Short
bio: Jordyn Redwood is a pediatric ER nurse by day, suspense novelist by night.
She hosts Redwood’s Medical
Edge, a blog devoted to helping contemporary and historical authors
write medically accurate fiction. You can connect with Jordyn via her website at
www.jordynredwood.net.
Welcome, Jordyn.
First, Lena ,
thank you so much for hosting me on your blog. It's an honor and pleasure to be
here.
Tell us how much of
yourself you write into your characters.
JR:
I don't think I intentionally write a lot of myself into my characters. For me,
I give my characters qualities that I aspire to have. Though, when my mother
read Proof, she did say,
"I can see a lot of you in this book."
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
JR:
Well, there could be a lot to draw on here. When I was in high school, I was
trying to figure out if I could handle trauma nursing and I thought the best
way to do that was to ride around with the our local fire department to see if
I could handle all the blood and gore. Those ride-a-longs gave me some
interesting life experiences.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
JR:
I don't know if I have a date and time per se. In elementary school, I began to
write stories. I had a Disney themed pocket folder that had a picture of a few
characters panning for gold and I remember writing a story based on that
picture. Storytelling has always been a joy of mine.
Tell us the range of the
kinds of books you enjoy reading.
JR:
I have two broad categories that I like to read. I'm well read in suspense, the
genre I love to write, and I have my favorite authors where I'll read
everything they publish. I also read a lot of non-fiction as research for my
fiction and the range of this can be very eclectic. For instance, for a trilogy
I'm developing, I'll be doing a lot of reading on scientific evidence for the
soul, near-death experiences, and prayer and how we can interpret these
findings through a Christian worldview.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
JR:
I really have to be organized to stay on schedule—particularly with working
24hrs/wk and having younger children in the home. I set monthly word count
goals and try to write at least one blog post on my writing days. I try to stay
ahead of the writing things I can control because it has surprised me that it's
hard to anticipate publisher's demands at times. I know when the initial
manuscript is due, but the different points of the editing phases are harder to
plan around. I'll think the next month is smooth sailing, yet, get my manuscript
from the publisher with a few weeks to turn it back around.
How do you choose your
characters’ names?
JR:
I don't delve too long into picking character names. I generally go with something
I like with good beginning letter variability.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
JR:
Finishing my novel and getting a publishing contract. There is something very
gratifying by having "gate keepers" find value and entertainment in
your writing enough to put their money behind it.
If you were an animal,
which one would you be, and why?
JR: A
black panther. They're beautiful and stealth-like. You don't want to tangle
with one. I admire their strength and don't-mess-with-me attitude. ER nurses
tend to be like this, too.
What is your favorite
food?
JR:
Love a big plate of Nachos-- complete with fake cheese. Though, just the
basics. Taco meat, nacho cheese, sour cream and black olives.
What is the problem with
writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
JR:
One of the critiques I got of my early writing was that it was very stark
emotionally. When I first wrote stories, I wanted the reader to infer their own
emotions onto the characters versus me adding that emotional impact. What I
learned was the author and reader function hand in hand but the reader needs to
feel the emotions on the page to feel connected to the story. Overcoming
it took a lot of work and I don't know that I'm there yet. I literally made a
note card that said "add emotion" as a constant reminder to add that
extra punch to engage the reader. I think the note card also said "Less
i-n-g words".
Tell us about the
featured book.
JR: Proof examines the real life possibility of DNA testing
setting a guilty criminal free. Lilly Reeves is the fifth victim of a serial
rapist and even though she correctly identifies her assailant to the police--
DNA testing sets him free. Convinced of his guilt, she sets on a path to
unravel his DNA mystery.
Amazon
Blurb:
Dr.
Lilly Reeves is a young, accomplished ER physician with her whole life ahead of
her. But that life instantly changes when she becomes the fifth victim of a
serial rapist. Believing it's the only way to recover her reputation and secure
peace for herself, Lilly sets out to find--and punish--her assailant. Sporting a
mysterious tattoo and unusually colored eyes, the rapist should be easy to
identify. He even leaves what police would consider solid evidence. But when
Lilly believes she has found him, DNA testing clears him as a suspect. How can
she prove he is guilty, if science says he is not?
Please give us the first
page of the book.
JR: How about the first
five chapters? They can be found here: http://www.jordynredwood.net/resources/
How can readers find you
on the Internet?
They
can find me at www.jordynredwood.com
.
I've loved having you, Jordyn.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Proof: A Novel (Bloodline Trilogy) - paperback
Proof: Bloodlines Triology 1 (Bloodline Trilogy) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
30 comments:
Wow this book sounds really great!. Thanks for the interview.
Amy Campbell
Southwest VA
Want to read this one, the upcoming trilogy sounds great too!
JoyAnne in TN
Sounds very interesting! I'm a big CSI fan, so this sounds right up my alley.
Patty in SC
This book looks sooo intriguing! Please enter me!
I love in Oregon. :)
"Proof" sounds like a fascinating read. DNA testing is key in criminal cases. I put this one on my list.
Janet Kerr
B.C. Canada
Thanks everyone for your comments. That's one thing I loved about writing this book...considering that the gold standard for criminal prosecution could set a guilty man free.
Sounds great!! Would love to read it. I love this kind of book... it's a nice change when I get into a historical/romance/amish fiction funk. :)
Ladette in GA
I would love to win/read this book. It sounds terrific.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Thank you for the chapters - very generous. I already have PROOF on my wish list.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Just the cover alone is intriguing! Thanks for hosting the giveaway.
Kandra in Tennessee
I read the first three chapters and the story got me hooked! Would love to win a copy.
Looks interesting!
Please enter me in the drawing!
God Bless!
Sarah
Blanch,N.C.
Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.
Ladette, it is definitely different from those genres for sure. I too love the book cover. Kregel did an amazing job. Glad everyone is enjoying the free chapters!
This is my kind of book...hope to win it....Ohio
Ooohh! I'd love to win this book! Thanks for the chance! :)
frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com
I've read numerous reviews for Proof, and I'd love to win a copy. Thank you for offering this giveaway!
Nancee in Michigan
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Wow - thank you for the chance to win your new book! It sounds exciting - Christian medical suspense is something that I look forward to seeing more of! And, since I used to volunteer many hours writing to prisoners, it raises another interest for me. I'm hooked already, and can't wait to read it! Blessings as you continue to serve our Lord and write! Mama Cat in Phoenix
Hey Mama Cat,
Have you had a chance to read any of Candace Calvert, Richard Mabry or Harry Kraus. They are some other fantastic medical thriller authors that I think you'd enjoy.
Enter me!
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.
Please enter me. Love medical fiction.
Nad in Texas
Proof looks very good! Thanks for the great interview.
from Iowa
I'd love to win this book! Thanks for the giveaway!
Liz R in AL
Great interview. This book really sounds good!
Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
Lena,
Thanks so much for having me. I'm glad people enjoyed the interview and are excited about Proof!
Thank you for responding, and your recommendations! Recently finished Code Blue, and am now reading Critical Care. Will check on Dr. Kraus' books, too - blessings! MaMaCat
Sounds like an interesting book. Thanks Lena for another excellent interview.
Hollymag from Southern California
I'd love to be entered! I'm in Ohio :)
Cbus.blogger@gmail.com
I watch all the forensic science shows and am amazed at what can be scientifically 'proven'. This book sounds like something I would love to read. In my mind, it is hard to disprove science. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
Thanks for your comments Holly and Bethany!
Kristie-- interested to hear what you think of Proof whichever way you read it!
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