Ask the Author: Jennifer Scott
Answered Questions (8)
Jennifer Scott
I belong to an exercise class that consists of a cross-section of all types of women from many walks of life. We came in as strangers and we are now friends. Close friends. Like, Show up to Your Important Life Events friends. Like Stick with the Class for Years Because You Can't Imagine Your Day Starting Without Them friends. I wanted to tell a story that took a bunch of women, unrelated and unacquainted, and put them in a class where they could learn together, laugh together, and tackle some difficult stuff together. The Hundred Gifts follows newly-empty nester, Bren Epperson, through her journey to find and re-define purpose in her life. She just happens to find it in a cooking class filled with women she'd never have guessed would become some of the best friends she's ever had, and one very grouchy lady who tries her level best to make Bren's life miserable.
The Hundred Gifts comes out October 27, 2015!
The Hundred Gifts comes out October 27, 2015!
Jennifer Scott
Writing is just something I do and have always done. It used to be my hobby, and I never dreamed I would be able to one day turn my hobby into my career. Surreal. A dream.
So I don't really need inspiration to sit down and write. The inspiration is just...there.
As for where I get inspiration for my story ideas...well, that could come from anywhere! Everywhere! Even nowhere. I get ideas from news stories, from suggestions, from my past. The Sister Season was inspired by the setting -- a farm modeled after the one I grew up spending weekends on. The Accidental Book Club was inspired by an amazing book club that I visited with to talk about my YA book Hate List. Second Chance Friends was inspired by a news story in my town, about a local bus crash. It got me thinking...what would happen to the lives of the people who were there?
So I don't really need inspiration to sit down and write. The inspiration is just...there.
As for where I get inspiration for my story ideas...well, that could come from anywhere! Everywhere! Even nowhere. I get ideas from news stories, from suggestions, from my past. The Sister Season was inspired by the setting -- a farm modeled after the one I grew up spending weekends on. The Accidental Book Club was inspired by an amazing book club that I visited with to talk about my YA book Hate List. Second Chance Friends was inspired by a news story in my town, about a local bus crash. It got me thinking...what would happen to the lives of the people who were there?
Jennifer Scott
Read a lot. Write a lot. Believe in yourself. Those really are the three key ingredients.
Jennifer Scott
For sure it's the connection I get to make with readers. In addition to women's fiction, I also write young adult fiction (under the name Jennifer Brown), and I absolutely love going to schools and meeting the teens who read my books, as well as receiving emails from teens, adults, anyone who has read and been touched by something I've written. Even for introverts such as myself, writing can be a lonely job, and sometimes it's the kind word or bit of encouragement or even just a, "Your words made an impact in my life," that can make all the difference in the world.
Jennifer Scott
Hi, Edna! Thanks for your feedback. I have been in touch with my publisher and they are getting the books out to all right away. Not sure what happened, but we will fix it! Thanks again!
Jennifer Scott
I don't really believe in it. I think that what we like to call "writer's block" is actually something else. Maybe boredom or overediting or fear or laziness...or something else entirely. Who knows? I think when you label it "block," it makes it harder to get out of it, because it's something that's happening to you. If you label it what it really is, it's a little easier to fix, because you have your control back. Regardless, whatever you call it, when you feel "blocked," the only way out is through. You just have to keep writing through it (and don't be afraid to allow yourself to write really crappy stuff) and hope that eventually you'll get back on track.
Jennifer Scott
Carolyn, I'm so sorry you haven't received it yet! Please PM me your address so I can get with my publisher and find out what happened and how to get a copy to you right away! Thanks for letting me know!
Jennifer Scott
I just finished revising another women's fiction set at holiday time. The Hundred Gifts is about new empty-nester, Bren Epperson, a bitter and angry woman named Virginia Mash, and how the two come together to help each other through a tough holiday season. It should come out November 2015!
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