Interview with Jennifer Peel

Jennifer Peel is the mother of three amazing kiddos. Wife to her one and only for the past twenty-one years. Lover of late night talks, beach vacations, the mountains, pink bubble gum ice cream, tours of model homes, and southern living. She can frequently be found with her laptop on, fingers typing away, indulging in chocolate milk, and writing out the stories that are constantly swirling through her head.

Connect with Jennifer on:
- Facebook - Twitter - Website -

1. How did you get started as an author?  What or whom inspired you?
 I started writing as a way to relieve stress. I never in a million years thought I would publish a book.
 
2. How long does it take you to write a book?
 It depends on the book. I've written one in as little as one month, but sometimes it can take up to six months. My average is around three to four months.
 
 
3. What was the process for getting your book published?
 As soon as the first draft is complete I will send it out to several beta readers to get their feedback. Based on feedback I will go back and make changes. Then usually my husband does the first edit before we send it to my editor. Once I get it back from my editor I will go through her line edit. When that process is complete I send it to a proofreader. And during this whole process I'm working with my designer on my cover getting it just right. When I get the book back from my proofreader I will go line by line through her changes. Once I'm satisfied we will upload it to Amazon. I will do another read through on their previewer. Then I go through tons of self-doubt and question whether I should click publish or not. My family always steps in and gives me the courage to click that button.
 
4. When did you write your first book and how old were you?
 I wrote my first book almost three years ago. It is a book I won't ever publish, but it was a great experience. I was almost forty years old.
 
5. When is your favorite time to write?  Do you have a set schedule or is it more sporadic like when an idea hits you?
 Since I have a fulltime job in addition to my writing career, I write at night. I try to write everyday except on Sundays.
 
6. This tour is for Jessie Belle.  What inspired the idea for this story and the other novels in the Women of Merryton series?  When will the other novels in this series release?
 A couple of years ago I was waiting for my son in the car line at school and the name Jessie Belle came to me. I typed it into my phone and thought about it for a while. My first draft of Jessie Belle was a much, much different story. Blake and Jessica weren’t even married in the first version and Blake had a different name. Then this past spring I kept having this thought or maybe even a vision of this couple. The man was holding a woman telling her he loved her, but she wasn’t so sure. I couldn’t get this couple out of my mind. I knew this was Blake and Jessica and I rewrote the whole story.
 
Merryton is based on my hometown in Colorado. In fact if you are paying close attention to it, I mention the name of my hometown in the book.
 
I'm hoping to have the other two in the series out by next year.
  
7. How often do you hear from your readers?  What kinds of things do they say?
 Usually on a weekly basis. If I've just released a book it is on a daily basis. The types of messages vary from they really liked the book or it touched them in some way. Jessie Belle has seemed to strike a chord with many people. I've had several people write me about how touched they were and how it has helped them to look at their own relationship differently.
 
8. Do you have any suggestions to help potential authors become a better writer? If so, what are they?
 I would say just keep writing and reading as much as you can. Also connect with other writers.
 
9. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
 Being a writer was never on my radar. I wanted to be a psychologist. Who knows, maybe someday I still will.
 
10. What other hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
 I love Zumba and riding my bike. And when I have the time I love to decorate or re-decorate my home. I'm also a huge fan of music and theater, so I try to get to as many concerts and plays that I can.

Check out my review for:
JESSIE BELLE (coming soon)