 or My Demonic Ghost on here: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/MyDemonicGhost

Deviant Art Page. http://jacintamaree.deviantart.com/
Blog Site. http://jacintamareeauthor.blogspot.com.au/
& Good reads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15768490-my-demonic-ghost
or http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448929.Jacinta_Maree

Rachael has traveled to Whitehaven to visit her father, a trek she can not help but dread given his recent descent into madness. Upon her arrival she realizes his deterioration has not only been mental, it’s been physical as well. His death comes as no surprise, but what she discovers soon after, is shocking when his burden becomes hers.

Lock is a banished spirit who must attach himself to a human host in order to hide from those who would drag him back to hell to be destroyed. When he meets Rachael he finds more than a host, he finds an ally.

Together they must defeat each of the seven sins in order to guarantee Lock's safe passage into the Third Realm, a loophole in creation that would allow him to escape hell and have peace at long last. Through their unlikely friendship, other banished spirits flock to them in hopes of a peace they hadn't dreamt possible.

You can purchase The Demonic Ghost at the following Retailer:

And now, The Giveaways.

Thank you Jacinta for making this giveaway possible.