Wisconsin native Jess Riley spent much of her childhood sitting at her desk during lunch hour for lying and/or passing notes during class, both of which qualified her for a possible future as a novelist. Between bad haircuts, she wrote poetry and fiction in middle school. She was nominated by a high school English teacher to attend a summer camp for budding artists and writers, where she realized she needed a whole new wardrobe. Also, she needed to work on her creative writing skills. She won her first short story contest a year later for a tale told through the point of view of a seven year-old black boy living in Cabrini Green because as a middle-class white teenager, she knew a lot about that kind of life. Jess has been a waitress, a blue cheese packager, and currently, a grant writer for local school districts. She worked at a mall-based toy store during the Tickle Me Elmo craze of 1995 and lived to tell about it. She has also worked as a teaching assistant at a medium-security men's prison, which was much less stressful. Jess graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 1998 with dual degrees in English and history. She now lives in a drafty old house in Oshkosh,Wisconsin with her husband and a neurotic dog that despises public radio. Driving Sideways is her first novel.

Q & A with the Author:

1) How did your background influence your novel?
I was concerned about getting the story “right,” since I don’t have the same disease I inflicted upon my protagonist: Polycystic Kidney Disease, or PKD for short. I drew upon my background as a Grant Writer to do extensive research into the condition and organ donation, and I connected with two lovely young women who do have Polycystic Kidney Disease. (One had already had a full transplant, as well.) Both graciously read early drafts of the manuscript, and I was relieved that they felt I handled the subject with sensitivity.

Though I don’t have PKD, I do share many other traits with my main character: a warped sense of humor, wanderlust, and a mild case of cynicism in the face of mysticism. I traveled the path my characters follow on their cross-country roadtrip several times in my own life, and I have a very new-age best friend that inspired one of the key characters. (She was a very good sport about it.)

2) Was the publication process what you expected?
The publication process takes a heck of a lot longer then I expected. And after years of rejections for my “trial novel” (currently undergoing major reconstructive surgery for a possible resurrection), I never thought I’d land an agent, let alone sell my book at auction. It was something I had fantasized about for years, and I almost gave up several times. When it happened, it happened quickly. If I had any advice to share about getting one’s work published, it would be: 1) don’t quit writing, ever; 2) write for yourself first, but if your agent or editor has suggestions, heed them; 3) be professional; 4) read and support other authors; 5) hone your craft—there is always something to learn and improve upon; and, 6) they mean it when they say they want a “fresh hook.” And be prepared for anything. I was nearly orphaned when my editor left our original acquiring house (HarperCollins) for Random House in summer of 2006. I was fortunate enough to go with her, which doesn’t always happen. Though it pushed my book’s release back one year, I am thrilled to be able to stay with the editor who “gets” me and my book.

3) How long did it take you to write your novel?
I’d say it took me one year to research and 4 months to complete the original draft, but I couldn’t stop tweaking things, so it’s hard to say for sure. I’ve also revised it considerably since the sale, based on my editor’s genius input. Overall? I could still find things I want to change in it. But it’s time to put it aside and move on to the next project.

4) What do you do other than write fiction?
I work as a Grant Writer during the school year, helping develop and secure funding for projects designed to reform education. Though technical writing draws from the other side of my brain, it has trained me to be a disciplinarian and a professional when it comes to handling the “business” side of writing. When I’m not writing grant proposals or fiction, I’m gardening, reading, watching movies, hiking, or cooking weird vegetarian dishes that my husband actually eats, amazingly enough.