Hi, I’m Jenna Mindel

I currently live in Northern Michigan with my husband Steve and our two dogs. I love the outdoors, animals, good food, and a great book.

I have always dabbled with writing but I never got serious until my sister, Lisa, took me to a Central New York Romance Writers chapter meeting in 1991. I joined that day and within a month, I joined the national organization of Romance Writers of America.

Let me give you my history…. As a kid, I had a vivid imagination that tended to run with a romantic twist. When I’d watch episodes of Star Trek, I always imagined Mr. Spock getting the girl - to me he was the ultimate tortured hero - struggling with emotions he’d inherited from his human mother when Vulcans are not supposed to “feel” anything.

I also lived at the library. I grew up in Cazenovia, NY. The Caz Library opened up to me all kinds of lands filled with romance. I fell in love with mythology and other folklore. I began weaving stories of my own; some I put to paper and some I’d tell to my friend, Donna.

As an adult, I found Georgette Heyer. After I read her book, The Conquerer, I knew I had to try my hand at writing a novel of my own. It took years of failed attempts and wishful thinking but once I found the CNYRW group, my destiny was sealed. With the local chapter meetings, a critique group, various workshops and conferences, I grew into a “real” writer. I learned skills to hone my craft. I learned about the market and how to approach editors, agents and the like. Because of the support I received from my local chapter of RWA, critique group, and husband, I achieved my goal of getting published.

So, dream on, dreamers! Surround yourself with supporters of your vision. I believe that dreams do come true.

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
Habakkuk 2:3

 

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