New York Times Bestselling Author Jill Shalvis knows how to pull on the heartstrings. In her latest effort, Playing For Keeps, out now (!), she brings a fresh spin on the classic “opposites attract.” One is a buttoned up mogul, the other a tattoo artist. And what initially seems like a standard case of opposites, quickly becomes a game of risk, as each realizes their differences only make them more connected. If you’re planning on falling in love, you’d better be sure something is there to catch you… because in love, you’re only playing for keeps.
Get to know Jill Shalvis as she answers our 20 Questions on some of her quirky writing habits, her favorite books, what advice she’d give to aspiring writers, and more!
1. Your best virtue as an author.
Thick skin
2. Your most quirky author habit.
I can’t write at a desk. I use a laptop and have to migrate around, from my bed to the couch to the deck, to the woods, to the lake… to the kitchen, where I’ll stop and eat way too many chips or cookies…
3. Your favorite quality in a protagonist.
Just one? Gah. Okay, let’s say integrity.
4. Your favorite quality in an antagonist.
For them to be flawed in a compelling way.
5. If you could ask any other author, past or present, a question who would it be and what would you ask?
I’d ask Janet Evanovich why Steph can’t have a HEA, at least for now, with Ranger. 🙂
6. When you aren’t writing, you are____
Reading, hiking, chasing the dogs, paddle boarding, sitting at the lake and dreaming, eating … 🙂
7. Your easiest book to write.
Playing For Keeps, because I had been carrying that story around for a long time so I’d been able to percolate on it and really nail it down before I ever started writing.
8. Your hardest book to write.
Rainy Day Friends. Funny enough, I’d been carrying this story around for a long time too, but I getting into Lanie’s head and putting her through all I put her through, was harder than I thought it would be.
9. Your ideal writing place.
Outside. There’s something about the air, the lack of internet and the inability to hear anyone inside the house… 🙂
10. Your favorite childhood book.
So many. Charlotte’s Web, The Phantom Tollbooth, Where The Wild Things Are, A Wrinkle In Time, Matilda, Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler…
11. The book you’ve reread the most.
Probably the Harry Potter series. I’m still waiting for my acceptance to Hogwarts letter.
12. Your favorite hero from literature.
Hermoine Granger from the Harry Potter series. 🙂
13. Your favorite villain from literature.
Professor James Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes.
14. The name of your autobiography.
Where are the cookies?
15. Your favorite comfort food.
See answer to #14. 😀
16. First thing you do when you finish writing a novel.
Tell myself I don’t ever have to do that again. Then I take a long nap. Then I wake up and start another book.
17. A secret talent you have.
Blowing bubbles.
18. Where have you always wanted to travel?
I want to see the castles in England and Scotland. Could it be I have a highlander waiting to be written…? 🙂
19. One tip for aspiring authors.
Keep writing through thick and thin, through rejections and questionable reviews, through the doubts, through the highs and lows, never stop.
20. Puppies or kittens?
Are you kidding me? BOTH! All the puppies and all the kittens!
More about Jill:
New York Times Bestselling Author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold, and visit her website, www.jillshalvis.com, for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.
And want to learn more about your favorite authors? Check out our series 20 Questions with… and get to know other bestselling authors!
