Girlfriends’ Cyber Circuit Interview with Jessi Kirby

I’m pleased today to host Girlfriends’ Cyber Circuit sister Jessi Kirby, talking about plotting and her new and very timely book IN HONOR.  I hope you’ll enjoy and that you’ll give Jessi a shout out to let her know you’re here.

IN HONOR by Jessi Kirby

About the Book:

Honor receives her brother’s last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn’s celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her.

Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn’s last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn. . . and ruggedly good looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn’t. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn–but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

Early Reviews:

“A beautiful, engaging journey with heart, humor, and just a pinch of Texas sass. Hands down my favorite contemporary of the year.” –Sarah Ockler, bestselling author of Twenty Boy Summer, Fixing Delilah, and Bittersweet

“An amazing novel about first kisses, last goodbyes, and what it means to finally let go. I absolutely loved it.” –Lauren Barnholdt, author of Two Way Street

Interview:

What is your writing process like? Are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you schedule time to write each day or are you a spree writer?

If you were to take a peek in my office, you’d see, from the elaborate, color-coded index cards pinned to the massive corkboard, I am most definitely a plotter.  I like a map, and an idea of where I’m going when I write.  But that doesn’t mean I’m married to my outline.  It’s an evolving thing as I go along, and I do love when the story takes me places I don’t expect.

Along the same lines, I’m a very scheduled writer as I have two kids and a day job.
What is the hardest part about the publishing process for you and how do you get through it? (For me, it’s copyediting and sour cream and onion chips.)

The hardest part for me is definitely drafting.  I haven’t yet figured out how to turn off that inner editor, even a little bit, so it’s a very slow process for me-one that requires copious amounts of caffeine, chocolate, and potato chips.

We drop your hero or heroine on a deserted island. Quick, what are the three things he or she can’t live without?

Honor would have to have Rusty, the Impala, and her favorite Kyra Kelley album.
If your story were a film, who would you cast?

Ooh, that’s tough! For Honor it would be someone with a little sass. Maybe Elle Fanning?  As for Rusty, I’m not sure.  Someone rugged and hot.
Are there any contests or upcoming appearances/interviews/etc. you’d like to plug? 

Yes! I’m going on my first book tour with Jenny Han and Morgan Matson this month!  It’s called the Summer Lovin’ Tour, and we’ll be appearing in SoCal and the San Francisco Area.
Thanks so much for stopping by.  Congratulations on your fabulous new release!