Rogue's Angels Present: Making Headlines by Jennifer Hansen

Please welcome Jennifer Hansen author of Making Headlines.

Jennifer will be awarding an eCopy of Making Headlines to 3 randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour, and choice of 5 digital books from the Impulse line to a randomly drawn host.

Making Headlines

by Jennifer Hansen

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GENRE: Contemporary Fiction

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INTERVIEW:

1. What or who inspired you to start writing?

I have always loved writing ever since I was a young child. As an avid reader from the age of six, I always aspired to one day write my own book. I started writing stories in Grade Four and have always kept a diary from the age of eight. My teacher in Grade Four, Molly Halliday, was a wonderful mentor and influence. We were instructed to write weekly ‘compositions’ using our imagination to write anything we liked and her feedback and comments about my stories were always so enthusiastic and encouraging – it helped inspire me to become a writer.

3. How did you come up with your idea for your novel?

After finishing 20 years in the television industry, I took up the Professional Writing and Editing course at RMIT in Melbourne to hone my creative writing skills. It’s such a wonderful course and helped me enormously. Most writers are advised to write about what they know best for their first novel, so I did that – focusing on the life of a young TV journalist who aspires to become a newsreader.

4. What expertise did you bring to your writing?

I have worked as a journalist in both television and newspapers for more than twenty years. As well, I’ve completed a Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing at RMIT, as well as an Arts Degree at Melbourne University. I have also studied screen-writing; have written several screenplays, a children’s book and have begun work on my second novel.

5. What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

I also love working out at the gym. Writing is dreadful for the back and neck and it’s crucial to keep as fit as possible. Even if you don’t feel like it, exercise is essential for both physical and mental health and I’ve learnt that unless there’s a deadline – daily exercise even comes ahead of writing!

6. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

I’ve already written a children’s book so will be meeting with some people in the coming week’s to discuss this. I’m also working on a second novel called BLACK ANGELS.

8. Can you give us a sneak peak into this book?

Here’s an excerpt from the book from a scene from when the main character, Rachel, (a TV reporter) is editing her news story in a booth with the hot new editor Mitch:

She recorded her voice then joined him in the dimly lit editing booth. The small space had never seemed so intimate. Their thighs were almost touching. Heat seemed to radiate between them. Rachel wondered if he had this effect on all the women he worked with or if it was just her. His hands danced over the complex technology, pushing a myriad of buttons and turning dials. The story was coming together. It was like building a mini-movie, piece by piece. She sensed his excitement as tension built to the crescendo when Leon hurled her notebook against the wall. Mitch’s fingers moved faster, and now their thighs were almost rubbing together as they talked excitedly about which shots should go where.

‘Yes!’ Mitch cried, as the last frame was locked in. ‘Kicking goals. You might have what it takes after all, Rach.’

He squeezed her knee. Rachel glowed. Their eyes met again, but it was something beyond Mitch’s head, on the wall behind him, that caught her attention. In a dark corner was a collection of posters. Playboy posters of women with pneumatic breasts. She removed his hand. His eyes, still playful, became surprised and he turned to see what she’d been looking at. Rachel stood up stiffly and marched out the door.

Mitch went to grab her hand. ‘Rach, we haven’t even …’

She turned back. ‘You know what, Mitch,’ she began, ‘I thought you were some kind of editing guru. But after checking out your taste in interior design, turns out you’re just a bogan with the charisma of a lentil.’

9. Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?

I was part of a writing group after leaving RMIT. We formed a writing group to continue helping to workshop our novels – giving each other guidance and notes along the way. This is a extremely helpful practice – as long as you have members in the group who understand how to give feedback to a meaningful and sensitive way.

11. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

The worst advice I ever received was to send my manuscript to just ONE publishing house and to wait for their response before sending my novel to other publishers. The publishing industry has changed very quickly so I now advise other authors to send your book to as many as possible at once and go with the first offer you get.

12. Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I always prefer to outline my story in quite a detailed chapter breakdown, otherwise you can waste a lot of time writing stuff that takes you in the wrong direction. Even if the plot takes a different turn while you are writing – that’s fine Characters can come up with twists and turns you hadn’t thought of, but it’s important to at least have a guide in place. A new plot might take over, but at least you have some direction to start with.

My next book is called BLACK ANGELS, so yes, there are angels!! A darker version perhaps of what we traditionally know as angels, but I’m really enjoying exploring a sci-fi fantasy world. There’s still a lot of romance in this story, but there’s also greater scope for drama and adventure.

16. Anything else you might want to add?

Thanks the Angels

BLURB:

Working as a TV reporter has its challenges, but when Rachael Bentley decides to aim high and become a newsreader, she faces a whole new minefield of explosive scenarios.

Rachel's path sees her pitched against egos in the newsroom, office politics and corrupt politicians, not to mention rampant sexism, and a mystery stalker. Juggling a messy personal life doesn't help, nor does the emotional impact of reporting on life's tragedies and when it all takes a toll and Rachel starts partying too hard, she finds herself making the headlines instead of reading them.

Will she survive a world where dreams are shattered daily and will she find the man who can help her keep her soul?

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EXCERPT:

‘Then whack! He slams that cricket bat smack down on your desk, missing your hand by a whisker!’ Julia slapped her hands under Rachel’s chin.

Rachel jumped, vibrations ringing in her ears. ‘And this is the man you think could be our new boss?’ she said, spinning her chair around to switch on her computer. As she reached for a notebook a growing unease began to fester. Her fellow reporter had an uncanny knack of being spot-on with rumours.

‘Yep,’ grinned Julia, leaning back in her chair. ‘That’s Helmut Becker for you. Bit of a nut job, but they say he gets results. And it is all about the ratings after all.’

Beyond their desks the usual pandemonium reigned. Early-morning rush hour — TV monitors blaring, phones ringing and people shouting, and Rachel didn’t want the glue that held it together leaving. She stared towards the news director’s office. ‘I wish I could change Tony’s mind.’ It was like the plates beneath her feet were shifting. Too much change, too soon.

‘Fat chance. The media release is already out. And stop looking like that. Anyone’d think you had a boss-crush.’

Rachel turned back to Julia. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. I’m just sad he’s leaving. I mean, he gave me my big break and has always been so supportive. Are you sure this Helmut character is taking over?’

‘That’s the word on the office grapevine. It’s a hundred per cent gossip guaranteed.’

‘Damn. Just when I thought I had a career plan mapped out, a bat-wielding crazy guy comes along …’ She paused as a striking man with shoulder-length dirty-blond hair strode past their desks towards the edit suites at the back of the newsroom.

‘And don’t get hooked on him either.’ Julia rolled her eyes. ‘That’s the new head editor, Mitch. Really rates himself, and hates working with juniors, so steer clear.’

‘You crack me up,’ said Rachel, shaking her head. ‘You know I’m taken.’ She turned back to her computer, inhaling deeply. The editor had left a scent in his wake and it wasn’t aftershave. It was like he’d just shaken the surf from his hair after riding a wave into work. An absurd thought. Who’d go surfing in the middle of autumn? She snuck another look as he walked away, taking in his strong physique. As if feeling her eyes graze the back of his neck, he turned, giving a lopsided grin as he caught her out.

Embarrassed, she smiled back stupidly and sucked in her breath. Damn, he was good looking. She wondered what he was doing at work so early. Surely as head editor he could take his pick of the shifts and leave the early stints for the juniors? She shook her head. She had to stop this. No flirting. That’s what had landed her in enough trouble already.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

JENNIFER HANSEN is best known to TV audiences as the former co-host of Channel Ten’s 5pm news. These days Jennifer works in radio as part of Smooth FM’s breakfast show where she reads the news and chats with Mike Perso about all things Melbourne. In between media gigs, Jennifer went back to ‘school’ - taking up the ‘Professional Writing and Editing’ course at RMIT. That has helped her complete her first novel and two screenplays. Occasionally she remembers to look after her family - including husband Neighbours actor Alan Fletcher (aka Dr Karl Kennedy) and their two children, Veronica and Tom.

http://jenniferhansen.com.au/

https://twitter.com/jenahansen

B/N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/making-headlines-jennifer-hansen/1122676528?ean=9781460706473

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Making-Headlines-Jennifer-Hansen-ebook/dp/B015MBSW10/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451790207&sr=8-1&keywords=Jennifer+Hansen

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Jennifer will be awarding an eCopy of Making Headlines to 3 randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour, and choice of 5 digital books from the Impulse line to a randomly drawn host.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f1518