Jane Beckenham is a long time friend and well established romance writer. We thought it would be fun to tagteam each other on blogs with a few questions a little outside the box. Soooo, drum roll!!! Here she is!

Hi Elle, thanks for having me on your blog. Isn’t it amazing how technology brings people together from so far away!

You’ve been writing for a long time. How do you think your writing has evolved over that time?
I think I’m always learning which is exciting. I remember when I finally ‘got it’ about point of view, and now watching out for that jolting pov change comes naturally. Learning to write dialogue that actually says something and moves the story forward. Trying different ways to plot, versus seat of your pants type story telling. What I’ve learned too is that what system works with one book, might not work for the next, and that’s okay.

If you could be a character in one of your books which would one you choose and why?
I think I would like to be either Taylor Sullivan in HE’S THE ONE, because she’s feisty and determined and won’t give up on what she really wants in life. Okay so what she thinks she wants and what she finally realizes she wants might change, but she’s one determined gal, no matter what.

Also I love Leah Grainger in Secrets and Seduction because of her deep down instinct to love, no matter what, or who, and to forgive.

You write several genres in the romance themed category; why did you choose to write these genres? How do they differ in terms of approach? Do you intend to branch out further and write another genre?

I initially tried a category, which was abysmal, then I wrote several time travel. I think I loved this genre because I love history and I had also fallen in love with Sandra Hill’s time travels and Lyn Kurlands. Time travel gives me a dose of history along with the need to have at least one character from the present and fills my need for contemporary writing too.
Time travel/historical of course has a dose of research involved, and in TT/R you need to decide how the traveller goes back, what reaction they will have and also how they will be perceived by those from the past. Most likely thought a witch or at least a lunatic! So that in itself creates great conflict. The only other genre I’m thinking of wetting my fingertips with is maybe distopia/thriller, but it’s all about finding ENOUGH time these days!

Who is your favorite author and why?
Love Sandra Hill for her fab humor in both historical and contemporary, and also Sophia James for her beautiful writing (medieval and Regency). I recently read The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst and that was a great read.

What kinds of books do you read?
Mostly contemporary, though I recently read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand which was a biography about us US Olympic athlete during the 30s and his military days in WWII. It was a sad but captivating read.

What advice do you give to aspiring authors?
Really to just keep on trying, keep reading, and make contact with other authors through writing groups and associations, through RWA chapters, and on line of course. Do courses if you can. There are plenty on line. And just do it every day, even if it’s only ½ an hour. Something is always better than nothing.

Where can we find you on the web?
My web site www.janebeckenham.com
Twitter janebeckenham@romanceauthor
Facebook http://tinyurl.com/ce8jzpy
Email me at neiljane@ihug.co.nz

Many thanks for joining me here today at Elle’s blog.
Happy reading everyone
Jane Beckenham