Author Janette Kenny

Frequently asked questions

Q. What made you decide to write a book?

There wasn't one defining moment. Writing a novel is a dream I'd harbored most of my life. I'd dabbled in freelance writing and had success with articles, but I was a voracious fiction reader and had stories of my own that demanded to be told.

Q. Why did you pick the romance genre, and especially historical romance?

I started reading historical romances and fell in love with the larger than life characters of the past, as well as learning about the fascinating facts of history that we didn't learn in school. So writing historical romance was a natural fit for me. However, I love mystery/suspense as well, and I always incorporate those elements in my stories.

Q. What's the market for romance?

Well over a billion in total sales each year. Romance novels have comprised over 50% of popular fiction sold in North America, and around 40% of all popular fiction sold. Romance Writers of America has the latest stats on the market.

Q. What’s the hardest part about writing?

Writing the first draft. I don't do intensive plotting or draw up character charts-—I've tried and just can't wrap my brain around that technique—so I learn the important things about my characters as I write, which often results in a total rewrite of my early chapters.

Q. What's a typical day-in-the-life-of a writer like?

I get a mug of coffee, check my email, then read a few favorite blogs—a combination of author journals and industry ones just to keep up to date on news. After breakfast, I get to work on my current work-in-progress and work straight through until late afternoon. When I'm on deadline, I often go right back to the computer after dinner and pound away until the words no longer make sense which is often in the wee hours of the morning.

Q. How do you get your story ideas?

From life. I'm a people watcher, and I'll usually read about or see someone who'll spark an idea. Then I play with that situation, letting the germ grow through a series of what-ifs until I come up with conflicted characters.

Q. Are your stories historically accurate?

As much as I can make them. I do extensive research, but there will always be gray areas in history that can't be authenticated. I've also found sources who don't agree on something, and unless I can find a tie-breaker, I have to make a choice. Then there are those times when an author has to take literary license to make a plot work.

Q. How long does it take from story idea to finished novel?

Six months is the most comfortable time frame for me, though I've done it in less.

Q. How did you go about selling your first novel?

After failing to find an agent interested in representing western historical romance, I submitted a partial to an editor. A month later, she offered me a two-book contract.

Q. In reading, what is your favorite genre?

Romance in all its subgenres, followed by straight mysteries.

Q. What are you writing now?

I'm working on another western historical romance, plus I'm getting proposals together for two more historical romance trilogies.