With me today for an interview is the author of Culture
Shock, Jeanette Pekala. Let’s get to know her….
Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you
want to be?
I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to be. I actually
still work a day job as an admin personnel for a nonprofit in healthcare, but
being artistically inclined is something I always was. I don’t just write
books. I draw, paint, sing, dance, write poetry, write and play music, etc. I’m
crafty.
When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?
I wrote a poem for my husband on his birthday in 2010 and he
said he really liked it, so I started messing around with my unskilled writing
skills. It turns out I have a knack for it.
How long did it take to get your first book published?
One and a half years.
Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us
more about it?
Yes. During the day I work at a nonprofit in the healthcare
industry. I love helping people. I love my job, but I also love my
passion—writing.
What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to
summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?
Culture Shock.
CULTURE SHOCK is a witty tale of mystery and romance with a
large helping of southern hospitality.
Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?
TNT Publishing, LLC
How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the
original idea to finishing writing it?
Every book or writing endeavor is different. Culture Shock
seemed effortless to me. I wrote all 676 pages in 3 months, but I was a
stay-at-home mom then. Now I work essentially 2 jobs as a mom of 2, so it’s
taking a little longer, plus the 2nd book in the series is more complicated, so
it’s taking me longer.
What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a
different genre?
I love all YA urban fantasy and paranormal. Culture Shock is
a series of 3 books. The next installment will be available Fall 2013. I plan
to stick to the YA genre, but I have a more sinister side that is begging to be
released so I’m going to delve into some crazy horror adult short stories. I’m
currently working on one and haven’t finished it yet because Shock Wave (CS #2)
is taking a while.
What genre would you place your books into?
YA Paranormal (but you can consider it YA urban fantasy as
well)
What made you decide to write that genre of book?
Because that’s what I read and enjoy.
Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are
they your favorite?
I love Raleigh McPhee, the town’s drunk sheriff. I modeled
him after my husband and not because my husband is a drunk because he’s not.
Raleigh and my husband have what is called the lack of a brain to mouth filter.
They say whatever comes to mind no matter how crazy it is or who’s around.
How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you
to write?
I’ve been writing since about 2011. I wrote a poem for my
husband on his birthday and he said he liked it a lot. That is was very good.
It gave me the confidence I needed to start writing more.
Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You
listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I usually sit outside with my coffee cup and laptop if the
weather is nice. Yes, music is important to me, but I only listen to music
without lyrics while I write.
Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
Yes.
Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose
the title?
Write the book first.
How do you come up with characters names and place names in
your books?
I create a character profile. A series of questions from a
format I use frequently to create a new character. I usually have a look in
mind immediately. It’s the personality I need to create. The naming that is
more difficult for me. I usually troll baby names online and then do a last
name generator or scroll through my online contacts or yearbooks to choose
names.
Are character names and place names decided after their
creation? Or do you pick a character/place name and then invent them?
Either or. It depends on if I’m undecided on a name. Then I
will usually just use the character, write him in until I settle on a name and
then go back and change my temporary name.
Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy
girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
As I go along.
Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your
books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story
is..")
The moral is to pretty much have confidence in yourself and
to love yourself for who you are. Just be yourself and not what everyone else
wants you to be. Culture Shock is definitely more entertainment than
afterschool special so don’t worry, it won’t be preachy.
Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or
paperback?
I love a beautiful hardcover, but I do love my Kindle. I
hate to admit it but I really, really do.
What is your favorite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
I love, love, love the Vampire Academy Series. I have read
the whole series twice.
Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you
favorite/worst book to movie transfer?
The absolute worst…Gone with the Wind. It was a spectacular
book, but the movie was absolutely HORRIBLE.
Your favorite food is?
Do I have to choose? I love all food. Anything Italian works
for me.
Your favorite singer/group is?
I love newer singers with soul like Adele, Bruno Mars, Amy
Winehouse (RIP).
Your favorite color is?
Purple
Your favorite Author is?
Richelle Mead
More About Culture Shock
Culture Shock
Culture Shock Series Book One
Culture Shock Series Book One
Jeanette Pekala
Genre:
YA Paranormal
ebook:
978-0-9891584-0-4
paperback:
978-0-9891584-1-1
ASIN: B00BVMAF6K
Number
of pages: 676
Word
Count: 135,000
Cover
Artist: Bonnie Alford
Book Description:
CULTURE
SHOCK is a witty tale of mystery and romance with a large helping of southern
hospitality.
Macy
Holmes is a seventeen-year-old socially-isolated introvert since her best
friend's death a year ago. When her family decides to move from Manhattan to
the quaint country town of Bougainvillea, Florida, Macy finds she's in a
completely different world. Macy is no longer the outsider hiding behind
designer clothes when she is sought out by three strange students, one of whom
she is particularly interested in. The more time she spends with Chad the more
things don't add up. When his true identity is finally revealed, Macy is pulled
into a supernatural society with its saturation of inhabitants residing in
Bougainvillea.
You
would think she has enough on her plate, but no, then her dreams become
infiltrated by an external magical force, Macy and her band of supernatural
misfits must find the culprit behind the magic-induced nightmares. They must
dodge zombie assassins, shifty shape-shifters and high school bullies in order
to stop this perpetrator before Macy, her friends or her parents pay the
ultimate price.
Especially
when Macy has the sneaking suspicion that these dreams are reality...
Excerpt
There were two guys and one girl.
The girl had severely long red wavy hair and flawless fair skin. She was
supermodel skinny. Heroin-addict supermodel skinny. Her back was to me so I couldn’t
get a good look at her face.
The first boy was sitting next to
her. His back also to me, but when I first caught them spying, I noticed
something peculiar about this boy. He was wearing a black hoodie, with the
drawstrings tied so tight, the hood was covering nearly his whole face. He had
dark aviator glasses on and gloves. Seriously, it’s like ninety-something
degrees outside. Why on earth would you wear gloves? His skin, what was showing
of it anyways, was even paler than the girl’s.
About the Author:
After finishing her degree in Sociology from the University
of Florida, Jeanette Pekala had no idea what she wanted to do with her life.
While her husband was deployed overseas, she focused on what
she loved to do, write, where she has finally found an outlet for her
overactive imagination.
She lives a not so normal life just a wee bit north of
Bougainvillea where she resides with her husband and two children working on Shock Wave, book 2 in the Culture Shock
Series.
Tour wide give away 10 eBook Copies Culture Shock
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