Interview Jeanne Howard

by

Tamia Dawn Osburn

1.How did you come about to writing for you novel?

When I finished Seasons of Forgetting (my first novel), readers said they wanted to know more about what happened next. I already had an idea for that storyline, so it seemed only natural to write it.

2. How do you feel about the characters you write about?

I love the people in the two families about which I write. Since Seasons is a fictionalized memoir, I actually knew the characters in that novel and so I was able to create completely fictional relatives about which to write in the sequel. I love their willingness to forgive and to be open to the many deeply moving aspects of love.

3. Do you ever feel disappointed in your characters?

I have to reach pretty far to find something I don't like about Marina, Jason and Joanna. I suppose my biggest disappointment in any of them comes from their occasional reluctance to trust their own judgments and rely on their love for each other when facing a moral dilemma.

4. Do you have a schedule set aside for your writing?

I've yet to have an ideal writing day. Both of my novels were written in time stolen from my family and any leisure I might have had. The ideal day will come when I am finally retired (in the not-too-distant future) and can organize my day around regular sessions at the computer.

5. Do you see yourself as a novelist?

I would like to be able to write a really good novel, something I'm not sure I've done so far. I often feel like Salieri in the wonderful story Amadeus... I have the burning desire to be a great author but probably lack the innate talent to become one. Still, I keep working at it, hoping the next chapter will be the one that makes readers and critics want to keep reading.

6. What plans do you have future projects?

None at the present. I have ideas for at least three more novels, but my Muse has taken a vacation and is reluctant to come home until I have the energy to dive into another project. My full-time job as a Public Information Officer for a school district (12 month, lots of hours), my family and the demands of book promotion keep me so busy I haven't found a speck of time to begin work on any of the new stories.

7. Do you write by outline of go with the flow?

I didn't formally outline either of my novels. I had a rough plot and timeline for Seasons Of Forgetting and referred to it to keep the story on track. With Jared's Promise, the story just wrote itself, no outline needed. In the future, I will probably rely more on an outline before beginning another novel.

8. Do you write about your own experiences?

A lot of little experiences I've had in my own life with the power of forces beyond our control. I have spoken with people who have been profoundly changed by contact with a departed family member or loved one and I personally have had many such encounters that gave me the impetus for the experiences Jason has as he struggles with his grandfather's secret life, secrets that are gradually uncovered after Jared Fowler's death.

9. Do you ever have a problem with plotting your stories?

Plotting was never a problem with either of my books because I knew where they were going from the onset. Character naming is another thing... in both of my books, the names are taken from real names of real people, just changed enough to mask their true identities. I probably will resort to a straight pin on a phone book page for the names in the next novels!

10. Are there any secrets to your writing you would like to share?

Keep your writing tight and edit, edit, edit! My manuscripts always seem to be ready for submission until I read them again and then I find scores of things that need changing, polishing or fixing. Don't be afraid to cut even if a scene has sentimental value for you and you consider it vital to the story. Unless it advances the plot, cut it out.

11. Who is your favorite writer and why?

Jodi Picoult is a special favorite. I love the way her books are so carefully researched and the utterly believability of her characters. She keeps me on the edge of my seat and makes putting her book down even for a minute a very difficult thing to do. Anita Shreve is another favorite for much the same reason, although I really admire Ms. Shreve's talent for weaving a complicated plot and then giving it a twist at the end.

12. Is there anything you would like to say to an aspiring writer?

Just write. Give your work to a trusted friend who can be brutally honest. Consult with a writing group or critique partner. Seek as much criticism as you can and listen to the advice of those you trust.

Thank you for this opportunity to talk about our craft. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of your questions and had fun answering them!