S. Jennifer Paulson's Blog, page 2

What's the worst-case scenario? Well, anything, when it's a book.

For an eternal fraidy-cat, having constant what-if thoughts has blossomed into a list of ideas for fictional novels. And it starts with Boomerang, out March 19, 2024.

What a crazy couple of weeks. Anyone else feeling a little frazzled?

Besides the holidays, I took a quick trip to Missouri with the hubs to visit family, where we narrowly escaped getting stuck in Kansas City before a Monday morning snowstorm. In addition to some other projects I've been tinkering with, I wrapped up my second set of fixes to developmental edits last Friday on Boomerang.

FINALLY.

Boomerang, which will hit shelves on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, is now in the hands of my proofreader, as well as another person giving it a once-over for me.

Once I fix anything my eagle-eyed editor and test reader point out, it's time to get Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) into some hands.

And you, my blog readers, are first up.

My first ARCs will be offered to a few randomly chosen cover voters from ,this blog post . Those winners will hear from me shortly via email or social media.

Thank you so, so much to everyone who took part, as well as your words of encouragement. It warms my little black heart. Especially since Mr. Rabbit was a such a commercial disappointment. (If you missed reading my "first" book, see it here.)

But here's the thing. Based on some of your suggestions, I tweaked the cover. Actually, my fabulous editor over at Sky Diary Productions did.

And she nailed it.

I LOVE it. And I think you will, too. Same photo, slightly adjusted, as well as the graphics. I'll reveal it as soon as it's available for pre-order.

What the %$#@ is this worst-case scenario book about anyway?

I've been asked that several times. But I hesitate to reveal too much yet.

The best way to describe it is this: a worst case scenario, book-style. It's a domestic thriller exploring the dark side of what-ifs (which I think is what domestic thrillers pretty much are. The website shereads.com explains more about the genre here).

As in, "What's the worst that could happen?" To anyone.

That's how I think. Maybe it's the warnings during my childhood to be careful — I remember my mom telling me a story about some kid who had a chunk of their nose clipped off by a door jamb. (Yet, that didn't stop me from slamming my finger in a door or resisting the curiosity of what might happen if I hung on to the garage door as it opened — of course, this was before safety mechanisms). I grew up in the Chicago burbs in the era that serial "Killer Clown" John Wayne Gacy committed his crimes; I recall staying up to watch the coverage of when he was put to death in 1994. I was obsessed with Stephen King, reading all 1,138 pages of It when I was in eighth grade. (Followed by Misery, Cujo, Gerald's Game and more.)

I was hooked on stories of messed-up people. And why their minds work the way they do. What drives seemingly ordinary people to do horrible things? I even took some criminology courses in college, I was so fascinated. I considered it as a minor for a bit.

Maybe it's from nearly two decades in journalism, reporting and reading stories on all kinds of crazy and sometimes horrific things. The last execution in Illinois. Neighbors gone nuts with machetes and such. A shooting at a mall. Serial killers. Knowing someone who went missing from a cruise ship, never to be seen again.

I saw this in an office the other day. I think this was written for me:

You get the picture. I live in a world of what-ifs — and they're always twisted. (Maybe due to my addiction to domestic thrillers.) Such as:

What if I found a dead body buried in my backyard?

What if someone mailed me a pig's heart with a note that I was next?

A lot of these come to me at night, as I'm struggling to drift into sleep. I have a notebook next to my bed, where I scribble these ideas down so I won't forget them. Perhaps they're the beginnings of a book. Or a specific scene in a story. I haven't decided yet. But I bet I have another eight book ideas to explore, once this one is officially out.

Just last night, a bathroom mishap got the wheels churning. I was getting ready for bed, doing my nightly skincare ritual, when I dropped the top of my Musely neck cream down our already broken sink — where it got lodged. I tried to get it out, to no avail, with a steak-like knife. (I know, smart move.) It didn't work. So I left it like this:

But then I had this thought when I woke up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night: What if someone broke in and used that knife as a weapon on me and my husband as we slept (well, not that crappy knife)? Or, think of it instead, from the viewpoint of a random couple. Where someone plotted this setup on purpose .... and the beginnings of a possible story idea began to brew.

Of course, with a better knife.

That's kind of how Boomerang was born. It came to me like this:

What if you married the absolute love of your life, finally getting your happily-ever-after?

But then, your ultimate fear happens ,— he's tragically killed. Can't get worse, right?

In this world, it sure can. When you find out your late husband wasn't the man you thought he was.

In fact, he did something pretty horrible. But he's gone now. And you want answers. You become obsessed with what he did. And nothing will stop you from unearthing the devastating truth. Even if it may cost you your life.

That's how my brain works. And that's how I'll leave it for now.

I can't wait to share more soon. Stay tuned!

​

Why domestic thrillers? Just look at this debut author's 'first' book.

I was a writer before I even knew it. And this fine piece of literature proves it.

So why would a former journalist who thrived on writing feature stories and had a snarky parenting column want to write a domestic thriller?

Two reasons.

One, I devour that genre like crazy. One after another. It's what I love to read. (Side note: I just tore through Karin Slaughter's The Good Daughter in about a week. If you haven't read it, add it to your TBR list. It's a gripping, twisty thriller that hooked me immediately.)

Two, it's something I've been toying with since I was five. I just didn't realize it until decades later.

With every step of this journey, I'm learning. And growing. And I've come a long way.

Especially considering this debut author's first book.

If you can even call this a "book."

Yep, that's the first "book" I ever wrote. Well, more like I drew the story and dictated the narrative to my mom. (I swear, if it was present day, she would've have put me in therapy immediately after "publication.") But she was a good sport, and an English teacher taking some years off teaching to raise me and my sister while Dad worked as an elementary school principal. She encouraged my creativity, no matter how twisted it was.

But, I clearly had an interest in warped people. Or deranged talking animals. And what makes their minds tick.

Like many other authors I've chatted with, the signs were there early. I was a writer before I even realized it. The skills just weren't there yet.

So, what was my first book about? Oh, it's a gem. And I present it as my holiday gift to you, my readers. So, let's dissect this fine piece of literature:

What a lovely setting. The shining sun. The massive rabbit who is larger than a dog. (That's realistic, right?)

And suddenly, danger appears. Out of nowhere.

What a great way to build suspense, eh? Let's just put all our cards on the table and blow the shocking twist before we even get to it.

And let's make sure the characters look different in every rendering. Who needs continuity?

Gee, Mr. Rabbit, is that not enough warning to get the hell outta Dodge? Nah, let's stand there and wait for the attack.

That's smart.

Yes, the sun is still shining brightly as Mr. Rabbit attempts self-defense and grins at his efforts. This lack of morality really builds up our main character as a likeable one.

Who cares if the dog has grown in size from Page 3? And yeah, that's clearly a bite mark.

Plus, let's note how the nameless dog now look like an inflatable party slide that got shanked.

And who the heck is that girl who suddenly appeared? Nah, it's not important. Minor detail.

Pride? Yeah, that's completely appropriate for the tone of the story. Jumping for joy after doing something despicable really makes this character likeable.

Also, how is he standing with his foot pads exposed?

Again, minor detail.

Finally, someone has some sense of conscience to reprimand Mr. Rabbit. This nameless girl just happened to be walking down the street with a butcher knife.

Better yet, Nameless Girl is already familiar with texting lingo, even though it's 1980. Plus, she had the time to grow a spare tire around her middle from the page prior, change her hair slightly, and maybe even have a nose job from which she's instantly healed. And Mr. Rabbit is again the size of a large dog.

And let's not ignore that after reprimanding Mr. Rabbit for being violent, she settled the score by stabbing him. That makes sense. Again, realism at its finest.

Again, Mr. Rabbit has changed his look from the prior page.

And instead of incorporating new material, let's just recap the whole thing that the reader already knows. Because the person he's telling needed to be informed, "I came to see you and tell you."

Plus, what a magical way to spin a story.

Let's just forget what happened, since the author clearly has, and jump into a completely irrelevant second story.

And let's not make it happen in real-time. Recaps of talking-dog quotes work much better than an actual active scene.

And, yes, dogs and rabbits know how to use landlines. Oh, how a scene of one of them actually dialing a rotary phone with their paws was a missed opportunity.

Maybe the author will fix it and re-release it.

We can only hope.

Great news! The cat is okay, and Mr. Rabbit has redeemed himself by calling 9-1-1.

His past criminal history ,— and his conscience ,— is wiped cleaned, all from this simple act of seeking out emergency medical treatment for an injured cat. Again, a missed opportunity to depict Mr. Cat being placed on a stretcher and loaded into a human ambulance.

And let's not address what happened to the knife-wielding vigilante, who apparently has played her part and is no longer needed.

It is happily ever after, indeed.

Oh, and in case you were wondering what was on the flip side of these pages, it is an important school board reminder, circa 1980ish.

The author hopes she has given you plenty of notice. All you need is the DeLorean time machine from "Back to the Future."

So, there you go. A demented children's book that has no place anywhere. Except maybe this blog.

I share this because it's just ridiculous. It's so, so wrong. Everything about it. Violence? I shudder at the whole thing. Good Lord, I have no idea where this came from, given I grew up in a loving, peaceful home. One where TV and movie viewing habits were somewhat restricted until I was in high school. What was going on in my brain?

I guess it comes down to this. I knew from before I could write that I wanted to be a twisted storyteller. It just took me a few decades to figure it out.

But don't worry. My writing and storytelling abilities have improved significantly since 1980. I promise you that. I didn't win my past journalism awards out of pity or luck.

And you'll see that on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, when Boomerang hits shelves. It's no "Mr. Rabbit."

That's something we can all rejoice in this holiday season.

Domestic thriller fan? Help this debut author select the perfect cover for her first novel.

That's where you, my fellow book lovers, come in. Cast your vote on which design I should use to introduce my first book, Boomerang, coming in March 2024.

After months of juggling grad school, debating career options, and finishing a rewrite of my first novel, Boomerang, I'm at a crossroads.

Selecting the perfect cover.

Because anyone who writes or reads books gets it. A cover design is critical. A first impression.

And it has the power to potentially make or break a book's success.

Given I've toiled over this novel for years, I know. I need to get this right.

I will tell you this — I'm set on this photo. After scouring a series of options, I couldn't break away from this one. It spoke to me. I provided a series of options and asked some friends and family to weigh in.

Except for one or two people, given the art selections I offered, almost everyone I asked always returned to this one.

And that thrilled me. Because I truly believe this art captures what I consider to be the essence of the story's protagonist. (I'll reveal the back cover copy in the coming weeks. Just know it's a pretty dark tale, flecked with plenty of sinister undertones.)

Look closely. There are variations to each. But all set off a slightly different vibe.

Maybe you're a friend. A relative. A fellow aspiring author. Or just an avid book reader. So, I want to know one thing.

When it comes to the domestic thriller genre, which of these covers appeals the most to you?

So, tell me: Which cover speaks to you? What might catch your eye in a bookstore, online or wherever else you might spy it?

Which one would make you pick it up ,— or click on it from an online bookseller ,— to learn more?

Soak them in. Look at them all as much as you want. And cast your vote below to help a girl out.  

I'll share the winning design soon ,— and randomly select a winner to receive an Advanced Reader Copy to review when available in early 2024. (I'll have other opportunities to snag ARCs soon. Stay tuned.)

All I ask? Give it an honest, fair review.

Update: Once you vote, type "I voted" in the comments section to be entered in the ARC raffle. I will announce it here and on my social media sites. Start following me now!

Thanks in advance. I'm excited to have others' input in my book-publishing journey!

Update: Once you vote, type "I voted" in the comments section to be entered in the ARC raffle. I will announce it here and on my social media sites. Start following me now!

'No guts, no glory' for this debut domestic thriller author

I'm a former journalist who's wanted to be a novelist since I could scribble. Now, I'm getting ready to publish my first book. Almost.

Welcome to my blog! I'm S. Jennifer Paulson.

When not on the job or working on my Master's (yes, I cannot sit still — the hubby can confirm), I've pecked away at this novel, Boomerang, for years. On the weekends, you can typically find me at a kava bar, headphones on and face and fingers glued to my laptop, furiously typing away. I'll spend a good 18 to 20 hours writing every single weekend I'm free.

When I write, I forget about everything. And escape.

Just like I do when I'm reading a great book. Like Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, both of which I devoured. I just wrapped up Jennifer Weiner's The Breakaway — she's another author I adore, especially when I need a little pick-me-up love story. I also love me some Colleen Hoover (yes, I am a self-proclaimed #CoHort, having read all of her books within a year after a friend recommended I read Verity), and I'm a fan of the fabulous Kiersten Modglin, whose latest book, Hemlock, is next in my TBR (to be read) stack. I absolutely love Kiersten's writing (and am a proud member of the KModSquad), especially since it's in my favorite genre of psychological suspense. I rip through her books in a few days. That's how much I love them.

I am smitten with these authors (and so many more) because of what they've given me. A momentary lapse in reality. A chance to forget about life's problems and get sucked into someone else's — even though they're completely made up.

And these incredible novelists have inspired me. I want to do the same for others.

Writing isn't a chore for me. It's a passion. It's who I am.

And I'm almost there. I wrapped up my rough draft at the start of 2023. I've had a content edit, and am working on the rewrite — and I'm loving every moment. My plan? To release my debut domestic thriller in March 2024.

Where I'm at.

Some things recently shifted in my life. And I'm taking the opportunity to recalibrate. And finally, publish what I've been running my yap about for years.

I'm not looking to be a millionaire best-seller and famous. That's not my end game. As my content editor gingerly and kindly warned me, I'm a raindrop in the ocean. And I know that.

But I'm giving it a shot anyway.

Because I just want to do what I love. Tell stories. Whether five or 500 people read them. And regardless of where Boomerang goes, I know one thing. I will continue to write. Because as long as I'm breathing, I'll be telling stories.

Even if it's only my mom who reads them.

One life. And hopefully, few regrets.

So, again, welcome to my blog. I'll be posting whatever's going on in my head, especially when it comes to books and how I'm navigating this whole new world. I'll start posting on what I've read, what's on my bookshelf, my Audible queue and more. (I'll share some of my early gem "books" in upcoming posts. And, oh boy, did five-year-old me have a deviant mind.) And even some random stuff. Just so you can get to know me a little better.

I'll admit. I'm nervous. To publish your own writing feels incredibly vulnerable. I Googled a phrase I'd recently heard (okay, from my content editor, who is one heck of a writer herself) about putting a book out into the world. This is what a Generative AI Google search told me: "It's like pulling your pants down in public: you're exposing yourself to the world, and you don't know how people are going to react."

Well said.

But here's the thing. My dad has told me several times over the years when I'm faced with something I want to do, even though I'm scared, it comes down to this: "No guts, no glory."

Then, I saw this dump truck driving down a local street a few months ago. And something stirred in me.

I need to suck it up and just do it. Because I don't want to be on my deathbed, saying, "I should have..."

I already have one life regret that continues to eat at me — my decision to commute to college and not live on campus for the whole college experience.

I made that choice based on fear. And it's my biggest life regret to this day.

I commuted because I was scared. I was scared I'd be bullied in college, just like I was senior year of high school. My

18-year-old mind visualized it all happening again. Just away from the comfort of home, all on my own. Despite my dreams of perhaps attending college in Florida or Arizona, I let my fears win. They dictated my educational choice. I opted not to enroll in two universities in Illinois that I'd been accepted to. I stayed in my comfort zone, which was at home, making pizzas at a local pub, going to a community college for the first two years, then transferring to a four-year school, the University of Illinois at Chicago, which was a fantastic school -- but I ultimately chose it because I could commute. Except for the brief nine months I lived downtown, over in Printer's Row, which served as the printing hub in the Midwest in the late 1800s, ironically.

I earned my Bachelor's in the end. But I lost out on so much.

And it was all because I was afraid.

I know this. I don't want any more regrets. So, I'm going to publish this domestic thriller in the coming months. Once it's as darn-near perfect as I can get it.

Because I'm always going to regret letting my trepidations dictate my decisions.

I'm publishing this beast. Whether it sells five copies or 500.

After all, no guts, no glory.