1. Let’s start by talking about the book. Tell me what it’s about.
LOSING FAITH is an emotionally intense book where a teenager encounters more questions than closure while
mourning the death of her sister.
2. Tell me about the main character.
Brie is the black sheep of her family, struggling to fit in and almost making it, until her life turns upside down and
she gains a new perspective on what’s really important.
3. How did you come up with the idea for the book?
I’ve always had a fascination with spiritual journeys. I wanted to show how people can come from totally different
backgrounds and understanding and still ultimately end up with the same answers.
4. Why did you want to write this book?
For me, writing is about connection. I want to connect with my readers, with other people, and figure out how we
connect best. I also have a passion for teens finding his or her own passion and purpose.
5. What experiences in your life prepared you or qualified you to write this book?
I have a background in a wide variety of churches, working in them as well as attending. My husband and I also
led a youth group for several years and I’m a homeschooling mom. All of these things play into the backdrop of
LOSING FAITH.
6. What personal experiences and/or memories did you draw upon when writing this book?
Why those experiences? How did they help?
I had one particular friend in high school who talked and acted tough (much tougher than me, anyway). She was a
great inspiration for one of my characters. Also, I lost a close friend in a tragic accident when I was a teen. I still
remember conversations with her family shortly thereafter, and felt like I could relate to my main character in
her grief when she lost her sister.
7. What kind of research did you have to do to write this book? What did you learn during that
research?
I did a fair amount of research on cults and cult leaders. I gained a better sense of why cults emerge and what
their leaders are often looking for. I also had to research current high school setup and schedules, since it’s been a
while since I've attended high school.
8. What was the hardest part of writing this book? Why?
The hardest part was keeping the novel from moving into a slow, depressed state. Dealing with death and grief can
be a difficult topic to keep engaging.
9. How long did it take you to write the book? What were the greatest obstacles along the way?
The first draft took me 21 days to write. I wrote this novel during National Novel Writing Month (nanwrimo).
The greatest obstacles were within the outlining phase, which I trudged through a couple of months prior.
Planting clues and finding a satisfying conclusion were definitely my biggest challenges.
10. Why do you write for a middle-grade/YA audience?
I don’t really feel like there’s much difference in writing for teens as opposed to adults. The maturity level can
often be the same. For me, I love how the young adult genre can really let loose in the area of passion. I’ve always
been drawn to teens who are looking for and finding their purpose, and so those are the teens I want to write
about and for.
11. What books or authors have influenced you the most as a writer? Why?
Sarah Dessen is an author I love to read because of the way she brings the reader so deeply into the world of her
characters and makes the reader care from page one. Laurie Halse Anderson’s voice gets me every time. Reading
her novels always inspires me to have confidence in my own voice. It’s helped me get past my timidity.
12. What did you like to read when you were young? Why?
Quite honestly, I never read much as a child/teen. I remember making every excuse I could think of to get out of
reading. I really wish someone had directed me to “fun” reading when I was younger, rather than just what was
required for school. I feel like I missed so much!
13. To finish up, let’s go over some more basic, biographical information.
a. Where did you go to college? What is your degree in? I attended the University of Victoria with a
major in Theatre.
b. What’s your day job? I work part time as a professional Polynesian dancer/teacher and I also homeschool
our son.
c. How old are you? I’m older than I look, but still young enough to say “like” and “seriously” way too much.
d. Where are you from? I’m from just outside Vancouver, Canada. Born and raised a Canadian girl.
Sample Interview Questions & Answers
With Denise Jaden
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A more complete list of questions and
answers is available upon request.
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