Talkshow Thursday: Meet Jenna Victoria
I'm pleased to introduce you to Jenna Victoria, author of the newly released War of the Heart. Thanks for visiting, Jenna!
Linda: How long have you been writing, and when did
you decide to pursue publication?
Jenna: Back in the
year of the dinosaurs (ha!) I began first in non-fiction as a reporter for my
high school newspaper. I pursued journalism studies in college and worked as a
reporter for many years before switching to write romantic Christian fiction.
I've always felt God wanted me to use my abilities for His glory.
LM: Where did you
find your inspiration for your story?
Jenna: In War of the
Heart, with the help of a holiday snow globe, my American heroine Louise and
British hero George go back in time to 1940's England. They, along with all of
the country, face incredible deprivation and trials during Christmas in WWII--
yet their collective spirit is one of hope and incredible patriotism. I sensed
many people today needed to read a story with that same message of
encouragement and perseverance, as life is hard.
LM: Do you have
an unusual research story to share?
Jenna: I disliked
history in school, but was immediately drawn to details of "Blitzmas"
in London, as the holiday season became known, in December 1940. I wanted to be
accurate in my overall depiction. Every moment of newsreel footage and every photograph
showed Londoners filled with hope and ingenuity, going about their days and fearful
nights with optimism. They carried boxes with gas masks when they went outside and
made meals out of the few ingredients allowed in rationing, yet were determined
to carry on. I was especially encouraged by photographs of parties being held
in tube (subway) stations used as bomb shelters on Christmas eve, with children
being thrilled with makeshift decorations and sightings of Father Christmas. I
wrote a (hopefully) realistic party scene taking place in one of those tube stations
on Christmas eve as these stories touched my heart.
LM: The age old
question for writers-are you a “pantster” or a plotter?
Jenna: I used to
proudly wave my "write-by-the-seat-of-my-pants" pantser flag but have
realized it causes me more editing problems later if I don't at least plot out
each chapter in a general way ahead of time. So now I'm a hybrid flag waver.
LM: What is your
favorite scene in the story?
Jenna: Louise and
George try to use the same method of returning to the current time period as
they encountered while being sent to 1940 to begin with. Let's just say things
don't go as planned. It was fun writing about their attempts. I'll let the
readers find out if they are successful or not.
LM: What is your
next project?
Jenna: I'm finishing
up "Love Among the Lilacs," a contemporary love story where two
elderly spinsters meddle in the lives of their beloved nephew and a skittish,
pretty stranger in Grady Cove, New York.
LM: What are your
passions outside of writing?
Jenna: I use social
media to inform women about metastatic breast cancer (MBC for short), which
affects 30% of patients who receives a breast cancer diagnosis. More than
40,000 women die every year, with virtually no research dollars going towards
MBC. We call it the "pink" secret. We are already aware of breast
cancer. We need to move from education to a cure!
I've been a recurrent
metastatic breast cancer patient for over four years now. God has given me
strength to get through each surgery and continuing chemo treatment--even
today--with praise and giving Him all the glory for every blessing in life. Most
of all that I am still here.
Linda: What else do you want folks to know about you?
Jenna: I'm a sucker for a
happily-ever-after, whether in romance books or in movies but I also enjoy action-adventure
films where good overcomes evil. So if you
ever want someone to watch a rerun with you of Sleepless in Seattle, a
Hallmark Channel flick (especially at Christmas!), The Lord of the Rings, Star
Wars, or any Marvel superhero
blockbuster (Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, Ant-Man), I'm your girl!
Connect with Jenna:
Follow my website and blog: www.jennavictoria.com
Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jennavictori
Follow my author page on Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/jennavictoria
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