Author Interview ; Jenny Hilborne
Ordinary Girlz Book Reviews Interviews this week’s feature Indie author
Jenny Hilborne, author of the books Hide and Seek, Madness and Murder, No
Alibi
1) Tell us a little about your book, what it’s
about?
Jenny: In Hide and Seek a simple game turns into a complex mystery
when a guest disappears from a celebration. Detectives must decide if she was
abducted, murdered, or faked her own disappearance, and why. At the center of
the investigation is a lingerie bar where the victim once
worked.
2) What genre is this current book, do you write in any other
genres?
Jenny: Hide and Seek is a
mystery/suspense.
3) When did you first decide you wanted to be a writer, at what
age?
Jenny: I dabbled with stories as a kid, and wrote my first serious
work in 2007
4) Do you have a day job or do you write exclusively?
Jenny: Until August 2012, I worked full time in the
finance industry. I now
write exclusively.
5) When did you start writing your first book?
Jenny: I wrote Madness and Murder in
2007.
6) How long does it take you to write a book?
Jenny: The first draft takes me about 6-10 months, and is followed by
numerous rounds of editing. From start to finish, I spend 18 months to 2 years
on each book.
7) Do you have an outline when you write or Do you just write and see
where it goes?
Jenny: I write whatever comes into my head when I sit down. I can’t
outline anything more than a working title (which is subject to change), and a
motive for murder.
8) What is your writing process like; do you have any weird quirks when
writing?
Jenny: I need absolute silence to focus when I write. No noise, other
than the character voices chattering in my head.
9) What kind of research went into this book, tell me a little bit
about that process.
Jenny: I do a lot of online research, and also out in the field,
including ride-alongs with the police and talking to law enforcement for answers
to procedural questions.
10) What is the most interesting thing you learned about while writing
your books?
Jenny: Good question. I’ve learned the more books I write, the harder
the process gets. With multiple books, it’s easy to find repetition creeping in,
and I work hard to avoid this and keep things
fresh.
11) What motivated you to tell this story?
Jenny: I played Hide and Seek as a teen out in the dark countryside and
it was much creepier than the usual childhood game. I always wanted to use it as
a plot.
12) How have you marketed this book?
Jenny: in the UK, my hometown magazine, Swindon Link, has kindly
featured all my books. I also use social media, sell face-to-face and attend
book festivals in the US.
13) Do you have any other work out?
Jenny: Hide and Seek is my 3rd mystery/thriller, following Madness and
Murder and No Alibi. Madness and Murder and Hide and Seek are both part of the
Mac Jackson mystery series, although both can easily be read as stand
alones.
14) What projects are you working on now?
Jenny: I’m currently in the UK working on my 4th mystery, Stone Cold,
which is set in the beautiful rural English
Cotswolds.
15) What has been your toughest criticism? What has been your
best?Compliment as an author?
Jenny: The toughest criticism came in the form of numerous rejection
letters prior to acceptance from a publisher. Most agents don’t give an author
any kind of feedback, just a blunt note to inform you ‘no thanks.’ That is tough
to handle. The best compliment comes in many forms form all the readers who have
enjoyed my work and kindly taken the time to leave me a review. Those are
wonderful and lift an author’s spirits.
16) What do you do when you’re not writing?
Jenny: I read a lot, enjoy movies, a glass of wine, and tie with
family.
17) What do your friends and family think of your writing, have they
been supportive?
Jenny: Most are very supportive. My family is also my biggest
critics.
18) Do you hear from your reader much, what has the feed back been
like?
Jenny: Feedback from readers is mixed. Some love my work and many
requested the return of Mac Jackson (which is the reason he came back in Hide
and Seek). I’ve also had my share of 1 star reviews. Mostly, the feedback has
been positive, although my work doesn’t please
everyone.
19) What was your favorite book growing up?
Jenny: as a child, I loved everything Enid Blyton, for the magical
escapism. I turned to mysteries and thrillers in my teens. Among my favorite
authors are Sidney Sheldon and Sandra Brown.
20) Tea, coffee or hot chocolate
Jenny: Coffee
21) Cat or dog?
Jenny: Dog
22) Print book or e-reader which medium do you
prefer?
Jenny I read both.
23) Worst fear
Jenny: the dark and drowning.
24) Greatest wish
Jenny: To continue working exclusively as an author so I can spend more
time in the UK with family.
25) If your book was made into a movie what actors would you choose to
play the parts?
Jenny I can see Nicholas Cage in al my books. He s a great
actor.
26) Glass half empty or half full?
Jenny: Half-full. Occasionally it’s half-empty, until I snap out of
it.
27) Favorite color
Jenny: Yellow
28) Favorite place
Jenny: England
29) Light or Dark
Jenny: Light
30) Most embarrassing moment
Jenny: When I first moved to the US in 1997, I misused the English
language. In the middle of a busy office, I used a British term for an eraser
and asked aloud if anyone had a rubber. It was quite
humiliating.
If you want to learn more about Jenny Hilborne or connect with her on
facebook and twitter you can click on the following links which will take you
directly to her sites.
http://JFHilborne.com
http://jfhilborne.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/jenny.hilborne.5
https://twitter.com/JFHilborne
If you would like to purchase a copy of Jenny’s book Hide and Seek they
are available on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Hide-Seek-Jackson-mystery-ebook/dp/B00872OIJM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1350201103&sr=8-4&keywords=jenny+hilborne
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hide-Seek-Jackson-mystery-ebook/dp/B00872OIJM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350201152&sr=8-1
We would like to Thank Jenny for taking the time to hang out with us
and we wish you much success in your career.