Jolene Grace answers our questions about her new book, GOING DARK, and the process of writing it.
What excited you most about writing this story?
I wanted to write a plot that was smart and complicated at the same time. The back drop of the story is the Civil War in Syria and ISIS, tangled with a possible kidnapping of U.S. journalists held for ransom, but all is not as it seems, the reader will quickly discover. In the book I wanted to explore how people use deception and manipulation for personal gains with serious ramification to our democracy.
Who is your favorite character and why?
Robert McKaine is the chief of staff to President Delay. He was meant to be a secondary character but his story line kept developing, putting up fight for more space on the pages. Eventually, I obliged and allowed this character to go for it. In the end, he became one of my favorite for his tenaciousness and willingness to go against the grain. A little secret, he comes back in Book II and Book III.
Which of your skill sets were useful constructing the plot?
My background is in journalism and I spent a great deal of my career researching the stories I worked on. Thus, researching became second nature to me and I don't begin to think about writing a full manuscript before I research the topics I want to include in my plots and figure out if I have something there to work with.
What was the most interesting thing you learned writing the book?
I have to go back to researching. I utilized the Library of Congress website, reading congressional hearings, presidential speeches, intelligence briefings to give credence to my characters.
What meal and drink do you think would pair well with your book?
It has to be a rich meal, exquisite even, where you savor each bite, so I would have to say a Wagyu steak in red wine reduction paired with burgundy truffles. The drink is whisky neat.
Jolene Grace was born in Eastern Europe in the 90s while the region was undergoing a geopolitical makeover. She witnessed first-hand the poverty and struggles of people around her that deeply affected her and left a life lasting impression. Those childhood memories find their way today in her written works.
During college, Jolene began writing professionally while pursuing a degree in journalism. Her interest in politics deepened and led her into a fulfilling career where she had the opportunity to cover state and national politics.
Jolene interned for CBS evening news, working on the foreign desk at night time. It was during that time the idea of ‘Going Dark’ took shape in her mind as she watched the unfiltered tapes trickled in from the front lines of the American/Iraq war.
Upon leaving the network, Jolene went on having a successful career as a digital manager for radio stations across the country. Later on, she settled down with her husband and kids and began to write full time.
‘Going Dark’ is her debut novel in the Gabriel Jets series. A pulse-racing spy novel inspired by Jolene’s travels and encounter with people from all walks of life.
For updates and previews of upcoming works by the author visit www.jolenegracebooks.com; find and follow her on Twitter:@theauthorjolene; subscribe to her newsletter for exclusives.