Jennifer Bosworth has made quite a splash with her first novel in Germany, „Die Auserwählte“ (Struck). She has taken the time to answer some questions for Lazy Literature. (Photo: Copyright Ryan Rogers)
On your website „Struck“ has a very exciting book trailer which looks very much like a series or a movie. Who did come up with this idea and how was it made?
My husband is a director who started out in visual effects, so we actually produced the book trailer together, and he directed and did ALL of those visual effects himself, which is a little crazy. But it was an amazing experience to see pieces of the book come to life, and to have control over the casting and music and locations so that it came together the way I envisioned it.
„Struck“ has been translated into German and come to our coast. Do you get German fanmail now?
I do, and I love it. I have a few friends who speak German, so I always ask them to translate if the messages are in German. Sometimes I read them out loud and practice my accent just for fun.
Mia Price is a very interesting heroine. You said at the San Diego ComicCon that you were worried about earthquakes after moving to Los Angeles. How did you come up with the idea of a lightning struck teenager connected to that worry?
I think everyone who lives in Los Angeles lives in fear of the “Big One” hitting, and if that were to happen Los Angeles would be in complete chaos. There are too many people, terrible freeways, and a lot of tall buildings that may or may not be structurally sound. After feeling a number of earthquakes in Los Angeles, I got paranoid, and paranoia, for me, is always a sign that I’m going to get some kind of idea related to whatever is causing the paranoia. Not long after the last tremors I felt, I came across an article about the man who held the world record for most lightning strikes survived, and suddenly the two idea (being struck by lighting and a city being struck by an earthquake) collided.
Why did you choose the Young Adult/All Age section for your novel? Was it planned or did it come with the story idea?
I love stories about young people who have great power, but still feel powerless because all the odds are against them. For me, that’s what teenage years feel like. You have a lot of potential, but you’re often afraid or confused about how to use it. That’s why I decided to make the book about a seventeen-year-old girl, but I did so in the hopes that it would appeal to adults as well.
You also give writing workshops. What is your primary aim there and is it the continuation of your education classes on writing at the University of Utah?
I moved away from Utah about nine years ago, so I haven’t been teaching continuing education classes for a long time, but I do teach the occasional workshop focusing on writing young adult novels, and on crafting female heroines. Mostly, I just want to give back to the writing community. There were so many authors and teachers who helped me while I was writing Struck, I feel I owe it to aspiring authors to share what I’ve learned along the way.
What about Los Angeles inspired you to call it your „favorite city in the world“?
I love the randomness and weirdness of Los Angeles, and the feeling that you never know who you’re going to encounter. The city itself has a bubbling, creative energy that you can’t find just anywhere.
You work together with your husband Ryan Bosworth as a writer/director team. How does that work?
Well, we argue a lot. Haha. Usually either he or I will come up with an idea, and then we’ll flesh it out together over a period of several weeks or months. Sometimes we outline stories extensively, and then I’ll sit down and write them. Currently we have a film in development, and we hope to have a few more screenplays finished soon.
Your husband and you have won several prizes for your work in the film-departement. What was your first prize and is there one you’d really like to win?
Being accepted into film festivals is always an honor. I think the prize I’d personally like to win is an Edgar award or a Bram Stroker award for books, though.
You love horror movies and novels. Do you have a favorite that you would like to recommend?
The original “Carrie” is my favorite horror movie, and “The Ring” is a close second, but I saw a movie this last Halloween that I can’t stop talking about. It’s an Australian film called “The Loved Ones,” and if you can get ahold of it, it’s definitely worth a look.
„The Killing Jar“ will be your second novel and due to come out in Fall 2014. Can you tell your fans something about it and what will be in store for them?
I’m so excited about this book and can’t wait until it’s released. I’m hesitant to say too much about it because it’s still in process, but it involves a teenage girl with a strange and dangerous ability, a supernatural hippie commune, and a strain of vampire moths.
Do you want to tell your readers something else?
Keep reading! There’re so many great books out there, and they need you!
Thank you very much!
