Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Guest Blog: Jess Wentz

Today I have a special guest with me: Jessica Wentz. Jess has been a long time supporter of mine. She's always retweeting my posts and chatting with me on twitter. So it's only fair I reciprocate. We're breaking her guest appearance cherry! Make sure you leave her LOTS of comment love and check out her blog!

~Ok... first I would like to thank Krystal for asking me to do this for her! It's my first time being a guest blogger for anyone, and I'm really excited to be doing it!! Now... what to talk about.

I thought I would write about what made me finally want to publish a book. I've been writing since about the age of ten, and have always kept it very close to me. There has always been this nagging feeling in me that I've never been good enough to publish anything. I can honestly say that even my husband didn't read my work, because it was just too private for me to share with him.

I knew that I had wanted to publish something, as I have so many stories started in my computer, but have never finished. I'm sure there are ones that don't make any sense, but like most writers, I would get an idea in my head and have to write it down. Once I started, I usually knew if it wasn't going anywhere, and still, when I go back and read them, know where I wanted to go with them.

The reason why I finally decided to publish, was two people gave me the push I needed. The first one was my husband, who after seeing me drifting a little bit, told me to publish something, as I'm always sitting at the computer writing. The second was Raine Thomas, who told me to go for it after I said that my husband had planted the seed. It took off from there, and I bought a writing program designed for writers, and got down to business. I must say my story has changed about ten times and will probably change a lot more before I'm done, but I'm loving every frustrating, nail biting minute of it! My characters are constantly telling me how to go, and I follow their lead.

One thing I forced myself to do was share my work. I have been emailing my WIP to Raine, and getting her feedback. She has been a godsend to me, and given me such great advice writing wise. Also, it's great to have fresh eyes seeing it when I've been looking at it for four plus hours!! Before this, I had never shared my work with anyone, because it terrified me to do it. I had visions of them hating what I was writing, and telling me it was awful. There is still a part of me that thinks that, and I don't think that will ever change. It's just great to know that I've made myself get over that hump of keeping my writing to myself.

I'm hoping to have my book written, edited and have the book cover done by the end of the year. That's my goal for 2011! Now, I'm hoping my children can allow that goal to happen...

Thanks again, Krystal for asking me to do this!!

~

You're welcome, Jess. Thank you for sharing such an intimate part of yourself. We all have our different reasons for writing and publishing. It's good to hear your husband is so supportive of you. Now hire a sitter and finish that book!

Jess is a mother of two amazing boys, and has been married for ten, almost eleven years. She's in the process of writing her first book, which has been a dream of hers since childhood. Jess also has a book blog, where she reads and reviews books. Please check it and follow if you have a chance. jessbookblog.blogspot.com

18 comments:

  1. I'm honored to have played such a big part of launching your writing career, Jess! The world needs to read your work, and I don't say that lightly. I know you'll reach your goal this year!

    P.S. I'd sure LOVE to see some more of Jill and Bryan... *wink*

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    1. Thanks Raine! You've been such a tremendous help to me! I'll more off to you when I'm done with the character profiles...

      They both have been nagging me to start at it again!!

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  2. It is so rewarding when you help someone, isn't it Raine? I have a few special people who've helped my writing career immensely. I will forever be grateful!

    With supporters like you, Jess will surely finish her novel!

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  3. ARGH! I'm with you. My husband doesn't read my work, either. I'd let him if he asked, but he won't ask because he knows I'm squeamish. ;c) It's great to meet you. I hope you get your book out there soon! (And I have six kids 13 and under, so I feel you there, too. They can make finding writing time a challenge! LOL!)

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    1. I'm still not sure how you find the time to write! :-) Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. OMG... six kids UNDER the age of 13?!?!?!? I have two boys under the age of ten and I want to pull my hair out! I know my HB would read it if I asked him to, but it's the same thing as you... he knows I'm terrified about it!

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    3. Yep. ;c) G13, B11, B8, G5, B4, and a little girl who turns 2 in May. And that last one came along AFTER I had my tubes tied! (It's all my husband's fault, lol.) And we homeschool. GAH. Currently 8th, 6th, 3rd, and K with the other two underfoot.

      My thing is I know my H isn't a fan of the romance genre, and I primarily write romantic suspense. So if he reads me he has to (a) say he doesn't like it or (b) say he likes it and I'll think he's just saying that, LOL. I've let him read two things of mine. One was the prologue to a suspense (which I think he actually liked) and the other was a book review (he said he got lost, LOL.)

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  4. What a great guest blogger, Krystal! I enjoyed reading Jess's honest account of the trials of writing. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that her book will get published soon. Hope you have her back on as a guest so we can watch her as she progresses from writer to published author!

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    1. I will definitely invite her back. Maybe she'll share excerpts of her soon-to-be-released novel. ;-)

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    2. Maybe if you twist my rubber arm... Would love to come back!!!

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    3. Haha. Twisting. Now get to work!

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  5. I'm curious, you said you use a writing program. Which one? Great post, it's funny how it just takes a push from the right people to get us to do what we know we should be doing all along.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. I'm using WriteWay Pro. My SIL was using it, so I downloaded the demo once I decided to publish my work. It's amazing! I'm able to do my book chapter by chapter and scene by scene, which really helps me!

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    3. Thanks. I was thinking about trying that one. Think I will now.

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  6. Anonymous2/09/2012

    Congratulations on starting your first book Jess! It's amazing, isn't it? Wishing you the best of luck! Sorry I'm a day late to the party. I was really under the weather yesterday. Husbands can be a great support. So glad you have yours. But remember, if you're writing romance, not all men get that so take in in stride. Right Sarah? LOL My husband has been a wonderful supporter. I look forward to seeing great things from you in the future.

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    1. Thanks!! I was really surprised when he mentioned it to me, but I'm so happy he did!! I didn't know he was even thinking of what I was doing on the computer for such long periods of time!!

      Hey, I'm under the weather right now, so I know how you feel!!

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  7. Hey, Jess! Loved your post. Come guest for me any time you feel the urge to post away from your home front :-) Krystal, that goes for you, too. :-)

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