Interview with Javelyn Bond
Published 2017-08-11.
What is your writing process?
My writing process is usually making a plan of a new story. The plan would usually include the basic but essential things needed in the first chapters. Then as you slowly progress, it's more of a free writing style, be it by doing a plan or just getting inspired by something else. This is my writing style and hope it helps.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Ah yes, my first story. How could I forget? I didn't have much of a first story but a sample chapter of what you would think would make into a beautiful story. My 12 year old self didn't agree. Because at that time, I had never written a story nor I did I plan to write one because it was simple, I hated the idea of writing anything be it stories or essays. And I had started writing this sample idea by my sister's motivation and encouragement in me. The impact was that I felt like that I had travelled somewhere and it was like I was creating the destiny and characters through my own hands. Summarising it all, it felt great and natural.
How do you approach cover design?
Oh my, cover design. Well one thing I can say directly is that I was no artist. I found making covers or even looking for some very excellent (in-making for future) covers. I often asked people but otherwise it was mostly research, such as using specific words or sentences to find your cover that you think is perfect for your story. These are ways listed for approaching cover designs.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
Oh boy, this question is definitely going to be quite hard, since I enjoy a number of books. Well if you have to specific, my first favourite would be Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I enjoyed that book because it wasn't some clichéd romantic story, it had a lot of twists and turns in order to find your true love, and also many lessons were taught like you can't judge someone directly from the way they look or smile, definitely a good lesson to learn. Another favourite book of mine was Persuasion by Jane Austen. It was about how society even at time can be pressuring and how sometimes it can change your views and even hurt someone in the process. Once again, it's a romance novel but not to the point of hating it, no in fact I loved it ever since. A third could be Emma by Jane Austen (Have been quite a fan ever since I started reading Pride and Prejudice). It's a favourite because there is a lot of irony especially since the main character Emma doesn't believe in marriage yet fixes every person for marriage, almost like a match-maker. But eventually, one person makes her realize that maybe falling in love is not a bad idea. Fourth novel is from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. A quite unusual novel in my opinion, because it makes you questions lots of the characters' ideas about themselves in the novel. A childhood love formed, destroyed later on by marital affairs. The heroine in the novel Catherine dying and Heathcliff enraged by what Catherine did to him takes revenge of his own and what happens next will crumble his or someone's else world and also what could even twist the tale further. An unusual novel indeed. The fifth and last one as a favourite of mine is Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. A quite humane novel in terms of making you realize the common values that a normal human lacks or has at times. I won't delve much into the description of the novel as this response is already quite long. But I will say this, that it was about how a person can fall in love but their values and their love are tested. These are all quite enjoyable novels and hope that people read them and feel the same as I did.
What do you read for pleasure?
What I would read for pleasure? Hmm, let me think. Ah, I got it. My reading genres for pleasure would be romance, mystery, teen fiction. I hope that's not too basic but seriously, these are genres to read for pleasure.
What's the story behind your latest book?
You mean Lost Innocence? The story behind it is that it's about discovering your identity, a lost identity. Most people try finding it alone but this time, someone may help DIana get it back and maybe she can help them too. It is not just on identity, but the frienship, discovery, comedy that will draw you to the book. I hope it really makes people enjoy it.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
My greatest joy. Good question. There are a lot of joys of writing a book but for me it's like everything you put down on paper be it by imagination or inspiration, it comes to life by my own hands. I guess some authors would agree with me because nobody likes anything more than having or creating something and seeing it come to life with their hands.
What do your fans mean to you?
My fans. My fans would mean people who I could truly connect with. People who would truly enjoy connecting the books with themselves, gaining new insight into old and new experiences. In basic words, my fans are like my family. We all work to help and support one another. That's what family do together.
What are you working on next?
It's a surprise on what I am working on, but I love giving cliffhangers or hints about anything that I write. A hint or cliffhanger would be that it's based on romance, a bit of heavenly romance and maybe undying love like Romeo and Juliet. That's all I can say but keep a look out.
Who are your favorite authors?
My favorite question. My favourite authors would be Jane Austen, J.K Rowling, Emily Bronte. And all others too and there's a whole list of them.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
When I am not writing, I usually spend time with my family. Like watching sitcoms of the 80s and 90s or watching horror or any kind of films or just making fun of each other. Another thing would be listening to music and getting inspired for more books. Or reading a classic novel. That's all there is to the real me.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.