Thursday, February 24, 2011

Break out the Bubbly and the Dark Chocolate: Celebrating Jennifer Jake's Debut Novel Rafe's Redemption


I'm very happy to have another one of my Goal In A Month (GIAM) friends on the veranda for a celebration of her debut novel, RAFE'S REDEMPTION. The book releases TOMORROW!! Popping the champagne and opening up my favorite box of chocolates. Fizz. Pour. Sip. Welcome to the veranda, Jennifer. 


Thank you for having me. Sip. 


First of all, tell me where we can go buy or pre-order your wonderful new story, RAFE'S REDEMPTION. 

Here's the link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php Here's my website and blog links: http://www.jenniferjakes.com and http://www.authorjenniferjakes.blogspot.com. Stop by and visit me. I love readers! 


What is your favorite genre to write? 

Western Historical -- and it has to be smoking' hot ;)
I love a smokin' hot western in any era!  When you sit down to write do you consider yourself a plotter or do you follow the muse? 
When an idea hits me, it's definitely my first inclination to just start writing. But I've learned that doesn't work out so well. LOL So I'm forcing myself to plot, to really figure out goals, motivations and lots of conflict.
I had to teach myself how to plot, too, but it does help to have the bones of the story down. After all your hard work, how do you relax after a writing day? 
Watching TV - either re-runs on TVLand or something on the Food Network. (Love Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives)
I love Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives! Fun show. What is your current project? 
I'm working on two stories right now, one novella and one full length. The full length takes place in Alaska, 1898, during the gold rush. The novella takes place at the end of the Civil War, but believe me it has nothing to do with battlefields or armies. The setting is the twist;)  That's all I'm going to say right now.
Oh, I can't wait to read your new stories when they are released. They sound so interesting. How long were you trying to get published before you got the “call?” 
About 4 years.
What advice would you give aspiring writers? 
Study the craft!
Voice without craft is a voice that echoes alone. Now after all the hard work, the ups and downs, what encouragement can you give writers who face rejection? 
First, it's OK to feel mad, sad, disappointed, discouraged.....all of the above...but after you work through those emotions, take a look at the comments the agent/editor made. There could be some really helpful hints for revision in what they said. Second, remember that it really is not personal. It's like tasting ice cream. Maybe your manuscript was just not the flavor for them. But you have to keep passing out the samples because your manuscript will be some agent's/editor's favorite flavor!
What is the most difficult part about writing for you?
Gosh, I really like to weave both the H/h conflicts tightly together and to make what the other wants in direct opposition to what the other wants, so trying to get all that to "feel" right in my mind almost drives me crazy. LOL
What is the most surprising thing you discovered after you received the call? 
That instead of the hard work being over, it's really just started. LOL


Jennifer Jakes is a 2010 Golden Heart finalist with a fabulous future in the publishing world. We'll be looking for her new releases in the future. After trying several careers—everything from a beautician to a dump truck driver—Jennifer finally returned to her first love, writing. Maybe it was all those Clint Eastwood movies she watched growing up, but in her opinion there is no better read than a steamy western historical. Married to her very own hero, she lives on fifteen acres along with two beautiful daughters, two elderly horses, two spoiled cats and two hyper dogs. During the summer she does Civil War re-enacting and has found it a great research tool, not to mention she has continued appreciation for her microwave and hot water heater.

One lucky commentator will win a copy of her book. Celebrating good news and giving away great books! Love that combination!!

30 comments:

Jen McQ said...

Congrats to Jennifer! Can't wait to read it!

Anne Gallagher said...

Another great interview Christine.

Thanks Jennifer. Best wishes for continued success in your career.

Melanie Dickerson said...

The cover looks really hot! I checked it out on amazon. Christine, you should put the cover up on your post! ;-)

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Jen McQ -
Thanks so much!
Good luck in the drawing:)

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Anne -
Thanks for stopping by today. And good luck in the drawing:)

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Melanie -
I love what the cover artist did with RAFE'S cover. It was exactly what I pictured in my mind and when I saw it.........well, it was like getting what you'd been hoping for for x-mas. lol
Thanks and good luck in the drawing:)

Christine said...

Hi Everyone *waving to Jennifer*--I put the cover in my original post and it got lost somehow. I tried to redo it and it wouldn't cooperate. I shall try again cause you're right! It is AMAZING!!!!

:-)

Alison Henderson said...

Huge congrats on your big day! I write Western Historicals, too, and love the post-Civil War era (all settings).

wackycajun said...

Hey hon! Yay, I like seeing you guest blogging, it gets you out there!

And Christine, it was a fabulous interview!

Ciao!
Trish aka wackycajun

Lynda Bailey said...

Hey, Jen!
Major congrats, my fellow Unsinkable Sista! CanNOT wait to get my hands on your book. Here's to continued success, my friend!

Wendy S. Marcus said...

Hi Christine! Hi Jen!
Congrats on your book! And good luck. I enjoy western historical. Also love The Food Network. Diners, Drive Ins and Dives is one of my favorites. Although it makes me crave fried food with melted cheese. YUM!

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Christine! Thanks so much for having me here today:)
No worries about the cover -- I'm so NOT techie so I have no idea how to fix it. HA

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Alison! *waves*
Yes, Alison and I share a love of Civil War era romance:)
Thanks for stopping by today and good luck in the drawing:)

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hey Trish!
Yes, I'm everywhere this week;) Glad you liked the interview. It was fun.
Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the drawing:)

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Lynda! *waving*
Lynda and I were both 2010 RWA Golden Heart finalist in hist. romance category!
So glad you're excited to read RAFE!
Thanks so much for all your support.
Good luck in the drawing!

Jennifer Jakes said...

Oh, Wendy, you are so right about watching Food TV. I get so hungry and when I watch D,D &D, I want to take a road trip to the places he's been!
Love to find western romance readers!
Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the drawing:)

Sarah Grimm said...

Jennifer-

Too true about the hard work just starting!

BTW, smokin' hot romance? Oh yeah, bring it! ;)

Can't wait to get my copy of RAFE'S REDEMPTION!

~Sarah
www.sarahgrimm.com

Christine said...

I'm going to try to find the cover again and put it on tomorrow's blog as a reminder to go to Amazon and get that book!!! So hot!

And I love westerns, historicals, and western historicals. I'm in for a treat!!

:-)

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Sarah!
Oh, yeah, SMOKIN' hot. Rafe's hot enough to melt the snow off the cover. LOL
Thanks for stopping by!! Good luck in the drawing:)

Jennifer Jakes said...

OK, that's great! Thanks so much for helping me celebrate my release:)
And got to say, I'm loving that I've found all you western "gals"! lol

Gwen Hernandez said...

Great interview, Christine. Congrats on your new release, Jennifer. You did get a great cover. Thanks for sharing your experience and wisdom.

Cherie Marks said...

Jennifer, Congrats! Congrats! Congrats! Can't wait to read it!

Barbara Bettis said...

Hi Jennifer. Tomorrow's the 'official' day for Rafe and Maggie? How exciting!! It's bound to be the first of many. Speaking of which--both your projects sound hot. An unconventional setting for the post-Civil War novelette? Sound intriguing. Be sure to let us know when it's out.

Christine, loved your interview--super job.

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Gwen!
Thanks so much! Glad you stopped by tonight! Best of luck in the drawing!

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Sherry!
Thanks so much:) Can't believe the big day is finally here!
Good luck in the drawing:)

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Barb! From your lips to the publishing god's ears. HA
Yes, I'm thinking both my WIPs will be scorching hot. I don't think I know how to write any other way. lol
Thanks so much for dropping by and best of luck in the drawing!

Marci said...

Jennifer! Yeah! It's here! I can't wait to for more of Rafe after all the tempting little blurbs. And I totally hear you about the hard part starting just when you think you're done (:

Denise Golinowski said...

Hi Jennifer and Christine! Wish I was sitting on that porch with you two ladies. Jennifer, the good looks great and I wish you all the best of luck. You've also piqued my interest with the Civil War novella teaser. Thanks, Christine, for having Jennifer over and enjoy your day!

Gwen Roman said...

woohoo! Congrats, Jennifer! I'm headed over to The Wild Rose Press right now to buy Rafe's Redemption -- so excited!
And can I just say "study the craft" -- yes, yes, yes!! best advice ever (next to "read, write, repeat" *s*)

Wishing you every success!

Anonymous said...

Bravo