EXCERPT
“Thank God I didn’t drop the towel. I would have literally died from embarrassment,”
I mutter, shaking my head. We stand in such close proximity in the narrow hallway, barely
clothed and dripping wet. Aidan’s tongue darts out, wetting his bottom lip, my eyes unable to
move from his luscious, now wet, lips. Fuck. I step back towards my bedroom, trying to make
my getaway.
Aidan raises an eyebrow, and leans up against the doorway to the bathroom.
“Yeah, that would have been somethin’ else,” he says in a gravelly voice.
My eyes skim over his firm, muscular torso.
Gulp.
Ryan Gosling, eat your heart out.
“There are spare towels in the cupboard if you want to dry off. I … I need to get
dressed.”
“No worries, I’ll sort it.”
“Night, Aidan,” I mutter.
“Yeah, night,” he says softly. I struggle to pull my gaze away from the longing in
those dreamy eyes. Fuck, that look is doing wicked things to me. I revel in the moment
briefly and then remember … yet again, that I have a boyfriend, he has a girlfriend, and
I smile politely, and march into my room. I let out the loudest of sighs as my back thuds
against the back of the door.
What the fuck just happened?
Did I run over a black cat? Did I royally fuck someone over in a past life? The tall,
dark, handsome stranger in the very next room, has upset the basic rhythm of my heart, and
has me craving things I shouldn’t … not with him. This is cruel. So very cruel.
Get to know you interview – Jennifer Ryder
1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
About eighteen months ago. I’d always been a big reader, but never thought I would write. Inspiration struck, and I couldn’t stop once I started putting the words down. ‘Spark’ became an obsession, festering inside, characters taunting me in my sleep, until I got it out!
2. How long does it take you to write a book?
Spark took about 8 months to finish, but I wasn’t writing every day (as I also work fulltime). Once I got further into the book I got more serious about it. I went to workshops and did online courses, such as ‘how to write a convincing male character’, ‘writing sizzling sex scenes’ and ‘showing not telling’.
Other books in the series, I have been able to finish a first draft within 6 weeks. It’s the editing and polishing that then takes the time, as well as incorporating any changes as a result of beta reader feedback (which might I add, is invaluable!).
About eighteen months ago. I’d always been a big reader, but never thought I would write. Inspiration struck, and I couldn’t stop once I started putting the words down. ‘Spark’ became an obsession, festering inside, characters taunting me in my sleep, until I got it out!
2. How long does it take you to write a book?
Spark took about 8 months to finish, but I wasn’t writing every day (as I also work fulltime). Once I got further into the book I got more serious about it. I went to workshops and did online courses, such as ‘how to write a convincing male character’, ‘writing sizzling sex scenes’ and ‘showing not telling’.
Other books in the series, I have been able to finish a first draft within 6 weeks. It’s the editing and polishing that then takes the time, as well as incorporating any changes as a result of beta reader feedback (which might I add, is invaluable!).
3. What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
I also work fulltime, so I manage to get in an hour in the morning, while the kids are having breakfast and arguing over lost shoes, and squeeze in a couple of hours at night when everyone is asleep.
Weekends I can spend a bit more time with my writing, but it’s never for long stints (unless hubbie is away fishing!). When I’m in writing mode, I try and aim for 1K or more words a day, but if I’m getting along with my characters, I can manage a lot more. It all depends! Some days I can barely manage a couple of hundred, but it’s better than no words at all.
4. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Writing can be a lonely business, so I don’t know if the way I write is different to most people. I am happy to share with you something I find helpful. When doing the final edit, I find it easier to print out the MS. I grab a couple of different highlighters, and assign a colour to each character. I highlight each character’s dialogue and review one by one. It just makes sure that the way they speak is consistent, and not too similar to other characters. It also means I can give each character a few turns of phrase that only they use.
5. How do you plan to publish? (self or publisher)
I plan to selfpublish the Spark series, but I have other standalone books I’m working on which I may consider submitting to a publisher. At the moment, Indie publishing feels right for me. I’m surrounded by so many other supportive Indies, and with selfpublishing I get more freedom.
6. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Personal experiences were a big source of inspiration for my first book, Spark, but anything can inspire me. After a girl’s weekend away in Melbourne recently, within a week I had a new book plotted out. It was an awesome weekend! A big day at the horse races, an Irish pub and shenanigans at night! Did I mention a sexy bar owner?
I also read a lot (at least 2 books a month), and have a few favourite TV shows. Right now I’m hooked on Chicago Fire, but my favourites are Revenge, Grey’s Anatomy and Arrow. And a warning to friends and family… I listen intently to everything you say! Where else do I get inspiration for my dialogue!
7. When did you write your first book and how old were you?
That would be giving away my age! I started writing Spark eighteen months ago, and I’m in my dirty thirties!
8. What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Read! My Amazon library is bursting with so many good books, and quite it helps motivate me in my writing. It also helps when I’m a bit burnt out. I’ve completed a couple of 50K in 30 day challenges (like NaNoWriMo), and they have been tough! After doing one of these, I have to take a break otherwise I’d go insane! This is where I take some time to relax, and nine times out of ten, turn to a good book. Apart from reading, when we can we take the kids down the South Coast of New South Wales. Jervis Bay is a particular favourite spot. We also love to entertain, as we are big foodies!
9. What does your family think of your writing?
My family are very supportive, although my mother understands that she may never read them! My seven year old daughter Ashlee is my biggest fan, telling anyone and everyone that I write books. It’s adorable, but she knows she has to wait until she’s eighteen to be able to read them!
10. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?My own personal strength.
I also work fulltime, so I manage to get in an hour in the morning, while the kids are having breakfast and arguing over lost shoes, and squeeze in a couple of hours at night when everyone is asleep.
Weekends I can spend a bit more time with my writing, but it’s never for long stints (unless hubbie is away fishing!). When I’m in writing mode, I try and aim for 1K or more words a day, but if I’m getting along with my characters, I can manage a lot more. It all depends! Some days I can barely manage a couple of hundred, but it’s better than no words at all.
4. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Writing can be a lonely business, so I don’t know if the way I write is different to most people. I am happy to share with you something I find helpful. When doing the final edit, I find it easier to print out the MS. I grab a couple of different highlighters, and assign a colour to each character. I highlight each character’s dialogue and review one by one. It just makes sure that the way they speak is consistent, and not too similar to other characters. It also means I can give each character a few turns of phrase that only they use.
5. How do you plan to publish? (self or publisher)
I plan to selfpublish the Spark series, but I have other standalone books I’m working on which I may consider submitting to a publisher. At the moment, Indie publishing feels right for me. I’m surrounded by so many other supportive Indies, and with selfpublishing I get more freedom.
6. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Personal experiences were a big source of inspiration for my first book, Spark, but anything can inspire me. After a girl’s weekend away in Melbourne recently, within a week I had a new book plotted out. It was an awesome weekend! A big day at the horse races, an Irish pub and shenanigans at night! Did I mention a sexy bar owner?
I also read a lot (at least 2 books a month), and have a few favourite TV shows. Right now I’m hooked on Chicago Fire, but my favourites are Revenge, Grey’s Anatomy and Arrow. And a warning to friends and family… I listen intently to everything you say! Where else do I get inspiration for my dialogue!
7. When did you write your first book and how old were you?
That would be giving away my age! I started writing Spark eighteen months ago, and I’m in my dirty thirties!
8. What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Read! My Amazon library is bursting with so many good books, and quite it helps motivate me in my writing. It also helps when I’m a bit burnt out. I’ve completed a couple of 50K in 30 day challenges (like NaNoWriMo), and they have been tough! After doing one of these, I have to take a break otherwise I’d go insane! This is where I take some time to relax, and nine times out of ten, turn to a good book. Apart from reading, when we can we take the kids down the South Coast of New South Wales. Jervis Bay is a particular favourite spot. We also love to entertain, as we are big foodies!
9. What does your family think of your writing?
My family are very supportive, although my mother understands that she may never read them! My seven year old daughter Ashlee is my biggest fan, telling anyone and everyone that I write books. It’s adorable, but she knows she has to wait until she’s eighteen to be able to read them!
10. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?My own personal strength.
Writing is a mental (and physical) challenge, and giving up is SO easy. But when things get hard, you take a break, and come back and give it another go. Just finishing the draft of my first book was a huge accomplishment in itself. A lot of people start out, but never get to that point. The feeling of finishing it, was worth the late nights, tears and heartache! No really, I make it sound like it was torture, but it was just something I had to finish. I tend to be a person to start a hundred things and not follow through.
11. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
Spark will be my first full length novel published, although I have written three in the series. They are all different, but I love them just the same. I have had a short story published, having placed Third in the International Stringybark Erotic Short Fiction Award 2013. My story 'Heart Rate' is published in an anthology titled 'Valentine's Day'. I’m certainly attached to this story, as it was so flattering to have my writing recognised when I was only relatively new at it.
12. Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Plan to write every day. Even if it’s only 100 words. I know it’s not always practical, but if you keep your head in the story every day, the words come easier, and of course, typing ‘the end’ on your MS happens that much quicker.
Another tip is not to selfedit when you’re writing your first draft. Even if you think your writing is complete drivel. The idea is to let the words flow while you have the inspiration, and not get bogged down with commas, and formatting, etc. That slows you down, when you’ll be editing down the track anyway. So gag and tieup that inner editor until it’s time to edit! Then let her haver her way.
13. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I had a great response from the short story ‘Heart Rate’. Readers loved that I could tell a story with just 2,000 words, and also wet their appetites! It was certainly a challenge with such a small word count, and I love the story. Oh, the steamy things that happen behind closed doors in offices.
14. Do you like to create books for adults?Absolutely! I get a real kick out of people reading my work!
15. What do you think makes a good story?
Relatable characters, a unique storyline and a good flowing writing style. I love a book that you can’t put down (the pacing is just right), and you don’t care that time passes by, because you are inside the book! This kind of book tends to give you a book hangover, but it’s worth it, every time.
16. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?A hairdresser, a panel beater and a police officer. I really couldn’t make up my mind! As a child I did have a vivid imagination, which got me into plenty of trouble. I was good at telling stories!
11. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
Spark will be my first full length novel published, although I have written three in the series. They are all different, but I love them just the same. I have had a short story published, having placed Third in the International Stringybark Erotic Short Fiction Award 2013. My story 'Heart Rate' is published in an anthology titled 'Valentine's Day'. I’m certainly attached to this story, as it was so flattering to have my writing recognised when I was only relatively new at it.
12. Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Plan to write every day. Even if it’s only 100 words. I know it’s not always practical, but if you keep your head in the story every day, the words come easier, and of course, typing ‘the end’ on your MS happens that much quicker.
Another tip is not to selfedit when you’re writing your first draft. Even if you think your writing is complete drivel. The idea is to let the words flow while you have the inspiration, and not get bogged down with commas, and formatting, etc. That slows you down, when you’ll be editing down the track anyway. So gag and tieup that inner editor until it’s time to edit! Then let her haver her way.
13. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I had a great response from the short story ‘Heart Rate’. Readers loved that I could tell a story with just 2,000 words, and also wet their appetites! It was certainly a challenge with such a small word count, and I love the story. Oh, the steamy things that happen behind closed doors in offices.
14. Do you like to create books for adults?Absolutely! I get a real kick out of people reading my work!
15. What do you think makes a good story?
Relatable characters, a unique storyline and a good flowing writing style. I love a book that you can’t put down (the pacing is just right), and you don’t care that time passes by, because you are inside the book! This kind of book tends to give you a book hangover, but it’s worth it, every time.
16. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?A hairdresser, a panel beater and a police officer. I really couldn’t make up my mind! As a child I did have a vivid imagination, which got me into plenty of trouble. I was good at telling stories!
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