Jennifer Ogden has a story in the first and second collisions of Crash Philosophy, the sci-fi anthology from author and Geeky Gab podcast co-host Thomas A. Fowler. In the Second Collision, she writes one of the new combinations, a Psycho Killer in an Alternate Future. We get to know a bit about her and her writing.
What genre do you write in and what made you fall in love with it?
I mostly write Young Adult fantasy/sci-fi. I fell in love with this genre because the stories are about coming to terms with adulthood. Accepting the responsibilities, we all have one way or another. Something I deeply connect with and feel is a universal theme not bound to age.
What are the main writing projects you’re working on?
Currently I’m working on a, you guessed it, YA fantasy novel. When it’s completed it will be my first completed novel and the start to an exciting series. Because I hope to go through traditional means to publish it, I don’t want to say more on the topic.
You had a story in the First Collision of Crash Philosophy, was that your first published short story or are there other anthologies you’ve been featured in?
"Lexi vs. Kai," my story in Crash Philosophy: First Collision is my first publication, period. I’ve never written professionally before and it’s been so exciting to see my words in print! Hearing from readers that my story stayed with them for weeks after reading it has been such an honor and gift.
What got you into writing?
I’ve loved stories my whole life. Didn’t matter their packaging. A piece of music, a play, a painting, a book. I’ve wanted to be an artist one way or another my whole life.
A year ago, I had an epiphany, a spiritual awakening if you will. I realized I was a writer so I needed to be writing. I quit my 9-5 job and set out to be an author.
Days after I submitted my two weeks notice I met some new friends at a Renaissance fair. They knew someone, who knew Thomas, and through that interaction I got my first writing gig, Crash Philosophy.
Writing is in my blood, and if everything goes according to plan, I will be writing stories until the day I die.
Your story in the Second Collision is a unique one, you have one of only four stories, out of two-dozen, that includes both a new character and new setting. Talk about your inspiration for your story about a Psycho Killer in an Alternate Future.
For the complete set of four Collisions, I wrote four stories total. After writing "Lexi vs. Kai," which was very much in my comfort zone of craft and topic, I challenged myself to write things I wasn’t comfortable with in the other three.
In "Your Soul, My Soul, We All Fall Down," the story in the Second Collision, I did three things I’ve never done before. One, used multiple POVs; two, wrote my first male POV; and three, used an adult tone rather then a young adult one.
All three of these were really scary for me to undertake, but what I created I think is a very interesting and complex world, with flawed but relatable characters. In fact, the first draft of this story was 5,000 words too long! It was such a challenge to pick what scenes and parts to cut.
What’s next in your writing career?
Once I finish writing my novel, I will query agents, and hope to get a contract with a publisher. I have faith that it will happen, timing is the only question.
I also really want to take my world and characters from "Your Soul, My Soul, We All Fall Down" and make it into a full-length novel.
Where can people find you and follow your writing career?
Look me up on Twitter @JenOgdenWrite, Instagram @yellowdressjen, or my website somanybooks.info. If you read Crash Philosophy: Second Collision stop by and let me know if you’d like to read a full-length novel in the world of "Your Soul, My Soul, We All Fall Down." I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Crash Philosophy: Second Collision is on IndieGoGo where you can get the new anthology, including bundles to get your name in the book itself, with books from other indie authors, t-shirts from our new Geeky Gab TeePublic store, and more. Check it out and back the anthology before the end of April.