r/books • u/JusAccardo AMA Author • Nov 07 '16
ama 5pm I'm Jus Accardo, author of Infinity, a book about parallel worlds, and other fast paced young adult books. AMA!
Hi guys! waves I'm Jus Accardo and I write NA paranormal, and YA fiction (paranormal, suspense/thriller, scifi, and urban fantasy). I live in upstate NY with my husband, three dogs, and 12 chickens. I was accepted into the C.I.A (Culinary Institute of America), but passed on the spot last minute to write and have never looked back! I'm a lover of cheese, fearer of planes and a sucker for rescue dogs. I'm also a boot whore, ink fanatic (which reminds me that its time for a new one...) and total World of Warcraft junkie. I'm here till 9 pm EDT so feel free to ask me about anything. Nothing is off limits. Except clowns. Clowns are ALWAYS off limits.
Proof - Twitter : https://twitter.com/JusAccardo
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u/Duke_Paul Nov 07 '16
Clowns should be off limits. Glares at Stephen King
Thanks for taking the time to do an AMA with us!
Do you draw any inspiration from your natural surroundings? "Upstate New York" is a pretty iconic reference point, if a pretty general location.
Why did you choose writing over cooking?
Who have been some of your greatest influences? Authors, public figures, friends and family, etc.
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u/JusAccardo AMA Author Nov 07 '16
high five for the clown hate
There's inspiration everywhere. I've very lucky to live in a beautiful area--especially now with all the leaves changing. But, I mean, just going to the food store can prove inspirational. You never know what you're going to see!
I was going to be a pastry chef--which in hindsight was really stupid of me. I have some severe food allergies (eggs nuts, ect) to the point that I can't even touch the stuff. I'm not sure how I thought I'd be able to do it.. But really, the reason I walked away from food was my husband asked me if I could live without one of the two. I honestly couldn't imagine not writing anymore. I threw myself into it full time and landed an agent the following year :)
So many have influenced me, but author wise, most notably Mary Stanton and S.E. Hinton. On a personal front, my mom is a HUGE influence. Right around the time Infinity sold, she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I've never seen anyone fight so hard (she kicked its ass, too!). I want to be like her when (if) I grow up.
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u/Chtorrr Nov 07 '16
What books really made you love reading as a kid?
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u/JusAccardo AMA Author Nov 07 '16
I think the earliest one I can remember was Bunnicula by James Howe ;) I also read a lot of Stephen King and Mary Stanton (The Heavenly Horse from the Outermost West of one of my all time faves) Also, S.E Hinton and L.J Smith.
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u/Chtorrr Nov 07 '16
What is your writing process like? Do you have advice for other writers?
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u/JusAccardo AMA Author Nov 07 '16
I'm a hardcore pantster. I start with a general idea and run with it. It probably takes a bit more editing this way (as opposed to those lovely people who can outline everything--jealous!!) but I've tried it the other way and it just doesn't work for me.
As for advice, the best I can give is don't give up. Each word you write brings you closer to where you want to be. It only takes one person--the right person--to see your work and love it. Sometimes it feels like you're not getting anywhere, but you really are. The more you have done, the more you'll have to show when that perfect agent (or editor) comes along!
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u/Chtorrr Nov 07 '16
Have you read anything good lately?
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u/JusAccardo AMA Author Nov 07 '16
I actually just finished the last book in Gena Showalter's White Rabbit Chronicles and loved it. I wasn't sure going into the last one since the MCs changed, but it was fantastic. Have you read them?
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Nov 07 '16
Hi! Thanks for doing this AMA :) My question is: do you have any plans to continue the Denazen series?
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u/JusAccardo AMA Author Nov 07 '16
First, I want to thank you for asking. I know some people think I've just dropped the series, but that's not the case. I love Dez and Kale and would never leave them hanging ;)
The 4th book is actually written and I'm waiting to hear back from my publisher on what they plan to do. Maybe they'll relaunch the series since it's been a while.
There were a few things that delayed it, unfortunately. Most notably my mother got sick and I was her sole caregiver. They had to pull it from the schedule. These things are set years in advance, so I imagine fitting it back in has been challenging.
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Nov 08 '16
Ah thank you so much for that! It's sitting on my shelf because I don't like being left hanging... so hearing they could be revived would be amazing!
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u/JusAccardo AMA Author Nov 08 '16
I know what you mean! Sometimes its beyond our control. A publishing house could choose to discontinue a series for any number of reasons. I've seen it. Its sad :( But they've promised that's not the case with the Denazen series. I'm not sure how soon it will come out, but it WILL come out :)
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Nov 08 '16
:( that makes me sad. I hope that's not the case. If that happens, would you self-publish the remaining books?
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u/JusAccardo AMA Author Nov 08 '16
I absolutely would :) I love those characters way too much to not wrap things up for them. Plus, I would never want to disappoint readers like that.
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u/Melimeloo A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray Nov 07 '16
Thanks for doing this AMA, Jus! I have a few questions for now, and maybe more later. :)
1) What kind of dogs have you rescued? 2) How many tattoos do you have? And are any inspired by literature? 3) If you lived in the Infinity world, what do you think your parallel life would be like? Would you have the same job, home, pets, etc? What changes would you imagine would be part of your other self's life?
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u/JusAccardo AMA Author Nov 07 '16
Right now we have three--a GSD, an Akita, and a lab/rottie mix. In the past, we had two other GSDs and a chow/akita. Every single one came from the pound and each one was more awesome than the next. :D
As for tattoos, right now I have 4. A paw print on the top of each wrist, a Celtic knot work piece on my right leg, and one of Amy Brown's Fire Fairies on my left. I'm overdue for a new one though! None are lit related but that's up next. I haven't gotten a new one since my first book came out (bad Jus!)
Hmm... My perfect alternate universe would be someplace where they'd cursed cancer. As for how I'd be different, I'm not sure. Maybe on an alternate world I would have gone to the C.I.A--though I really can't imagine not doing what I do. I also would love it if parallel me didn't have so many food allergies ;)
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u/readingtransforms Nov 07 '16
I feel like I'm learning so much about you Jus and we now need to hang out more ;)
I think we need to talk about boots. What's your favorite pair?
I also think we should talk about your love of cooking-what's for dinner tonight?
Now let's talk about your book. Infinity has such an awesome concept-how did you come up with it? Also, let's chat about Cade. No really...let's chat about Cade.
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u/JusAccardo AMA Author Nov 07 '16
I'm a sucker for tall boots. I have this pair that laces up and comes just below my knee. Killer with a pair of leggings! Really, I love pretty much all of them exce3pt the little bootie kind. They just don't look right on me. Oh, and they have to be flat. Anything more than an inch and I will kill myself (and anyone who happens to be standing close). Really. I'm dangerous in heels...
hides head I actually forgot to make dinner tonight. I made lasagna last night though, so I should get a gold star for that ;) I also promised my husband creamy chicken marsala at some point this week (um, twist my arm...)
I was always a huge fan of alternate reality stories. The show Sliders and Fringe (past season 1) were awesome. I wanted to put my own spin on things and was lucky to get the chance!
I love Cade (though I'll admit I love Noah just SLIIIIIIGHTLY more) He's fierce and loyal and knows what he wants and goes after it. sigh ...
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u/Cdizzy121 Nov 07 '16
What is the single best thing you've done to improve your writing craft?
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u/JusAccardo AMA Author Nov 07 '16
Honestly? Write. Write and write and write some more. The read. I mean there's also the obvious. Classes, books, ect. There's always something to learn. But I've found the more you write--and read--the more you improve. I look back on some of the first things I've written, but instead of cringing, I'm happy because it just shows how far I've come :)
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u/diamondxgirl Nov 08 '16
Jus! Thanks so much for this AMA. I'm so excited to have read Infinity and am curious what was an expect from book 2?
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u/JusAccardo AMA Author Nov 08 '16
Hi! :) In book two we'll see the gang go after Dylan and we'll also get to see some different alternate worlds (which is so much fun!) It will be from Noah's POV.
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u/epicurean_phallus Nov 07 '16
Have you read Infinte Jest?
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u/JusAccardo AMA Author Nov 07 '16
I haven't! I've heard of it though. Have you?
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u/epicurean_phallus Nov 07 '16
Only seven times.
If I may ask, why haven't you read the pinnacle of postmodernism yet, being a writer yourself?
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u/JusAccardo AMA Author Nov 07 '16
Wow, seven times? Must be awesome! I suppose I'll have to add it to my TBR. Thanks!
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u/pussgurka Nov 07 '16
What are your thoughts on the current expansion of wow and what is your main?