Q&A with J. R. Wagner discussion

Go ahead...ask away!

What has been the most memorable or momentous of experiences so far in your Exiled journey?

How long have you been writing books?

@ Becky: I'd have to say speaking to a group of troubled teens about writing. It changed my perspective on life while showing me how valuable a tool writing can be for young people looking for an outlet. Since that first time I've spoken to a handful of similar groups an am working on developing a writing program for troubled teens -so exciting!

@Christine: Exiled is my first published work -I began in 2009. My first novel probably came ten years earlier. Before that I mostly wrote screenplays and short stories.

how did you come up with the plot about exiled and when writing it how do you keep the readers attention so well?

I would like to read your book J.R.

When I started writing exiled it was just one scene. (chapter one actually) I enjoyed the story so much I just kept going. The plot was not premeditated. It fell into place as the story progressed. As for keeping the readers attention ( thanks for the compliment first of all) I suppose I can attribute that to a rigorous editing process coupled with an innate ability to become bored easily so I made myself one of my own 'ghost readers' that I write for.
Thanks for the great questions!
JRW

@christine, I am giving away a copy right here on Goodreads. Make sure you sign up! My website also links to places you can get the book - hard copy or eBook.

1. How did you come up with some of the names you used? Like Akil, Luno, Abigail Ammoncourt, etc. Did you have inspiration, a funny trick, pull out of a hat?

2. The vocabulary that I sometimes found was advanced -- did you ever have to look words up?

3. When writing/publishing, was there ever a point in which you doubted this task would ever become complete? If so, what motivated you to keep going?

4. When it comes to writing, how important do you feel the writing process is (planning, editing, revising)?

That's it for now! :)

Oh alright and i will sign up

Nah it's ok

Tara,

many of the names have special meanings -for example, Akil means 'wise' in Arabic.

Sometimes I didn't like how a word sounded in a sentence so I'd hit the thesaurus to find something that gave it the right rhythm or feel. Other times it was just something I'd heard previously. I'm a word-a-holic.

Once I began writing, I never doubted it would be completed..I'm neurotic like that.

I'm not a planner so I can't attest to its importance however I'm a neurotic (notice a trend here) editor and reviser. It isn't easy to stop myself from going back for one more look over before I share something I've written.

Thanks for the great questions!
JRW