Writers Helping Writers

Writers helping writers- I experienced a true sense of community this week, big time, as I joined a new writers group. 

In a time when people rarely know their own neighbor's name, I have found an online community of writers and authors who are out there, calling your name, giving you high fives and just...amazing.

 

Writers, in my recent experience, are truly some of the nicest people I have ever met. They share share their experience through helpful information, all in an effort to help newbies like me. They are encouraging, they are supportive and they are just nice people. Maybe it's a fluke, and I just ran across a great bunch of people, but I can't help but feel lucky to be part of this community, like I have my home team in the dugout, cheering me on, crossing their fingers for me and pointing me in the right direction toward home plate.

 

On Twitter, writers and authors really do support each other. One of my first tweets was to announce I had just finished my first manuscript and the first message I received was a congratulations from a YA author right away. I have followed some of my favorite authors and tweeted and favorited their content. In return, these people have followed, retweeted and favorited my content, sending some congratulatory messages along the way, on my first book.

 

There are some wonderful blogs out there as well by authors who send out helpful information on the writing process, publishing process, marketing process, all sharing freely in the wealth that is their knowledge.

 

Wow, very cool.

 

Maybe it is because writers are the most avid readers and they want to read good books. Why not share the knowledge?

 

Let me give you some examples of writers and authors helping their community:

 

Mark Coker, of #Smashwords, has published 3 books on how to self publish and they are free for anyone to read. They have been a great help to me during my first publishing experience. He also keeps a list of affordable cover designers and formatters http://www.smashwords.com/list which is where I found my next connection.

 

LJ Anderson, of Mayhem Cover Creations http://mayhemcovercreations.com/ is a published romance author who has her own company which specializes in book cover design, formatting, book marketing and web design. She designed my ebook and print covers and did the formatting for both, which turned out amazing.

 

Judith Briles of #AuthorU http://authoru.org/ puts out extremely helpful podcasts and has a wealth of information on her website for authors and writers on how to navigate the business.

 

As for writers who have personally helped me through this process so far, I would like to acknowledge the following people...Shout Out Time

 

Tami Lund, http://tamilund.com/ Author of The Naked Truth, The Resort Series and Candy Crush (not the game, but the romance novel) did me the honor of giving me my first review. She is a member of my new writer's group and was nice enough to read an advance copy of Sweet Dreams and give me her honest feedback. Feedback that is going to help me put out a better final product.

 

Sheri Williams, another writer in my new group, was kind enough to read an advance copy of Sweet Dreams and give me my second review. In the short time I have been part of this group, she has been one of the most encouraging.

 

Katherine Grubb, creator of 10MinuteNovelists, had been a friend on Twitter for a while, but when I engaged in last Thursday's Twitter Chat, I was immediately welcomed by Katherine and added to her group, where I have been interacting with these awesome folks.

 

Tammara Webber, http://tammarawebber.blogspot.com/ Author of Easy, Breakable and several others, gave me advice via twitter on cover design. I was amazed she took the time to respond and engage with someone she didn't know from atom. That was an awesome moment.

 

Colleen Hoover, http://colleenhoover.com/ Author of Maybe Someday, Hopeless and several others, I met at a book signing in Oakland, Ca and gave me some great advice on being a new author. She was extremely down to earth and extremely nice.

 

There are so many more people out there in the writer community, that I am now lucky enough to be a part of, that have encouraged me from the beginning and continue to do so. I feel truly blessed.

 

I wish all communities in life were this welcoming.

 

What is my neighbor's name you ask? I have no idea.

 

Find me

Website: http://www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jsenhaji13
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jsenhaji13

I'm also on

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jennifersenhaji

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Jsenhaji

 

 

 

Butterflies

Butterflies, butterflies are swarming my stomach as we speak.

Why?

Today I sent out a Tweet to my followers on Twitter as I looked at the calendar. I was commenting on the butterflies I was feeling at the realization my release date for my debut novel Sweet Dreams is only 3 weeks away.

But that was wrong.

 I was looking at the calendar all wrong and I suddenly realized the release date is only 2 weeks away.

Oh my gosh, deep breaths, deep breaths.

2 weeks until my story is out there available for all the world to read! Squee!!!

Deep breaths, deep breaths.

One of the things I love about blogging is it's like having a journal. This has become my online journal where I can talk about what this crazy experience has been like.

Do people read my blog? Who knows. I like being able to just put my thoughts out there. Some may find it interesting and some may not. Other newbie writers may find they are feeling the same things I am, while others are having a completely different experience.

Right now butterflies have taken over.

People think it must be hard to write a book, and I can tell you that it is not easy, but I never realized that in the grand scheme of things the writing would be easier then the actual publishing.

And the waiting...oh my gosh the waiting.

The anticipation of waiting for the book to go live is extremely nerve wracking.

Here is what goes through my head on a constant loop:

I am so excited, I can't believe I wrote a book.

Will anyone like Sweet Dreams?

Will anyone buy Sweet Dreams?

I love my book, I want everyone else to love it too.

Why is this process taking so long?

Why is this process going by so fast?

From other authors and bloggers I have learned this way of thinking is completely normal, but never the less completely new for me.

What do I want out of all this?

I want people to read and enjoy my book.

What have I gotten out of all this?

I have realized that in addition to reading I absolutely love to write and will continue writing for the foreseeable future.

Do I want Sweet Dreams to become a best seller?

Yes, of course, but I am just so proud to have actually written this book and to be actually publishing it, that everything that happens after it goes live will be gravy.

I will always have my book on my book shelf, that I wrote.

Unbelievable.

So, if you are following along, please mark your calendar.

July 7, 2014, 2 weeks from today, my debut novel, a contemporary romance entitled Sweet Dreams goes on sale at all major retailers. Links can be found on my website www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com and you can even pre-order it now on Apple iBooks or B&N NOOK.

Woohoo! Almost there. Almost there.

The butterflies they are a swarmin...


Comments are welcome :)

Find me below

Website: http://www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com
Twitter: jsenhaji13
Facebook: Facebook profile
Blog: http://jennifersenhaji.blogspot.com

Exclusive Author Interview with the Characters of Sweet Dreams, a Contemporary Romance

Ok guys, some of you have been wondering what my debut novel Sweet Dreams, releasing
July 7, 2014 is about. You can check out the synopsis on my website at www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com but if you are looking for more, I am pleased to announce I have decided to host an interview with the two main characters below.

Oh look who just arrived...


Me: "Jenna, it is great to see you again." Leans in for a hug.


Jenna: "It's great to be here. Thank you so much for creating me."


Me: "My pleasure. Have a seat and let's get started. Oh watch out for the.. are you ok Jenna?" What could she have possible tripped over?


Jenna: "Yeah sorry, I tend to be a little clumsy." Blushes.


Me: "I totally understand. So tell me a little bit about yourself."


Jenna: "Well, I am 29yrs old, when the story begins anyway, and I own and operate Sweet Dreams Café in downtown Maple Grove, Ca."



Me: "Ok, where is Maple Grove and what do you love about it?"

Jenna: "Well it is about 3 hours north of San Francisco, but Jennifer, you should know, you made up the town. It is a fictional place after all. Did you base it on anywhere in particular?"


Me: "Uh, yes actually I did, but for now I will ask the questions, if that is ok?"


Jenna: "Sure no problem. Actually one of my favorite things about the town are the trees. I am originally from San Francisco, as you know, and even though the San Francisco is beautiful, I always longed for a place with warm weather and lots of trees. I also love that everyone seems to know one another. Not in your business or anything, but they say good morning when they pass you on the street and watch out for each other. I really like that."


Me: "Wonderful. That is what I was going for. So I understand you had a celebrity in the café recently."



Jenna: "Um, yes, Jake. I mean Jacob Walker has been coming in early for coffee, but I thought no one knew?"


Me: "Well I have my sources. So what is he like?"

Jenna: "Well, he is kind of quiet, definitely likes to ask a lot of questions, likes to sneak up on me. Oh yeah and he has a sweet tooth." Smiles and blushes while looking dreamily off into the distance.



Me: "So are you friends?"

Jenna: "Yeah I guess so, but he is only here to film his current movie and when that is over, well..."



Me: "Well, are you going to keep in touch?"


Jenna: "I am sure he is a busy guy and has lots of friends, besides I am pretty busy myself."

Me: "Let's ask Jake..."


Jenna: "What? Is he here?"



In walks Jacob Walker, A-list actor and recently named sexiest man alive. Wow, I need a fan.



Me: "Jacob, welcome, thanks for joining us."



Jacob: "Thank you Jennifer. Hey Jenna, long time no see."


Jenna's face lights up when he sits down and Jake is flashing his megawatt smile right back at her. There is some serious chemistry between these two.




Me: "So Jacob, what is your favorite thing about Sweet Dreams?"

Jacob: "My favorite thing is going to the café in the morning before anyone else is there. It is a great place for coffee, and the pastries are so good. Jenna always has some great music playing, especially on Monday mornings." Winks at Jenna.


Me: Clears throat. "So I hear you have made a friend while in town?"


 Jacob: "Oh yeah, Jenna is the best."


Me: "Well, what happens when filming finishes, are you ready to give up your mornings at Sweet Dreams Café?"

Jacob: Looking down at his shoes. "No."



Me: "Care to elaborate?"

Jacob: Looks over at Jenna then quickly back down to the floor. "No."



Me: Ok, maybe a more direct approach is in order..."Jacob do you see your friendship with Jenna possibly turning into something more?"

Jacob: "I don't really like to discuss my private life Jennifer, you know that."



Me: "Jenna, do you see your friendship with Jacob possibly turning into something more?"


Jenna: "Um, I am not opposed to it."

Jacob: Head pops up and looks over at Jenna with a killer smile.



Whoa, that smile could knock me over if I was standing up and it is not even directed at me.


Jenna: "Jennifer why are you blushing?"


Me: "Huh, oh I a...just thought of something embarrassing that happens to you later in the story."


Jenna: "Shouldn't I be blushing then?"


Me: Silence as I try to gather my thoughts and get this interview back on track.


Me: "Jenna, does the entire book take place in Maple Grove?"


Jenna: "I will say a pivotal part of the plot happens while I'm vacationing in Italy."


Me: "I love Italy, I went for my 21st birthday and always wanted to go back."


Jenna: "You should. I especially enjoyed Amalfi."


Jacob: A sly smile appears on his face.


Jenna: "I will say no more for now though. If you want to find out you will need to buy the book."



Me: "Sounds good. Let's hope lots and lots of people buy and enjoy the book."


Jacob: "Hey I have to get back to work, but maybe we can do this again sometime. Jenna, can I walk you back to the café?"



Jenna: "Sure Jake let's go. See ya around Jennifer."


Jacob: "See ya around and thank you for everything."


Me: "Wait, don't I get a hug?"


To find out how to get your copy of Sweet Dreams visit my website at www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com

Please feel free to leave a comment or question.

Cover Reveal for Sweet Dreams by Jennifer Senhaji

Revealed!!!

Today I am excited to reveal the cover of my debut novel Sweet Dreams.

LJ over at Mayhem Cover Creations http://mayhemcovercreations.com/ has done an amazing job putting together the covers for my ebook and print versions. She took all my requests into consideration and came up with a beautiful cover.

As you may or may not know, I am publishing this book myself. That makes me, Author, Publisher and Marketing Team. I ask that my friends and followers support this project by Liking and Sharing on Facebook, Tweeting and Retweeting on Twitter and forwarding this blog by email to your friends and followers to help me get the word out. As a new Indie Author, I can use all the help I can get spreading the word.

So shout it from the mountain tops: "Jennifer Senhaji has authored her debut novel a contemporary romance entitled Sweet Dreams and it is coming soon to an online retailer near you!"

Thank you, I truly appreciate your support.

Synopsis:

Meet Jenna Morris or Jen to her friends - the clumsy, bug phobic, music loving owner of Sweet Dreams Café in the small town of Maple Grove. Jen spends most of her time working, occasionally dating and is generally content and happy. Life is good in Maple Grove.

When Jen unexpectedly finds herself in an elevator one day with Jacob Walker, A-list actor and sexiest man alive, she catches her breath, smiles politely, wishes him a good day and amazingly keeps the encounter with the megastar to herself. That night she indulges in one if his films on DVD at home wondering what he could possibly be doing in her small town.

Showing up a month later one morning at Sweet Dreams, Jake orders a coffee and blueberry muffin to go from Jen herself leaving her dumbfounded and feeling like an infatuated fangirl.

Soon he becomes her regular early morning customer stopping in almost every morning for coffee and conversation while shooting his latest movie on location the next town over. The two form an unlikely friendship as sparks fly and the chemistry builds between them.

Knowing Jake won’t be in town forever, Jen keeps her attraction and her feelings for Jake to herself. She knows once he finishes filming he will leave and life will go on as usual.

Or will it?

Under different circumstances could the friendship between Jen and Jake blossom into something more or is it all just Sweet Dreams?

Find Me:

Website: http://www.jennifersenhajiauthor.com
Twitter: jsenhaji13
Facebook: Facebook profile
Blog: http://jennifersenhaji.blogspot.com

Priorities

Priorities...Sometimes we are so busy it is easy to forget what is really important.

 

I am posting my Monday blog today because yesterday when I would normally be home blogging, I was enjoying my sons Little League Playoff game. I was there when he hit a 3 run homer cheering him on like a crazy fangirl.

 

Tonight I was there again when his team came from behind 9-2 to tie it 9-9 in the last inning.

 

I am so proud of him. He had a great first baseball season and I have been to every single game except 1.

 

There is a ton I still have to do to make my release next month happen, but taking time out to make the game and my son a priority is way more important.

 

Remember as you are wrapped up in your careers, errands, tv shows, whatever, that there are some things in life you can't miss.

 

Happy Tuesday!

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