Author Interview with J. J. Ranson ~ New Release: She Danced Anyway #HistoricalFiction #wrpbks

Please help me welcome today’s guest, J.J. Ranson…

Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?

I love a good story. As a voracious reader, I usually know a terrific book within the first few pages. (Don’t you?) I’m still pinching myself about my first (then second) book contract with an honest-to-goodness publisher. I spent the bulk of my work life in education — public schools, community college, and university. When not
writing fiction, I write on Medium.com about faith, graphic design tutorials, minimalism, and other topics. I also play a bit on the piano and putter around in my garden. My favorite destination is the beach or anywhere there’s lots of water.
I’m the mother of three adult children I thoroughly enjoy hanging out with. I’m a widow, and live in Virginia with two elderly rescue dogs. My alma mater is Virginia Commonwealth University where I earned three degrees.

Where did you get the idea for She Danced Anyway?

I wrote a story scene to a writing prompt about music. I listened to Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue (1924) and created a character named Elizabeth and set her in New York City during the Roaring Twenties.

Why did you choose this genre (is it something you’ve written in before)?

I read a lot of historical fiction, so this was a natural genre choice for me.

What is the most difficult thing about writing a book?

I find it difficult at times to keep the writing momentum going, especially when a story line starts to drag. Just keeping the writing flow going is my best tactic, and I fix the messes later.

Have you written any other books that are not published?

My second novel, His Christmas Muse, will release on December 9, 2024. It’s a contemporary Christmas romance set in Richmond, Virginia. I’m currently working on book two of that tw0-book series.

What book have you read that you wish you had written?

I recently read Shelley Read’s debut novel, Go As A River. I was moved by this story of human pain and resilience told in a beautiful literary style I could only dream of achieving.

Do you collect anything?

Sometimes, I wish I didn’t have collections! Our things so often own us, rather than the other way around. That said, I love pottery and porcelain. I enjoy eating off lovely dishes. I especially love Royal Albert’s Old Country Roses china. I also inherited a few interesting collections from my husband –cars, stamps, lighthouses. I’m keeping the lighthouses!

What was your first job?

I started babysitting at about age 12. When I turned 16, I became a salesgirl at a department store at the mall. That job fed my love for fashion, even though I was trying hard to save for college.

What’s the main thing that you could get rid of in your life that would give you more writing time?

I’m retired, so I shouldn’t have any major impediments to writing. My procrastination habit is probably the greatest stealer of writing time. Most writers would likely say something similar.

What actors would you like in the main roles if your book were made into a movie?

She Danced Anyway is set in the 1920s, which makes casting my main characters surprisingly easy. Mackenzie Foy would play Elizabeth Alter. Elizabeth’s best friend Jocelyn would be played by Olivia Cooke. I can see Matt Bomer playing the jazz musician George.

What is your favorite quote?

Thomas Jefferson told John Adams, “I cannot live without books.”

Your favorite…

Music –Classical and Country (the older stuff).

Place you’d like to visit – Italy (all of it!)

TV show from childhood – The Monkees

Food — chocolate

Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television? – Games. I’d rather play a game than watch TV any day.

No one thinks Elizabeth Alter can manage independent living, and even she questions a future of eating only toast. She watches friends test society’s boundaries, desperate for similar courage to push back.

She loves dancing, but the city’s harridans and preachers want promiscuous dancing, wild jazz, and skimpy dresses ended and send the police often.

In 1920s New York City. Elizabeth works at the public library. She befriends co-worker James, to whom she introduces the delight of dancing. James imagines a traditional future, while Elizabeth dreams of dancing and living alone.

After a violent altercation with her mother, Elizabeth flees to her grandmother. She meets George, a piano player, and embarks on a tumultuous flirtation.

Caught in the crosshairs of society’s narrow expectations, will Elizabeth chase her dreams? Or will her own heart conspire against her?

Buy links:

Now available in E-book and Paperback formats.
AMAZON — BARNES & NOBLE — Books A Million

Find Julie here:

Website: www.juliejranson.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556781356858

X: https://x.com/JulieJRanson

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjranson_writer/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliejranson/

LinkTree (all the links): https://linktr.ee/jjranson