Jennie Bennett, Romance Author

Last week my writers group got together and had a brainstorming session. It was good that there where only four of us, because we took 20min + each to talk about our books. I went in not really expecting to talk about me. I mean, I've already written my book once. I'm re-writing it to iron out the bumps. I thought I knew where my story was going. I was wrong. Something about hearing everyone's ideas compelled me to share my own story. I had no idea how many lose ends needed tying up. They even helped me think about what to put in the second and third books. I discovered that brainstorming with other writers improved my story line in ways that I could have never done on my own. We are so lucky to be surrounded by writers in the internet. You might even find a few that live near you. Take the time to get to know them and pick their brains when you get a chance. You never know how much they can help you become a better writer.

I'm a sucker for the romantic. A big sucker. I love the tension that builds to a relationship. I love it when those relationships get tested and the couple comes out okay. I love it when people fall in love.One of the best things about being a Young Adult writer is getting the chance to create those love stories. When I was a teenager I wanted to date, but I never really got asked out. I had one boyfriend and we only lasted three months. It wasn't until I got to college and met my husband that I ever had a true romantic relationship. He was my first and only love. The idea of two teens falling in love and spending forever together, though romantic, was foreign to me. I was surprised to see some of my high school friends marry other people from my high school. I thought it was awesome, but I just didn't get it. source I want to be real in my writing, and I do believe love can be found in teenagedom, but can it really last? The fact is, even though it may not be t...

Wow, never in the year that I've been blogging have I just not been able to blog for a week. I wish I could say I was typing away at the keyboard and getting my re-write done, but I wasn't. I was just busy. Still am actually. The funny thing was, I needed that time. Sometimes life just piles up behind you when you are writing, and blogging, and doing social media. I need way more than a week to catch up on life. But it was good to at least get some things done. source Time management is not a strong point in my life (who is an expert in that, really?) but never did I imagine things slipping away from me so abruptly. Anyway, I'm back now. I'm not going to get as much writing done as I wanted to this month, and I'm not sure how I ever thought I was going to all that writing done considering I'm dead on my feet at my usual writing time of 10pm. So here's to a fresh slate. I'm starting over this week and I'm saying "I can't do it...

2011 was crazy. I started my first blog. For the first time I considered myself a serious writer. I got all giddy about the caliber of writers I was meeting. Somewhere in the mess I stopped reading. The thing was, I didn't think I had time. Blogging swallowed me whole. Not to mention the thrill of writing and learning about writing. I was so naive and clueless before blogging it hurt. It took me eight months to figure out just how much I needed reading in my life. Many of you know that I had a little breakdown and stopped blogging all together. That time was good for me. It wasn't long, but it was just long enough for me to stretch my wings and figure out what I needed to do so blogging wouldn't rule my life anymore. It also gave me the chance to pick up a good book (or two). source   I still love blogging. I still love visiting other blogs and seeing my friends succeed in the publishing industry, there is nothing more thrilling. But I needed to claim my reading...

March has been crazier than I ever expected it to be. I thought getting 30,000 words would be a breeze compared to the 50,000 I did in November, but it's proved to be a harder challenge than I imagined. As of right now I've written 12,000 words. I'm almost halfway there and halfway through the month. I can do this right? But the thing is, I'm easily distracted.  My house is a mess, or the book I'm reading is too good, and I just can't put it down. I know, my excuses are lame. I can be better. I need to be better. So here's my question for you - Are you struggling to write as well? If so what are you doing to push through it? Everyone have a great Wednesday, we'll see if I get any writing done seeing as I'll be hosting 11 eight-year-olds for scouts in a couple of hours. Heaven help me.

I love my local library. Besides being a place to get awesome books without breaking my budget, my Library has so much more. My favorite time of day to go the Library is just when school is getting out. My library has a big play area for the kids right next to the children's books. Windows take up the entire left and front wall and you can see everything happening outside, but the outside can't see in. I like to be there when school gets out because the Library is right across the street from the High School. Call me a creeper if you want, but I call it research. It's interesting to watch the High School kids get out of school. It's fun (and sometimes depressing) to make up stories about the teenagers that walk by. Taken from my Pinterest Page  Some are holding hands and others look lonely and dejected. The other day I saw a boy and girl walking together, then about fifteen minutes later I saw the boy walk back past the library. He had a huge grin on his fac...

I have gotten so much love lately that it's time some awesome bloggers got recognized. First up I wanted to mention one of my newest blogging buddies the awesome Jayrod Garrett . Go check out his blog, right now. I mean it! Anyway he gave me the Kreativ Blogger award -- I'm supposed to list Ten things about myself, but I'll stick to one for time's sake The due date for my son was the same day as my birthday. I was really worried about having the same birthdays, but luckily he came ten days early, just in time for spring . Alyssa at Life is Good tagged me in the 11 questions meme. Again, since I don't want to drag this on, I'll only answer one question -- If you could choose any superpower what would you have? This one is a no brainier for me. I'm so busy I could use the skill to duplicate myself. I would spend time with my kids, get all my writing done, and have an immaculate house. Then I would be able to be one person while I slept and ke...

If you read my post yesterday you know my editing woes are gone. I came to terms with the fact that I need rewrite two-thirds of my book. So I decided I'm going to treat March like another month of NaNoWriMo. I can't say that I'll get 50,000 words becasue I'm already woefully behind, but I hope to write at least 30,000 words. Luckily, there is something to help with that. It's called March Madness -- Basically it's a chance for people to set any writing or reading related goal in Mach and get lots of support from fellow authors. And yes, there are prizes. Go here to learn more. I'll be talking about this on twitter using the hashtag #wipmadness come join us, and be motivated! What are your goals? P. S. If you're here for the IWSG I voiced my woes about editing last week, should you want to take a look.

First, let me say a big 'Thank You!' for everyone who commented on my last post. You guys raise me up. I got over my slump, but more about that later... Another month has gone by which means it's time for another round of mini-reviews. My goal is to read a book a week (52 books this year) So let's see how I did this month, eh? The first book I read was Enders Game. I know I'm way behind the curve on this one, but better late than never, right? Seriously one of the best books I have EVER read. It made me want to be a better writer. Faithful - I LOVE the cover to this book. I know, you can't judge a book by it's cover. But I did. This book has a great premise. A girl in the early 1900's who wealth is stolen and she's forced to go from high society to living inside Yellowstone. Does she find love? I wish I could tell you, but I didn't finish it. It was very wordy, which made it somewhat long winded. The story was interesting, b...

When it comes to writing I become a bit of a perfectionist, therefore I freak out a bit in the editing process. It seems like every comment I get back on my work makes me cringe. I want my book to be the best it can be, but that goals seems unobtainable. I get to a place in the editing processes where I get stuck. I know it's not good enough, I know what kind of it work it's going to take to polish everything and I just get stuck. Then I don't do anything. Then I get writing withdrawals and my brain starts feeding my shiny new ideas. I know I shouldn't chase these ideas. I know I need to sit down and be disciplined enough to edit. source I love my book, really I do. I want to see it through to the end. I want to submit it to agents and publishers and I want to hold it in my hands someday and know that I accomplished something. But I just can't seem to get past the thoughts of how flawed everything is. Does anyone else have this issue? What have you d...