YALLFest Author Interview: Jocelyn Davies

It's about that time of year when fans start gearing up for one of the biggest book festivals in the nation, and the biggest in the south, YALL FEST (follow them on Twitter)! This year over 40 YA authors will  be there including Veronica Roth!

To prepare fans for the big event, we're among a group of bloggers who will be featuring authors and sharing author interviews. You can see some of the ones we've already posted here. Today we're featuring Jocelyn Davies!

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

COFFEE! And a cocoon of silence.

Describe your book in 5 words

Girl has angel blood, torn.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

It differs from book to book--really, it's anyone's guess! Sometimes, the first line is hardest, because I'm just getting started and I'm not warmed up yet, and by the time I get to the end, I've got the momentum of an entire book to propel me into that last line. Then again, sometimes a first line just pops into my head, and the whole idea unfolds from there. Theres usually no way to know what is going to happen until it's happening, which is often the approach I take to writing.

Best writing tip you ever received?

“Create interesting characters, give them an excuse to meet, and the story will write itself.”

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

I'm a dog person--cats kind of freak me out.

I was a theater kid in high school. I used to dream of being an Oscar-winning actress.

I love everything about autumn.

I live a few blocks away from my best friend from high school.

In my day job, I'm also a children's book editor.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?

I love magical realism—a novel that's set in the real world, but ever-so-slightly different.

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?

I usually have a pretty strong sense right from the moment the idea comes to me. I start writing knowing I’m embarking on a novel.

Find out more about Jocelyn and her books here.
Check out Jocelyn's A Beautiful Dark series