Are You Into Winged Fairies? Or How About In a Galaxy, FAR, FAR AWAY?

Jennifer Hartz wrote and illustrated her first novel, an epic tale featuring winged fairies losing their magic wands to evil trolls, back when she was six years old. She has been a fan of fantasy and science fiction ever since. From the land of Mordor to a galaxy far, far away, Jennifer loves it all.

Born in Pittsburgh, but currently living in northeast North Carolina with her amazing husband and beautiful son, Jennifer spends her days teaching at a small private school in Norfolk, Virginia. Other than reading the Bible, Jennifer loves to read (and now write) Speculative Christian Fiction that has wonderful romantic storylines and exciting twists and turns.

The Future Savior Series is Jennifer’s first crack at a novel since the early days of fairy wand heists and she couldn’t be more thrilled with its quick success.

SDC: Before you tell us about your newest release coming, please fill us in on what got you started writing from the beginning.

Jenn: An overactive imagination coupled with an hour and a half commute!  As I made my lengthy drive, I started dreaming up different story lines until one really struck my fancy.  It became so intriguing to me that I just HAD to write it.

 SDC:  Tell us about your publishers, Jenn. How did they find you?

Jenn: Desert Breeze Publishing (www.desertbreezepublishing.com) is great! I was happy that I could query the entire series instead of just the first book since Future Savior is really one very long story broken down into five parts.  Gail Delaney, the Editor-In-Chief at Desert Breeze, has been awesome.  Not only did she mold my first novel, Future Savior: Conception, into more than I thought it could be, but she has really been like a mentor and teacher.  The community of Desert Breeze is very welcoming, helpful and friendly.  It’s simply a great place to be!

SDC:  I couldn't agree more! What kind of response to you receive from readers who have not yet come to know the Lord, or who have been influenced greatly by one of your fantasy books? 

Jenn: I think that most of the people who have read Conception are Christian.  However, of the few who are not, I hope that I hooked them on an exciting storyline.  They might be familiar with the Christian elements but it hasn’t overpowered them.  I also hope that as they continue to read Christina Vaughn’s adventure they might grow in their faith just like she does.

SDC: I look forward to checking it out myself. How do you make faith, love, and hope work together in your stories?

Jenn: Even though my stories are fantasies, I try to make the characters are realistic as possible.  Just because a person has special powers, or wings, or webbed feet doesn’t mean their emotions aren’t too different from ours!  Some of my characters have great faith and some have very little.  I think that the wide variety of characters allows a reader to connect with someone in the story.

SDC: Webbed feet, huh? Why does that make me think of my ducks? I'll bet your characters are very interesting. Do you use an agentm Jenn? If so, how did you go about finding yours, and what was your criteria for selecting?

Jenn: I do not currently have an agent, but I am working on a new YA fantasy series that I’m hoping to pitch to some agents as soon as I complete it.

SDC: I wish you the best with that. What’s your favorite Bible verse or verse that has sustained you recently and why?

Jenn: 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”  This one always stands out in my mind as a reminder of where I have come from.  I did not meet Christ until I was 26 and there was a lot of darkness in my past, but I am made new in Christ!  It has been amazing to watch His work unfold in my life and how much He has done for me.

SDC:  Ah, thank you so much for sharing that. You  are a teacher on the side. How does that effect your writing time?

Jenn: LOL!  Unfortunately, I think you have that backwards!  I do wish that someday I could be a full-time writer because I have so many ideas for multiple novels, but I just simply do not have the time.  Most of my writing comes in the summer.  For example, I’m hoping to complete two novels and a short story this summer.  Because of my very long commute, I have very little time to write during the school year.

SDC: I haven’t yet had the opportunity to read one of your books, as you probably noticed from what I wrote above. I hope to soon. Have you ever considered writing about a character who leaves the United States and goes elsewhere to find his or her love? (Or do you already have a book like that that I have missed?)

Jenn: Well, I guess The Future Savior Series might fall into this category!  The main character, Christina Vaughn, leaves present-day Pittsburgh and enters a completely unknown fantastical land to find her love.  Other than that, most of my novel ideas take place in the US… except for one that spiritual warfare novel idea that I have that would force the characters to travel to Europe.

SDC:  Have you ever written anything that you had to later toss? How would you describe your OLD file system of “works in progress” that you chose not to pursue?

Jenn: Not counting things that I attempted when I was a kid, The Future Savior Series is my first novel.  I do have two other WIP (works in progress) that are saved on two computer hard drives and a flash drive for me to dabble at when I have time.

SDC: Dabbling is so write. When DO we have the time? I understand you have a book you would like to share with one of our readers. That is always exciting to us here at the blog. Tell us which one you are planning to donate. Also, what question would you like to have answered to help me select the winner?

Jenn: I’d like to give away Future Savior: Conception which is the first novel in this series.  Future Savior: Resurrection comes out on June 1^st but a reader would really need to start at the beginning of this series.  Here’s the question:

What is the name of the main character in The Future Savior Series?

SDC: Interesting question especially for someone who hasn't yet read the book. Well, Jenn, it's been a real pleasure having you here at A Pen for Your Thoughts. As we close, please tell us where your books can be found and where our readers can look you up.

Jenn: Here are the links for purchase:

amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Future-Savior-Book-One-ebook/dp/B0041HXOUG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1283335858&sr=8-2

 Desert Breeze Publishing
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-107/Jennifer-Hartz-Future-Savior/Detail.bok

 Barnes & Noble.com
http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=jennifer+hartz 

 Books on Board
http://www.booksonboard.com/index.php?BODY=searchresults&SEARCH=jennifer%20hartz

 Allromance eBooks
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/mobile/search.html?qString=future+savior&stype=title

Borders – Sony Reader Store
http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/jennifer-hartz/future-savior-book-one/_/R-400000000000000276151 

Christianbook.com
http://www.christianbook.com/future-savior-book-one-conception-ebook/jennifer-hartz/9781936000586/pd/13534EB?item_code=WW&netp_id=868074&event=ESRCN&view=details

And here’s where you can find me on the web:

Website:  http://jenniferhartz.com

Facebook:  Jennifer Hartz

Twitter:  JenniferLHartz

THANKS SO MUCH JENN!  

READERS: Be sure to answer Jenn's question, or at least try.  I look forward to drawing your name to win a copy of her ebook! (Don't forget to leave your email)

CONGRATULATIONS TO WENDY MARPLE OF BUFFALO, MINNESOTA! You'll be hearing from Jenn SOON!