Take 5 with author Jenny B. Jones

Jenny B. Jones is one of my favorite people in the whole world—even though we’ve yet to meet in person.  But because of her personal blog, warm personality, and ever-humorous Tweets, Jen has convinced me that she’s wonderful.  Then there are her books Just Between You and Me (read my review) and her Bella Kirkwood series (I’m So Sure, So Over My Head, So Not Happening), which are all sassy and excellent reads.  I’m so sure her other books are good, too; I just haven’t read them…yet.  Because I read her blog, Jenny B. Jones agreed to “Take 5” with Backseat Writer. (I had to send her a box of Swedish fish, too.)

Like many writers, you have a day job.  What do you do when you’re not living the glamorous writer’s life?

Oh, please. When am I not living the glamorous life? Today’s fab achivements included scooping the litter box, taking out the trash, and screwing up some driving directions and getting lost for an hour in the middle of nowhere. Pretty much the same life Paris Hilton has.

Beyond that, I love to read obviously. And I adore seeing plays and musicals. Love to travel. This summer I’m going to Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. I watch a little Glee and Castle.

Both your books and your blog are full of humor and wit.  What made you laugh recently?

Well, thank you. I’m a high school teacher, and my kids make me laugh on a regular basis. Life just makes me laugh—the unscripted stuff, you know? Funny is everywhere. Oh, wait, I know. I mentioned this on Twitter/Facebook, but I was visiting Springfield, MO this weekend, and I went to one of their health food stores. Before I hit the road again, I stopped by their bathroom. It was a small room, but one whole wall was dedicated to fiber information. Very informative. That made me laugh. It was even all pretty and framed in this gigantic frame. Like fiber info art. In a bathroom.

What I find interesting about your books is this—although you have Christian characters in your books, they aren’t super Christians.  They seem like the real men and women I interact with on a daily basis.  How did you develop your rich characters?

What a confidence booster you are. (We should talk more often…)  It’s really important to me that my characters, whether teen or women, sound like people I know. I don’t hang out with perfect people. I don’t sit next to church with squeaky clean, unrealistic people. I think we’d all LIKE to be super Christians in terms of being as much like Christ as possible, but that doesn’t mean we want to be disconnected from those around us or act like Stepford Wives.

I think I’m very character driven. I tend to analyze people and size them up quickly, so everyone is basically a character in my head. I’m very people aware, so that’s why when I write, it’s important to develop some strong or well rounded characters. I don’t really mind if someone can’t recall the name of one of my books, but I don’t want my characters to be forgettable.

The Christian market is flooding with talented new writers. I love your work because it’s fresh and sassy.  What encouragement do you have for new writers who want to break into publishing?

There are more books and more writers out there, so it can get discouraging for someone wanting to break in. But that just means it’s a great time to write a book that is special and going to stand out. No matter how many books are being published or authors being signed, publishers and agents are always open to writing that blows them away. And get proactive. Go to writer’s conferences. Read great books. Stay up on blogs relevant to your genre and publishing. Find a critique group.  I went to a book event today and sat by a debut author. That could be you….

Why should people read your amazing and wonderful blog?

Because I’ll pay them?

Because we talk about hard-hitting topics like spandex and doughnuts?

Because you do it, and they should be a follower?

Because I’ll be their very best friend?

Because every time you click on my blog, an angel gets its wings?

Because you got lost on the way to Meg Cabot’s blog?

So many reasons. But we have a lot of fun over on the blog, and I love, love, love my blogger friends who stop by. It means a lot to me, and I feel like we have a little community. We should probably get membership cards and t-shirts. Take a group photo. Maybe get matching tattoos?

For more information on Jenny B. Jones, visit her online at jennybjones.com, read her zippity blog, and buy all her books (even if you already own ‘em!)

Book Review:: Just Between You and Me by Jenny B. Jones

Jenny B. Jones’ novel, Just Between You and Me, has all the elements of a good book—quirky, realistic characters, an interesting plot with many twists and turns, colorful dialogue, and deep, dark family secrets that keep the reader moving forward for answers.  At any point, Just Between You and Me could turn into just another chick lit book.  Instead, Jones’ infusion of humor and wit place her among a growing number of writers who can weave together a good tale without turning their novels into a thinly veiled evangelistic tract.

Jones’ main character, Maggie Montgomery, is a former “mean girl” all grown up.  The successful cinematographer left her small hometown of Ivy, Texas behind as she made a new life for herself in Chicago.  A sudden family emergency causes Maggie to come face to face with an entire town she’s wronged (but doesn’t remember wronging) with the antics of her youth.  And, boy, do these people hold a grudge!  And it seems like her 10 year-old niece, Riley, is following right in her aunt’s footsteps.

Refusing to shy away from issues like mental illness (schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder), drug addiction, and dysfunctional families, Just Between You and Me has depth and dimension.  The characters are quirky and full of life.  The dialogue is sharp and amusing, especially between Maggie and her love interest, Ivy veterinarian Dr. Connor Blake.  In fact, it is Maggie’s internal thoughts that move the narrative forward as she offers thoughts on junk food (SweeTarts are a fave), her interactions with Dr. Hottie, and her prayers to God.  Plus, unlike other chick lit heroines, Maggie isn’t a shopaholic, drunk, or skank.

Jones expertly infuses Maggie’s Christianity into Just Between You and Me.  Instead of offering overtones to make this passable Christian fiction or a full-on battle for the reader’s soul, Maggie lives a very normal Christian life—doing daily devotions, going to church, and praying to God.  Jones doesn’t sugarcoat the Christian life, nor does she water it down.  In fact, it’s a near-perfect example of a woman wrestling with God’s Will while trying to figure out how to help her family, especially her emotionally distant father and drug addicted sister.

Just Between You and Me is refreshing contemporary fiction with a strong moral backbone—one that doesn’t dissolve into “Little House on the Prairie” type romanticism. Excellent writing, hilarious dialogue, and a good plot, Jenny B. Jones’ books are just as good as her blog (read it!).  And that’s saying a lot.

*A review copy of this book was provided to me by Jenny B. Jones because she’s cool like that.*