Is pleased to present an
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT WITH
Jessiqua

The interviewer, Lislchen, is in this color
The interviewee, Jessiqua, is in this color

Hi, hello, welcome! First off, and most importantly, congrats on winning the second round of the Queenie Chronicles!!!! Your entry was amazing. Now, for everyone who doesn't really know you, tell us a bit about yourself, please. I know you're in a very interesting timezone.
Hello! And thank you! I'm in Australia which isn't quite as ahead as New Zealand but it's pretty futuristic. My favourite things to do are reading, sewing, crocheting, cross-stitching, drinking tea, cuddles and walks with my dog, hikes, dancing, and going on adventures. And for my work I'm a nurse.

Woooow. You're from the future (probably not the first time you've heard this, I apologize)! Going on adventures sounds incredibly interesting, though. Tell us more about that. And while you're at it, you should also tell us about your Harry Potter journey; that, too, must have been quite the adventure (see what I did there?).
Not the first time, but certainly not the last - it's kinda cool being in the future. Adventures! Mostly hiking or travel. I was always hugely anxious about everything, and pushing through my fears has been a big adventure. I've been skiing down a mountain (terrifying), in a helicopter (much panic), and on my first solo overseas flight that I never thought I'd ever be able to do. And coming up is a trek in the Himalayas. As for the old Harry Potter, I got into it when I was about 10. My teacher started reading it to us and it was instant love. Many years later, I'm still a devoted Potterhead. But it's also been there for me when things get a little crummy, I know I can turn to the books or movies and feel like I'm returning to old friends, you know? And it's really amazing when I'm at work and some of my patients are reading/watching/talking about Harry Potter. It's just magical how it gathers everyone into its cloak.

As someone from Austria, I feel it's my duty to say that skiing down a mountain isn't that terrifying; but let's be real, it absolutely is. I'm also so impressed with your upcoming trip to the Himalayas! I really want to see photos of that! And with regard to Harry Potter...I 100% know how you feel. Honestly, just hearing Hedwig's Theme is making me emotional. What house would you sort yourself into? Also what house were you first sorted into when you joined SnitchSeeker?
Maybe with more exposure it would be more enjoyable! I'm certain there will be soooo many photos. YES every time! I'd say mostly Ravenclaw with a little Hufflepuff for me. I was a Slytherin! I was so excited, I had the perfect 'pureblood' character but she was 100% Hufflepuff.

Isn't that always the case? I think it's incredibly rare to have someone be strictly one house. Is that what drew you to SnitchSeeker, by the way? The sorting? Or the RPG?
Initially it was the Pottermore Magical Quill Challenge that led me to SnitchSeeker in 2011, and I registered immediately. I still wish I had found it sooner when I had all this creative FanFiction running through my brain. But the sorting and knowing my username would change colour was what hooked me, and I devoured so many of the FanFictions.

That's the most exciting part, isn't it? Seeing your username change color? Also I'm very happy you brought up FanFictions because I've been wanting to ask...any recommendations? Do you still enjoy reading FanFiction? If so, any particular characters or ships or fandoms you enjoy the most?
It really is, and it continues to be exciting just waiting for other people to have colour changes too. Oooh, all of the SS100/50/25 pieces. All of them! And I used to read a lot of the Romances from the 'mature' vaults. I was really obsessed with the Marauders at Hogwarts. That one chapter in the 5th book just wasn't enough.

OMG! Yes, I completely agree with you! They're my favorite people to read FanFiction about too (also Draco, ahem). Seeing as you're also a Honeydukes FanFiction mod on site, I'm going to assume you also enjoy writing, yes? Do you write your own FanFiction as well? Do you participate in NaNoWriMo?
Ah good ol' Draco. I always had a crush on Ron myself. I really like to write! I've done a fair few of the SS 100 and 50, and one 25. I think they are my favourite ones to write. But I've started a few longer pieces (I just struggle to finish them). Yeah I do participate in NaNoWriMo, last year I nearly finished my Harry Potter/Outlander crossover FanFic. Lots of fun!

Aw, Ron. I think it's hard not to have at least a tiny crush on Ron Weasley, am I right? Crossovers are so interesting I think. I don't know Outlander but I definitely like AU-type FanFictions as well sometimes. Now, to get more into the spirit of the Queenie Chronicles: Fantastic Beasts, did you read the book? The original, not the screenplay. And also just in general, have you read all the official complementary Harry Potter books?
Absolutely. He just has a charm about him. It's very good, I recommend it! They're fun to read and write, especially if it’s from another fandom you love as well. NO, I'm so bad. I should read them though, right?

*makes a note about adding it to her to-watch-list* Really? I think they're fun, yes. Especially the Tales of Beedle the Bard, in my opinion. Alright, but you've seen the Fantastic Beasts movies, though, right? What did you think of them? The plot. The casting. Any thoughts on Jude Law as young Dumbledore?
Yes, I've seen them for sure. I thoroughly enjoy them, and thought all of the characters and castings are well done. And I just loved Eddie Redmayne's awkward Newtness that he brought to the role, he fit Newt like Alan Rickman fit Snape. I enjoyed the fun of the first movie, and watching the second movie made things feel really ominous. You know, how people have a way of manipulating others by speaking into their life. I can see how Queenie could have done what she did. I wasn't sure what I wanted from young Dumbledore, but I wasn't disappointed with Jude Law. I'd have liked to see him in robes, with a bit more facial hair though.

Yes, I agree. I think Eddie was the perfect casting for Newt. Absolutely perfect (even though I had to rewatch the first movie because I had trouble understanding Eddie, he mumbles A LOT). I'm hoping for more facial hair on Jude Law in the upcoming movie(s), then. Since our main focus of the Queenie Chronicles was, of course, Queenie Goldstein, I want to hear some more thoughts on her specifically. Do you like the character? Is she your favorite? Also how do you think her abilities as a Legilimens impacted her life and personality?
Yeah, he did too. Fitting for Newt, I thought, but not so good having to go back to understand him (although you got to rewatch it!). I really like her, and she probably is my favourite character. I think she was cast superbly. I personally get the sense that it's made her feel a bit lonely and ostracised. I mean, it would be so hard having that 'ability' of being able to interpret others thoughts. Knowing all the mean things people think etc. I think it would be hard to be around other people, especially when she was discovering it all (whenever that was).

Oh, yes, for sure. I'd never want the ability to read people's minds. Even if she's able NOT to do it, like you said, the first couple of months (years?) when she first discovered her abilities must have been really really hard. Speaking of, our contest has most certainly broached this topic as well. From a writer's perspective, however, which chapter did you feel was easier for you to write? The first one which was simply based on a very open one-sentence prompt, or the one based on a full chapter written by someone else?
Definitely - it's easy for me to think 'I wish I could read minds' but then when I think about it, it would be awful. And I don't think it's something I'd stop doing, curiosity tickles my senses. I think the first chapter, for sure. It was really fun reading through all of the entries and thinking about where they could go, too. But with Ern's amazing entry, I did a lot of reading over sections to see what I could bring in, and trying to interpret where she left off into where I started again. It was a fun challenge, for sure.

Yes, I think it's definitely both a blessing and a curse. And yes, it is definitely a fun challenge to write a joint FanFiction. 10/10 would recommend; and no, I'm not biased or anything. ANYWAY, we are approaching the end of our interview (sadness) so I want to do a lightning round (because I always enjoy those). Ready?
What’s the first thing that pops into your head when I say “Cursed Child”?
No, definitely no bias here. Aw they are fun! I'M READY!
Nest

Harry or Newt?
Newt

Cats or dogs? I think I already know the answer to that lol.
Dogs haha. It would have been cats 3 years ago though.

Don't let your dog hear that. Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans or Chocolate Frogs?
I think she knows I adore her Chocolate frogs!

Are you excited for the third and final round of the Queenie Chronicles? Yes or yes?
YES, very excited to read the entries!

CORRECT! And participate too, I hope? Unfortunately, we have now reached the end of our interview. Thank you for talking with me. I hope you had as much fun as I did. Any final advice for anyone who wants to enter the contest, but hasn't quite found their mojo yet?
Awh, thanks for your interviewing time, Lisa! I did have fun! Please write something, let your mind juices get lost in Queenie's mind and share your wonderful words. It doesn't even have to be long, so all you drabblers can set yourself a real challenge to wrap it up in 100 words.