Jenna Greene is a YA/children’s author from Alberta, Canada. Her elementary students keep her busy. But when she isn’t teaching or writing, she enjoys dance and dragonboat racing. She is known for her Reborn Marks series, as well as her picture book, Winston, The Well-Dressed Wombat.
An excerpt from Reborn
From birth, Lexil is counted among the marked, souls who have lived before and must now serve those who are on their first lives. Which means she’s doomed to a life of slavery with its hard labors and brutal punishments. A life she’s learning to endure.
But when the marked child she’s befriended is faced with a fate worse than death, Lexil decides to fight back. No matter the risk, no matter the cost.
Her only hope is to flee to the Wastelands with the one person she trusts, Finn. As he leads them through the deadly lands, she realizes that there are only two classes of people in the dangerous wilds, the hunters and the hunted. And among them, those who carry the knowledge of what it truly means to be a Reborn.
Why do you write in the genre(s) that you do?
I am a teacher, so it’s no great leap to understand why I write for children and youth. They are able to accept the possibilities of the world with less skepticism and have an open mind about ideas. They are naturally creative and want to explore the ‘what ifs’ of the world.
Do you keep a notebook of ideas?
I do. Of course, these notebooks disappear from time to time, so I need to find a better system. And I have dozens of empty notebooks laying around that are just “too pretty” to be written in. I have a gorgeous Beauty and the Beast one from Disneyland that sits on my shelf, and I admire it from afar.
Are you a fan of the Oxford comma?
I am! I will stay loyal and true to the Oxford comma until the seas bleed yellow and the moon really turns into cheese. Team Oxford Comma For Life!
Fill in the blank: People will like your book if they like stories about…”
Ordinary people who are thrust into extraordinary situations and discover they have a wealth of power within.
What are your thoughts on typewriters?
Love them. I started writing my first stories when I was eight or nine years old, and I used my mom’s old typewriter. There’s a nice feeling to the firmness of the keys and the “ding” when you finish a line. Man! I wish I still had a typewriter.
Would you rather own a bookstore or run a library?
Um… can I do both? I think bookstore though. Then, if I found a rare book, I could keep it.
How do you name your characters? Or, if you write non-fiction and had to change names, how did you change the names?
Character names come from so many places: towns, typos, last names changed into first names. I adore creating character names.
If Hollywood bought the rights to your book, would you want it to be turned into a movie or series?
Oh. That’s a tough one. I think my Imagine series would make a good television series. It has enough scope. There are so many characters, cultures, and places that could be expanded on. I think Reborn would make a brilliant movie. Now, who would they cast as Lexil?
How many words or pages do you typically write in one writing session?
Actually, not that many. I write in short spurts. I’ll sit and write for 30 minutes to an hour at a time. I have to daydream a scene (or partial scene) and then type it, then go for a walk, or stare into space, until the next portion is ready. In the summer, when I have more free time, I’ll do 2-4 sessions a day.
Do you have any writing rituals?
I wear a tiara when editing. It makes the process slightly more enjoyable.
What do you like to read? How often do you read?
I am an eclectic reader. Currently I am reading a YA book (The Princess Trials) and a classic (The Name of the Rose). Next, I’ll probably read a non-fiction book and a modern thriller. I love all books.
Who would you most want to read your book?
Anyone who loves a character that doesn’t see herself as a hero, though she possesses the humility, fortitude, and strength to be exactly what people need.
Do you like to physically write on paper?
I do, but typing is faster and when my thoughts start to flow, I need to get them out as fast as I can. I tend to use paper for notes (character quotes, scene notes, etc). I have them laying around the house. Post-it notes crowd my writing space.
What is your ideal writing space?
I can write anywhere at nearly any time, but my current writing space is pretty nice. I have a wide chair across from two book shelfs, a bright lamp, and a bay window that shows a view of trees. What could be more inspirational than that?
Have you ever gone away to work on a piece of writing?
If not, where would you go if you could? I wish! Gosh, can I find an excuse to travel to the English countryside to pen my next novel?
What is an annoying thing that a non-writer has assumed about writers or the act of writing?
That editing is easy. “Don’t you just send it to an editor and it comes back fixed?” people say. The answer to that is, “NO!”
Editing is a lot of work, and takes a great deal of time. I edit my novels 5-10 times. I work with an amazing editor, but there is still a lot of work on my part, even with her suggestions.
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Loved the sounds of this book and the chance to read this fun interview!
Thanks for reading!