1. As a fellow USF grad, may I say congrats on such a GREAT literary career! And yes, I read the 07 Alumnae newsletter article, and thought WOW, what an inspiration! Are you still surprised at how well received your books are?
Yes! I sometimes think I've created the readers and fans...that somehow they're all a product of my imagination. But then every now and then I get that really rough review and I go oh, okay, so this is all real... (UGH-all us bloggers out there can relate to THAT can't we??!!!)
2. Ok, once we’ve read the book, we’re all dying to know- was there a real Dane in your life?
I LOVE cowboys. I have a thing for a tough, handsome guy in wranglers and boots. Maybe it's because I grew up in an ag community, but cowboys and ranchers are very sexy. But Dane himself? No. He's just really wishful thinking on my part.
3. WOW, you’re not from Texas, how did you get everything about small-town Texas right?
I'm the granddaughter of a Texas cattleman. He loved land, cattle, and being this rugged invidualist and I think his love of Texas runs through my veins, too. (Oh, and I did a lot of research as well!)
4. Was it hard learning everything about bull-riding to get the details right, or are you a closet PRA Fanatic?
Fifteen years ago I wrote a trilogy targeted for Harlequin/Silhouette about three brothers who were all cowboys. The books never sold, but I did win the Golden Heart award for the first, All-Around Cowboy. Since researching that series I've remained a bullriding, and rodeo, fan. For this novel, I read a half dozen books about bull-riding, and the professional rodeo today, including Ty Murray's recent autobiography. I'm also a huge fan of Ty Murray's and his autobiography really influenced my vision for my character, Dane Kelly. Ty Murray is tough as nails, but also a gentleman, and I loved that and drew on those characteristics for Dane.
5. Did the idea for the book come from the chorus of Alan Jackson’s song ("Gone Country")? Or how?
I've known for years that I'd write this book, sending Shey Darcy home to Texas, but it wasn't until Dane lept to life on the page in that small-town cafe on that hot September day that I had my whole story. She's Gone Country is the story of a woman going home, looking for truth and meaning, and she finds it.
6. It seems as you write more books, your characters are getting older (30s-40s)- is that a reflection of where you are now, or just who you are more interested in writing about?
I like writing about twenty-something year old women but after Flirting with Forty's success, my publisher felt like I'd tapped a market that not a lot of writers were targeting--moms and women in their 40's. 40 is a natural transition point in a woman's life so it's a great age for a novel, brimming with possibilities for conflict and change. But I would love to write younger--and even older--heroines again. Women fascinate me, and I think we deserve great stories.
7. Will you be doing any book signings with the new book?
I'm doing lots of events for the new novel including a California, Washington, and Texas book tour. I'll be also making brief stops in Colorado, Kentucky, and possibly Georgia and I love it when people come to see me. Doing book signings can be lonely and scary if there's no one in the audience!
Thanks Jane for answering these questions and inspiring the rest of us to write what we know, or do some research!
Keep up with Jane on her website, www.janeporter.com
