The Pirate/The Adventurer/The Cowboy by Jayne Ann Krentz

Biography

A successful corporate and academic librarian-turned-author, Jayne Ann Krentz wrote serial romances for several publishers (including industry powerhouse Harlequin) before breaking out in the '90s as a writer of romantic novels. To say that she has been successful is an understatement: A New York Times- bestselling author with more than 23 million copies of her books in print, she writes three sub-genres of romantic suspense under three different pen names: contemporary romances as Jayne Ann Krentz, historicals as Amanda Quick, and futuristic/paranormal romances as Jayne Castle. (In her early career, she employed at least three additional pseudonyms!) In 2006, the prolific Krentz launched The Arcane Society series -- crossover thrillers written under all three noms de plum that feature members of a secret organization devoted to the study of the paranormal.

It would be hard to find a more passionate advocate for romantic fiction than Krentz. In 1992, she edited and contributed to Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of the Romance, an award-winning nonfiction essay collection that serves an eloquent apologia for the genre. She has also received the Jane Austen Commemorative Medal from Romantic Times magazine for her work educating readers about Romance. "The Romance genre is the only genre where readers are guaranteed novels that place the heroine at the heart of the story," she says on her website. "These are books that celebrate women's heroic virtues and values: courage, honor, determination and a belief in the healing power of love." Clearly, her legions of loyal fans agree!

Good to Know

I have finally reached the point in my career where I have some say over cover art. Unfortunately, it turns out that I have absolutely no talent for cover art design. Thank heavens I'm with a publisher (Putnam/Berkley) that maintains a terrific art department.

I love green tea and red wine and was absolutely thrilled when it turned out that both are now considered health foods.

I love all animals except for squirrels which, I strongly suspect, are aliens from outer space who are here to take over the planet. You have been warned.

Feature Interview

What was the book that most influenced your life or your career as a writer -- and why?
In my youth I was a huge fan of the Nancy Drew series and Andre Norton's science fiction/fantasy novels. My only problem with the books was that there wasn't enough romance in them. I have attempted to address that issue in my own novels of romantic-suspense.

What are your ten favorite books, and what makes them special to you?
My list of favorite books changes constantly, depending on what I'm reading at the moment. Recently I've read and enjoyed the following:
1) Mistress of the Art of Death, by Ariana Franklin: Fabulous historical suspense featuring a most unusual heroine - a medieval coroner.
2) Innocent as Sin, by Elizabeth Lowell: Lowell's novels of romantic-suspense always give the reader a thoroughly researched glimpse beneath the surface at the dark side of some aspect of the modern world. In this case the subject is the international arms trade. In Arizona? Who knew?
3) Agnes and the Hitman, by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer. Wildly funny and very, very clever romantic-suspense. Great title, too.
4) The Secret Servant, by Daniel Silva. I'm a huge fan of the series which features a secret agent named Gabriel Allon. I've learned more about the intricacies of the situation in the Middle East from these books than I ever will from the newspapers.
5) Now & Then, by Robert B. Parker. The latest in a long-running series that features a PI named Spenser. This is archetypal stuff. Love it.
6) Night Life, by Elizabeth Guest. There is a lot of vampire fiction out there right now but this one is unique. The mythology is based on ancient Egypt and Guest's take on the story is far more romantic than violent.
7) A Cold Day in Hell, by Stella Cameron. Chilling suspense, quirky characters, hot romance and a steamy, bayou setting. Oh, yeah, and there's this weird dog...
8) Scent of Darkness, by Christina Dodd. The latest in Dodd's Darkness Chosen series. Great paranormal romance and so wonderfully politically incorrect.
9) Big Girls Don't Cry, by Cathie Linz. Nobody does warm hearted romantic comedy like Linz. And I loved her plus-sized heroine!
10) Natural Born Charmer, by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. For my money Phillips has reinvented the modern women's fiction novel. 'Nuf said.

What are some of your favorite films, and what makes them unforgettable to you?
Sadly, I'm not really into films. They don't suck me into a story the way a good book does. And they almost never get the romantic angle right.

What types of music do you like? Is there any particular kind you like to listen to when you're writing?
I love classic rock. But I never listen to music of any kind when I write. I find it distracting.

What are your favorite kinds of books to give -- and get -- as gifts?
I tend to give the kind of books that I love to read - suspense or romantic-suspense. I like to receive interesting non-fiction dealing with almost any late 19th century subject. I'm always looking for intriguing historical tidbits to slip into my Amanda Quick titles.

Do you have any special writing rituals? For example, what do you have on your desk when you're writing?
The only writing ritual I maintain is a disciplined schedule. I'm at my desk by seven every morning and I stay there until I get something done. I've tried waiting around for inspiration to strike. Sadly, that approach doesn't work for me.

Many writers are hardly "overnight success" stories. How long did it take for you to get where you are today? Any rejection-slip horror stories or inspirational anecdotes?
It took me six long years to get published. I stopped counting rejection slips that first year. The lesson, I think, is that perseverance counts. Also, it takes time to teach yourself how to write genre fiction - and it is very much a self-taught craft.

What tips or advice do you have for writers still looking to be discovered?
If you're interested in writing genre fiction (romance, suspense, paranormal, mysteries, fantasy, etc.) attend the annual convention of Romance Writers of America. I don't care what genre you're working in, I guarantee you will learn more about the current market and the business of writing at an RWA convention than you will at any other conference.