…so let’s give her a warm welcome, shall we?
A couple of months ago, I read Lessons from a Courtesan by Jenna Petersen and I was a lot of things. Curious as to why Jenna would write a story about a cheater and then I was overtaken by an urge to pick Jenna’s brain and what better way to do that then by inviting her to do an author interview here at Book Binge.
Lucky for me, Jenna was nice enough to indulge me. So here are my questions for Jenna answered in all it’s glory.
YAY!
Random Writing Questions.
BB: When did you decide that you wanted to write for a living?
JP: I wrote my first book in my Sophomore year of college and got really addicted to the girls in my dorm coming to my door at 2am to ask to “just one more page”. But it was a lark to me, I never thought I’d really pursue it! But then in 1999 after I graduated with a degree in Psychology from University of Washington, my husband was working nights and I started revising that first manuscript. I got really hooked and pretty soon I decided to change my plans, NOT go back to school for my Masters and instead pursue writing full-time. So since 1999.
BB: Tell us about the very first book you ever wrote? Did it get published, what do you think when you reread it now?
JP: The first book was called “Innocent Passion” and it was a very cheesy historical romance set in some vague time period in Pennsylvania. My heroine was being physically abused by her fiancé and my hero was her newly returned brother’s best friend. Oh and the brother and my heroine’s best friend also fell in love (in the same book, with their own POVs). It was a hot mess and truly awful. I would NEVER read it again, I fear it would depress me. It is currently living under my bed and I think I’m going to have to leave strict instructions for it to be burned upon my demise. But I learned a lot from it and I thank it profusely for putting me on this path.
BB: Now you write in two different genres, what books are easiest to write? The historicals or the eroticas?
JP: I don’t know if I’d say “easy” for either of them. They’re just different. I set them up differently (the erotics generally have some central sexual conflict). But otherwise, it’s just writing a book, you know? I love writing them both! I’m very proud of both names and both products.
BB: Tell us about what happened when you got the call/email that your first published story was getting picked up.
JP: Well, my husband had been river rafting with some friends on a really dangerous river (he got a bug to do it, I still have no idea why) and he went a bit… missing. He was supposed to call me and he didn’t and hours and hours went by. The rafting company wouldn’t give me any information (and said something cryptic about “river problems”). By the time he did get in touch with me (about 8 hours after he was supposed to, I was pretty hysterical. It turned out they’d had to change courses and there had been a fairly serious injury to one of the guides (he was okay ultimately) so they had to wait for evac before they could go on. A big mess. Anyway, he ended up driving home through the night and got home around 6am. I remember saying to him. “That’s all the excitement I need for the rest of my life.”
About 5 hours later, the phone rang. It was my agent to tell me that Avon had just bought two of my books (SCANDALOUS and what they call a “blind” book, which ended up being FROM LONDON WITH LOVE). I remember screaming and crying and he was crying. It was awesome. Especially after the day before and all the drama and worry.
BB: For the readers out there who haven’t read one of your books, which book would you recommend they start with?
JP: I’d say that SCANDALOUS and LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN are both good books to start with (although LESSONS is going to be much easier to find currently) because they are stand-alone books and I think they represent my style as a writer. If they want to read the Lady Spies series, FROM LONDON WITH LOVE is the first one there (although they can be read out of order). If they like erotic, I would definitely say EVERYTHING FORBIDDEN. Not only was it chosen as Lifetime Television’s Best Erotic Historical Romance of 2007, but it’s the first of the two related “Albright Sister” books. SOMETHING RECKLESS is the second.
BB: Do you write from the seat of your pants or do you plan your books out?
JP: I’m a plotter. I started out a “pantser”, but I developed into a plotter. I love the process of working out the story and then just getting to write it without freaking out over if I’m writing myself into corners.
BB: When writing your heroes, do you use muses? If you do, then who is your favorite muse so far? If not, skip this question.
JP: I’ve definitely had some men who inspired me. Jeremy, my hero in SOMETHING RECKLESS is tooootally based on a picture of Julian McMahon (which in turn, inspired the Avon Art Department for the cover of LESSONS).
BB: What is your favorite thing about being a writer?
JP: Just getting to create the stories and share them with readers. It’s an amazing thing when someone emails or writes to you and says that your story gave them something. Whether it’s a break from something bad or a feeling that someone else understands them or just a fun escape… that’s a pretty powerful thing.
BB: What tips would you give aspiring writers out there if they were listening?
JP: Visit my site for writers, The Passionate Pen. http://www.passionatepen.com All my best advice is there.
BB: What’s next for Jenna Petersen?
JP: My next Jenna Petersen historical will come out in April 2009 (March 31, actually). It’s called HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT and is the story of an infamous Underground pugilist (boxer) who is forced to return to Society when his twin brother dies and he inherits the title. My heroine agrees to “train” him back to being a gentleman if he helps her in return. It’s very sexy and very dark. I just finished revisions on it and I’m so proud of it. I just hope readers will love it as much.
In the interim, I’ll also have a novella in the January 6, 2009 anthology A RED HOT VALENTINE’S DAY (under my Jess Michaels name). And then in May 2009, my next full-length erotic romance, TABOO, will hit stores (Jess Michaels).
So I’m busy! With a few more projects contracted, too.
About Lessons from a Courtesan.
BB: Where did the idea about this book come from?
JP: I think the scene where Justin recognizes Victoria at the Cyprian ball is where everything really started. I loved the idea of this man looking across a ballroom at London’s most celebrated courtesan and realizing she is his long-estranged wife.
BB: Where did the idea of Justin come from?
JP: Really from that moment. That was the catalyst for everything because it became a question of how would he react? Why were they estranged? What would he feel? Etc. I started doing character work on him and all those answers became clear to me. A man who carried the kind of secret he did, who had the type of anger and mistrust that he did… he really couldn’t have reacted any other way.
BB: How long did it take you to write this story?
JP: I’m a pretty quick writer (by my choice, I write better when I just let the story flow out. When I write slow, I have to do much more revising). So 3 or 4 months probably from beginning to turning it in. It takes me about 8 weeks to actually WRITE and then a little break and then another month or so to revise before I submit.
BB: What did your editor say when you first pitched the idea behind this story?
JP: My editor is fabulous and I think she was really excited about the idea of me returning to my roots in SCANDALOUS, which was very dark and very sexy.
BB: Was it hard writing a story that readers might have a hard time getting through?
JP: I mean, most of the readers I know would run screaming in the other direction if there’s cheating in a book but you didn’t shy away from that. That takes some ginormous monkey balls and I think you totally pulled it off.
You know, I never really thought of it. Honestly, again it all goes back to Justin being Justin. In his mind, he was forced into this marriage and he never wanted it. He doesn’t think of himself as married, he doesn’t think Victoria is aware of him. He certainly doesn’t love her. He’s a virile guy. He’s going to have sex. I thought it would betray the character to make him a monk for all the years after he married her when they didn’t even live together.
However… once they came back together in London, I would NEVER have considered him stepping out on her. And I wanted him to be ashamed of what he did once he knew she knew. And once he cared for her, I wanted him to recognize that it was a betrayal on some level. I felt like that was part of his character growth. If he starts out perfect… what’s the point?
BB: What kind of research did you do on this book?
JP: I have a pretty solid Regency base of research after writing so many, so really it was more spot research. I find I need to research things like… opera glasses or street names or that sort of thing, rather than larger things (unless I’m writing a story that ties to a real event or person, which I haven’t done in a loooong time).
BB: What is your favorite thing about this book?
JP: The dynamic between Victoria and Justin. I love the longing and the regret and the anger. And the slow development of respect and love. That’s my favorite part of writing emotional stories.
BB: I’ve already told my readers why they should read Lessons from a Courtesan, now it’s your turn….why should readers pick up your book?
JP: I hope that readers will pick it up and enjoy it because it is highly emotional and very sexy and I think the darkness of my writing is what makes me a little different. And also because I loved these characters and I loved this story. So I hope they will, too.
Your Favorites…
BB: Drink?
JP: I love Vanilla Coke One, but I can’t drink it anymore (I’m off caffeine… mostly, but I don’t keep soda in the house anymore).
BB: Food?
JP: Sushi of all kinds.
BB: Movie?
JP: Can’t pick! Too many to pick. LOL
BB: TV Show?
JP: Dexter is great. I’m really looking forward to Season 3. Let’s just say we order Showtime when Dexter is on.
BB: Actor?
JP: Terrance Howard is soo compelling. I really like Sean Bean, too. It’s hard for me to pick an actor.
BB: Actress?
JP: Natalie Portman is great. Emma Thompson. Again, very hard for me to pick.
BB: Website?
JP: I’m such a MySpace addict. Readers (and writers) can friend me there! http://www.myspace.com/jennawrites
BB: Author?
JP: Jacquie D’Alessandro
BB: Book?
JP: The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
BB: Hero?
JP: Mine or someone else’s? LOL Mine: Nicholas Stoneworth from HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT (April 2009). Someone else’s: Chapel from Kathryn Smith’s BE MINE TONIGHT.
Random Questions About You.
BB: What is your biggest weakness?
JP: (Books, Shoes, Chocolate, etc.) I’m a shoe girl. Actually, I’ve lost a lot of weight in the last couple of years, so I love shopping in general.
BB: What did you want to be when you were little?
JP: A writer. LOL Yay for achieving goals.
BB: What is your favorite sport to watch?
JP: Mixed Martial Arts. I’m a huge fan of UFC. Now ask me my favorite fighter and that I can answer without even thinking (Forrest Griffin. I also like Roger Heurta and Frank Mir).
BB: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not writing?
JP: Watch UFC, play video games with my husband, travel (we went to China this year and it was WONDERFUL).
BB: How many cats do you have?
JP: 2 – You can see pictures at http://www.jennapetersen.com where they are featured monthly.
BB: What color are your toe nails right now?
JP: It’s summertime! =) My toenails are hot pink, but they are chipped and I really need a pedi! Maybe I should splurge on that this week.
BB: What is your favorite season?
JP: Fall. I love the smell of smoke in the air and getting to wear a light jacket. I think you can really do OUTFITS in the fall because it’s not muggy awful hot and you don’t have to wear a giant coat and screw up an outfit with that.
BB: Where is your favorite spot to read?
JP: I read in bed, mostly.
BB: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
JP: I would be more patient and not worry so much about the future.
BB: What’s playing in your CD/Ipod right now?
JP: I’m listening to Viva La Vida: Or Death and All of His Friends, the new Coldplay CD. It’s FABULOUS! In fact, one of the songs inspired a character in the series I’m writing next!
BB: Alright, I think I’ve tortured you enough…thanks again Jenna and I really, really enjoyed Lessons from a Courtesan. I’m looking forward to reading more of your books! Happy Writing!
JP: Thanks so much, Rowena! I’m so, so glad you enjoyed the book and I hope you’ll enjoy my other work as much. 🙂
Stick around today and ask Jenna any question you might have, she’ll be around (cause she’s so cool like that) to answer them. Also, be on the look out for a contest to win free books by Jenna Petersen. =)
Hi everyone! I’m so happy to be here and if anyone has any questions/comments, I’ll be around all day. 🙂
JennaP
Hey Jenna! Great interview. I have from London with Love and I can’t wait to read it. And I love that you love UFC. I like it too. It’s like a testosterone binge. I guess I don’t have any questions, just dropping by to wish you well.
Hi Ladies, Great interview!
Jenna, I love UFC. My husband got me watching it. Have you scene the reality TV show on the SPIKE channel? Last season Forrest Griffen was a coach and Rampage Jackson was the other coach. I get such a kick out of that show. It’s funny to watch a house full of meat-heads interacting with each other.
Whoops! I have no idea how I posted my comment twice. Sorry about that!
Thanks Carolyn! Hope you enjoy FROM LONDON WITH LOVE! 🙂
Jill, yes I watched this season’s Ultimate Fighter. Forrest Griffin is one of my favorite fighters, so I was very excited when he won the Light Heavyweight title a couple of weeks ago. 🙂
JennaP
as an aspiring writer, i’d like to say:
thanks so much for collecting all those resources and tips in one handy, accessible place. it is so helpful and inspirational!
Oh, thanks so much M! I’m glad Passionate Pen has been helpful to you. I love running the site.
Great interview! I picked up Lessons from a Courtesan while browsing a book store. Before I knew it, I’d read 50 pages. That never happens. I was hoping there would be books about Justin’s brother and the friends. 🙂
I also love the Passionate Pen. Great info there. It’s one of the very few links I have on my website. Whenever aspiring writers contact me for info on writing, I direct them to your site.
Hi Seneca, I’m so glad you enjoyed LESSONS! 🙂 And Farrah, hope you enjoy the rest of the book and I’m glad Passionate Pen is helpful! 🙂
JennaP
I love love love your books. I cannot wait to get this book and read it.
Do you plot out your stories first or do you let the characters lead you?
Thanks so much, Kimmy!
It really depends on the story as far as how I get my plots. Sometimes it is a plot line (like the scene where Justin sees Victoria again for the first time and she’s posing as “Ria”). But from that first “moment”, I almost always build character next. I think character really is plot. A characters past, their motivation, their goals… all those things will drive how they behave and how they react, which in turn drives which way the story will ultimately go. I mean, if Justin was the kind of man who would out Victoria right there at the party rather than having the restraint to wait with his teeth gritted… well, that would be a very different book.
So character leads to deep plotting. I am definitely a plotter, though. I need that roadmap.
JennaP
Great interview Jenna!
How funny that you like UFC, one of my students got a job at UFC and he tries to get me to watch a few fight but I just cringe when I do. You are a brave soul!
I’d love to know which Coldplay song inspired the upcoming characters. I had read in a dedication of another author’s book that Madonna’s Like A Virgin had inspired that book and thought: maybe I should listen to these songs more carefully! 🙂
– Mitzie
Hi Jenna. Great interview. I love your books.
Mitzie, it’s the song Viva La Vita, which was the song on all the commercials before their album dropped last month.
Hi Crystal! 🙂 Thank you!!!
JennaP
Hi, Jenna, as always, a great interview. I have read some of the books you wrote as Jess Michaels and would love a chance at some of your “Jenna” books!
HI Margay! I hope you’ve enjoyed the Jess books and that you’ll like the Jenna books as much. 🙂
JennaP
Fun interview! I’ve been meaning to get Lessons From a Cortesan for awhile now- gonna have to make sure I do, next time at the book store!
Great interview. I don’t think I’ve read any of your books but this interview has made me want to go and read them 🙂
Hi Zeek and Mandy! I hope you enjoy my books if you do have a chance to pick them up. 🙂 I had a fun time with the interview, Wena was very thorough, so I got to think about things I don’t normally in interviews. 🙂
JennaP
This is a terrific interview!!! I still haven’t read a Jenna Petersen book. Not that I don’t want to ~ I do. I just keep overlooking it. I hear so many good things about all of JP’s books ~ I just need to add some to the TBR pile so I get them read. That’s all there is to it.
Aw, thanks dev! Hope you enjoy! I’m the same way, I have a huge stack and sometimes I’ll catch up with a book from some time ago and think, “Where was I???”.
So I hope you like whichever book you grab from the pile. 😉
JennaP
I have enjoyed the Jess books, so I can’t wait to try the Jenna ones!
Thanks MArgay! Hope you’ll enjoy them! 🙂
And Rowena, thanks again so much for having me. This was fun. I’ll check in a couple more times tonight and probably tomorrow. Any time you want me back, just say the word! 🙂
JennaP
I loved this book!
I liked Justin right from the start, even when I knew he had cheated on Victoria. Thats odd for me, usually I am very unforgiving when it comes to cheaters.
Hi Jenna! I love that you’re here @ Book Binge. These ladies rock.
You know how much I love your Jess Michaels stories, and cannot wait for more, and I have LFC in my tbr pile. I so wish I would have discovered your books earlier, but now I have something to look forward to.
I neglected to notice (I need to go back and re-read the interview) but are you going to RWA?
Yes, I’ll be in San Francisco next week, so if you’ll be there, be sure to come say hi to me at the Literacy Signing on Wednesday, July 30 from 5:30-7:30. It’s open to the public. 🙂
JennaP
Oh, I will! Maybe we can catch up with Michelle Buonfiglio for a drink. You know, she lives not too from me now but we haven’t gotten together since she moved – wouldn’t it be funny to end up seeing her in SFO instead of Illinois…
I’m down for it. LOL Just grab me at the literacy signing!
JennaP
I have ‘Lessons’ and now I am on holiday I can get down to some serious reading! Yay!
Oh yay! Hope you enjoy it. 🙂
JennaP
*waving at Jenna*
sorry to be so late 😀 but really, you should certainly get the cheesy first romance published. C’mon, really 😉
Yeah. No. LOL It’s awful. Actually I don’t think I’d pursue publication for any of my earlier work. I really enjoy all the projects on the horizon and I hope I’m growing with each book. I’m all about moving forward. 😉
JennaP
Good luck ladies on winning those JP books and again, thanks so much Jenna for doing this, you so rock my socks! =)
Hey Jenna! Great interview…we have a lot in common like sushi, shoes and shopping. lol Love your stories!
Great interview! Is there another genre you might be interested in writing in? How do you choose your character’s names?
Great interview. I love playing video games, too! What’s your favourite? Haven’t read any of your books yet 🙁 so which would you recommend to a newbie?
Hi Kammie, you can never go wrong with sushi, shoes and shopping. It’s a lovely trifecta. 🙂 So glad you’ve enjoyed the books!
Amy, honestly I’m very happy with the erotic historical and historical romances. I don’t really want to write anything else at this point. I wouldn’t rule it out in the future, especially since I seem to write faster than they want to publish me, but for now I’m happy to stay a historical writer only.
Maered, like I said in the interview, probably LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN or SCANDALOUS are the best books to start with since they are stand alone and are both rather dark and sexy. FROM LONDON WITH LOVE is the first book in the Lady Spies series, so you could also start with that if you wanted to read the series. 🙂 My next book is HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT, which comes out March 31, 2009 and is available for pre-order on Amazon.
If you like the erotic books, I had a novella in PARLOR GAMES, an anthology that launched Avon Red. Or you could read EVERYTHING FORBIDDEN, which is the first of two books about the Albright sisters. The second is SOMETHING RECKLESS, which came out in May. 🙂
Hope that helps!
Oh yeah, also, I love HALO, I’m also big on Katamari Damarcy, which is a crazy Japanese video game where you roll a ball and pick up objects. In some levels you pick up people, cars, buildings. It’s weird and wonderful. LOL
OMG, not another author for me to try out. Between Bookbinge and Dear Author, I’ve been hooked on new authors this year more than ever in my life…but this book really sounds intriguing. I’m definitely going to check this out!
LOL Tabitha! My TBR pile is also teetering, so you’re not alone! I hope you enjoy LFAC if you do pick it up! 🙂
JennaP
Oh, I am already enjoying looking for the book. Aside from clothes and shoes, book shopping is another fave hobby of mine. 😉
Great interview with JP! I look forward to reading her books!
It was fun to read your interview. Must say that I loved Everything Forbidden, congratulations on the recognition and accolades for the book.
It is interesting regarding Justin ‘cheating on his wife’ in Lesson’s from a Courtesan. I agree on your take, it was far more realistic sounding of a situation and suited the character.
I just had the time to read this interview you’ve had and I had fun doing so.
I’ve read most of your books and I loved them. Now I can’t wait for the new ones to come out.
PS: We’re MySpace friends.
xoxo