with Jenness Walker

Patterings


Welcome to Patterings, Jenness!
Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.

I don’t think I ever really had an epiphany. I just always knew I was going to be a novelist. But I was a senior in college before I finally decided to buckle down and see if I could actually finish a book, which is kind of important if you’re going to be a novelist. I don’t know why I picked that particular time—I’d just gotten married, I was finishing up a few classes and doing my student teaching, and I had two cleaning jobs and one office job. Crazy. But I did it. Still don’t know how.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite?
I think my first book was my favorite. It’s not published yet, but I still have hopes.  Just the fact that it was the book I learned on makes it special. But the plot has some pretty good action, plus some quirky elderly characters, a wounded hero, a heroine who reminds me of my best friend, and a serial killer. Oh, and my favorite car, too. Yeah, it was fun. The hero was probably my favorite, but his name—Jake—created a problem since my husband’s name is Jay. So after writing or brainstorming for a while…Yeah. I did it. I called my husband Jake. More than once. We’re still together, though. :-)

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Major rewrites are very hard for me. Once I finally get up the guts to tackle the job, I make a list of what I’m supposed to change, print out the manuscript and go through it with sticky notes, then go through it on the computer, making the easiest changes first :-)

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote?
I think I’d have to say Cole was my favorite. I’m apparently a sucker for the wounded hero type.

What is your strangest habit?
I have a lot of strange habits. One is that I can’t throw away plastic bags. It feels wrong. But I always forget to take them to the store so they can be recycled, so I end up with a mass of bags stuffed under my kitchen sink or in the closet. Drives my husband crazy.

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
Um…yeah. You talking about writing stuff? Like major revisions? Or things in general? Like…cleaning. And actually putting all those photos into albums. And cleaning the car. And making doctors’ appointments… :-)

What would a perfect day for you look like?
Sleep in. Get up and crank the music. Eat a brownie for breakfast. Shower and change into fresh pajamas. Read by the water as the breeze softly blows. Cuddle with a puppy that someone else has to take out. Eat a sandwich. Drink a root beer. Write at my laptop (with the battery actually working) and have the words flow freely and the story come together in ways I hadn’t seen before. Browse a store with fun antiques or unique home décor. Split dessert at Cheesecake Factory with my sweet husband. Go to sleep with the rain pattering on my roof.

I’m fairly easy to please, I think.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I tend to lean more toward romantic suspense type books, but I do read a bit of about everything: Suspense, romance, chick lit, more literary stuff, mysteries, etc. Charles Martin, Dean Koontz, Susan May Warren, Erynn Mangum, Tosca Lee, Christy Barritt, Jenny B. Jones...The list goes on and on. I’m not into the Amish books, though, or prairie romance.

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
These days I crave drinks more than food while I’m writing. A Frosty Float. A Sobe. A root beer (has to be a fountain drink). Maybe a cold Mountain Dew (has to be in a can). Ice tea so sweet it’s nearly syrup.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
I seem to keep coming back to the message of God’s grace. We can’t earn it. He just gives it out of His love and mercy. No matter what we’ve done, He’s standing by, offering His forgiveness. His grace truly is amazing.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
God has a plan. It may not be the one I think I want. It may not seem as glamorous as my friends. But it’s the very best one for me.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
I don’t have a second contract yet, but I’m just starting to rework my very first novel—the one with Jake and the rest of the gang. :-) I’m getting excited to visit them again. A lot will have to change, though, so I don’t have a one-liner of the plot for you yet. Stay tuned!

You can purchase from your local department store, CBD, and Amazon:


Jenness is giving away a copy of Double Take. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment and check back on Sunday, November 1st, to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on each post in this spotlight. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is void where prohibited; open only to U.S. addresses, odds of winning depend on number of entrants. No purchase necessary. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar and purchasing I will receive a small percentage of the sale.

10 comments:

  1. I'd like to read this book. Thanks.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. So fun to read this one!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Because she's my former crit buddy, I thought I knew a lot about Jenness. But what a great interview! Learned a few new things (like the plastic bag issue LoL). I'd love to win a copy of this book!

    LyndaSchab at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'd love a chance to win this book--Count me in!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous4:57 PM

    Would enjoy reading this book...thanks for the opportunity.

    karen k
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Linda9:00 AM

    Would love to read this novel, as I love mysteries. Please enter me. Thank you.
    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks so much for having me, Patty! :-)

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  8. Love a great book, and yours looks amazing. Hope Im here in time for the give a way. Love all I see here on your blog, you are blessed with a gift honey. thanks for sharing all you do:) Robin Prater srprater@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Please enter me in the drawing:) Thanks! esterried@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous10:57 AM

    Great interview. I can hardly wait to read this one!! ~Abby

    abster dot rose at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete

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