Jane Cook

I write with a breathless whimsy . . . my little girl dreams of being swept off my feet by a prince on a white steed take over. I can't imagine writing anything else. I suppose I never got over the idea that true love really does conquer all. In college, I did my best to try to love the other genres, and I still have a deep respect for literary non-fiction, a great novel, and dark poetry. In reality, my heart lies in romance. I found it difficult to write about anything else. I still do.

My favorite authors of late include Johanna Lindsey, Teresa Medeiros (I've corresponded off and on with her over the years about writing), Julia Quinn, Samantha James, Stephanie Laurens, Julie Anne Long, John Grisham (how's that for a curveball?), and just for kicks, how about Jane Austen? Not much variety but lots of flavor, if you know what I mean. In some way, shape or form, my first published work will be dedicated to Teresa Medeiros. When I was 18, I wrote her a long letter about my dream to be a writer. A couple of weeks later, I got a hand-addressed letter about three pages long from her. She had taken the time out of her busy schedule to encourage an 18 year old's writing dreams. She has been the greatest influence in my life when it comes to my writing ambitions/career. For that, I will be forever in her debt. And to beat it all, these days, when I send her an email, she still remembers who I am.

I've been writing seriously since I was 18, when I wrote my first romance the summer after high school. I attempted to publish, although I really knew nothing about publishing. I went on to finish college with a minor in English (emphasis in creative writing). I haven't written much since because life happened, but I am getting back into the groove of things. I'm working on a new novel after gaining some life experience, and hopefully, this one will be published.