Interview Jennifer Lynn

by

Linda Joy Singleton

Tell A bit about yourself and how you got started writing?

I've always loved to write. Even when I was a little kid growing up on the west coast of British Columbia, I had a penchant for making up stories. Years later, living as a single parent after a failed marriage, I picked up pen and paper again, mostly for my own entertainment. A friend encouraged me to start submitting and I discovered that others enjoyed my stories too.

What books have you written?

New Prints in Old Calico is my third published novel. Previously, I've written Rebel Road, a contemporary romantic adventure and Hoodwinked, a romantic comedy. I just sold another romantic comedy, Melting Ms McCool, which will be released this summer.

What are your hobbies?

You mean besides writing? Actually, I enjoy a wide variety of things. One of my favorite hobbies is to read. Big surprise for a writer, huh? I also enjoy outdoor pursuits such as camping and hiking, but I don't get to indulge nearly as often as I'd like. Board games with friends are wonderful and then of course, there's that whole shopping thing!

What real life experiences have you used in your books?

I don't use a whole lot of real life experiences in my writing. I write to experience new things and places. However, I do it from time to time, the most obvious example being Rebel Road. In that novel, I used my experience and training as a Canadian Armed Forces reservist when I was building the character of Lissa and in elements of the storyline.

What enjoyable books have you read lately?

Hmm... books I've enjoyed lately are Chance of a Lifetime, by Amy Leigh, Fire at Thunder Ridge, by Billie Williams and currently I'm reading Act of Love by Sophie Simonet.

What inspired you to write New Prints in Old Calico, and why did you pick the era and location?

When I was a child, I loved Little House on the Prairie. I mean the books, not the tv series. The tv series was good, but I was a reader even back then. I don't know what it was that drew me to those books, but I loved them. Perhaps it was the simplicity of life. Then again, perhaps it was because the main character was a child as well! Anyway, to this day I still love those books and I still love that era so I thought about doing something similar. However, being a very modern person, I thought it might be more fun to see history through the eyes of someone from the future... so a time travel was born.

I also like stories that have a certain amount of fact to them. I did some research and found a ghost town that would have been alive and thriving in the time frame that I had chosen. A little historical background, a little make-believe and some interesting characters and New Prints in Old Calico almost wrote itself.

What is your writing routine?

I wish I could say that I have a routine, but the truth of the matter is, I don't. I do prefer to write early in the morning or late in the evening because it is quiet and there are fewer distractions. I like a little soft background music, candles (if its night) and a cup of tea or glass of wine to help set a mood. Wow... I guess I DO have a routine after all!

What made you decide to go with e-publishing?

I firmly believe the electronic publishing is the future. As people discover the portability and ease of reading on PDA's and e-book readers, it will become more and more popular. I also enjoy the opportunity to write 'outside the box', and not have to stick to style pages and strict story guidelines. I have the freedom to write the kinds of stories that intrigue me, and the opportunity to work with great people. It isn't everyday that an author gets to have as much input into their stories, editing and cover art as e-publishing allows. It's an exciting place to be.

What are you working on now?

I'm working on another romantic adventure about a girl, a nerd and some buried treasure. Harper's Treasure should be finished in about a month or so, and then I've got another comedy on my mind.