my days are always busy. I don’t like to sit around and do nothing. My mornings always start with a big cup of coffee and my laptop. After writing for a while, I’ll get ready for the rest of the day. From there, I often have auditions in the afternoon and more writing. In the evenings, I enjoy going for a run along the beach and then spending time with friends.

I was born…

six weeks early. And raised in Tucson, Ariz. I always say Tucson is the ideal place to raise a family. There is a sense of community throughout the city that is unique because it maintains that small town feel even though it’s got a good sized population.

My favorite thing about Arizona…

is the smell after it rains. You Tucson people all know what I’m talking about. The creosote bushes give off this aroma that’s so unique, but it’s the most fresh and relaxing scent I can think of that entirely belongs to Tucson’s monsoon season.

I’m listening to…

Ed Sheeran. I can’t get enough of his new album X right now. I saw him at the VMAs recently and definitely had a star struck moment.

My family…

is filled with my best friends. We have each other’s backs. No questions asked. Sure, we’re complicated like any family can be but, the second I have a problem, you better believe I’m on the phone with my mother… and then every other member of the family from there.

If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…

Shakespeare. And I would expect him to tell me all of his secrets. His plays are just so breathtaking and ahead of their time. It would be amazing to sit down with someone who has really shaped writing and story structure in so many ways.

One thing I cannot live without…

the outdoors. City life can be overwhelming sometimes, and I find that escaping to hike or run gives me such clarity in my day to day life. It really offers the balance I need. Writing is often a solitary endeavor so getting out and exploring the world keeps my work fresh.

When I was younger, I wanted to be…

an actress and an author. I’ve always had a clear understanding of my passions. I was one of those weird, creative types starting at a young age and that hasn’t changed as I’ve gotten older.

I’m inspired by…

the better questions is: What doesn’t inspire me? As a writer, I’m a constant observer in my day to day. Personal experiences really drive my stories. My novels are always very personal and often explore questions or issues I’m dealing with myself, but in a little more of a fantastical way. I do write near-future, sci-fi, after all.

The one person who motivates me is…

there are so many people, it’s hard to name just one! I feel so fortunate to have such a great support system in my life, but the one person who has always pushed me to be my best since I was a baby is my father. We joke about my dad’s “life lectures” but they really are the crème de la crème of advice. They’ve transformed a bit as I’ve grown from “lectures” to “conversations,” but I still seek out his advice to this day.

If I could change anything in the world, it would be…

to make people more open minded. The world is filled with possibilities. Why limit yourself?

The perfect day would be…

I try not to set my life up with expectations like that. I think it’s limiting to put parameters on ideals. It’s all about the people your with and the experiences you create together based on those interactions. I don’t have an image of the perfect day, and I like to embrace the unexpected. When I look back on my life, I think the day that will come to mind will most likely be something I never knew I’d love as much as I did.

My first job was…

at Frost Gelato Shoppe in Tucson, Ariz., when I was sixteen. It’s still hands down the best gelato/ice cream I’ve ever had. I visit every time I’m in town. Go there. You can thank me later. Plus, both of my younger sisters have since worked there too so the owners have practically become friends of the family.

My favorite escape…

hiking through the trails in the Pacific Palisades. One of my favorite things about Los Angeles is that you can go from this busy city one minute to the middle of nowhere the next.

My life…

is remarkabe! The older I get, the more grateful I become.

I’m currently working on…

my next novel! I’m busy typing away on Book 2 in The Revealed series, which is called The Enraged. Things are definitely getting more action-packed in the sequel, and I can’t wait to share it with readers.

Always…

follow your dreams. It’s cliché but the biggest truth I know. Things have a funny way of working out just the way they’re supposed to if you go with your instincts.

Never…

compromise yourself. Whether it be your career or love, life is too short not to be happy.

Favorite Quote…

“Reach for the stars and, if you miss, aim for the heavens,” – Author unknown

Biggest Dream…

my biggest dream is to see my books adapted for film. The two passions in my life are writing and the entertainment industry. To see those two marry through my novels would be the ultimate.

My Pet Peeve(s)…

my biggest pet peeve is when people talk on their cell phones when you’re in the car with them.

Jessica Hickam will be at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe September 6th at 7:00PM. For fans of young adult, dystopian fiction, this is a great chance to ask the author of The Revealed your burning questions. Jessica will be reading from her novel, sharing her story and signing copies of the first book in her series.