REPLICATION - Jill Williamson - Free Book

Why do you write the kind of books you do?

There are so many options for teen readers in the general market. And these days, it’s hard to know when a book is safe for a teenager to read or not.

I wanted to offer books for teens that had those same wild and fantastic elements but also included—and didn’t offend—a loving creator God.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

When my son, Luke, was born.

How has being published changed your life?

It gave me a full-time (if not full-pay) job. It changed how life at home works. My husband pitches in with the kids and meals so that I can make this work. But being an author gave me a voice and a way to encourage people I’ll never meet. It’s a pretty amazing privilege.

I so agree with that. What are you reading right now?

I’m reading a new book called Halflings by Heather Burch, another new Zondervan author who writes for teens.

What is your current work in progress?

Right now I’m working on a two-book series that’s scheduled to release in 2013. The first, tentatively called Thirst, is an apocalyptic story, and the sequel is called Captives, and it’s the dystopian future result of that first book.

What would be your dream vacation?

Going to Great Britain and being able to stay there for several weeks. I’ve always wanted to explore that part of the world.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

They usually come to me when I’m planning the initial idea. If I’m writing a fantasy novel, I like to draw a map to help me get ideas about the place my characters live. If it’s a contemporary story, I try to choose a logical place. In Replication, I chose Alaska as the location for my cloning lab because Alaska is a place where many people move to disappear. In Thirst, I chose Phoenix as the home of my main character for two reasons: 1. He longs for wilderness and adventure, so having him live in a barren city like Phoenix added conflict to his life. 2. There is a nuclear power plant in Phoenix, and I wanted there to be one nearby for a scene in the story.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Beth Moore. She has taught me so much about God and my bible. And she has inspired all of my books. I can’t help but think of my characters when I’m at my Beth Moore Bible study. So I’d just like to chat with her about life and thank her for her obedience to God.

My church has a large women’s conference in April. This year, Beth Moore is one of the main speakers. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I play guitar. I would love to take piano lessons, but I don’t have the time, so I play around on the piano some. I’m crafty, so I sometimes like to make things like jewelry or clothing. I used to scrapbook, before I started writing, but I don’t have time now. L

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Actually writing my books. Having an online connection is so distracting. I often sit down with a plan to write and three hours later, I still haven’t typed one word. I’m still trying to find a way to balance the demands that come in my online world.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Write, write, write. Get into a critique group where you feel you are learning. And finish that first book. Many new writers tend to get stuck for years writing that first book. Train yourself to be a writer by doing the hard work of completing a full manuscript. Then go back and rewrite it. And when you’re done, put it down and write another book. Then write another. Then another.

Also, read, read, read. When you read, study what the author did. Look at their dialogue, action, punctuation, characters, plot, everything. Learn all you can. It will help you be a better writer and storyteller.

And try not to be impatient. Work on making each book the best it can be. When you finish a book, send it out. While you’re waiting to hear back, write another one. I wrote six novels before my first book was published. I’ve heard the same from many authors. So, try to have fun.

Tell us about the featured book.

Abby Goyer is forced to move to rural Alaska when her father unexpectedly takes a job in a remote laboratory called Jason Farms. Suspicious of her father’s decisions, she investigates and finds more than what she was looking for when a strange boy shows up at her door. Martyr, one of fifty-five identical clones, escaped from the underground lab at the farm with one wish: to see the sky before he fulfills his purpose and “expires” on his eighteenth birthday. Abby tries to help Martyr see that God has a purpose for his life, one that is different from the one the scientists originally planned for him.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Martyr stared at the equation on the whiteboard and set his pencil down. He didn’t feel like practicing math today. What did math matter when his expiration date was so near?

His wrist still throbbed from Fido’s teeth. Martyr touched the strip of fabric he’d ripped from his bedsheet and tied around his wrist to stop the bleeding. He hoped the wound would heal before a doctor noticed it. A trip upstairs to mend it would be unpleasant, as the doctor would likely use the opportunity to perform tests. Martyr shuddered.

To distract himself, he glanced at the other boys. Every Jason in the classroom except Speedy and Hummer scribbled down the numbers from the whiteboard. Speedy sketched Dr. Max’s profile, staring at the doctor with intense concentration. His hand darted over the paper, shading the dark face with a short, black beard.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Visit me at www.jillwilliamson.com, where adventure comes to life.


Thank you, Jill, for the interesting interview.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Replication: The Jason Experiment - paperback
Replication: The Jason Experiment - Kindle


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