Jennifer Banash is the author for this Thursdays Author Tales. Jennifer is the author of The Elite and In Too Deep. Her third novel Simply Irresistible will be released this summer (July 7, 2009)! For more information on JB and her novels visit her website: http://theelitebooks.com/ or her NEW blog: http://jenniferbanash.wordpress.com/
In Too Deep was full of drama! Do you have the series outlined in full, or do you write as you go?
I usually start with an outline and deviate wildly from it as I go. Once I knew that I was going to be exploring the reality TV angle in IN TOO DEEP, I decided that I wanted the plot of the book to resemble a reality TV show as much as possible.
Who is your favorite character to write?
Probably either Sophie or Madison at the end of the day—Mad gets all the best lines, and Sophie always makes me laugh.
Is it harder to write from Drew's perspective, as the only male (currently) in the series?
Sometimes it really is! There will be times where I’ll get stuck on a Drew chapter for days at a time, unable to see how to move forward, or to imagine what a guy would do in a certain romantic situation. That’s usually when I ask my boyfriend for advice!
Simply Irresistible is the next novel, can you tell us a little about it?
Well, now that the girls are starring in their very own reality show, “De-Luxe” (think “The Real Gossip Girls of NYC”), the drama is about to go off the charts! Expect a whole lot more of Jared and Phoebe, and of course, the love triangle between Mad, Drew, and Casey is still in full effect. Unfortunately I can’t tell you more than that—you’ll just have to wait until July!
How many more books do you plan on writing for The Elite Series?
Unless Penguin starts getting flooded with emails from readers begging for more, SI will most likely be it.
Do you working on any other novels that aren't associated with The Elite?
I’m working on a novel that is loosely based on my experience of growing up as a club kid in New York City. At the moment, it’s still untitled.
Who are some of your favorite ya authors?
Megan Kelley Hall, Melissa Walker, Barry Lyga, Alexa Young, Anna Godbersen.
What are some of your hobbies?
Procrastinating, shopping for purses and shoes on Ebay, drinking wine, reading. Basically I’m a hedonist—and proud of it!
What are you currently reading, if anything?
Right now I’m buried in edits for SI, so I’m barely reading anything, but I’m currently teaching Hamlet to my seniors (I teach English at a private school), so if I’m reading anything, it’s Shakespeare!
As an author do you feel that having your book reviews on book blogs, like The Story, has made a difference?
Yes, I do—which is why I thanked bloggers profusely on the acknowledgements page of IN TOO DEEP. I am eternally grateful to Chelsea of The Page Flipper, The Story, Tasha of And Another Book Read, Hope’s Bookshelf, the always fabulous Book Chic, The Compulsive Reader, and Livinia of In Bed With Books for helping to get the word out there. Without your strong support, THE ELITE may have well been lost in the shuffle.
What are your resolutions for the new year?
To write more, and get more sleep! Though so far I am an epic failure at both. Oh, and also to eat less chocolate—last night I consumed the better part of a giant truffle bar and then couldn’t fall asleep until 3 AM! And to buy less shoes! However, since I just bought 4 new pairs over the weekend, all bets are officially off . . .
Don't forget to comment on this post for a extra entry to win a cameo appearance in the next Elite novel! Jennifer was also gracious enough to donate another signed copy! So leave a comment here to be entered in that contest as well! One comment for two contest... I couldn't make it much easier! Deadline for this contest is Jan. 29, 2009!