Please help me welcome today’s guest, Jess Thomas…
Hello Jess, happy to have you today!
Where did you get the title for Memory of Me?
Usually I get the title from the content of the book.
Why did you choose this genre?
I believe love is love, and I get frustrated with people who can’t see that. Many of my friends are gay and I wanted to support them. The character of Trend was fashioned after a dear friend who passed away last year.
Was there anything unusual, any anecdote about this book, the characters, title, process, etc, you’d like to share?
Part of the book I was having trouble with my boyfriend you can tell how close it came to breaking up. The character of Trend was a dear friend who spent nights with me and watched old movies. He’s a lot like the character of Trend right down to the makeup on the eyes.
What is the most difficult thing about writing a book?
That’s easy it’s editing.
What was the most difficult thing about this one in particular?
In one chapter the clan places two objects at the table to remember them by until they get them back. I just lost my mother this year and my father last year it made me cry when I was writing it. I think it hit a little close to home.
Are there any tricks or habits you use when creating a story?
Good question but no, I write in the stream of consciousness. I do usually have a glass of water by my side though.
What book have you read that you wish you would have written?
The Picture of Dorian Gray By Oscar Wilde
Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it and how do you like it?
I was an art teacher for 20 years I got trigeminal neuralgia and had to go on disability because of the pain. I liked it although the stress of the job caused neuralgia to flare up and then I couldn’t talk.
What do you love that most people don’t like and wouldn’t understand why you do?
I like to feed all the little wild animals including possums and skunks. They are cute in their own way.
What do you dislike that most people wouldn’t understand?
I don’t like bell peppers.
What’s the main thing that you could get rid of in your life that would give you more writing time?
I write most of the time.
What is one word you would use to describe yourself? The one word I would use to describe myself is Artsy.What is one word you think others might use to describe you? I’m sorry to say Flaky.
What’s your favorite book of all time and why?
The Three Musketeers. I liked this book because of the adventure and the closeness of the friends.
What do you want readers to come away with after they read Memory of Me?
A range of feeling in emotions from laughing to crying. I want it to feel like life even though it’s words away. I want the reader to really understand the characters and their lives.
What actors would you like in the main roles if your book were made into a movie?
I have a lot of characters in my books, Liam Hemsworth for Finnal, Chase Crawford for Darius and Adam lambert for Trend
Would you rather have a bad review or no review?
That’s a hard one because I worry when I get a bad review that I should have changed something or made it better I guess no review.
If you could change something about one of your books that’s already released, what would it be?
I’m not sure about this question, I really haven’t wanted to change any part of my books.
What genre have you never written that you’d like to write?
Mystery
What is your favorite quote?
“Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.”
– Napoleon Bonaparte
If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have 3 (inanimate) objects, what would they be?
A ham radio, Knife, Sunscreen
What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with?
Lol well that would be Thor.
Your most prized material possession? Why?
My great grandmothers Brooch. Because it’s a little bit of family and times long gone.
Your favorite…
Movie Prince of Persia
Music Pop
Place you’ve visited Europe, Mexico, Canada, most of the United States.
Place you’d like to visit Scotland and Ireland.
TV show from childhood Andy Griffith
TV show from adulthood The Good Doctor
Food Cheese and Onion enchiladas.
Sports team KU Football
Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television? Card games
Thank you…it was great getting to know you! Now, Jess has a question for readers…
What Character do you like the best and why?
Darius thought he could make it through anything, he was strong and had an inner strength that could pull him through the various trials of his life. However, his strength is going to be put to the ultimate test. Will he be able to cope when he realizes the weapon of destruction could actually be the one thing he lives for? Sometimes the greatest love is the greatest pain.
For the first time, everyone understands the prophecy told so long ago that Darius would be the end of the everything. The loss of white energy would destroy not only him but those he loved and the places he protected.
An ominous journey to beyond the here and now with two of the greatest powers of the universe is the only way to begin to right what has gone so sorely wrong.
Join Darius in his latest and most important adventure. The fate of so many not only depends on righting so many wrongs, but on understanding and forgiveness.
Memory of Me will thrill and excite you with its heart-rending story.
Author Alicia Dean 