How a book comes into being—specifically its plot and characters—often intrigues its readers. In this interview, we’ll learn what prompted Katelyn Dallis to write Jenny’s Heart and why she prefers a storyline that does not go beyond the limits of realism. We’ll also know how a secret shared by a relative contributed to the development of one of the characters in her book.
Katelyn will tell us other bits of details about Jenny’s Heart as well as share useful pieces of advice to those who aspire to write their first book. We will get to know her more and what keeps her on track.
So let’s hear our favorite author’s responses to our questions.
1. What inspired the idea for your book?
My initial inspiration was my numerous disappointments from reading nanny romance books. I found them extremely cliché and not at all realistic. That’s what sparked the idea of the characters and the rather vague plot. As I began writing though, I found it to be hollow, which was not something I enjoyed writing or reading.
It was when I was in the state of writer’s block, that I went to a Christmas family get-together. My aunt, the one who I dedicated this book to, told my family about a sixty-year-old secret that she kept to herself from the time she was five. I won’t tell the exact details, but Jenny’s past was based heavily on what happened to her.
When my aunt told us that, it shook something in me because I’ve heard so many stories of a similar nature. But you will look at things from a completely different angle when you personally know someone who have gone through it.
Then, the story just grew from there.
2. Which of the characters do you relate to the most and why?
This is probably quite an unexpected one, but it would be Mrs. Walker. I know she appears to be a terrible person, but she really is a big marshmallow in a cactus skin—which is what I am like. I won’t lie; sometimes, I do turn a blind eye to some things, like how she does when Mr. Walker treats Jenny so coldly. But, like Mrs. Walker, if someone proves their loyalty to me or to those I hold dear with no ill intentions, then there is nothing I won’t do for them. Also, if someone angers me, I don’t hold back on my words, and I put them back in their place very quickly if they step out of line.
3. If you could meet your characters, what would you say to them?
This is quite a difficult question to answer because I know the answers to most of the questions I would ask the main characters or I already know the reasoning behind their actions. But one thing that would always remain a mystery to me and what I would like to ask is why Jenny’s parents treat her the way they do but don’t do the same with Clara. I suppose it will always be a mystery why people treat others badly, especially their own children. That is a concept I could never fully grasp or reason in my head—how they could favour the one child so greatly over the other.
4. How long did it take you to write Jenny’s Heart?
Well, I started it in June 2019 and completed it in May 2020. So, it took me about a year to complete.
5. What can readers expect from your book?
Realism both in the love story and the characters themselves. This may mean that there will be times you want to throw the book across the room because someone’s action or words annoy you, but that is because I try to make my characters as realistic as possible. So they all have flaws and don’t do everything perfect the first time. There will also be a great deal of drama, bad life choices, unexpected connections between unlikely people, and a bit of mystery added into the mix. It is a roller coaster of deep emotions and heartbreaking scenes, filled with many beautiful characters.
6. How long have you been writing or when did you start?
I first started writing when I was seven, but that didn’t last too long, as a callous remark broke my enthusiasm for several years. I still read books and had ideas tumbling in my head, but I was always too nervous to put a pen to paper. I would say the only reason I started writing again was because I was doing quite badly in my English creative writing class when I was about fifteen. So I started writing a bit in the evenings in an attempt to improve my marks.
I was seventeen when I decided to write a full novel, but that one wasn’t very good, I admit—terribly cliché and not at all like what I write now. But it was what gave me enough confidence to write more and then I ended up writing “Jenny’s Heart” three years later. So, from the time I became serious about my writing until now, it’s been about six years.
7. What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
The first thing I would like to say and what really helped me is “write what you want to read.” So if there is something you read that really annoyed you from another book, take that as inspiration to create your own and completely flip that idea upside down. The second thing is not to write for fame but to write for pleasure. Many people fall into the trap of writing whatever gains the most views or sales, which is normally erotic novels. And I know the saying, sex sells. But if it is something you’re uncomfortable with, then don’t feel pressured to write it. It’s your book. You spend more time and energy than anyone in order to create it, so why put so much effort into something you won’t enjoy?
The reason I say this is because, if it’s something you don’t enjoy, it will always show in your writing.
The final piece of advice I can give is to let the story flow on its own accord. Stories have a way of developing on their own, and I know this because every book I’ve ever written has never turned out like the initial plotline. So, don’t feel upset or angry that it doesn’t appear to be going the way you planned. Often the way you don’t expect, is the best way. You’ll find you enjoy writing it more, and it will be a great deal more organic than if you force yourself to stick to a plotline that may actually ruin the story. The reason I say this is that when you are halfway through your novel, your understanding of your characters is always far more detailed than when you first thought of the idea, and it is that understanding of the characters that drives the story along.
8. What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
I definitely need a big cup of tea. I find this helps me settle down and focus much quicker. Unfortunately, I often then get so wrapped up in my writing that I forget about my tea and end up having to force down several ice-cold sips when I finally remember it. I also like to have peace and quiet when I write, so I normally write at night when everyone else has settled down to sleep or have left for the day so I have no disturbances. Sometimes I find that when I’m struggling to write a specific scene, finding a music genre of a similar style helps me get in that particular mindset.
9. If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
This is a rather tricky one to answer, as I have read many amazing books, but I’ve hardly ever read more than one from the same author. But, if I did, it would have to be Yvonne Whittal. I have read two of her books, and I have read both of them countless times. I absolutely adore her writing style and how descriptive she is with her words. She is also one of the few authors that has really made me feel emotional while reading her work, and it would be a tick off my bucket list to be able to spend a day with her and learn from her.
About the Author:
Katelyn Dallis is a law student majoring in human resource management and business management. She enjoys horse riding, gardening, reading, and baking.
Check out Jenny’s Heart on Amazon!
“Mommy’s not coming back, is she?”
Parenthood was not something Jenny ever considered, but the unexpected abandonment of her niece flips her whole world upside down. With a young child to raise all on her own, Jenny struggles to pay for all her living expenses, forcing her to discontinue her studies and sacrifice her dream in the process. And her financial situation only goes from bad to worse when she loses her job.
With no one to turn to, it comes as a startling surprise to Jenny when the wealthy Nathan Walker makes a rather unexpected job offer. However, never does she suspect that her boss would show interest in her, and she has to constantly fight her own growing feelings for him.
It would never work. They are worlds apart—he is a famous billionaire whereas she is a plain single parent and college dropout with trust issues higher than her debt. But Nathan is determined to gain her trust and affections; only, no one could have possibly anticipated the return of Jacob Hayes in her life.
Now Jenny has to face a dark past that she has kept hidden for years as well as battle the reappearance of her older sister, who will stop at nothing until she gets what she wants.
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