Get to Know Jessica Khoury

Hey, it’s a new feature! Welcome to Get to Know [Author], an interview series wherein I ask questions that help us get to know the person behind the book. This week I’m featuring Jessica Khoury, the author of Origin! To learn more about Origin, check out my review! If you’re looking for a quick rundown, here’s the deal: Pia is an immortal girl hidden away in a scientific compound in the Amazon jungle. Her job is to create more immortals like herself. But Pia’s curiosity gets the better of her, and she decides to explore her surroundings for the first time. This leads to trouble.

Quickie Questions
Planner or pantser? Planner
Ideal vacation spot? New Zealand
Favorite place to write? Couch
Current jam? Some Nights by fun. (x)
Current read? Venom by Fiona Paul (x)

Lengthier Questions
Three fun facts about yourself?
1) I am a die-hard FC Barcelona fan
2) I don’t like ice cream [Lauren gasps in horror]
3) I could claim dual citizenship with Great Britain through my mom (she’s British), but I’m too lazy to drive to the embassy and apply =P

Jungle survival tips–hit me with a few!
Oh I like this one! This is fun. Okay, so:
1) don’t sleep on the ground. Sleep in a tree.
2) Bug spray and up-to-date vaccines (boring, but a good idea)
3) You can make a compass by digging a small hole, filling it with water, and rubbing one end of something metal (like a hair clip) in your hair. Then drop it in the water; it will point north!
4) Watch a lot of Bear Grylls
5) Don’t pet the poison dart frogs

Your protagonist, Pia, is engineered to be immortal. If the possibility existed, would you choose to become immortal? Why or why not?
Actually, this is something I have thought about a lot since writing Origin. I do believe we all have immortal souls, but if given the chance to have physical immortality–I would be tempted. (Unless it worked the way it does in Origin–then I’d definitely opt out) But I would love to see how technology develops and just how much of the universe we will explore and if we finally cure cancer and anyway, I really want a hovercar. But there’s the much bigger downside to be reckoned with–it would be terribly lonely going on and on while the ones you love die. I always end up thinking of Ben and Ned in Castaways of the Flying Dutchman by Brian Jacques, and how they have to always leave their friends behind because they’re immortal, and I just end up feeling very sad. Good book, though.

Comment question for readers: how would you survive in the jungle?

Jessica Khoury is 22 years old and was born and raised in Georgia. She attended public school followed by homeschooling, and earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Toccoa Falls College. She lives in Toccoa, Georgia with her husband Benjamin, two terrible dogs, and an abundance of books, shoes, and sweet tea. When not writing, she’s usually directing stageplays or coaching soccer. Origin is her first novel.