Featured Author: Jamie Hope

[Jen Rattie]

Tell us about your latest book.

Illusion is a young adult science fiction novel and is the first in a series I am writing called Revelations. It centers around three teenagers, Salem, his childhood love Sarah, his best friend Ben and their families.

The main character Salem Stone, begins being stalked and attacked by demonic entities. In an attempt to flee them he suddenly develops superhuman abilities leaving him perplexed and with a lot of questions. As the story unravels he begins to feel like his life and everything he thought he knew about it is an Illusion.

When he realizes he and everyone he loves are not who or what he thought, he is faced with a new world where his life and the lives of everyone he loves are in grave danger. I don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say his family is involved in a very powerful and ruthless group of elitists who are in a quest to control the world.


Where did the idea for the book come from?

I have always had a penchant for the supernatural, as far back as I can remember. The difference I think for me was, I was never really satisfied with a fictitious supernatural world. I wanted to know what else was out there besides what we see in the natural.

I also saw a different way to connect with young adults by writing about Transhumanism, a very real scientific endeavor by the scientific community, the supernatural, and even the darker side of one’s faith.

Who and what inspire you to write?

I write fiction and non-fiction. What inspires me to write is whatever I find emotionally moving. I have to be invested in the subject whole heartedly to write about it.

Each author has his or her own inspiring journey. How did you begin writing?

I used to love to write when I was a kid. I remember an assignment we had in fourth grade to write about a summer vacation. I wrote 22 pages (half sheets). I couldn’t finish reading it to the class because it was too long. Somehow that love was lost through my teen and early adult years. Because of the serious nature of my previous job working for the Michigan House of Representatives on policy issues, I think I began gravitating toward fiction more as an escape.

What has been the most pleasant surprise about writing? How about an unexpected down side?

It has really ignited areas of my mind I didn’t know were there. I never really thought too much about my imagination until I started writing fiction. I knew I always daydreamed but didn’t realize how deep those dreams were until I paid attention to them more and started putting them on paper. My imagination seems to be like an abyss. I can hear one sentence in a conversation and it will spark a whole story in my head.

The downside of writing is exposing myself per se to the world. My friends would say I am extroverted, but really I am only in the things I really want people to see. I am personable but there are a lot of things even those closest to me don’t know. But when it comes to taking things from the innermost parts of my mind and laying them out for the world to see, it almost feels like you are taking your clothes off. You don’t know what people are going to think.

Do you have any writing rituals?

Yes! I get on my computer, open my Word document, go to the internet and get on social media websites and read news for an hour. I take a break. Come back and do it again until I tell myself I have to write. It’s self-defeating behavior really. Seriously, I don’t really have any rituals.

Do you write your books in order?

For the series I am currently writing I do. But I have another book I’m writing as well that’s not in the series. It’s kind of like, what am I in the mood for today? Ice cream or potato chips?

What is on your writing playlist for this book?

I love Imagine Dragons, Coldplay, and a good soundtrack from a sci-fi movie.

Any favorite writing snacks?

I can’t write and eat. I always thought I was a good multi-tasker but this question has me rethinking that. I am more of a salty snack person than sweets though.


What advice would you give writers who aspire to be published?

Two things. Whatever you do, don’t quit. I have a busy schedule and it took years for me to learn what I have, and I know I still have a ton to learn. I would get discouraged. But I kept going. It’s nice to finally achieve publishing my first book.

The other thing is, develop a thick skin and be okay with hearing your writing needs a lot of work. I took my manuscript to anyone who would listen. I went to writing conferences and had professionals look at it. I had never written fiction before so my first couple of rounds were very rough. I was told basically that it sucked. But I listened and didn’t get offended. I knew they were giving me valuable information. I wrote down there advice and used it. Now, I have had really good feedback, even from a movie director. I’m sure I will still have critics, such is life. I have learned to listen to what is valuable and discard the rest.

Are you working on anything new right now?

I am. I am learning scriptwriting. I also have a couple of sequels to Illusion that I will be working on, as well as another sci-fi young adult fiction novel.

Who is your favorite character in your current book?

Probably Ben. He has a pretty raw personality. He is very black and white. I like his strong personality. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything for anyone. He is also very smart and good looking.

What is your favorite book of all time?

The Bible. I’ve been reading it for years and there is always something new to discover. It’s amazing what they are still finding in it. Things that maybe older generations didn’t know or understand and now, we are beginning to understand because of the times we are living in, what those things really mean. It is an endless trove of discovery.

Tell us in one sentence why we should read your book.

It will leave you on the edge of your seat wondering where fiction ends, and fact begins.

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Author Social Media:

Twitter: @jamieahope Facebook: Jamie A. Hope Email: jamieannhope(at)gmail.com Website: jamieahope.com