Friday Featured Author Interview: Jan Scarbrough
Today, I am so happy to have fellow Turquoise Morning Press author, Jan Scarbrough, here for my Friday Featured Author Interview. Before we get down to the Q & A, have a look at Jan’s biography.
Jan Scarbrough
Jan Scarbrough is the author of the popular Bluegrass Reunion series, writing heartwarming contemporary romances about family and second chances, and if the plot allows—horses. Living in the horse country of Kentucky makes it easy for Jan to add small town, Southern charm to her books, and the excitement of a horse race or a competitive horse show. A member of Novelist, Inc., Jan has published with Kensington, Five Star, ImaJinn Books, Resplendence Publishing and Turquoise Morning Press.
Visit Jan at http://www.janscarbrough.com
Sign up for Jan’s newsletter http://www.janscarbrough.com/contact/
You can also follow Jan on Twitter @romancerider
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/janscarbrough
Now…For the interview!
Tell us about your latest release?
Kentucky Blue Bloods is the eighth book in my Bluegrass Reunion series for Resplendence Publishing. The books stand alone with the theme of second chances. All set in Kentucky, I add a horse or two whenever I can.
The most fun part about writing Kentucky Blue Bloods was the research. I read several books on the horse industry in Lexington. I also took a private tour of horse farms, a rehab facility and Keeneland as part of the research. I also met Monarchos, the 2001 Kentucky Derby winner, and got to feed him peppermints. You can read about my experience and see pictures at my blog.
Are you a plotter or pantser?
For those of you who don’t know, pantser refers to those authors who write by the seat of their pants. Because I always start with a basic chart, I never thought I was a pantser until an online instructor told me I am.
She’s right! If I try to fill in detailed character grids or create a step-by-step outline, my mind clogs up. The ideas get stuck somewhere else. The story is miserable.
My best bet is to take the bare bones and start writing. Somehow the characters start driving the story. What happens and how it happens gets fleshed out. I’ve gotten better at it over the years. I’m learning to trust what comes.
What was the most difficult part of the publishing process for you?
The actual writing. Seeing the blank screen and putting down the words. Revising is easy. I don’t mind being edited. It’s the initial story, fitting the puzzle pieces together, that’s the hardest.
How about the most fun?
I’m not sure sometimes where the words come from my mind. They just sort of flow through my fingertips to the computer keyboard and onto the screen. It’s like magic. My medium friend tells me my spirit guides help me write. She even tells me I channel as I write. That’s fun. When you are surprised by what comes out on the computer screen.
What inspired you to write your first book?
Seriously, I almost died. I was in intensive care four days. My family didn’t think I would make it. So after I got well, I thought it was time to fulfill my dreams. I took a writing class with Karen Robards and then started doing it. Tangled Memories was one of my first books. In it, I describe my experience through the eyes of the heroine. One of my other first books is Kentucky Flame. Ms. Robards said to start each book with a life-threatening incident, so I stared that book with a barn fire.
Do you have any writing rituals? (Time of day to write, must have beverages? Etc.?)
No. Just finding the time is hard enough. Day jobs are necessary but time-consuming.
Who is your go-to author, the one you know you can always count on to deliver a great story?
C.J. Box – I love his Joe Picket series. My husband and I listen to his audio books when we travel.
What projects are you working on at the present?
A believe in second chances, I’m revising Betting on Love. I also have the rights back to My Lord Raven and Tangled Memories. These books have already gotten new covers, but I’m going to give them another polish before self-publishing them. I’m a better writer today than when I wrote them.
What do your plans for future projects include?
I owe Turquoise Morning Press a book in the Montana McKenna’s series called Mercer. Then I want to work on a new series set in Kentucky at a horse farm.
Check out Jan’ Bluegrass Reunion series!
The Bluegrass Reunion novels are heartwarming, contemporary romances about family and second chances. Each romance stands alone.
The Bluegrass Reunion Series was published in this order, but each romance stands alone:
Kentucky Cowboy—She dumped him in high school, because he was a risk-taker.
Kentucky Woman—She loved him when she was a teenager, but they never connected.
Kentucky Flame—She had his baby, but he left not knowing the truth.
Kentucky Groom—She can’t afford to fall in love with a lowly groom.
Kentucky Bride—She rejected him once, but he’s willing to try again.
Kentucky Heat—She doesn’t need to take on another project, but he won’t take no for an answer. (Sequel to Kentucky Bride.)
Kentucky Rain—She has responsibilities to her daughter and herself, not to the handsome guy next door. (Sequel to Kentucky Cowboy.)
Kentucky Blue Bloods—She wants to save the family horse farm, but he has other ideas.
