What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
It has been a literary pilgrimage since I published my first children’s book. I did a lot of research before but now that is out there, I feel like there is still so much to learn. I am continuing to work on my writing skills, my short essay skills and marketing of my book. It is a continuous learning journey.

What is the first book that made you cry?
The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Alborn. Its actually one of my favorite books and I've read it twice.

What is your writing Kryptonite?
I write when I am inspired and if I try to push myself when I am not then I get really frustrated and it wont work. Also, if I am tired or writing for longer than an hour it gets really difficult. Breaks always help with this.

Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
I am trying to build a series with my first book. Each book is going to be a different adventure with the two main characters, and introduce new characters. Also, each one will have a theme of a social issue little ones with Autism face.

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
It really gave me an itch to write more and publish more. I don’t think it really changed my process but it definitely inspire me to write more.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
A cat =) they are my favorite animals and I would say a white Bengal tiger specifically would be my spirit animal.

What did you edit out of your books? (keep it family-friendly, please)
I think the only thing edited out was the name of Harper’s mom. The way it read it just did not work or make sense to have a name for her.

What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
I would give up watching television. If it meant I could focus better and write better then definitely would.

What is your favorite childhood book?
There’s a lot lol. I would say the Eric Carle books are my favorite. I love reading those to clients. I love how simple they are but provide a lesson and their illustrations are different and beautiful. I am building a large collection of all of his books.

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Just being inspired. If I sit down to write but I don’t have inspiration and the start of an idea in my head then forget it the words wont come out.

What is the easiest part of your writing process?
Long as I have the idea in my head writing is very easy and just flows. I tend to black out anything else around me and just write. Then when I come out of that sort of trance I read what I wrote and see how much I wrote.

A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that?
I would not say that authors are socially inept. I would say that inspiration can hit at any time and if there are deadlines then it can be difficult to find that inspiration. It may seem weird to want to go right at a moments notice because that’s when you got the inspiration but that is really how it can be for authors. Then anything not considered ‘normal’ is seen as weird by others not in the writing world.

When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an author?
I have wanted to write a book since I was seven years old. I used to write short stories and it kind of took a back seat because of college. Then seeing the same pattern over and over in my career just pushed me into realizing I need to do something to help change this. It really hit at work I can use my writing as a platform to make a change.

Who are your biggest literary influences?
I would say Neil Gaiman. He has this way with words and taking you into a different world that is just mesmerizing.

What’s your favorite movie which was based on a book?  Why?
The Notebook. It captures you from the minute it starts. The actors just make it seem so real and you can feel the emotion throughout the book and the movie. It really was moving and is something that will always stick with me. Being able to feel like you are there and this is really happening is so rare especially when it is a book adaptation.

How did it feel when your first book got published? How did you celebrate?
It felt amazing!! I felt like I was on cloud 9. =) Celebrating in the traditional sense did not happen because of Covid-19. But I was literally jumping up and down and walked around holding my book, lol. I also called and texted everyone I know and put it all over my social media. Just having everyone’s support meant so much it was an amazing way to celebrate.

What is that one thing you think readers generally don’t know about authors?
How normal we really can be. I follow Dean Koontz on Facebook and when he answers questions it is funny. It is not what you would expect from him and I think that is something people forget. I think people associate authors with their books and characters so much they forget we are actually just people too and can have a life and personality outside of our books.

When it comes to research for your books, are you a hunter or a gatherer? Talk about your research process.
I am a researcher or hunter as you would say. I love to do research and will investigate as much as I can before I write something into my book. For me, research is easy. I use my school search engine, Google Scholar and I have also researched other books. Now I have all this social media I have been researching other authors with books that are similar topics to see what they believe in. I want to be as authentic as possible with my writing. I also use a lot of my experience from my career. I will go through my old notes or Pinterest ideas I have saved and used for work as inspiration too.

Could you be housemates with your characters? Why or why not?
Absolutely!! My one character, Emma, is inspired by a client I had and this was a client I absolutely adored. I think it would be amazing to live with both my clients and see the world through their eyes.

What’s your typical writing routine or schedule?
My writing routine is I turn on the music on my Spotify, typically the Daddy Yankee channel. It is one of my favorite and really helps me focus. I have tried writing without music and get distracted by other noises. For some reason when I put music on the words just flow.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit.  How do you recharge?
Recharging for me would be spending time with my cats or getting a good hard workout in. I always feel energized after I workout and it really helps clear my head.

Do you prefer music or silence when you write?  Do you have a writing playlist?  What’s on it?
Definitely music. My favorite channel to listen to when I am writing is Daddy Yankee. I also have a channel called faves on Spotify. It has all late 90s and early 2000’s music on it that I love. Having either one really helps me focus and for some reason I basically block the music out and go to town writing. Then I'll realize I do not know what song is on and kind of snap out of it. It is always interesting to me when this happens to see how many songs went by and see what and how much I have written. I can honestly write four or five pages of a paper for school or finish one of the next books in the series in an hour with music on.

Which celebrity would you choose to narrate your audiobook?
Someone with an accent! I love a good accent and I think that would be fun for my book. I think anyone would be amazing to narrate it.

What well-known author, living or dead, do you wish could be your mentor? Why?
Neil Gaiman. He is my favorite author of all time; I have read majority of his books twice and honestly, by accident, lol; though I have not minded reading them a second time. He just takes you to such a magical place with his writing, I would love to learn his process and how he does that. I would love to learn how he becomes inspired and thinks of such different ideas for his books.

What is your favorite of the six senses (touch, taste, smell, sound, sight, intuition) to write about, why?
I would say sight. So far in my book one of the main characters cannot talk and really must rely on her sense of sight. If she did not have that it would be difficult for her to communicate the way I wrote it in the book. I think our sight is such an important sense. Even if one other sense is diminished, we can still use our sense of sight to communicate through different things like communication devices.

What is a favorite location you’ve written about?  Have you visited that place?  How did you choose which details to include?
In my second book that will go into publication later this month, I write about the girls going on an adventure to the zoo for the first time. Anyone that knows me knows how much I adore animals and watching all the shows on Animal Planet. There is a change in the way zoos are being portrayed now and it is to take down the bars and make the habitats more natural. I absolutely love this and going to the zoo has always been one of my favorite activities. When I wrote the second book, I would always think of the Bronx Zoo. I have been there, and they have a show about them on Animal Planet that is amazing. I chose what details to put in based on some of my favorite animals and some different zoos I have visited. My illustrations will most likely be a mix of the different zoos I have visited and seen on the shows on the Animal Planet too.  

Travel back in time (without negative effects for you or the timeline) what year do you visit? Why?
Probably 2013 and my last trip to Florida before my grandfather became sick and passed. It was the last time I got to see and spend time with him and it is how I remember him.

What is something about your hero or villain that drove their character, but you didn’t specifically tell your reader?
Something that drives my main character, Harper, is determination. It is something that I hoped readers would be able to see. I really wanted her to be strong and open and determined to face any obstacle. That her strength would be inspiring to other children and families.

Have you ever resuscitated a project you'd shelved? What helped it work better the second time around?
Yes, my second book. I started it and then it sat for some months, maybe three or four. Then when COVID hit, I had the time to really sit down and work on it. To finish writing it and ensure it was exactly how I wanted it to be.

What do the words “literary success” mean to you? How do you picture it?
To me literary success means that my book is not just selling well, but that it is inspiring families. It would mean that families encourage their children to befriend that little one at school that is different, whatever different may look like. I picture it as my book being read in my old elementary school library to a class. I also see that families are buying every book in the series and messaging me for details on the next one to come out.

Can you tell us about your current projects?
My current project is going to be getting my second book in the series into publication. That is my goal for 2021. Besides that, I have the fourth book written, and I want to finish that manuscript as well and move onto beginning to write the fifth book.

Any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors?
I have had people reach out to me for advice. The best advice I give is to do your research. Research the format of a book and research your ideas. The more research and background you have the more real your story line can come off. I would also research other authors who have written similar books. One thing I did that was recommended to me is research books with a similar theme to see where there is a need. That was huge for me so that I did not write something that had been done a ton of times before.

I just had someone reach out to me about what to do now they are writing. The advice I gave them is investigate publications that publish short stories and essays like vocal and medium. I really wish I had known about them when I first started writing. They have really helped me figure out what I want to do with my writing. I had written two other stories, but I was not sure If I wanted them to be books or short stories and having those platforms helped me realize my decision to make them short stories was the right one. I also feel like they are good grounds to test out ideas and see what other people are writing.

Do not ever get discouraged. Writing a book is half the battle. Next is writing a query letter and finding publishers and agents to send your book to. No matter how many rejection letters I get I still send out queries. I love that I am self-published and would recommend it to anyone too that is trying to become a serious author. Just because you received a rejection letter doesn’t mean your book isn’t good, it just means self-publishing may be the better option. Just don’t ever give up, any dream can be achieved.

Please provide links and/or instructions about how readers can purchase signed copies of your books.
Facebook: @booksbylisajacovsky
Twitter: Lisajaybooks
Instagram: booksbylisajacovsky
My website: www.lisajayauthor.com
My email: [email protected]
People can follow my series and journey on any or all my social media. I am very interactive and do sales all the time. I can be sent a DM for a signed and discounted book any time or people can send me a direct email. I love hearing from people and am happy to provide a discount with a signed book for anyone. 

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
Well, I’ve been to a lot of lighthouse and have an idea for a book where the character is a lighthouse keeper, so maybe someday that “research” will pay off.

What is the first book that made you cry?
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Both. Each book (except my series) can stand alone, but there is an underlying theme to them all. They all tend to have “tender-hearts” as the main characters.

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
It gave me motivation to write more.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
A tree

What did you edit out of your books? (keep it family-friendly, please)
I avoided mentioning modern technology (like cell phones) to keep the stories timeless.

What is your favorite childhood book?
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Coming up with the idea.

What is the easiest part of your writing process?
The actual writing, once I am in the flow.

A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that?
I think it depends on the person.

When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an author?
When I was in 4th grade, I won second place in a writing contest. I knew then that that was what I wanted to do with my life.

Who are your biggest literary influences?
Katherine Paterson, L.M. Montgomery, Richard Bach.

What’s your favorite movie which was based on a book?  Why?
The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The visuals are incredible.

How did it feel when your first book got published? How did you celebrate?
Like I’d stepped into a new world.

What is that one thing you think readers generally don’t know about authors?
Writers love (and need) reviews!

When it comes to research for your books, are you a hunter or a gatherer? Talk about your research process.
I guess I am a bit of both. It depends on the situation.

Could you be housemates with your characters? Why or why not?
I think so. They tend to be a lot like me.

What’s your typical writing routine or schedule?
When I am working on a book, I get up at 5 am to write before the rest of the world is awake.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit.  How do you recharge?
Walks in nature.

Do you prefer music or silence when you write?  Do you have a writing playlist?  What’s on it?
Silence, so I can hear my “muse”.

Which celebrity would you choose to narrate your audiobook?
Honestly, I would like to narrate my own audiobooks.

What is your favorite of the six senses (touch, taste, smell, sound, sight, intuition) to write about, why?
Intuition. I like writing about the “something more” of life.

What is a favorite location you’ve written about?  Have you visited that place?  How did you choose which details to include?
The fantasy world of Mystekos. I’m not saying if I’ve been there or not. ;)

Travel back in time (without negative effects for you or the timeline) what year do you visit? Why?
Oh, I’d go all over the place, soaking up ideas for new books!

What is something about your hero or villain that drove their character, but you didn’t specifically tell your reader?
The villain, Beldama, seemed to act out of anger, but beneath that, she was really feel lonely and abandoned.

Have you ever resuscitated a project you'd shelved? What helped it work better the second time around?
Yes, recently I finished a short story that I started in collage. I was able to finally finish it.

Any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors?
Believe in your dream and just keep working at it no matter what.

Please provide links and/or instructions about how readers can purchase signed copies of your books.
www.enchantmentpress.com

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I have specifically gone out of my way to find and visit bookstores and libraries in other towns because I'm drawn to them.

What is the first book that made you cry?
I've read a lot of mysteries and science fiction. Nothing comes to mind, except in my own writing. The end of Lightyears II: Intragalactic Terrorism gets me every time. There are scenes in the book I just finished writing, Feathers of Shardaa, that also are very emotional.

What is your writing Kryptonite?
Responsibilities in life always seem to get in the way of my book stuff. And I complain to my wife about it way too often.

Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
The only connections crossing over to other books would be if they are in the same universe. To date, I have three separate universes in my writing. The Lightyears universe (trilogy), the Treasures From Afar universe (stand-alone), and the Xeno Tryst universe (duology). For now, they are complete, but I would never dismiss the idea of going back and adding supplemental stories to any of those universes. There is always room for more stories.

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
Seeing the effects of publishing a book with global distribution has motivated me to continue. Searching the internet for Troy D. Wymer pulls up tons of my book stuff and that feels powerful.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
A Wolf, of course!

What did you edit out of your books? (keep it family-friendly, please)
In Lightyears, I edited out thoughts of suicide for the main character Roedie Cantin. I also did a major edit with regards to time travel in the same book. I changed the word 'droid to robot in Lightyears as well because LucasFilm has a registered trademark on the word.

What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
My day job. I would love to be a full-time novelist.

What is your favorite childhood book?
The Green Turtle Mystery

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Editing. When I write, I try to be as grammatically accurate as possible and still get the story to flow out smoothly.

What is the easiest part of your writing process?
World building.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Six months.

A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that?
For me, I can do both fairly well. So, I would say it depends on the author. Would that be an introvert with extrovert tendencies?

When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an author?
I was fifteen when I started writing Lightyears. I was influenced by science fiction movies, TV shows, and books, and I wanted to create my own universe.

Who are your biggest literary influences?
Frank Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

What's your favorite movie which was based on a book? Why?
Star Wars, based on Alan Dean Fosters' ghost written book for George Lucas, because it's just awesome.

How did it feel when your first book got published? How did you celebrate?
I was ecstatic, although I tend to be nonchalant about things that most people get very excited about. I celebrate each book release with a book launch party.

What is that one thing you think readers generally don't know about authors?
I don't believe some readers really know how emotionally connected authors can be to their stories.

Can you tell us about your current projects?
I just finished writing book two of the Xeno Tryst Duology. It is called Feathers of Shardaa. I am in the editing phase and it should be available in early 2021. Here is the book overview:
Feathers of Shardaa is the epic conclusion of the Xeno Tryst Duology... A much darker theme, the backstory of the Shardaa Sector is revealed. Sierra Shalinsky is persuaded to advocate for the Humolfans and their repatriation back into galactic society. Through a series of dramatic events, Sierra falls in love.

Are you attending any conventions/festivals where readers can meet you and/or buy your books? Please provide all the "find it" information.
I hope to attend more events in 2021. I am currently scheduled to attend the Tulip City Comic Con on May 2, 2021 with Jean Davis. Here is a link: https://www.facebook.com/tulipcitycomic

Please provide links and/or instructions about how readers can purchase signed copies of your books.
There are a few ways. The best way would be physically at an event. There are currently a couple signed copies at Barnes & Noble - Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids, MI, or I can be contacted via my website contact form for a signed copy request. It would require payment up front, including the shipping cost. Alternatively, I also offer book plates that can be adhered to the half-title page. I can be contacted via my website and then give instructions on how that can be done and where to send a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive a book plate.

Any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors?
If you put an effort into it, you can get published...especially these days. It was not as easy thirty years ago. The one and only thing that motivated me to publish my books was Steve Harvey's Motivational Jump speech. It is so profound, I would like to share it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uPDyzeA1_w

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
We enjoyed a side trip to Mark Twain’s home in Hannibal, Missouri. The museum displayed the little desk used to write his books.  I love Mark Twain’s storytelling. He influenced my writing by adding humor to my stories.

What is the first book that made you cry?
Charlotte’s Web. My 8th-grade teacher read it to our class. Yes, you never get too old to listen to a story. She asked me to finish reading the story because she was so emotional. Somehow, I got through it. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room.

What is your writing Kryptonite?
Netflix
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
My books are stand-alone and in different genres. Deadly Undertaking (paranormal mystery) and Dangerous Sanctuary (romantic suspense) are cozy mysteries. Terror on Sunshine Boulevard could be considered a horror novel because you should not read it before bedtime. My latest release is my memoir, Arranging a Dream: A Memoir. Quite different from writing fiction!

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
I became more serious about my writing. I learned to set a time every day to write. Like keeping a doctor’s appointment. I kept that time block after lunch for working on my writing projects and made no other appointments or plans when possible.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
My red Mustang convertible. My author photo is one of me sitting in my beloved ‘stang—a gift from my husband 25 years ago.

What did you edit out of your books? (keep it family-friendly, please)
I saved deleted lines or paragraphs from my memoir on a separate sheet of paper in case I decided to add them back to the pages. As I look back through those lines and scenes, I think I deleted them because they were useless information having nothing to do with the storyline.

What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
My Kindle. I love it for reading books, using the highlighter to note information or lines I want to refer to later. I really appreciate the dictionary I can use as I am reading a story to click on a word for a definition.

What is your favorite childhood book?
Black Beauty. The plot of my first novel, written in seventh grade, was suspiciously similar to Black Beauty.

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Editing. It is a long process having to go through the story many times. But it can be satisfying because I love slashing those long, awkward sentences out of the manuscript and replacing them with something better. I am thankful for Grammarly and the editor in Word that help writers to catch crazy typos and punctuation.

What is the easiest part of your writing process?
Dreaming up ideas.

A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that?
That is stereotyping a group. We are all individuals and that’s what makes for different points of view in books we offer readers.

When did it dawn on you that you wanted to be an author?
Second grade. I had my mother for a teacher in a split classroom with second and third graders. I usually finished my assignments early so I would get up from my desk and visit with classmates. My mother did not like me doing that because it disrupted her teaching the third graders. So, I started writing stories and sharing them to keep out of trouble. I loved making my friends smile and laugh. I was hooked on storytelling.

Who are your biggest literary influences?
Mark Twain, Janet Evanovich and Jan Karon.

What’s your favorite movie which was based on a book?  Why?
One for the Money is not my favorite movie, but it is a favorite book. I love Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, but the actors chosen did not fit the picture in my mind of the characters in the book. Grandma Mazur was played by Debbie Reynolds whose wardrobe and make-up and stylish hairdo were not in line for the lady in the book.

How did it feel when your first book got published?
Ecstatic!

How did you celebrate?
I didn’t celebrate as at a party, balloons, cake, etc. It was just an ordinary day, except that inside of me, I was dancing.

What is that one thing you think readers generally don’t know about authors? 
Most authors have full-time jobs so they have to fit in their writing projects as they can. If you are Stephen King or Debbie Macomber, writing is your full-time job.

When it comes to research for your books, are you a hunter or a gatherer? Talk about your research process.
I write the story first, then research the topic. For instance, Fremont, Michigan, is the international headquarters of the Gerber Baby Food Company. They had plant tours for many years, but I needed to know when they started and when they stopped, so I did the research much later after writing the paragraph.

Could you be housemates with your characters? Why or why not?
No, not with a murderer!!

What’s your typical writing routine or schedule?
I write every day after lunch for as long as the words flow when I am creating a book, fiction or non-fiction. But I do email and marketing throughout the day between laundry and meals, etc.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit.  How do you recharge?
I watch Netflix!

Do you prefer music or silence when you write? 
Silence.

Which celebrity would you choose to narrate your audiobook?
I would have to have a woman narrator. Diane Sawyer?

What well-known author, living or dead, do you wish could be your mentor?
Mark Twain

Why?
He makes good points about society with a quick wit and catchy language.

What is your favorite of the six senses (touch, taste, smell, sound, sight, intuition) to write about, why?
Sight because I like to paint pictures of a scene so clearly that the reader can see it in her mind.

What is a favorite location you’ve written about?
Small towns.

Have you visited that place? 
Yes, the places I’ve lived.

How did you choose which details to include?
All the quirks that make it a small town like one traffic signal, no street signs.

Travel back in time (without negative effects for you or the timeline) what year do you visit?
The 1850s

Why?
I love the clothes. (But probably not during the summer!)

What is something about your hero or villain that drove their character, but you didn’t specifically tell your reader?  
I can’t recall not telling the reader anything.

Have you ever resuscitated a project you'd shelved?
No. 

What do the words “literary success” mean to you?  
Being a guest on GMA.

How do you picture it?
Me, self-assured wearing a lovely outfit and make-up that shows no wrinkles, just fresh, smooth skin, conversing easily with the hosts as I wow the viewers with my insightful thoughts.

Can you tell us about your current projects?
I am presently on the Arranging a Dream Winter Virtual Book Tour. I love visiting bloggers and talking with readers. I will be planning another face-to-face tour once COVID is gone and we can get together again. Next, I will publish my inspiring non-fiction interactive eBook for middle-grade girls, Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women. I have updated the women’s interviews and added new material.

Any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors?
Sit down and write! Set a time every day to spend an uninterrupted 15 minutes to two hours or more and do it.

Please provide links and/or instructions about how readers can purchase signed copies of your books.
My author website has links to purchase my books. All my books are available at favorite online booksellers. Click http://jqrose.com to go to my site to find both the fiction novels and non-fiction books in print or eBook formats. Thank you.