An Interview with Jenni James, Author of Not Cinderella’s Type

Books by Jenni James

The Jane Austen Diaries

Pride & Popularity
Northanger Alibi
Persuaded
Emmalee
Mansfield Ranch
Sensible & Sensational

The Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection

Beauty and the Beast
Sleeping Beauty
Rumplestiltskin
Hansel and Gretel
Jack and the Beanstalk
Cinderella
Snow White
The Frog Prince
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Rapunzel
The Little Mermaid
Peter Pan
Return to Neverland
Captain Hook

Andy & Annie Series:

A Ghost Story
Greeny Meany

Modern Fairy Tales:

Not Cinderella’s Type
Sleeping Beauty: Back to Reality

Revitalizing Jane:

Drowning
Prince Tennyson
Cinderella’s Phantom Prince

Austen in Love:

My Pride, His Prejudice
Jane & Bingley
My Persuasion

Regency/Historical:

The Bluestocking and the Dastardly, Intolerable Scoundrel
Lord Romney’s Exquisite Widow
Mind Warp (Part of a paranormal anthology)
My Paranormal Life (Released only for educational purposes, will be released fully next year.)

A Chat with Jenni James

Book Cave: Okay, here’s the question you knew I was going to ask: when and how did you decide to become a writer?

Jenni: I never wanted to be a writer.  I honestly thought it’d be like doing homework.  I had no idea that writing your own book was WAY BETTER than reading someone else’s.  I began writing, because after three days of Taylor Anderson hounding me on why Chloe Hart didn’t like him—I realized if I didn’t actually write the book Pride & Popularity, I was going to go stark raving mad. I finally gave up and began writing and it was AMAZING! I couldn’t wait to keep going. I had no idea what would happen next.  It kept me glued to my seat for six weeks until the rough draft was done.

Book Cave: Well, we’re certainly glad you decided become a writer! Can you tell us a little about your writing process and schedule?

Jenni: I try and write at least 1500 words a day, but usually crank out about 3500.  It’s my fulltime job now, so it’s not something I can just push aside.  I write best when the kids are at school, or are asleep.  So I tend to wait until after bedtime until I really get going with a manuscript.  I always make sure I’ve got a huge 7-11 double gulp filled with ice water next to me. Staying hydrated helps me to really stay focused.

Book Cave: How about when you’re not writing? What do you like to do?

Jenni: I love to cook. I’m actually working on a cookbook and have been creating a ton of recipes.  I also love to paint and am currently working on some Christmas commissions in between writing. But my favorite thing to do is hang out with my husband. We both love movies, so we snuggle on the couch and watch almost a movie a night. (Once I’ve reached my goal, of course).

Book Cave: That sounds wonderful. Okay, back to the writing. What do you think most characterizes your writing?

Jenni: I grew up doing a LOT of theater. Both of my parents were big into plays and musicals. (Mom was a director and Dad ran her technical crew.) I loved becoming so many different roles. I also understand the nuances needed for storytelling from being in so many different live stories. As I write I love to bring in a ton of dialogue—like plays.  And it’s really, really easy for me to write dialogue and interaction. I feel as though I can step into those different characters and then let them bounce off of each other.

Book Cave: What genre are your books and what draws you to this genre?

Jenni: Haha! Oh, sorry. As you can see above, I’m not really genre heavy in one genre. I guess you could say YA books, because I’ve got a lot of those.  However, I do have a lot of adult books (Still clean, just with adult heroes not teen heroes). So far I’ve written modern teen, modern adult, historical adult fiction, paranormal teen, fantasy teen, children’s spiritual, and early reader books.  I love a good story, I’m here to tell a good story—and that story will come out however it needs to.

Book Cave: That’s certainly true! Can you tell us a little about Not Cinderella’s Type and what inspired it?

Jenni: Okay, so I was creating a book cover for my publisher . . . (Little known secret is I get to use my art skills and design covers too!) . . . when I came across the cover picture.  I knew I had to write the book. I just knew it. And from there the story exploded.  Thank goodness!

Book Cave: That’s fascinating. You have a lot of talents! Okay, so what was your favorite part of Not Cinderella’s Type to write?

Jenni: Honestly, I love a good Cinderella story. Where girl stays positive through horrid odds and ends up winning in the end. So for me, it was probably the parts of the book that made me cry. That helped me slowly unfold Indy’s background and see what her life was really like. Gave me all the feels. Mainly because I knew Bryant would always treat her well.

Book Cave: Have you ever borrowed from real life for your books?

Jenni: Haha! Yes! In every single book there’s definitely a piece of me. It’s what I love most, being able to share myself and real struggles and overcoming the odds. Also, I share a lot of the funny stuff too. (Like the dating ritual in Northanger Alibi? That was totally my life. For every single date growing up.)

Book Cave: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Jenni: Pace yourself and you’re better than you think you are. So don’t give up.

Book Cave: What if you couldn’t be an author? What would your ideal career be?

Jenni: Artist! Or Theater Director and playwright –I’ve done both for years and loved my job.

Book Cave: What do you think of “trailers” for books? Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own books?

Jenni: I’ve never really thought about them before. Honestly, I’m so crazy busy my whole goal, as soon as I finish a book, is to hit the next deadline.

Book Cave: Final question. What book are you working on now?

Jenni: Princess and the Pea and My Persuasion should each be released very shortly, and I’m writing Lord Atten Meets His Match.

Thank you for taking some time to tell us about your life and your writing, Jenni!