"From Daydreams to Drafts: My Journey Inspired by 'Black Beauty'"

1.     What book or event made you realize you needed to write a book?

                I’ve always been a nerd who loved to read. I’ve never been good at math (I still can’t do it), but I loved stories. I spent class time (especially during math) daydreaming. My teachers always added on my report card, “She’s smart but often distracted.” Yup. Still am. When we were given a writing assignment I’d turn in way more pages than was required. My spelling and grammar were horrible, and I was often given a split grade. An “A” for content and an “F” for the rest. The book that most struck a nerve with me was “Black Beauty” by Anna Sewell. It was the first time I connected and seriously empathized with a character. The POV was from Black Beauty, an animal without a voice. It tore my heart out to imagine him feeling pain and not being able to express it. I wanted to bring Black Beauty home and take care of him, let him know he was loved. As a teen, I bought two horses - with babysitting money - from the Human Society. Candy was $25. and was skin and bones. Sadly, I lost her in an ice storm. (crushing for a twelve-year-old). Baron cost $88.50. The Humane Society had fined the owner for neglect. He was a fireball. Mean, aggressive, and hard to control. We were perfect for each other! I’ve never forgotten Black Beauty and appreciate the compassion Anna Sewell conveyed. It made me realize how a character should tell their story.

2.      If you could go back in time and give yourself advice about writing, what would it be? READ, READ, READ! Tell the story. Forget about technique - that will come. Bring your characters to life on the page. Write from your soul, and readers will relate.

3.      Does writing energize or exhaust you? Both. I feel compelled to write, but sometimes, I get ticked off at the characters for taking over the story and changing the plot. (They’re usually right!)

4.    What was your hardest scene to write? In all my books, it’s the last chapter where I try to tie up any loose ends. But mostly, I’ll miss the characters that I’d spent so much time with.

5.     At what point do you think someone should call themselves a writer? I’d like to think when a writer types “the end.” But as we all know, that’s only the beginning.

6.     What is the most difficult part of your writing process?  Writing.

7.     What are the most important elements of good writing? Show, don’t tell. I hate that phrase, too, but when the writer finally understands it, it’s like a light bulb moment. It’s still not easy. I try to see the story through the character's eyes, like a scene in a movie.

8.     What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why? The plot mostly. But before I know it the characters control the story.

9.     Which of the characters do you relate to the most and why? In Dance Like You Mean It, I relate mostly to Cassie. A working mom juggling day-to-day life but wants to live her dream of being a writer.  I put my heart and soul into her, realizing she’s living my life.

10.  What is a significant way your book has changed since the first draft? Oh, everything! My first draft was a scorching hot mess. I had no idea how to construct a story, so I took classes and wrote other novels before I went back and started over again with Dance Like You Mean It. I loved the story and the characters and knew it was a great book. I also have to credit wonderful critique partners, skilled editors, and a patient publisher. Birthing a book into the world is truly a team effort. 

Jeanne's book, Dance Like You Mean It, is available through our bookstore and online book retailers. Learn more about Jeanne on her author page.