The Awakening
Emma Jones
Do you believe in vampires? Ghosts? The supernatural world?
Meet Lauren who instantly clicks with Gavin at a friend’s BBQ. Everything goes well until Lauren starts to experience strange things and hears a weird voice. It seems like a warning but from what? Lauren eventually makes the startling discovery that Gavin is a vampire and it has profound consequences for herself. The arrival of Daniel makes things even more confusing for Lauren as she is warned he is bad news from a ghostly source. Laurens life is turned upside down as things she thought were myths and legends become real and she struggles to cope with everything she has discovered.
Will Lauren and Gavin’s relationship survive and what about the mysterious Daniel?
Hey everyone! I'm glad it's Friday - are you? Today I have an interview with new author Emma Jones. So check it out, check out The Awakening and enter the giveaway!
Hello Emma!! It’s so nice to sit down and chat with you! Thanks for coming by!
If you had to explain The Awakening in under ten words, how would you do it?
The Awakening in ten words - Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, British, Vampire, Twist, Evolved, Debut, Modern.
What were your inspirations for the characters?
I always wanted Lauren my leading lady to be a normal girl. My inspiration was a combination of things. I always wanted Lauren to be slightly older than in other novels I'd read as I always found it slightly frustrating that 16-17 year olds can all drive, own cars and rarely seem to be in school. I figured if it annoyed me it might annoy others so always intended for Lauren to be 19 or 20. I picked 20 as I wanted 21 to be an important birthday as you will see in the story. Her group of friends is loosely based on my own. I think it is important to have a good group of friends in real life and its good to have a supporting case in novels. When I think of Daniel my inspiration is Stephen Dorff or Ian Somerhalder although in real life they are both too old but you can dream :)
So we all know that authors go through tons of edits and revisions on their books. Is there something that didn’t make it into The Awakening that you can tell us about?
My first draft was actually shorter and after editing I extended several sections. The Halloween section was added and which I really like and the email Lauren reads to Daniel was also new and I think really adds something to the story and can be expanded upon in book 2.
Aside from the book, what do you think is the most important part of being an author?
I think it is important to have a professional approach and always be polite. When I start to receive reader comments via facebook/blog etc I will always endeavour to reply and be courteous. If someone's taken the time to comment I should take the time to respond. I have also tried to make my ebook look as professional as possible although as its my first attempt I am aware that a few errors have slipped through the net. I had a professional proofread and ebook cover created. I love my covers and hope others will too. Lastly I think you need to have some fun and I hope to engage in some quiz's and sharing of photo's etc in the future. Life is too short not to laugh and be happy.
Let’s pretend you won a huge lottery – what would you do first?
If I won the lottery I would definitely give up the day job. I would also love to move to a bigger house and have a proper office/study. I'd have a lovely desk, my own laptop (instead of sharing with the kids) and a mammoth bookcase as although I now buy mostly Ebook's and love my kindle I have hundreds of paperbacks boxed up which I would love to unpack. I'd also treat the kids to a Disneyland holiday and then somewhere lovely in the sun.
When you sit down to write a book, do you plot it all out or do you let the story shape itself as it goes?
I let the story shape itself. I have a very rough plot but let ideas come to me as I type. I sometimes have a flash of inspiration and write some rough notes which I can then make into a whole chapter when I have time to get on the laptop.
Do you have any other projects in the works you can share with us?
Book 2 is currently only 5000 words but I hope to get cracking over the next few months. I also have a book called Techno, Techno, Techno in the pipeline which is based on 3 best friends aged 15-16 and in year 11 at school and the lead up to their GCSE's. Its written entirely in texts, status updates and the lead characters blog. The lead character has some issues and struggles to cope and you follow her journey through the school year and see the struggles and friendships.
Ok, something a bit easier, now? How about “Favorites”?
Favorite Book: That's a tough one. Last Chance Saloon by Marian Keyes.
Favorite Candy: Does this include chocolate? I love Cadbury's fruit & nut or a chunky KitKat.
Favorite Movie: I don't actually watch many films but one of my fav's is Love Actually especially at Christmas and I love the Blade films.
Favorite Music:I have a varied taste in music so its hard to pick. I love Take That, Tinie Tempah and The Killers.
Favorite Fictional Villain: Lestat from Interview with a vampire.
Ok, that should do for now, Emma. Thanks so much for joining me today! It was great talking to you!
In the next bar, me and Gavin ended up in a corner together and I suddenly began to get an awful headache. “You ok?” Gavin asked gently holding my arm but my headache suddenly intensified and I shook him of my arm. Images started to swarm through my mind, shadows, light, and whispers that were getting louder and louder. “Lauren are you ok?” I could hear people speaking but couldn’t make out where it was coming from and then black.
I woke up with bright lights around me and in an unfamiliar room, it took a few minutes to realise I was in a hospital bed. I tried to sit up, my head thumped, and I rested back down. I looked about and then realised Gavin was sleeping sat up in a chair near my bed. I was just about to speak when a nurse come over “You’re awake.” she smiled kindly “I think you gave your friends a bit of a shock. Passed out and gave you quite a bang on the head.” It was only as she said this I realised I had a bandage on my head and raised my hand to touch the dressing. “You had to have a few stitches and as you were so drowsy we decided we’d better keep you in but you should be able to go home this afternoon,” the nurse informed me. “Your friend here insisted on staying in case you woke up and was confused. Oh look he’s just waking now, would you both like a cup of tea?”
“Um yes please that would be lovely,” I croaked and tried again to sit up. Gavin got up from his chair and stood at the end of the bed looking pale and worried,
“Do you remember much about last night?” he asked his voice full of concern, “Not really, I remember getting a headache and that’s it.”
“Oh right that’s good then.”
“Why what happened?”
“You just passed out but you said some weird things that are all but don’t worry.” At that point, the nurse returned with two cups of tea and Gavin said he just had to pop out for a minute to make a call. I drank my tea and dozed back to sleep waking to find Gavin back in the room. “The nurse said once your blood test results are back and they check your blood pressure again you will be able to go home.”
“Oh that’s great I really need a shower and my own bed. What a weird night. I think it’s you Gavin.” I joked, “You seem to have a weird effect on me headaches and nose bleeds and now I pass out. Must be your super manliness!” I laughed. Gavin smiled back but looked anxious and the smile didn’t reach his eyes “I’m ok you know it’s only a joke.” I said trying to reassure him, “I know. You just worried me that am all.” he replied.
Later that day I was discharged and Gavin took me home, insisted on making me some dinner, and stayed for a while although the whole time he kept some distance and seemed worried I might collapse at any time. After a few hours, he left and I rang my friends to let them know I was ok and apologised to Sophie for ruining her birthday night out and I decided an early night was in order. Thankfully, I slept with no problems and woke feeling much better although my head was still thumping slightly so I phoned work and explained I wouldn’t be in for the day and chilled out at home instead. Gavin called and although I assured him I was feeling fine now he insisted on coming round to check on me as soon as he finished work. When he arrived, he looked nervous and as we chatted, he kept his distance, which caused me to worry. I made a cup of tea and then sat on the sofa sensing he wanted to discuss something important. He moved forward and for the first time in over 24 hours touched me. He gently touched my arm, my head suddenly felt terrible again, and images much clearer flashed before my eyes. Gavin removed his arm and looked at me with alarm and worry, the images came faster and faster, and I felt a sudden rush of power and clarity. I put my head in my hands and squeezed my eyes tightly shut and concentrated on the images flying through my mind. I suddenly gasped and felt my heart rate speed up and then pop. The light bulbs in the living room smashed and fizzed. In the darkness, I said, “I know what you are.”
“I was worried you were going to say that.” he softly said.
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