The books shown on the left are by Jessa Nevins. Click on the cover to order.

This interview was conducted by Jacquelyn Tolksdorf on July 22, 2024. 

Jacquelyn Tolksdorf:  What inspired you to write “Star Maker,” and how much of the story is drawn from your personal experiences or those of people you know?

Jessa Nevins:  Star Maker is a book that was in the back of my mind for so many years.  It’s completely drawn from personal experiences back when I managed hard rock bands on The Sunset Strip in the late 1980s and early 1990s.  There were so many things I saw that were fun to sensationalize. I had so many friends or colleagues that were interesting people that served as inspiration for the characters in the book, especially around situations they directly experienced.  There was never a dull moment and years later, I thought it would be interesting to write a fictionalized story about it.

Jacquelyn Tolksdorf:  Sully is a well-thought-out character. Any real-life rockstar you had in your mind while writing about it for inspiration?

Jessa Nevins:   Sully is an amalgamation of a bunch of different rock stars mixed in with bands and lead singers I knew personally, plus lots of imagination.  I took elements of so many people and also pulled things clear out of the ether that make him completely unique.  It took me a bit to get the mix right, but once I did, he truly took on a life of his own and his unfoldment was entertaining to write and watch.

Jacquelyn Tolksdorf:  Do you have a favorite scene or moment in the book? What makes it special to you?

Jessa Nevins:   One of my favorite scenes is between Kit and Sully–when he ensures she doesn’t miss a big midterm exam during her first year of law school.  It’s special to me because it shows the nuance of his deep caring and love for her.  In that moment, we’re seeing more of the proof of how he’d do anything for her and how he’s invested in helping her achieve her dreams.  It’s quite endearing.

Jacquelyn Tolksdorf:  Music plays a significant role in “Star Maker.” How does music influence the characters and the plot, and how important is it to the overall story?

Jessa Nevins:   Music is everything in this storyline.  It propels the characters forward and gives them purpose.  For all of them, it’s a form of their self-expression and contribution.  Even in the quiet moments where they’re listening to a song and connecting with it, or playing their instrument or songwriting, there’s an element of deep connection to their soul.

Jacquelyn Tolksdorf:  I imagine there had to be a few 80s bands as inspiration or at least you were listening to get in the zone while writing. What were some of the bands you had in your mind or were listening to while writing?

Jessa Nevins:   Yes, I definitely listened to quite a few 80s rock bands in the writing process.  Mostly I’d run either a 1980s hard rock or 1980s rock anthems playlist on Spotify.  It could be anything from Led Zeppelin to AC/DC one day to Guns n’ Roses and Bon Jovi the next day.

Jacquelyn Tolksdorf:  Why the 80s as the backdrop for your novel? How do you think this setting influences the Story?

Jessa Nevins:   I started managing bands in 1989 in my late teens and I saw how the landscape was rapidly changing from hard rock into grunge.  It was affecting all the bands at the time that were starting out. I was running in social circles with some well known hard rock bands and musicians that had been famous for years and it was interesting to hear how different it was in the early to mid-80s.  That inspired me to start the story in 1984 to give the musicians a strong start and set them up for a trajectory of stardom, similar to what my friends had experienced in real life. 

Jacquelyn Tolksdorf:  What do you hope readers take away from “Star Maker”? Is there a particular message or feeling you want to leave them with?

Jessa Nevins:   I like to call it the story where “Love and Music Collide.”  There’s a message throughout that love can bloom in the most unlikely experiences between opposites like Kit and Sully.  It’s a story of victory and resilience, even when the deck seems stacked against you.  The music industry can be brutal and the characters do such a great job staying true to themselves and their dreams while navigating the tough blows.

Jacquelyn Tolksdorf:  What kind of research did you conduct to ensure the accuracy of the music industry details and the 1980s cultural references?

Jessa Nevins:   I did a lot of research with friends of mine that were starting their music careers in the early to mid-eighties and became famous years later.  I interviewed from all walks of life:  the musicians, the artist managers, the tour managers, the publicists, the record execs, the producers and sound engineers.  I listened to their stories and took copious notes.  For any gaps, I did traditional research online.  I also leveraged a significant amount of my professional experience in the music industry to shape the narrative.

Jacquelyn Tolksdorf:  The opening scene of the high-speed chase is very intense. What was the inspiration behind it?

Jessa Nevins:   I wanted something that drew the reader in from the start.  The idea was to have the opening chapter feature Kit.  I started thinking about her moving from Boston to L.A.  I looked at what it would entail and most of it was boring.  So I started playing with her and Joe taking a road trip instead of flying across the country and that’s where it unfolded.  Joe doesn’t really do rules, and Kit does, so putting them in that situation together was very fun.  I also like opening the book with the police and closing it with the police as well–makes it more interesting.

Jacquelyn Tolksdorf:  Can you describe your writing process for “Star Maker”? How long did it take to complete, and did you face any significant challenges along the way?

Jessa Nevins:   I always joke and say that Star Maker was the story that took me decades to write.  It started out as ideas, miscellaneous storylines and characters that I played with over the years.  Kit was the only character that was consistent throughout.  During these years, I had left the music industry and moved into other work, then went back for a few more years.  When I finally left the music industry, I had so much more knowledge and it helped me to shape a realistic, yet intriguing narrative that grabbed a hold of me.  Because of that, I took a writing sabbatical dedicated to the development of the story. The storyline was written in three months, with the other books in the series following after.  It went through many rewrites and edits to arrive at this version, and it’s been a fun and rewarding process.  I’ve learned so much and grown in my craft as a writer. I wouldn’t change that for anything.

Jacquelyn Tolksdorf:  Thank you, Jessa, for taking the time to do this interview with me!

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