Hey, my wonderful readers! I have a new interview for you. The awesome Jenna Rivers has stopped by to talk about her new release Spell Shocked which came out TODAY! Without further ado, let’s get to know about Jenna.
What book or series are you talking about today?
Spell Shocked: A Charmed Midlife Book 1 (paranormal women’s fiction – PWF)
What difference do you see between a writer and an author?
As a writer, it’s my job to plot and write out the books as well as edit them. As an author, it’s my job to know what the readers are going to want in terms of story, cover, branding – as the author, I want to do everything I can to connect with the readers!
What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?
Writer’s block means to scream and curl into a little ball. Not really, but it’s a really scary phrase. Sometimes we do get tapped out in terms of creative energy, and that can cause a lot of anxiety. When the words are flowing like mud, we feel like we’ll never be able to write again. My best way to combat writer’s block is to take a little time off and to take care of me. If I’m not in good shape mentally and emotionally, then my books won’t be either.
Do you read reviews? If so, how do you process and deal with negative book reviews?
I have review buddies – author friends who will go check them for me because I don’t want to be thrown off by reading a critical review. I usually like to see how many reviews I’m getting and if they’re mostly higher-starred ratings. But I won’t look at the specifics until the book has been out a while or if I’m starting on the next book. I do like to see what readers are connecting with or what they’d like to see change for the better.
What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
I’m great at planning things out. For me, it’s the “butt in chair” writing inspiration. Once I get going, I can write for days on end. But it’s that initial push to get the momentum that I struggle a bit with.
How long have you been writing or when did you start?
I’ve been writing since I was young, but I became a full-time writer when I quit teaching and went for it about ten years ago. I’ve been doing well under my paranormal cozy pen name Bella Falls. But I’m stepping into new territory as Jenna Rivers!
What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
Know your book market – what books are making the readers excited? What can you take from that information and add to your own story. Then, you have to write the story. Get it out in whatever form. Get it edited. Maybe get it read by some helpful readers who will give some good initial feedback. But eventually, you have to put the story out there and learn from experience.
What, to you, are the most important elements of good writing?
For me, planning is truly important. I’m a planning pantser, meaning I plan the bulk of my story and series, but I give room to make changes as my story develops and characters decide that they don’t want to follow my detailed instructions anyway. Man, why do they have to rebel like that?
What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
Most of the time, the plot comes first. However, I’ve had a couple of times where the characters came out of nowhere, fully formed and sassy. They told me who they were and what they wanted their story to be. Kinda scary and inspiring all at once.
How do you develop your plot and characters?
I do a lot of writing of plot on my own. And then I have some trusted author friends who are my “plot buddies.” They allow me to go through what I have, make suggestions, and help me think my way through the story and series out loud. Saying things out loud is a very important part of my plotting process.
How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
As Jenna Rivers, Spell Shocked is my fourth book. But as a full-time author, it is my 24th book.
What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?
Spell Shocked is my special child that just never wanted to do what I wanted it to do. I’ve plotted it out completely three different times. I wrote it. Then I rewrote it. Then rewrote it again. But in the end, it’s become my new favorite.
What part of the book was the most fun to write?
So, I’m a big believer in having rounded characters for my main character to interact with. In Spell Shocked, it was really important to me to have a good group of “Golden Girls” girlfriends. The ride or die crew. The cupcakes and wine women. I loved writing all my “GG” chapters.
Which of the characters do you relate to the most and why?
I really relate to Zara the most out of anybody. While I haven’t endured all of the same hardships that she has, I completely understand not feeling like I fit in or was accepted. That I was discovering who I really was later in life. And then working hard to continue figuring myself out. That perfection isn’t a destination—it’s a journey.
If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a bit about your plans for it?
Oh yeah, my brain is already cooking on Bombspell. Zara now is a full-blown middle-aged witch, but her powers aren’t controlled. Her whole life has changed along with getting her magic, so she has to figure out how to live this new life in every aspect. She’s going to have to learn how to control her powers, deal with losing her husband as well as handle a new crush, and have to save her small supernatural town all at once. Not much going on, right?
What is a significant way your book has changed since the first draft?
The entire thing has been rewritten for the third time. So, while there are elements of the original, I think the characters are better fleshed out as well as the main character’s journey is much more understandable.
What inspired the idea for your book?
I’ve loved PWF since the Fab 13 first came out with it. I’m in my forties, and I love the idea of someone my age having to start over and figure things out again. And for that catalyst for change to be magic? That makes it even better.
How would you describe your book’s ideal reader?
If a reader loves a woman discovering she has magical abilities, which changes her life for the better, then I think they’d like Spell Shocked. While the main characters in PWF are in their forties or older, it really is all about the female journey.
What was your hardest scene to write, and why?
The hardest scene to write was the one where Zara receives her magic. I wanted to make it a special scene but also to show that magic doesn’t come easy. She had to choose to want it and be willing to go through all the work to get it. All I could think was – how can I make this more magical? I hope it satisfies.
How do you come up with character names for your stories?
I’m big on looking up meanings to names. Even if readers don’t know the meanings, I like when the names fit the personalities of the characters.
What characters in your book are most similar to you or to people you know?
Zara is the most like me for sure. The “golden girls” are really a combo of several of my own close girlfriends.
How long did it take you to write this book?
Honestly, this book took me the longest to write from conception to finish. But I think it always wanted to be told in a certain way – just took me a while to get there with it.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
Oh, I love a good pun. So, it was important for me to come up with titles with words that rhymed with “spell.”
If they made your book into a movie, which actors would play your characters?
For Zara, I would pick Olivia Munn. For Jax, I’d pick Joe Manganiello. For Aunt Tilda, I’d cast Helena Bonham Carter.
What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?
I’m a plotting pantser. I plot and outline my story in a lot of detail, but I leave myself room to allow the story to change as needed.
What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
Coffee. Coffee. More coffee. Also, I love writing to lo-fi music, and I rely on my noise-cancelling earbuds so I can write anywhere.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
So indoor activities include putting together puzzles and playing music. But I love going for long walks and hikes, and am thrilled that we’ve moved somewhere with lots of those opportunities.
What do you wish someone had told you about being an author?
I wish someone had explained that how they portray authors on television and in movies, it’s not even close. Being an author is a full-time job, which isn’t very glamorous or comes with many red carpet events.
Do you play music while you write — and, if so, what’s your favorite?
I love writing to lo-fi music on Youtube. It doesn’t have any lyrics and offers a steady beat with relaxing tunes.
Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?
My two cats are really awesome writer kitties. They like to sit nearby my desk and keep me company.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Honestly, I did think I wanted to be a writer when I was older. But then I pivoted to being a teacher for several years. It’s amazing to be back in my original dream job and loving it.
Do you have any other artistic hobbies, such as drawing or cooking?
I’m a trained musician in a couple of different instruments, so I play music on a regular basis. I love my ukuleles, playing piano, and singing. Karaoke is the way to my heart.
About the Book
Buy Link: Click here to purchase on Amazon
One feisty aunt with talking animals, a surprisingly supernatural lakeside town, and a boatload of magic are all it takes to shake up my midlife.
No one should live day to day just to exist. It only took an invite from a person I’ve never met to a place I didn’t know existed to tempt me to walk…no, run away from everything I knew. How sad is it when I’m the last one to see that my crappy life needs a do-over?
Starting over in my midlife wasn’t exactly the plan. But with the discovery that I actually have an aunt I never knew existed, magic is real, humans can turn into animals, and there might even be a real freaking dragon living in Guardian Lake—I can’t help but hope there has to be a better life waiting for me to choose it.
I’m going to make the rest of my forties fabulous by any means necessary. From here on out, I’m carving my own path in life, choosing my own adventures, and creating my own happy ending.
Once I get the hang of my Charmed Midlife, I intend to never look back!
Spell Shocked is a slow-burn romantic paranormal women’s fiction with a woman who’s rediscovering her sass and learning how to kick a little ass.
Author Links
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/jennariversbooks/
FB Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jennariversreaders/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/jennarivers
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jennariversbooks
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jenna-rivers
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jennariversbooks
(ok, I haven’t made any videos yet, but they’re coming)
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