In episode #2 of the WRITER 2.0 Podcast, I speak with Ina Zajac, author of PLEASE, PRETTY LIGHTS about:
- her transition from journalism to fiction;
- her non-linear writing process;
- how she went from pitching agents to signing a publishing deal;
- Booktrope and the new team publishing model;
- three books that changed her life;
- what she means when she says, “I would never have dreamed of writing something that wasn’t going to be published.”
Plus, on “Today In Writing”—Happy Birthday to Jackie Collins. And on “Today in NOT Writing”—Internet Research Gone Awry. You can find out more about Ina, and read her blog, at www.inazajac.com.
Ina’s Bio:
“Several of my childhood math teachers had something in common. They all seemed to think I should be a writer. Not only were my math skills pitiful, but my daydreaming was epic.
I followed their advice, but didn’t initially consider fiction writing. Instead, I earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in psychology from Western Washington University. Later I earned a master’s degree in mass communication from Arizona State University.
My first gig out of college was as a newspaper reporter. I never knew what to expect, and I crossed paths with the most intriguing people. I loved working with other writers, editors, photographers, and designers. We got each other. We wanted variety. We were curious, and more than a little crazy — especially the photographers.
I have a broad range of communications experience including media relations, event promotion, and crisis communications. A few years ago, I decided to pursue fiction writing full time. I had little choice, actually. A character came to me. She came to me often. Then she brought her boyfriend, and then his best friend. A sadistic villain soon followed. The four of them high-jacked my daydreams more and more. Finally, I wrote it all down.
Please, Pretty Lights, a work of contemporary fiction, has been published by Booktrope in July 2014. My relentless imaginary friends are pestering me to continue their story, and so book two is in the works.”
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