SO OVER MY HEAD - Jenny B Jones

We're featuring another wonderful novel. Welcome, Jenny. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?


Right now I’m in a much-needed phase of “I’m getting out of your way, Lord. Do your thing.” I’m really guilty of giving God these multiple choice scenarios for my life and praying he’ll bless me with the one I want. I’m (re)learning that God’s plan for me is SO much bigger than anything I could come up with. So I’m excited to see what he has in store. And aside from that, I see more writing. Which means more sitting. Which means more M&Ms. Which means new pants are what’s on my expanding horizon.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

Oh, for sure. And my movie and TV show watching habits. The main thing I notice is that I can rarely turn off my internal editor. I think all writers experience that. I go to a movie and come home thinking, “But if they’d just have done this. Or taken out that.” And I tend to read more for the purpose of learning craft. I’m great at buying books on craft…and then not reading them. But give me a novel, and I learn so much. My favorite author is a whiz at third person, so when I tackled that POV for my next book, Save the Date, I reread all of her stuff for the millionth time.

What are you working on right now?

I’m finishing up some editing on Save the Date, my second romantic comedy for women from Thomas Nelson, which will hit the shelves this winter. It’s about a couple who fakes a very public engagement because they both have something to gain. Of course, they are total opposites and think they are safe from love’s big snare. But. . .it’s a romance, so, nothing turns out like they expect.

What outside interests do you have?

Outside interests? I’m supposed to be doing something besides writing? Like…have a life?

Just kidding. When I do get a few moments of free time, I love to read (shock). I love to travel. So far my favorite trip was a summer vacation to Ireland. I’m a fool for musical theater. (Wicked is my absolute favorite.) I go to the movies a lot (there’s just something about being in the theater, versus on your couch). And I think we’ve established that I like to eat.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

So far I have tried to keep it Southern. It’s what I know, but most importantly, it’s what I love. For this series, A Charmed Life, Bella splits her time between the posh side of Manhattan and a small town in Oklahoma. So it was fun to mix in a little NYC with my rural town. It’s also a good representation of the two sides to Bella Kirkwood—she’s a former young socialite who is now adjusting to life on the farm. Sometimes my setting choices are about a place I’ve been or want to go. For Save the Date, I wanted to go see Charleston, SC, so that’s where the book is set.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

Wow. I think my answer right now would be Alice Roosevelt. That girl was a firecracker, and I’d love to have dinner with her and hear all about her feisty spirit and antics as the daughter of a president. Alice apparently bored easily, and this often led to trouble. It would be fun to hear all about it.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

That I will spend a ridiculous amount of time in a seat. And my butt will morph into a shape that can only be described as Early 21st Century Office Depot Chair.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

A. Buy ad time during the Super Bowl.
B. Be related to someone in the PR department at People magazine.
C. And write the book that feels natural to you. If your spirit is resistant to what you’re writing, then there’s a problem. If you’re writing against your gift, voice, or style, it’s going to show, and you’re going to be unhappy during the process. Sometimes it’s just one element that’s off. While writing Save the Date, I felt things were really off, but couldn’t figure out why. When I got my edits back, my editors pointed out that my protagonist’s job didn’t work, and I had clearly been disconnected to it. So I went back and gave her a new job as director of a girls’ home for young women who have aged out of foster care, something I had witnessed first hand in this past year. It was something I cared about, and it made all the difference. The rest of the book just shaped up around it. All because of one wrong piece.

Tell us about the featured book?

When the Fritz Family Carnival makes its annual appearance in Truman, Bella's keen reporter instincts tell her the bright lights hide more than they reveal. Her suspicions are confirmed when one of the stars is murdered, leaving Bella no choice but to go undercover. Though the police make an immediate arrest, Bella doubts this case is quite that simple. (Don’t let the five hundred dollar shoes fool you. Bella is one smart girl.) She needs her crime-solving boyfriend, Luke, more than ever. Problem is, his ex-girlfriend has moved back to town, giving Bella some murderous thoughts of her own. Then again, there's no time for a relationship crisis when Bella's doing her best to derail her father's wedding and stay one step ahead of a killer.
Clearly God is sending her a message in all of this madness. With a murderer on the loose and her boyfriend's ex on the prowl, this undercover clown has never had more to juggle--or more to risk.
Please give us the first page of So Over My Head.

Readers can see the entire first chapter at www.jennybjones.com/books/
How can readers find you on the Internet?

We have a great time on my website, where I post regularly on my blog at http://www.jennybjones.com/ . We talk about the important things—Fruity Pebbles, Lindsey Lohan, books, movies, and our mutual love for the irreverent.

Thanks for the fun interview, Jenny.
 
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I'M SO SURE - Jenny B. Jones - Free Book

My 14-year-old granddaughter just loves to read Jenny B. Jones books. Welcome, Jenny. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I think there’s a little bit of me in all my main characters. They are usually very independent, light-hearted, a tad bit snarky, and don’t believe in wallowing in pitiful moments. I think my goal right now is to write some characters who are definitely not like me.

That's what stretches us, putting ourselves into someone else's skin. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Become a teacher and show up to work every day.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I started writing in the first grade. Took it very seriously. I’m still trying to shop that manuscript if anyone is interested. I didn’t actually get proactive about publication though until 2005 when I learned about ACFW and went to my first writer’s conference. Changed my life. Six months later I had my first contract for my Katie Parker series, and it’s been nonstop ever since.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

Great question. Honestly I don’t have a wide range. Due to time, I am limited on my reading, so I read a lot of YA, out of interest, out of a desire to stay connected to what my students are reading, and finally due to a need to stay up on the YA market. And I read lots of romance. I love chick lit. Anything light, fluffy, and funny. A few times a year I push myself and go beyond those two categories. This year I read The Help and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I can’t praise those two books enough. You have to read them. Amazing. I see a movie in the future for both novels. And I also always have a nonfiction book going—usually something of a spiritual nature. I bought myself a Mac for Dummies book to read a few months ago, but that computer lingo stressed me out and made forget everything I had learned in my spiritual books, so I had to put that one down. What about you?

I have eclectic tastes in reading. I like for most books I read to have a romantic element, too. I love historical and contemporary. Romance, suspense, even sci-fi and fantasy. I've read Christian vampire, too. However, I don't like horror. And for me to like a war story, it has to be about the characters, not as much about the fighting. I'm reading a book that will release in March by one of the people I mentored--Ronie Kendig. Dead Reckoning. I love it. I also sometimes read YA. And for nonfiction, I like the books by Sarah Young. I've used Jesus Calling this year. For 2010, I'm going to use Dear Jesus. What other books have you written, whether published or not?

When I was in the fourth grade I wrote the stunning mystery I’m Gonna Kill You Dead. My talent for titles came at such a young age.

I’ve written two YA series: A Katie Parker Production and A Charmed Life, my current series with Thomas Nelson, which includes the book I’m So Sure. My first romantic comedy for the big girls came out this past winter, Just Between You and Me.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Lots of sugar. Lots of tea. Lots of friends and family. And I’m learning the gift of just saying no.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Names are so important to me. I try to pick names that are current and match the character’s personality. Then I just live with the names a bit. I’ve gotten to the end of books and gone back and changed names of main characters. They have to be just right.

One of the characters in the book I just finished this month had me change his name at the very end. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Some time ago my brother and I had the privilege of taking care of our ailing grandmother for a few years. I think it’s the most important thing I’ve ever done. Beyond that, it might be finally mastering the nose kazoo. (it’s harder than it looks…)

James and I took care of his father with senility near the end of his life. Nothing is more important than honoring your elders with care. I salute you. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

Probably a dog of some sort. I go to a nearby running trail a few times a week, and next to it is a Bark Park. I could watch those dogs for hours. Is there any animal that is more in the moment? When they go chasing a ball they are all about that moment and activity. They love and play with everything they’ve got. I just love to see that.

What is your favorite food?

Probably anything Ben and Jerry’s makes. And cereal. Oh my gosh, do I love cereal. And Mexican food. I live for queso and fajitas.

You'd like the DFW Ready Writers local chapter of ACFW. We meet in a really good Mexican restaurant. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I really struggle with writer’s block for every single book. I think the best thing I can do is just step away from it and purposely not think about writing. The plot of Just Between You and Me FINALLY came to me as I was watching a movie. Some critical plot pieces for the book I’m working on right now came to me when I was in a dark theater watching the Michael Jackson documentary. It’s like we can try so hard our brains shut down. Sometimes the brain just needs a little rest to do what it needs to do.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Pray. A lot. And go to writer’s conferences. If you’re really interested in publication, you have to get proactive. Read the recommended books, find a critique group, and get your work out there (when it’s ready) via conferences. And write the book that’s on your heart and you feel led to write. Let God open those locked doors when the time is right.

Yes. That last bit is so important. God will know when it's the time He planned for you. Tell us about the featured book?

Things were going fine for Bella in Truman, Oklahoma. Sure, she misses Manhattan, designer clothing, and her dad. But she was finally making new friends at Truman High and getting some good stories on the school newspaper. Then her stepdad, a semi-pro wrestler, signs the entire family up for a reality TV show. And now Bella’s quiet life is splashed across weekly tabloids and entertainment TV.

As if having a camera crew following her around isn’t bad enough, Bella soon discovers a conspiracy against the Truman High prom queen candidates. And the closer she gets to the answer, the more danger she finds herself in.

As her relationship with cute and frustrating editor Luke teeters between friendship and something much more, Bella’s ex-boyfriend reappears and vies for Bella’s attention. Is he truly reformed? Suddenly nothing is quite what it seems. Could denying allegations of love triangle, working to solve the prom queen mystery, and trying to keep her cool while working a shift at the maxi-pad plant get our Bella Kirkwood down? I’m so sure!

Please give us the first page of the book.

Readers can read the first chapter HERE. http://www.jennybjones.com/books

How can readers find you on the Internet?

We have a lot of fun over at my blog at http://www.jennybjones.com/ . I’m also on Facebook and Twitter on a minute-by-minute basis.

Thanks for letting me stop by, Lena!

And I loved having you, Jenny. I'd love to feature you anytime.

Readers, here's a link where you can order the book. By using this link when you order, you're helping support this blog.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.


Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

Author Jenny B. Jones - On the Loose

Today, we're welcoming back Jenny B. Jones with her second installment in the Katie Parker Productions young adult series. My granddaughter who doesn't like to read that much loved book one. I'll be giving her book two in this series, too.

Welcome, Jenny. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I write humor because I love to make people laugh and love to keep things o the light side. There are enough downers in the world—the news, work, daily life. And I write YA because I have a heart for teenagers. And probably because I’ve yet to totally relinquish my own youth. Despite the Miss Clairol…and the Retinol cream.

How has being published changed your life?

I’m a lot, lot busier. I rarely have any downtime, and when I do, I’m thinking about what I should be working on next. The time commitment is intense. And the photographers and paparazzi who hang outside my house and stalk me. They just will not leave girls like Britney Spears and me alone!

Right! What are you reading right now?

I’m currently reading an Anthony Horowitz YA book and a Janet Evanovich novel.

What is your current work in progress?

Right now I’m writing the second book in my new YA series for Thomas Nelson. But I’m counting the day until my next book, The Big Picture, hits the shelves. It’s the third and final installment in the Katie Parker Production series.

What would be your dream vacation?

I’ve actually been tackling my dream vacation list. Last year I went to Europe and had an amazing time. I highly recommend it! And I just got back from Oahu a few days ago. Next on the list is a trip to Ireland and Scotland. I love to travel, but ironically I absolutely hate to fly. I’m such a weeny.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

So far I’ve kept it pretty southern—locations I know like Arkansas and Oklahoma. I’m also incorporating my travels in there, so my latest series that I’m working on is also based in New York City, a place I love!

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Without a doubt, it would be Carol Burnett. She is my hero. I would just spend the entire time gushing about her greatness, her influence in my life, and begging her to do the Tarzan yell. I grew up watching The Carol Burnett show, and she really influenced me in terms of comedy and a love for farce. She is the reason we have shows like Saturday Night Life and other sketch comedy. I think the woman is flat-out brilliant.

My husband and I totally agree with that. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I don’t get a lot of time for hobbies anymore, but like I mentioned, I love to travel. I’m a big movie buff, so I take in a lot of movies. As a former drama teacher, I am crazy about musicals and theater. Is eating a hobby? I tend to do a lot of that…

Wow, I've been a drama teacher, too. What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Just writing in general. I read about the occasional author who just writes in a creative storm daily. I have no idea what that is like. Writing is really hard for me. I spend more time sitting and staring at a blank screen than I do the productive writing part. And unfortunately I work best under pressure (though it drives me nuts), so I get more creative as the time draws near to a deadline. I used to think you had to have this complete novel in your head in order to qualify as a writer or to justify sitting down at the computer. SO not true. If that’s what you’re waiting for, you have to just park your tail in the seat and write. Even if it’s a single sentence or a blip of an idea.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Surrender your gifts, talents, and dreams to God. A turning point came for me when I just said, “God, here’s my dream of being a writer. Take it. It’s yours. Just give me something to fill its place. If I wake up tomorrow and want to be a vet, then I’ll go with it.” A few months later my ship came in and I had a contract. And practically speaking, invest in your future career—go to conferences, read the books recommended for writers, and try to write daily—even if it’s just a really well constructed email. Some days that’s all I accomplish—well, that and my chocolate consumption quota.

Tell us about the featured book.

On the Loose is the second book in the Katie Parker Production series. Here’s the book blurb:
Six months into her stay with her foster parents, Katie Parker is finally adjusting to her new family. But after a tornado rips through the town of In Between, nothing is ever the same again. When her foster mom, Millie, is diagnosed with cancer, Katie begins to doubt if God really does care. What will happen to Katie? Could she possibly have to leave In Between and the family she's come to depend on? Things spiral even further out of control when Katie humorously juggles a science fair project, a malfunctioning best friend, spring break plans, and holding the attention of her own Prince Charming. It's going to take more than a glass slipper and some fairy dust to fix Katie Parker's problems. But will help come in time?

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Hopefully my revamped website will be up and running by this time. It’s at www.jennybjones.com .
And you can find my blog at http://jennybjones.blogspot.com. Please stop by there. I’m giving away five copies of book three, The Big Picture, all next week!

Jenny, thank you for spending this time with us.

Readers, check out her web site and blog. Want a copy of On the Loose? Leave a comment.