Q/A Session

Hello everybody! I was lucky enough to have Tiffany Marie feature me on her “Author Spotlight!” Thank you, Tiffany! Here’s her direct link:  http://everythingmarie.com/author-spotlight-jalpa-williby/

This is the interview:

Author Spotlight: Jalpa Williby

Posted by Tiffany Marie on August 22, 2013 in Interviews | 0 comments

Interview with Jalpa Williby author of Chaysing Dreams

Introducing Ms. Jalpa Williby, author of Chaysing Dreams. Chaysing Dreams is her debut novel, only released a few weeks ago and has already rocketed through the world of romance novels. I encourage everyone who loves a good romance to check out her book today. It is getting rave reviews!!

About the Author:

Jalpa Williby was born in India and immigrated to the United States at the tender age of eight. A voracious reader, Williby’s adolescence was marked by a promising academic career. After graduating with a Bachelors of Science from the University of Illinois, Williby went on to earn Masters in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University. Her passion for helping her patients led her to a specialty in neuroscience, focusing on children and adults with neurological impairments. Juggling her time as a wife, a mother, and working full-time, her love for books never subsided. Williby introduces her debut novel, Chaysing Dreams, as she writes with her heart and soul, her passion flowing through every page.

Chaysing Dreams is available now

Amazon: Chaysing Dreams

Barnes and Noble: Chaysing Dreams

Q. What was your inspiration for “Chaysing Dreams”? 

A. I wanted to write something that I could be proud of- you know, something that’s completely created from my head.  I just wanted to run with my imagination, and write this unforgettable story. Hopefully, the readers also find it unforgettable.

Q. How long did it take to write the novel?

A. I’ve been writing Chaysing Dreams for a year and a half. But literally, I’d come home from my day job every single evening, and spend hours on the book- until about midnight. Every weekend was pretty much dedicated to Chaysing Dreams. I feel sorry for my family- they were definitely put on the back burner. 

Q. What books have most influenced your life?

A. Oh my gosh, I love A Thousand Splendid Suns. I also love the Twilight Saga! Yeah, I know they are complete opposites, but I can get into any story as long it touches me.

 Q. What music were you listening to while writing the novel?

A. Actually there are three separate scenes in the novel, where I needed three different songs. I love music, and it was crucial that I got the songs right for these significant scenes. So, I ended up using Beautiful by Christina Aguilera, Leave Out All The Rest by Linkin Park, and A Drop In The Ocean by Ron Pope. To get myself really “there” for these scenes, I’d listen to these songs over and over.

 Q. Are the characters derived from anyone you know or may have known personally? 

A. I would say that probably most of the characters have a little bit of myself or somebody I know.

Q. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

 

A. Actually, I’ve probably written my whole life. I’ve always been very expressive, and writing (poems, songs, or short stories) has always been therapeutic for me. At first, I started to write Chaysing Dreams just for me- I had no intention on publishing it. It’s just that when the story developed so nicely, and I really fell for the characters, I decided to pursue it further.

Q. What do you like to do when you’re not writing? 

A. I’m also a full time physical therapist- so I love working with my patients. Otherwise, I love “family time.” This could be watching movies, going for walks, going out to eat, riding bikes, or just hanging out.

Q. What do you think makes a good story?



A. I’ve always been drawn to stories  when I’ve gotten attached to the characters. For me, if the characters are well-developed, and the writer really makes you feel what the characters feel, I’m hooked. I have to be able to smile when the characters are happy, and cry when they’re in pain. These are the stories I remember.

Q. What books are you reading now?

A. Since Chaysing Dreams just got released, I’ve been busy trying to market right now. I’ve also been writing the sequel. But the last book I read a few months ago, was Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks.

Q. Do you have any advice for other writers? 

I think it’s important to really search within yourself and not hold back when you’re expressing through your writing. I think when you write, it’s got to be something you believe in- something you’re passionate about.

Q. Who designed the cover?

A. That’s actually very interesting. I had an idea of what I wanted the cover to look like. I even drew some sketches of my ideas. The model had read the book so she knew she had to “become” Tess. I told the photographer my vision for the cover. He took hundreds of shots and I picked the pose I liked. He did his magic, and then I had a graphic designer enhance it a bit more. The end results? We got the cover for Chaysing Dreams!

Q. Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work? 

A. I really enjoy Khaled Hosseini’s work. I love how he develops his characters, and it’s tough not to fall in love with them. I love how his stories are about unimaginable struggles, but ultimately, perseverance.

Q. Where and when do you prefer to do your writing? 

A. I love going to Barnes & Noble with my laptop. Being surrounded by books really puts me in the right frame of mind.

Q. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

A. Thank you! Thank you for reading Chaysing Dreams, and I hope you enjoyed the story.

Q. If your book was made into a TV series or Movie, what actors would you like to see playing your characters?

A. That’s tough because six years pass in the first book. Tess, my main character, is almost 16 when the book starts, and is 22 at the end of the book. So the actors would have to be able to look like they’re teens as well as young adults.

Q. What is your favorite genre of books and why? 

A. I’ve always been a sucker for a good love story. So I probably go for Romance. But I don’t mean the “trashy” romances- well, I do enjoy those on occasion as well! 🙂 I guess I like unique stories with obstacles and perseverance.

Q. Are you planning on releasing a sequel to “Chaysing Dreams”? If so, when will it be released?

A. Yes, I am currently working on the sequel. It’ll probably be released some time in 2014.

Q. What was the hardest part of writing your book? 

A. Actually, I have to admit, the whole process was pretty hard. I have the utmost respect for all the authors out there. Every scene, every paragraph, every line, and every word matter. It’s not easy.

Q. Are you having a book signings and/or special events coming soon? If so, when and where? 

A. I’m thinking of having a Book Launching party. And I’ll probably be signing books there. As far as other special events, I still have to research to see what my options are. Like I say, I’m completely new to the literary world, and I’m learning everything from scratch. But I love that- I love challenging myself.

Q. Are you currently working on any new projects/novels? If so, can you provide a little info about them? 

A. I’m working on the sequel to Chaysing Dreams. The first book is basically a cliffhanger, so the second book picks up where it ended.

Book Description:

Publication Date: August 9, 2013

 Life…secrecy, deceit, danger…No, no! Run, escape!

 “Run!” Her inner voice is shouting. She has to run faster! She’s about to get caught! No, no! She has to get away. Please, she must escape! “Run faster!”

As long as Tess Sanoby can remember, she has always had the same nightmares, where the girl in her dreams is running for her life with an unknown force chasing her. Each time, right before the girl is caught, Tess awakens, shaken with fear and confusion. Who is the girl? What do these dreams mean?

Getting through the growing pains of high school with her best friends Jack and Kylie, and then being accepted into her dream college, Tess is excited to start her life of independence. There, she meets the mysterious trainer and mentor, Chris, and she instantly feels a strong connection with him. Unfortunately, Chris wants nothing to do with her. Although Chris continues to give her the cold shoulder, his overprotectiveness and the occasional slips of sensitivity confuse Tess. Not understanding Chris or their relationship, she is on a constant emotional roller coaster with him. Could her best friends be the stable force that she desperately needs?

Unfortunately for Tess, the more she tries to connect the missing pieces of her life, the more obscure her past and future appear to her. To make matters worse, she realizes she has fallen hard for a man who may be her worst enemy. As passion ignites between the two, she can’t help but surrender her heart and soul to him. Tess is unexpectedly exposed to a world of secrecy, deceit, and danger, causing her to be running for her life, chased by the unknown. Can Tess escape and save not only herself, but also her loved ones? Or, will she be caught, leaving her no choice but to face her worst nightmare?

Chaysing Dreams is the ultimate love story, full of suspense, friendship, betrayal, tragedy, and sacrifice. In this epic tale, you will laugh and cry with Tess–a story full of twists and turns, keeping you guessing until the end.

And there you have it! Thank you, Tiffany Marie! 🙂