Interview and Book Giveaway: Jeanne Ryan and NERVE

It is my pleasure to bring you this interview of Jeanne Ryan. Not only does this book have the coolest cover, but it's one of those stories I devoured without stopping. Leave a comment to enter to win a copy and please spread the word about this gripping debut novel. I'll announce the winner here on February 8th.

Jeanne Ryan is the author of NERVE, a young-adult thriller published by Dial/Penguin in September 2012. School Library Journal said, “Ryan questions the nature of entertainment and explores the concept of privacy in a world of increasingly sophisticated social media. Teens will find themselves drawn in by the story's possibilities, and unNERVEd by its outcome. Give this to Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games fans.”  It was included on the LA Times Fall 2012 roundup of young adult fiction and will soon be released in six foreign editions.

On Writing:

Favorite thing about writing a first draft: The possibility. At this stage, your book can be ANYTHING, and live up to the brilliant story you see in your head. J As the words flow and the story grows, the reality is that those first-drafty words won’t be brilliant, but, still, there are surprises at every turn and that’s exciting too.

Best thing about writing for kids and/or teens: The exhilaration of re-imagining all those “firsts”.

Favorite word? :  Yes!

One word that describes your path to publication: Dogged.

If I could have two dream careers, I’d be an author and a: Film director.

On Life:

If I could snap my fingers and solve one of the problems here on earth, it would be: An end to violence in all forms.

One question I wish I had a definitive answer to: The nature of God.

Best thing about being a child: Letting yourself fully enjoy the moment without worrying about the past or future.

Worst thing about being a child: The lack of power.

Best thing about being a teenager: The deliciousness of so much yearning.

Worst thing about being a teenager: The frustration of so much yearning.

Most memorable teen moment: I can’t think of an individual moment, but the most memorable experience was moving from Seoul to Detroit in ninth grade. I felt like a total alien.

One thing I’d like to say to my teen self: So, you wanna be a writer? Start writing!

A quote I live by: If not now, when?

My dream vacation:  Hawaii, with no itinerary.

In My Perfect World…

Everyone would get appreciated and a sense of fulfillment at least once a week.

There would be an abundance of opportunity and hope.

No one would be deprived of love.

Every child would have love.

No one would ever feel scared.

Peace would be free for everyone.

Visit Jeanne's Website