Author's Name: Jean Drew
Website: www.jeandrew.co.nz

Jean lives in New Zealand and juggles writing romance with a full-time job as a sub-editor for a group of newspapers. Although she mainly writes contemporaries, Jean has also written a time travel set in ancient Egypt, which is currently under consideration with a publisher. Jean has always loved reading but she didn’t start writing until about fifteen years ago. She dreamed of becoming the next Agatha Christie until someone introduced her to romance. It was love at first read, and she’s been hooked ever since!

Books:
THE SABINE CONNECTION, July 2002, Treble Heart Books
HIDDEN DREAMS, November 2002, Heartline UK (now defunct)
BEATS A WILD HEART, February 2003, Treble Heart Books

The 'Big Break'

When asked about her 'big break,' Jean replies that she’s still waiting for the big one! She stresses the importance of perseverance and says she’s never thought of quitting. She's invested too much time and energy, not to mention money, in it to give up. After all, she asks, how do you give up a passion?

Left, the cover of Drew's BEATS A WILD HEART.

On Schedules

Jean wakes up at 4am, gets ready for work then reads her emails. If there’s any time left, she writes. When she gets home from work, she writes for two hours at night and also at the weekends.

Current WIP

At the moment, she’s working on the final edit of a book aimed for Desire.

On Rewards

Jean’s biggest reward is the friends she’s made all over the world, albeit at the end of a keyboard! She is also active in Romance Writers of New Zealand, which will enter its fifteenth year in September.

Left, cover of Drew's SABINE CONNECTION.

On Starting a New Story

Jean describes herself as a plotter. Charts bore her, so she doesn’t use them, refering instead to one of her many how-to books! Starting with just one character, she then works on who might be their exact opposite. Then she interviews the characters and just lets them talk. During the interview she writes scene cards for possible scenes. Jean concludes by asking the characters questions specific to the story and lets the plot unfold from there.

On Agents

Jean has an agent, whom she met in Texas at an RT convention several years ago. It is very important to Jean to have an agent because she is not resident in the U.S.

Advice to New Writers

Jean tells new writers to always believe in themselves and their work and never, never give up!

On FTHRW

Jean is grateful for the friendship and encouragement offered by her fellow FTHRW members. She also likes 'Topic of the Week' and the range of online courses available.