Interview w/ Jen Crane, Author of BETRAYAL FORETOLD #ArkansasAuthor

Though she grew up on a working cattle ranch, Jen Crane has been into fantasy and sci-fi since seeing a bootleg tape of The Princess Bride. 

Jen has a master’s degree and solid work histories in government and non-profit administration. But just in the nick of time she pronounced life too real for nonfiction. 

She now creates endearing characters and alternate realms filled with adventure, magic, and love.

Jen is happily living out her dream in The South with her husband and three children, striking that delicate balance between inspiration and frustration.

Book 2 in Jen's new fantasy romance series, Descended of Dragons, was selected by iTunes/iBooks as "Our Pick" in fantasy/sci-fi.

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*What would you be doing right now if you were not an author?

I left my job as director of a statewide nonprofit that helped adults learn to read and write English better three years ago to stay home with my three children. If I wasn’t an author, I would consider doing the same work. I loved both the challenges and the rewards. And I like people. Writing is such solitary work, and I am a social person. While I love writing and enjoy making my own schedule, I do miss the camaraderie of a traditional workplace. Of course, I like having my dog at work with me, and many employers frown on that. I suppose I’ll stick this author thing out.

*5 years ago: what were you doing?

Five years ago I was working at the job I mentioned above. I was also ginormously pregnant with my son. I think I prefer the present.

*Do you have a certain writing ritual? I write

from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, usually at home. If I’m working to meet a deadline, I stay up late and work on the weekends. My writing time is precious and rare. I never really have a problem getting into the right frame of mind because writing is such a privilege. It’s a dream come true for me, and very cathartic and satisfying. I’m just glad other people get enjoyment from something I like doing. What a great job, eh?

*What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?

One of the most surprising things for me has been the discovery of how cruel, and even vicious people can be in reviews. Don’t get me wrong, I love reviewers and appreciate every single person’s time. And as a whole, readers are generous and kind. But there’s the rare occasion when it’s clear someone finds joy in attacking and belittling other people’s work. At first, I let a couple of them get me down, but a trusted fellow author told me that these kinds of mean-spirited criticisms are less about the work than they are about the person, and that helps. She also suggested I read reviews of my all-time favorite books and authors--even those I consider brilliant and untouchable. Guess what. They aren’t loved by every single reader, either. Everyone reads a book differently. Everyone gets something (or nothing) out of it. My job as an author is to write something I love and am happy with, and I do that.

*Ever fangirled over another author? Who was it?

Ever? Yeah, often. I love Karen Moning, Diana Gabaldon, Kresley Cole. I’m so jealous of that danged Gillian Flynn I can’t see straight—is she brilliant, or what? And George RR Martin and JK Rowling: geniuses. Yeah, I fangirl. I LOVE books.

*Is there an author you'd like to meet?

I know it’s impossible—and a little bit of an eye-roller--but I’d love to meet and thank Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice was the first book that I LOVED. It inspired me to gobble up books from that day forth.

*Biggest writing pet peeve?

That Oxford comma debate is really heating up, right? I’m in the pro camp.

* Do you read other's reviews of your books?

I do, especially bloggers’ reviews. I want to know what the pros think, and I want to support them. I have to say, though, that I don’t read them on Goodreads like I used to after a few particularly cutting reviews. Here’s why: It’s very easy to let negative reviews affect creativity and self confidence. Just imagine if you poured yourself into something, knowing you were an imperfect human being, but presenting it to the world nonetheless. And then imagine that world was encouraged not only to criticize it, but to post it for all to see. Ouch, right? I largely depend on my editors and beta readers, whose motivations I know and trust, to guide me if I’ve gotten off course.

Fave Color:

Easy: red

Fictional Character you'd like to spend the day with:

Tyrion Lannister. We could drink too much wine and talk about our glory days.

Fave food:

Cheese—any kind.

Fav song and/or singer:

I have two favorite songs that I love equally. They have nothing in common:

Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones and Dixieland Delight by Alabama. Hey, I like what I like.

Guilty pleasure:

Okay, I’ll admit it. But just this once. I love to watch Judge Judy. She is sharp as a knife and ten steps ahead of everybody else. If I didn’t want to grow up to be Kristin Chenoweth, I’d totally be Judge Judy.

Website: www.JenCraneBooks.com

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/JenCraneBooks

Twitter: @JenCraneBooks  https://twitter.com/JenCraneBooks

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Pinterest: JenCraneBooks  https://www.pinterest.com/JenCraneBooks/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZVviuC4ivjhiuJTI1XnwbA

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/JenCrane

A Bitter Betrayal

Stella Stonewall exposed her scaly side to save the man she loves, the soulful and sexy Ewan Bristol. But her troubles have only just begun. A treacherous betrayal at the hands of a trusted confidante leaves her running for her life.

An Impossible Choice

An unlikely savior offers Stella a way out, but it means leaving everything—and everyone—behind. Can she give up the only home, the only friends she’s ever known to save herself? 

A Chance to Have It All

Stella learns of an ancient curse that, if lifted, could change everything. To alter the course of history she must trust her former lover Rowan Gresham, and she must trust the machinations of fate: that she may be the key to it all. 

Betrayal Foretold is an emotional ride through the mesmerizing world of Thayer. This third book in the Descended of Dragons series, a new adult fantasy romance, is a can’t-put-it-down story of loss and self-invention, of survival, and of the selfless pursuit to secure the happiness of friends. 

Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B01D2BPH4W

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/BFBandN

iTunes: http://bit.ly/BFiTunesBuylink

Kobo: http://bit.ly/BFKobo