Zrinka
Jelic lives in Ontario, Canada. A PAN member of the Romance Writers of America,
as well as Savvy Authors, she writes contemporary fiction— which leans toward
the paranormal —and adds a pinch of history. Her characters come from all walks
of life, and although she prefers red, romance comes in many colors. Given
Jelic’s love for her native Croatia and the Adriatic Sea, her characters
usually find themselves dealing with a fair amount of sunshine, but that's
about the only break they get.
I met Zrinka through
our mutual friend, Erika M Szabo, and am getting to know her as an incredibly
nice, friendly soul with a cool sense of humor. She is a fine and gifted writer,
a very prolific author with a love of history and the paranormal. We belong to
a number of the same online writing/author communities, as well as many
Facebook groups where authors can promote themselves and their books. I thought
it might be fun and interesting to interview her, and it was. So here we go!
What and who are
some of your influences?
Though
I enjoy writing styles of several authors, I don’t believe I’m influenced by
them. I strive to find my own style and voice and not write the same book
everyone else is writing. Yes, writing commercial fiction for profit tends to
lead to the mimicking that hot book everyone reads and talks about. I’ve seen
this happen with the Twilight series
when vampires exploded and saturated market. I’ve seen this fad with The Hunger Games, Fifty Shades of Gray, and I’m pretty sure I’ll see it again and
again.
What inspired
you to start writing, and how long have you been writing?
I’ve
always written and made stories up. My imagination got me in trouble when I was
a child because some kids couldn’t see that I’m making it up, but actually
believed it to be truth. I didn’t start seriously writing until seven or so
years ago when a friend said I should really try. I took her advice, believing
nothing will ever come out of it, but to my surprise, my debut novel got accepted
for publication. Now, seven books later, and several short stories that
appeared in anthologies, I’m glad I listened to her.
What genres
and/or literary style do enjoy writing in the most?
I’m
a romance lover through and through.
Tell us about
your latest published book, short story or novella.
My
first self-published book (but #7 in the line) is titled The Wedding Date, and
it’s a romantic comedy. It’s a story of a pretend date that turns real.
Besides the
“entertainment factor,” what do you strive for in your writing?
Well,
I’m always super careful of grammar, being non-native to the English language,
however, even with numerous critique partners, beta readers and editors some
error always seems to slip through. And with foreign name readers, reviewers
are very, very quick to point that out in their reviews. Many of the reviewers
are authors themselves and their own books could use tighter editing. So I
suppose the saying ‘before you accuse me, take a look at yourself’ doesn’t
apply in their case.
Would you say
that your stories are more plot-driven or character-driven?
I never understood this question. How can you
have a story without either factor? Characters react to the events in the story
(plot points) if they don’t react how much of the story would be there? So one
is driving the other, there would be no plot without characters nor would there
be characters without a plot. At least that is how I see this. Characters and
the plot are equally important and essential components of the story. (Great answer and you ask a great question . . . and you’re the first to ask
that question! As I see it, plot-driven or
action-driven is usually where the story is more concerned with the gizmo or
gadget, and action. Character driven is when more thought is given to
characters, more introspection, and often deal with the human condition. I write mostly adventure stories with a lot of
action, but I spend more time on character relationships and interaction than I
do on the “action scenes.” So I try to make my stories driven by the characters
and their motives: I’m more concerned about the lives of the men and women who
build the rocket ship, than the actual building of the rocket ship. That’s my
definition, at least. — JB)
What can you
tell us about your latest work(s) in progress?
I’m
struggling as to what to write next. I’ve started two projects and not sure
about either. They would eventually get completed, but at the time I’m leaning
towards something else, only I don’t know what that is yet. (It will come to you. The characters will
tell you when it’s time to write their story. — JB)
In what
direction do you think your work is now heading?
I
think this brings me back to the previous question. I may have to take a very
long break and see if I should continue on with writing. Writing is my creative
outlet and I’m not competitive. I do not wish to cheat Amazon to improve my
ranking. This and reviews stating I need to find a better editor put me off
writing. It’s hard to have your dream so blatantly crushed shortly after it
barely took off, but that’s the way the world’s moving. I understand that there
will be criticism, we all get reviewed in our jobs, but that is done behind
closed door of your manager’s office, not put on the public display.
What genre of
fiction have you not yet written for, but plan to in the future?
I
planned to write a YA and actually tried it, and not finding my voice there.
What are some of
your all-time favorite films and TV shows?
I
stopped watching television long ago and got rid of cable. And I never
regretted it.
Tell us about
your writing habits, such as: Do you outline extensively? Do you create your
characters first, or your plot? Do you listen to music while writing, and if
so, what kind?
I
start outlining, but eventually give up because I never know which way the story
will take me. I think I create plot first, and develop characters around it.
Our life events shape us to who we are and we change with them. I do listen to
music, but it has to be strictly instrumental or the lyrics will distract me.
What
else can you tell us about yourself and your reading habits?
I
like to read any genre as long as the story captures me. I’m not a grammar Nazi
(though I try my best to get the grammar as correct as possible) so I don’t pay
too much attention to grammar errors unless they are on every page. I do,
however, have a pet peeve with head hopping, choppy styles, info dumping,
telling, long paragraphs that are a hurdle to read, stiff dialogue, too many
dialogue “tell tags” where action/emotion should do that, or in some instances
. . . no tag was needed because it was clear who spoke; incorrect info given
without fact checking (e.g. in a book I’ve read the heroine earned her black belt
in TKD in two years. Not a chance!) Then there are characters where their name and/or
appearance change part way through the book; and of course, the plot holes.
These are the things that will make or break a book for me. I don’t nitpick if
a word is misspelled or a wrong word is used due to auto correct feature. I
read the book as a whole, not a separate sentence.
Thank you,
Zrinka, for being such a good sport and taking the time to do this review and
letting me pick your brain a little. It was fun and insightful.
You
can find Zrinka Jelic and her books on Amazon and Facebook.
Be sure to check out her website, too!
Amazon Author Page:
On Facebook: Zrinka Jelic, Romance
Author
Website:
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