About Jenna
Pen and paper at the ready…
Jenna Greene has been writing since before she could hold a pencil, building stories with her She-ra: Princess of Power action figures and My Little Pony toys in her basement or on long car rides. Once she could pen a tale, she composed poetry and short stories, finding that she was best at writing novels. Her first fantasy story (Imagine) came to her when she was in her first year of university, and she drafted it between essays, mid-terms, and reading assignments. Once finished university, with a B.A. in English as well as a B.Ed, she began her career as a teacher and also found time to return to her writing. While teaching middle school, she wrote and published the first books in her Imagine series.
Her Reborn Marks Series took a unique journey. While traveling home from a writers’ conference in Calgary, Jenna was hit by inspiration and formed the character of Lexil – someone who had hidden strength and talents that weren’t easily recognizable. The first half of the book was written while Jenna Greene’s mother was ill with cancer, and the second half was completed after her mother passed away. Winning the 2019 Moonbeam Children’s Book award (gold) provided an opportunity for her to express her gratitude for the inspiration her mother gave her as a storyteller, acknowledging that those we love never truly leave us, as they are in our hearts, phrases, morals, and memories – a major theme for the trilogy.
Having moved to teaching younger students, as well as the addition of a daughter to her family, Jenna has been recently inspired by Children’s Books. In 2021, her first picture book was released: Winston, the Well-Dressed Wombat. Winston is unique and friendly, with a sense of style others might not imitate.
Jenna has more writing projects on the horizon, as ideas continue to arrive in her head. But deep down, she is just a little girl creating imaginative stories with her She-Ra action figures (and possibly a Ninja Turtle or two).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where do you get your story ideas?
Everywhere and anywhere. A swing on a park. The freckles on my face. A person I once knew.
2. How do you deal with writer’s block?
I spend more time daydreaming. Daydreaming is the best and more important part of writing.
2. How do your characters come into existence? Do they have a bio?
Some have full character traits, backstories, preferences, and relationships. Some I only know a bit about – the glimpse into their life that they allow.
3. Who would you cast in the role of your characters if your books were optioned for a movie?
Hmm… From my Imagine series, I would cast myself in the role of Becky Thatcher. For Kat Bowers, my niece Kaitlyn. I’m not sure who would make the best Lexil for the Reborn Marks series, but my daughter would make a nice casting choice for Ceera. As for Winston… any wombat that can walk, talk, and dress would suit the role nicely.
4. What inspired you to write your first book?
It was inspired by the passion of my roommates and an odd daydream I had.
5. What’s a typical writing day for you?
I have a four-year-old daughter and a full-time job, so I write in the evenings and on the weekends. I find moments to daydream during the day, and that allows me to get my words on paper quickly once I do find a short span of time to write.
6. What was the most surprising thing you learned in creating your characters?
Characters don’t obey. They can be reigned in for the first 1/3 of a book while the author is developing them, but after… nope. They decide things on their own. They know themselves well enough that the writer can’t push them to places they shouldn’t go.
7. If you could have given your characters one piece of advice before the opening pages of the book, what would it be?
Life sometimes hands you strife, but you are capable and will be able to handle it. You’ll make it through – possibly not the first time, but eventually, you’ll succeed if you persevere. Rely on your own unique talents and those of the people around you.
8. Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?
I write in short bursts because I don’t have a lot of time on my hands, but I make good use of that time. I also have to wear a tiara to get in the ‘zone’. I like fantasy because it doesn’t require much research, though I have to keep a lot of notes so that there is consistency between books.