Jennifer H. Taylor
Jennifer Hudson Taylor is the author of historical and contemporary Christian fiction set in Europe and the Carolinas. Her fiction has won awards in the American Christian Fiction Writers' Genesis Contest. Her debut novel, Highland Blessings, was released May 2010. Other works have appeared in national publications, such as Guideposts, Heritage Quest Magazine, Everton’s Genealogical Publishers, and The Military Trader. Jennifer graduated from Elon University with a B.A. in Journalism. When she isn't writing, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, genealogy, and reading. She resides with her husband and daughter in the Charlotte area of NC
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since I was 12, but I began pursuing publication at the age of 24, before I was ready.
Did you always want to be a writer?
Yes. After watching Gone With the Wind as a young girl, I decided I wanted to write the next Gone With the Wind.
What type of career/job do you have other than writing?
I am a Marketing Communications Manager for a local nonprofit. My job requires me to maintain the company website and social networking, public relations, coordinate events, write grants, develop printed publications, including graphic design, writing and editing.
What is your writing routine like?
I have no set routine. Because of my full-time job, I’m forced to squeeze in writing wherever and whenever I can. I write in the wee morning hours, late at night, on lunch hours, in doctor’s offices, on road trips, on weekends, etc.
Do you have a ritual that you go through before sitting down to write?
No, no time for that.
How do you define the type of writer you are? Do you outline or are you a “pantser”?
I’m a little bit of both. I begin with a paragraph idea and then create a character sketch. I then do a rough outline, about a sentence or two for each scene. However, the punster part of me doesn’t always stick with this outline. I get other ideas as I’m writing, my characters will alter themselves and make decisions without me, and I go with it. I may get the feeling that things are going too slow and I’ll throw in another plot twist and surprise myself.
Where do your ideas come from?
Everywhere. I may be researching one novel and come across some information that would be great for a different novel. Articles, books, movies, dreams, conversations, visiting places, etc.
What do you find the most challenging part of the writing process?
Managing and balancing my time. I keep thinking if I could just stay home and write, all my problems would be solved—but then I wouldn’t be able to pay my bills and I’d have a whole new set of problems. I guess this time thing will just be a thorn in my side for a while. I don’t see any other way around it for the time being.
Do you set daily writing goals for yourself?
No, I cannot put that kind of pressure on myself because I don’t always have control over my day. As a control freak, it took me a while to admit this. I’m not a full-time writer, I don’t get to stay at home and write as if I do have that time. As much as I’d like to, my life isn’t like other people’s lives. I have to do what works for me. I have to deal with work pressures and co-workers as things happen and sometimes they drain me. On those days I go home and sleep. Other times, my family needs me, my husband may be tired or sick, my daughter might need help with homework or a special school project, or I need to be there for her swim meet. Instead, I set weekly goals for myself. It’s easier to squeeze a paragraph here, a few pages there, during the week than a daily goal. I used to go without sleep in order to write. The older I get, the less this happens. My sacrificing my health isn’t worth it. The writing will get done when it gets done. The only time I allow writing to interfere with my sleep is when I have a deadline and if I stick to my weekly goals, this won’t happen often.
How many days a week do you give to your writing?
If you only count writing and/or editing my manuscripts, 3-4 days, but if you count research and promotion as well, I do something writing related every single day of my life.
Where is your writing space? By a window in your home, at a desk facing the wall?
I have an office that is dedicated to my writing, but as you’ve probably realized by now, I rarely have the privilege of using it. One day….
What is the one writing tool you can’t live without?
My computer! I can write by hand, use an Alpha-smart, and my Droid, but I really NEED my computer.
How important is the happily-ever-after ending?
Very important since I write romance; but sometimes I like a more true-to-life ending. The hero and heroine may end up together but there might be a bittersweet ending to the plot or the people the hero and heroine care about.
Explicit love scenes, yes or no; if yes, please explain; if no, please explain.
No, but I do believe there should be sensuality, attraction, and sincere affection in a romance. I think a couple’s feelings for one another, their behavior toward each other, their caring, and their relationship is way more important than the sex. I don’t like relationships based on nothing, but sex. I felt this way long before Christian fiction became a genre. Often, I would skip over the sex scenes and just keep reading. As a Christian fiction writer, I do believe it is necessary to show a character’s temptation in relationships. Christians aren’t perfect and they struggle with desire and passion just as anyone else. I don’t think this should be ignored in a Christian romance. I think it should be tactfully shown and dealt with. The point in Christian fiction is that they work to overcome it, and if they fail, they seek forgiveness and face the responsibility of the consequences.
How important is a critique partner to a writer’s success?
I think it depends on the writer. Robin Lee Hatcher does better without a critique partner. Many other writers feel that they must have critique partners. A writer needs a good critique partner who will not mislead a partner with bad advice. A lot of the bad advice I received in the past was due to someone’s inexperience. We go through seasons and our writing evolves to different stages and levels. I think critique partners need to be able to determine when they’ve outgrown a partner and when they’re no longer getting the help they need.
I didn’t have one with my debut novel, Highland Blessings, and so I think a partner isn’t necessary, but sometimes they can be helpful. While I’m in a critique group for the sequel, Highland Sanctuary, I’ve only submitted the first five chapters. I don’t submit chapters that often, because I’m expected to critique two chapters for each one I submit, which is very fair. However, with my time limitations, it takes away from my writing time. I’m considering switching to beta readers after I’ve written the whole manuscript and I’m into the editing phase. I don’t think this will take as much time away from my writing as I try to meet my deadlines.
Do you have any books available as e-books?
Yes, Highland Blessings is available in both print and e-book format and so will Highland Sanctuary when it releases in October 2011.
What has been your experience with your publisher giving away your books as “samples”?
Main Advantage - People love free things and there are tons of blogs and tweeters out there promoting ANYTHING that's free. I didn't realize how many blogs and Tweeters until we ran this campaign. People I've never heard of were tweeting and blogging about my book--just because it was free. The result? I sold lots of print copies on Amazon--not just free Kindle downloads. My sales rankings were the best they've been since the book was released. Lots of people heard about my book that might have never heard about it if it hadn't been for this campaign.
Disadvantage - The only disadvantage I noticed were reviews from Kindle readers who gave the impression that they don’t typically read the genre I write. When someone gives a review of a book they wouldn't normally read anyway, it does make me wonder about the bias of that review. It's hard to make someone who dislikes historicals, enjoy an historical or someone who dislikes religion to like Christian fiction. That's the bottom line. But because it's free and they have nothing to lose but time, they attempt to read it. If they can't resist writing a review, is that review pre-biased?
What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
I read for pleasure, go for walks, ride my bike, go on road trips, see a movie, spend time with family, etc.
How understanding is your family about your writing? Do you find it hard to organize time for family and friends?
Even though they are very understanding, I still feel guilty at writing when I could be giving them my attention. I rarely have to cook or clean. My husband has taken up many of the household chores. I simply couldn’t work a full-time job and write if he had not stepped up to the plate.
Do you have a web site or blog?
Yes. jenniferhudsontaylor.blogspot.com and jenniferswriting.blogspot.com
Thank you, Jennifer, and good luck with your next book, Highland Sanctuary.
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