Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Interview: Denise Jaden


Today I have Denise Jaden here to answer some questions about her debut novel, Losing Faith (out on September 7th, 2010).   

This interview is also a stop in her blog tour, so a comment here will gain you an entry into Denise's drawing for some grand prizes.

Make sure to check out Denise's blog for more info!

Quick! Describe Losing Faith in 7 words or less!
Sisters, loss, mystery, religion, friendship, romance, cult

Nice, you've already got me curious! How about a bit more of description?
Losing Faith is about sixteen year old Brie, the black sheep of her religious family, who loses her sister, Faith, in a tragic fall from a cliff. Through the process of mourning her sister, Brie discovers some of the details about Faith’s death just don’t line up.

What inspired you to write Losing Faith?
I lost a close friend when I was sixteen, and was surprised (and heartbroken) to learn so much more about my friend after she passed. I think this was the seed that started Losing Faith.

What makes your main character, Brie, unique?
She doesn’t recognize so many of her strengths. She’s smart and funny and resourceful, but only in the midst of tragedy does she really start to see any of this.

If you could spend the day as any character in any story, what character and story would you choose?
I’d love to spend the day as Kate Malone from Laurie Halse Anderson’s Catalyst. She’s smart in so many ways I am not, plus she’s organized and uber-clean and also a runner. I’m sure my life would be much better (and more tidy) from spending a day as her!

What are you working on right now?
I’m working on another YA contemporary called Perfect Aim. It’s about a teen archer who shoots way off target when trying to reunite her squabbling family, and instead instigates family war. In the midst of this, she also falls in with the wrong crowd and starts to fall for the wrong guy. I’m still in the early stages of this one, but those are some of the basic themes.

Anything else you'd like to add?
Just that I really hope you enjoy Losing Faith. I know reading is subjective and it won’t be for everyone, but I really hope my writing will find an audience out there that will really enjoy it.


Thanks for stopping by, Denise!

Don't forget to drop by Denise's blog, and remember that Losing Faith comes out on the 7th! :)


Lea

43 comments:

  1. This seems like such a heartbreaking but powerful story--I can't wait to read it.

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  2. Perfect Aim sounds like it is going to be a really great read! I've got Catalyst on my wishlist. Interesting to know who she'd choose to spend a day as. Great interview! :D

    ~Briana

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  3. I agree with you. I think my life would be in a lot better shape if I was super organized...and a runner!

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  4. Excellent interview, Lea...I can't wait for this one! :)

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  5. I can't wait to read this one! That was a great interview, thanks :)

    kaitlynkline[at]gmail[dot]com

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  6. Great interview!I add up to my TBR list already!

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  7. I just got home from a funeral. One of the things that hurts most after a loved one dies, for me, is realizing how much you didn't know, and wishing you could have known them better.
    This looks like a great book :)

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  8. Denise you are awesome! I can't wait to get my hands on your book. Love the powerful words you chose in the first question.

    Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

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  9. Lovely interview. I already pre-ordered my copy! Whoot!

    -lauren

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  10. I've read the book, and it's a great read, with some fantastic characters (Brie, Alis, Tessa) and a great exploration of a girl trying to pull herself together and ask questions when everyone else is falling apart and refusing to look at whatever makes them uncomfortable.

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  11. Great interview. Looking forward to reading it.

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  12. This one's on my wishlist and it sounds like a heartbreaking and touching read. I have a feeling that this one will probably make me cry when I end up reading it.

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  13. I am so excited for this book. It sounds so sad ..hmm..better grab some tissues before reading it :)

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  14. Brie sounds like such beautiful character...I look forward to getting to know her :)

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  15. The book sounds wonderful, Denise. Can't wait.

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  16. How exciting that you are already working on a new YA books. This one sounds like it will be a hit!

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  17. Great interview! I love hearing "the story behind the story"--what inspired the author. Very sad, in this case, but I think it'll make for an intriguing novel!

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  18. My sister and I are really excited for Losing Faith's release (in fact I have to hide my copy when it arrives otherwise she'll spirit it away before I get a chance to touch it!)!

    Perfect Aim sounds fun too--I love archery and really wish more books had it in there (well other than in fantasy novels that is).

    Lexie C.

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  19. Very nice interview ! Everytime I read something about Losing Faith, it makes me want to read it a little bit more! And your new story sounds really cool!

    ~Alison

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  20. The 7 word description has really piqued my interest. Great interview!

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  21. Great interview! I haven't read anything by Denise Jaden, but I'll definitely have to check out Losing Faith.

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  22. Good interview. The book sounds very interesting.

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  23. Interesting interview. Oh, do I know the feeling of what it feels to lose someone you love and care for. At first the pain is the size of the ocean that just threats to spill with every move you make. You feel like a fish in an empty sea, longing to find your way out of but only to realize your way out it's just outside the water and that will just kill you. It's just painful, too much. But with time it heals, but you don't forget because the little aching and memorie is always there.

    I want to read Losing Faith now more than ever, because I think I might relate to it in some ways.

    Thanks for doing the interview. :)

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  24. I love, love, love Denise & can't wait to read Losing Faith! Thanks for the great interview!

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  25. Interesting interview. I read the first couple of chapters and I'm hooked!

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  26. Ooo! Now I'm intrigued about her latest project - sounds fantastic! I also need to read Losing Faith - it certainly sounds amazing!

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  27. Loved this interview. Can't wait to get my hands on this one.

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  28. awesome interview, i loved your questions!

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  29. Thanks so much for all your warm-wishes, everyone! And thank you Lea, for hosting me!!

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  30. Great interview! I'm really excited to read this one. Really interesting answers. Also, it seems a lot of debuts are based on the authors' personal experiences. Which adds to the realism of emotions in these books.

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  31. Cool interview! Those 7 words Denise used to describe LOSING FAITH-- wow! Very excited to read this book!

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  32. I can't wait to read Losing Faith. The synopsis is great, but Denise makes it sound absolutely incredible. I'll be making a trip to the bookstore very soon.

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  33. Awesome interview! I definitely am excited to read this book. It has so many different angles, best I can tell, and I bet it will be great. It's always hard to learn things about someone too, when they aren't even there to reconcile it for you.

    Congrats on the release.

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  34. I like the sound of Brie as the black sheep, and the whole premise of cults has me interested - they can be frightening but psychologically very intriguing!

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  35. Wow! I am impressed! I can't wait to read it. I'm looking forward to Perfect Aim too. Sounds intriguing!

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  36. Great interview. Sounds like a really good story. Im looking forward to reading it. Congrats on the release!!

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  37. I'm dying to read this book! I love the cover, which is important for first impression :)I'm already interested in your next YA book Perfect Aim - description sounds wonderful

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  38. Your new YA Perfect Aim sounds awesome. I'm super excited for it now :)

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  39. This book looks great! Looking forward to reading it.

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  40. Aww man! Now i can't wait to read Losing Faith AND Perfect Aim! I guess I'll just have to patiently wait for both, though Losing Faith is a little easier to get a hold of right now...

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