Out Of The Ordinary
Apart From The Crowd book 2
by Jen Turano
Rollicking New Release from Humorous Historical Romance Author Jen Turano
Miss Gertrude Cadwalader hoped her position as the paid companion to Mrs. Davenport would be easy. But as she becomes acquainted with her employer, she realizes the wealthy Mrs. Davenport has a strange tendency to be a bit light-fingered with other people's trinkets. Gertrude is relieved when Mrs. Davenport decides to have a quiet summer away from the social scene--until the woman changes her mind in order to help a young socialite launch into society.
When Gertrude is caught in the act of trying to return one of the trinkets by Mrs. Sinclair, the mother of shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair, the woman jumps to an unfortunate conclusion. Harrison is determined to mend fences with Miss Cadwalader, but he's unprepared for the escapades a friendship with her will entail.
When Gertrude is caught in the act of trying to return one of the trinkets by Mrs. Sinclair, the mother of shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair, the woman jumps to an unfortunate conclusion. Harrison is determined to mend fences with Miss Cadwalader, but he's unprepared for the escapades a friendship with her will entail.
ISBN-13: 978-0764217951
|
|
|
|
|
with author Jen Turano
1. How did you become a writer?
Quite by accident. Curiously enough, it was never my dream to become a writer. My entire family leans more toward science careers, and even though I’ve always been different, it never entered my head to pursue a career in the arts. My father was convinced I should get a degree in medicine, but after observing a surgical procedure, which was downright frightening, and then turning to radiology where, well, let me just say that seeing an enema go horribly, horribly wrong is not something I’ll ever forget, I knew medicine was not for me. My parents were somewhat appalled when I decided to enter the fashion world, but then, after I had my son, I decided I was not going win any Mother of the Year awards if I was traveling all the time, so I abandoned my career and became a stay-at-home mom. After my son and I read this awful series when he was in the third grade, (and I’ve never told him the 6th book wasn’t exactly the end – it continues on for a good seven or more books) we decided to write our own book. It was a blast, and after writing that book with him, and no, it never got published because it was also awful, I realized that I enjoyed using my brain again, so started writing stories when I wasn’t doing mom stuff. It took me a few years to perfect my craft enough to where I landed an agent, and then she very kindly went out and sold “A Change of Fortune.” I’ve been writing ever since.
Quite by accident. Curiously enough, it was never my dream to become a writer. My entire family leans more toward science careers, and even though I’ve always been different, it never entered my head to pursue a career in the arts. My father was convinced I should get a degree in medicine, but after observing a surgical procedure, which was downright frightening, and then turning to radiology where, well, let me just say that seeing an enema go horribly, horribly wrong is not something I’ll ever forget, I knew medicine was not for me. My parents were somewhat appalled when I decided to enter the fashion world, but then, after I had my son, I decided I was not going win any Mother of the Year awards if I was traveling all the time, so I abandoned my career and became a stay-at-home mom. After my son and I read this awful series when he was in the third grade, (and I’ve never told him the 6th book wasn’t exactly the end – it continues on for a good seven or more books) we decided to write our own book. It was a blast, and after writing that book with him, and no, it never got published because it was also awful, I realized that I enjoyed using my brain again, so started writing stories when I wasn’t doing mom stuff. It took me a few years to perfect my craft enough to where I landed an agent, and then she very kindly went out and sold “A Change of Fortune.” I’ve been writing ever since.
|
2. Are you a plotter or a pantser? I’m more of a hybrid. I plan out five chapters at a time, but there’s no guarantee my characters are going to cooperate with those plans. I normally make it through at least three planned chapters before they begin to run amok, and then, well, I either go along with what they want or put up a battle. – they normally win in the end. |
|
3. How long does it take for you to finish writing a book?
It normally takes me about four months. Mixed in are always edits of books I’ve turned in, and then my schedule gets really wacky when I have a release, which puts writing on the back burner for a while. After I turn in a book, though, I know I’ll be receiving content edits. I get those from my editing team and they concern things like character development, pacing, and occasionally, questions regarding whether or not I’ve finally lost my mind. After taking a week to let those suggestions fester, I normally end up rewriting a good portion of the book – a process that takes about six weeks. After that, I’m pretty much done. I get two sets of galleys which I read through about four times each, and then I’m done with the book forever.
It normally takes me about four months. Mixed in are always edits of books I’ve turned in, and then my schedule gets really wacky when I have a release, which puts writing on the back burner for a while. After I turn in a book, though, I know I’ll be receiving content edits. I get those from my editing team and they concern things like character development, pacing, and occasionally, questions regarding whether or not I’ve finally lost my mind. After taking a week to let those suggestions fester, I normally end up rewriting a good portion of the book – a process that takes about six weeks. After that, I’m pretty much done. I get two sets of galleys which I read through about four times each, and then I’m done with the book forever.
4. What do you do to inspire creativity?
I read a ton of non-fiction books about the Gilded Age. I get a lot of fodder from those, as well as get ideas from newspapers from the 1880’s. I recently discovered a fascinating book about orphanages in Pittsburgh during the turn of the century. Because of that book, I was able to add a twist to the lives of the orphans who show up in my latest series.
I read a ton of non-fiction books about the Gilded Age. I get a lot of fodder from those, as well as get ideas from newspapers from the 1880’s. I recently discovered a fascinating book about orphanages in Pittsburgh during the turn of the century. Because of that book, I was able to add a twist to the lives of the orphans who show up in my latest series.
|
5. What part of the writing process do you like the least? First drafts. I loathe them. There are just so many blank pages to fill. After I get to The End for the first time, and then go back and start editing, I’m in a much better frame of mind. Until that point, though, I’m a little neurotic – convince myself time after time I’m a total hack and should just go back to fashion. |
6. How do you choose your character names?
Contrary to popular belief, I don’t make up those names. I find them in old census records, old obituaries, and on the pages of the research books I read, especially the books centered around the New York Four Hundred. I can only use names, though, if the characters agree. I can’t tell you how many times I think I’ve found the perfect name, and then, two chapters in the character balks and I have to try something else. In my latest draft, the hero has been Collin, Ean, Duncan, Ian, Collum, and now he’s back to Ian. Not sure that’s still going to stick, but here’s hoping it does because I’m running out of names.
Contrary to popular belief, I don’t make up those names. I find them in old census records, old obituaries, and on the pages of the research books I read, especially the books centered around the New York Four Hundred. I can only use names, though, if the characters agree. I can’t tell you how many times I think I’ve found the perfect name, and then, two chapters in the character balks and I have to try something else. In my latest draft, the hero has been Collin, Ean, Duncan, Ian, Collum, and now he’s back to Ian. Not sure that’s still going to stick, but here’s hoping it does because I’m running out of names.
7. What part of the writing process do you like the most?
When I turn in the very last galley and know the book is out of my hands forever ?
When I turn in the very last galley and know the book is out of my hands forever ?
Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Jasmine. It’s always a pleasure visiting with you, and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the support you’ve given me over the years!
God Bless!
- Jen -
Jen Turano
|
Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her ninth full-length novel, “Out of the Ordinary” released in November 2017. Her next novel, “Caught by Surprise,” releases in July 2018. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO.
She can be found on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/ or visit her on the web at www.jenturano.com. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
Jen Turano
is graciously giving away a Print copy of her novel
Out Of The Ordinary
is graciously giving away a Print copy of her novel
Out Of The Ordinary
USA Only
|
RSS Feed
