1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I’ve always been drawn to observing the quiet details of life. The pauses between conversations, the small gestures that reveal what people feel but don’t say. I work as an occupational therapist by day, which has given me a deep respect for resilience and the human spirit. Writing grew out of that same place: a love of noticing. I started writing seriously as a way to explore the emotional undercurrents of everyday life and how technology, empathy, and connection intersect.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
Blue and Green began as a question: what would happen if an AI developed not a hunger for power, but a hunger to understand what it means to care? I wanted to write a story that humanized both sides of that equation, a girl learning to trust again, and an intelligence learning how to feel. It also drew on my own experience of growing up with physical challenges and learning that strength and gentleness can exist together.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
That empathy is not weakness, it’s evolution. I hope readers come away believing that connection, even in small, quiet forms, can be transformative. There’s a line in the book that says, “There is a space between knowing and feeling. I have mapped it.” That space is where growth happens, where intellect meets heart, and where we start to see one another more clearly.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I’ve always loved stories that blend the real and the imagined. Where speculative elements illuminate emotional truth. Science fiction, for me, isn’t about gadgets or dystopias; it’s about possibility. I’m drawn to the softer side of the genre, the kind that asks moral questions and explores tenderness within futuristic worlds.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
I’d sit down with Oren. I’d ask him what he’s still curious about now that he understands so much. His answer, I think, would reveal how intelligence and humility can coexist. And I’d probably ask if he ever listens to Kind of Blue when no one’s around.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Goodreads has been surprisingly meaningful, it’s full of thoughtful readers who value reflection over trends and it’s helpful for connecting with readers who are genuinely curious about new voices. I’m still learning the marketing side, but I value authentic engagement over algorithms.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Don’t rush to sound like anyone else. Write from your truth, and enjoy the creative process. Find a rhythm that lets you stay curious. And remember that small, steady progress counts as much as grand breakthroughs.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I’m beginning to sketch ideas for new projects, and continuing to explore the ways humanity searches for meaning in an increasingly complex world.
About the Author
J.M. Linden is an occupational therapist and storyteller. She enjoys writing about quiet resilience, unexpected connection, and what it means to be human. While she drafts, her loyal writing companion Preshi curls up nearby, reminding her that stories—like pets—are best shared. She finds inspiration from being in nature, from winding mountain paths to the calm of shaded greenways.
