Ask the Author: Jennifer Peer
Answered Questions (10)
Jennifer Peer
I did not grow up in the traditional way as my mom was a free spirit who struggled in my early years with substance abuse. That free spirit got us into some interesting situations. There was a period where we were part of a "church" rumored to be a cult. Women and men slept in separate buildings and were 'matched' by the preacher.
We never moved into those buildings because my mom and her ‘match’ got married and started a cross-country move with the barest of possessions, in a van instead. I honestly don’t know which path was the better one based on the outcome. I have contemplated a book about that particular group and what could have been many times over the years.
We never moved into those buildings because my mom and her ‘match’ got married and started a cross-country move with the barest of possessions, in a van instead. I honestly don’t know which path was the better one based on the outcome. I have contemplated a book about that particular group and what could have been many times over the years.
Jennifer Peer
This is tough...how about this?
"I struggled over the dead bodies sprawled throughout the hot sand as it cut my feet, shards embedded across my bare legs and arms to create raw, red, burning abrasions. I woke up drenched as the panic raced through my chest, clutching my side, the blood along my fingers at the angry redness I hadn't had when I went to sleep the night before."
"I struggled over the dead bodies sprawled throughout the hot sand as it cut my feet, shards embedded across my bare legs and arms to create raw, red, burning abrasions. I woke up drenched as the panic raced through my chest, clutching my side, the blood along my fingers at the angry redness I hadn't had when I went to sleep the night before."
Jennifer Peer
I love some of the fictional towns/cities that are created in books based loosely on actual places. There are so many to choose from, I think I would just go to Europe and travel around to find them. That would be ideal for me.
I also think it would be really cool to visit some magical realms like those in the Dowser Series by Meghan Ciana Doidge which is one of my favorites.
I also think it would be really cool to visit some magical realms like those in the Dowser Series by Meghan Ciana Doidge which is one of my favorites.
Jennifer Peer
I have so many books on my list. Currently I am ready The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion which is laugh out loud funny. I plan to read If I Never by Miriam McFarlane, Love Sold Separately by Ellen Meister, and the new Series by Blake Pierce starting with Murder (and Baklava) next. I have some Janet Evanovich, Deborah Harkness, the new one by Sally Thorne, Heather Graham, Lisa Jackson, and some John Sanford on my list as well. It is a pretty long list and the order changes depending on my mood. What about you?
Jennifer Peer
One of the things that works best for me when I have writer's block is rereading what I have written from the beginning. That tends to shake things up and gets me excited about what my characters are going to do next.
I write in long stretches of time generally late at night after I have worked at my full-time job all day. That sometimes makes it harder and I have accepted that some nights it's just not going to happen. When I feel like that I take a night to read someone else's work or watch a show. That also helps me stay fresh as I find that pushing it sometimes has the opposite effect.
My last trick is to outline a new project because sometimes that's what is distracting me from my current work. Once I get the ideas outlined, it's like magic and I can go back to what I am working on.
I write in long stretches of time generally late at night after I have worked at my full-time job all day. That sometimes makes it harder and I have accepted that some nights it's just not going to happen. When I feel like that I take a night to read someone else's work or watch a show. That also helps me stay fresh as I find that pushing it sometimes has the opposite effect.
My last trick is to outline a new project because sometimes that's what is distracting me from my current work. Once I get the ideas outlined, it's like magic and I can go back to what I am working on.
Jennifer Peer
For me the greatest thing about being a writer is sharing a story with others and receiving feedback. If what I write makes people have an emotional response and gives them a bit of happiness, I've done my job well. I want to be the kind of writer that makes a reader have their "that's so romantic" moment because everyone needs those.
Jennifer Peer
One thing that has worked for me is writing straight through to get a section done. I don't worry about spelling and punctuation; I just get it all down to make sure I've captured everything. Sometimes I write several chapters at a time. Then when I am get ready to start writing again, I reread the latest additions and edit. I find that rereading also ensures continuity for me and helps the flow.
Jennifer Peer
I am currently working on a new romantic suspense novel that is very creepy and much darker than True Beginnings. The main character is very different and there is a serial killer involved. Of course there is romance as well but it is more of a slow burn than my first novel.
Jennifer Peer
I have always wanted to write. I started with poetry and short stories while in college and always had a pad and pen in hand. My family has always encouraged me. I took baby steps and started writing scene by scene and it just flowed. Music is a must for me when I write because it helps me focus on the tone of the novel. Certain artists encourage certain moods and act as a backdrop. It's kind of like when I go to the movies and feeling myself getting tense when I hear the music because I know something is about to happen.
Jennifer Peer
True has been a character rattling around in my head for a while but she really solidified one night when I was listening to Sting (of course) and watching my daughter sparring. She was using a rattan stick and a knife with a man almost double her size who had the same weaponry and she was kicking his tail. That was the aha moment and the scene was drafted that very night as soon as I got home.
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