Phillipa Gregory | Tanya Parker Mills

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Jewel Adams has been writing for about 20 years and though she’s tackled different genres, her heart keeps leading her back to romance–clean romance, that is. It’s no wonder that she’s the president-elect of Utah Romance Writers of America. Let’s get straight to the nitty gritty, shall we? And by that, I mean snack food. Any writer worth his/her salt needs regular supplies of snackage. Jewel’s snack of choice is a bit different.

Me: Okay, when and why did you get hooked on orange Tic Tacs? Usually, female writers have a thing for chocolate? Why doesn’t chocolate do it for you?

Jewel: Well, I’ve always enjoyed popping a Tic Tac or two, but a few years ago, I decided to save money and buy the big 4-packs of orange Tic Tacs. I found I enjoyed them so much, I started popping ten at a time, and though I still enjoy chocolate, there is just something about the burst of flavor that comes with a small handful of those little orange jewels. My thought process speeds up, I type faster, jump higher, all kinds of things. My family calls it my drug of choice:-)

(I see…Excuse me while I unwrap another Hershey’s Miniature.)

Me: You’re mainly known as a romance writer. What sets your romances apart from the usual romance?

Jewel: I do interracial inspirational romance. At first, I wrote it because that is what I know (my husband is white), but I discovered there was an untapped market for BW/WM romance novels. My stories are clean but passionate and I’ve been really blessed to gain the die-hard fans I have.

Me: How long have you been writing, and how did you manage to fit it in while having and raising 8 children?

Jewel: Oh, a long time. My first book was traditionally published in 1998. It was an interracial YA romance that I’ve since pulled apart and integrated parts of the story in other novels because the writing was so terrible. Since I’ve always home-schooled my kids, I used to do a lot of noon-time and late-night writing. I only have two left that I am still teaching, but since they are older, I basically fit it in anywhere I can. But I’m still a night owl because that’s when my thoughts really flow.

Me: I’m not a romance reader, so I may be displaying my ignorance here, but have you ever written a romance in which the hero was less than handsome, or is that just not allowed? If not, why not?

Jewel: For the most part my heroes are pretty smashing in the looks department, but I did write a novelette about a woman who falls for a disfigured man. He was once a firefighter until he was injured on duty, and half his face was badly scarred, like Phantom of the Opera scarred. But the woman fell in love with his heart, and to her, he was beautiful. It’s one of my favorites.

(In case, you’re doubting the “pretty smashing” phrase, have a look at her latest)

Me: What other genres have you tried and are you still writing other genres?

Jewel: I have a couple of chapter books that have gotten great responses from both kids and adults. It’s an adventure series that was a blast to write. I also do romantic fantasy, which I thought would be pretty challenging, but in both series I was pleased with the finished product.

Me: Okay, let’s say it’s time to start drafting yet another romance. What do you do to get yourself in the mood to write about love? And is there a particular location, either inside your house or outside, that is more conducive to penning such stories?

Jewel: I always tell people my husband is the reason I’m such a romantic because he is. So I’m always in the mood . . . to write, that is:-) Every time I get done with a story and tell myself I am going to take a break, my brain doesn’t listen, so I usually end up having an idea pop into my head just as I am about to turn off the lamp and go to sleep. I just have to jot it down before I can sleep.

(I think it may have something to do with all those Tic Tacs . . .)

Me: Please describe your writing process at least up to the point before which your brain feels fried.

Jewel: When I get a new idea for a story, I begin and just let it take me wherever. Sometimes I begin, and then skip to the end before coming back to the beginning. As long as I know where the story will start and how it will end, it’s easier to fill in the rest, especially with novellas and novelettes. I don’t really have a set amount of time I write. I just do it until I need to stop to do other things, like clean the house, cook, do laundry, and other things I try to avoid:-)

(I hear you. Laundry? What’s that?)

Me: Finally, which writers inspire you the most?

Jewel: Wow, there are so many, but some of my favorites are Dorothy Keddington, Phillipa Gregory, Carol Warburton, Marcia Lynn McClure, Richard Paul Evans, Melissa de la Cruz, and so many more.

(Carol, are your ears burning?)