Author Crush Friday with Jus Accardo
Glitter girls, you have pressing questions for your favorite authors and we have their answers. Welcome to our weekly segment, Author Crush Fridays.
We love asking questions and we love the answers from some of our favorite authors. Today we’re talking to Jus Accardo, author of the final installment in the Infinity Division sci-fi YA series, Alpha (July 3, 2018; Entangled Teen). Thank you for talking to us today, Jus! We’re honored!
GLITTER: Where was the idea for the book, Alpha born?
JUS: I think the premise for Alpha, for the whole series, really, came from my love of alternate reality stories. My passion for shows like Sliders and Fringe influenced it for sure.
GLITTER: How would you describe Alpha to a new reader?
JUS: Alpha is a fast-paced race against the clock through alternate versions of earth to stop a woman set on controlling the multiverse.
GLITTER: Is it harder or easier to write a series? Are you sad this is the end of this particular series?
JUS: I’ve only written two stand alone books and while I loved them, I prefer series. I get super attached to the characters. I can’t get enough. With Alpha being the last book in the series, I know I’m going to miss them. It’s sad, but I feel that their stories all had proper endings, so I’m proud, too.
GLITTER: In Alpha, what was your favorite chapter/scene to write and why?
JUS: I think my favorite scene is where G and Sera find each other again. It’s heartbreaking and powerful and I might have cried a little while working on it…
GLITTER: How do you find your emotional truths in your writing?
JUS: Observation. Watching the world around me, seeing how other people react to things. What pulls at one person’s heartstrings might anger another. It’s interesting to see such different reactions to similar situations. I also try to put myself in my character’s shoes. If in their situation, how would I feel? How would I express that emotion?
GLITTER: What was the first book that you ever wrote, even if it wasn’t published?
JUS: The first book I ever wrote was about a horse and a dog, lol. I think I was twelve or something? They had to team up to get across a small stream. I think it’s safe to say it won’t be published any time soon 😉
GLITTER: Do you have anything that you need to have while writing?
JUS: Music. I need to have music. Oh. And doggy snores. If it’s too quiet, I can’t think straight. My dogs are all loud sleepers (and they’re always sleeping).
GLITTER: Did any of the authors you read in high school affect how you write now?
JUS: I’m not sure I can say they influenced how I write, but rather that I write. I grew up reading L.J Smith and Mary Stanton. I loved the paranormal/fantasy aspect and wanted desperately to be able to create my own worlds. Those books brought me so many hours of enjoyment. I thrived on the idea that one day, maybe I’d be able to do the same for someone else.
GLITTER: What are you passionate about in life?
JUS: Oh, God. Books, writing, animals…cheese. In the interest of keeping this non-book length though, I’m gonna go with family. Family, friends—loved ones in general. Always make time. That’s been my mantra for as long as I can remember and only continues to ring truer as I grow.
GLITTER: What are you working on right now?
JUS: Right now I’m working on something super-secret. It’s so far outside my writing comfort zone—yet is so amazingly me… Annoying and cryptic, right?
Editorial Director | Writer | Tweet me @heatherriccio
