Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. My name is Jessica Hill and I live in central British Columbia. I love to read, write, and play D&D in my free time, which is somewhat limited by the fact I’m a mother of three incredible daughters and a part time mom to one equally amazing bonus daughter. My day job is high school humanities teacher and union activist. Luckily, I have a wonderful and supportive partner who supports me in every way (as long as he gets to read my stories first 😉).
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Dreams in Atlantis”?
A2. For this story, it has definitely been the revision process. I kept wanting to flesh it out more and more, and even now I have all these ideas that could make the world more dynamic or fill in gaps I know will come back to bite me as I work on the sequel.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. I try to read a broad range of books, but there are three authors that stand out. One is Juliette Marillier. I have been reading and re-reading the Sevenwaters trilogy since I was fourteen and I love the subtle way she uses magic in her stories. The next is Kelly Barnhill. I’ve read her books aloud to my children and my classes, and I love her use of language and imagery to capture complex themes. And finally, Stephen King. There is just something about his style and his characterization that I love, and his books are just plain entertaining.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. I haven’t travelled as much as I would like to, but if I had to pick somewhere it would be my grandparent’s cabin on Kamloops lake. They bought it the year I was born, and my grandpa built it up from a shack to a home away from home. They sold it a year or so ago, but I will always be able to close my eyes and transport myself back there when I need a moment to ground myself.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Dreams in Atlantis’?
A5. I was working with some kids on literacy in the learning support room, and I decided to get them to write some mixed up fairy tales. Two of the boys drew Jack and Beanstalk out of a hat, so of course instead of doing their work they proceeded to discuss the possibility of interdimensional travel using magic beans. I went home that night and couldn’t get it out of my head. I started imagining all the myths and legends we’ve ever known as real worlds connected by some kind of interdimensional magic. Three days, and 20,000 words later, and I had a complete first draft. The story has obviously grown and evolved a bit since then, but it all started with a couple middle schoolers who knew just what to do to avoid work in my classroom.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Dreams in Atlantis’?
A6. As I said, the draft one was done in about three days. This final version of it took several more years and revisions. I walked away from it a few times, but I always came back to it eventually.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. Currently, the paperback is available for pre-order through all major retailers as well as Amazon. It is also available as an e-book, and there will be an audiobook released in late-summer or early-fall.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Dreams in Atlantis’?
A8. I asked that the artist incorporate the moon and the night somehow, as well as an eye since that is where I focused the entrance to people’s Dream. I am no visual artist myself, but I think Chanelle Poupart did a good job trying to capture my thoughts on the cover. I feel the title is self-evident in some ways, given my heroine’s gift, but I also thought it fit with the idea of wanting more from life. My characters have dreams that drive them towards the change they want to see in themselves and in the world around them.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. I am not entirely sure how to answer this. At the end of the day, I have always just written for myself. If I have a dream or an idea that I can’t get out of my head, I write it down and see where it goes. I usually don’t have more than a vague outline of where the story will go in my head, so I get the privilege of experiencing things as they unfold along with my characters. They are always the most clear to me when I start, as well as my end game, so everything along the way happens organically. If I get stuck, it’s usually because I have tried to pigeon-hole a character into something that isn’t right for them. This process is what makes writing fun for me, and all I can hope is that the readers enjoy the ride as well.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10. I have had very little writing advice from actual human beings, but Stephen King’s book On Writing has a number of quotes I have highlighted and come back to again and again. It is hard to pick just one, but this one feels right: “…when you find something at which you are talented, you do it (whatever it is) until your fingers bleed or your eyes are ready to fall out of your head. Even when no one is listening (or reading or watching), every outing is a bravura performance, because you as the creator are happy. Perhaps even ecstatic.” I write for myself because I think I am reasonably good at and I take a lot of joy in finding new stories. When rejections come rolling in, or I start to feel imposter syndrome sneaking up on me, I hold on to that joy and keep writing anyway.
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