You know how there are some people you immediately feel comfortable around?
That’s how it is with Jill.
We met at the RWA (Romance Writer’s of America) Conference in Denver last year and we hung out for a day. (Can that possibly be right?) Doesn’t feel that way though.
She was so kind, generous, and open. It felt like she was more like a sister, or cousin at the very least—like I had known her for YEARS instead of mere hours. At least, that’s how it was for me.
We sat beside each other the night of the gala when the author awards were being presented. We laughed, we cried, we did that whole make eye contact and just know what the other is thinking thing. She even let me talk way too much—effectively distracting her from the night’s events—and yet, she nodded, smiled, and chatted the night away with me.
I’m so thankful God placed her in my path. She’s truly a special person and I hope you’ll come to know a bit about her here and see what an easy person she is to love. Her writing is very similar to the person she is—funny, loveable, with cute characters you’ll root for.
Okay. Whew. Man, overly mushy about this author interview. Without any further delay…Mrs. Jill Lynn, folks!
How would you describe yourself if you were putting in an AD seeking a friend?
My ad would read: looking for extrovert to adopt introvert but not force too many social situations, able to handle moodiness a plus, willingness to adhere to alone time and quiet time, able to pay water bill to cover bath habit, fan of wine and cheese a requirement 😊
How long have you been writing? When was your first book published?
I’ve been writing since my daughter started kindergarten and she’s going into ninth grade this year. My first book was published in 2015. It found a home with Love Inspired when I entered an online contest and pitched a small blurb to my editor. From there, we went back and forth numerous times on the manuscript before it was ready for a contract.
What’s one of the most important lesson’s you’ve learned since beginning your writing journey?
Write from the heart and don’t worry about what everyone is saying is “selling.”
What is one of your favorite meet-cute scenes?
One of my favorites from my books is from Her Texas Family, when the heroine Lucy is climbing a tree and kicks off her shoe, beaning the hero in the head.
Since you live in the beautiful, scenic mountains of Colorado and a lot of your books for Harlequin contain cowboys and ranchers, do you write often outdoors for inspiration? Visit local…ranches? Is that what they’d be called? HA. (Clearly, I’m not well-versed in cowboy-speak)
Ha! Yes, they’re called ranches. 😊For my Colorado Grooms series, I did visit a nearby guest ranch called Lost Valley. It’s incredibly beautiful and they were gracious to answer my many questions. Of course, I still took liberty with many fictional aspects. And yes—I do love to write outside while the weather permits, but I live in the city, so not quite so picturesque.
What was your inspiration for writing a Texas series?
I actually started writing a Texas story because I knew Harlequin considered that a setting they were interested in. I picked Fredericksburg and began doing research. It was fun to learn about Texas Hill Country.
Have you been around a farm or horses much?
Both my parents were farm kids, so I spent plenty of my childhood plunking around my grandparents’ farms. As for horses…the last time I rode one was shortly after my daughter was born. It was…uncomfortable. 😉 The guide told us not to let our horses eat the grass, but my horse kept trying to. I felt bad pulling back on the reigns to stop it, so when I would try, I would apologize to the horse. My aunt said she’d never heard anyone apologize to a horse before. Ha!
You’ve self-published as well as traditionally published—how were those experiences? What did you most/least enjoy?
I’ve learned from every experience and they all have their ups and downs. My non-fiction book was the hardest I’ve written because I wrote it with my friend Kara Tippetts before she passed away from breast cancer. It took me a while to write again after that.
I returned to fiction, and when I had some extra time one summer, I spent it writing a sassy novella, The Start of Us, that is now free across ebook platforms. It was so fun to write
What do you hope readers obtain from reading your novels?
Honestly, I hope they laugh. I’m a big fan of humor and escaping into a book, so I hope that’s what readers find in the pages of my stories.
What’s something you’d like readers to know about yourself?
I’m an anxiety fighter. I feel like this has such a stigma, and I’m really not sure why. I’m pretty open on social media about how I work to take care of myself and function as my best self.
What’s something you struggle with regarding the writing process?
Getting started can be so tough. I’m about to start plotting book 5 in the Colorado Grooms series, and it’s easy to get stage fright and worry that I can’t do it again. I am not sure this feeling ever goes away!
Share at least three descriptors you like your heroes to have…or five if that’s easier. HA! We make our own rules up in here!
I need my heroes to respect women and find their nuances endearing. I like them to be flawed but redeemable. And they are usually hard-working.
How would you describe your heroines in your novels?
My heroines are almost always sassy. I have no idea where that trait comes from! 😉
What’s your next release?
My latest release is The Bull Rider’s Secret. It’s book 3 in the Colorado Grooms series, and I’m so excited to share Mackenzie and Jace’s story with readers. It was officially in stores as of August 20thand the ebook version came out September first. Fun little note—August 20this my mom’s birthday, and September 1stis my wedding anniversary. This book has great dates! 😊
Here’s the back cover copy:
Letting bull rider Jace Hawke back into her life breaks all of Mackenzie Wilder’s rules—just like he broke her heart years ago. But he’s working at her family’s ranch while recovering from a rodeo injury…and chipping away at Mackenzie’s tough-girl exterior with each passing day. Which is the bigger mistake: falling for Jace again…or letting him go without a fight?
More About Jill
Jill Lynn is an award-winning author, hot mess, loud laugher and coffee addict who lives with her husband and two children near the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She writes the kind of stories she likes to read—ones filled with grace, humor
Jill is fun and hilarious on all things social media. (This coming from me, Hayley, not her personal bio.) She’s a beautiful person, inside and out. She not only posts funny quotes or memes that make me laugh but also shares her heart in an open, no
Be sure and look up her latest release, because who doesn’t love a good cowboy book…er…bull rider. Same thing, right?! The hat, the chaps, I mean, need I say more?
(HAHAHA. Also, this is totally something I would say. = D)
