Wednesdays with….Jane McGarry

 

It’s Wednesday and I’m excited to have author Jane McGarry here for the first time! Jane’s newest release, Not Every Girl, is the perfect read for YA lovers who crave an action packed story of survival. Heroine Olivia Davenport is my kind of girl! I’m saving this story for my weekend reading marathon. Take a look at the incredible cover and read the blurb. Then we’ll get a chance to talk to Jane about writing Not Every Girl. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Olivia Davenport’s plan is destined to fail.

She is going through with it anyway, of course. After all, it is the chance of a lifetime. The unreasonable rules of others should not stand in her way.

In her small kingdom of Stewartsland, Olivia trains with the squires and harbors a secret dream. She longs to become a knight under the command of the Master-of–Arms, who just happens to be her father. He has indulged her passion so far, but they both know a simple fact – girls may not attain knighthood. Dismayed by the constant discouragement of her ambitions, she makes an impetuous decision to disguise herself as a boy in order to sneak on a mission. The consequences are not at all what she anticipated.

When her deception is revealed, she is sent home in disgrace; however, an unexpected turn of events puts her at the center of a dangerous plot against the King. The ensuing adventure finds her grappling with mercenaries and outlaws, yet these pale in comparison to her newly awakened emotions. She finds not only her life at risk, but also her heart, when the aloof Prince Liam begins to affect her in ways she never thought possible. In the end, it is her courage and unique spirit which must guide her through the challenges she encounters both physical and emotional.

 

CL:    Tell us what sparked the idea for your current novel Not Every Girl.

JM:   Stories about knights, castles and adventure were always favorites of mine, so that was the jumping off point. First, I had the idea of this strong female protagonist and what her experience would be in a world full of men. I wanted her to be strong, but have enough self-doubt to resonate with readers as authentic. Of course, both character and plot evolved in different ways as I wrote, and not always in the manner I expected. But, the end result is more or less what I originally imagined.

CL:     Tell us a little bit about your writing process. Do you outline before you begin to write or are you a pantser?

JM:     I make a very loose outline to start. Many times parts of it go out the window in the middle of writing when a new idea strikes me. So maybe I am a little bit of both!

CL:      What was the most difficult part of writing Not Every Girl?

JM:      Honestly, I enjoy writing so much it is hard to classify any part of it as difficult. There are moments when a scene isn’t coming together properly or I can’t seem to find the right words to do the picture in my head justice, but in the end, it is ironing out these issues that make one’s writing stronger. Probably, the most challenging issue was finding the time to actually write and edit. 

CL:       Tell us a little about your journey to becoming a published author.

JM:       I have always loved writing stories for myself, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that I actually gave the idea of publishing a novel any serious consideration. I had worked for 10+ years in the pharmaceutical industry before leaving to be a stay-at-home mom. Writing soon became an escape from the daily grind of child rearing. Then, I had the idea for Not Every Girl and things took off from there.

CL:       What advice would you offer aspiring writers on the writing business?

JM:       Keep in mind that the writing business is just that—a business. Research the industry to learn what will be required of you once you are ready to submit your manuscript. Read. A lot. Especially in your chosen genre so you know what publishers are looking for in a work. Finally, persevere. Never give up on your work. Keep believing in it and you will find others who believe in it as well.

CL:        Any special tips for writers who are juggling writing with raising a family, working a day job or just everyday life in general? 

JM:       I am asked this a lot and my answer is simple—write.  There will never be a perfect time, life will always try to get in the way.  But, if you write something—anything—you can always go back and edit it. You can’t edit a blank page. When I started Not Every Girl I had an infant and a first grader, so I wrote at naptime, in the car at school pick-up, at sports practice, and after bedtime. If I had a free minute, I used it to write. Writing a small bit down every day over time will add up to something substantial sooner than you think.

CL:       What are you working on now?

JM:       Right now I am working on the sequel to Not Every Girl. Now that she has proved herself in battle, Olivia has some new troubles to work through with Liam. It is exciting to be able to continue their story and I look forward to sharing it with everyone.