J.N. Welsh's Blog

Have I told you that I love my characters? I really do! These people are funny, complex, and loveable in their own way. Even when they get in their own way to finding love. I picked up Gigolo All the Way the other day and found myself many pages along and wondering where the time went. The characters pull me in. Although they are already on the printed page, I always think of ways to put them back in the playground of my imagination: mess with them a little bit more, tease them with a new threat, and plot a new way or reunion to love. Fun! As I write, because I'm always writing or editing, I envision new characters and new ways to do this -all of which, of course, I look forward to sharing with you.
-JN

...and writing...and editing... and revising... AND I love it all! Spending my time with my characters and developing their stories is a joyous time for me. Now, in all fairness, getting feedback is a double-edged sword. Nothing is all lilacs and posies. Everything has its upside and downside. For example, thoughts and feedback I've asked to receive from those willing to review my work in its more ...eh hem...rougher stages. Feedback, from people you trust, is awesome, but at the same time, I have to go through the process of receiving constructive criticism. This process goes a little something like this:

"Yay! Feedback is here!"
to...
"Wait! What?!"
and then...
"They hated it!" followed by a bit of grumbling
next is....
"Man, I have to redo the whole thing!"
to...
SPACE (the most important part of this scenario)
then comes....
Rereading comments
to...
"Okay, it's not so bad,"
and...
"This is the best feedback ever!"
finally...
"I can do this! I love this!"

Yes, haha, it is a process like any other. I know what's coming and though I have been through it before, every time feels kind of new, which always amuses me in the end. Remember my post about gratitude? Well, feedback from those who take time to help make me better nears the top of that list!

Oh! I just checked my inbox and guess what? "Yay! Feedback is here!" :)

The last few months have been filled with so many highs and lows. This is not new because this is life. Regardless of all, I wanted to start my author blog here with gratitude. Gratitude for the challenges, the upsets, the rejection, and the heartache because I grew from it all. I wanted to thank the joy, the thrills, the success, the love and the support that was also present. I also learned from that. On January 26th, my deal announcement with Carina Press was announced while U I brought my father home from the hospital after surgery. I had very competing and dynamic emotions that day, but all in all, I felt joy. Glad to still have my parents, loving friends, and a book sale. I am grateful and I am thankful. I so look forward to sharing this book when it is completed with you all. Until then I have some other things planned so make sure to connect and check back.

JN-