Blog has moved...

Just a reminder: My main blog is now a group blog with Stella Cameron, Elizabeth Lowell and Suzanne Simmons. I only use this blog to do drafts and practice loading photos. So if you really want to know what's going on in my writing world check out www.runningwithquills.com

Love,
Jayne

Jayne Says Aloha from Hawaii

Jayne Autographing at Hawaii's Ala Moana B&N

Alison, Ala Moana B&N Event Coordinator with Jayne


Hawaii calls! Frank and I are in Hawaii (Oahu) one of our favorite places on the entire planet and today I had a fabulous signing at the beautiful new Barnes & Noble at the Ala Moana shopping center. I want to thank the members of the local chapter of Romance Writers of America who turned out for the event, the staff at B&N and everyone else who showed up. I had a wonderful time and Frank was there to snap some pictures for the blog.

Lots of questions, of course, as always. One of the more memorable concerned whether or not I had any input into cover art. Okay, here's the down-and-dirty truth about me and cover art. Back at the start of my career when I would have given anything to have some say about my covers I had no clout and, therefore, no say, about my cover art. I was obliged to accept whatever the publisher and the art department put on the books. Trust me, I got some really BAD covers in those early days.

Today I actually have some clout and some say over my cover art. Unfortunately, it turns out I have absolutely no visual creativity. Yes, much as I hate to admit it, now, when I do have some say over my covers, it turns out I am no artist.

Sure, I can react to a cover. I can say I hate it or I love it. But I could no more give the publisher's art department an idea for the cover than fly to the moon. So, I'm back where I started -- totally in the hands of the art department. And there you have it: the truth about me and cover art.

As I was saying, Hawaii calls. The sliding glass doors to the hotel lanai are open and the tropical breezes are warm and balmy. I do believe that Frank is pouring a couple of glasses of Grand Marnier...

But getting back to cover art, how do you feel about it? What do you look for in a cover and do you really judge a book by the cover?

Aloha,

Jayne

Books on Tape Guy

Books on Tape Guy
Originally uploaded by amandaquick01.

To get the whole story on this dude, go to www.runningwithquills.com

Love,
Jayne

NEW YEAR, NEW BLOG

Well, this is it, friends and neighbors, the last entry (I think) in this solo blob (I mean blog). Starting Sunday, January 1, 2006 (how the heck did that get here so fast, anyway?) I will embark upon a group blog with several other writing buddies and the occasional mystery blogger. The great hope is that we will be able to keep that blog going via the heavy force of Peer Pressure.

Here is the link to the new blogsite:

RunningWithQuills.com

Meanwhile, I wish you all the very best in the New Year.

See you at RWQ!

Love,
Jayne

NEW YEAR, NEW BLOG

Yes, friends and neighbors, the new group blog really is just over the horizon. Plans are to launch RUNNING WITH QUILLS in January. The new blog will feature Stella Cameron, Elizabeth Lowell, Suzanne Simmons and me along with a variety of mystery bloggers. When RWQ gets rolling after the first of the year, I'll give you a link to it from this page and also from my January newsletter. If you want to sign up for the latter you can do that at my home page.

Meanwhile, I want to wish everyone the very best of the holiday season and peace and happiness in the New Year.

HAPPY TOFU TURKEY DAY!

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Based on years of experience, I can guess what most of you will be having for holiday dinner but those of us who don't eat turkey have to get especially creative at this time of year. Luckily I've got immediate access to the vast resources of Seattle's Pike Place Market. Don't worry, the Krentz family will not go hungry!

Of course, following the Big Eating Day comes the Big Shopping Day. As anyone who knows me well is aware, I stay in shape for the holiday shopping marathon by training all year round. Yes, indeed, this is when all those trips to Nordstroms and all that sandal shopping in Hawaii pay off. I Am Ready to Shop.

See you at the mall!

BLOG BOG DOWN

Okay, so the big promises I made in the last blog regarding exciting new changes here are not happening at what anyone could call a real fast clip. But I can say in all honesty that stuff is happening behind the scenes as we speak...

However, if you're really curious, here's the plan: I will soon be joining with some other writer friends (Elizabeth Lowell, Evan Maxwell, Stella Cameron, Suzanne Simmons) to create a group blog. The hold up at present involves the design of a logo for our blog (www.runningwithquills.com.). Turns out that all the best blogs have these logo thingies. (Hey, we're trying to be cutting edge and modern here). Anyhow, when our fancy new logo is ready, we will fire up the blog.

Why a group blog? I'll tell you why. Sadly, it transpired that none of us have the patience or the inclination to blog frequently on our own blogs. We are hoping that by taking turns in a group blog we will be able to inspire each other to more noteworthy efforts. In other words, this is a last, desperate effort to keep from boring you all into a stupor.

So, as I said before, please stay tuned...