How long have you been writing?
I started writing in 2004. I worked on my first novel for about three years. In 2007, I went to Mount Hermon and had the opportunity to send in my full to two agents. Neither one worked out, but I knew I was getting closer. I wrote a few other books. In 2008, I attended the Oregon Christian Writer’s conference and gave the first chapter of a different story to editor Jeff Gerke. I knew his company wasn’t looking for teen novels, but he had edited my first book and I wanted to get his take. He asked for the full, then wanted to publish it. By Darkness Hid came out in April 2009.
What (or who) helped you decide to be an author?
I had left the fashion industry and was searching for the plan God had for my life. Since I had a pretty interesting childhood/life story, I thought God could use me as a motivational speaker for teens. I discovered that sometimes, people hire speakers based on articles written by the speaker. So I looked into writing articles. I was working on all that when a new Harry Potter book came out, and a new barrage of debates within the church community flared up as to whether the books were safe for Christians to read. The debate inspired me to write a teen novel for Christians. Writing was so much fun I never stopped.
Who inspired you most in your life?
Both my parents inspired me a lot. They are both hard workers and creative. I think I got my creativity and work ethic from them.
Who are/is your favorite author(s)?
I like too many authors to name as favorites. Some of my favorites are: Frank Peretti, Jenny B. Jones, Bill Myers, Ted Dekker, John Grisham, J.K. Rowling, Lowis Lowry, Nicholas Sparks, Cathy Gohlke, Tolkein, Lewis, and Melody Carlson.
What is your favorite genre(s)?
Fantasy.
What are/is your favorite book(s)?
Lord of the Rings, To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice, This Present Darkness, Blink, Harry Potters, William Henry is a Fine Name, A Walk to Remember, Hunger Games.
What are/is your favorite Scripture verse(s)?
John 3:16, Galatians 5: 22-23, 1 Cor. 11:1, Ephesians 2:10, the entire book of James.
Tell us a little about your book Replication: The Jason Experiment.
Replication: The Jason Experiment is about a girl named Abby, who is forced to move to rural Alaska when her father unexpectedly takes a job in a remote laboratory called Jason Farms. Suspicious of her father’s decisions, she investigates and finds more than what she was looking for when a strange boy shows up at her door. Martyr, one of fifty-five identical clones, escaped from the underground lab at the farm with one wish: to see the sky before he fulfills his purpose and “expires” on his eighteenth birthday. Abby tries to help Martyr see that God has a purpose for his life, one that is different from the one the scientists originally planned for him.
Were you trying to get a specific message across in Replication? If so, what?
I want readers to consider that God is real and that he has a purpose for every life on this planet.
Why did you pick Alaska as the main setting?
I chose Alaska as the location for my cloning lab because Alaska is a place where many people move to disappear. And it’s a vast enough state that a cloning lab would be easy to miss. Plus I grew up there, so I thought it would be fun.
What character was easiest for you to write about? Why?
Martyr for sure. He is smart and kind, but totally naïve about the world outside the lab. So he questions things like colors and animals and marriage, but doesn’t hesitate to stand up for what he believes is right. And it was fun to write his loving, selfless character in comparison with Abby’s by the book, it-has-to-be-my-way personality. Martyr sure showed her a thing or two.
What character was hardest for you to write about? Why?
Abby was the most difficult because I wanted people to like her but she was whiny and a know it all. I hope that her journey helped people identify with her in some way.
Are you currently writing another book now? If so, what is it about?
Right now I’m working on the first book in a dystopian trilogy. Book one is called Captives, and it’s the story of three brothers who are taken captive by their enemies and forced to live in a strange land.
Are there any additional thoughts you would like to add?
Come find me online. My website is: http://jillwilliamson.com/
And my Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/jwilliamsonwrites
Jill Williamson has also offered to *giveaway* a copy of her book! Just Follow this blog and comment (with your email address please. If you have already have followed this blog just comment :) below to have a chance to win! (Winner will be notified Saturday 17th. Giveaway ends Friday 16th! If you do not respond within 1 month you will forfeit to the next runner up!)
