Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello! My name is Jen Carter, and I’ve now published two books: Remembering Summer and Chasing Paris. I live in San Diego, California, with my family, and I work as an English teacher in higher education. While I love writing–and always have–I also love getting to be outside with my family. We especially love hiking and swimming. When my children are in school and I’m not working, my favorite activities are reading and yoga. That’s me in a nutshell!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I started writing Remembering Summer about ten years ago. I was taking a walk with a friend, and I don’t know what sparked it, but the idea just came to me. I love the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare because of the goofy characters and mix ups. I thought it would be fun to create a town that somewhat mirrored those goofy characters and mix ups–but of course in a modern setting. And it only made sense that the town would put on a Shakespeare festival. Before I knew it, Stratford, Calfornia, was born!
Since the time I thought up the concept, I went to grad school, got married, had two children, and finished another novel. This last year, though, I wanted to devote to Remembering Summer. And it was such fun–I just love Stratford. I wish I could visit there!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not too unusual with my writing habits, but I do have some specific habits. 🙂 I prefer to write while drinking Chai, and I think best when listening to my Dave Matthews station on Pandora. Ideally I can spread out all my notes across the kitchen table so that I can see everything at once. When the kitchen table is already covered by kids’ homework or toys that never seem to be put back where they belong, I make do with my laptop. I also spend a lot of time writing on the back of receipts and my hand when an idea strikes unexpectedly–like while at the kiddos’ swim lessons, while at the grocery store, while walking the dog–those sorts of fun times. My husband suggests I use my Smart Phone instead, but I haven’t mastered that yet.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was an English major in college, and I just love great, old literature. I can’t think of a book that I didn’t like while I was in college. I do love Shakespeare and Chaucer, and I could spend all my time reading and unraveling the incredible language and story lines in their works. I also love Steinbeck, Hemingway, Salinger, and Fitzgerald. They are why I wanted to be a writer–I felt so connected to their novels, and I always wanted to connect with others in the same way.
What are you working on now?
My children don’t believe that I’m a writer. They are five- and six-years-old, and since the books I’ve written don’t have pictures, those books don’t count in my daughters’ eyes. 🙂 So…I just started writing a series of children’s books for my girls, partly to convince them that I am a writer and partly because it’s just so much fun to let my imagination run wild. The series is about what happens when Mother Nature gets sick and her lesser-known and much-less-talented sister has to take over. Of course lots of mistakes take place, but with the help of her sidekicks (who are remarkably similar to my daughters), Mother Nature’s sister is able to keep everything on track.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jen.carter.9693
And I’m on twitter: @jencarterwrites
Here’s my Goodreads page as well: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18338220-remembering-summer
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up! And don’t wait for inspiration to strike. Sometimes it doesn’t strike, and we just have to write anyway. I think some of my best writing comes from when I’m not emotionally-attached to the scene (and when I just want to get through it!). Write everyday, even if you don’t feel like it. The only way to finish is to get started.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Study the art of writing. Study structure. Read books about writing and learn what works when it comes to storytelling. The more we know about telling stories, the better we will be at telling stories.
What are you reading now?
I’m just finishing up the fifth book in Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce series: Speaking from Among the Bones. I just adore Flavia. I’ve never been one for murder mysteries (they give me nightmares!), but when the heroine is an eleven-year-old English girl and the story is set in 1950, the result is magic!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to keep working on the children’s stories. Then, I’m going to get serious about my next adult novel. I have the idea already, and the first 30,000 words have been sketched out. It’s about three sisters on a trip to Italy–and they are there for an unexpected reason. I just think a vacation to Italy will help me really get the ball rolling on that one! Hopefully by the time I wrap up the children’s stories, I will have convinced my husband that we need to go on that trip. 🙂
What is your favorite book of all time?
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I read it as a junior in high school, and it changed my life. It was the first time I really understood the complexity of a novel and felt the vulnerability of truly beautiful characters. I read it every summer!
Author Websites and Profiles
Jen Carter Website
Jen Carter Amazon Profile
Jen Carter’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account