• Home
  • Archives
  • Contact Us
    • About
  • Reporters
  • Affiliates
  • Affiliate Support
  • Sports

Nebraska Radio Network

Nebraska News and Sports

  • Legislature & Government
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Agriculture
  • Husker Sports
  • All Topics
  • PostsComments
You are here: Home / Human Interest / Top thriller novelist makes two Nebraska stops

Top thriller novelist makes two Nebraska stops

July 24, 2008 By Matt Kelley

After reading “The Wizard of Oz” as a second-grader, best-selling author J-A Jance says she knew she wanted to be a writer, too, but it took her a while to answer the calling. Jance, who’s doing book-signings in Omaha and Lincoln next week to promote her latest thriller about a woman sheriff, is a South Dakota native. 

Jance says, “We moved to Arizona for my father’s health in 1948 when I was four but I think one of the things about my books is that my characters have really good, solid Midwestern values and I think that’s reflected in all of the books I write.” Jance worked as a teacher, a librarian and a life insurance saleswoman before finally deciding to pursue her dream as a writer when she reached her late 30s, first getting published in 1982. Now in her mid-60s, she says her career as a novelist is a “miracle” because she hit roadblocks early on — but ultimately wasn’t deterred.

 “I wasn’t allowed in the creative writing program at the University of Arizona in 1964 because, as the professor told me, I was a girl,” Jance says. “That’s why, in my first thriller, “Hour of the Hunter,” the crazed killer turns out to be a former professor of creative writing.” Jance enjoys writing and says, “I love it enough, it doesn’t seem like work most of the time.” Jance has created heroines in three series of books. Her latest novel, “Damage Control,” follows the exploits of Sheriff Joanna Brady and is Jance’s 39th book. She says number-40 is already written and number-41 is most of the way done.

“It takes about six months to write a book and then another six months for editing process,” Jance says. “I may be writing one book, editing a second and then promoting a third, but I don’t work on writing more than one book at a time. That would drive me nuts.” Jance is to appear at Lee Booksellers in Lincoln on Tuesday and at the Bookworm in Omaha on Wednesday. See her website for more details.


Print pagePDF pageEmail page

Share this:

  • Google
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Filed Under: Human Interest, News, Recreation & Entertainment

Featured Stories

Gov. Ricketts denies he interfered with legislative process this session (AUDIO)

Gov. Ricketts says budget is sound, despite legislators backing off his recommended budget cuts (AUDIO)

Speaker Scheer had hoped last minute agreement could be reached on property taxes (AUDIO)

Speaker Scheer regrets direction budget talks took (AUDIO)

Horse massage bill brings attention and breaks tension during Nebraska legislative session (AUDIO)

TwitterFacebook

Huskers bowling team to be featured on HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel”

Gebbia, Lindsey and McQuitty came in together, ready for new beginning in 2018

Martinez shines with four touchdowns, Red squad rolls in Spring Game

Everything fans need to know for this Saturday’s Spring Game

Big Ten Basketball Pairings announced for 2018-19, Huskers face strong home conference slate

More Big Red News

Husker Sports

Huskers bowling team to be featured on HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel”

Gebbia, Lindsey and McQuitty came in together, ready for new beginning in 2018

Martinez shines with four touchdowns, Red squad rolls in Spring Game

Everything fans need to know for this Saturday’s Spring Game

Big Ten Basketball Pairings announced for 2018-19, Huskers face strong home conference slate

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2018 · Learfield News & Ag. LLC