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Jen Black writes historical romance adventures with wonderful characters that you can’t seem to get enough of. So few authors can take me out of this world and into another time quite like she does. Usually, I’m not even a big fan of historical tales, but I’m definitely a fan of Ms. Black. She’s one of the best e-book authors the Internet has ever had the fortune of publishing.
Ms. Black was born in Newcastle upon Tyne too long ago to mention here—let’s just say that, according to her, she knows what wartime rationing was all about. As a child, she spent many enjoyable days outside with her friends in the cul de sac where they lived. They played with tops, making up patterns with colored chalk; they played with whips, walked on stilts, played hide and seek, and made up cowboy stories to act out.
Her other talents, outside of writing, include drawing and painting and taking photographs, many of which she uses on her blog. Some of her favorite things are chocolate, dogs, crème brulee, skiing, red wine, walking in the countryside, history, and reading.
She doesn’t listen to music when she writes, preferring silence, but she enjoys Josh Groban, and her most played CD is Celtic Twilight, a compilation of artists like Deacon Blue and Mary Black (no relation).
Upon Writing in Ms. Black’s Own Words
What or who inspires you to write?
Me. No one else has anything to do with it. Writing is a very private thing that few people share. I’m lucky that my husband indulges me by letting me get on with it.
Why did you begin writing?
Because I wanted to. I always wanted to, from being a child, but I didn’t really believe I would. It was up there with being a spaceman, an air hostess, a ballerina—all those childhood fantasies. It took a long time, but I finally got to it.
Which author inspires you?
Dorothy Dunnett. I enjoy other authors, but they didn’t inspire me. If you asked me why, I think I’d have to say that it was her use of language and the sheer joy her books gave me.
What do you find most rewarding about writing?
It’s job satisfaction in spades when things go right.
Have you experienced writer’s block? And if so, how did you cure it?
Yes, but fortunately not often. Usually, I go away and leave it alone for a few days, and then the urge to get back at the laptop increases, and I’m off again. I suppose the “muscle” gets tired, as in any other endeavor. So I treat it nice and let it rest.
Ms. Black isn’t quite sure when her next novel will be available for purchase, but you can check out her Web site and keep tabs on when that might be. You can visit her site at Members.Lycos.co.uk/JenBlack/ or her blog at JenBlackAuthor.blogspot.com.
And be sure to check out my reviews of The Banners of Alba and Dark Pool to see what you’ve been missing.
