Interview with YA fantasy author Jenna Greene

YA fantasy author Jenna Greene joins me today to chat about Reborn.

Bio:

Jenna Greene is a YA fantasy author from Alberta, Canada. She lives with her husband, Scott, and daughter, Olivia. Aside from writing, Jenna enjoys dance, dragonboat paddling, and napping.

Welcome, Jenna. Please tell us about your current release.

My current release is titled Reborn. It was released a year ago and won the Moonbeam Children’s Book award for 2019.

What inspired you to write this book?

A lot of things coordinate together to inspire a book. I remember a meme, a complaint about my freckles, and a writer’s conference conspired together to create the initial idea for the story. Late, I realized my mother’s illness, and subsequent passing, inspired a great deal of the emotion of the book.

Excerpt from Reborn:

Sold into servitude, Lexil must deal with brutal punishments, back-breaking labor, and the loss of every freedom. When a young child she has befriended faces a horrible fate, Lexil must intervene to protect her, no matter what the risk.

With the help of a boy named Finn, the trio flee into the Wastelands. There, they must evade those who hunt them while trying to survive a barren landscape. Lexil must face challenges she's never imagined existed, all while learning what it means to truly be reborn.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am editing the sequel to Reborn. Naturally, the consequences of the first book come into play. More characters are introduced, and the main character’s journey is continued.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

The first time a teacher said I had talent and my parents should buy me a journal. (Second grade). I probably didn’t have any special talent at age six, but the power of a teacher or role model is that they can make you believe what is possible about yourself.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I am a teacher, so sometimes I struggle to find time to write, especially around report cards! Summer vacation and other school breaks offer good opportunities, though, and it also helps that I am an efficient writer who works in 45-60 minute bursts.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I like to wear a tiara when I write. Not only does it keep my hair out of my face, but it alerts other members of my household not to disturb me. Plus, I look pretty.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A fairy princess. (Still working on that).

Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon

Thanks for being here today!