Jordana Ryan

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     Jordana Ryan is a single mother who lives in St. Louis Missouri. After having spent most of her life working with the mentally ill, dually diagnosed clients, and adult and juvenile offenders, Jordana took a break to have surgery on her back. In that time, she followed her dream to become a writer. Jordana has been writing since she was a child, but most of her work was poetry. Although she had always wanted to write a novel, she did not pursue that until 2005. She so enjoyed writing that she has immersed herself in the field, doing editing, ghost writing, and numerous other projects as time has allowed.
     Jordana is thrilled to have her novel, Sweet Dreams, and her second novel, Perfect Game, with Bookstrand and she hopes that readers will enjoy these stories as much as she enjoyed writing them. She has a lot of creative ideas and hopes to continue bringing her readers great stories for a long time to come.
     When not writing, Jordana can be found working on other creative endeavors such as crocheting afghans, making scrapbooks, or painting. Jordana enjoys reading, nature, and spending time with her child. One of her favorite hobbies is cooking, and she is sure that comes across in her books. She enjoys making chocolates for special occasions like weddings and baking cookies and cakes for the enjoyment of a small customer base who has discovered her sweet temptations. Jordana is passionate about many current issues and hopes that someday through her writing and dedication she will make a difference in the lives of those who need a gentle hand of guidance.

 

Q: What is your writing day like?

A: I usually get started at around eight in the morning. Because I work on more than one manuscript at a time, I think about my stories and which one is calling to me on any given day. When I get a feel for my writing mood and my muse, I begin to write on the choice manuscript. My days are usually pretty busy with editing and ghost writing, so I tend to write in small chunks in between assignments. At the end of the evening, I look over what I have written for the day and will revise and continue each story until the muse goes to sleep.

Q: Which character of your BookStrand books was your favorite to write and why?

A: Jessie from my novel Perfect Game. Jessie is very close to my heart because she is the most like me. Her love for kids in trouble and her compassion are two qualities that took me far in life and have taught me life lessons that are valuable. Jessie is a mish mash of traits that make her hard not to love.

Q: Is there a genre you have not written that you have plans to write?

A: Yes, I would like to write Native American historical. This is mostly what I read and I love the time period.

Q: What inspires you to write?

A: Everyday situations. I can see a pretty flower, hear something on the radio or on television and it just speaks to me in a way that I know I can write. My daughter and my boyfriend are definite bonuses in the writing department. I love to write and I can find inspiration in just about anything.

Q: After having spent most of your life working with the mentally ill and adult and juvenile offenders, what led you become an author, and what do you like about writing versus what you were doing?

A: I became an author because I love to write. I had the time to write a novel and thought why not try to make one of my dreams come true. With my former profession, I loved working with people. My life was never boring or the same on two days. I got to meet some incredible people and had the chance to touch people's lives in a positive way. I think that is what I miss the most about what I used to do, but in writing I can create my own worlds. I can use the gift for words that I have and create universes that are touching and important.
     I can create characters that love and hate with passion. They are flawed but in ways that are deep and meaningful to people who read my work. In writing I can still touch people, just in a different way, and that is what I always dreamed of doing.

Q: You have a blog talk show. Where do you get your ideas for the show?

A: Lots of internet research. I take ideas the same way I do for writing, through television, radio and just everyday things that happen in life. I like to be silly and serious on my show. I believe it's a chance for readers to get to know me as a person and that's important! Check out my blogtalk show at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jordana-Ryan.

Q: Who are some of your favorite authors? What are your favorite genres to read?

A: Roseanne Bittner is my all time favorite and she writes Native American historical. Her writing is phenomenal and in many ways inspired me to begin my own writing career.
     I also enjoy Johanna Lindsey, Judith McNaught, Fern Michaels, Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood, Rachel Gibson, Diana Gabaldon, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I mostly enjoy historical but contemporary touches me as well.

Q: Where do you see yourself in the future?

A: Well, hopefully, I will have a nice long career in writing and will have more children somewhere along the way. I see myself having a long happy life and bringing more wonderful tales of love and romance to my readers.

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