To celebrate the release of, What’s Left of Me, the second book in the Firebird Trilogy, author Jennifer Loring has stopped by give us a peek into her life as a writer!
Don’t forget to also check out book 1, Firebird.
1. What’s the hardest thing about balancing writing with the rest of your life?
I would write, or do writing-related things, all day if I could. I’m very passionate about it, and when I’m deep into a project, I want to do literally nothing else. But I have a house, a husband, and two dogs, so finding balance has been essential. I’m trying to stop writing after a certain time if my husband isn’t also busy, so we can do more together.
2. Do you have a special writing space? What’s in it? What can’t be in it?
I write first drafts longhand, so my special writing space for that is the couch. 😀 If it’s nice out, sometimes I’ll write on the deck. When I’m working on anything other than a first draft, I have an office. There’s my desk, my filing cabinet, and several full bookshelves. It’s a small space, so nothing else fits in it!
3. Do you write to music, or do you like silence/white noise/coffee shop? Why?
If I’m in my office, I always have music on. I create playlists tailored to my current project. If I’m writing on the couch, either I’ll write to music or (more frequently) put the TV on for background noise. Sometimes I go to coffee shops, but even then, my phone is loaded up with music.
4. Be honest – do you love or hate social media? Somewhere in between? Why?
I’m not the biggest social media fan, and given the current socio-political climate, I often wish I didn’t have to be on it. Pinterest is always a nice change of pace. I’m trying to like Twitter more, but it’s just not my style. Facebook is my social media go-to, but it’s not the best place to market yourself. I’m trying to put more time into my blog/website these days.
5. Do you have a favorite book? Or author? Or genre? Or is it too hard to pick?
Favorite book/author is way too hard! I have so many. My favorite genre is still horror, but I’ll read paranormal romance, dark fantasy, science fiction, non-fiction…
6. What do you think about MFA programs?
I can only speak from personal experience, of course, but I improved a great deal as a writer. Would that have happened without my MFA program? Probably…but I’m not sure it would’ve as quickly. I also made friendships and industry connections that I almost certainly wouldn’t have without it. That said, it’s hard to justify the exorbitant cost—especially for a low-residency program.
7. Recommend a how-to book, website, or an organization with good writer resources.
One of my favorite books, even though it’s geared more toward novice writers, is Jeff VanderMeer’s Wonderbook. I have a BA in studio art, so the visual component grabbed me right away.
8. What’s the next project? Is there a release date or window yet?
I have a m/m sci-fi romance novella, No One on Earth, coming out from After Glows Publishing later this year. I’m about to start the second draft of Firebird #3, which will be out sometime in 2017. I’m also writing a m/m hockey romance short story for an anthology that we’re trying to release in time for RT next year. Those are the immediate projects. I’m hoping for good news on a couple others soon!
9. What’s your newest release about/premise?
What’s Left of Me is about transition—Alex is moving into his new career, adjusting to marriage and fatherhood, and learning to accept himself as someone with a mental illness. Stephanie is doing the same, as well as dealing with a health crisis of her own. They’re facing a potential scandal on top of it all, and it proves to be a major test of both their characters, one they don’t quite pass in the beginning. The story is meant as a bridge between two parts of Alex’s life, and I can’t say any more about that without spoiling the final book!
10. Do you have a favorite character from the book?
My heart belongs to Alex. When I first wrote about him, in the second chapter of Firebird, he stole the show. I knew then that, despite my original intentions, this was going to be his series. It’s hard not to love him—he’s sexy, talented, and the alpha attitude hides a man who really just wants to be loved and accepted as he is.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Recovering from years of living the superstar hockey life wasn’t easy, but now Aleksandr Volynsky finally has everything…
He’s married to the love of his life, expecting a daughter, and has a new job as an assistant coach with his old team, the Buffalo Gladiators. His happiness is short lived, however, when a sexual assault allegation surfaces, and Alex is forced to cooperate with an investigation for a crime he didn’t commit.
Stephanie Hartwell is juggling her dream job with marriage and motherhood, but she’s not convinced she’s doing any of it well…
Stephanie’s stress level goes from bad to worse when she’s diagnosed with a serious illness. Battling declining health and the critics who question her commitment to Alex in light of the allegation, she makes a decision that could change their relationship forever.
Alex is afraid he’s about to lose everything—especially when he sees Stephanie’s friend kiss her…
Devastated that his life is spiraling out of control again, Alex turns to his friend, Natasha, a Russian pop star. Convinced that Stephanie and her friend Brandon are having an affair, Alex resumes his self-destructive behavior.
What Alex doesn’t know is Stephanie has been conducting a secret investigation of her own. She learns the truth behind the sexual assault—a truth no one, especially Alex, expects.
With everything now out in the open, can Stephanie and Alex commit to a fresh start for the sake of their daughter, or will the ghosts of their pasts finally tear apart everything they have left?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Loring has been, among other things, a DJ, an insurance claims assistant, and an editor. Her short fiction has appeared in numerous magazines, webzines, and anthologies, including Crystal Lake Publishing’s Tales from the Lake vol. 1 and Black Mirror Press’ Snowpocalypse. Longer work includes the novella Conduits (DarkFuse, 2014) and the novels Those of My Kind (Omnium Gatherum, 2015), Firebird, and What’s Left of Me (Limitless Publishing, 2015 and 2016). Jennifer’s novella No One on Earth (After Glows Publishing) will be released in late 2016. She lives in Philadelphia, PA with her husband, their turtle, and two basset hounds.
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