This week I'm delighted to welcome romantic novelist
JENNIFER BOHNET
Jennifer lives and writes in Brittany so it seemed only right that we settled with a small glass of wine as we had a 'writerly' gossip - listen in to our chat ...
Jennifer, as a writer of affairs of the heart, what do you do to motivate yourself on a day you're just not feeling it?
I look through a couple of books I have on writing, maybe do one or two of the mind releasing exercises they suggest, or I flip through a book with lots of pictures, pick one and try to come up with a story about it. I usually end up writing something even if it’s not the next thousand words of the latest novel.
Tell us about your ideal writing day.
I’ve realised recently that if I don’t start writing first thing after breakfast I get very little done all day. So ideally I’d be in my study by 9.30 and write for the next couple of hours, stop for lunch (cooked by husband) and then walk the dog for an hour before coming back to edit the morning’s work. Answering e-mails and doing social networking I try to do in the evenings.
I have to say that I was a bit jealous about lunch being cooked by your husband and a LOT jealous about the fact that you have a dog to walk! My cats won't allow me to have one! So what's the worst thing about writing for you?
The waiting time between sending stuff out - particularly short stories - and hearing back from editors/publishers.
It's dream time! Your ultimate dinner party? You can have anyone dead or alive there - who would you have and why?
Great question as I love entertaining! Hugh Jackman because - oh just because! Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald so that I could really quiz them about Juan-les-Pins and the Jazz Age down there for a novel idea I have. Elisabeth David - she could help me in the kitchen beforehand and give me all sorts of useful tips. The iceman of Formula 1, Kimi Raikkonen, though I don’t suppose he’d be much of a conversationalist. Erica James because she’s one of my favourite writers and maybe she’d share the secret of how she’s so productive. Dame Maggie Smith because she’s such a brilliant actress and I’m sure she’d have lots of theatrical stories to tell us. Bill Nye because he makes me laugh. Jilly Cooper because I’ve long been an admirer of her writing. And finally I’d have to invite a young, healthy, Muhammad Ali for my husband; they share the same birthday and although not a big fan of boxing he’s always admired him. Should be a great dinner party!
Hmmm! That's a dinner party I'll attend with bells on!
Jennifer, as a writer of affairs of the heart, what do you do to motivate yourself on a day you're just not feeling it?
I look through a couple of books I have on writing, maybe do one or two of the mind releasing exercises they suggest, or I flip through a book with lots of pictures, pick one and try to come up with a story about it. I usually end up writing something even if it’s not the next thousand words of the latest novel.
Tell us about your ideal writing day.
I’ve realised recently that if I don’t start writing first thing after breakfast I get very little done all day. So ideally I’d be in my study by 9.30 and write for the next couple of hours, stop for lunch (cooked by husband) and then walk the dog for an hour before coming back to edit the morning’s work. Answering e-mails and doing social networking I try to do in the evenings.
I have to say that I was a bit jealous about lunch being cooked by your husband and a LOT jealous about the fact that you have a dog to walk! My cats won't allow me to have one! So what's the worst thing about writing for you?
The waiting time between sending stuff out - particularly short stories - and hearing back from editors/publishers.
It's dream time! Your ultimate dinner party? You can have anyone dead or alive there - who would you have and why?
Great question as I love entertaining! Hugh Jackman because - oh just because! Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald so that I could really quiz them about Juan-les-Pins and the Jazz Age down there for a novel idea I have. Elisabeth David - she could help me in the kitchen beforehand and give me all sorts of useful tips. The iceman of Formula 1, Kimi Raikkonen, though I don’t suppose he’d be much of a conversationalist. Erica James because she’s one of my favourite writers and maybe she’d share the secret of how she’s so productive. Dame Maggie Smith because she’s such a brilliant actress and I’m sure she’d have lots of theatrical stories to tell us. Bill Nye because he makes me laugh. Jilly Cooper because I’ve long been an admirer of her writing. And finally I’d have to invite a young, healthy, Muhammad Ali for my husband; they share the same birthday and although not a big fan of boxing he’s always admired him. Should be a great dinner party!
Hmmm! That's a dinner party I'll attend with bells on!
How do you deal with the dreaded bad review - are you
a sulker or a shrugger?
More of a sulker I’m afraid - it knocks my confidence and I have a hard time getting going again, so I’ve resolved to try and be more of a shrugger and never to look at my reviews again. (Another resolution broken then!)
I'm totally with you on that one but I guess we have to realise that we can't please everyone! So IF you were offered a squillion pounds to never write again, would you take it?
If the offer was made when the rejections were pouring in, I’d be sorely tempted and have to say yes! But then I think, No, having all those people in my head trying to tell their stories and not being able to write it down would drive me insane!
Again, I agree! Once they get in your head they just have to come out, don't they?
QUICK FIRE ROUND
Planner or Winger?
More of a sulker I’m afraid - it knocks my confidence and I have a hard time getting going again, so I’ve resolved to try and be more of a shrugger and never to look at my reviews again. (Another resolution broken then!)
I'm totally with you on that one but I guess we have to realise that we can't please everyone! So IF you were offered a squillion pounds to never write again, would you take it?
If the offer was made when the rejections were pouring in, I’d be sorely tempted and have to say yes! But then I think, No, having all those people in my head trying to tell their stories and not being able to write it down would drive me insane!
Again, I agree! Once they get in your head they just have to come out, don't they?
QUICK FIRE ROUND
Planner or Winger?
A winger trying to be a bit more of
a planner.
Night or Morning?
Night or Morning?
Morning.
Do-er or procrastinator?
Do-er or procrastinator?
I can procrastinate for England - and France now.
Writing/first draft or editing?
Writing/first draft or editing?
First draft.
Tea or coffee?
Tea or coffee?
Coffee, coffee coffee.
I'd like to thank Jennifer for being a very brave first FUNKY FRIDAY participant and urge you all to check out her latest book, 'Shadows of Conflict', which is already out in hardback and will also be available as an e-book on 30th September:
I'd like to thank Jennifer for being a very brave first FUNKY FRIDAY participant and urge you all to check out her latest book, 'Shadows of Conflict', which is already out in hardback and will also be available as an e-book on 30th September:
Here are the links to her website and Amazon page.
You can also follow Jennifer on Twitter @jenniewriter
***** NEWSFLASH *****
FUNKY FRIDAY is now booked out until mid February - thank you all so much for your support.
NICKY WELLS has released 'Sophie's Encore' and has some FAB 5* reviews
KATHRYN BROWN has also released 'Bedknobs and Bachelors' and it's waiting on my Kindle to be read.
MICHELLE BETHAM's romcom, 'Too Much Trouble in Paradise' is FREE on Kindle at Amazon this weekend. Grab a copy while you can - it's very funny.
JAMIE T DOUGAN's short story, 'The Rubicon Trail' is now available on Kobo as well as on Amazon He'll be chatting here some time in the New Year.
Next week we welcome to FUNKY FRIDAY an avid reader, reviewer and HUGE supporter of writers, my friend Carol Wright from Dizzy C's Little Book Blog
So that just about rounds up the first FUNKY FRIDAY! Thanks to Jennifer for dropping by and to all those who have agreed to take part. Remember, spread the love by Tweeting about this with #funkyfriday
NICKY WELLS has released 'Sophie's Encore' and has some FAB 5* reviews
KATHRYN BROWN has also released 'Bedknobs and Bachelors' and it's waiting on my Kindle to be read.
MICHELLE BETHAM's romcom, 'Too Much Trouble in Paradise' is FREE on Kindle at Amazon this weekend. Grab a copy while you can - it's very funny.
JAMIE T DOUGAN's short story, 'The Rubicon Trail' is now available on Kobo as well as on Amazon He'll be chatting here some time in the New Year.
Next week we welcome to FUNKY FRIDAY an avid reader, reviewer and HUGE supporter of writers, my friend Carol Wright from Dizzy C's Little Book Blog
So that just about rounds up the first FUNKY FRIDAY! Thanks to Jennifer for dropping by and to all those who have agreed to take part. Remember, spread the love by Tweeting about this with #funkyfriday
Great interview - thank you both.
ReplyDeleteYaay..this is going to be fun!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! I really enjoyed reading Jennie's answers. Would you be able to make space for me at the dinner party please? Sounds like it would be a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteOf course Jill but you'd make 13 around the table and we can't have that! So would have to find another guest to balance it out! Henry Cavill do?
ReplyDeleteGreat new feature and great first interview, Amanda.
ReplyDeleteGood to find out more about you Jennifer.
Dame Maggie Smith would be a fascinating dinner guest.
Thank you for the shout out. Looking forward to my guest slot :)
carol
Really liking this idea Amanda. Good with the feature interview and brilliant with the newsflash feature informing people of what other writers have got going on.
ReplyDelete