USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer Armentrout lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. She spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russel, Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.
Tell us five random facts about yourself.
I’ve never tried apple pie or raspberries.
I don’t like anything on my hotdogs—no ketchup, mustard, relish, whatever.
I have a fear of bridges over water.
Sometimes I listen to music and flail around my house.
I once saved a person from drowning.
Tell us about your journey to becoming a writer.
My journey was a little different. I actually started off with a publishing contract first and then the agent about a year later, after I wrote Obsidian. So both Half-Blood and Obsidian (the first books in both my series) were published in a way that wouldn’t be considered traditional—agent then publisher route. Once I was signed with my agent, we sold my YA thriller to Disney/Hyperion and several more projects. Currently all my titles are placed with publishers.
In the Lux Series what was your favorite chapter/scene to write and why?
Hmm, that would have to be a certain chapter in Opal—chapter 33.
The Lux Series focuses on Daemon and Kat. One is an alien and the other is a human who becomes marked by him. How did you come up with the idea for this story? Why do you feel you had to tell this story?
When I first started writing Obsidian, I came up with the characters first and then the background of the Luxen (the aliens). Since the Luxens, in their natural form, are made of light, I had this idea that their presence would leave behind traces or like residual energy when they’re in their true form—almost like ectoplasm with a ghost but not as gross. So that rolled into Daemon accidentally marking Kat, which exposes her to others of his kind and an enemy alien race. I write without plotting much out so the story comes a long as I write it once I have the basics. I’m not sure if I ‘felt’ I had to tell the story. I just enjoy writing whatever I’m writing at that moment and I hope I get to share that with people.
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
I think the toughest criticism is show vs. tell aspect of writing. It’s such an important factor of story telling and sometimes you don’t realize when you’re telling and you can’t always “show” everything. The best compliment is when people say a book of mine has got them to enjoy reading again or when the book has helped them through a rough part in their life.
Where’s your favorite place to write?
Wherever people aren’t trying to talk to me while I write.
What character do you relate most to?
I guess Katy, because of her love of books.
What is easier to write: the first line or the last line?
They are equally hard and so very important to nail down.
What one YA novel do you wish you had when you were a teen?
Probably Twilight or Harry Potter, because those books would’ve been awesome to read as a teen.
Do you have things you need in order to write ie. coffee, cupcakes, music?
Besides 5-Hour Energy drinks? People not trying to talk to me while I’m writing.
What are you working on now?
I just finished up a New Adult project for my agent and I’m about to start writing the final book in the Covenant Series. Eep!
About the Lux Series
Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
And then he opened his mouth.
Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.
The hot alien living next door marks me.
You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.
If I don’t kill him first, that is.
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