BIO:
Phoenix Element came across in an interesting way. Jennifer would have
the same type of dreams and characters since she was a young girl. One
day she decided to use those characters in a story. Of course with
most characters, they take over the story and lead the writer instead
of the writer telling the characters what to do.
Parts of Phoenix Element started out as a series of short stories
known as The Eternal Nine Key Barriers (E9KB) back in middle school.
This branched off as a role playing story on a message board. Later
on, Phoenix Element started to grow into its own and became what it is
today.
Jennifer is a geek at heart, who enjoys video games, reading, and
Dungeons and Dragons. She works as a cook at a high end casino while
trying to get her writing career off the ground. Jennifer has been
writing off and on since the 5th grade.
AUTHOR Q&A:
- When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
That happened while I was in the fifth grade at Davie Elementary. My teacher told us to write a story (I think it was each week) in our composition books. Once I started to write, I was hooked. I knew it was something that I wanted to do. But back in the early 90’s, I had no idea to get a writing career started, so I kept writing for me throughout middle school. My eighth grade teacher allowed me to write a book series (with a new story each week) for a grade.
I was writing less when I got to high school. I was busy with drama, swim team, a part time job at Burger King, and then the usual high school stuff, I had zero time to write. I didn’t pick up writing again until I was in my early-to-mid-twenties. I was roleplaying on a message board and that kick started the writing juices.
Fast forward to 2010/2011, where I was picked (among others) to watch the final launch of the space shuttle Discovery (STS-133). I was moved by what I experienced there, that it inspired me to pursue publishing my books.
- How long does it take to write your book(s)?
Anywhere from a year to three years. It all depends on how busy I am, and if the characters want to cooperate while I’m writing.
- What is your work schedule like when writing a book?
I try to write when I can but not to force it. I don’t want to make writing a book, seem like work. When that happens, the words flow less and I start to get writer’s block. Normally, I try to write on my days off from my “day job”. That way I won’t feel rush to finish a chapter before leaving for work.
- Where do you get your ideas or information for your book?
Video games, fantasy books, fantasy/sci-fi TV shows and movies, comic books (I read a lot of comics when I was a teenager). And the kicker, from my dreams. A lot of the characters and places that I write about, came from my dreams when I was younger. Nowadays, if I have a problem writing a scene, I try to think about that scene before going to sleep, in hopes that it plays out in my dreams, and fingers crossed, I remember it the next day.
- When did you write your first book?
Officially, I started in 2010. It has been eight years since I started to take my writing seriously.
- What do you do when you’re not writing?
Working, that takes up the main chunk of it. But for fun, I enjoy playing video games, Dungeons & Dragons, and painting.
- What was the most surprising thing you learned in creating your books?
I learned that the characters are the ones in control. While writing, especially while writing Mages of Vane, it felt like I was being pulled along during the story instead of the other way around.
- How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
Since I used to write a lot of short stories when I was younger, it is hard to say. But officially, three published books in the Phoenix Element series, and one book of poems that I had written as a teenager.
My favorite used to be Mages of Vane, but now I am leaning more towards Reality Break. The characters really come together in that. However I do love the magical fight scenes from Mages of Vane.
- Any tips/suggestions on getting started?
Write for yourself and make sure to have fun with it. Don’t make writing a chore, but a hobby. A familiar place that you can always go back to.
- As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Of course I wanted to be a writer, and that started when I was in the fifth grade. But that wasn’t all. I had a pen pal from Australia, who wanted to be a marine biologist, which meant I wanted to be one as well. Then there was Nancy Drew, Darkwing Duck, and Sherlock Holmes, which wanted me to be a detective when I got older. Never did I image that I would be a cook. I didn’t like to cook when I was a kid. I was a fast food child. Growing up poor, eating fast food was the cheapest way to go. My first job was working at Burger King. Now I’m a cook at a casino (ten years at this location), where most recently, I make sushi.
LINKS:
Phoenix Element Collection on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1794317406
Author Bio on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Kibble/e/B00BG2PAQU
Twitter: @Next_Jen https://twitter.com/Next_Jen
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenniferKibble/
Facebook Group Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/198951910873769/
PUBLISHED WORKS:
cristinaisabelauthor.com 