·When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?  I started writing stories when I was a kid and had dreams of being a published author one day. As I got older, school and work became my focus and my writing dreams got pushed aside for a long time. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I revisited that dream and started working to make it a reality.

·How long does it take you to write a book?  I’ve only written two and the experiences were quite different! The first book I started writing just for friends and then decided to edit it into a publishable book. Once I started editing and rewriting, the process took about a year. I wrote the second book much more quickly. I started in January 2012 and submitted it to my publisher in September.

·What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?  I don’t really have a set schedule to write, which is something I’d like to change. I usually write more on the weekends since I have a regular job during the week, but I’d like to start setting aside more time to write on weeknights.

·What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?  I can’t write scenes out of order. I know some writers who write the end of the book before they write the beginning. I have to experience the progression of events with my characters in order to get into their emotions and feel the story with them.

·Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?  I get a lot of my inspiration and information from attending figure skating events. I travel to a lot of competitions, and I’ve learned so much from being in that atmosphere and meeting people in the sport.

·When did you write your first book and how old were you?  I was twelve when I wrote my first “book.” It was titled City of Enchantment and was a New Adult romance. My first real book was Life on the Edge, which was published earlier this year.

·What do you like to do when you’re not writing?  I love traveling, especially to figure skating competitions. Closer to home, I attend most of my alma mater Tulane’s football and baseball games, and I have a TV addiction to Once Upon a Time, Chicago Fire, Pretty Little Liars, The New Normal, and Big Bang Theory.

·What does your family think of your writing?  They’ve been so supportive. My sister is one of my proofreaders, and my mom has made lots of sales of my books at her office!

 ·What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?  I learned that the stories don’t go always go as I planned. Sometimes while I’m writing, the characters take me in a totally different direction than I was expecting.

·Do you have any suggestions to help someone become a better writer? If so, what are they?  I suggest finding a small critique group you trust or joining an online critique site like Critique Circle. I couldn’t have whipped my first book into shape without my beta readers on CC. I think getting feedback on your first draft is vital to the learning process.

·Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?  I love talking to readers! After Life on the Edge came out, a lot of people asked me if there would be a second book, and now they’re asking about the third. I love the comments about my characters and how they can relate to them (or swoon over them in Sergei’s case!) Many skating fans appreciated the accuracy of the skating details, which made me very happy!

·Do you like to create books for adults?  My books are classified as New Adult since the characters are in their early twenties, but older adults have enjoyed them just as much as younger people. I think the love story is something a reader of any age can enjoy!

·What do you think makes a good story?  I think if readers feel emotionally connected to the characters and don’t want to say goodbye to them at the end of the book, that means it’s a good story.

·As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?  I wanted to be an author or a journalist, but I was also interested in working in the business world. I’ve been able to do both!

THANK YOU JENNIFER for a great author interview! Nice to meet you.