Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up just outside of Chicago. I met my husband in Hawaii where we were both stationed when in the Army. We live just outside of Denver now with our two beautiful daughters and two giant lap dogs. On top of being a writer, I am a mother, an accountant and a youth volleyball coach. When I get a moment away, I enjoy running and hiking. I’ve always been a writer, though. I had notebooks that I carried around to class dedicated to my personal writings when I was a kid. It has always been a dream of mine to sit down and write a book. The dream got put on hold many times for many different reasons but I finally did it. I just have one book that I’ve published so far, but there will be many more!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book published was also my first, “the loss of A MOTHER’s loss”. It was inspired by the passing of my mother. My mom and I didn’t have the greatest of relationships, to say the least. The book is about the series of events that led us to our estrangement. When I went back to home for the funeral, to all the people she knew and had been telling not so good things about me, I had a week of flashbacks to all the reasons that part of me was just a distant memory.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My inability to focus on one project at a time is my most unusual habit. I constantly have new or better ideas and I jump back and forth from one project to another a lot. When I finally finished writing my first book, it was the first time I’ve ever been able to 100% focus on a project I was working on. That one was that important to me at the time. I needed to get it out. Now, I’m back to my normal habits and have 5 separate projects I’m working on which is continuously extending the deadlines I’ve set for myself!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
It may sound a little strange, but my biggest influence is Dr. Seuss. I read all his books as a kid and it is what got me started reading and, therefore, writing. I used to only write in prose because I loved the flow of his books. Then I read some of his non-rhyming books and I loved them just as much. His lessons on always being who you are through all of his books gave me the courage to keep writing even when I got looked at funny for having my personal notebooks with me all the time. Other than that, my inspiration has come from a great many places; Hemmingway, of course, Mark Twain, Dickens, Poe, Roald Dahl, James Patterson. I love them all!
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a handful of things right now. I’m still trying to get my blog fully up and running. I started it to promote my book but it’s turned into a site for me to write about whatever comes to mind. I write about my life, things that are happening in the world, short stories now and again, sports and whatever I feel at the time. It’s been an up and down ride but I enjoy that part so far. I’m also working on a couple of other books (the focus issues!). I’ve got what I’m calling an I Am series which is a series of essays on who and what people are. I have started working on a youth coaching book based on my experiences. And the last one I’ve really dove into right now is about friends that parted ways and don’t understand why things aren’t the same as they’ve always been.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I try and find sites like awesomegang here and get out there. I’ve used Goodreads and Amazon, Bookdaily and Bookzio amongst others. I promote on my personal site all the time, twitter, facebook, linkedin. I’m trying to use it all. Self-promotion has never been my strongest trait so it’s been a rough ride thus far but I’m not giving up yet!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Patience. That is what I keep having to tell myself. I’m still new at this and I’m still pushing my book wherever I can. So I would just say patience and not expecting too much from the offset, not getting hopes too high at the beginning. Write for yourself, if you are happy with your work, if it is everything you wanted it to be, take that as a win and let sales be a bonus.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t check your own stats. That’s got to be the best advice out there. Write, write, write and if the sales come, you’ll find out soon enough. Don’t check up on your sales all the time. Just write.
What are you reading now?
I am reading “eat, pray, love” by Elizabeth Gilbert right now. So far, so good.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m just going to keep writing. I hope to be able to focus enough on one project to have another book published by the end of summer. I will keep promoting as much as I can. I hope to be able to drop the accountant gig one day so I can become a writer full time and be able to time working on multiple projects and still meet the deadlines I set for myself. It’s a dream but I still see the possibilities!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“Oh, The Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss
“The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain
“A Light in the Attic” by Shel Silverstein
“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
Author Websites and Profiles
Jennifer Shriver Website
Jennifer Shriver Amazon Profile
Jennifer Shriver’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account