An Interview With Serena Zane!

Taday I am interviewing Serena Zane,whose latest release is Moonlight In A ickkup Truck.

One more night… is it worth the risk to lose everything for a chance at love? Placing your heart on the line is hard to do, especially when there is doubt that the love is returned in the same way. Her best friend is leaving for the Navy and this is her last opportunity to reveal her true feelings, but will she have the courage?




Janette: In order that we can to get to know you, as a person, a little better, why don’t you tell me about who you are? Do you like to travel? Do you like to try new things? How about exotic foods?

Serena: I have always loved to travel. In fact, I used to be a member of an itinerant drama company called, Covenant Players, and visited 17 different countries in the space of three and a half years with them. Since then, I have settled down with my husband Gary and my son Cirdan in the Northwest. I love trying new things, one of my heroines flies small aircraft in Crystal Clear. Because I’d never had that experience, I had my friend Annie take my up in a Cessna and teach me how to fly. She let me do the whole gambit, take off, the flight, and the landing. It was very exciting. As to exotic foods, sure, why not. I am also heavily into study on crime, and love to research the late 16th century. My family and I are all active members of the Society of Creative Anachronism, Inc. which studies and recreates the Middle Ages.

Janette: What aspect of who you are drew you into writing romance?

Serena: It perhaps it was my overactive imagination. I’ve been reading romance novels since the sixth grade, but it was when I was going to college to study Criminal Justice that my imagination really took hold. I would spook myself over homework assignments that came with warning labels. So, one night I thought, dang, I should write this down. So, I did. That’s how it all started.

Janette: How many novels have you written, and of those, how many have you sold?

Serena: Well, I have sold one novel, Dark Hope, and one short story, Moonlight in a Pickup Truck that just released. I have written nine complete manuscripts, and am working on getting them submitted for publication.

Janette: As a full-time writer, how hard was it for you to get where you are today? Did it take long to reach that status? Were there a lot of rejections? Did they dishearten you? How long before that glorious call? What would be your advice to new writers?

Serena: As a full-time writer, I have to say that every day is a challenge. If it’s not promotions, it’s actually writing the manuscript, if it’s not writing, it’s getting out those queries. Writing is a challenging career overall, and unless you’re John Grisham or Nora Roberts, you may not make a lot, at least at first. I still hold down a full-time job as well. It had taken me ten years to get to this point. My first novel Dark Hope I tried for almost a year to get published after a year and a half of writing. One rejection after another came in and I got disheartened. I put it aside for almost four years. When I met my husband he encouraged me to try again, and lo and behold, an acceptance letter came! So, five years after deciding to write for a career I received my first contract with a publisher. My advice to new writers, just keep trying. There is nothing compared to the feeling of holding your completed manuscript in your hands as a paperback book with your name on the front. Do it for the joy of writing, not to make money. That will come with time and renown.

Janette: Is there a story or character you’ve written that is closer to your heart than the others? Why is it? Who is your favorite character or story someone else has created/written about?

Serena: Detective Nikki Adams, is my favorite character to write so far. She is a lot like me with insecurities and uncertainties, but she has gumption and doesn’t give up. Nikki embodies all the qualities I admire in a person, honor, integrity, a sense of humor, the ability to laugh at herself, a streak of stubbornness a mile long, and a don’t quit attitude. She also has a soft spot for strong men with dark hair and blue eyes, kind of like me.

As to who my favorite someone else has written…hmmm…there are so many. I think I would have to say Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin.

Janette: There are those of us writers who are known as “Pansters, Puzzlers, Plotters, and Patch-workers. (And there could be others out there, too.) LOL! What type of writer would you say you are?

Serena: Definitely a plotter.

Janette: Does your writing life allow you much time for a personal life?

Serena: My husband misses me during Na No month. And when I get really involved with a story my husband says I am in the room physically, but I am definitely somewhere else. I think he gets a little jealous sometimes.

Janette: Tell me about what you’re currently writing.

Serena: Currently I am working on writing my Na No novel Tiger Eye which is the last book in my Jewel Series. Meanwhile, I am also working on polishing three other MS for submission.

Janette: How long does the planning on a new story take you before you are ready to begin work on it?

Serena: About a week. I get the ideas rather rapidly, and have a system down for plotting.

Janette: What are your preferences in reading? Do you have any favorite authors that you admire?

Serena: Um…paranormal romance, and paranormal romance, and did I mention paranormal romance? My favorite author is Christine Feehan, but I also enjoy Teresa Medeiros, and Richelle Mead.

Janette: Where are your books sold, who are your publishers, and what are your contact URLs?

My books are sold at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, bookstogonow.com, and Outblast. My current publisher is Books To Go Now, and my url: http://www.serenazane.com, twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and stumbleon.

Thank you for allowing me to blog with you!

Serena Zane
When hope is darkest…


It has been a pleasure getting to know you better today, Serena! Thank you for sharing your time with me on my BlogSpot.

JH!

Romance through the mists of time and Love through the dimensions of reality