One of the joys of being a writer is having the chance to meet some truly amazing people. I thought it might be fun for me to bring some of the people I greatly enjoy to you. Folks I read, hang out with, trade publishing secrets with, all that jazz. Why should I get to have all the fun?

And 7 Minutes With... was born.

I'm so happy to have the incredible Jordan Dane here today for the inaugural entry. Jordan is one of the coolest chicks out there, a hugely accomplished writer whose imagination is off the charts. She writes a lot, both YA and Adult novels, all of which I can highly recommend, and she's one of the nicest chicks in the business. Plus, she does so much she makes me tired! So without further ado, here's a glimpse into her awesome mind.

Set your music to shuffle and hit play. What’s the first song that comes up?

Sara Bareilles – Gravity

Now that we’ve set the mood, what are you working on today?

I’m writing Crystal Fire, book #2 in the Hunted series with Harlequin Teen. Every book has its challenges and this one is kicking my authory butt. I sense when things are—or aren’t—where I want them to be, but I also have to realize I am in complete control of this world. I have to keep an open mind to make it the best it can be, scene by scene.

Where do you write, and what tools do you use?

I have an office upstairs in my home. It’s a media room with a half bath, walk-in closet for my office supplies, and it’s HUGE with a sofa, loveseat, and a desk with shelving units for my resource books and printer. I also have my weird collection of hats and toys to get me in touch with my inner child to write YA. As for my office software, I use Microsoft Word and have Scrivener, but haven’t figured out how to use it yet. I’m an impatient writer and hate slowing down to figure out software.

What was your favorite book as a child?

Anything with horses in it. Flying ones, Western ones. I read every book my elementary school library had on horses. When I was old enough, I eventually bought my first horse with money from a summer job and the help of tolerant parents, but I didn’t stop at one. Once I’d read every western, my interest changed to what RODE those horses and I quickly became an avid reader of espionage thrillers and crime fiction. Thank you, Robert Ludlum.

What’s your favorite bit of writing advice?

“The only thing you can control is the writing.”

When I heard someone say this, I realized that all the promo and non-writing time I spent, wasn’t as essential as the foundation to it all. Writing. I took comfort in that. It reminded me why I had to write in the first place—and why I would write whether I sold another book or not.

What do you do if the words aren’t flowing?

I don’t believe in writer’s block. I think of any stall to my process as the brain’s way of letting me know something isn’t working. I have an exercise that I call the SCREAMING brain. I talk out my plot with my husband usually, but it could be anyone patient. My brain storming peeps don’t have to come up with any solutions. I’ve discovered that they only have to listen. As I talk things out, the resolutions come to me and I’m off and running again.

I once took a break and watched a Christian Slater movie. Something in the crazy plot, about a skateboard kid on the run, helped me finish NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM, my debut crime fiction thriller that sold in auction to HarperCollins. Yep, Christian Slater movies can be the universal solution to writer’s block. You heard it here first.

What would you like to be remembered for?

Being a nice person.

(Editor's Note: Jordan is accomplishing this goal with aplomb.)

Thanks for being here, Jordan! And y'all, ask questions, because Jordan will be stopping by to answer any and all....

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Bestselling, critically-acclaimed author Jordan Dane’s gritty romantic thrillers are ripped from the headlines with vivid settings, intrigue, and dark humor. Publishers Weekly compared her intense novels to Lisa Jackson, Lisa Gardner, and Tami Hoag, naming her debut novel NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM as Best Books of 2008. She also pens young-adult novels for Harlequin Teen. Formerly an energy sales manager, she now writes full time. Jordan and her husband share their Texas residence with two cats of highborn lineage and two lucky rescue dogs.

Check out Jordan across the Interwebs:

Website http://www.JordanDane.com

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/JordanDane

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JordanDaneAuthor

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/jordandane/

Thriller/Crime Fiction Blogs:

The Kill Zone http://killzoneauthors.blogspot.com/

YA Blogs:

ADR3NALIN3 http://adr3nalin3.blogspot.com

Fringe Dweller http://jordandanebooks.blogspot.com