Guest Goddess Jayne Ann Krentz!
Feb 10th 2009
Your Friendly GoddessesOn Writing!
Every once in a while, a goddess walks the earth that, as she glides past, makes all of the other goddesses stare in wide-eyed wonder, gulp nervously, and say in breathless voices, “When we grow up, we want to be like HER.”
Thus it is with author Jayne Ann Krentz who also writes as Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle.
It’s a fan-girl sort of day here on Mount Olympus. And anyone who has read Jayne’s books will agree that she is a goddess storyteller from first page to last.
We’re honored to have Jayne visit us so, please, help us welcome this very special guest!
(photo credit: Sigrid Estrada)
JAYNE CONTEMPLATES THE ARCANE
First off, I would like to thank all the Goddesses for inviting me to visit today. I mean, I really want to thank them. I don’t get out a lot, you know. Wow! Nice crib, ladies. Love the statuary at the top. Very classy. Heh. Is there any food?
Okay, where was I? Right. I’m supposed to be guest blogging here today. Well, as fate (and my publisher) would have it, I do have a book out so that gives me something to blog about. Always helpful to have a topic. The paperback of Sizzle and Burn, one of my Arcane Society novels, is now available in a store near you and I’m suffering the usual Author Angst. Will the book sell? Does the cover art pop? How much of my core audience will be totally turned off by the psychic twist in this series? Etc., etc.
The truth is, I’ve been working toward the Arcane Society series since the very start of my career. The first book I ever wrote was a paranormal romance with a strong psychic element. That sucker never sold. The rejection letter stated that there was no market for that kind of story. And the letter was right. It was several more years before the paranormal hit big-time. (Yes, I’ve been around that long!). One of the things you learn in this business is that it never pays to be too far ahead of a curve.
But I am a slow learner.
After receiving that rejection letter I went off to write contemporary romance and romantic-suspense. Got that career going along quite nicely and then tried to sneak in some psychic and futuristic elements (anybody remember Gift of Gold, Gift of Fire, Shield’s Lady, etc.?) Didn’t think so. People stood in line around the block not to buy those books. The experiment nearly destroyed my contemporary romance career.
Undaunted, I fired up my Amanda Quick historical career. Did okay for a while and then shot myself in the foot again with the Lake & March trilogy (Slightly Shady, Don’t Look Back and Late For The Wedding).
Those books featured a heroine who was skilled in the arts of mesmerism and there were delicate hints of the psychic element. That trilogy nearly sank my historical career.
But at long last, the paranormal is hot and, while I don’t do the hottest version of it (the supernatural stuff; vampires, werewolves, witches, etc.) there is, at last, a place for my psychic woo-woo thing.
Yippee!
The Arcane Society has pretty much taken over my life – and my writing. It crosses into all three of my worlds – my Jayne Ann Krentz, contemporaries, my Amanda Quick historicals and my Jayne Castle futuristics. You can check it out at my website.
All of which only goes to show that if you stand on the street corner long enough, eventually the bus comes by.
Have you ever done a career experiment? How’d it turn out? What do you think of paranormal, psychic woo woo in your romance novels?
Sincerely,
Jayne
97 Comments »
97 Responses to “Guest Goddess Jayne Ann Krentz!”
Angela on 10 Feb 2009 at 5:44 am #
Hello Jayne!
I am Angela, your italian fan!
Sorry in advance for any mistakes, I speak Italian, but I studied English and know something …
In my type of work you can not do real experiments career!
I’m still studying (I will soon graduate in law and as you know is not a test!).
The paranormal is a subject that I like enough if written well.
Kisses from sicily
Lisa H on 10 Feb 2009 at 6:28 am #
Welcome to Mt. Oly! I have tested my career with a bit of an experiment. My first book features a virgin hero who wants to remain as such. I know this isn’t entirely “ground breaking” but it is unusual for a HIstorical. I am thankful it sold.
I am willing to try different genres as a reader. I loved the Twilight series and JR Ward’s Black Daggar Brotherhood. I have even read Stephen King (this from a die hard Regency reader)If I like the author or it comes highly recommended, I will try something new.
Good luck with your new release!
Susan M on 10 Feb 2009 at 6:30 am #
Hi Jayne! Welcome to Mt. Oly!
I guess you could kind of say that in my current job I’m doing a career experiment. Although I am only an assistant I pretty much run our department. My boss is the V.P. of our division and pretty much leaves the running of it to me. He does take care of certain items that I wouldn’t know how to do but he leaves everything else to me and has been slowly teaching me new things. I’ve never been in a job where my boss trusted me like that. And on the same day that The Goddess Blogs will turn 2 I will have been at my job for a year!
I love paranormals! My favorte’s are vampire but I also enjoy the ones with psychic woo woo.
Baby Update: Sorry I haven’t updated you guys in a while. I had a little scare last week with some bleeding but everything seems to be fine now. I have my 2nd ultrasound tomorrow and I’ll let you ladies know how that goes.
Margaret on 10 Feb 2009 at 6:47 am #
Welcome to Mt Oly, Jayne. Have a little ambrosia and mead while you’re here. Pull up a cloud and get comfy.
I read both Gift books and, in fact, still have them. Older and more tattered as the years go by. But still on the Keeper shelf. I confess I never read Shield’s Lady, but that would be because I’ve never seen it anywhere. Not even the library. Hmm
I also must confess that I’m not a fan of paranormals as a rule. I do enjoy your style of writing and the way you have your h/h relate to each other. I don’t believe I’ve ever read one of your heroines as anything but the equal of her hero. No TSTL or “feisty” heroines in the bunch.
One of my faves in your Seattle series involved the hero who was afraid to cross a glass bridge that showed in his dreams. Until the heroine was on the other side waiting for him. Loved it. Darn! I can’t remember the name just now. No coffee in my system.
Anyway, welcome again.
CrystalGB on 10 Feb 2009 at 7:06 am #
Hi Jane. Good to see you here. I love your books. I have never done a career experiment. I love paranormal elements in romance books.
LoriHandeland on 10 Feb 2009 at 7:23 am #
Hi, Jayne! Welcome and thanks so much for joining us during our anniversary week.
I can still remember how VERY much I loved finding your Amanda Quick books. They give me such a special feeling when I read them. Everyone knows the one I mean. The “yes” this is SO great. I both want to gobble this book up and make it last forever. Not every book has that and when a reader finds it–Magic.
I have recently done a career experiment by venturing into urban fantasy from paranormal romance. I hope it goes well. The jury’s still out.
And I, of course, adore paranormal elements of all kinds in books. Psychic-woo and bloody creatures. Send them all my way!
amy1242 on 10 Feb 2009 at 7:47 am #
Hi Jayne and welcome to the Mount! You are one of my automatic buys, I don’t even have to read the cover blurb. I read all kinds of romance, historical, contemp, paranormal, suspense. Staying with one type of story would turn me off of reading. As far as career experimentation goes, becoming a mom was the biggest I’ve ever faced. Giving up my career to stay at home with the kids was a huge change that I never thought I would do. Even before I was married, I thought, my future kids would be in day care, I would continue to work. Wow, did THAT change!! No looking back! Glad I did it! I’m a changed person because of it!
Audra on 10 Feb 2009 at 8:09 am #
Hey Jayne I LOVE all of your Amanda Quick books I have read them all!!! No big career experimentation at least not yet, I love paranormals please keep em’ coming!!
Michelle B on 10 Feb 2009 at 8:12 am #
Welcome Jayne! Loved your Eclipse Bay series! I’m in sort of a career experiment. I took a full time job creating family programs for a Communtity center. The experiment is that I usually work part time and I usually have more flexibility in my hours. I took the job because I like to create programs. So far it is going well, with only the time adjustment to contend with.
I like the Woo Woo elements in a book. Would time travel be considered woo woo? I love time travel books. Most of my favorite historical authors have gone contemporary since the sales are better there so time travel gives the best of both worlds. Maybe the idea of time travel appeals to me too. What if….?
elsiehogarth on 10 Feb 2009 at 8:22 am #
Welcome Jayne! I am a fan of all 3 of your nom de plume. My old time favorite book is Amanda Quick’s-Ravished. I just love Gideon and Harriet. What a wonderful beast-Gideon.
I love paranormals….it took 15 years for it’s moment to arrive and I am riding the wave of vampires, werewolves, psychics, slayers etc. I say “bring it on” because I will buy it. There are some fantastic paranormal authors like: Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward, Lori Handeland, Christina Dodd, Jennifer Ashley, Lynsay Sands, Kresley Cole, Kathryn Smith, Keri Arthur, Chris Marie Green, Lilith Saintcrow, Rachel Caine, Katie MacAlister, Diane Whiteside, Gerry Barlett, Nina Bangs, Maggie Shayne etc. So, I’m riding the paranormal wave.
Claudia Dain on 10 Feb 2009 at 8:44 am #
Jayne, welcome! It’s so wonderful to have you here today.
You know, from a distance, I would never have guessed that you had any career scares; it’s looked like Up, Up and Away! Guts and talent will out, obviously. Your books are amazing, consistently delivering that mushy soft spot to the chest and silly grin to the face.
I’m in the middle of a career experiment right now. I changed it up and am writing Regency romps with a decidedly bawdy tone; quite a switch from my previous dark and angsty medievals. Like Lori, the jury is still out on whether this will work or not.
I’m so glad the market finally came round to where you’ve been all along!
Beth C. on 10 Feb 2009 at 8:48 am #
I love psychic and paranormals. About the only thriller books I wait on are the Kay Hooper Bishop/Special Crime Unit series. Not to say that I don’t read others…these are just the ones I check the website every week or so to see if there is an update on the next one.
Can’t wait to go get a look at the Arcane Series. I know…must have been living under a rock or something.
Julie on 10 Feb 2009 at 9:13 am #
Jayne,
Thanks for blogging – can I do my fangirl squee now? ok. SQUEEEE!!!!!!!
I recently found the paranormal romance genre. I’ve always been enamored of metaphysical things but stuck with historical romances because I found some good authors that wrote in that genre that I liked. My cousin suggested the Amanda Quick books and I started reading VORACIOUSLY! Personally I enjoyed the Lake & March series. Of course when I find an author that I like I have to get EVERYTHING ever written by them which in turn led me to the Jayne Castle series. OMG! DUST BUNNIES!!!! How in the world did a fantasy creature get so many people enamored! Of course the stories are compelling but the dust bunnies are the proverbial icing on the cake! Can’t wait to see what the bunnies are going to do next!
But I am LOVING the arcane society novels – the fact that J&J has lasted so long and still has interesting stories to tell. What wonderful ‘people’ that characters still talk about them so many years in the future.
Can’t wait to read more!!!!
May B. on 10 Feb 2009 at 9:16 am #
I read paranormal because of you. When I picked up Gift of Fire, I didn’t even know about Gift of Gold. It is the first paranormal I’d ever read. English is not my first language and I didn’t know the meaning of the word psychic (I have to open my dictionary for that).
When I heard people talking about paranormal, I always think of you. The thing is a lot of people who now read paranormal told me that your books are not paranormal enough and to think you have a lot of problem thinking ahead of time.
I LOVE your Arcane series and am very glad that you link all your pseudonyms into the series.
Nicole Jordan on 10 Feb 2009 at 9:21 am #
Welcome, welcome, Jayne! We’re thrilled to have you here on Mt. Oly. You truly are a goddess author, imo.
And I loved reading about your career experiments. You may have been a little ahead of your time with the psychic elements, but you’ve set the standard for excellence in romance for many years.
Actually my whole writing career has been an experiment. In my previous life I made Pampers and Charmin and Bounty, so writing romance was a big switch! But I have you to thank for so much great writing advice. So please let me do it now.
Oh, and I’ve been around long enough to have read Gift of Gold and Gift of Fire. In fact, I still have them on my keeper shelves!
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 9:22 am #
ANGELA: A pleasure to meet you here! And your English is great. I just wish I spoke Italian a fraction as well. Such a beautiful language. And you’re right, the law is probably not a great place to experiment when it comes to a career!
LISA H: Congratulations on your experiment with a virgin hero. Regarding your wide-ranging tastes in reading, I think that is one of the wonderful things about romance readers and writers, in general — we tend to read across a variety of genres. That is why we are so open to new concepts in the romance genre.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 9:25 am #
SUSAN M: Your boss sounds like a very wise person! And you sound like the kind of self-starter who will succeed in whatever you choose to do.
MARGARET: Hey, I knew at least one copy of those GIFT books sold. Now I know who bought it! Thanks so much. And thanks, too, for reading me, even though the paranormal is not your thing. I really appreciate it.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 9:28 am #
CRYSTAL GB: Thanks for the welcome and I’m delighted to meet anyone who loves the paranormal element in books, believe me.
LORIHANDELAND: Now you’ve got me blushing! Thanks so much for the kind words on my books. I always figure that if you respond favorably to my heroes and heroines it is probably because we share the same core values. Because I infuse my heroes and heroines with those same values.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 9:33 am #
AMY 1242: Thanks for making me an auto buy! I really appreciate it and I hope my books never let you down. As for your own career experiment, I think it is absolutely wonderful. Moms, after all, do the most important work in the world. They shape the future.
AUDRA: Thanks for the kind words on my books and, never fear, sooner or later you’ll be faced with a career experiment. It happens to everyone, trust me. And trust your instincts when the time comes.
MICHELLE B: Good luck with your own career exeperiment. And I know what you mean about a lot of historical authors turning to contemporary and paranormal. I can’t speak for every author who has made the switch but a lot of those I know, including myself, found that the contemporary and paranormal settings allowed for more kinds of plots and characters. I would not have continued writing my Amanda Quick books if I had not figured out how to add the psychic element.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 9:37 am #
ELSIE HOGARTH: Isn’t this new wave of paranormals great? And one of the most interesting things about it is that, while it started in romance, it has begun to filter into the suspense, thriller and mystery genres.
CLAUDIA DAIN: Thanks for the warm welcome and good luck with your Regency romps. Every author needs to change it up occasionally, don’t you think? If we didn’t, we would get bored and a bored author is a dangerous thing, indeed.
BETH C: Thanks for checking out my Arcane Society series. I hope you enjoy it.
LauraR on 10 Feb 2009 at 9:45 am #
Welcome to Mt Oly Jayne. I love the fact that the Arcane series spans all of your genres. The genre I prefer depends on my mood at the time.
When will the next Arcane installment be out? I just can’t get enough of them.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 9:46 am #
JULIE: I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying my Arcane Society series. Thanks so much. And I’m delighted that you get such a kick out of the dust bunnies in my Jayne Castle books. I popped over to YouTube the other day to see how the video for DARK LIGHT (a Jayne Castle book) was doing and was blown away to see that it has had more than 16,000 hits. Of course, it does feature Elvis…
MAY B: I’m so glad we met back with the GIFT books. I guess we were both ahead of our time! As for my books not being paranormal enough, I think that criticism comes from those who prefer books that feature the supernatural: vampires, werewolves, witches, etc. It’s very true that I don’t do that kind of paranormal. I like the psychic element because for me it is just an extension of human intuition — taken one step beyond, as it were. I find it fascinating.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 9:49 am #
NICOLE JORDAN: Thank you so much, my sister goddess, for inviting me to visit on Mt. Oly today. The mead is terrific, by the way. And I love your story about having spent some time making pampers before finding your true path as a writer. I spent some time as a waitress and then I worked in libraries. I still say I learned more as a waitress…
Rachel Gibson on 10 Feb 2009 at 9:58 am #
Welcome Jayne,
I love paranormal woo woo. I’m a big sci fi, fantasy fan and I would someday love to include paranormal elements in my books. I doubt I will, though. I’m not sure I can do it really well, and I don’t know if my readers would go there with me.
Years ago I read two of your woo woo books. I probably still have them around somewhere. I think the titles were Gift of Fire and Gift of Gold. Not sure, but the hero and heroine were Verity and Jonas. Or am I mixing up titles and characters? Also, did you write a Love Swept years ago that had a hero who was a rock star? I remember loving that book
Rachel Gibson
Karen Rose on 10 Feb 2009 at 10:02 am #
Jayne, welcome! We’re so glad to have you here today!
As for career experiments, writing suspense was an experiment at first. I’d been writing contemporary romance and someone suggested I try suspense. When I did, I knew it was the place for me!
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 10:06 am #
LAURA R: Glad you’re enjoying Arcane. And thanks for asking about the next book! The next one in the series is THE PERFECT POISON (under my Amanda Quick name). For those who are following the series, this one is Caleb’s story. He was the founder of Jones & Jones, the Society’s psychic investigation agency.
RACHEL GIBSON: You bought GIFT OF GOLD AND GIFT OF FIRE? Well, that makes two people who actually bought those books! (LOLOLOL). Thanks! I appreciate it. And you even remembered the names of the characters. I’m impressed. But, no, I never wrote for Love Swept and I never did a hero who was a rock star. Although the dust bunny in my latest Jayne Castle, DARK LIGHT, is named Elvis. (And thanks, too, for inviting me to hang out with the goddesses here today.)
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 10:08 am #
KAREN ROSE: Thanks for the warm welcome. And isn’t it a great feeling when you find the right “core story”? That is how I felt when it all came together for me in Arcane.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 10:10 am #
HELP! So many comments here today that I’m worried about missing one. Please let me know if I overlook someone!!!!
Kim on 10 Feb 2009 at 10:30 am #
Welcome Jayne! We’re so thrilled that you’re joining us today.
evlqn on 10 Feb 2009 at 10:31 am #
Welcome Jayne!
I have been a fan since Gentle Pirate. Your books have never disappointed. I was managing a bookstore in LA when your Amanda Quick books first came out. If I had been a puppy my tail would still be wagging! I did something with your first AQ book that I rarely did for any book, I put copies of it in two “new release” spots. I put it in the front of the store in General Fiction and in the Romance new release. Oh the advantages of being one of the bosses!
I liked your early paranormal books. I am a huge fan of the paranormal and occult and I always have been. The problem has always been finding authors who wrote outside of the normal box. I am so glad that the publishing community has finally come around.
As for a career experiment, I am and always have been the world’s worst waitress! When you consider the fact my grandparents owned a truck stop in Colorado and we all did two weeks there every summer, that’s sad. I liked running the register, working in the kitchen,working down at the house but put me on the floor and I was a disaster!
Rachel Gibson on 10 Feb 2009 at 10:38 am #
Hmm Jayne,
This is going to drive me crazy. Maybe the book I’m thinking about was a Harlequin or a Silhouette. It was set in Seattle. Maybe the hero wasn’t a rock star, but he was a singer. I read it in the early nineties. Maybe it was Linda Lael Miller. The two of you were about the only romance authors that I can recall setting books in Seattle at that time.
I remember the Gift books because the plot was so unique and clever. I always kind of wished I’d thought of that one myself.
rachel
Marcia C on 10 Feb 2009 at 10:39 am #
Hi Jayne!
I own Gift of Fire, Gift of Gold, Shield’s Lady AND Crystal Flame, loved them all and Totally loved the Lake and March trilogy! In fact, I was hoping there would be more Lake & March in the future! Of course, I love your Arcane series. I keep wondering when you will give us Caleb’s story that you’ve referred to in several of the stories.
Just Keep Writing Please!
Madeline Hunter on 10 Feb 2009 at 10:41 am #
Welcome, Jayne! I have been a fan of Amanda Quick from way back. I still distinctly remember reading my first one. It was like a breath of fresh air, and I finally figured out what they mean by “voice.”
Woo woo is my term for paranormal elements too, so it was fun to see you use it.
I think it is fascinating how you are linking the titles under your different names with the Society connection.
evlqn on 10 Feb 2009 at 10:44 am #
Susan M take care of yourself and the bump.
Suzanne Enoch on 10 Feb 2009 at 10:49 am #
Add me to the penned-off fangirl area — Squee! Welcome to Mt. Olympus, Jayne!
I tried a career addition, rather than a switch, when I started writing a contemporary series featuring the same hero/heroine. I couldn’t give up the historicals, though — both because I love writing them, and because I worked so hard to establish a name with them. So far, so good. *g*
And I love woo-woo in a romance, as long as the romance is the focus of the story.
Sabrina Jeffries on 10 Feb 2009 at 10:53 am #
Okay, I am going to try not to slobber all over myself, since I’m such a huge fan. We’re thrilled to have you!
It just so happens that *I* have read Gift of Gold, Gift of Fire, and Shield’s Lady, all of which are on my keeper shelf (yes, I’m old), alongside my many Amanda Quick novels. I confess you were a poor influence on me, since you inspired me to write three contemporary paranormal romantic suspense novels of my own, all of which were published (under the name Deborah Nicholas) and all of which sold pretty much the way you said yours sold. I was ahead of the curve, too. Sigh. There were probably a lot more of us even then who liked paranormal–publishers just didn’t know how to market them. Now they can’t sell them fast enough!
I also love the AQ books, though. Like Madeline, when I first read your Amanda Quick books, I thought how unique they were and I couldn’t scarf them up fast enough.
I even recently converted a sf/f reader/writer friend of mine to romance by using your books. I knew she was hooked when we were standing in the grocery looking at the book section, and she got excited that they had your new Amanda Quick. How I do love converting readers to romance!
Janga on 10 Feb 2009 at 11:04 am #
Jayne, the JAK books on my keeper shelves range from Man with a Past to Sizzle and Burn. I have loved them all. I admit to having a particular affection for Family Man, Grand Passion, and Trust Me. They are among my comfort reads, but I owe you a special thank you for Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women. That book gave me great lines of defense back in the days when friends and fellow academics mocked my romance reading, declaring it would “rot my brain.”
Theresa Vondra on 10 Feb 2009 at 11:16 am #
I loved the Lake and March trilogy, sorry to hear the rest of the readers out there did not. What do they know! LOL. I enjoy all your books. Just wanted to get that out there. I think I have all the Amanda Quick books, and have quite a good collection of JAK and JC. Thank you for the books! You are always a favorite!
Mike on 10 Feb 2009 at 11:25 am #
Hi, Jayne (& the Goddesses On High)–
I started off with the Amanda Quick one-word-title books, finished those, then went through the various NYC public library systems on the hunt for your back catalog of contemporary Krentz books. Eventually I ran out of titles to read and re-read, and so I took a flier on a woo-woo Castle book. In every single case, I was so glad I did!
You have such a gift for characters who are likable, interesting, and real grown-ups. Cyrus Colfax (just reread SHARP EDGES), Hugh the Relentless and the Earl of Masters are each such fully-formed and different heroes, yet the same author crafted each one and dozens more. To say nothing of your heroines! Mind-boggling. Seriously.
I admit that the psychic stuff reached me at first due to your name being on them, but once begun they were easy to enjoy due to your strong characters and plots. I’m sorry to hear they caused career hiccups, because some of them represent your best work, and your series hang together wonderfully well.
Sorry for the long fanboy gush. As a male reader of yours (& RG, SE, MH & KH!) I wanted to show my appreciation (even if I get funny looks at bookstores). Totally worth it!
evlqn on 10 Feb 2009 at 11:34 am #
Mike, it is so nice to have a man stand up and say he likes women authors! I could never get my husband to read any of my “trash” books even though my addiction to them helped pay for his Stephan King, Frederick Forsyth, & Joseph Wambaugh to name a few.
Freedom Writer on 10 Feb 2009 at 11:47 am #
Welcome to Mt. Oly Jayne. I have just started reading a few paranormal romances and so far I like what I’ve read, and plan to read more.
As for career experiments I am in the middle of one now. I am writing full time in the hopes of becoming a published author. I don’t know how the experiment will turn out, but I like doing what I’m doing much better than I liked working outside the home.
Margaret on 10 Feb 2009 at 11:51 am #
I’m in trouble and it’s all Jayne’s fault! This morning I mentioned one of her books in which the hero dreamed of being afraid to cross a glass bridge until he saw the heroine waiting for him on the other side of the chasm.
Nothing would do but I HAD to go rooting thru the piles to find that book as I couldn’t recall the title. I still haven’t found it, but I think the title is ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY. Am I right, Jayne? The trouble part is, I found many other Krentz/Quick books that I tossed on the bed to be re-read for the nth time. Like my bed isn’t already covered in books. One night, I’m going to wake up crushed half to death by the mountain of them. How will I explain to the 911 operator than I can be found under a ton of paperbacks?
I loved Jonas Quarrel! I don’t understand why your readers wouldn’t have loved those two books. Sure they have some mystical bits but not what I think of as paranormal. I do a bit of the occasional psychic and woo woo. Just not vampires and other critters that want my blood.
Christine on 10 Feb 2009 at 11:52 am #
Jayne,
I love paranormal, psychic woo woo in my romance novels! I was so excited when I discovered your Jayne Castle novels. I bought the unabridged CD verisons of Amaryllis, Zinnia, and Orchid. I also enjoyed the mesmerism in your Amanda Quick novels.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 11:56 am #
KIM: Thanks for the welcome, I’m having a great time. One of the goddesses just brought in another round of mead!
EVLQN: Hey, thanks for the early push with my AQ books! Looks like I may owe my historical career to you. And, yes, that waitress gig is hard work.
MARCIA C: I’m so glad you’re enjoying Arcane. And don’t worry, Caleb Jones gets his story in April in The Perfect Poison.
dbrown3400 on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:02 pm #
Welcome Jayne,
Count me in the group who thoroughly enjoyed the Gift books and Shield’s Lady, etc. I believe I have your entire Stephanie James collection and most of your Jayne Castles. The Candlelight Ecstasys were especially hard to find. Forget the McFaddens.
My career experiment was when I took over the reigns as COO of my ex’s shoe importing company rather than hire an outsider. We were still together at that time. Prior to that I had installed and trained computer network and accounting systems so he thought I could do it. Our company was quite successful until the bank we were using went bankrupt and we couldn’t get additional funding. I went back to the career I loved but it was fun being “in charge” for a while.
Paranormals are great fun. It’s nice to suspend belief while reading that book or maybe wonder what might be “out there.”
evlqn on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:04 pm #
Jayne you have more than repaid any help I could have done with excellent writing. Believe me if I had not been sure you were worth the effort, you would have stayed in Romance.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:04 pm #
MADELINE HUNTER: Thanks for inviting me here today. I hope I’ll see you at RWA in DC! Are you going this year?
SUZANNE ENOCH: Thanks for the welcome and I’m so glad the continuing hero/heroine books are working for you. That’s fabulous. I think we have to try new things once in a while if only to keep ourselves fresh as writers.
SABRINA JEFFRIES: Sounds like we both know the perils of being ahead of the curve! But, hey, we’re still around and still writing. That’s what counts. The new ideas always come from the writers — not the publishers who are often hesitant to experiment.
Karen Hawkins on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:06 pm #
I would fan gush, but my tongue just tied itself into a fan knot. Jayne welcome to the mount and yes, like so many others here, I have copies of those few, precious first books and I was SO excited when I heard you’d be here — WOOHOOO!!!
Sorry. That just slipped out.
I was a waitress, too, all thought grad school while I was getting my master’s degree. I was a good waitress, too, and oh, the humanity, the humanity! You really do see it all when you’re a server.
As for a big career change, I was a Director of Student Activities and working on my PhD when the opportunity to become a writer raised its wee head. Naturally, I did what any self-respecting student would do, I burned my stats book on the front lawn and danced around it laughing madly. I did, however, keep my day job for the next three years. It’s been a love-love/win-win ever since.
Welcome to the Mt., Jayne! We’re SO excited to have you!!!!
Karen Hawkins on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:07 pm #
P.S. On psychic woo woo. Bring it on, sistah! Bring it on!
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:15 pm #
JANGA: I am honored to be on your “keeper” shelf! And I’m so glad Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women came along at the right time for you. Those who are interested in the academic look at the romance genre might like to check out a more recent book on the subject: A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ROMANCE NOVEL by Pamela Regis. Very insightful.
THERESA VONDRA: Thanks!!! I’m delighted that you liked Lake & March. They were fun to do. And, although that series didn’t work, they were part of what inspired me to fire up my Arcane Society series.
MIKE: Thanks for taking the time to let me know that you enjoy my books. I think it is probably safe to say that if you admire my heroes it is because you posssess the same core values they possess: a sense of honor, integrity and the inclination to do the right thing when the chips are down. And you obviously have something else they all have: enough confidence in your own masculinity to be able to read a romance novel!
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:18 pm #
FREEDOM WRITER: Thanks and best of luck with your own writing. If you haven’t already done so, you might want to check out Romance Writers of America (rwanational.org) It is an excellent organization for writers, both published and unpublished.
MARGARET: Yep, Absolutely, Positively is the book. Thanks for looking for it! And I agree that there is a line between the psychic thing and the supernatural thing in today’s paranormal. Sounds like you and I are on the psychic side
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:21 pm #
CHRISTINE: Let’s hear it for the woo-woo factor! I really do think that a lot of people respond to that because it “feels” like just one step beyond intuition. And we all think we have some sense of intuition. So it is easy to imagine a “what if” scenario involving our para-senses, dreams, etc.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:28 pm #
dBROWN 3400: LOL! I would never make it as a manager, that’s for sure. Tried it for one year and it was the worst working year of my life!
Good to know we go all the way back to my Dell Ecstasy and McFadden days!
KAREN HAWKINS: Good for you! That’s fabulous that you were able to make the leap and change career directions like that. I do admire people who go after what they want. It takes guts. And yes, that waitress gig was very educational, wasn’t it? I’ve always felt that everyone should have to do that job, if only for a week. Of course, the downside is that you end up over-tipping for the rest of your life….
TerryS on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:32 pm #
I guess I show my age when I say I do remember Gift of Gold, Gift of Fire, Shield’s Lady, etc. For me the level of paranormal in your books is just right. There are not a lot of books with paranormal aspects that I buy anymore because most are more than just a little woo-woo. My imagination doesn’t stretch that far. Yesterday’s mail brought “Running Hot” so I’m off now for a little reading.
Nicole Jordan on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:35 pm #
>>> Of course, the downside is that you end up over-tipping for the rest of your life….
LOL. I’ve never been a waitress, but ever since I heard that women were lousy tippers, I’ve made it a point to be contrary.
>>>Yesterday’s mail brought “Running Hot” so I’m off now for a little reading.
TerryS, I envy you! Mine hasn’t arrived yet.
Freedom Writer on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:36 pm #
Jayne thanks for the encouragement. I have been an RWA member for almost two years. I read RWR every month and hope to go to the conference in the next couple of years.
Pesky on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:38 pm #
Have I ever? I think my whole career has been an experiment. I started out with a degree in Commercial Art…have I ever used that? No. Nuclear Jobsite Clerk, Bursar at A Girls Prep School, Sales, Management Training, Computer Training Specialist, Documentation Specialist, HA System Database Administrator….. umh…. Someone once told me that we go through at minimum of 5 careers in our lifetime, so when an opportunity comes up to take a jump into a new direction, I close my eyes, put on my big girl panties and jump. I’m looking toward Computer Forensics next…
I’ve read you in about every medium and genre you’ve written in and loved every iteration. Please keep up the experimentation.
Claudia Tomkiel on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:43 pm #
Jayne, I enjoy the woo-woo stuff – and I remember all those books that you said folks did not remember and almost sunk you (and I really enjoyed all of them, even have re-read some of them). This should tickle you, my husband was looking for something different to read from what he was picking out and I’ve got him hooked on the Arcane series and the world of Harmony. As far as trying different things – that’s been my life! Too much to go into here. Keep writing – I love your books!
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:45 pm #
TERRY S: The paranormal includes such a variety of elements that it has become impossible to define to outsiders, hasn’t it? But those of us who read within the romance genre know what we like and which version of the fantasy suits us. Sounds like you and I are on the same page.
PESKY: I think that 5 career estimate is probably valid. Takes a while to find your passion in life. Good luck with that computer forensics line. Sounds like a winner in this day and age. And thanks for taking the time to let me know that you enjoy me under all of my names! Not everyone will follow me into all three of my worlds. I really treasure readers who do.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:47 pm #
CLAUDIA TOMKIEL: Glad to hear we’ve been together all this time! Readers like you make the writing a delight, believe me. And, hey, I owe you for turning your husband on to my books! Tell him I said “hi”.
SuzyQ on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:55 pm #
Welcome to Mt Oly Jayne!
I been working with computers since I’ve been out of school, so I guess you can say I get to experiment with new technologies and software. Hey, sometimes it works and sometimes not. And sometimes it’s just a big headache!
I do like paranormals, although due to the stack of my TBR pile I don’t get to read them that often. And I do like a little psychic woo-woo in books, even if the book is not labeled as paranormal. Does KarenH’s MacLean’s ring a bell???
Jael on 10 Feb 2009 at 12:56 pm #
Are you kidding??? I definitely remember buying and loving Gift of Gold and Gift of Fire, and my tattered copy of Shield’s Lady is on my small shelf of books that I keep out to read over and over again. The gift of armbands for the House of the Crystal Flame is one of my favorite scenes – so touching. Like somone upthread, I started with your Stephanie James and Candlelight Ecstasy books, and the Harmony and Arcane Society series just endear me to your style even more. Good job, and keep writing, please!
Juliet Bushinski on 10 Feb 2009 at 1:02 pm #
Dear Jayne,
I purchased all those books you mentioned when they first came out and sent up a huge Hoo-Rah that there was at least one romance publisher who was FINALLY giving us something different with great plots. I read and re-read Crystal Flame until it literally fell apart. I love all your books. (And Claudia, dear sister, you KNOW I told you about them for years before you took the time to read them – so there – I was first for a change).
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 1:11 pm #
SUZY Q: Yep, if you’re in the computer world you are definitely on the cutting edge when it comes to experimenting. And I think a lot of readers who work with high-tech gadgets and cyberspace are into the paranormals. Sadly, I must admit that the thing I do best online is shop.
JULIET BUSHINSKI: Glad you found Crystal Flame (because there were hardly any copies printed!!!). And, hey, I owe you for urging Claudia to try my books. I appreciate that.
Kimberly W on 10 Feb 2009 at 3:02 pm #
Hi, Jayne! I absolutely love your books written under Amanda Quick. I have all of them! Some of your single-named historicals were the first romances I read and I fell in love with them.
I can understand why some people were like “Eh? *shrug*” about the Lake and March series but I personally do not think it was because of your writing. Us historical readers are not used to multi-book series based around the same couple. They definitely grew on me after I got over that fact. I love the new series even though I haven’t read the contemporaries yet. I was wondering when we might look forward to the next historical from your Arcane Society series? I have really enjoyed the ones you have written so far. Are there going to be any stories featuring persons from Gabriel Jones immediate family?
Squeee! It is just so cool that you are here and able to answer questions personally!
Mary C on 10 Feb 2009 at 3:56 pm #
Hi, Jayne
I’ve read all the JAK , Amanda Quick , Jayne Castle and Stephanie James books. The only ones not on my keeper shelf are those that were lent out and never returned. You’ve been an automatic buy since I first started my author list.
Love the paranormals.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 4:01 pm #
KIMBERLY W: You’re right! One of the things I have discovered over the years is that the historical romance market is the most “traditional” in that those readers, by and large, prefer the classic conventions and stories made popular by that side of the genre. I absolutely understand and respect that. I was quite ready to abandon my Amanda Quick career after Lake & March didn’t work because I just could not think of any more interesting stories that fit into that era. But I got a new publisher at about that time and my new editor was willing to let me experiment with a psychic twist. Fortunately, the Arcane historicals have found an audience so I’m a happy camper again.
The next book in the series is The Perfect Poison (Caleb’s story). It will be out in late April
Maureen on 10 Feb 2009 at 4:19 pm #
Hi Jayne
I have been reading and enjoying your books for years and while I don’t read a lot of paranormals I have enjoyed yours. One of the things I love about your stories is that I can always see the hero and heroine together for many years.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 4:36 pm #
Maureen: Thank you so much! That is a truly lovely compliment. That ending is the one I see, too. I think that’s one of the reasons I love working with the psychic element so much — it adds that aura of a special bond between the lovers that assures us these two people were meant for each other.
Cis on 10 Feb 2009 at 4:48 pm #
Hey now! I not only have Gift of Gold, Gift of Fire, Shield’s Lady, I got them when they were new and am still wondering if we can go back to Shield’s Lady-land and play. I’ll have you know that Affair of Honor is my current bathroom book – also purchased new… erm, by my mother. It was my first “wow, I really shouldn’t be reading this, hope mom doesn’t come in here,” book.
You just keep scribbling, we’ll come along for the ride.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 5:08 pm #
Cis: Please thank your mother for me! And don’t worry, as long as you’re reading, I’ll keep writing. Works for me.
Nicole Jordan on 10 Feb 2009 at 5:12 pm #
>>One of the things I love about your stories is that I can always see the hero and heroine together for many years.
I agree with you, Maureen!
>>> the historical romance market is the most “traditional” in that those readers, by and large, prefer the classic conventions and stories made popular by that side of the genre. I absolutely understand and respect that. I was quite ready to abandon my Amanda Quick career after Lake & March didn’t work because I just could not think of any more interesting stories that fit into that era
Jayne, that is so fascinating to me, that you would run out of inspiration. I have too at times! But I never expected an author as prolific as you to have that problem. I would imagine that after you been writing the same thing for years, you really have to have a break. So it’s wonderful that you can switch subgenres. Have you found that helps keep you fresh?
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 5:33 pm #
NICOLE: My core story doesn’t change much. I love it and I expect to be able to write it forever. However, sometimes a “world” turns out to have some limitations in terms of plots and what you can do with the characters. The traditional historical turned out to be that way for me. I just could not think of any more fun things to do in historicals — until I came up with the psychic twist. Now I’m having fun again.
My advice to writers who are having problems with inspiration: try changing the “world” in which you are working. Ask yourself what you would do with that plot if you had to put it into a contemporary or a paranormal. You don’t necessarily have to switch worlds. Just the act of imagining how you would change up the story if you did try a different world can give you all sorts of new ideas.
It was, incidentally, doing the futuristics (Shield’s Lady, Crystal Flame, etc.) that made me realize I could do historicals…
Sabrina Jeffries on 10 Feb 2009 at 5:50 pm #
Do you think there’s any chance they’ll ever reissue Gift of Gold/Gift of Fire? My copies are falling apart!
What I love about your paranormal books is that they are NOT vampires and werewolves. Those worlds don’t appeal to me, but I love psychic phenomenon, so that does. It’s nice to have something for those of us who aren’t that keen on the vampire/werewolf thing.
Just out of curiosity, do you READ the other kind of paranormal for pleasure? Or not?
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 6:13 pm #
SABRINA: Don’t know if they’ll ever reissue the Gift books but I expect they may end up available for download!
And I agree, there is a distinction between the psychic thing and the vampire/werewolf kind of paranormal. I have certainly read some of the vampire/werewolf books and I understand exactly why they are working so well in romance — this is, after all, where the classic Alpha males went when they became politically incorrect in historicals and contemporaries. Romance will always celebrate that story in one way or another. But for some reason, I just cannot get excited about writing the vampire/werewolf story. Guess it is not my core story. When it comes to werewolves, I can’t deal with a hero who is at the mercy of the moon. And as for vampires, I can’t wrap my brain around the fact that these guys get to live forever and yet they drink human blood. Where’s the justice in that world? I need justice in my stories. Vampires have done nothing to deserve the give of immortality.
But I digress and wax philosophical. Probably time for me to go. It’s been great, everyone. Thank you so much for inviting me here today. What a great crowd!
Ann on 10 Feb 2009 at 6:35 pm #
“(anybody remember Gift of Gold, Gift of Fire, Shield’s Lady, etc.?) “YES I do. I really enjoyed all three of the books and have them somewhere in my collection. So many authors and new books to read but you as JAK, Quick, and Castle are books that I stop an read again.
Suzanne Enoch on 10 Feb 2009 at 6:37 pm #
I can’t say I ever had a “career experiment”, because I’d always planned to be a writer. I did have other JOBS — movie theater ticket sales, secretary, admin assistant — but they were all to support my writing career. Thank goodness it’s worked into a writing career (so far, anyway).
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 6:38 pm #
Ann: I am honored to know that you re-read me. That is the greatest compliment of all. Thank you.
–Jayne
Carlaree on 10 Feb 2009 at 6:41 pm #
I have read your work for a long time. At first I was mainly attracted to the strong, smart women you featured in your historicals. It was so refreshing! I’d left reading historicals for a while because every woman seemed like a victim–geez, could we ever get a freakin’ break? Marry well or become a governess or streetwalker!
Then your women had brains and creativity and often…careers! Then, I loved your humor! The steam didn’t hurt either… I’ve read Mischief, Rendezvous and Ravished so many times, I could recite dialogue! Thanks for many years of delightful entertainment and enlightenment in a decidely darker time for women’s rights…
Ruth on 10 Feb 2009 at 6:45 pm #
Along with Shield’s Lady and the others named above, I also loved Sweet Starfire (and it still sits on my bookcase).
Somehow I would pick up a book under a different name (Amanda Glass) and enjoy reading it and eventually figure out it was you again. Thanks for all the enjoyable reads you have given me.
I too have managed to hook friends through the Amaryllis book series which went onto read the ghost hunter series. I can’t wait for the next Amanda Quick (it is on preorder with Amazon).
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 7:13 pm #
SUZANNE: I think that multi-job path is the way it goes for most writers. You do what you need to do until you can support yourself with your writing. Writing is an addiction, of sorts, after all, don’t you think? Or maybe a more polite term would be “passion.”
CARLAREE: Thanks and it is good to know we made it here together.
RUTH: I really appreciate the sales job! Thanks!
Susan Kelley on 10 Feb 2009 at 7:25 pm #
I read all those early books. I love Shield’s Lady. It’s still on my keeper’s shelf as well as Gift of Gold and Gift of Fire. You inspired me to try writing because I loved those books. I always love your heroines and heroes. My goal as an author is to be able to write the witty dialogue you always have between your protagonists. I’ve stayed up many a late night reading your latest. I’m going tomorrow to pick up your latest. No matter what anyone else who posted said, I am your biggest fan. LOL
catslady on 10 Feb 2009 at 8:22 pm #
Oh, I just wanted to say I’ve enjoyed many of your books! Thanks for some great reads.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 9:06 pm #
SUSAN KELLEY: Thanks for putting Shield’s Lady on your keeper shelf. That is the book that taught me that I might have a career in historicals. That book did not sell well due to the futuristic setting. But when I analyzed that story I realized it was, at its heart, a marriage of convenience story. And, hey, I knew where that would work: Historicals!!!
CATSLADY: Thanks for taking the time to let me know that you have enjoyed some of my books.
Madeline Hunter on 10 Feb 2009 at 9:38 pm #
I think it is great that you found a way to keep writing the historicals fresh for you. We would have been devestated if you gave them up!
Thanks for coming by and visiting with us.
Jayne on 10 Feb 2009 at 10:24 pm #
It has been great, Madeline: Thanks so much for inviting me here today. You have a truly great blog spot!
Karen Rose on 10 Feb 2009 at 10:50 pm #
Jayne – it’s been lovely to have you with us today! And I wanted to thank you for sharing that you’d had some blips along the way. It puts the authors’ road in perspective, for sure. It might not make our own blips easier to take when they happen, but there is some balm in knowing a very successful career like yours has hiccuped a few times
Kimberly W on 11 Feb 2009 at 12:23 am #
Jayne,
Woot! I am so happy that Caleb’s story is next. I found him very interesting in Second Sight and wanted his story as soon as possible. You made my day by saying he is next. : )
Hilcia on 11 Feb 2009 at 8:27 am #
OH! I can’t believe I missed Jayne… but just in case she checks in again.
Jayne, you have been an automatic buy for me for years, as JRK and AQ — I have all your books, which I also re-read. I’m truly enjoying your Second Sight series. Thank you for giving us all those hours of reading pleasure.
Nicole Jordan on 11 Feb 2009 at 9:44 am #
>>>My advice to writers who are having problems with inspiration: try changing the “world” in which you are working. Ask yourself what you would do with that plot if you had to put it into a contemporary or a paranormal. You don’t necessarily have to switch worlds. Just the act of imagining how you would change up the story if you did try a different world can give you all sorts of new ideas.
What fabulus advice, Jayne! I’d never considered that… but I’ll be starting a new series a couple of books from now and am just now mulling plots and characters. I’ll definitely give that a shot!
And I second what everyone else has said…. THANK YOU, THANK YOU for being with us today and sharing so much of yourself and your hard-earned wisdom!
Kathleen on 11 Feb 2009 at 11:24 am #
I am sorry I missed Jayne, I hve read all the Amada Quick book and I just adore them. I am now reading more of her new endevours. I have sizzle and burn to read and another one on order.
Hope you had a good day here Jayne. I had a medical emergancy yesterday and could not be on line with her.
Lara Lee on 11 Feb 2009 at 12:05 pm #
Sorry to miss Jayne but just wanted to say how much I love her books – all of them. I’ve been reading her since the 80’s and love all the incarnations, especially Gift of Gold, Gift of Fire, Shield’s Lady, and Crystal Flame, and I still have all my own copies. I hope I can look forward to many more!
Kiersten on 11 Feb 2009 at 1:45 pm #
Phew! So many ladies on the Mount today! I nearly brained myself slipping on a discarded grape on my way up. I myself am taking a brief respite from editing pharmaceutical promotional materials to breathe in the great view, cool breezes, and totally awesome party. Like wow.
Welcome Jayne! I still have a large stack of the early AQ books. I was a teenager working at a B. Dalton bookstore at the time (sorry, dating us both there, I guess) and I couldn’t wait for the next AQ novel to come out. I have also read the Gift books etc. via the library in my poor college and post-college days. And for the record, I own and still ADORE Shield’s Lady. It currently resides on my Must Be Accessible shelf, and I have, throughout the years, read it dog-earred. Maybe it was ahead of the curve genre-wise, but it goes to show that you just never know what might strike a chord with someone. Thanks!
Happy Birthday Goddesses!!
Claudia Tomkiel on 11 Feb 2009 at 3:19 pm #
Jayne, I have to confess that I did not start reading your books until a couple years ago – and yes, my younger sister Juliet Bushinski turned me on to them! But, in my defense, I am 52 years old (so I have been around that long) but for quite a few years I was moving all over the place with my Army husband and then motherhood did not allow much reading time! Whatever the reason, I love all your books and if I had had a chance, I would have been reading them all along!
Melanie on 11 Feb 2009 at 3:57 pm #
I’m sorry to have missed Jayne on the blog but I wanted to say that I love all of her books and I keep them and read them over and over again. I love Gift of Gold/Fire (bought them new) but when I couldn’t find her books that are not published anymore I searched for them on the internet to add to my collection. When I lived in Alaska and would get snowed in I would gather up my JAK/AQ/JC books and would happily sit for days just reading away. I couldn’t ask for a better way to pass the time than to read books by my favorite author. Now that I am in the sunny south I miss those snow days to give me a good excuse for just sitting and doing nothing but reading your books Jayne.
Candace E. Salima on 11 Feb 2009 at 10:19 pm #
Jayne,
Of course I remember Gift of Gold, Gift of Fire and Shield’s Lady. They are three of my favorite titles of yours that I read over and over. And least once I year and I get on kick and begin reading all the books I own of yours (which nearly all of them (I understand there are one or two at the beginning which exceedingly difficult to get.) And I always begin with those three.
I like every book you’ve ever written, be there a paranormal aspect or not. You’re just a great writer and storyteller!
Candace
Rita Penne on 13 Feb 2009 at 10:49 am #
I’m one of those readers who has always enjoyed you having the psychic elements in most your books. My first introduction to you was the book Joy, and I think I’ve probably read every other release of yours, in all of the categories. I enjoy what you bring to the table no matter what time period, and love that with you books I can get a good read in historical, contemporary, arcane, futuristic, etc. I just wanted to comment that the books you felt you had trouble selling to the public were some of my favorites. I remember well Gift of Gold, Slightly Shady, etc. Please keep sneaking those aspects in, if it’s necessary to sneak. The psychic elements add an extra depth to the characters, and makes for a rich story. Thanks!