Bio:
I’ve worked in the publishing industry for over twenty years. I started my career as a freelance journalist, then worked as an in-house editor for LexisNexis Canada and currently work as a freelance editor and writer.
I’ve had several short stories published and won first place in the Writes of Caledon Short Story Contest. My novels, The Barely Boy and Dark Angel were finalists in the 2010 and 2011 Strongest Start Contests. One of my short stories “Thom’s Journey” is part of an Anthology entitled A Visitor to Sandahl and is available at Amazon.com.
Invisible, my debut novel, is about a teenage girl who isn’t happy with herself and wishes she could disappear. And one day she does. Invisible is available on Amazon, Smashwords, and the Solstice Publishing website.
When not reading or writing, I enjoy being with my daughters, Nina and Sara and my husband, David. I’m also the proud mother of two fur babies, a sweet Miniature Schnauzer named Emily and Spencer, a rambunctious tabby, who can be a very bad boy.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JeanneBannon
FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/
Solstice Publishing: http://www.solsticepublishing.
Interview:
If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?
Stephen King, Shirley McLaine, John Irving, Cher and Larry King.
If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?
paper and pen (is that one thing or two?), a copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and eyebrow tweezers to pull that one unruly chin hair that keeps popping up.
What is one book everyone should read?
If you're a writer, then On Writing, by Stephen King. For readers, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (can you tell it's my favorite?)
If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
To be invisible, of course!
Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
Because it might help one person dealing with bullying or body image problems.
Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I'm currently finishing up rewrites on a paranormal thriller titled Dark Angel. I would love to write a YA series,
What inspired you to want to become a writer?
I think I was born with the desire. It's just always been who I was.
If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world.. which would it be?
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
If you could choose only one time period and place to live, when and where would you live and why?
The 1950s. It seems like a lovely time. Things were simpler. I think I'd choose somewhere in the mid to southern United States. Living in Canada is a bit chilly for my liking.
Can you see yourself in any of your characters?
Although I look nothing like my main character, Lola Savullo, she is a lot like me. Lola is the victim of bullys. I was bullied in grades 7 and 8. Lola is also close to her grandmother as was I.
What's the craziest writing idea you've had?
I once wrote a short story titled "The Day of the Killer Roaches" - not a good idea. It was about an exterminator who was sent to another planet where the roaches were as large as cars.
What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?
I've gotten so much advice over the years, it's hard to pick one thing. The first piece of excellent advice I received was from author, J.L. Campbell - she read the first chapter of one of my works in progress and told me to chop off the first page and a half - that I wasn't starting the book where it should be started. I had too much boring stuff at the beginning of the book, it would have put readers off from the get go.
If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?
Well, Betty Smith is dead so it can't be A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, so my second choice would be A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving or The Stand by Stephen King.
You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy?
A new car. My Rav 4 is 12 years old!
Which authors have influence you most how?
Stephen King because he's wonderful and many others (who will not be mentioned) because they're mediocre. If they can write a book, so can I!
What's your favorite season/weather?
I love the fall because it makes be want to write. I also love the feeling of being comfy and cosy in my house.
Who or what inspired you to become an author?
People thinking I couldn't do it. And people wanting me to fail.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Reality television shows...shhhh
What TV show/movie/book do you watch/read that you'd be embarrassed to admit?
I watch the Bachelor and I read Twilight, again...shhhh
In your wildest dreams, which author would you love to co-author a book with?
Stephen King.
Lola’s not pretty. Lola’s not popular. Lola wishes she could disappear … and then one day she does just that...
For seventeen-year-old Lola Savullo, life is a struggle. Born to funky parents who are more in than she could ever be, Lola’s dream of becoming a writer makes her an outsider even in her own home. Bullied and despised, Lola still has the support of her best pal Charlie and Grandma Rose.
Not only is she freakishly tall, Lola’s a big girl and when forced to wear a bathing suit at her summer job as a camp counselor, Lola’s only escape from deep embarrassment seems to be to literally vanish. Soon after, she discovers the roots of her new “ability”.
Slowly, with Charlie’s help, Lola learns to control the new super power. The possibilities are endless. Yet power can be abused, too…
Then, when tragedy strikes, Lola must summon her inner strength, both at home and at school. She has to stand up for herself, despite the temptations and possibilities of her newfound super power.
A coming-of-age story that will warm the heart.
Giveaway Details
1 paperback copy open to US & Canada
1 ebook open Internationally
Ends 11/9/11
Optional Extra Entries:
+1 Follow Jeanne's Blog: http://beyondwordsblog.blogspot.com/
+1 Follow Jeanne on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/JeanneBannon
Invisible was a fun and enjoyable read. The teenage characters were realistic, often reminding me of my high school days. The author captured the intense emotions that defines a teenager's years. Of course, the only difference is most teenagers can't vanish.
ReplyDeleteFrom the interactions with her grandma, to feeling like she had nothing in common with her parents, to enduring bullies, Lola's emotions were raw and deep and spot on for a girl like her. I loved the way she grew and opened up as the story progressed. Between realizing she is beautiful, that she had a lot more in common with her parents, I was cheering Lola on the whole way. As she was plotting with Charlie and Jon I was silently pleading for her not to sink to the bully's level.