J. Andersen Talks Family and Friends Becoming Characters

Hey everyone!

For those of you who don't already know, my super amazing friend J. Andersen just had a book launch for her second novel! Yaaaaay!

What? Who is J. Andersen? How dare you, sir! I challenge you to fisticuffs at dawn.

THIS is J. Andersen:

There’s not much to do growing up in a small town in Western NY, so J. Andersen wrote stories and won high school writing contests. But in college her writing was limited to term papers. While teaching middle school she began to read young adult books and got serious about writing. She now writes full time, volunteers at the town library, helps to run a School of the Arts at her church, and sings in the church band. She enjoys good coffee—read: home roasted by her husband—crafts, baking, and chasing after her children. You’ll rarely see J. without a book in her hands, and that’s the way she’d like to keep it.

J has been my friend for many years, and I have beta read most of her books (and helped edit a couple). I was very excited when she told me she had a deal for her latest project, The Breeding Tree.

Here's what you can expect from The Breeding Tree:

Is the opportunity to create the next generation of life a dream come true or a deadly nightmare?

When seventeen year old Katherine Dennard is selected to become a "Creation Specialist" in Sector 4, the opportunity sounds like a dream come true. But Kate soon discovers the darker side of her profession - the disposal of fetal organs and destruction of human life. It makes sense, really. In a society where disease and malformations don t exist, human perfection demands that no genetic "mutants" be allowed to live. For Sector 4, "survival of the fittest" is not just a theory - it's The Institute's main mission.

When Kate discovers that The Institute is using her DNA to create new life, her work gets personal. In order to save her unviable son, she'll have to trust Micah and his band of underground Natural Born Rebels. The problem is, if The Institute discovers her betrayal, the next body being disposed of could be hers.

That's awesome, right? Who doesn't love a killer dystopian novel? (Horrific pun five thousand percent intended.)

Here is what J had to say about inspiration for her characters in her newest novel:

One question I often receive is, “Do you put anyone you know in the books you write?”

For me, the answer is, yes and no. There are definitely elements of different people, but I have never copied an individual person closely. I have a friend who told me she did that for one of her stories and the person never recognized herself, so that makes me want to try it. So far, I stick to bits and pieces of people.

In The Breeding Tree, Gran has a gold tooth. This was taken from my grandfather, who had a gold tooth. I was close with my grandparents, so there’s always going to be an element of them in any grandparent I write. Gran is also a little snarky. My grandmother was too, although, I don’t think she ever intended to be. She just told it like it was. I can remember the day I showed her a picture of my wedding dress. She told me it wasn’t a really wedding dress because it didn’t have long sleeves. I still laugh at that.

Dr. Rosenberg’s name was stolen from my Aunt Penny. I take names of friends often. At least last names.

Jaxon’s way of joking is my brother Matt. Though, Jaxon is a high energy, always in-your-face kind of guy. My brother is more likely to disappear into his shop because he’s had enough socializing after about an hour. Matt also provided a few one-liners for Jaxon without knowing it.

I have another friend who keeps asking to be in a book. Even if it’s just a cameo. I haven’t yet done that. Maybe in the future. Until then, this is as close as you’re going to get, Bob Katilus.

I do have to explain about my mother. Every mother I’ve written so far has been a little on the grumpy, mean side. I need to clarify that this is NOT how my mother is. The mothers in my stories are definitely not fashioned after my own mother. She’s a wonderful, generous, Godly woman. But that kind of character just didn’t fit in with my story. 

I’m sure as I continue to write, more of my friends and family will make their way into my stories. You’ll just have to guess who is who.

Now, you may be saying to yourself as you stroke your imaginary beard/mustache/goatee, "Danielle, you've known J for years. Are you in one of her books?"

The answer is, yes. Yes I am.

I don't want to give too much away, but The Breeding Tree is only the first book of a trilogy that J. Andersen has already written. And she specifically asked for my permission to name a mad scientist after me in one of them.

A MAD SCIENTIST.

LIFE ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED.

So, in conclusion - buy all of J. Andersen's books because she is amazing. I mean, that's not the only reason why. But it's the best reason.

Really, though, The Breeding Tree is a fantastic read. I would recommend it to others regardless.

Please, check it out....of a library! And then buy it! Or just buy it!

Here is the link to buy The Breeding Tree on Amazon, as well as all the ways you can stalk dear J on social media:

THE BREEDING TREE on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1941103987/

Website: https://www.jandersenbooks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandersenbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JVDLAndersen

Goodreads: https://goodreads.com/jvdlandersen

Instagram: https://instagram.com/jvdlandersen

Snapchat ID: jvdlandersen