Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Who am I? I am a stay-at-home mom to my two beautiful daughters. You would think that would leave me with lots of time for writing, but it really doesn’t! I try to find a little time each day to write something, though.
I love all things fantasy and sci-fi. I tend to write the sort of story I would want to read: epic, quest-based, fantasy stories. My books are mostly character driven, as I believe most people will not bother to read anything that doesn’t have at least one compelling character in it. My books have been described as “Tolkien-Lite” by some of my readers, and it is a label I aspire to deserve. I also want to write books that families can read out loud together – so my goal is to create stories that appeal to a wide audience age-range.
I have written 6.5 books to-date. One of them is published, the other is scheduled to be published later this Spring (2013).
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
King’s Warrior is the only book currently out. I was inspired by two things: a challenge from my dad to complete an adventure novel over the summer, and an old journal entry.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I write whenever I can. If I get stuck, I like to listen to Christmas music (the ultimate cure for my writer’s block) and I often like to write with pen and paper for my first draft – then move it to the computer after I’ve written 2-4 pages.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Definitely J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. Also Madeliene L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time” – these were my first forays into fantasy and sci-fi and they left an indelible mark on my imagination.
What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on a new series. It is title-less for the moment, but it is about a young man who is on his way to an Academy to train as a soldier – along the way he meets a mysterious old man and a young prince, is hijacked by pirates, and swept off on an adventure he is woefully unprepared for.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still working on that one. I get a lot of traffic through my facebook page and my website. However, marketing is the bane of my existence, so I’m always looking for new ways to promote my books without becoming annoying or “pushy.”
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write every day.
Read every day.
Learn to take advice and negative criticism without getting defensive (doesn’t mean you have to make the suggested edits)
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If you want to become a writer, you should be writing.”
What are you reading now?
‘A Memory of Light” by Robert Jordan/Brandon Sanderson
What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing to write, write, write!
I have my current series to complete, and then I have a sci-fi mystery lined up to begin working on!
What is your favorite book of all time?
He Whistles for the Cricket by Gwen Walker
Author Websites and Profiles
Jenelle Schmidt Website
Jenelle Schmidt Amazon Profile
Jenelle Schmidt’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile