Ask the Author: J.S. Frankel
Answered Questions (15)
J.S. Frankel
There is no pizza. Send some soon!
J.S. Frankel
Hi, Miranda! Sorry to get back to you so late. Of all the books I've written, I have to say it's a tossup between Star Maps, The Titans of Ardana, and the Catnip series of five novels. Star Maps features a sweet love story and upends the whole idea of Area 51. The Titans of Ardana mixes comedy with drama, features a lot of action, and has a LOT of chocolate.
As for the Catnip series, it was the first time I'd ever done a series, so it was challenging and fun to spread out the relationship between Harry and Anastasia over five books. It was great to see them grow with each other and face new challenges every time around.
I hope this answers your question, and thank you for asking me!
As for the Catnip series, it was the first time I'd ever done a series, so it was challenging and fun to spread out the relationship between Harry and Anastasia over five books. It was great to see them grow with each other and face new challenges every time around.
I hope this answers your question, and thank you for asking me!
J.S. Frankel
That's a great question. My only 'mystery' is how I managed to come up with plots for my stories. That is, you'd have the backstory of HOW I got the idea for my novels. Sounds weird, but follow me on this.
Most writers struggle over coming up with an idea. Me, never--at least, not yet. I get my inspiration from songs I listen to, pictures I see, throwaway comments made by others on this forum or on facebook, and then my imagination takes over.
However, once I got stuck. I had a basic idea of what I wanted to do with something I had in mind, but couldn't figure out which direction to go in. I had three ways to work it, and NONE of them seemed plausible or even possible.
I hated it. Hated not being in control, hated the idea of giving up. Then I took a break and went to YouTube to listen to some music. A song came on, Starlight, by ELO, and from there...came Star Maps. It will be re-released on in late April to early May. (Here's the link for information's sake. http://www.extasybooks.com/star-maps/... )
Most writers struggle over coming up with an idea. Me, never--at least, not yet. I get my inspiration from songs I listen to, pictures I see, throwaway comments made by others on this forum or on facebook, and then my imagination takes over.
However, once I got stuck. I had a basic idea of what I wanted to do with something I had in mind, but couldn't figure out which direction to go in. I had three ways to work it, and NONE of them seemed plausible or even possible.
I hated it. Hated not being in control, hated the idea of giving up. Then I took a break and went to YouTube to listen to some music. A song came on, Starlight, by ELO, and from there...came Star Maps. It will be re-released on in late April to early May. (Here's the link for information's sake. http://www.extasybooks.com/star-maps/... )
J.S. Frankel
Howdy. I write primarily YA Fantasy, usually with a touch of romance, but almost always with a LOT of action. That's what I really do best, my action scenes and I like to keep the pace as fast as possible.
Currently, I'm working on revising a novel that's been accepted for publication. Entitled The Titans of Ardana, it follows the adventures of a cable-TV show obsessed fan who meets the female star of his dreams....and finds out she's not exactly from around here. The novel features comedy, drama, mucho action, and a lot of sugar. The sequel--Battlefield: The Titans of Ardana 2--is also completed.
Oh, and I have just finished the rough work for a third novel called Reunion, about a group of reluctant wannabe superheroes teaming up again. It's more of a character study than anything else, but it does feature a lot of action. That's all I can say for now as it's very rough. I'll try to edit it the best I can in the following weeks.
Thank you for the question!
Currently, I'm working on revising a novel that's been accepted for publication. Entitled The Titans of Ardana, it follows the adventures of a cable-TV show obsessed fan who meets the female star of his dreams....and finds out she's not exactly from around here. The novel features comedy, drama, mucho action, and a lot of sugar. The sequel--Battlefield: The Titans of Ardana 2--is also completed.
Oh, and I have just finished the rough work for a third novel called Reunion, about a group of reluctant wannabe superheroes teaming up again. It's more of a character study than anything else, but it does feature a lot of action. That's all I can say for now as it's very rough. I'll try to edit it the best I can in the following weeks.
Thank you for the question!
J.S. Frankel
Thanks for the question! To be honest, I don't have any special writing routine or warmup method. I don't know about other writers, but for me, inspiration comes in bursts. I get an idea--yes, it literally pops into my head--and then I see where it takes me.
For me, it's just a matter of getting that idea and then parking my rear end in a chair long enough to write down my thoughts.
For me, it's just a matter of getting that idea and then parking my rear end in a chair long enough to write down my thoughts.
J.S. Frankel
Good question. It's not getting published. That's a thrill in and of itself. It's the feedback I've gotten. When readers tell me "I really enjoyed your novels" or even if they offer a solid critique, it gives me sense of accomplishment--and it also keeps me grounded, as I know there's always room for me to improve.
Thank you for this question!
Thank you for this question!
J.S. Frankel
Oh wow, they are all so good... :)
If you're not into series, then okay. I do recommend Star Maps. It's a standalone project, has a cute romance between the main character and a girl not from this part of the galaxy, is situated in Rachel, Nevada--and I had to do a LOT of research for this novel--and combines action with good dialogue, a solid narrative, and some romance, but nothing graphic. It is for YA readers, after all, although older adults could read and enjoy it.
It also tackles the problem of xenophobia, something that's been running rampant in a number of countries and which, unfortunately, has never gone away and probably never will. Star Maps remains, to me, a really fine one-shot deal.
If you're not into series, then okay. I do recommend Star Maps. It's a standalone project, has a cute romance between the main character and a girl not from this part of the galaxy, is situated in Rachel, Nevada--and I had to do a LOT of research for this novel--and combines action with good dialogue, a solid narrative, and some romance, but nothing graphic. It is for YA readers, after all, although older adults could read and enjoy it.
It also tackles the problem of xenophobia, something that's been running rampant in a number of countries and which, unfortunately, has never gone away and probably never will. Star Maps remains, to me, a really fine one-shot deal.
J.S. Frankel
First off, thanks for liking my work. I truly appreciate it.
As for my review, I do try and get through every book I choose to look over. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I do get through, even if the book isn't that great. I can only hope other readers will do the same for me.
My biggest problem with DOAT was not only the language--and I swear, too, but this was mind-numbing--but also the relatability to the characters. Agreed, perhaps I should have read at least halfway before rendering a verdict, but my thinking is if I can't find anything to grab onto during the first fifty pages--plot, characters, dialogue--then I figure it isn't worth it.
I will, however, consider rereading it in the future if I have time. I appreciate you writing to me on this matter.
--J.S. Frankel
As for my review, I do try and get through every book I choose to look over. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I do get through, even if the book isn't that great. I can only hope other readers will do the same for me.
My biggest problem with DOAT was not only the language--and I swear, too, but this was mind-numbing--but also the relatability to the characters. Agreed, perhaps I should have read at least halfway before rendering a verdict, but my thinking is if I can't find anything to grab onto during the first fifty pages--plot, characters, dialogue--then I figure it isn't worth it.
I will, however, consider rereading it in the future if I have time. I appreciate you writing to me on this matter.
--J.S. Frankel
J.S. Frankel
For now, just Facebook, Twitter, and I'm listing my novels here. Facebook and twitter seem to be the best bets. I wish I had money for a professional advertising service, but alas, I do not.
J.S. Frankel
Unfortunately, the company folded and they took it out of print. I wasn't very happy about that happening, but those things do happen...
J.S. Frankel
I always ask myself "What if?" or "What happens next?" I realize there should be a deeper answer out there and maybe in another universe or dimension there is, but for me, it comes down to following a screenplay I've developed in my own mind. What would my characters do?
There are times, though, when I just can't get it going. Rare, but it happens, and when it does, I leave my manuscript alone for a couple of days (at most) and then begin again with a fresh outlook.
There are times, though, when I just can't get it going. Rare, but it happens, and when it does, I leave my manuscript alone for a couple of days (at most) and then begin again with a fresh outlook.
J.S. Frankel
Currently editing The Titans of Ardana, a YA Fantasy about a young teen in love with the nation's hottest television show...and it's star. When he finally meets her and her twin brother, his expectations are about to be dashed.
Meeting Dana is also about to change his life--forever. The Titans of Ardana, a YA novel with sugar on top...a lot of sugar...
Also waiting for the edits on Catnip #4. This should be fun. And, awaiting the release of Beginnings (The Nightmare Crew #1). Get ready for The Nightmare Crew. The war on terror has just begun.
** More updates... have finished Catnip #4 and #5. Beginnings is out... so....finished writing Battlefield: Titans of Ardana 2. More adventures, a little less sugar, more action and a fight against one's own mortality.
Meeting Dana is also about to change his life--forever. The Titans of Ardana, a YA novel with sugar on top...a lot of sugar...
Also waiting for the edits on Catnip #4. This should be fun. And, awaiting the release of Beginnings (The Nightmare Crew #1). Get ready for The Nightmare Crew. The war on terror has just begun.
** More updates... have finished Catnip #4 and #5. Beginnings is out... so....finished writing Battlefield: Titans of Ardana 2. More adventures, a little less sugar, more action and a fight against one's own mortality.
J.S. Frankel
I get to live in my own little created world/universe for a few hours until reality intrudes. Creating is fun! It's not easy, it takes time, but when you're finished and you have a novel you can be proud of, it's an indescribable feeling of accomplishment.
J.S. Frankel
It sounds like old hat, but keep writing. You don't improve by just thinking about your novel. You have to go out and write it, experiment, and write some more. See what works and what doesn't.
Read other novels by established writers as well as the newbies. Note the pace, the tone, the way things are set up, grammar...all of that. See what's lacking in your work. There are writers who are great with dialogue, but lousy with pace. Others are the reverse. Some are really great with action scenes, and some are gifted at writing romantic scenes. See what they do and how they do it...then do it for yourself.
Read other novels by established writers as well as the newbies. Note the pace, the tone, the way things are set up, grammar...all of that. See what's lacking in your work. There are writers who are great with dialogue, but lousy with pace. Others are the reverse. Some are really great with action scenes, and some are gifted at writing romantic scenes. See what they do and how they do it...then do it for yourself.
J.S. Frankel
My most recent YA Fantasy, Just Another Quiet Little Town, was inspired not by Grimm's fairy tales--although it certainly has elements of that--but by my own idea of taking the city slicker out of his element, dropping him into a new element, and then turning the entire situation on its ear.
Transformations are nothing new. It's what you do with them that counts, and deep down we're all human...at least, most of us are. JAQLT explores those depths of humanity and the depths people are willing to sink to.
Transformations are nothing new. It's what you do with them that counts, and deep down we're all human...at least, most of us are. JAQLT explores those depths of humanity and the depths people are willing to sink to.
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