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 Author Jane Beckenham found literature at a young age. In books she discovered dreams and hope, stories that inspired in her a love of travel. Years later, after a blind date, Jane found her own true love and married eleven months later. Life has been a series of 'dreams', believing that she can 'just do it'. Dreaming to learn to walk again, dreaming of raising a family and adopting her girls from Russia, dreaming of writing. With her family growing up, her life, apart from scraping every moment she can at the computer, is a round of playing mum's taxi service, all the while wondering what her hero and heroine are up to behind her back! Writing is Jane's addiction - and it sure beats housework. Visit Jane's website: www.janebeckenham.com  What did you do before you became a writer? My basic line of work was as a secretary, but not long after my husband and I were married, we headed south and bought a general store/motel deep in the heart of the Uruweras, a very remote and beautiful part of New Zealand. It's an area were the indigenous people (the Maori) are called the Children of the Mist. Also, about 2 years before I began writing we became parents, adopting two girls from Russia. So life has been very interesting. How long have you been writing? About 9 years. I did try once, pre-computer days and gave up after about page ten. I'm a very lazy hand-writing person! What led you to pursue a career in writing? Well, it really is weird. I've always loved reading; spent years in and out of hospital where books really were my comfort zone. But decorating is a love too and I was chatting to someone on line about decorating. She was a writer! Well, you can guess the rest. She said give it a go. I did, emailed her my efforts and got a comment back that she couldn't believe I'd never written before…well that was it. And a writer I became! Do you write full-time or do you support yourself with another job? I've done odd jobs, but also being a full time mum too. But now I work part time and I also teach creative writing, which is so rewarding when your students have success too! How has living in New Zealand influenced your writing? Well, I think our 'NZ' voice, if you can say there is a collective one, is possibly less formal, say than UK writers. But I do believe that living way down at the bottom of the world, we probably take more chances with our writing, we're not stymied by conventions. Also NZ is a beautiful country and to be able to 'showcase' it a little in our writing is fabulous. Since LOTR I think NZ's profile has skyrocketed, and that can't be a bad thing. You write both contemporary and time travel romance. Which do you prefer? Ooooh now, that's put me on the spot LOL. I started off writing TT because I loved reading it. Writers like Sandra Hill, and Lyn Kurland, were my absolute favorites. But TT is a smaller market. I think with contemporary you get to have a little bit more fun and your heroines can be more adventurous, although saying that Tyler in Be My Valentine was a smart chic! (am I allowed to say smart-ass??) LOL Right now I'm still going between both genres. This June I have a new release HIRING CUPID, with Linden Bay Romance – and both it and the new book they have just contracted – HE'S THE ONE, are contemporary. Who or what has influenced you the most in your writing? I think my reading has influenced me the most. For years I read because I couldn't physically do a lot else, so seeing different worlds, different times and the trials and tribulations of so many characters, this had all played a part in how I develop my own plots and characters. How long did it take before you were published? My first book to M&B was rejected – and boy was the chocolate heaven! However, I then co-wrote WOMAN OF VALOR, with Ellen Ben-Sefer- (we wrote as Janelle Benham) and that book was picked up by a publisher very quickly. However they didn't last! And by this time we had a sort of sequel to Valor – called LEAP OF FAITH, and were lucky to find another publisher. This took a couple of years. But I wanted to prove I could do it all by myself and so wrote BE MY VALENTINE, which was also picked up pretty fast. Where do you get the ideas for your books? I dream them. Really! Some books come while I'm sleeping, waking me up and forcing me to think it all through. One weekend I was non-communicative, as this whole dialogue just kept playing in the brain cells and wouldn't leave me alone. The idea for ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID came while I was staying in the hotel for the RWNZ conference. I'm not a great sleeper, well haven't been since I started writing – and I find the hours just before I get to sleep, and just before I wake up, really ping pong with ideas. Sometimes it's a pain, and I wish it would leave me alone and let me get some sleep! Where do your characters come from? Real life? A conglomerate of people you know? No. They're really all just made up. Though I must admit that my heroes often have what I call bedroom eyes. A friend's husband has them and they are so yummy, all dark Hershey chocolate like, wide and full of promise! Now just don't tell my husband I said this LOL. For my heroines, I just want them to be spunky, but struggling. Do you do a lot of research before you write? For historicals absolutely, and it's hard work. I do love history, but often the amount of reading I have to do for what I actually end up using is not in proportion. For example I wrote a story set on a make believe island and perfume was its main 'industry'. So I had to read up all about the history of perfume, what plants etc. go into its making, and of course then there is packaging and the beautiful perfume bottles etc. Lots of fun, though. Is there any other genre you want to expand to? Which one? Well, another 'dream' I had was to do with a mainstream book about cults etc. I even dreamt who the main character would be – definitely a Bruce Willis sort of guy. But the book remains in my head, and not even near to getting on the computer yet. It was a thriller sort of book, which is interesting because I don't really read the genre much. Do you have a special place you like to write? A loft in New York would be nice! But then again I think I'd get side-tracked big time by the shopping. My kids are shocked that mum has discovered the joys of shopping at 50! But realistically I have an office at home, which I am ashamed to say is a tad messy (read that as really bad at times). But it is my space and I can go and close myself off. What I'd love to do is strip the room bare and redecorate. But I don't have time, and I HATE sanding and painting! Do you write without fail every day? Or loads at once? Yep! Sure do. I am often up at 4 or 5 a.m. – see can't sleep, then do the gym thing, the housework thing, get the kids off to school and into the office by 9.30 – 10, then I write interspersed with hanging out the washing till about three – interspersed again with playing solitaire and watching Oprah or Dr Phil! Sad, but true. Often I also write after dinner till about 10 or 11 at night, and if I can't sleep, I get up and write again. Is it any wonder I'm getting bags under my eyes. How much do you read? Smack my hand – not as much as I should. I really want to, but just don't get the time. I have a TBR pile that is constantly getting bigger. At the moment I have Sophia James' book – Ashblane's Lady. And, I'm loving it. Who are your favorite authors and why? For TT and her sexy Cajun men, Sandra Hill, and Lyn Kurland for her earlier TT. I love Sophia James historicals and Melissa James's weepy HM&B categories. Of course if I want a dose of SF there's ND Hansen-Hill or Melody Knight for romance with a twist. Linda Howard for her sassy women and hunky men. I've got Drop Dead Gorgeous in my TBR. And then if I want something short and sexy, Yvonne Walus is always a good read. It's great because I know some of these ladies now via the net, and that really makes it a personal thing when I read their books. What are your feelings toward reviewers? Scary! I shouldn't be scared though because I've really never had a bad review. I think the lowest I scored was 3 stars and she really liked the characters, but just not a part of the plot! So I guess you can't always win. However, my new book HIRING CUPID has had awesome reviews, which is so rewarding and exciting. You know when you finally put the manuscript to bed, after editing, and more editng, I totally lose perspective on the book, and I usually think it's a load of cr... – well, you get the idea. But with HIRING CUPID, the reviews from www.loveromances.com and www.simegen.com and have been 4 ½ and 4 respectively. So not bad going. What are your feelings toward today's publishing industry? It's hard, hard, hard. But we keep going, keep trying. Sometimes I ask a friend why the heck do I do this. I mean I could have a life, a clean house, sleep, too! But you know, writing is addictive, and for me personally, no matter how hard it is, I can't give up. Writing the book is probably the easy part. The hard part comes next. Marketing. Marketing yourself as a writer, a brand, all your books. And for us down here in NZ it really is a bit harder, we're a small market – only 4,000,00 people. But the net does help – for example, here you are miles away and interviewing me! Small world really. What are your thoughts on e-books versus printed paperbacks or hard cover? Are they the wave of the future? I think e-books will gain in popularity, probably more so amongst the younger generation who are more techno savvy than the rest of us. However, I think books, the real paper variety, are here to stay and that technology and paper will sit side by side. How do you feel about self-publishing? It's a personal thing and not something I would want to do myself. I had an uncle who self-published a technical book on growing protea, so perhaps that type of publishing is great for non-fiction. What advice would you give someone just starting out? Don't give up. Network with writers groups, conferences. Read how to books. And if you can write every day, even a ½ hour. Some advice too I read from Anna Jacobs was that write the manuscript, put it away for a few months – she suggests six – then get it out and read it and edit it again. Your perspective will change with that break from it. But if writing is something you love, please do it. What books do you have planned in the near future? Well, as I mentioned HIRING CUPID is being released in June 2007. Very exciting. And Linden Bay have offered another contract on a contemporary. I've basically got the next six months tied up, with editing a full manuscript that's in London at M&B which they're interested in reading, and marketing and getting my head around blogging. I have another historical started – a book which relates a little to my family history and set when the Huguenots escaped France. Could you give us a brief preview of the next one? Well since He's the One is only just contracted, probably best to talk about HIRING CUPID. It's the story of woman who doesn't want commitment or family. She doesn't trust either, but has escaped her own chaotic childhood and created a successful business. Except that she's 'invented' a hunk who adores her, and when she's cornered and meant to produce him, she can't. Along comes Marco Valente. A hunk on a bike, all wrapped up in leather. Would you hire a gigolo? Carly does. For four long days…and nights on an island in paradise. Trouble is the hunk isn't exactly who he seems… and love and lust gets in the way. You can check out excerpts on my web site www.janebeckenham.com or go to http://www.lindenbayromance.com/comming_details.php?id=91 It's still under the coming releases as I believe the book is at the printer! But if anyone wants an author signed copy, they just need to email me directly at neiljane@ihug.co.nz Do you have any book signings/appearances in the future? Well I do public speaking whenever asked, but book signings are not a big thing here in NZ. But I am planning a book release party for HIRING CUPID. Do you ever get over to the US? It's along way! But I'd love to come. Beam me up, Scotty! In what kind of venues can we find your books? WOMAN OF VALOR (Janelle Benham) BE MY VALENTINE (Jane Beckenham) ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID (Jane Beckenham) Are all from www.trebleheartbooks.com but also again, if readers want signed copies, they can contact me directly neiljane@ihug.co.nz HIRING CUPID (Jane Beckenham) is with www.lindenbayromance.com and they can order in advance via orders@lindenbayromance.com Amazon, B&N and also for bookstores there's the big distributors. And of course keep a look out for the next one later in the year. If readers or writers want to keep informed about what's happening and read some great author interviews, they can join my yahoo groups newsletter at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RomanceauthorJaneBeckenham/ (no junk mail, just the newsletter) Is there anything else you would like to mention that I haven't asked about? Phew, that seems it. It's been great, fabulous questions and I've really enjoyed it -you made me think! Other books from Jane Beckenham:
 ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID - By Jane Beckenham Set in the wild heartland of New Zealand, disenchanted with the life of international modeling, Lisa Kelly takes on the job of nanny to a four-year-old with whose father Travis Jacobs has an aversion to any of the female species over three feet. Starting over, learning to trust again and daring to gamble on love - Always A Bridesmaid encapsulates life and love's challenges. www.trebleheartbooks.com Read an excerpt: http://www.janebeckenham.com/always.html  BE MY VALENTINE - By Jane Beckenham If you like history ... you will love 'Be My Valentine', a time travel romance set in Jamaica - land of pirates, prostitutes and rum. Thrust back in time, shipwrecked and sold into slavery Dave and Tyler find history is fast becoming reality. Be My Valentine is a story of hope and understanding - that love lasts an eternity, even through the ages. Available: http://www.trebleheartbooks.com/BeckenhamSynops.html Read an excerpt: http://www.janebeckenham.com/bemyval.html WOMAN OF VALOR - By Janelle Benham The story of two fated lovers struggling to come to terms with their past and their present, with the things they cannot change and things they must accept after being thrust back to the days of Roman occupied Judea. Will they find the way back to the present? Do they want to? Available: http://www.trebleheartbooks.com/BenhamSynops.html Read an excerpt: http://www.janebeckenham.com/woman.html Submitted by: Alice Klein |
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