Interview with Jennifer Kitchens
JENNIFER KITCHENS
When did you first decide you wanted to write?
I honestly didn’t grow up with a burning desire to write. In fact, as a child I was quite bad at it. I have always liked to read, though. I would often create sequels or alternate endings to books in my head. My husband encouraged me, since I enjoyed it so much, to try writing. So I gave it a shot, and after much stumbling I finally finished my first first book.
Did you get nervous the first time you put your work out there?
YES. I think I was nervous the first time I let my husband read a few chapters. I was nervous the first time I sent my manuscript to someone to edit. And I was nervous to publish my book and have it available for anyone. Though obviously it didn’t stop me, but I had to have a few extra bowls of chocolate ice cream to help me through the anxious hours waiting to see if someone liked my work.
What is your favorite genre to write?
Romance. I like regency (obviously) and it is working for me now. I may branch out in the future, but I’ll stay in the romance genre.
What is your favorite genre to read?
Romance. 
I like all kinds of romance – regency, medieval, paranormal, young adult, fantasy, etc. So long as it’s clean and romantic, I’m in! I think historical and paranormal are my favorites, but I like them all. I do sometimes read other genres, but not often.
Do you have a favorite author?
No. To be honest. I like so many books that it is so hard to pick. I am a reviewer as well so I read hundreds of books and couldn’t possibly narrow it down.
Is there something you want to write about, that you haven’t yet?
I would love to do a story that involved either time-travel or ghosts. I always enjoy books with those elements, but haven’t tried it yet. Maybe next time….
What is one silly fact about you?
I love eating Reese’s Peanut Butter cups upside-down and frozen. It’s just not the same otherwise.
Do you have a favorite character you have written so far?
From A Lady By Any Other Name, my favorite character is Nicole – the female protagonist.
Does that reflect anyone you know?
Nicole is a lot like me. She’s shy and doesn’t always act so much as react to situations. She’s emotional and yet is strong when she needs to be. Wow, that was humble. Lol. But seriously, I often imagined myself in her situations and then wrote how I would act (or would have acted when I was her age).
Spaghetti or Lasagna and why?
Lasagna. Alfredo Lasagna. I’m not a huge fan of tomato-based sauce, so I’d go with alfredo lasagna – yum!
If you could meet a character from any novel who would it be?
Hmmm….there is always one question that stumps me and this is the one. I guess I would have to say Bran from the The Dark Is Rising Series by Susan Cooper. I loved those books as a kid and my twelve-year-old heart fell in love with the cute boy who is really the Pendragon and saves the world.
Anything you want to say the aspiring writers reading the blog?
Don’t give up. It may take you a long time. You may take a break and then go back to it. You might get a lethal critique that is hard to swallow. You might get a bad review. So what? If you like it, keep working. Eventually you will get your story to the point that it’s finished, you like it, and other people like it. Then, if the process didn’t kill you, do it again!
A Lady By Any Other Name
Her Debut Novel
A Woman in Hiding
Nicole Farrington’s life had never been easy, but it had always been bearable. At least it had been until now. Faced with a horrible marriage her step-brother has contracted for her, she will do anything to get away. She’ll run…run to anyone who might be able to help her. But running blindly down an unknown path may take her to an unexpected destination.
A Man Seeking Answers
Julian Huntington, Earl of Foxley, wants nothing more than to have his carefree life back. Now he is left with a title, a child, and a future that he never expected would be his. He refuses to believe his brother’s death was an accident, no matter what people say. Someone killed him and Julian plans to find out who and why. Maybe then he can go on with his life…his brother’s life. But will the answers he seeks be enough, or will he find love to be a worthier goal?
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Contact Her
Thanks for having me!