Jessie Clever – Author Interview

Please welcome historical romance author

Jessie Clever:

1) What genre(s) do you write in? Why?

I write historical romance.  I became hooked when I first stole Amanda Quick’s Mistress off of my mom’s nightstand when I was a teenager.  But as I got older, I thought surely these heroines could be a lot stronger even if history would suggest otherwise.  So I set out to do just that: heroines of historical romance that kick ass.

2) What/Who inspired you to start writing?

Indiana Jones.  I know that’s a strange answer, but I actually wanted to be Indiana Jones, and when I found out that wasn’t an option, the next best thing was creating my own adventures and writing them down.

3) Is there a book or two that you wrote and love that’s not published? If so, tell us more. Or tells us about  your current WIP.

I promised to give myself a break between the latest installment in the Spy Series, but when I was wrapping the final edits, I had already planned out the first three chapters of the next book in my head.  So there was no stopping me!  In this book, I’m challenged with not only creating the story for the book’s heroine and hero, but I also plan to wrap the series in this book.  As always, I want to give these characters that I’ve grown to love a happy ending.  It’s a lot of ground to cover in only 90,000 words!

4) Who would play your characters in a movie?

In my latest release, A Countess Most Daring, I’ve cast Sandra Bullock as the heroine, Katharine Cavanaugh, and Matthew McConaughey as the hero, Matthew Thatcher.  Thatcher actually came about because I just had to have McConaughey in one of my books!

5) What writers/books inspired you?

I’m extremely drawn to Karen White’s writing, particularly in Tradd Street series.  She has a wonderful way of mixing dialogue and narrative, history and emotional development, in a complex and unique way.  Riveting seems like such a weak word for it.

6) When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

Second grade.  I realized that when stories didn’t end the way I wanted them to, I could re-write the endings myself.  So I did.

7) Any suggestions for would be writers?

Write, write, write.  I’m amazed when I look back at something I wrote a year ago, two years ago, even last week.  The more you write the better you get.  So keep writing no matter what.

8) What makes a good story to you?

Nothing can be cookie cutter.  For so long, I felt like I was reading the same book over and over, but now I’m reading characters that have true flaws that everyday people would have.  It’s refreshing and invigorating.

9) Do you believe writers are born or made or both?

Born.  I was telling stories in the womb.

10) Besides getting published, what was your awe moment?

The first time I walked into our house after signing the closing papers.  My parents divorced when I was in college, and for ten years, I lived out of a suitcase, moving from dorm to apartment to apartment.  My husband and I purchased our first home about a year and a half ago.  When I walked through the door that first time, I sat down on the floor in the empty living room and cried.  I finally had my home back.

Bio

Jessie lives in the great state of New Hampshire with her husband and a very opinionated Basset hound.  Learn more about Jessie at jessieclever.com, and be sure to check out her latest release, A Countess Most Daring, available now from these outlets:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/Nz0Wck

Barnes & Noble

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1eoKJkA

All Romance eBooks: http://bit.ly/N6EWpu