“Protecting Jennie,” a historical romance novel by local author Ann Collins, was recently released by Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. Collins was born and raised in La Jolla. She began writing while teaching English in Japan 11 years ago.
“I discovered that Japanese people were moving to the United States with no understanding of American ways and no cultural manual to guide them,” Collins said. “I decided to write that manual.”
“How to Live in America: A Guide for the Japanese” was published in 1991 by Yohan Publications, Inc. in Japan?
After her 1 & #733;-year stay in Japan, Collins developed an interest in fiction and joined the Romance Writers of America when she returned to San Diego.
“If you have an idea you believe in, a story you are passionate about, write it,” Collins encourages fellow writers. “Don’t expect the process to be easy, because it’s not. It takes time, dedication and discipline. But you can do it. Look to writers’ groups, conferences and to writing classes for help and support. Never give up!”
Collins has grown to understand the importance of networking with other writers as she has started her career. She suggests Sisters in Crime for mystery writers, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for writers of children’s works and her own Romance Writers of America. Each group has a national organization and chapters.
She now lives in University City, where she does free-lance proofreading and editing for the BioGenesis Group, a biotech firm in the Golden Triangle.
Collins is already working on her next historical romance, which is set in the Hotel del Coronado in 1898.
“I’ve always loved the hotel and have enjoyed researching its history,” she said.
