Welcome to another wonderful author!
Jen Turano is the critically acclaimed author of The Ladies of Distinction Series, published through Bethany House. Her novel, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, was chosen by Booklist as a Top Ten Romance for 2013.
On to the questions!
1. What inspired you to become a writer?
It was rather odd, how I came to be a writer. My son was in third grade, and in order to get him to read on a regular basis, we would read together at night. I would read a chapter out loud, then he’d do the same. We were reading this horrible series about a bird and after we read The Endon book number six, he turned to me and said he was pretty sure we could write a better book, so that’s what we did. We would talk about the storyline, and while he went off to school, I’d sit at the computer and write, and…it was a total blast. I’d left my career in fashion behind after I had my son, and honestly, it was such a fabulousthing to use my brain again. That book didn’t end up going anywhere, but the whole idea of pursuing writing intrigued me. It was a few more years before I could devote a lot of time to pursuing writing since I was the head of the parent organization at my son’s elementary school, but…once he was in middle school and was never at home, nor did he want me to volunteer ever, ever again, I just began writing all the time.
2. What books have influenced your life most?
Nancy Drew books in my youth because they were responsible for giving me a love of the written word.
3. What is the one piece of advice you received about writing that helped you the most?
The odds are never in your favor, so you’d better be willing to work really hard, write all the time, and grow a thick skin because your feelings will definitely get hurt.
4. Do you have any preparation rituals before you begin to write?
I always clean the house – scrubbing the shower seems to really get those creative thoughts going, and the same with vacuuming.
5. Which one of your books do you consider your “pride and joy”. Why?
After a Fashion – because it was chosen by Booklist as a top ten romance for 2015, was a top pick from RT, and was a RT reviewer choice nominee. Plus, it was just really fun to write.
6. Any fun behind the scenes tidbits you'd like to share with us?
When I get stuck, I free-write in notebooks that normally have those revoltingly cute covers attached to them – you know, the ones with kittens and puppies – or…if I’m really stuck, I’ll resort to Hello Kitty notebooks because those just crack me right up. If free-writing doesn’t work, I normally stretch out on the floor of my office and simply stare at the ceiling, bemoaning the life of a writer until I come to my senses and remember that I get to work from home, live in my imagination, and I get to interact with readers on a daily basis – that normally gets me back on track and reminds me that I really do have a pretty cool job.
7. Do you pattern you heroes and heroines after people you know?
Occasionally, yes, I will pattern some of my characters after people I know, although what normally happens is this – I’ll figure out who I want a character to be and then start writing, but…the character always changes as I begin to write and rarely turns out to be the character I first imagined.
8. What is your favorite time in History?
Gilded Age – from after the Civil War until the start of World War I.
9. We all have family, work and other obligations…how do you maintain balance while in the middle of a writing project?
Unfortunately, when I’m in the midst of a first draft, I don’t embrace a very balanced lifestyle. I have to write straight through or I forget the story – but since it doesn’t take me long to write a first draft if I’m determined, I make it up to my family during the editing process. Although, since my son has abandoned us for the college life – it’s just me and my husband, and he enjoys golfing, so…it’s much easier to work and be guilt free these days, especially when I know Al (husband) is on the golf course while I’m pounding away at the computer keys.
10. What is the next project you're working on?
I’m currently in the midst of a new series – Apart from the Crowd – which is a wallflower series. I’ve recently turned in the prequel novella, - At Your Request, as well as turned in the first book, Behind the Scenes. The novella will release Jan. 3, 2017 as a free download for e-book, followed by Behind the Scenes which will release in April 2017. I’m now setting up the next book, one that revolves around Miss Gertrude Cadwallader, and a most delicious gentleman by the name of Mr. Harrison Sinclair.
11. Where can we purchase your books? (provide link) and how can we keep up with you? (blog link, webpage, fan page)
And my author Facebook page is - https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/
12. Last, but not least…..What and when is your next release? Provide a brief synopsis….
“Playing the Part,” the third and final book in A Class of Their Own series, releases March 1, 2016.
Lucetta Plum is an actress on the rise in New York City, but must abandon her starring role when a fan's interest turns threatening. Lucetta's widowed friend, Abigail Hart, seizes the opportunity to meddle in Lucetta's life and promptly whisks her away to safety at her eligible grandson's estate. At first glance, Bram Haverstein appears to be a gentleman of means--albeit an eccentric one--but a mysterious career and a secret fascination with a certain actress mean there's much more to him than society knows. While Lucetta has no interest in Abigail's matchmaking machinations, she can't ignore the strange things going on in Bram's house and the secrets he hides. As the hijinks and hilarity that Bram, Lucetta, and their friends are swept into take a more dangerous turn, can they accept who they are behind the parts they play in time to save the day?
"Turano, known for her delightfully humorous tales, has done it again."--Booklist starred review of In Good Company
Thank you so much, Jen, for participating in this questionnaire! It was interesting and fun!
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