Author Interview with Reena Jacobs of I Loved You First

Hi Reena, thank you so much for joining me today. Before we start I just want to say that I Loved You First was an awesome read! I also loved what you wrote in the Afterwards, wonderfully put.

Thank you. The afterwards was something I debated adding, but eventually thought it was something which needed to be addressed.

1. In 3 words describe Reena Jacobs.

Volatile, Assertive, Empathetic

2. In 3 words tell us about I Loved You First.

Hopeful love story

3. What would the theme song of your life be?

It used to be Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper. These days? Yesterday by the Beatles.

4. How long did it take you to write I Loved You First?

I chipped away at I Loved You First for a little less than a year. I keep track of my daily word count and was quite surprised to see I put the first words down June 2010. Boy did the time fly.

5. What was the most difficult part of writing I Loved You First?

I Loved You First was actually one of the easiest pieces I’ve tackled. During the last four months, I concentrated on adding 100 words a day to the story. Often I wrote more, but the goal was so small it took the stress of completing I Loved You First out of the picture. By the time I sat to write, my ideas had already formulated in my head. 5-15 minutes of production a night.

Beyond writing, I’d say the editing and polishing was the most difficult. I hate checking my work. :)

6. Do you prefer early morning or late night?

Late night, all the way. I think I went to bed around 2-3 am this morning, which is typical. I generally don’t get up until 10 am – noon.

7. What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Oh my gosh. I’m so mundane. I guess my penchant for showers. One time after receiving feedback which basically said, no way is this going to work, I found myself stuck. How could I salvage what I had? “I need a shower,” I told my husband then returned 30 minutes later with brilliance begging to be written. Without fail, a shower spurs my muse into action.

8. What drew you to write Young Adult fiction?

To tell you the truth, it didn’t occur to me I Loved You First would fit into the YA category until after I finished writing it. I’m not exactly a spring chicken and lacked the confidence to really connect with high schoolers. I didn’t want to write a YA work and have young people roll their eyes, thinking “another old fart trying to play young.” So I stepped it up a little. College – an environment familiar to me. It’s pretty cool to think I can present a work which might appeal to the young and not so young. :)

9. Do you have a favorite place to read and write?

Reading? I love curling up in bed. Writing? Any place I can find the time.

10. Can you tell us a fun fact about you that may not be very well known, give me the scoop?

I turn into an absolute klutz when I’m nervous. When my husband and I were dating, I was a tender bruise. My gosh, I’m surprised he married me. I was a walking disaster.

11. If you were stranded on an island what would you rather have?
Chocolate or Vanilla

Chocolate

T.V. or Radio

Radio (hope there’s electricity)

Steak or Potato

Steak

Books or Movies (name your top 3 of your pick)

The Joy Luck Club (book or movie, they both were great)
Kresley Cole’s upcoming release – gosh I hope it’s good!
Lost (definitely worth another viewing)

Thanks again for hanging out with us today Reena.

The pleasure’s all mine. Thanks for having me. I’ll be checking in throughout the tour to continue the interview with your readers.

My best friend was more than just a best friend to me. Three words summed it up: I heart him. I'd never tell him though. I wasn't stupid. Besides, what he'd told no one, but me, was a little something I wished I could forget...or ignore. He was gay. I guess gay wouldn't be bad if I wasn't so in love with him. Now it
was just cruel.

 

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You can find Reena at the following:

 

www.reenajacobs.com

www.reenajacobs.com/blog

http://twitter.com/ReenaJacobs 

 

You can find my review here