If you could sit on a panel with three famous authors, who would they be?
Debbie Macomber – because her story to publication is so inspirational and she’s one of the nicest people. Stephen King – because we’re talking Stephen King here! And Charles Dickens. I’d learn a great deal listening to them!
Which of your characters (or character types) is the hardest for you to write?
Always the heroines. They give me the most grief figuring out what they really want and why.
What part of publishing makes you want to tear out your hair?
The push to be involved in social media – I’m way behind when it comes to techie stuff. But learning!
What’s the best thing anyone ever said about your writing?
Two things – That they can’t put the book down. That’s one of the best compliments.
And then the other is making a real connection with a reader. One of my books, Season of Dreams, was set on a working cherry farm. A woman wrote me a letter to say that it brought back fond memories of when her and her husband had a cherry orchard and she appreciated the chance to relive those experiences as her husband had since past. I’m deeply honored by that.
What do you wish people knew about the writing business?
That it doesn’t just happen. There’s a lot of work that goes into each book an author writes. Hours of research, thought processes, continued learning and edits go into a novel.
Jenna Mindel lives in Northwest Michigan with her husband and their three dogs. She enjoys a career in banking that has spanned over twenty-five years and several positions but writing is her passion. A 2006 Romance Writers of America RITA finalist, Jenna has answered her heart’s call to write inspirational romances set near the Great Lakes.