I got the chance to read her book "Sovereignty". I enjoy the book. I would suggest that you read my review for "Sovereignty". You got a chance to win a - Five winners will each get a copy of Sovereignty and a $25 Amazon GC (open USA & Canada). Enter her giveaway Sovereignty Giveaway
Let read her Bio and then go to her interview. #Interviews, #Interviewsaroundtheglobe, #NRC,#Giveaways, #bookreview, #dystopian, #scifi, #YAfiction, @SovereigntyJen and @iReadBookTours
With master's degrees in education, special education, and counseling, Anjenique "Jen" Hughes is a high school English and math teacher who loves teaching and mentoring young people. She enjoys traveling and has worked with youth on five continents. Saying she is "young at heart" is an understatement; she is fluent in sarcasm, breaks eardrums with her teacher voice (students have complained when they were within earshot), and cracks sarcastic jokes with the best of her students. Her work with ethnically and socioeconomically diverse youth has inspired her to write books that appeal to a broad variety of students seeking stories of bravery, perseverance, loyalty, and success.
Describe your book in 20 words or less.
A compelling story of resistance in the face of a totalitarian government where nothing is secret,
sacred, or safe.
Where or how did you come up with the idea for your story?
Well, it was all about a guy. Just kidding! Actually, I was driving down Arroyo Parkway in
Pasadena, thoughts rolling around in my mind as often happens while we are driving, lost in our
own little worlds, when the idea came to me out of the blue. A close guy friend of mine, on
whom I had a crush (isn’t that always the case? LOL) had been MIA for a few days and we
hadn’t talked, and the thought came to me: I wish I could glance at a computer screen and see
where he is and what he’s doing this very minute.
And BAM, I thought, that’d make a great book, one in which the world government had such a
grip on the public and society -knowing their every move, their entire history, essentially their
whole life- that a person could literally locate someone or see their activity by simply entering a
passcode into a computer. And it snowballed from there with the whole human implanted
identity chip, worldwide surveillance system, etc.
How important are names to you in your book(s)? Do you choose the names based on liking
the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you use any resources in assisting you to choose the
names ?
Names are quite important to me in my books. Every name I used (with the exception of a few)
were taken from people whom I personally know, be it relatives or close friends. I have an
enormous family, so I will never have a shortage of names to choose from! On a special note,
the names of the three main characters (Cory, Alex, and Goro) were taken from three students
who impacted my life in an amazing way. The teacher’s motto is: “To teach is to touch a life
forever.” Well, these three students touched my life. I mentored all three students throughout my
teaching career and I chose those names specifically with fond memories. However, for
clarification purposes, the characters are uniquely my own creations; only the names are
borrowed. Finally, I chose the names of the two main antagonists based on the unique meaning.
Those are names which are significant to the story, so I don’t want to spoil anything by revealing
the answers!
Which of your characters (in this book) is your favorite and Why?
My favorite character in the book is Goro, of course; he is near and dear to my heart because
he is so much like myself! I love his confidence, sarcasm, and quick wit. He pretty much is
“damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” Haha. I think this is true of many authors; they write
characters which tend to closely resemble themselves in some form or another.
Was there a certain scene in this book that was harder for you to write than others?
A compelling story of resistance in the face of a totalitarian government where nothing is secret,
sacred, or safe.
Where or how did you come up with the idea for your story?
Well, it was all about a guy. Just kidding! Actually, I was driving down Arroyo Parkway in
Pasadena, thoughts rolling around in my mind as often happens while we are driving, lost in our
own little worlds, when the idea came to me out of the blue. A close guy friend of mine, on
whom I had a crush (isn’t that always the case? LOL) had been MIA for a few days and we
hadn’t talked, and the thought came to me: I wish I could glance at a computer screen and see
where he is and what he’s doing this very minute.
And BAM, I thought, that’d make a great book, one in which the world government had such a
grip on the public and society -knowing their every move, their entire history, essentially their
whole life- that a person could literally locate someone or see their activity by simply entering a
passcode into a computer. And it snowballed from there with the whole human implanted
identity chip, worldwide surveillance system, etc.
How important are names to you in your book(s)? Do you choose the names based on liking
the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you use any resources in assisting you to choose the
names ?
Names are quite important to me in my books. Every name I used (with the exception of a few)
were taken from people whom I personally know, be it relatives or close friends. I have an
enormous family, so I will never have a shortage of names to choose from! On a special note,
the names of the three main characters (Cory, Alex, and Goro) were taken from three students
who impacted my life in an amazing way. The teacher’s motto is: “To teach is to touch a life
forever.” Well, these three students touched my life. I mentored all three students throughout my
teaching career and I chose those names specifically with fond memories. However, for
clarification purposes, the characters are uniquely my own creations; only the names are
borrowed. Finally, I chose the names of the two main antagonists based on the unique meaning.
Those are names which are significant to the story, so I don’t want to spoil anything by revealing
the answers!
Which of your characters (in this book) is your favorite and Why?
My favorite character in the book is Goro, of course; he is near and dear to my heart because
he is so much like myself! I love his confidence, sarcasm, and quick wit. He pretty much is
“damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” Haha. I think this is true of many authors; they write
characters which tend to closely resemble themselves in some form or another.
Was there a certain scene in this book that was harder for you to write than others?
Without giving away spoilers, the scene hardest to write included Goro’s younger brother Josiah
(suffice it to say, I cried!).
If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play
your characters?
That is a really good question- tough to answer, because I know the odds are one in a million!
I’d be honored, to say the least, but also am realistic about the chances.
Goro is 18 years old, and to be honest, that part would have to be cast specifically- I’d be
looking for a particular type of personality and temperament, and I don’t know anyone in EI who
currently has what I’m looking for?? Might have to be a newcomer. I would definitely cast Emily
Blunt as Goro’s mother- Sam Shepherd as his dad, and Sasha Pieterse as his sister Stephanie.
I am partial to Marton Csokas as the evil villain Davio. Most of the other parts would probably be
fresh faces, if it were my choice.
What was your favorite part to write and why?
My favorite part to write were the Krav Maga sequences, I’d have to say. It was fun to create the
witty dialogue and interesting interactions between Goro and his two best friends during their
training. I personally have been studying Krav for 4 years now, and it was a joy to include this
time-honored Israeli military practice in my book.
Just as your book(s) inspire authors, what authors have inspired you to write?
My favorite author is Michael Connelly- he has inspired me to write a book set in Los Angeles,
specifically. Now, his books are a completely different genre and different subject matter, but he
has been HIGHLY instrumental in influencing me to write my own book! He has such a way of
writing vulnerably and authentically; he really draws you into his world. I am hoping I have
created the same feeling in my book. I have had the privilege of meeting and conversing with
him several times, and he knows his stuff!
What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?
Wow. Good question. Write a little bit every single day, do NOT give up, writer’s block comes
and goes (every author encounters this), put various scenes down on paper without getting too
bogged down in the detailed sentences, start with an outline, research research research,
create a quiet place to work, listen to whatever gets you in “the zone,” talk to as many authors
as you can, ask as many questions as you can, read a plethora of books yourself, always be
kind to everyone, etc., and believe in yourself!!!
Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice
on how to deal with the bad?
Yes, alas, I do read my reviews. Luckily, they have all been positive so far. I usually personally
thank the person(s) who wrote the review- In regards to bad reviews, it’s best to never respond
to bad reviews at all. Always keep a professional, courteous attitude. It doesn’t behoove anyone
to react to a bad review. Take the high road-
What are you working on now? What is your next project?Currently, I am working on completing the second book in the Sovereignty Series, entitled
TriUnity.
Bonus Question: Characters often find themselves in situations they aren't sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to
get out of and what did you do?
The last time I was in a super difficult situation was when I was traveling to Israel on a
diplomatic mission. Upon exiting my plane in Tel Aviv, I blew my entrance strategy cover and
was detained at the customs border and interrogated for 7 hours by the Israeli Mossad! They
deemed me a terrorist; I was barred from using the phone or even the restroom. It was a
tortuous experience in closed locked quarters, to say the least- wasn’t sure if I would end up in
some shady prison cell or be black-stamped and shipped to Cypress! After being brow beaten
for many hours all throughout the night, I opted for total honesty in the end, surrendering, and
after the higher up’s argued relentlessly between themselves if I should be quarantined, I was
mercifully allowed to enter the country. But, it was the 2 nd scariest time in my life, and I don’t get
scared often!
#truestory
(suffice it to say, I cried!).
If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play
your characters?
That is a really good question- tough to answer, because I know the odds are one in a million!
I’d be honored, to say the least, but also am realistic about the chances.
Goro is 18 years old, and to be honest, that part would have to be cast specifically- I’d be
looking for a particular type of personality and temperament, and I don’t know anyone in EI who
currently has what I’m looking for?? Might have to be a newcomer. I would definitely cast Emily
Blunt as Goro’s mother- Sam Shepherd as his dad, and Sasha Pieterse as his sister Stephanie.
I am partial to Marton Csokas as the evil villain Davio. Most of the other parts would probably be
fresh faces, if it were my choice.
What was your favorite part to write and why?
My favorite part to write were the Krav Maga sequences, I’d have to say. It was fun to create the
witty dialogue and interesting interactions between Goro and his two best friends during their
training. I personally have been studying Krav for 4 years now, and it was a joy to include this
time-honored Israeli military practice in my book.
Just as your book(s) inspire authors, what authors have inspired you to write?
My favorite author is Michael Connelly- he has inspired me to write a book set in Los Angeles,
specifically. Now, his books are a completely different genre and different subject matter, but he
has been HIGHLY instrumental in influencing me to write my own book! He has such a way of
writing vulnerably and authentically; he really draws you into his world. I am hoping I have
created the same feeling in my book. I have had the privilege of meeting and conversing with
him several times, and he knows his stuff!
What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?
Wow. Good question. Write a little bit every single day, do NOT give up, writer’s block comes
and goes (every author encounters this), put various scenes down on paper without getting too
bogged down in the detailed sentences, start with an outline, research research research,
create a quiet place to work, listen to whatever gets you in “the zone,” talk to as many authors
as you can, ask as many questions as you can, read a plethora of books yourself, always be
kind to everyone, etc., and believe in yourself!!!
Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice
on how to deal with the bad?
Yes, alas, I do read my reviews. Luckily, they have all been positive so far. I usually personally
thank the person(s) who wrote the review- In regards to bad reviews, it’s best to never respond
to bad reviews at all. Always keep a professional, courteous attitude. It doesn’t behoove anyone
to react to a bad review. Take the high road-
What are you working on now? What is your next project?Currently, I am working on completing the second book in the Sovereignty Series, entitled
TriUnity.
Bonus Question: Characters often find themselves in situations they aren't sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to
get out of and what did you do?
The last time I was in a super difficult situation was when I was traveling to Israel on a
diplomatic mission. Upon exiting my plane in Tel Aviv, I blew my entrance strategy cover and
was detained at the customs border and interrogated for 7 hours by the Israeli Mossad! They
deemed me a terrorist; I was barred from using the phone or even the restroom. It was a
tortuous experience in closed locked quarters, to say the least- wasn’t sure if I would end up in
some shady prison cell or be black-stamped and shipped to Cypress! After being brow beaten
for many hours all throughout the night, I opted for total honesty in the end, surrendering, and
after the higher up’s argued relentlessly between themselves if I should be quarantined, I was
mercifully allowed to enter the country. But, it was the 2 nd scariest time in my life, and I don’t get
scared often!
#truestory
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