Episode 255 – Overcoming Obstacles and Just Doing It with Jenny S. LaBranche

Mark interviews Jenny S. LaBranche about not letting anything stand in the way of pursuing her dream of becoming a writer.

Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, reads comments, and shares a word about this episode’s sponsor.

You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.

During their chat, Mark and Jenny talk about:

Wanting, her entire life, to be a writerGrowing up in a Hollywood family, and first learning about screenplaysJenny’s work-related connection to the 9/11 tragedy in New York City (75% of their clients were in the World Trade Center buildings) and becoming a firefighter and EMT shortly after thatLeaving her job in August 2021 and the great support her husband offered herSigning the Red Sneaker contractA little bit about the Red Sneakers book series from William Bernhardt and how they helped JennyBeing surrounded by so many of mother’s books when she was youngWorking with William Bernhardt as a writing coach and as an editorThe Writing Retreat in the Ozark that Jenny was scheduled to attend this summerJenny’s forthcoming novel Kingdoms of Shadow and Flame and the heart of her main characterScheduling her day to include writing, other tasks, and non-writing-related chores and responsibilitiesGoing for walks with her charactersBeing a hard-core plotterJenny’s plans for the new novel and the options she’s consideringHow Jenny learned about Draft2DigitalThe value and power of acknowledging that “I Am A Writer”Why it’s important to stop doubting yourself and to just do itAnd more…

After the interview, Mark reflects on two of the things Jenny spoke about, thanks Patrons, and also reads an excerpt from Fright Nights, Big City as an example of a “walk with your character” exercise.

Links of Interest:

Jenny’s Facebook PageRed Sneaker WritersRed Sneaker Writing RetreatsEP 252 – Broadening Your Writing Universe with Rona GofsteinFindaway VoicesBuy Mark a CoffeePatreon for Stark ReflectionsBest Book Ever PodcastLovers Moon PodcastThe Relaxed AuthorBuy eBook DirectBuy Audiobook DirectPublishing Pitfalls for AuthorsAn Author’s Guide to Working with Libraries & BookstoresWide for the WinMark’s Canadian Werewolf BooksThis Time Around (Short Story)A Canadian Werewolf in New YorkStowe Away (Novella)Fear and Longing in Los AngelesFright Nights, Big CityLover’s MoonThe Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Jenny S. LaBrache spent from ages 20–31 working in the IT field. On September 11, 2001, Jenny was working as a Corporate IT Manager, managing 10 of the world’s largest internet companies. 75% of her companies clients were in the world trade centers and they themselves occupied the 136 floor of The South Tower. After that devastation, Jenny left the IT field and began working as a Firefighter and Emergency Medic until the end of 2014. Throughout her life and career, Jenny always let her dyslexia stand in the way of pursuing her dream of becoming a writer, but no longer.

On August 26th, 2021, Jenny joined William Bernhardt’s Red Sneaker Writers Center on Facebook and began The Red Sneaker Writers Book Series. Her first high fantasy novel will be Kingdoms of Shadow and Flame. This is a thrilling, fast paced fantasy filled with adventure, dark forces, deceit, laughter, friendship and, a humorous discovery of the primal nature of one’s true self. Where new friends become tutors in the most interesting and hilarious ways.

The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0