Julie Kenner's Blog, page 10
April 7, 2021
Pick Your Story … aka Battle of the Fab Ideas

Release the balloons!!
This is the very first installment in my new Writes & Wrongs column, where every Wednesday we talk about all things related to the craft and business of storytelling.
I’m ridiculously excited about this new feature on my blog. Not only will I be posting columns about writing, but at least once each month (maybe more!) I’ll be posting a video interview between me and another author or screenwriter or industry professional. I’ve got an awesome lineup of guests I can’t wait for you to meet!
This column is for all levels of writers, though some topics will be more geared to writers just starting out on their journey, and others will resonate more with writers who are looking at taking a deep dive into craft and theory.
The ideas in these columns are my own, though at times I’ll direct you to outside resources—and there are a lot. If you’re like me, you like to really dig into All Things Craft where writing and storytelling is concerned. (Did you see how I did that? I subtly pointed out that writing and storytelling are not the same thing. Yeah, we’ll definitely be exploring that topic).

First, a bit of housekeeping:
If you would like to submit a question for this column and/or sign up for my upcoming Writes & Wrongs newsletter, just follow this link: bit.ly/JK-WritingWed
And be sure to subscribe to the blog using the button in the sidebar–and use the share buttons at the bottom of each post to let other writers know about the column!
Today, I thought we’d start with an excellent question that was submitted through the form by a number of different people:
I have lots of story kernels bouncing around in my head. How do I choose which one to go with? — Anonymous Writer
Dear Anonymous –
Great question. And not only because it’s one that so many beginning writers have, but also because it shows an understanding of a deeper truth—first, that not every scenario that pops into your head has the makings of a compelling story; and second, that there are objective ways to determine which of your ideas is best positioned to be transformed into a great story.
To illustrate the first point, let me tell you a story (a quick one, I promise!). I love to travel, and after I graduated law school, I did the backpacking through Europe thing for seven weeks by myself. Or mostly by myself. A guy from New Zealand who I’d met in the States and gone out with a few times was going to be in London during my time in Europe, and I’d timed my trip to meet up with him for a few days.
Now, during my jaunt through the UK, France, Italy, Austria, Scotland, Germany, and Belgium, I had a lot of adventures, as a twenty-two year old will. Funny things happened. Scary things happened. I learned stuff. I got lost. I ate good food.
I was there for seven weeks, right?

That’s me a zillion years ago in Stratford-on-Avon. Mr. NewZ took the pic. (I’m thinking Kate from my Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom books would appreciate those weapons!)
And yet, when folks ask me to tell them about the trip, do I tell them about how much I enjoyed riding in the bus on the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg? Or about finding a great leather briefcase for my new legal career at an open air market in Florence? Or any of the other fine times I had?
Well, okay, yes, I usually do tell them all those tales eventually …. but I lead with this story:
There I am in London with Mr. NewZ, and it’s great because I’m young and we were dating and all was well with the world. We go one morning to a little pub in Earl’s Court in London (which I think now may be a fine place to live, but at the time was dodgy—this was Europe on under $10/day, remember). While we’re eating our very British breakfast, we’re also talking about how we’re going to get to Scotland, because our plan was to visit Edinburgh and then head up into the Highlands.
An elderly man overhears us. He’s a tour bus driver with a group of senior citizens and they are leaving in about an hour to go up to Edinburgh and then on to Glasgow. There are a few empty seats on the bus, and if we want, he’ll ask his boss if we can tag along for sixty pounds each—a bargain! (OK, it may have been sixty total. My memory fades…)
At any rate, Mr. NewZ is keen on the idea, though I’m a little hesitant. But I end up caving, and we follow Mr. Driver a few blocks to a travel agency storefront. He tells us to wait outside, but takes our bills so that he can show his boss we’re serious. He’ll get our vouchers and then we three will walk back to the little pub where Mr. NewZ and I will stand with the seniors while Mr. Driver goes and gets the bus.
Are your antennae tingling? Ours weren’t, and because we were, ah, naive, Mr. Driver walked into the agency, out through a back door, and we never saw him again.
Trust me when I say that this put a serious crimp in our pocketbooks—and for the first day of our journey north, it put a bit of a crimp on the romancey side of things, too. (We ended up renting a car.) But, hey, we were young and got over it.
(And though I do write romance, that is not where this story is going…)
The point is that the London Swindle Story is the one I tell when I talk about that trip, even now, decades later. Why?
Because there was conflict. Mr. NewZ and me, as we argued about the deal and then griped to each other after the fact. The swindle itself. The elderly man who so cleverly eavesdropped and pulled a con on us. Every point on the chronology of that story has some bit straining against it, that if it had shifted just slightly could have made it worse or better.
Is my finding a great briefcase a bad anecdote? No. But it’s not a great story. (Add in the fact that I had to literally strap it to the outside of my backpack because the post offices in Italy were closed because it was August and I couldn’t ship it home until I got to France, and the story gets better. Because — conflict. Man v. Nature. Or, in that case, Woman v. Briefcase.)
Great story, JK, but can you drill down on the takeaway?
I’m glad you asked, because yes, I can. The bottom line is that conflict is the driving force in a story. It is what your protagonist is striving against as they try to reach their goal.
We’re going to go into conflict more deeply as we go along (goals, too), but just remember that while a life without conflict can be very pleasant, a story without conflict will bore the stuffing out of you. Why? Because when you get right down to it, nothing is happening.
You want a conflict-free weekend so you can relax. You want a conflict-full story so that you keep turning the page like mad, eager to learn what comes next.
So, Anonymous Writer, you may have a dozen or more story kernels floating around in your head, but if you’re looking to pick the two or three that have real story potential, start with the kernels that have some sort of inherent conflict built in.

Think of conflict as the fuel that is driving your story car, and try to start the process with as much in the tank as possible.
We’ll more fully examine the nature of story conflict and other topics in the weeks to come. In the meantime, for those of you aspiring to write a story for the first time, think about your various ideas and pick a few that seem the most ripe to be developed.
If you’re already deep into a story, but have found yourself stuck, sit back and look at your scenes and try to think of ways to add conflict. Once you do, you’ll most likely find that the words start to flow once again.
Questions? Add them to the comments for this post.
Until next week …
Happy writing!

The post Pick Your Story … aka Battle of the Fab Ideas appeared first on J. Kenner.
April 6, 2021
Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals for April 6, 2021
Check out these six terrific bargains on books from best sellers and fan favorites, including the complete set of Amy Jarecki’s The Devilish Dukes and Holding Out For a Hero, a Protector Romance Collection!


“Amy Jarecki is absolutely delightful!” – New York Times Bestselling Author Tanya Anne Crosby

“I will not hesitate to recommend any and all works by Emery Belle to anyone anyone who likes reading.” – Amazon reviewer

“I literally LOVE the Bishops and I can’t wait for the next Circle B Ranch book and hearing more from Rowan and Diesel!” – Amazon reviewer

“Mia Sheridan seriously stepped outside of her box and wrote one hell of a haunting, thought provoking and suspenseful romance. I’m so glad she took a chance and wrote Savaged since it’s life altering and absolutely phenomenal!!” – Yolanda, Veronica’s Reading Vault

“Perfect for relaxing on the deck or curling up on your couch, you *definitely* will want to schedule some alone time with these guys. Book your yay-cation now and READ this!” – Amazon reviewer

“A great, light, and highly enjoyable, read. Definitely one to recommend to your friends.” – Amazon reviewer
AUTHORS:
If you’d like your title to be considered for the Friday New/New-ish Release blast, just fill out this form. Don’t hesitate to send your title in early!
CLICK HERE FOR TO SUBMIT A FEATURED NEW OR NEWISH RELEASE
If you’d like your title to be considered for the Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals, then this is the form you want:
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A TEMPTING TUESDAY “STEAL OR DEAL”
The post Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals for April 6, 2021 appeared first on J. Kenner.
April 2, 2021
Featured New Releases April 2, 2021
Nine new tantalizing reads from bestselling authors and romance fan favorites — including a new Stark novella from me!!! Bet you can’t read just one!
Don’t forget to scroll down for the video!

“I never ever want to say goodbye to the Stark world! And I hope I never have to…” BJ’s Book Blog

“Back in The Burbs is warm and witty. … An absolute charmer!” -Molly Fader, best-selling author of The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season

“Love, Strength and Loyalty. Those Whiskey boys are something else. WOW!” – Dirty South Books

“Nobody’s tortured alphas destroy me quite so utterly as Laura Kaye’s.” ~ USA Today Bestselling Author Samanthe Beck

“. . . another stunning addition to this series.” – CraziesRUs Book Blog

“A master of fantasy.” —The Huffington Post

“An absolute must read!” – Harlequin Junkie

“A beautiful and sensitive story of two wounded souls that find each other at just the right time .” – Amazon reviewer

“A beautiful, emotional, love story that will leave you with an epic book hangover!” – USA Today Bestselling Author, Ella James

“This book kept me reading it all in one sitting. I would recommend this book highly.” – Amazon reviewer

“The Jackson Falls Series is hot and this book keeps the streak going. …The pacing is great, the storyline is great, the read was great.” – Amazon reviewer

” I just can’t resist her surly heroes and the sassy heroines who love them.” – Amazon reviewer

Click the image to see the video
The post Featured New Releases April 2, 2021 appeared first on J. Kenner.
March 26, 2021
Featured New Releases March 26, 2021
Check out these nine bestsellers and fan favorites, including book three of Sawyer Bennett’s Chronicles of the Stone Veil (SO GOOD) and Carly Phillips’ Dare to Please!
Don’t forget to scroll down for the video!

“For those of us that are familiar with this series, bring tissues and a glass of wine, before you start reading. I highly recommend this series, as well as this Novella.” – Amazon reviewer

“Hot and steamy and full of suspenseful tension. I am deeply in love with the Wicked and Devoted series and Wicked and True only solidified that love further!!” – Amazon reviewer

“Like a piece of art, this series is taking shape and the artwork is starting to shine through. This third book in the Chronicles of the Stone Veil series is jammed packed with action, information, passion and emotion.” – Kay Daniels Romance

“This was a wonderful quick read and I could not put it down. I highly recommend reading this along with the dare nation series.” – Amazon reviewer

“This is a special series that I love with every fiber of my being. A top ten…no, a top FIVE favorite series for certain!” – Amazon reviewer

“UNINTENDED TARGET is the second installment in Katie Reus’s MACARTHUR FAMILY series. It was fast-paced, fun and a must read. Marvelous job by Katie Reus. Love this series so much! 5++++” – Amazon reviewer

“Riveting, all-consuming and absolutely addictive.” – Amz, The Sassy Nerd Blog

“I devoured every page!” ~ #1 New York Times bestselling author Helen Hardt

“As exciting and fun tho as any of the Brotherhood books. Keeps you wanting more and hating to reach the end because they’re so good.” – Amazon reviewer

Click the image to see the video
The post Featured New Releases March 26, 2021 appeared first on J. Kenner.
March 23, 2021
Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals March 23rd, 2021


“Enthralling. Powerful. Highly passionate. The best writing of Willow’s Career!” – Sophie, Bookalicious Babes Blog

“Deliciously sexy, Mari Carr is at the top of my auto-buy list!” – Carly Phillips, New York Times bestselling author

“RUTHLESS CROSS is another adrenaline-filled story, with well written and developed characters, Barbara Freethy is a master of her craft!” Booklovers Anonymous

“I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and the story line was good. I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it.” – Amazon reviewer

“I love a good fake dating book, and this one is wonderful.” – Amazon reviewer

“The fight of those with magic and those who wish to destroy them plus the aspects of good magic and evil magic are quite fascinating and I have really enjoyed this set of books. Well done and written!” – Amazon reviewer
AUTHORS:
If you’d like your title to be considered for the Friday New/New-ish Release blast, just fill out this form. Don’t hesitate to send your title in early!
CLICK HERE FOR TO SUBMIT A FEATURED NEW OR NEWISH RELEASE
If you’d like your title to be considered for the Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals, then this is the form you want:
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A TEMPTING TUESDAY “STEAL OR DEAL”
The post Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals March 23rd, 2021 appeared first on J. Kenner.
March 19, 2021
Featured New Releases March 19, 2021
I’m excited to read all of these, especially Mafia Bride — I adore CD Reiss’s voice! And OMG, the cover for X? How awesome is that! Grab any or all of these fab new books and get yourself set for the weekend!
Don’t forget to scroll down for the video!

“Be prepared to be knocked off your axis! This story will leave you on the edge of your seat with your heart pounding!” – Amazon reviewer

“X is the first book in the Royals series (Command Me), except told through the eyes of the hero (completely different viewpoint), and has been a newsletter serial for most of this year. This published version will be revised and expanded.” – the author

“This is a great start to a new series and leaves us wanting more of Dillon and the woman who has sparked his interest.” – Amazon reviewer

“The entire Elemental Assassin series is great from the first book to this last… Everything wrapped up nicely and the ending was very satisfying and I’m definitely crossing my fingers in hopes of Gin and the gang having more adventures in the future.” – Amazon reviewer

“Any story written by Kennedy Fox guarantees all kinds of intense emotions to overflow your heart. Holding You Close was no exception. I am absolutely in love with Noah and Katie and their epic love story.” -PP’s Bookshelf, Goodreads Review

“Mafia Bride signals the return of dark, twisted, gritty and unforgettable stories from the imagination of the Queen of the Mafia genre, CD Reiss.” – CLiK Books

Click the image to see the video
AUTHORS:
If you’d like your title to be considered for the Friday New/New-ish Release blast, just fill out this form. Don’t hesitate to send your title in early!
CLICK HERE FOR TO SUBMIT A FEATURED NEW OR NEWISH RELEASE
If you’d like your title to be considered for the Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals, then this is the form you want:
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A HUMP DAY “STEAL OR DEAL”
The post Featured New Releases March 19, 2021 appeared first on J. Kenner.
March 16, 2021
Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals March 16th, 2021


“This is definitely worth reading. Five stars for sure.” – Amazon reader

“This is the first book I’ve read by this author and will not be last.” – Amazon reader

“Sultry, provocative and down-right brutal at times, Dark Mafia Prince will take you on one of the most thrilling rollercoaster rides of your life.” – Hooker Heels Book Blog

“This book is part historical fiction, part romance novel, part coming of age story, and completely engrossing and entertaining.” – Amazon reader

“This book was SO good. Tons of questions and danger and action and oh the lovin’. I was flipping those virtual pages as fast as I could…” -Brenda, Reviewer

“Could not put this book down and I really really hope that Cleo and Ellis get their own book too. Highly recommended read.” – Amazon reader
AUTHORS:
If you’d like your title to be considered for the Friday New/New-ish Release blast, just fill out this form. Don’t hesitate to send your title in early!
CLICK HERE FOR TO SUBMIT A FEATURED NEW OR NEWISH RELEASE
If you’d like your title to be considered for the Wednesday Hump Day Steals & Deals, then this is the form you want:
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A HUMP DAY “STEAL OR DEAL”
The post Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals March 16th, 2021 appeared first on J. Kenner.
March 12, 2021
Featured New Releases March 12, 2021
Don’t forget to scroll down for the video!

“[The Devil Wears Black] sparkles with wit and chemistry…This is a treat.” —Publishers Weekly

The plot was unique, smart, and compelling and I’m really glad this is a series! – Amazon reader

“Audrey Carlan has created a gem of a story about sisterhood, love, second chances, and the kind of wanderlust that won’t be silenced, reminding us that sometimes the most important journey is the one we take home.” —Lexi Ryan, New York Times bestselling author

“I just love this series. Blair keeps me invested which each book.” – Amazon reviewer

“Pure enjoyment on every single page – thank you Kristen Ashley for another beautiful story!” ~ Wicked Reads

“This. Book. The characters. You will fall in love with them, and you will devour this book so quickly, you’ll end up wanting to read it all over again. I loved it!” — New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy

“I loved Her Dark Lies. A great modern gothic. Ellison outdid herself— what an ending!”
—Catherine Coulter, #1 NYT bestselling author of VORTEX

Have you ever had a crush on your best friend’s gorgeous, broody, dangerous older brother, only find your life being threatened and the only person who can help you is him? Welcome to Delia Sutton’s life… – the author

Book 5 in the Shark’s Edge Series!
She’s the flame in his heart… He’s the heat she can’t ignore…
“Breathtaking! Intense! Heartbreaking! Suspenseful! Uplifting! Romantic! Mind blowing! — Just some of the adjectives id use to describe this book!” – Amazon reviewer

Click the image to see the video.
AUTHORS:
If you’d like your title to be considered for the Friday New/New-ish Release blast, just fill out this form. Don’t hesitate to send your title in early!
CLICK HERE FOR TO SUBMIT A FEATURED NEW OR NEWISH RELEASE
If you’d like your title to be considered for the Wednesday Hump Day Steals & Deals, then this is the form you want:
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A HUMP DAY “STEAL OR DEAL”
The post Featured New Releases March 12, 2021 appeared first on J. Kenner.
March 9, 2021
Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals – 3/9/21


“Weekend Wife truly is rom com perfection!”- Reading Addict

“Swoony and delightful, Smitten was a pure pleasure to read. Charming and sweet with just the right measure of heat, Lauren Rowe knocked it out of the park.” —USA Today Bestselling Author T Gephart

There is something for everyone whether you love contemporary romance, western romance, romantic suspense or coming of age stories.

“The lengths these two go to in order to be together will leave you wanting more!!” – Jessica, Goodreads Reviewer

“This is the beginning of Reid and Lorna’s story from the Sparrow Web World. I love that it starts with a stolen kiss. We also get the background of Lorna and Mason who are siblings.In all, this was a great start to the Dangerous Web trilogy. I also loved that some of my favorite characters from Aleatha’s other books made appearances.“~ ***** Goodreads 5 star review Deanna Pink Lady

“Deep, thoughtful and super sexy” – Goodreads
AUTHORS:
If you’d like your title to be considered for the Friday New/New-ish Release blast, just fill out this form. Don’t hesitate to send your title in early!
CLICK HERE FOR TO SUBMIT A FEATURED NEW OR NEWISH RELEASE
If you’d like your title to be considered for the Wednesday Hump Day Steals & Deals, then this is the form you want:
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A HUMP DAY “STEAL OR DEAL”
The post Tempting Tuesday Steals & Deals – 3/9/21 appeared first on J. Kenner.
March 7, 2021
Featured New Releases March 7, 2021
And, yeah, we’re late this week. It happens….
Don’t forget to scroll down for the video!

The suspense portion of the story had me on the edge of my seat & the twists & turns there kept me wondering exactly how that would work out. – Amazon reviewer

This book was another page-turner for me, and I could NOT go to bed until I reached the end, which, AGAIN, had me going, “Oh My God!!!!!!” WHAT an ending!! – Amazon reviewer

A fresh storyline, a winning cast of characters, and the very best of emotional rides makes this poignant, phenomenal read one you won’t want to miss! – Amazon reviewer

“Equally sweet and spicy, this is sure to leave readers smiling.”―Publishers Weekly

If you haven’t read Penny Reid yet, what are you waiting for? … There is a humanity in Penny Reid’s “smart romance.” And she has clearly done it again with Cletus and Jennifer’s Marriage and Murder. – Amazon reviewer

I highly recommend this book. I am a fan of Mafia romance and an even bigger Kristen Proby fan.. You will not be disapointed. This is the very definition of a 1 Click Buy. – Amazon reviewer

Click the image to see the video
AUTHORS:
If you’d like your title to be considered for the Friday New/New-ish Release blast, just fill out this form. Don’t hesitate to send your title in early!
CLICK HERE FOR TO SUBMIT A FEATURED NEW OR NEWISH RELEASE
If you’d like your title to be considered for the Wednesday Hump Day Steals & Deals, then this is the form you want:
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A HUMP DAY “STEAL OR DEAL”
The post Featured New Releases March 7, 2021 appeared first on J. Kenner.