Interview Jeannine Van Esperen

by

Joan M. Fox

1) What started you writing fiction?

I began writing fiction around eighth grade. I wanted to be able to do better than my sister. I’m not sure I succeeded, but I’m published in fiction and she isn’t. Once I started writing fiction, I couldn’t stop. Writing is part of me.

2) Tell me about your currently published book from Wings ePress.

By currently published I imagine you mean the one that’s coming out now, According To The Rulse, which is my second from Wings. It is the story of a premier danseur with the Paris Opera Ballet during the early 1950s. The anti-hero seduces an underage dancer, and his carefree existence begins to crumble.

3) What gave you your idea for it?

I studied ballet and planned to pursue it as a career. I grew too tall, but I have always loved the dance. Some stage mothers encourage their children to believe that their teachers are all-knowing and not to be questioned. This is part of the basis of the plot.

4) How long did it take you to write the first draft?

First drafts go fast for me, probably about three or four months.

5) How long did it take to write the revisions?

Revisions can take a lifetime, if the writer lets them.

6) In what genre do you write and why?

I write in various genres. A story gets in my mind and takes its course, sometimes contemporary and sometimes historical.

7) Do you prefer writing historicals or contemporaries?

I have no preference. I love history so research is fun.

8) What, if any, is your daily writing routine?

Now that I am no longer employed, I write whenever I feel like it. If I’m in the midst of something new I can start in the morning and write all day. When I write I’m in another world and never am bothered by my son’s drumming or his band practicing in our living room.

9) What kind of characters interest you enough to write about them?

If you read my books, you’ll see all kinds from the licentious hero of According To The Rules, to a troubled, confused youth of today, to a strong, good woman who is set on bringing religion to a mining town in the 1890s Arizona Territory.

10) How do you feel about writing love scenes?

What’s not to like about a good love scene? Love makes the world go ’round, but there is love and lust and my books have both.

11) Are there outside problems, social or otherwise, that creep into your stories?

I’m sure there must be, but I’m not out to change the world, just entertain.

12) Are there some topics that are close to your heart right at the moment?

Not that I’m aware of at this time.

13) What else have you published?

Memory And Desire from Wings is one of my favorite stories; it is mainstream, contemporary, the story of a young rock star, who drops out and wonders what his life was like before he was propelled into the world of a rock singer, then what happens when he leaves that life. Love And All That Jazz and Hearts In ¾ Time are contemporary romances. Trail To Bliss is an historical romance set in Arizona Territory in the 1890s, Golden-Rod, is a contemporary paranormal romance set in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Albuquerque is a mainstream novel set, guess where? And The French Physician is a humorous historical set in the early 1800s in France and England. Some of my books are sexy and some are sweet.

14) Are you planning to switch to writing other genres in the future?

As I said, I write in various genres. According To The Rules leads into three other books that are being published by Wings: Children Of St. Yves, Lila’s Protégé and Before The Star Fades. The background moves from ballet, though characters in Children Of St. Yves, who are members of the Paris Opera Ballet. The main characters of the first story are secondary characters in the next. Also, the settings change from France to the U.S.A. Wings will also be publishing Daughter Of Spain next year--a historical adventure-romance set in early 1600s in Spain and New Mexico.

15) Do you have several favorite authors who have influenced your writing?

Favorite authors, yes, but I can’t say they influenced my writing. Susan Howatch, Anya Seton, Ken Follette, Norah Lofts, Thomas Costain--are my all time favorites. I read more contemporary writers but won’t mention them now. There are just too many!

16) What projects do you have in the works?

Plus those noted above, I have three others I’m working on. Two are historical and one is a contemporary.

17) Does your recreational reading come from the genre in which you normally write or is it different?

Yes and no.

18) If so, which ones?

I read a little of everything. I’m not into sci-fi, but I read it occasionally. I like mysteries, suspense. I love Colleen McCulloch’s historical series set in Rome. I finished the last one she said she’ll be doing, so have to look for something else. I enjoy a good romance be it historical or contemporary.

19) What advice do you have for budding authors of any genre?

Write, write and keep writing.