About the Author: JC Peterson
What would you like readers to know about you?
Writing books is really an excuse to travel. I adore exploring a new place and stumbling upon the secret little nooks and crannies—especially if it's just a bit outside the ordinary. (Like, has someone constructed the world's largest Canada goose? Because I'm definitely going out of my way to see that.) All of my books are set in places I want to explore, which selfishly means I get to spend hours reading all about the history and culture of the area and pouring over photos as research.
What music do you listen to (if any) when you write?
I listen to a lot of soundtracks. When I was writing "Being Mary Bennet," my debut novel, I listened to the 2005 P&P soundtrack on repeat. I also love to collect songs that remind me of my book or characters and make specific playlists—there's one each for BMB and LOLA. I'm a big indie rock fan, so it's fun to let my music taste come out in my playlists.
What books or authors inspired you to become a writer?
Definitely the "Anne of Green Gables" series was a huge inspiration for me. I loved—and saw so much of myself in—Anne's big imagination and sharp voice. As a teen, Libba Bray's "Great and Terrible Beauty" series is what made me rediscover my love of YA and start dreaming up my own stories.
About the Book: Lola at Last
What is your book about for those who haven’t read it?
"Lola At Last" is my latest book. It's inspired by "Pride & Prejudice" and is a modern-day spin on Lydia Bennet. After Lola Barnes' latest mistake (it was just a bit of boat arson, she doesn't know why everyone freaked out), she's forced to spend the summer hiking and camping with the program Hike Like a Girl. She vows to hate every second, but nature has other plans. "Lola At Last" is about learning to love yourself—flaws and all.
What has been your inspiration for writing it?
Obviously, P&P was a huge inspiration. But more specifically, I started thinking hard about Lydia's future in P&P. She—at just 15 years old—has made a mistake that will effectively ruin the rest of her life. She wasn't given the chance to redeem herself or learn from her screw ups. I wanted to take that character and give her a chance to mature without losing her spark.
What was your favorite scene or part of your book to write?
I loooooove Lola's voice and the way she slowly, begrudgingly starts to realize how much nature fills her soul. There's a couple chapters that cover her first night actually camping that are my very favorite scenes in the entire book. What's funny is that these chapters were a late addition to the novel, but they're my favorite!
Where can your book be purchased?
You can find "Lola At Last" and "Being Mary Bennet" at your favorite local bookstore or library! They also both have wonderful audiobook editions.
To the Future Writer:
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to write a book?
Find a critique group! Writing is, by its nature, a solitary thing. But hearing feedback—and giving it—is SO important to becoming a better writer. Writing is a lot of rewriting, and a solid critique group can be invaluable to helping you brainstorm and problem solve. Plus, it's great to have friends who GET IT. Publishing is a weird world, so having folks you can celebrate (and commiserate) with is really important.
What’s next for you? Any events, upcoming pubs, etc.
"Lola At Last" came out in late February, so I'm just finishing up all my events to celebrate its release. Right now, I'm working on my next book, and hopefully I can share more soon!
Where can we find you:
Twitter- @jenc_p
Instagram- @jcpwrites
Website- www.jcpetersonwrites.com
Others- TikTok: @jcpwrites
What’s on your TBR list?
I just finished "The Dead Romantics" by Ashley Poston and am currently reading "The Suite Spot" by Trish Doller with "Better Than Fiction" by Alexa Martin up next. I'm also sooooooo excited for India Holton's next book, "The Secret Service of Tea & Treason."
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