Interview With Author JJ Carroll
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written 6 or 7 books, but Displaced: Both Feet in the Game is the first one in the children’s middle-grade genre. I had published an adult how-to book some years ago and have other books not yet published.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I love the fantasy of time travel so I started there when I first attempted to write fiction. I hope to turn “Displaced” into a series beginning with, “Both Feet in the Game.”
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a total plotter. I like to plan things out and have all the answers before I start writing. I spend a LOT of time preparing to write, but then I’m a fast writer once I get started. I’m an early riser (4-4:30 a.m.), so my best writing is done in the wee hours of the morning when the world is still asleep. I love my quiet time!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love time travel and think that Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife is pure genius. I can’t imagine the planning that went into working out that plot’s timeline! Once I pick up Book 1 of a series, I will devour the rest: Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander (combines TT and historical fiction); The last Kingdom series by Bernard Cornwell; Pillars of the Earth series by Ken Follett; The White Queen by Phillippa Gregory; Poldark by Winston Graham… you get the idea.
I also read a LOT of middle grade fiction, with or without history or time travel. I love AVI, Louis Sachar, Neil Gaiman… Goodness, there are so many. I prefer magic realism over fantasy, so Harry Potter over Lord of the Rings.
What are you working on now?
I’m spinning so many plates right now, including Book 2 for the Displaced series (age 9-12); a new historical fiction series for kids age 8-10, which I hope to release fall of 2023(ish); plus keeping my Historic Books for Kids website afloat with some smaller projects for helping homeschoolers teach history. I just finished a Medieval cookbook and a book on legends that helps kids learn research skills.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Beats me. I’m new at this. 🙂 My author website is JJCarrollBooks.com.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, read, read. Writers must be readers if you want to recognize quality in your own writing.
I also have a personal rule to build stew time into everything I write. Get away from the manuscript and write something else. Then come back to it with fresh eyes and you’ll see ways to improve it. (works well when you’re stuck too.)
But always keep writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read, read, read. And keep writing.
What are you reading now?
LOL. I probably have a half dozen books going right now. I just finished Fuzzy Mud, by Louis Sachar. I’m researching the War of 1812 and James Madison’s presidency for a book project, so I’m reading books on that topic.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m excited about my historic fiction series. I have Book 1 drafted, Book 3 done about 75% (letting it rest); and just started Book 4. Will come back to Book 2 later and hope to launch with the first 5 within the year. At the moment, I’m looking at about 45 books in the series.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
That’s an evil question! I couldn’t decide. One thing’s for sure – they’ll be real long books with many angles to keep my brain occupied. (But I’d rather be stranded with a laptop for ongoing writing than with 3 or 4 books.)
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