Q1 Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?
A1. My name is Jenna Greene and I am a children’s/ middle grade/ young adult author. (What are adults? Ew). I have been writing for 25 + years, which is odd because certainly I can’t be that old! I raise two stubborn and sassy ‘tweens and teach full time in Southern Alberta. I’m a dedicated dragonboat coach and semi-clumsy dancer.
Q2 What would you say is your strength as an author?
A2. I think my world-building is fairly strong. Even if I write in a contemporary setting, there is likely a fantastical twist. I love dystopian literature and people who are pulled through portals. The empowerment of youth through literature, as the characters rise to challenges they never thought they could endure, is fascinating to write, especially when I get to thrown magic and creatures and foreign societies at them. It’s invigorating.
Q3 What is your favorite part from your book ‘Broken Realm’?
A3. I think I like the fact that these two characters, Briggs and Keely, grow and learn together. While disparate in personality and ability, they reflect the opposites attract and opposites empower vibe that comes when someone recognizes your difference and is proud of it, instead of threatened by it. They grow from strangers to enemies to partners and saviors… and eventually fall in love. (Although that love is threatened, of course)
Q4 How do you handle literary criticism?
A4. Stephen King’s writing isn’t my cup of tea, but I doubt he’s crying into his coffee every morning, wondering why I won’t read Misery. Art is subjective. It is personal. It is open to interpretation and digestion. People are allowed to like/ dislike a genre, a narrative, or a character. It’s not the end of the world if someone doesn’t like my writing style or topic because, as a reader, I don’t like every book I encounter. Writers, like dancers and actors, need to develop a thick skin. Criticism is necessary to improve art. Writers need an audience, who are allowed an opinion.
Q5 What do you like about audiobooks?
A5. I drive for a long period of time each day, so they are nice to fit into my schedule. And hearing a voice narrate a tale, instead of the one in my head, is enjoyable, as it is another layer of interpretation of the story.
Q6 How has the experience of writing and publishing a book influenced your perception of yourself?
A6. I think I’ve gained some confidence, which has allowed me to take more risks with my writing and become a more ruthless editor. I trust my ideas and process more, allowing for better quality of work.
Q7 What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
A7. A good plot is a must, with dimensions of conflict. There needs to be a variety of internal and external conflict, with the impact of decisions having repercussions. Characters need to feel natural, with as many flaws as strengths, just like true people. It takes a while for writers to find their niche, whether that be poetry, short story, genre, age group.
Q8 What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
A8. I spend most of my time daydreaming, which means staring into space or going for a walk. The actual writing of the scene at my computer is the lesser part of the process. I go scene-by-scene for the most part, though I have over-arching themes and plot that guide me. I am not quite a plotter and not quite a pantser. I guess I’m a planser? Honestly, each book goes on its own journey, with each process being a bit different for each tale. Some I’ve written in 2-3 weeks. Others have taken years.
Q9 What is the significance of the title ‘Broken Realm’?
A9. The idea that a reality has been shattered is found all over literature. In the case of Keely and Briggs, this is both figurative and literal, as their innocence is stripped and so is their physical home. They have to endure great shifts and trials while they help to heal an unfamiliar realm.
Q10 What did you want to be when you grew up?
A10. I wanted to be a fairy princess. I think a writer is a fine back-up.
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