Jennifer L. O’Connell is the real -life story of a modern woman who found her way through writing realistic stories about life’s challenges and the women who meet them. She finds much of her inspiration from early 19th century novels focusing on women and the challenges of their time, such as: The Women’s Room by Marilyn French, The Awakening by Kate Chopin, and The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton.
O’Connell is someone "…whose reading tastes are firmly grounded in reality. If it’s a fictional story about a regular person going through the trials and tribulations of everyday life, I’m likely to enjoy it. I think that putting 'everyday' life under a microscope is terribly interesting.”
The author’s previous works include Dress Rehearsal and Bachelorette #1.
Off The Record, her newest completed book, was released in stores in September 2005.
As a member of the Rose and Thorn Staff, I also found O’Connell very interesting and asked if I could put some of her ideas under our microscope. Issues such as writer’s block, timetables, and organization are just some of the topics Jennifer O’Connell and I discussed.
R&T: How long have you been writing?
O'Connell: I started my first book, BACHELORETTE #1, in 2002. It was published in 2003. But while I haven’t been writing that long, I’ve always been an avid reader. I think that most people who love to read eventually get the bug to write.
R&T: Who do you read and what do you get from them that helps your own writing?
O'Connell: I read a lot in my own genre. I enjoy reading new authors as well as more established authors, and seeing how they manage to take a topic or situation that’s been done before and make it fresh and new. I have several Chick Lit writer friends, and reading their work is always fun. When you know the person writing, and can actually ask them what they were thinking, why they made certain things happen, it helps you with your own writing.
R&T: What part does writing play in your life?
O'Connell: I also own my own consulting firm, so I am not a “full time” writer. That said, it plays a large role in my life because I really love to do it. When you have an idea or start hearing a conversation between characters, you just want to write – no matter where you are or what you’re doing. But I am not a classic writer in the sense that I didn’t always dream of being a writer, I wanted to be an editor. I also look at writing as something that should be fun. If I’m not enjoying it, I stop.
R&T: How do you get started? For instance, do you use an outline?
O'Connell: I create something that resembles a calendar, with each box being a chapter. I have bullets in the boxes that have brief descriptions of the major things happening in that chapter. It lets me keep track of events and characters, but doesn’t get too detailed. Doing this provides flexibility to move things, but still maintains some structure. I can also go in and put a bullet in chapter 10 as a placeholder for something I want to happen, but I don’t have to actually write it yet.
R&T: What is your favorite part of the writing process?
O'Connell: Starting and finishing. I love the beginning of the book, when you can see the story, and you’re getting to know the characters. I love the end, well, because I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The middle, that’s a little sketchy.
R&T: Do you ever get writer’s block? If so, what do you do to overcome it?
O'Connell: Yes, I get blocked all the time. I don’t write chronologically, so I find that being able to skip over sections that get me stuck and move on to other sections keeps me moving. I usually have the beginning and the end done first and work from there. Reading also unblocks me. It just gets you excited to write again.
R&T: How long did it take you to complete your first book?
O'Connell: Two months. It sold, and then I had about another month of additions/revisions/edits before the final version.
R&T: How do you manage your writing time? Any suggestions other writers who might be having difficulty with that aspect?
O'Connell: I’m lucky in that, because I own my own firm, I can manage my time to accommodate deadlines, etc. In general, though, I still need to juggle my job, family, life, and writing. I don’t know that I have any suggestions other than writing when you’re feeling excited. I don’t allocate a specific time each day or a set number of words to complete. If I’m not in the mood, I don’t waste my time. I take care of the other things in my life. Then, when I’m feeling excited and inspired and the creative juices are flowing, I can dedicate the time to it.
R&T: What advice would you give to new writers just trying to break in?
O'Connell: Learn about the industry. Get smart and do your research, whether it’s knowing which agents are selling the types of book you’re writing, or knowing which publishers are promoting their authors in the way that you want to be promoted. Many people like to talk about the “craft” of writing, but you also need to recognize it’s a business, and like any business, the better educated you are the better able you’ll be able to navigate the waters.
Sherry Elaine Eubank is a staff writer with the Rose and Thorn. Writing is her favorite part of the process, and being able to interview new and established writers. Her short story works and prose have won prizes. Her poetry has been published by well-known publications, such as The Penwood Review and Expressions. She is currently living in Estill Springs, TN.
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