WQI with Author Jodi Compton

Today I have a special treat for everyone -- another World's Quickest Interview (WQI), this time with author Jodi Compton, whose newly published book THIEVES GET RICH, SAINTS GET SHOT just hit the shelves yesterday! 

You probably know by now how WQIs work. I ask short questions, authors give me short answers.

Describe your book in one sentence.

An identity-theft story with very high stakes -- two murders are committed -- and a lot of gangland flavor.

How long have you been writing?

Professionally, I started late: 28 years old. Before that, I kept some notebooks for character sketches and story ideas, but didn’t finish anything.

Who or what inspired this book?

My two-book contract: I had to write a sequel to Hailey’s War. Hailey and her world, though, are inspired by my love affair with Los Angeles and its vibrant, high-spirited youth culture. That’s reflected clearly in both books, in which no major character is over the age of 26.

How long did it take you to write this book?

Eight weeks, I think. Then revisions, once for my agent and once for my editor, and those take about the same length of time -- seven to eight weeks per. 

Besides writing, what do you like to do most?

Work out: A day without getting my heart rate up feels slow and dull. Which is not to say I’m rail thin, because I love food, too.

If you had to be an animal, what would you be?

Anything that could fly. Let’s shoot for the moon and go with dragon. 

Play it safe or out on a limb?

Safe. The first thing I do on plane is count the rows to the nearest emergency exit. I’ve always got an escape route planned. 

Chess or Parcheesi?

Chess. I don’t know what Parcheesi is. 

Tell us three things you would do in a perfect day.

Snowboard, sit in a hot tub afterward, have a fantastic evening meal.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Start now. Don’t wait. 

Thank you so much, Jodi! Your new book sounds so intriguing. And those of you who are writers, aren't you impressed that she wrote it in eight weeks? I know I am!

And by the way, readers....
Sara J. Henry is having a THIEVES GET RICH, SAINTS GET SHOT giveaway on her blog TODAY, so hop on over there and leave a comment to be entered in the drawing, QUICK! Sara has read the book and has awesome things to say about it.