IndieView with Jana Grissom, author of One Prince, Two Kingdoms

I have a huge dream. I want to find a way to personally GIVE a copy of One Prince, Two Kingdoms to every teenager in foster care. Not only do I want to give it to them, but I want to sit down and spend time encouraging them to chase their dreams and use their choices to be powerful!

Jana Grissom – 14 May 2015

The Back Flap

My forehead’s throbbing. One minute this girl is yelling at me for giving up and the next, she’s laughing. Whiplash.

I squint my eyes at Danielle and whisper with my lips firmly in place, “I will never give up.”

Her voice is high and cheerful, “So what’s your plan?”

Johnny Boggs is a teen with trouble to spare who has learned one thing in life – trust no one. Paranoia befriends him as he moves into his fifth foster home and discovers no one appears as they are, his dreams are not just dreams, and he is supposedly the Prince of Shamayim.

On Johnny’s sixteenth birthday, fate requires him to leave the protection of this world but allows for him to choose to reign over the light or turn to the darkness. A vicious competition begins as two kingdoms fight for his loyalty while two beautiful girls, Danielle and Shay, fight for his attention. Time is running out; a decision must be made. Johnny finds it impossible to resist the beauty of his dreams, nor can he turn away from the one who has his heart.

About the book

What is the book about?

One Prince, Two Kingdoms takes you on a journey with Johnny, a teen stuck in foster care, as he learns that he’s the prince of the spirit world. Catch is, he has a choice to make, rule over the Kingdom of Light or Kingdom of Darkness? A vicious competition begins as two kingdoms fight for his loyalty while two beautiful girls, Danielle and Shay, fight for his attention. Time is running out; a decision must be made.

When did you start writing the book?

Eleven years ago, I started telling stories of a strong, brave foster kid who conquers evil to my foster kids at bedtime to help get their minds off of their fears. We used the power of their imagination to defeat the “gangsters” that were chasing after them each night. A year later, my foster kids reunited with their grandparents. I could not get them or our stories out of my mind. So, I started writing to honor all of “my kids” and to encourage every child in a place of transition to have hope and never give up.

How long did it take you to write it?

Too long! I wanted it to be perfect and I went through a long phase of feeling unworthy. Finally, my family and students convinced me to let the story go.

Where did you get the idea from?

My foster children were having nightmares. Their screams would pierce the night as their dreams brought gangsters into our home to kill us all. I would run to them and try to comfort them, but they were convinced we were going to die. So, I started making up stories about a foster kid, Johnny, who was just like them, but he was powerful! His foster parents were celestials sent to protect him just like we were sent to protect them. The stories grew and became so powerful that my sweet foster kids no longer woke up screaming but went to bed dreaming of a magical world!

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

One of the characters dies. I cried. Part of me wanted to change the story, but it had to happen. I feel obligated to be true to my story even when it hurts.

What came easily?

The first draft was easy. I had told this story over and over. It was just a matter of getting it on paper.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

The main characters are based on my foster kids and my family. Some of the situations are real events we experienced with a little extra dose of drama. Other characters are from my imagination, but I must attribute them to my people watching addiction.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Frank E. Peretti writes with a strong paranormal tone that is so realistic. He intertwines the real world with the spiritual. I love the concept of hidden beings living all around us and affecting our world despite our ignorance!

Do you have a target reader?

Teens in foster care! I have a huge dream. I want to find a way to personally GIVE a copy of One Prince, Two Kingdoms to every teenager in foster care. Not only do I want to give it to them, but I want to sit down and spend time encouraging them to chase their dreams and use their choices to be powerful! Any ideas how to accomplish this dream? I would love to hear any advice!

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Let it flow. I don’t edit until after the story is on paper. Otherwise, I continuously second guess my work, which takes up valuable time.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Yes, I need a road map with signs to keep me on track. Short bullet points guide me from the start to an exciting climax, ending with a satisfying resolution.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

Wait! Editing as I go stunts my creativity and I don’t finish before another idea captures my attention. Once the story is told, then I can perfect the word choices and grammar.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No. I tried listening to music but I just ended up playing the air guitar and singing way too loud. Trust me, the world doesn’t need another lip syncing artist!

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I didn’t know agents existed when I sent off my manuscript. (Read on… you will understand.)

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

The only reason I published was for my middle school students. We were working on a project and I shared my story with them. To my surprise, they loved it and told me to make it a real book. I jumped on the teachable moment and assigned them to research publishers and the publishing process. We found a local publisher that said, “Open for Submissions”. With my students looking over my shoulder, we submitted my manuscript. We all gave high fives and went back to work. Three days later, I received an email. They wanted to publish my manuscript! After I read the email to my class, I had to call my husband and tell him what I did. LOL

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Tate Publishing created exactly what I saw in my mind. They did a great job.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I am using social media as much as possible to spread the word. Phase two will include author visits, which are very intimidating. I am very friendly and love people, but I don’t like attention. Author visits mean all the attention is on me and I am slightly terrified.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Edit until you can’t edit any more! Once your book is published, you can’t take it back!

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Crowley, Texas, a small town on the outskirts of Fort Worth. I lived on the top of a hill amongst a million oak trees with only two neighbors. I loved to pretend I lived in the Secret Garden and would go on adventures until Mom called me back inside.

Where do you live now?

I bought my childhood house on the hill! I love to sit on my front porch swing, enjoying the summer breeze while sipping on sweet tea!

What would you like readers to know about you?

I love chocolate. My family always comes first. I love my friends like family. And… I love chocolate.

What are you working on now?

I am working on two sequels that will be released next year for readers to continue following Johnny as The Prince of Light or The Prince of Darkness, but another story is haunting me. Let’s just say the new guy at Zoey’s high school is turning a lot of heads, literally.

End of Interview:

For more from Jana, visit her website or blog, follow her on Twitter, or like her page on Facebook.

Get your copy of One Prince, Two Kingdom from Amazon US, Amazon UK, or Barnes & Noble.