With us today is Keira F. Jacobs! Her new book, Keeper of the Light, came out yesterday, so she’s here to answer a few questions for us in celebration.
Welcome! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what got you into writing? My dad is the one who got me into writing! He has been an indie author since the early 2000’s so I grew up watching him write. At a very, very young age I took interest in the craft and he was actually the one who showed me how to use Microsoft Word when I was in third or fourth grade so that I could start writing longer stories.
Are there any books that have really influenced you as a writer? Absolutely. In my younger years it was The Boxcar Children, then as I grew it was a lot of sci-fi books like Maximum Ride, and then I got more into magical realism/fantasy books like The Wicked Deep and Strange The Dreamer. Strange The Dreamer was the one fantasy book that made me think, “I want to write a book as influential as this one.”
What do you enjoy most about writing young adult fantasy? I love creating the characters and giving them depth. I think, in fantasy, situations can be more life or death than in stories that take place in our real world, and I think life or death situations give characters lots of opportunity to do and say drastic things that can give a character extreme depth. Not to say that characters in real world stories can’t have depth, but in fantasy there is more room for major heroic actions or major villainous actions that really show a character’s personality and the depths of their souls. (I hope that makes sense).
What inspired this book in particular? Honestly, the movie Mary Poppins was my first source of inspiration. Mary Poppins is my favorite movie, and I have always loved the rooftop scenes. So one day I was listening to the Saving Mr. Banks album (as a Mary Poppins obsessed person does) and I had this image of a girl who lived on the rooftops of a city, but with enchanted gargoyles. And that’s when the idea really took off.
What was your favorite aspect of the fantasy world you created for this book? The enchanted gargoyles. Gargoyles have always been interesting to me because I love their gothic architecture and their lore. In our real world, Gargoyles can be a symbol of protection against negative forces, so I figured why not make my gargoyles actually do this in my fantasy world?
Can you tell us about your writing space? Where do you do most of your writing? Literally anywhere except for in my bed. I read a study years ago about how doing work while in bed only makes you sleepy because you associate your bed with sleep. Which makes sense. So I write at my desk, at the kitchen table while my kids eat lunch, in the living room, on the porch, or at coffee shops. I honesty write whenever wherever.
What helps you when you have writers block? Taking a break from writing and diving into something else I enjoy like music, exercising, or baking. I do get writers block sometimes, but it clears up pretty fast almost naturally when I’m not so obsessed on pushing through the writers block.
What are some things you are really enjoying reading right now? Books, TV, foods, etc.? I’ve been really enjoying reading in the mystery genre. Riley Sager has been my go-to author to read lately. I’m also reading lots of young adult mysteries because I’m hoping to publish in that genre as well in my future!
Want to know more about Keeper of the Light?
Naomi Smyth isn’t who she says she is.
Alone in the city of Le’Gar, Naomi lives under the false name her father gave her before she fled her childhood home eleven years ago to escape sinister forces. Trusting his command though unsure of the reasons, she continues to hide her identity.
Then one night the King sends his Riders to capture anyone bearing the surname of a certain bloodline: Naomi’s bloodline. Warned by the enchanted gargoyles who protect the city, she must once again flee.
On the run, Naomi finds herself in the presence of three strangers: a self-loathing Magnificent, a golden witch, and a treasonist. Each stranger holds a clue to one of the hidden truths about her bloodline, truths that could end the centuries-old war happening both in her world and the Outer Void, where god-like beings reside.
As her world slowly falls into the hands of the very forces she fled as a child, and her people on the verge of becoming slaves to the darkness, Naomi must embrace the power within her.
Will she dare to emerge?
Get to Know Keira F. Jacobs
Keira F. Jacobs grew up in the gorgeous state of Michigan, then planted new roots in sunny South Carolina with her husband. She spends most of her time raising her two boys, exercising, cooking, reading, leading worship at her local church, and writing. Those closest to her know that she loves Harry Potter, the Shire, coffee, gluten free oreos, and almost every genre of music.
