An Interview with Jan Christensen: Author
Sylvia: Welcome Jan. Please give our readers an introduction of yourself and a little about your book.
Jan: Hello Sylvia, my name is Jan Christensen and I grew up in New Jersey and now live in Texas. My published novels include Sara’s Search, Revelations, Organized To Death, Perfect Victim and Blackout. I’ve had over fifty short stories appear in various places over the last dozen years, two of which were nominated for a Derringer Award. I mainly enjoy writing mysteries, but every once in a while step out of that comfort zone and go for something else, blogging about personal organization and the writing life, for example.
Sylvia: You are truly a ‘serial writer.’ Congratulations on your success. What inspired you to write your first book?
Jan: My first book is sitting on my computer in separate chapters, in plain text format. I’m not even sure I have all the chapters anymore because they have been transferred so many times to different computers. I was inspired to write it because I wanted to write about a writer and a singer falling in love for some reason. It was sort of an edgy romance. But I decided it needed something, so I threw in a murder. Thus was born, Jan Christensen, mystery writer.
Sylvia: Awww, romance with a twist! Sounds intriguing. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Jan: I’ve written seven novels since the first one. I notice the theme of friendship runs through most of them. But like many mystery writers, justice is a major theme in all of them.
Sylvia: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Jan: Yes. Write every day. Read other people’s stuff every day. Polish until you’re sick of it, and then, send it out into the world!
Sylvia: That’s great advice and many author s whom Ive interviewed have given similar advice. What marketing techniques have you used to sell your books and which ones have been most successful?
Jan: I almost do it all as far as social media is concerned: Facebook, Twitter, a bi-weekly blog, a couple of lists with writers I’m on. I’ve done signings with mixed results, a book fair, library talks. Best one was the library talk and an independent bookstore signing where the owner publicized the talk/signing really well beforehand.
Sylvia: Why should we buy your books?
Jan: Because I think they’re fun to read.
Sylvia: Is there a special place that you prefer when you write?
Jan: Lounge chair, feet up, laptop in lap.
Sylvia: What projects are you currently working on?
Jan: My fifth novel, BLACKOUT, is just out. Next up is the second in my Tina Shaw series about a personal organizer-the first draft is about halfway done.
Sylvia: Sounds like a modern day romance with a twist. I would be interested in reading that one. What is your POWER WORD? Why this word?
Jan: NOW stands for Just Do It Now, do it for Future Jan, and if not now, when?
Sylvia: Jan its been great! Thank you for taking time to share your story! Please share your social media and book contact information.
Jan: Sylvia, thank you for the opportunity.
- Website: http://www.
janchristensen.com - Blog: http://www.
janchristensen.com/blog - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/jan.christensen. 9275 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
JanSChristensen - Pinterest: http://pinterest.
com/janchristensena/ - Goodreads: http://www.
goodreads.com/author/show/ 463095.Jan_Christensen - Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/
Jan-Christensen/e/B004XTXSYO/ ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Sylvia Browder is CEO of Specialty Home Services LLC, a Home Improvement Company; a Small Business Consultant at Browder Consulting Group, a startup consultancy firm to help women with startup assistance, marketing, website and graphic design work and other support services. In addition, she has co-authored several published books; publisher of ‘Sylvia Browder’s Blog for Women Entrepreneurs’ a lifestyle blog; and publisher of ShopSpendBlack.com Business Directory & Blog platform created to help consumers find black owned businesses in a searchable format. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 30 years; 5 adult children and 5 grandchildren; church; friends and motorcycle riding.
This is a great interview. I wish Jan much good luck with her books.
Thanks, Carol, and thank you, Sylvia, for having me here. It’s been a pleasure.