Interview with Rebecca H. Jamison and a Giveaway!

Today I am interviewing Rebecca H. Jamison, author of Persuasion: A Latter-Day Tale.

Rebecca, welcome to Hardcover Feedback! Would you tell us a little about yourself?

I think a lot of people are intimidated by me at first because I’m 5’11” and kind of quiet. So I’ve learned to be completely honest about my flaws with people. A lot of people tell me I’m “real.” I’m a stay-at-home mom. I like to run, dance, play piano, make jewelry, and watch funny movies. My favorite TV show is Psych, and I love anything that has to do with Jane Austen.


What or who made the biggest influence on you wanting to become a writer?

During high school, I noticed that I liked to write more than other kids and that teachers read my papers out loud to the class a lot. In my senior year of high school, I took a class in creative writing for fun. When I got to college, I took more creative writing classes for fun. It wasn’t like I ever said, “I’m going to be a writer.” It was more of a hobby.

What was the first book you ever wrote about and was it ever published?

I wrote my first novel for my Master’s Thesis in English. It’s about a poor African woman who immigrates to Portugal and decides to leave her abusive husband. I’ve never published it. I might go back and revise it some day.

Do you have any writing habits that people might find unusual?

I’m not the type of writer to sit down and write for an hour. I have to be doing something else to come up with ideas. I wrote most of Persuasion: A Latter-day Tale while I was doing dishes, driving, or trying to sleep. I have to run to the computer like a potty-training toddler runs to the bathroom.

That’s not to say that I don’t spend hours sitting at the computer. But usually, when I’m sitting there, I’m researching or revising. There’s a lot of research that goes into writing a novel.

I have heard that some authors listen to music while they write. Do you? If so, what do you usually listen to?

I’m ashamed to admit that I listened to a lot of Air Supply while writing Persuasion. “Here I Am” was one song in particular that captured the mood at the beginning of the novel. I also listened to a lot of other sappy love songs I wouldn’t have normally listened to. But I usually don’t listen to music while I’m writing. It’s too distracting.

What is the best gift you have ever received and who gave it to you?

My parents got me a piano. We use it every day.

What is something that you have always wanted to do, but just haven't gotten around to it yet?

I’ve always wanted to learn to play water polo. I love swimming.

What is your all-time favorite book? What is your favorite book you have read this year?

Did I mention that I have trouble making decisions? My favorite books are: Huck Finn, Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Christy by Catherine Marshall, and Harry Potter. This year, my favorite book was The Help.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to watch old movies, the funnier the better.

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

I’m a night owl.

If you were throwing a dinner party and you could invite five people (fictional or real, dead or alive) who would you invite?

I’d love to have Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, but I don’t think they’d get along. So I’d also invite a couple of my favorite peacemakers—Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. For the fifth, I’d invite Paula Deen. I figure Paula could come over ahead of time to make the dinner.

You are given a ticket that will bring you anywhere that you want to go, at anytime in history. Where would you want to go and why?

I’d want to visit Italy during the Renaissance (that’s assuming I’ve already met Jane Austen at a dinner party.)

What are you currently working on?

Right now I’m working on a modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma. 

Where can people connect with you online?

Blog: www.rebeccahjamison.com

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/RebeccaHJamison

Youtube book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKgM9tuCzSo

To buy: http://www.amazon.com/Persuasion-Latter-day-Rebecca-H-Jamison/dp/1599559471/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326255452&sr=8-1

Thank you so much Rebecca for being on Hardcover Feedback!

GIVEAWAY:

To be entered to win an e-copy of  Persuasion: A Latter-Day Tale, follow this blog in at least one way and then fill in all the applicable entries on the Rafflecopter form. There will be ONE winner. This giveaway is OPEN INTERNATIONALLY!

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