Hi Candice! Thank you so much for joining us!
Is this your first published book?
No, I had several standalone chapter books published
before the Jake in Space books, as
well as a school reader. I’ve also published a novel for adults, Unloched, which received a commendation
in the Victorian Premier’s Awards for an unpublished manuscript before it was
picked up by Odyssey Books.
Which genre?
Science Fiction.
Which age group?
7-11.
Is it a series or standalone?
Are you an agented author?
No, I don’t have an agent.
Which publisher snapped up your book?
Which publisher snapped up your book?
New Frontier Publishing.
Do you have another job?
Do you have another job?
Yes, I own a bookstore on the Gold Coast, Big B
Books.
Did you receive many, if any, rejections prior?
I received two rejections before New Frontier
Publishing picked up the first book and asked me to create a series from it.
What created/what were you doing or watching when the first idea for this book sneaked up on you?
What created/what were you doing or watching when the first idea for this book sneaked up on you?
I
have no idea how I ended up writing a science fiction adventure. It just
evolved that way from my memory of failing my driving test numerous times (I
won’t tell you how many, it’s way too embarrassing). As such, I had to learn a
lot about space and the science of space travel to write this series. It’s been
an exciting learning curve.
How long did you plot/plan until you started writing it?
I don’t really plan my stories out so I just started
writing about this boy, Jake, who kept failing his driving test and was sent to
remedial space car driving school on the Moon. The adventure developed from
there. I quickly discovered I needed to learn some stuff about the Moon to
write this story when he got there though so it took about a month to do all
the research so I could write the book.
Once you started, did the story flow naturally or did you have to step in
and wrestle it into submission?
Because there’s a mystery element involved I did
have to wrestle with the story a bit so that the pieces of information were
revealed at the right time and made logical sense, as much as you can in a
futuristic setting where kids learn to drive space cars and use slooper goo.
How many drafts did you write before you let someone read it? Who was that
someone?
Usually I only write my first draft
before I read my work to my husband, and sometimes my kids if it’s appropriate
for their age. Reading aloud is my process of beginning the editing process
because it’s then I notice anything that needs attention, such as where the
story isn’t working as it should, if there are any issues with flow and
plausibility and of course picking up any poor spelling and grammar or word
repetition.
How many drafts until it was published?
I did about 3-4 drafts myself, then
another three with the publisher, plus a final proofread.
Has the book changed dramatically since the first draft?
Has the book changed dramatically since the first draft?
The story itself hasn’t changed much
but the writing style has. I originally wrote it in first person, present tense
until my editor suggested I rewrite it in third person, past tense. It works
much better in the new form. Oh, and Jake wasn’t called Jake originally.
Are there any parts you’d like to change even now?
What part of writing do you find the easiest?
Writing the initial story – that’s the
fun part.
What part do you find hardest?
Fixing anything that’s implausible –
especially when it comes to science fiction.
Do you push through writing barriers or walk away?
Push through them usually, unless it’s
a problem with the overall story. If I didn’t do that I’d give up and never get
anything finished.
How many projects do you have on the go at the same time?
How many projects do you have on the go at the same time?
Usually only one, or two at most. I
like to concentrate all my creative energy on one project at a time once I know
what story I want to tell.
Do you think you’re born with the talent to write or do you think it can be
learned?
I think it’s a combination of both, like with anything. For me,
I was always an avid reader and keen writer. English was my favourite subject
at school and teachers often read my stories to the class. I later went on to
study writing and editing though through my Bachelor of Communication/Diploma
of Arts (Professional Writing & Editing) so I learned to refine and improve
my writing skills then. I’m always learning to become a better writer even now
too and, like everything, writing gets better with practise.
How many future novels do you have planned?
How many future novels do you have planned?
Lots! I have so many ideas that I just
need the time and patience to write them.
Do you write other things, such as short stories, articles, blogs, etc?
Do you write other things, such as short stories, articles, blogs, etc?
I published several parenting articles
and had a regular blog spot when my children were little. I also have a media
background so I’ve written a gazillion news reports.
What’s the highlight of being published so far?
Having Jake in Space: Moon Attack listed in the Herald Sun ’12 Books
Children Will Love in Christmas 2014.’
1. I must have a great character with a
massive problem to deal with.
2. I need to get inside the head of my
main character and write as though I am that person.
3. My ideas come when I get active and
have a clear mind to allow the story to appear, not from sitting in front of a
computer screen.
4. I need to have a story outcome in mind
as a guide but I don’t need to stick to it if things take a different
direction.
5. I have to enjoy the writing – if it’s
a constant struggle, the story isn’t there yet so I need to take a break and
rethink it or let it go.
And one that doesn't.
Not caring about the main character
and what happens to him or her – if I don’t care, no one else will either.
Can you give us a clue or secret about the next book?
Can you give us a clue or secret about the next book?
My YA novel Clearwing just received a highly commended place at the CYA
Conference so I’m hoping to develop that further now.
Thank you so much, Candice! Good luck with Clearwing!
Go out an buy Jake in Space, YAtopians, it's a fantastic series for lower middle grade readers, I promise you won't be disappointed.
If you want to know more about Ms Lemon-Scott and follow the progress of her new projects, check out these links below.
Website
And even Jake has his own website!
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