JW:
My newest book, IXEOS, is a Young Adult
novel, my first in that genre. I struggle with genre, because I write
the story that’s in my head without regard to the label. But at
some point (ie publishing) you have to sit down and try to categorize
your work. This book is Young Adult because the main characters are
teens, but its underlying message appeals to all ages.
I’ve been asked a lot why I wrote a
YA. My answer would be, “Why not?” and I don’t mean that in a
sarcastic way. I like to read YA myself, and I like to explore the
themes that are meaningful for teenagers. This is pretty easy for me
-- I have kids who are 16 and 20, and I have homeschooled for
thirteen years now.
Teens have a lot going on. Early teens
have a lot of hormonal stuff that makes them, at times, supremely
frustrating, but they are also starting to develop amazing insight
into what’s going on around them. By mid-teens, I’m more
surprised by a bonehead moment than I am by the mature conversations
and increased responsibility I see in my kids. By late teens, 99% of
the time I consider them a great joy.
But I also know the things that they
struggle with, and chief among them is their place and purpose in
this world. Right now, especially, with teen and recent college grad
unemployment at an all-time high, many are wondering what their life
is going to look like five or ten years from now. Kids who always
thought they’d go to college are now looking at the cost versus the
shrinking benefits and trying to approach the world in a new, out of
the box, way.
And kids of all ages worry that they
aren’t important. That they don’t have anything to contribute.
This is the theme that IXEOS explores. The teens in IXEOS are brought
to the planet for a purpose that only they can fulfill. There’s no
college. There’s no “you’re too young.” Their job is to help
free the humans, and if they don’t help, it won’t get done.
It’s scary when things ride on your
shoulders, especially if you haven’t ever been in that position
before. But I find that, in real life, my teens have always risen to
the occasion and done well. Sometimes even better than I’d hoped.
This is what the teens in IXEOS find,
too. They are truly capable, when given the chance. As the grown-up,
I try to remember that. I think this book is also a great reminder to
those of us who have been around awhile. We, too, can find and
fulfill a purpose. Maybe even one no one else can do!
As a writer, I know that there are
millions of other writers out there, but I know that none of them can
write my stories, nor can I write theirs. No matter your profession,
you can do something unique and important. I believe that for myself,
and try to pass it on to my kids so that they truly believe it, as
well. And if some realize this through reading IXEOS, I will be
incredibly proud!
About Ixeosby Jennings Wright
The McClelland's are enjoying a lazy summer at the beach when they are lured from our world into Ixeos, an alternate Earth. Finding themselves lost in a maze of tunnels under Paris and surrounded by strangers, they discover they have been brought to Ixeos for one purpose: to take the planet back from humanoid aliens that have claimed it. With the aid of the tunnels and a mysterious man named Landon, the teens travel the world seeking the key that will allow them to free Darian, the long imprisoned rebel leader.
The aliens aren't' the only problem on Ixeos -- the McCleland's have to deal with brutal gangs, desperate junkies, and a world without power, where all the technology is owned by aliens, and most of the population has been killed or enslaved.
What's the worst part? There's no way home.
About Jennings Wright
Born and raised in Rockledge, Florida, Jennings spent her early years
reading anything she could get her hands on, when she wasn't spending
time in and on the water. She won a prize in the 6th grade for her
science fiction stories.
Jennings attended the University of the South and the University of Tampa, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science, and almost enough credits for B.A.s in both English and History. She spent time over the years doing various kinds of script doctoring, business writing, editing, and teaching writing, but mostly having and raising her family, homeschooling her children, owning and running a business with her husband, and starting a non-profit to Uganda.
Thanks to a crazy idea called NaNoWriMo Jennings got back into creative writing in 2011 and hasn't stopped since. She's written four novels and a screenplay in less than a year, with more ideas on the drawing board. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, also a writer, and two children, and travels extensively.
Jennings attended the University of the South and the University of Tampa, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science, and almost enough credits for B.A.s in both English and History. She spent time over the years doing various kinds of script doctoring, business writing, editing, and teaching writing, but mostly having and raising her family, homeschooling her children, owning and running a business with her husband, and starting a non-profit to Uganda.
Thanks to a crazy idea called NaNoWriMo Jennings got back into creative writing in 2011 and hasn't stopped since. She's written four novels and a screenplay in less than a year, with more ideas on the drawing board. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, also a writer, and two children, and travels extensively.
Author links: Website, Facebook, Twitter @JenningsWright, Goodreads, Amazon
Buy your kindle copy of Ixeos today!
