Welcome to my blog interview with novelist, Janet Elizabeth Henderson, author of The Invertary series—Lingerie Wars, Goody Two Shoes, Magenta Mine and Calamity Jena. With Bad Boy and Caught coming soon.

I have read three of her novels and loved them. If you need some seriously fun brain candy–read these books.

From Janet’s Bio: 

I’m a Scot, living in New Zealand and married to a Dutch man. I write contemporary romance with a humorous bent—this is mainly due to the fact I have an odd sense of humor and can’t keep it out of anything I do! If I wasn’t a writer, I’d like to be Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Indiana Jones. Unfortunately, both these roles have already been filled. Which may be a good thing as I have no fighting skills, wouldn’t know a precious relic if it hit me in the face and have an aversion to blood. When I’m not living in my head, I’m a mother to two kids, three pet sheep, one dog, two cats, three alpacas, two miniature horses and an escape artist chicken.

Hello Janet,

What genre do you consider your books? 

I write contemporary romance. Some people tell me that I write romantic comedy. I didn’t realize my writing was humorous until I started getting reviews for my first book.

I agree with the romantic comedy. There were several times I laughed out loud in public and had people giving me strange looks.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life? 

Comedy is a funny thing to write. (Pun intended!) There are lots of things in real life that are hilarious, but if you put them in fiction they read as unbelievable or ridiculous. Often, when I use real life experience as an influence for a scene, I have to tone it down to make it believable. People who read my blog, or follow me on facebook, will recognize parts of my books as being based on real events in my life. I find life funny, ironic and downright ludicrous. Inspiration is everywhere.

What book are you reading now? 

I’m rereading Nalini Singh’s psy/changling books because they are so freaking well written that they make me want to be a better writer.

What are your current projects? 
I’m currently writing Bad Boy, Invertary Book 5. Here’s a little bit about it:

After a career ending injury, soccer star Flynn Boyle goes home to the Scottish Highlands. Having never thought beyond playing football, he has no idea what to do with himself—and options are limited for the bad boy of the European leagues. Abby McKenzie is a widow with a five year old daughter and a business that has just been destroyed in a freak accident. She’s starting over, again, and to get the money for that new start she sells part of her land to Flynn Boyle. The man is supposed to be building a house. Instead, he’s turning Abby’s life upside down.

I’m also working on the first in a new series, which is a spin-off of my Scottish series. This new series revolves around the men and women who work for Benson Security, which is based in Invertary. They’re ex-military, or ex-law enforcement, and their jobs with Benson Security take them all over the world. The first in the series tells Joe’s story—he featured in Calamity Jena, Invertary Book 4—and is set in South America.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest (or first) book? 
Who designed the covers? 

I design my own covers. I figure it’s a good use of the expensive art education I received, which is now languishing while I write!

What was the hardest part of writing your book? 

Actually putting in the hours and not letting yourself get distracted!

Do you write with music or in silence?  If you prefer music, what kind?

I prefer to write in silence, but with two little kids and a husband who isn’t happy unless he’s using a power tool, that isn’t always possible. When I can’t get silence, I wear noise cancelling headphones and blast out music to drown out my family. (I mean that in the most loving way possible!) My sister says I have the musical tastes of a ninety year old and she’s probably right. I’m writing my latest book to Julie London’s greatest hits! Yeah, my taste in music is that sad…

Do you have playlists for any of your books or characters?

No. But I do write all of my sex scenes to one song on repeat—Simple Minds, Alive and Kicking. I don’t know why. Don’t ask me!

While you were writing, did you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?

I feel as though I am all of my characters. As I write I constantly ask myself what would I feel if I were them. What would I be thinking? Is this emotion honest? Is this reaction real? Sometimes I get so wrapped up in who these people are I kind of zone out a little on me!

If you were a color, what color would it be?

Naples yellow: it’s rare, expensive, blends easily with other colors, is inconspicuous and is very toxic!

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I read. Don’t all writers? Yeah, so that isn’t very interesting… I also make art. I have a degree in Fine Art and used to work as an artist full time.

What does your family think of your writing?

My ten year old lectures me on why I should write books like Harry Potter instead of the “lovely-dovey-kissy-stuff.” My six year old wants to know why my books have so many pages. She thinks they would be better shorter, with more pictures. And my husband is pleased I can make a living from writing but he’s too scared to read my books. I might encourage his fear by telling him the sex scenes are based on experience. (They’re not. Writers make things up. It’s what we do!) 😀

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? 

THANK YOU!!!! I’m still totally shocked that people buy, read and enjoy my books. And I am very grateful that they do.

What is your favorite motivational phrase or positive saying?

Okay, I’m going out on a limb here. I know quoting a bible verse is NOT cool or trendy—but then neither am I! J When things are hard, or discouraging I remind myself of this. “All things work together for good, for those who love the Lord.”  Romans 8:28.

I also like this: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Theodore Roosevelt.

And this: “Forget about the muse. Writing is a job. Do your job.” Nora Roberts.

THIS OR THAT—The Speed Round

 Writing during the night or writing during the day? night
Writing from home or someplace else? home
Reading an ebook or print? ebook
Buy books online or buy in a bookstore? online
Weather: Hot or Cold? hot
Music or Silence? silence
Classic Fairy tales or Fairy tale retellings? classics
Chocolate or Vanilla? chocolate
The Beach or The Mountains? mountains
The World being taken over by zombies or sexy blood sucking vampires? vampires
Time travel to the future or past? future
Facebook or twitter? facebook
Being able to fly or being able to go invisible? invisible
Bookmark or Dog eared? bookmark
1st character POV or 3rd character POV? 3rd character
City or Country? City
Pen or Pencil? Pen
Polk-a-dots or Stripes? Stripes
Pancakes or Waffles? Pancakes
Books or Movies? Books
Coffee or Tea? Tea
Elbows the size of pumpkins or knees the size of watermelons? Bum the size of a hippo’s…?

  

How can readers discover more about you and you work? 

Website: http://www.janetelizabethhenderson.com
Blog: http://janetelizabethhenderson.blogspot.co.nz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.janetelizabethhenderson
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/janet-elizabeth-henderson/e/B009NR5RHM
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/janetelizabethhenderson
Book Links:  http://janetelizabethhenderson.com/my-books/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6563489.Janet_Elizabeth_Henderson