Summer Love: Interview with Laura Jackson, author of "Worth the Time"

Interview questions for Laura Jackson about her book, Worth the Time:

Alexis: What inspired the title “Worth the Time” for your story?

Laura: Lindsey, the main character, is the mean girl in the first book in the Waltham Academy series. Behind her catty attitude and conniving schemes is a girl who just wants to be noticed, a girl desperate for those she loves to have time for her. 

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s heroine Lindsey Hamilton. What makes her tick? What brings her great joy? What breaks her heart?

Laura: Lindsey is a girl in hiding. When she’s embarrassed and has her heart broken in front of her entire school, she’s determined not to ever be hurt again. She has built a cold fortress around herself, but like most people, she just wants to be noticed and loved.

Alexis: What is it about Lindsey that allows her to get whatever she wants? Would you say that she’s ruthless? Why or why not?

Laura: At the beginning of the novel, Lindsey is ruthless. She knows what she wants and uses her good looks and popularity to get what she wants. She has little regard to how her schemes affect anyone else.

Alexis: Who is Ellie Lansing and what role does she play in this story?

Laura: Ellie is the heroine in Worth the Wait, which is the first book in the series. She’s dating Dylan Grant, and Lindsey wants him. She also wants Ellie’s seemingly perfect life.

Alexis: Who is Dylan Grant and how did Lindsey steal him from Ellie? What does she need to do to keep him as her boyfriend?

Laura: Dylan Grant is the stereotypical popular guy in high school. To Ellie, he’s her childhood friend and long-time boyfriend. To Lindsey, he’s a status symbol. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot of Worth the Wait to say how Lindsey gets him, but once she has him, she realizes sometimes what we want isn’t what we need or expect.

Alexis: Snagging Dylan made Lindsey the most popular girl at Waltham Christian Academy but her heart is still empty. Why? 

Laura: Lindsey is a desperate girl—longing to be popular, to be accepted, to be noticed. But those things don’t fulfill us. Only Christ can, and like many of us, Lindsey struggles to see that.

Alexis: Who is the “real” Lindsey? What does it take for her to stop being fake, heal and become a whole person?

Laura: There’s a guy. Sutton. Lindsey has to complete volunteer hours, and Sutton works at Covington House, where Lindsey is serving. He’s the first guy who doesn’t fall for her, so he intrigues her. He’s a Christian like many at her school claim to be, but he’s different—his faith is real. Because she spends so much time being fake, Lindsey is desperate to cling to something real. 

Alexis: What role does faith in God play in this story? Explain how it affects the lives of your characters.

Laura: Sutton lives out his faith. He loves Christ and serves at Covington House out of that love while Lindsey is there because she won’t graduate without volunteer hours. Through her friendship with Sutton and her new relationship with the father she never knew, Lindsey learns that the One who created her not only loves her but also has time for her.

Alexis: What role does high school counselor Mrs. Santana play in turning Lindsey’s life around? Explain.

Laura: Mrs. Santana sees beyond Lindsey’s walls to notice the girl desperate to be loved. She uses Lindsey’s volunteer requirement to build a relationship. When her mom doesn’t have time for her, Lindsey turns to Mrs. Santana for advice.

Alexis: Who is Sutton McCoy and why does he have a bad first impression of Lindsey? Is his first impression his last? Explain.

Laura: Sutton McCoy works at Covington House, where Lindsey is required to volunteer. He sees her as another snobby girl forced to volunteer. Because he serves weekly, Sutton cares deeply about the kids who come to Covington House. He doesn’t want to see another person come into the kids’ lives just to walk away again. Luckily for Lindsey, his first impression isn’t his last. 

Alexis: Sutton’s been through trauma in his personal life. How do the effects of that trauma prevent him from pursuing a romantic relationship with Lindsey?

Laura: Sutton judges Lindsey some—he sees her as a pretty, popular cheerleader from a ritzy private school. What could she possibly know what it feels like to have lost a father at a young age and to have a mother battling drug addiction? So, first, that causes him to not even want to be friends. His past has also given him a strong desire to make something of himself, and he can’t be distracted with a flighty girl.

Alexis: What role does Lindsey’s biological father play in her life? How does he affect her character arc? Explain.

Laura: Lindsey always thought her dad walked away before she was born, which wasn’t true. When her biological father finds her and wants a relationship with her, Lindsey’s world is rocked. All these lies she’d told herself were no longer true, and she learns that maybe she didn’t need those walls to protect her heart after all.

Alexis: Why doesn’t Lindsey believe in a loving God? What makes her change her mind?

Laura: Our earthly fathers play a big role in how we see our heavenly father. It’s hard to imagine God as a loving father when your own father never wanted you. As Lindsey gets to know her father—as he pursues a relationship with her—she begins to see how much God loves her too.

Alexis: What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book? Why?

Laura: Lindsey was such a mean girl in book one that I struggled to convey her wounded heart. In my mind, I loved her because I knew her, but I worried readers wouldn’t see her like I did. In the beginning of the book, she’s broken and angry. She lashes out. I prayed readers would give her a chance because I do think Lindsey’s story is an example of the transformation that happens when Jesus comes into our lives.

Alexis: What do you want your readers to remember most about Worth the Time?

Laura: I want them to know that they are loved. The One who spoke and created galaxies not only loves us but pursues a relationship with us.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Laura! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Laura: Thanks for having me!

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Author Bio: 

Laura Jackson loves books—reading and writing them. 

A life-long reader, Laura studied English in college and taught 7th-grade language arts before earning her Master's degree and becoming a school librarian. 

Now, she spends her days sharing great books with kids and her evenings writing books about teenage girls discovering God and His plan for their lives.

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Blurb for Laura's book, Worth the Time:

Doesn't anyone feel she's worth their time?

Routinely ignored by her single mother, high school senior Lindsey Hamilton hides her loneliness behind a mask of flirtatious self-confidence that has many boys wrapped around her finger. However, during community service required for graduation, she meets a shy guy with a haunted past who barely gives her the time of day. Why doesn't he like her?

Then the father she thought had abandoned her before birth wants to meet, and she discovers everything she believed about him is a lie.

How will Lindsey learn to trust so she can realize that she has been loved all along?

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Buy Laura's book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble

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Connect with Laura:
Facebook - https://facebook.com/laurajacksonwrites
Twitter - https://twitter.com/LauraJackson80
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ljack80/
Website - http://authorlaurajackson.blogspot.com

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author interview: Laura Jackson

Today I am hosting a talented author who works a day job as a school librarian! Laura Jackson is her name and I hope you will enjoy getting to know her on my blog today.

But first, here's a gift just for you: Laura has agreed to give away one paperback copy of her book to a U.S. resident and one e-book if you're international (live outside of the United States of America)! You can enter the book giveaway contest by leaving a comment that answers Laura's question at the end of this interview. You need to include your e-mail address in your comment so that if you're the winner, Laura can contact you to arrange the deliver of your prize. The contest starts today, Jan. 11 and ends on Sunday, Jan. 25. The winners will be announced in the comment section of this blog post on Monday, Jan. 26. The winner will be selected via an old-fashioned random drawing conducted by me (Alexis).

Are you excited? I hope so! Now on to the author interview (questions by Alexis in bold, answers from Laura not in bold)....

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Alexis: Your second Young Adult (YA) novel, Worth the Time, released last Thursday. Tell us about it.

Laura: Routinely ignored by her single mother, high school senior Lindsey Hamilton hides her loneliness behind a mask of flirtatious self-confidence that has many boys wrapped around her finger. However, during community service required for graduation, she meets a shy guy with a haunted past who barely gives her the time of day. Why doesn't he like her? 

Then the father she thought had abandoned her before birth wants to meet, and she discovers everything she believed about him is a lie. How will Lindsey learn to trust so she can realize that she has been loved all along? 

Who is your leading lady and main man for your book Worth the Time? Give us a glimpse into their character and history.

Lindsey is the mean girl from book one in the Waltham Academy series, and I wanted to know why she was so hateful. I always root for the underdog, but I didn’t expect to love her as much as I do. I have a soft spot for the abandoned girl who is so desperate to be loved.

Sutton is a guy Lindsey meets when she has to finish some community service hours. He’s had a hard life, but he loves Jesus.

The book features them, but the most important relationship in the book is the one between Lindsey and her Creator.

Share an anecdote that shows how you fell in love with YA books.

I love the realness and open honesty of YA books, I love seeing characters figure out who they are. Once, I was reading Sold by Patricia McCormick during our silent reading time. It was quiet in the room, and I screamed out, “SAY YOUR NAME! JUST SAY YOUR NAME!” My kids all jumped, and I of course had to share a little about the book. Couldn’t keep it on the shelves after that.

Do you miss your first career where you taught 7th grade language arts for eight years? Why or why not?

I do sometimes, but I really love being a librarian. I see grades 1-5 every day for an hour, and we have so much fun. We read books and do crafts and play games in response to the book. 

However, I do miss the older kids, the great discussions you can have, the relationships you build when you have the same kids every day and are responsible for their education.

Do you still work for the school system? Why or why not?

Yes, I’m the librarian at an elementary school in a suburb of Houston. I love sharing my love of reading with over 700 kids every year.

Is writing your full-time job now? Why or why not? 

I sometimes wish I could write full time, but I think the experiences I have through my job inspire my writing. Working at a school also gives me plenty of vacation time in which I can write. So, it’s a win-win.

Who is your favorite YA author? Why? 
Ally Carter is fantastic. Every single one of her books is tightly written with amazing characters and a fast-paced plot. She’s amazing. Check her out. It’s not Christian fiction, but it’s very clean.

What’s your favorite YA book ever? Why?

Sold by Patricia McCormick moved me like no other book has. There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones inspired me to begin writing Christian YA.

Describe your writing space. 

I write in my bed, surrounded by pillows. One day, I’ll have an office, but for now, I’m comfy.

What do you love about writing the most?

I’m not good at talking about my feelings, and it’s nice to get them all out through characters.

What is your least favorite part about being a writer?

Editing it. I enjoyed editing my books the first time, but by the fifth or sixth time, I’m so tired of the characters, plot, etc., I just want to throw it away.

As a woman of faith, what role does your belief in God play into your storytelling?

I love Coming of Age books, and even the best ones often miss the point—we find who we are in Jesus. And it’s that belief that pushes me to write about girls finding their worth, their way, and their identity in the One who made them.

If you could be one of your characters in real life, who would you choose? Why?

I’d want to be Ellie because I love Josh.

It’s a New Year! What are your greatest goals for your writing career in 2015?

To be more consistent in my writing. I want to finish two full novels and a novella.

Complete this sentence: My favorite Bible verse is ________________ because _______________________.

My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:11b in ESV, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” because I feel that’s where God has me—learning to be content no matter where God has me.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Laura! Please leave a question for my readers to answer so they can qualify for your book giveaway.

Laura: Why do you like Young Adult (YA) books?

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Author bio: 

Laura Jackson loves books—reading and writing them. A life-long reader, Laura studied English in college and taught 7th grade language arts before earning her Master's degree and becoming a school librarian. Now, she spends her days sharing great books with kids and her evenings writing books about teenage girls discovering God and His plan for their lives.

Buy Laura’s books on Amazon.com:

Worth the Wait, http://amzn.to/1xBXG48

Worth the Time, http://amzn.to/14kcxEP

Connect with Laura online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurajacksonwrites

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraJackson80

Blog: http://authorlaurajackson.blogspot.com/

Instagram: ljack80