Saturday, June 2, 2012

Interview with Jordyn Redwood and Giveaway of Proof

JR: Heidi, thanks so much for hosting me here today. I'm looking forward to getting to know your readers!

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO START WRITING?

JR: I don't know if I ever made a conscious decision to start writing. Storytelling has always been a part of me. An outlet to keep the characters quiet in my mind. Now, the decision to pursue publication was a very conscious one and born out of frustration at not achieving what I wanted to in my nursing career.
 
WHAT AUTHORS HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING STYLE?

JR: I'm a huge Dean Koontz fan and would really love if he could write another book on writing. I would love to have his descriptive authority. I like the suspense style of James Patterson, Harlen Coban and Linwood Barclay. If at any point I was compared to one of these authors, I will melt into a puddle of tears.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING AUTHORS?

JR: Early in my writing journey, I found it hard to find my own sense of discernment. I would constantly ask others to review my work and then feel like I had to change everything that they wanted changed. Well, at that point, it wasn't my story anymore and I was essentially a ghost writer. For years, I was perpetually stuck on the first 30,000 words and never making any forward progress. What I eventually did was decide that the first draft was all mine. No other eyes would see it. It would simply be about getting the words on the page and having a finished book. After that, then it is the time to seek the advice of a few trusted people, to strengthen what you have. It takes time to learn which elements should be kept (regardless of who is telling you to cut them out) and which are good to let go.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR MEDICAL BLOG.

JR: Redwood's Medical Edge is designed to help contemporary and historical novelists write medically accurate fiction. When thinking about building my author platform, I really struggled with what I could do that would be unique. There were so many voices, much better than mine, doing extremely well with blogs on writing, blogs on faith and blogs on the Christian (insert topic of choice here).
What I found myself doing was answering medical questions for other writers, a lot, and loving it. Not only have I been in nursing for nearly 20 years, but I've been a long time teacher of advanced resuscitation classes and love reading medical stuff for fun. Hence, a blog was born that I felt could really help writers ferret out these medical issues.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR "REAL JOB." HOW DOES IT INFLUENCE YOUR WRITING?

JR: Currently, I work as a pediatric ER nurse. I don't know if I could do one job without the other. Nursing gives me fodder for the stories I tell and writing gives me an outlet for the tough emotional situations I encounter on a daily basis. 

WHAT DOES YOUR WRITING SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?

JR: I don't have a set writing schedule because my work days are never the same two days a week. Yes, I still work weekends and holidays. So, I do a monthly word count goal. I designate certain days to be writing days to help meet that goal. Also on writing days, I'll try to do one-three blog posts and one marketing activity.
At night, I'm generally reading two hours before I go to bed. This may be research but is generally the fiction books on my TBR list.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR LATEST RELEASE.

JR: Proof examines the real life possibility of DNA testing actually setting a guilty criminal free. Lilly Reeves is the fifth known victim of a merciless serial rapist. Though she correctly identifies her assailant to the police, DNA testing clears him. Lilly knows to regain her life she must prove his guilt by unraveling his DNA mystery.

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND IN RESEARCH BEFORE YOU WRITE A STORY?

JR: I am a research nut. I love to research and can get easily sidetracked looking up information or reading more books than I probably need to get all the nuances right that I want to. I find it hard to say I'm going to spend this much time researching and then just write the novel. I research before and during and probably don't stop until the book is with the publisher for their edits.

WHAT IS THE MOST INTERESTING THING YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM YOUR RESEARCH?

JR: So many things are interesting to me. The DNA mystery in my first novel is very intriguing-- especially knowing that it could actually happen. Also, the current research into medical applications for spider venom is amazing. I know-- I'm a little strange.

HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU WRITTEN?

JR: Great question and a little hard to answer. I wrote two "books" in high school. Looking back, they may be termed more novellas as I'm sure the word length is not what would be required of a novel. I'd written a partial novel early in my adult writing career that was very much a learning piece. The idea was soundly rejected as being too controversial and the plot was an utter mess and I put it on the proverbial back burner. I was just trying to accomplish too much. That being said, I've written two full length novels that are scheduled for publication and actively working on a third. 


HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR TIME WHEN YOU'RE NOT WRITING?

JR: I do have a very creative spirit. I'm also a quilter and a cross-stitcher. I love to make handmade gifts for my friends and family and am looking forward to passing down these skills to my two, beautiful daughters. I am a book junkie so if you're in a hurry-- quilt stores and books stores are a bad place to take me.

HOW CAN READERS CONTACT YOU AND/OR LEARN MORE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WRITING?

JR: They can find me at www.jordynredwood.net. I love to hear from readers and you can reach me via e-mail at jredwood1@gmail.com.

author Jordyn Redwood standing in front of a tree.

 
Jordyn Redwood is a pediatric ER nurse by day, suspense novelist by night. Her debut medical thriller, Proof, examines the real life possibility of DNA testing setting a guilty criminal free. It has been endorsed by the likes of Lynette Eason, Dr. Harry Kraus, and Rick Acker to name a few. You can find out more about Jordyn by visiting her blog: www.redwoodsmedicaledge.com and website: www.jordynredwood.net.

Bloodline Trilogy 1, a blue-eyed woman's face is shown on the book cover


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?

Jordyn is giving away a paperback copy of her book, Proof

To enter the giveaway, 
(1) be (or become) a follower of Sleuths and Suspects  
(2) leave a comment for Jordyn
(3) be a resident of the U.S.

The giveaway ends on June 16th. A winner will be announced on June 17th.

35 comments:

  1. I enjoyed reading this and learning more about Jordyn. I would love to win her book!

    I am a new follower of this blog.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Heidi,

    Such a pleasure to be here. Thanks again for having me.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Heidi, thanks for the interesting interview with Joydyn. I've love to win her book.
    Jo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jordyn: You are an awesome person! Congrats on your new book! Loved learning more about you in this interview!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kimberly. That's very sweet of you to say.

      Delete
  5. Jordyn,

    Welcome to Sleuths and Suspects. Heidi did a great job with your interview. I like what you said to aspiring writers. Having my debut novel "Death in Dahlonega" published in October 2011 I can relate to what you said about keeping your own voice. I remember asking my editor how I would know when to stop changing things - especially when others suggested changes - and she said that is when you have to learn to trust you gut. So I went through the same thing you did.

    I'm looking forward to your debut suspense!

    Deborah Malone

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Deborah. I'm glad I'm not alone in that "learning to find your voice" aspect of the writing journey.

      Hope you love the book as much as I loved writing about Lilly.

      Delete
  6. Very interesting interview and interesting book. Would love to read it. Just became a subscriber.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jordyn,
    We're so glad you stopped by.
    What a great story, and your cover is beautiful.
    Thanks for visiting Sleuths and Suspects.
    Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Jordyn,

    I'm glad to have seen this interview because it gives me a chance to congratulate you--again--on the debut of your novel, and again to say thanks for providing the service (of medical advice to writers) you offer on your blog.

    Elaine
    estock(at)fairpoint(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahhh-- thanks, Elaine. Looking forward to visiting your blog in August!

      Delete
  9. Great interview! I love the sound of this book. I am an avid reader of medical suspense and this plot sounds unique to anything else I have ever read. I have read a lot of books that used DNA testing to determine guilt but this is the first time I have heard of DNA being used to set a guilty person free - looking forward to reading Proof! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.

    I am a new follower of Suspects and Sleuths via GFC.

    janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan,

      Hope you win too. I'm glad I'm not drawing the winner because I can honestly root for everyone to win.

      Yes-- DNA testing can set a guilty man free. Don't you want to find out how?

      Delete
  10. Great interview. Would love to win the book. Just became a subscriber to Sleuths and Suspects and now I'm on my way to Jordyn's website.
    pat at ptbradley dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pat,

      Let me know what you think of the website and the first few chapters.

      Delete
  11. Wonderful interview and what a great plot and storyline for your novel! Wishing you great success with your writing career!
    Sandy
    Sandra305@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jordyn, Loved your interview. I love medical drama books and looking forward to reading Proof. I have always been interested in DNA testing and what it really involved and if it could be altered. You are a new author to me and I have added Proof to my wish list. Hope you have great success with Proof and looking forward to more books from you. Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us.

    I am a GFC follower

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you enjoyed the interview and thanks so much for adding Proof to your wishlist. Let me know what you think once you've read it.

      Delete
  13. Jordyn, you are a very, very busy lady. Do you ever stop and smell the roses? I look forward to reading your new book, Proof, and know my daughter-in-law and daughter (both nurses) will, too. Then the book would get to reside on the shelves of Alamance Christian School library - that is, of course, if I win.

    I now follow this blog with GFC.

    godleyv at yahoo [dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I try to stop-- but it is a rare occasion these days. What type of nursing do these fabulous women in your lives do?

      Delete
  14. Jordyn, can't wait to read this book and so excited for you. Reading your interview makes me tired LOL. Congrats on the release.

    Follow this blog, too, now.

    Cara
    cara at caraputman dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Cara. Excited to hear what you think about it.

      Delete
  15. I would love to win a copy of this book. I worked in West Michigan's largest medical center for several years, and I love medical fiction. I enjoyed the interview. Thank you for offering a giveaway of this book!
    Nancee
    quiltcat26@sbcglobal.net
    (I'm a follower of Sleuths and Suspects)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancee,

      What position did you hold?

      Delete
    2. I was a medical transcriptionist and editor of medical reports.

      Delete
  16. Jordyn,
    Enjoyed this interview and learning more about you and your exciting book. Like your medical blog too.

    Urbanski4u@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jude. Good to see you here. How's the writing life treating you?

      Delete
  17. Hey, Jordyn! I am so happy to have found this giveaway! Congrats again on your newly published book!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Congrats! JanMarie is the winner of the giveaway. I will be contacting her shortly. Thank you to all who participated. I hope you'll continue to stop by and participate in more giveaways!

    Heidi

    ReplyDelete
  19. JanMarien, please contact me at glick(dot)heidi(at)gmail(dot)com

    I need your mailing address.

    Please send to me by July 1st; otherwise, I will select another winner.

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Nancee has been chosen as the new winner. I will contact her shortly.

    quiltcat26@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete