Today’s Friday Five focus is Jeanne Felfe, author of women’s fiction short stories and novels.
Jeanne Felfe grew up in hurricane country and often writes as if a storm is at her back. A South Texas beach bunny—and still very much a Texan—she long ago transplanted to the Midwest, where she insists on growing tropical plants to feel at home. She’s going for a record for the longest engagement—she’s been perpetually engaged to her sweetie since 2008—with no plans to tie that knot. She writes stories from the heart, finding inspiration in songs and everyday life.
Bridge to Us is a cross between a women’s fiction life journey and a second chances romance. Julianne’s husband walked out; Jokob’s wife died. Together they must find a way to mend their broken hearts, bridge their differences and find love again.
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1. Where do your inspiration and ideas for your stories come from?
Quite often it’s a flash of inspiration out of the blue. Other times it might be a line in a song or a news story. My current work in progress is a cross between women’s fiction, coming of age, and suspense. That one came to me one morning while I was cooking breakfast. I had an image float through my head of the pastor’s son gone missing. When I asked what happened, this 14 year old Somali refugee began to tell me her story.
2. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
The gift of helping others through their darkest moments. I grew up with mental illness surrounding me, so it seems to be a knack of mine.
3. Is there a certain type of scene that’s harder for you to write than others? How do you deal with this?
Not really. I generally start with dialogue and build the scene around that. I know some authors have trouble writing deeply emotional scenes, but those seem to be my forte.
4. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had and why? What was the best thing about that job and why?
One week waiting tables at a newly opened Mexican food restaurant – because people can be mean and rude to waitstaff. I can’t think of anything good about it except that it helped me be extremely nice to waitstaff.
5. What’s your current writing project and what are your writing plans for the near future?
I’ve completed The Things We Do Not Speak Of up to the point of beta readers, and will be starting revisions based on that feedback. Once complete, I will be shopping for an agent. I’m currently researching to start writing suspense/thrillers and have begun book 1 in a series.
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Bridge to Us is currently available at Amazon. Connect with Jeanne on Twitter or Facebook.
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Good interview. I especially love to hear where others get their inspiration. :-)
Thanks for interviewing one of my favorite authors. Jeanne’s knowledge, insight, and willingness to help other writers inspires not only new writers but experienced ones looking to improve. Her willingness to address sensitive subjects, combined with well-developed story lines, makes anything she writes a must read.