Archived- Promotional Q&A's: Q&A with Jen Frederick - CLOSED

[Jen]

Thanks for having me, folks!

[Jennifer (random jendsmit)]

Eeep! Hi Jen! Ava thanks for the invite!!

I love Undeclared - one of my favorites - serious must read in my opinion. I can't wait to read Unspoken!!

Where did your ideas for these stories come from? And the characters are so real, did they just come to you one day or are they based on real life?

[Jen]

Jennifer (random jendsmit) wrote: "Eeep! Hi Jen! Ava thanks for the invite!!

I love Undeclared - one of my favorites - serious must read in my opinion. I can't wait to read Unspoken!!

Where did your ideas for these stories com..."


Hi Jennifer! The series idea was based on the NY Times article about college kids renting out posh homes but each romance story has evolved separately.

Noah and Grace's story sprung from my own love of epistolary romances while Bo and AM's story came about from the reports on the internet of different girls being shamed by their supposed actions at college.

[Jennifer (random jendsmit)]

Jen wrote: "Jennifer (random jendsmit) wrote: "Eeep! Hi Jen! Ava thanks for the invite!!

I love Undeclared - one of my favorites - serious must read in my opinion. I can't wait to read Unspoken!!

Where d..."

awesome!! :D

[Jen]

Such a cool idea!

Did you always intend for the story to be a series? What's been your biggest challenge with the second book?

[Jen]

Jen wrote: "Such a cool idea!

Did you always intend for the story to be a series? What's been your biggest challenge with the second book?"

1) Yes, I always intended for there to be books about each one of the roommates who live in the house in The Woodlands.

2) Making sure that I capture the essence of the characters and delivering the emotion that I felt to the page. It's easy to see it play out in your head, but so much harder expressing the nuances.

[paisean13]

Hello! Late to the party...like always!

As you know, I already currently stalk you on your blog awaiting the release of Bo's book, but I thought I would ask you a quick question here! Here goes...Since the 3rd book will be about Finn, will we see more of him in Bo's book (Unspoken) than we did in Noah's (Undeclared)?

[Jen]

Sunshine wrote: "Hello! Late to the party...like always!

As you know, I already currently stalk you on your blog awaiting the release of Bo's book, but I thought I would ask you a quick question here! Here goe..."

Heh, Sunshine. I always giggle to myself when I read your name. Ahem, yes, lots more Finn in Unspoken. I think you get a sense of who he is and there is a hint as to what you'll see more of in Book 3.

[paisean13]

Jen wrote: "Sunshine wrote: "Hello! Late to the party...like always!

As you know, I already currently stalk you on your blog awaiting the release of Bo's book, but I thought I would ask you a quick questio..."

Oh goodie! Thank you!

[Beeg]

I'm late. Hope I haven't missed the party completely and my only excuse is that being in Cape Town, SA, I'm in a different timezone lol.

Jen, I love your book. Thanks for sharing your talent with us. Just a few quick ones:

1. Are we going to find out what Noah's tattoo is? Or have I somehow missed this in Undeclared? If I have, feel free to virtual smack me upside the head. :) :) :)

2. FYI - "Ameliorated" - Before this, I had NEVER heard of this word and I can tell you that for at least a week after I read U that it was my new fav word. LOL. So, I wondered if you just stumbled upon this word or is it one you grew up knowing? You know, like was it always part of your vocabulary growing up?

3. Is Josh getting his own story? There's just "something" about a football jock (a celebrity one,at that) who's doing his degree in Criminal Justice....sigh....plus, he has the FBI as his go-to career....swoon.

4. I like Jack. Just saying...

[Jen]

Beeg wrote: "I'm late. Hope I haven't missed the party completely and my only excuse is that being in Cape Town, SA, I'm in a different timezone lol.

Jen, I love your book. Thanks for sharing your talent with ..."

Hey Beeg! I love reading all your recommendations on the Amazon boards and here at Goodreads.

1) We are going to find out what Noah's tattoo is. Bo reveals it in Unspoken and I'm going to write a novella about Noah and Grace to be released around Christmas time.

2) I actually use ameliorate in my regular vocabulary. We all need things to be ameliorated at times and books can help ameliorate a bad mood, right?

3) Josh does need his own story, doesn't he?

4) Jack's a great name.

[Jen]

Ava (Book Nerds Anonymous) wrote: "Hi Jen, I can't wait for Unspoken (I just downloaded the first 25% so thanks for that) do you have future release dates in mind? And also I know you may not be ready to release titles but will they..."

Thanks for the question! All the Woodlands books will be "Un-" something. Finn's book, to be released mid January, will be Unmarked. I'm not sure about Adam's title yet and Mal's book will be "Undone."

My tentative release schedule is Finn's book - Jan; Adam - May; Mal - Nov.

There might be one or two other books in The Woodlands series and then I'm hoping to move to another series but every time I write a book, a new character pops up. You'll see what I mean in Unspoken. ;)

[Megan]

Undeclared was one of my favorites this year. I got it as a free review copy and was a little upset I did not pay to support such a great read! Hmmm...

1)How/why did you pick Noah to be in the Marines and not another brach?
2) If you could go back and change any part of the novel, what would it have been?
3) Any advice to future authors?
4) Where did you get your inspiration from for Undeclared and Unspoken? With the continuing series, how do you plan to keep the ideas new and fresh? Where did you pull inspiration from the other ones?
5) Who is your favorite character that you have created so far?
6) E-reader or tangible book?
7) Have you gone on book tours? If so what are some funny stories you have to share?
8) Did you mention what city in TX Noah was from? I'm from the same state!
9) How did you book get so popular in the given time?
10) Did Noah ever get the shop?! Or do we find that out in Unspoken?
11) Will all the books have dual POVs?
12) How has interactions with fans been?
13) What was Noah and Grace's greatest and worst personality traits?
14) How did you end up naming each character and love interest? Was there some type of meaning behind them?

[Jen]

1)How/why did you pick Noah to be in the Marines and not another brach?

The Marines are an incredible capable branch of the military. The navy transports them where they need to go but when the Marines arrive, they get stuff done. I really love that type of mindset.

2) If you could go back and change any part of the novel, what would it have been?

Make Grace a stronger character. I feel like I didn't do enough to infuse a personal strength in her.

3) Any advice to future authors?

Write a lot. I feel like my writing improves with each page. Read a lot. There are amazing writers out there and I enjoy being transported as much as any other reader.

4) Where did you get your inspiration from for Undeclared and Unspoken? With the continuing series, how do you plan to keep the ideas new and fresh? Where did you pull inspiration from the other ones?

Undeclared came from my own love of epistolary romances and Unspoken sprung from reading heartbreaking reports on the internet of different girls being shamed by their supposed actions at college.


5) Who is your favorite character that you have created so far?

Right now it's Bo and AM but ask me in January when Finn's book comes out and the answer will be different.

6) E-reader or tangible book?

I read both. Sometimes it is easier to get lost in the text with a paper book because you are unplugged.

7) Have you gone on book tours? If so what are some funny stories you have to share?

No book tours!

8) Did you mention what city in TX Noah was from? I'm from the same state!

It's a small made up town in West Texas called Little Oak.

9) How did you book get so popular in the given time?

Is it popular? I think the great cover, good blurb, and the right story for the moment has helped in connecting with readers.

10) Did Noah ever get the shop?! Or do we find that out in Unspoken?

He did! I didn't realize that I hadn't articulated that clearly but there'll be a novella for Christmas about Grace and Noah.

11) Will all the books have dual POVs?

Yes

12) How has interactions with fans been?

So awesome. The fans have been tremendous.

13) What was Noah and Grace's greatest and worst personality traits?

Noah's worst trait was his inability to reveal his vulnerabilities to Grace and his greatest strength was his persistence.

Grace's greatest strength is her loyalty and her worst trait is her fear of failure.

14) How did you end up naming each character and love interest? Was there some type of meaning behind them?

Grace's name came about from Noah's need for personal redemption. Bo's name is just a good southern boy's name. AnnMarie is a sweet name but she's not a sweet girl. She's tart and sassy so her nickname is AM, although Bo has a special nickname for AM you'll read about it "Unspoken."

[Megan]

Thanks for answering my questions! Although my dad was in the Army, my cousin and friend are in the Navy and a good friend Air Force I must say Marines are the sexiest of all! Also, I'd think you have a good popularity there are some authors who have not broken 100 reviews. Enjoy you're journey as an author can't wait to read more!

Here's another:

How are the title names created? I'm assuming Undeclared because, well Grace was, and so was their relationship. But what about Unspoken? I know you said you'll keep with the un- theme.

[Jen]

Megan wrote: "Thanks for answering my questions! Although my dad was in the Army, my cousin and friend are in the Navy and a good friend Air Force I must say Marines are the sexiest of all! Also, I'd think you h..."

Unspoken is about words and how rumors can affect a person dramatically.

[Mary-Sarah]

Do you think making Grace a virgin changed how she approached things or who she was as a person?

[Jen]

Mary-Sarah wrote: "Do you think making Grace a virgin changed how she approached things or who she was as a person?"

Sure but Grace couldn't be anything but a virgin. She'd clung to her fantasy for so long and it was so strong for her that she couldn't envision giving herself to anyone else.

[Lori]

Hi Jen. I loved Undeclared and the first part of Unspoken you shared last week. I can't wait to read every word.

My question is how did the guys all meet? I don't remember learning that in Undeclared. Will that be addressed as we learn more about each guy?

Thanks for taking time to answer questions!!!

[Jen]

Lori wrote: "Hi Jen. I loved Undeclared and the first part of Unspoken you shared last week. I can't wait to read every word.

My question is how did the guys all meet? I don't remember learning that in Undec..."

I thought I included some of how they met in Undeclared. But Finn and Adam are old friends and Finn and Mal hooked up in college. The three of them were at a bar where Adam's band was playing when Adam decided to crowd surf and got into a fight.

Bo and Noah were at the bar and defended Adam. They became friends, Finn issued the housing invitation and the rest was history.