J.J. Howard is the author of the newly-released young adult novel That Time I Joined The Circus. J.J. is an English teacher, is obsessed with music and pop culture, and not very good at math.
Could you tell us 5 random facts about yourself?
Of course I can! I love lists. Five random facts about me:
1. Like the main character in That Time I Joined The Circus, I make playlists constantly — my best friend and I used to make a new one for every single month, and put them on CDs and trade them. I always make a new mix for every Halloween, Christmas, and summer — and almost every time I take a trip. Deep down, though, I still miss mix tapes. I feel like MP3s are just too easy.
2. I have a terrifyingly bad sense of direction. I have to pay really close attention when I travel by myself (or even just drive to a slightly unfamiliar town by myself). I’ve just gotten used to asking people for directions wherever I go. And making them repeat them very, very slowly.
3. I have watched TV almost every day of my life. I grew up in a house with a television in every room. I can watch my favorite shows over and over. And over.
4. Grammar is something I’m weirdly good at and kind of enjoy teaching. My students generally do not agree with me about the awesomeness of grammar.
5. Gym class is probably my least favorite experience of life. I’m really uncoordinated, for one, and also the PE teachers at my school growing up took the whole thing extremely seriously. There were also polyester uniforms, which were an issue. I have mostly repressed the memories of the school-issued bathing suits that we were required to wear when we had swimming.
Tell us about your journey to becoming a writer.
It was loooonngg! No, seriously, it was pretty long. ;} I remember the moment that I decided to be a writer, and it was in 1997. So that only took fourteen years. I wrote a historical mystery that took me almost four years to write. Then I moved from teaching middle school to high school and started getting really involved at my school — directing plays and musicals, planning prom and homecoming… Going back to grad school a few years ago got me back into writing, and what was first an assignment for my novel class became That Time I Joined The Circus. So there’s a shout-out to my professor in my acknowledgments for sure. Best homework assignment EVER!
What has surprised you about writing and publishing?
The whole process after the writing takes longer than I would have expected. I think I’ve also discovered how incredibly important character development is — it’s not surprising that it’s important: I’ve just decided that it’s probably the single most important element.
Why do you feel drawn to the stories you write?
So far I’ve done mostly contemporary stories, so I’m really trying to tell a story that feels real. Even if someone who’s reading the final product hasn’t been in the specific circumstances that my characters are in, I want it to feel like a legitimate teen experience.
I also like to give my characters things I’ve always wanted. A recent character that I wrote this past year was very good at math, which I always wished for (because I was so incredibly bad at math!) I’ve also written about living in New York City, which I always wanted to do, being able to sing… it’s a way to live out alternate lives.
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
All criticism is tough! As I mentioned before, I feel pretty good about stuff like grammar and syntax — and I’m an English teacher — so when I do make a mistake like that it’s sort of extra-embarrassing ;) But I think it is hard when people do like the characters and then wished something different would have happened to them. Sort of makes you want to write those Choose Your Own Adventure-type books so that every possible eventuality can make it into the book.
What has been the best compliment you’ve received?
Music plays a big role in That Time I Joined The Circus (and everything I’ve written). My whole life I’ve been obsessed with what most of the people I’ve known refer to as my “weird music.” So the fact that people have been connecting to Lexi’s taste in music —or even just to her passion for obscure music — that’s been very cool.
Where’s your favorite place to write?
Theoretically, at a small café in Paris. Realistically, I have a little office in my house with a desk, super comfy chair, and a TV that I have to try very hard not to turn on!
What is one thing you wish you’d known when you sat down to write your novel?
I’m actually glad I got to just write That Time I Joined The Circus…there’s something sort of pure about just writing something and not thinking about all the things I’ve learned about the business part of writing. I’m guessing that all writers try to almost turn that channel in their brains off, to a certain extent, because creating and selling – even though they have to come together at some point — are sometimes unmix-y things.
How do you approach writing villains or antagonists?
I approach it by kind of failing to make them really bad! The sort of jerky ex-boyfriend in my recent work-in-progress turned into a pretty awesome guy by the end of the first draft. I think especially in contemporary stories there’s less of that pure villain character, because everybody’s got their own motivations and issues and once you get to know a person it’s harder to sort of dismiss them as evil.
How do you construct the world and tonal environment of your story?
The world of Circus Europa was the biggest challenge, but in the end I really just viewed it as a group of people who work together. I’ve taught in the same smallish private school for ten years now, and we really are a little bit like a family. That sense of family comes through — I hope! — at the circus.
Which is easier to write: The first line or the last line?
I love first lines… but the beginnings of stories are the hardest to write. You have to hook the reader from the get-go. I think endings are muuuuchhh easier to write!
What is your favorite chapter or scene you’ve written recently?
I wrote an alternate version of the first chapter of That Time I Joined The Circus, and I’m really happy with the way it turned out. It just came to me, very fast—no stress, which is how the best scenes usually happen. I think it really makes Eli’s character motivation a lot clearer right from the start!
Which one YA novel do you wish you had when you were a teen?
I enjoyed the first Twilight book — but my teen self would have adored it.
Do you have things you need in order to write? (i.e. coffee, cupcakes, music?)
I make a playlist for every project — music is a must-have. My Bose headphones are an essential part of the process. Coffee and tea aren’t strictly necessary, but they sure are nice to have!
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a couple of things at the same time… right now I’m taking another pass at this past November’s NaNoWriMo project. It’s very different from the contemporary work I’ve done so far, and it’s really fun to branch out.
Bonus Question! Would you rather be a book, or a computer?
I think a computer has a much better shot at achieving sentience/world domination, so I’ll go with that option!
About ‘That Time I Joined The Circus’:
A music-obsessed, slightly snarky New York City girl, Lexi is on her own. After making a huge mistake—and facing a terrible tragedy— Lexi has no choice but to track down her long absent mother. Rumor has it that Lexi’s mom is somewhere in Florida with a traveling circus.
When Lexi arrives at her new, three-ring reality, her mom isn’t there… but her destiny might be. Surrounded by tigers, elephants, and trapeze artists, Lexi finds some surprising friends and an even more surprising chance at true love. She even lucks into a spot as the circus’s fortune teller, reading tarot cards and making predictions.
But then Lexi’s ex-best friend from home shows up, and suddenly it’s Lexi’s own future that’s thrown into question…
For more about J.J. Howard:
You can connect with J.J. on Facebook and on Twitter as @JJHowardBooks. Learn more and contact J.J. through her website, JJHowardBooks.com, and her blog. That Time I Joined The Circus will hit bookstores on April 1, and will be available for purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers.
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