About Jan Springer:
Hi! I’m Jan Springer and I write erotic romances full-time. I live in Ontario, Canada and I enjoy kayaking, hiking, photography, gardening, reading and writing. I am a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Writers Union of Canada.
What inspires you to write?
There’s always been a need inside of me to write. Ever since I can remember I was curious about the written word and what words meant. In Grade 10 an English teacher inspired me when he gave us creative writing assignments. He gave me good marks. Over the years I wrote off and on, nothing serious because back then I was told that writing was not a “profession” so I went to college, jobs…never finding anything satisfying. Then the internet came along…and the electronic publishing industry…and Ellora’s Cave. And now the indie-publishing industry…I’m one of those people who always likes to learn new things and the publishing industry is always changing. So it challenges me to keep up. I like challenges…they are for me very inspirational. 🙂
Tell us about your writing process.
I’m usually a seat of the pants kind of writer. When I write I don’t want to know what is coming next. I have an idea but I don’t know the full extent of what is happening chapter to chapter until I am writing a story – be it longhand or on the computer.
Recently I bought a huge whiteboard and I love it! Mainly I use it for the indie-publishing side of things. Writing on the board what I will be doing that day helps keep me sticking to my goals for the day- ie) a list of etailers I am submitting to. And then follow my list and check them off as I go.
I use Word to create my stories and I do create character sketches as it helps me to remember the small details of my characters. Especially in a series.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I usually find myself inside my characters head thinking of how they are reacting to what the other character(s) is doing. I visualize what my character is feeling, seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, etc…
What advice would you give other writers?
Hmmm I would say take plenty of breaks when you are in writing mode. Once I went into a writer’s high and it lasted four hours…I was so deep into the story that I thought I had written maybe half an hour and it turned out to be four hours…it was weird but very exciting too. But afterwards I ended up with a stiff neck and sore back. So yeah plenty of breaks such as puttering around the house for a few minutes, grabbing a coffee or taking a hike. It will save your health in the long run.
Another thing I would suggest is to read, especially books similar to what you are planning to write in the future. This will give you plenty of ideas for your own story.
When I first started writing seriously I needed quiet and there was none to be found in the house so I went out and wrote in my car. Every day I went out somewhere. Sometimes for up to eight hours. I packed a lunch and I found a spot to park my car – somewhere safe like a shopping mall parking lot or a popular park parking lot where I could get out and walk when I needed a break- and I wrote. Eventually I became addicted to writing and wrote in the car during snowstorms (make sure your car heater works and turn it on every so often), during thunderstorms, heatwaves and freezing days. I found my current cat during a really cold day in a park. She was lost and I invited her into my car. She refused to leave. LOL So I took her home.
Now I seem to be able to write with noise around me…so I don’t need to escape as often.
I wrote many of my earlier books in my car. So yeah, cars do come in handy if you have one.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I’m an introvert. I rarely socialize but back in the early 2000’s I was invited to go with a friend to a writer’s convention down in New Jersey (I’m in Ontario Canada). At the convention I took an erotica workshop where someone mentioned to check out Ellora’s Cave. I bought some of their books and realized wow! This is hot stuff…I can’t write this…and then a lightbulb went off and I started thinking – why not write this? LOL Their stories excited me and I soon was hooked on writing erotic romance (see post about addicted to writing and writing in my car lol). So I wrote and was accepted into Ellora’s Cave. Then the indie publishing industry came around…and I realized I could publish my own stuff and be in charge of what covers went onto my books and when my books came out. I was now in control of creating my book and everything else that comes with it. Hiring editors, cover artists etc…and keep a good chunk of the change for myself. (saving me $$$$ to put toward advertising),
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
The future of book publishing in my opinion is going to be bright. There are so many new ways to read a book and so many foreign markets opening up that an indie writer can go anywhere. The sky is the limit.
Even print books are making a comeback and I thought they were going extinct. I think as a reader there are going to be so many different types of books available that a reader will never get bored reading.
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary romance, erotica
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Jan Springer Home Page Link
Link To Jan Springer Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit, to allow you, the reader, to hear the author in their own voice.
