Meet YA Debut Author: Jennifer L Armentrout

YA Debut Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Author of: Half-Blood
Releasing: September 15, 2011
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I would like to introduce you to 2011 YA Debut Author, Jennifer L Armentrout.  I actually *met* Jennifer through The Book Blogger Chat and totally squealed when she said she'd do an interview with me, even when I said I'd like to do another one later in the year closer to her book release.  

Thank You Jennifer for stopping by!  Make sure to keep reading for my interview with Jennifer.

Every Author has a story.  What is yours?

I wanted to write since I was wee little, because I fell in love with books. I started off writing short stories that totally didn't make a lick of sense and in my high school geometry class, I spent the entire year writing my first novel by hand. That's why I SUCK at math. But it wasn't till 2007 that I really started writing seriously. Half-Blood is actually my third 'real' novel I wrote, but first to be published.

I looked up Hematoi in google and all I came up with was your book synopsis and the search engine including search results for Hematoma.  So I have to know, where did you come up with this world of yours in Half-Blood?  Where did the inspiration come from for your debut young adult novel?

I am fascinated with Greek mythology, ancient Greece, and demigods. But I wanted something different than what was out there. So I got to thinking. If demigods were real back in the day, they would have hooked up with one another and mortals (Because we all know how the gods and goddess did). and their offspring would have to be different from the original demigod. That is when I came up with pure-bloods and half-bloods. Pure-Bloods (Hematoi) are the children of two demigods and half-bloods are the children of a pure-blood (Hematoi) and a mortal. The world is a very strict, caste like system which was inspired by ancient Greek. I'd love to take credit for coming up with Hematoi, but I can't. My awesomely awesome editor did. I can't even pronounce it to be honest. I call it Hema-whatever when I have to say it. Eloquent, right? 

How has your publishing journey gone so far?  Is it everything you expected or is it more? 

Ups and downs. But that's the name of the game. It had been great! Release date is still so far out there, so I am such a newbie. I have no idea what to expect, but I am super excited!

Do you have any writing quirks?  Note pad in the back pocket? Markers in weird places?

I have to write alone. I don't like people to be around me when I'm writing. I'm easily distracted (Hello Twitter) so I have to isolate myself. Which usually doesn't work, because I still find ways to distract myself. I'm also a fast, fast writer so once I get started, I don't like to stop. I also don't outline. 

May be a weird question.... If you had to choose a shape, a color, and a season to describe you what would those three things be? 

Shape? A squiggly line. 
Color? Red
Season? Fall

Any Guilty pleasures?  Dead potatoes? Extreme amounts of chocolate?

Dead potatoes? Ha. Guilty pleasures? Hmm, Five Hour Energy drinks, the boys from Supernatural, reading and reading, Jace Wayland, cheesy movies on the Syfy network, and Damon Salvatore. I love me some chocolate.

Do you have a theme song?  Something that you will grab you hair brush to and dance around when no one else is home?

Can I have only one? I like to think about the episode of Family Guy, when Peter got a "Entrance song" every time he went somewhere. I want that! I have a lot of theme songs in my head, depending on my mood. Korn ranks up there pretty high. The song that I sing and flail around to is Cosmic Love by Florence and The Machines. I HAVE to sing along to that.

Anything you'd like to share with us?

I have a dog name Loki, who has to sit on me all the time. Like right now.  As a kid, the movie Tremors scared me. Embarrassing, I know. I love and rather obsessed with zombies, and I know that if there ever is a zombie apocalypse, to go to the nearest Cosco to ensure survival.  

Let's play a little game...

I Say:  Half  You Say: Blood   Yeah, Yeah, that was a bloody giveaway :-) Ha, no pun intended.
I Say:  Red  You Say:  Yes!!   Not sure I understand this one?  Unless we are still talking about blood?
I Say: Pink Nailpolish You Say: I really need to paint my nails. Gah.
I say: Kick  You Say: Arse?  I really LOL'd when I read this one.  
I Say: Potato  You Say: What is your fascination with potatoes?  We sorted this out, correct?  

Come on my fab readers, how much cooler does one get?  Loves Zombies and knows to go to Costco. I totally almost got her to admit she does grab her hairbrush and sings around her house.  Score one for me!  This 2011 Young Adult Debut Author also swoons over Damon Salvatore, that is how you know she has it going on.Don't fret, Jennifer will be back later on this year!  I just really wanted you to meet the face behind this fabulous cover we keep seeing pop up everywhere.