Interview: Gwen Jones, Author of Wanted: Wife

Posted June 12, 2013 by Karen in Author Interviews / 7 Comments

Gwen Jones Author PicCan you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m a born and bred Jersey girl, and darn proud of it. I live in a small town on the edge of the Pine Barrens (what are they? If you read the book, you’d know!),as well as my family’s “ancestral” home at the Jersey Shore. I’m married to my husband, Frank, no kids but a nieces and a nephew I spoil shamelessly, and the cutest cat in the world, Gracie. You know, just your ordinary, everyday genius.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

I read in Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers that one must work ten years or 10,000 hours honing their craft to become successful. Well, I’ve done that and more. Although this is my debut book, I’ve written at least ten more before Wanted: Wife, that are in various degrees of expertise from “Under Consideration” to “Never Will See the Light of Day.” Wanted: Wife, to my great surprise, was easy. The first editor who read it bought it, but I had to swim though a lot of previous rejections to get to that point.

Do you have a day job as well?

Oh yeah! (My name’s Gwen Jones, NOT Nora Roberts!) I’m a college English professor, which also often turns into my night job as well. #gradingpapers

Is there a message in Wanted: Wife,  that you want readers to walk away with? If so, what is it?

If there is one perhaps it’s there is no one way to define marriage, that each couple has to find their own logic within it.

What does your Andy think about you? Would he want to hang out with you, the author, his creator?

Andy LOVES me, but hey—I’m taken.

What was your favorite chapter in Wanted: Wife to write and why?

I’d have to say Chapter Eighteen, “Reentry,” as that’s where the stakes were really raised to the point of no return. I also think it was there I had the chance to stretch myself as a writer and write more lyrically. Some of my favorite lines are in that chapter.

Who is the biggest literary influence in your life?  

It’s too hard to say one, as there are several for different reasons. William Faulkner for the beauty of a turn-of-phrase, Anne Tyler for quirkiness,  David Sedaris and Carl Hiaasen for humor, Diana Gabaldon for her epic sweep, and Lisa Kleypas for showing me The Way of Romance.

 ~ Six Smooches ~

Is sexy a tight dress or t-shirt and jeans?
Tight and slinky.

Late night or early morning?
So late it’s early.

Light or dark chocolate?
The darker the better.

Light side or dark side
Life is too serious not to be light.

Perfume or au natural?
Freshly scrubbed and soap-scented.

Shopping weakness?
Gourmet food stores! (And of course, any indie bookstore.)

Connect with Gwen

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

giveaway
Click on the above Graphic to Enter the Giveaway
Wife Wanted Tour Banner
Click on the Banner to Follow the Tour

7 responses to “Interview: Gwen Jones, Author of Wanted: Wife

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.