Welcome Jenna Petersen, an Author You Won't Forget.

Jenna Petersen has taken time from her busy schedule to share with us.

Jenna, the ladies promise not to tell, do you sleep in....? Just kidding. We'll get into that later.

What was your first published book and to whom?
My first published work was the novella “Ancient Pleasures”, which was published in SECRETS, Volume 11 by Red Sage Publishing in December 2004. It was published under my Jess Michaels name and was an Egypt-set Victorian historical.

My first book was SCANDALOUS and was published by Avon in October 2005.

How many books did you write before selling one?
SCANDALOUS was my tenth book. However, I had written five or six more books AFTER I wrote SCANDALOUS but before I sold it. So… like 15ish? A lot. Bigger than a breadbasket.

How many books have you published?
As of today, eleven, but with twelve, thirteen and fourteen scheduled for publication in 2009 and fifteen contracted and in the process of being written (probably a 2010 publication date).

You have been one busy lady!

Jenna, what themes go through your books?
I think my most pervasive theme is probably the healing power of love. I write a lot of dark, rather brooding and damaged characters, mostly heroes. But in the end, they grow and are healed by loving and being loved by the heroine. I think that’s a theme that most people can relate to.

How would you best describe your books?
Dark, highly sensual and emotional.

How did you write with deadlines?
Since I set my own deadlines, it’s not been a problem. There are definitely times when I’ve wanted to tear my hair out, but one of the best things I ever did for myself before I published was learning exactly how much I could write and putting deadlines on myself that I stringently kept. That taught me how to write to deadline and it wasn’t much of an adjustment when “the call” came.

Many writers have other jobs while they build their writing careers. Which other jobs have you had?
Actually my mother and I were talking about this the other day. This is it. In college I had some retail gigs, a little mystery shopping, the usual… but writing is the only post-school, full-time job I’ve ever done. When my husband and I talked about it and I decided to pursue my dream, we decided that if I was to work a full-time gig and then at some point wanted to write full-time, we knew we would miss the money I was making. So instead, he said to go for the writing and we’d just make it work on one income until I succeeded. So yay for supportive spouses. There’s no way I’d be where I am now without him.

What do you love most about writing and do you not like?
I love the actual writing. It’s an amazing release and safe place for me. The things I don’t like are almost all publishing related. They are out of my control, infinitely frustrating and often depressing. LOL I love being published and having my work out to the world where readers can find it, don’t get me wrong. But parts of the process of it can be upsetting.

What are you writing now?
I’m currently working on a full-length erotic romance that is untitled. It features characters from my “Albright Sisters” series that started with EVERYTHING FORBIDDEN and SOMETHING RECKLESS. I’m guessing it will be out some time in the first quarter of 2010 (though that’s just a guess).

What would you write if you could do write anything you wanted to write?
What I’m writing now. Honestly, I love writing Regency-era historical romance that is very sexy and emotional. I don’t get many ideas outside of that genre and nothing that I’ve ever been driven enough to seriously pursue.

Why do you write?
Because I’ve tried to stop and I can’t. Honestly, I love writing and I feel “off” when I’m not doing it.

How do you write?
I’m a plotter, so first I create detailed character sheets (you can find an example at my site for writers, The Passionate Pen http://www.passionatepen.com). Then I write a detailed synopsis which I turn into my editor for approval. Once that is done, I’ll start doing what I call “scene sketches”, which is really a pre-writing process where I lay out the bare bones of every scene in the book. Often that will include dialogue that pops into my head and exactly what must happen in that scene to drive the book forward. I generally do about half a book’s worth of scene sketches before I get so excited that I have to start writing.Then I sit down and usually spill out a first draft in 6-8 weeks, let it sit a few weeks and then edit before I turn it in. That seems to be the process that is best for my creativity, sanity and work

Do you write what you know?
Emotionally, sure. I think everyone has felt pain or desperation or passion or love. I just put those deep feelings into a story. Now have I ever lived in Regency England? No. Posed as a courtesan? No. Been a boxer in the underground until my twin tragically died and I took his place as Viscount? Not really. So as far as “knowing” those things, no. But the feelings, I understand and know. And those feelings are what I think readers connect to more than the situation itself.

What’s next for you?
Well, I have four books out in 2009. In January, I had a story called “By Valentine’s Day” in the A RED HOT VALENTINE’S DAY anthology. That was under my Jess Michaels name. On March 31, my next Jenna Petersen book, HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT, will be on shelves. Then just a few weeks later in April 21, my next full-length Jess Michaels book, TABOO, will be out. Finally, in November 2009, I’ll start a new Jenna Petersen series called The Billingham Bastards with the release of WHAT THE DUKE DESIRES. So I’m very busy getting ready to see all those books hit shelves. I’m very excited and I hope readers will be too!
In addition, this entire year is very busy for me because my site for writers, The Passionate Pen, is turning 10 years old. I can’t believe a decade has gone by since I first put the site up, but somehow it has. Every month we’re celebrating with terrific industry guests, top ten lists and HUGE contests for writers (and readers). January my winner got a first three chapter read from my literary agent Miriam Kriss.

This month the interview is with Harlequin editor Mary Theresa Hussey (who is amazing and fabulous) and the contest winner will receive ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) for life of my Jenna Petersen books. So there is something for everyone. And the site has all kinds of resources for writers beyond the anniversary, including a publisher list, agent list, articles for writers and my diary toward and beyond publication. I hope everyone will come by and check it out at http://www.passionatepen.com

And to find out more about my upcoming and backlist books, you can go to http://www.jennapetersen.com . I’m also on Facebook and MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/jennawrites) where I answer questions from readers and writers on a weekly basis.

Thank you so much for having me here at the Fuzzies! It’s been great fun!!