Tuesday 26 July 2011

Author Spotlight - Jillian Chantel talks about her passion for writing


I write both contemporary and historical fiction. I love history and always have. Many have called me a history buff and I'm almost unbeatable at Trivial Pursuit in that category. I have tons of knowledge in the old noggin about all kinds of different eras.

When I first started writing, I focused on contemporary because I'd heard horror stories of the "historical police" coming after writers that used the wrong phrases, improper slang and even the incorrect kind of underwear for the heroine. It made me quake in my lace-up Victorian boots and I vowed never to take on that challenge and be hauled off to whatever hoosegow was waiting for research-poor writers or even writers that knew the era, but were a little less careful than they should be.

So, I moved along in my happy little contemporary world, spicing up my stories with things I learned as a lawyer and hanging around with cops and US Marshals, which is a fun job if you can get it. I was blissful and content in this little cocoon I built around myself.

Enter Liam Cormac, an Irish devil with a sneer, a nice strong thigh (one of my weaknesses) and a wicked grin (when he chooses to use it). He wouldn't take no for an answer and there I was, in the middle of writing a historical. I glanced around my room, looking for those other police, the ones that aren't as fun to hang with as my buds in my legal job. Uh-oh. Was that one over in the corner? Whew, no. It's just the pesky cat wanting to be fed.

Anyway, if you need me, I'm hiding in the closet. Let me know when it's safe to come out.

9 comments:

  1. Hi Jillian, I just dropped by to offer my support!!! great interview. Way to go, I'm so proud of you girlie.

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  2. Thanks for the support, Paula. I appreciate you!!

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  3. I'm always worried about the historical police. I just found a mistake I missed in one of my already published books. I'm praying those historical police don't find it and tell everyone not to buy my book.
    It does add a certain amount of pressure to everything I write, knowing they are lurking about.

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  4. Kathy- I hope they don't find you either. There's a little bit of room to hide with me in the closet. LOL! I totally understand the pressure there. I've actually written another one now and I'm really liking it.

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  5. I loved your blog about the "historical police" You have a sense of humor I like. Thank you for allowing me to come in and read.

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  6. Thanks sharon. I love to laugh my way through life. Makes things more tolerable. Glad you liked it.

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  7. I generally don't read romance novels, but this one sounds really interesting to me so I think I'll be making an exception with this latest Jillian Chantal book. (Martha Greer)

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  8. Hey Martha- thanks for the support. I know you love the mysteries/thrillers like I do and this has an element of thrill to it. LOL!

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  9. I can't wait to get a hold of this book, Jillian. I love the cover, too. Such atmosphere!

    LindaC

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