Author: Jennifer Chastain

Here’s a link to my interview: https://fb.watch/oLBxtDQiuI/

Want to read my Flash Fiction story, We Belong Together? click here

December 1-31, 2023

Look for book 2 in the Targeted for Elimination series, Lethal Pursuit, coming in October 2023!

I would like to thank Mandy for sharing her path to publication with us. Welcome and thanks for sharing!

Jennifer: First question, tell us a little about yourself.

Mandy: I’m a pretty generic person. A Christian, a wife, a mom, a pet owner, coffee lover, and a reader. I love coffee, reading, music, the sunshine and did I mention coffee? My family lives at the beach but we love to travel to the mountains.

Jennifer: I love the mountains too! I actually grew up near the foot of the Catskills in New York State. Tell us a little bit about your story.

Mandy: International hotel manager Ben Carter is back in Hearts Bend, TN to sale the inn he inherited from his grandparents, but things get a little sentimental when he runs into Cami Jackson, a childhood friend who is now a real estate developer wanting to purchase the inn. As a regular guest growing up, Cami has her own memories attached to the property. As they finalize the contact, Cami and Ben realize there is still unfinished business between them. When the contract is challenged, they realize it’s more than the property that at risk.

Jennifer: So what made you want to write, what was the catalyst for your interest in writing?

Mandy: I have always loved writing. I kept journals detailing my life in elementary school. Looking back on those, I realize I was just telling myself stories, and recording dreams. I’m not sure I can pinpoint the exact moment I realized I wanted to be a writer.

Jennifer: I kept a journal too, when I was younger. And reading. I’ve always loved to read and if I didn’t like the ending of a story, I would make up alternate endings! What do you do to prepare for writing?

Mandy: I head over to my favorite coffee shop. Message a few friends, clean out my email, drink some coffee and dive into my story. I’d so much rather write outside of the house, so I’m not distracted by pesky things like laundry, dishes or chores.

Jennifer: I get that. It’s super easy to get distracted with every day things and not focus on the writing process. Do you have a designated place to write? Or do you prefer to write away from your home?

Mandy: I write at a local coffee shop. They have a long bar, and I sit in the last seat, closest to the kitchen. Great music, great coffee, great company, it’s an awesome place to write.

Jennifer: Now that we know you love a good cup of coffee to go along with your writing time, are you a plotter or a pantster? Or a combination of both?

Mandy: I’m a plotter. I’d love to make a plan and stick to it. Although I know there’s room to wiggle in there.

Jennifer: Absolutely. Sometimes the characters I write don’t take the road I’ve mapped out for them! But in the end, I think if we can give our characters that wiggle room, they surprise us with a deeper story. Who was your favorite character to create?

Mandy: In You’ll Be Mine, Myrtle May was my favorite character. I loved creating her personality and quips. Giving her a dog, and having her sing some of my favorite old hymns was a bonus.

Jennifer: I loved Myrtle May! She was hilarious but knew how to drive home a point. One last question: do you have a favorite author or book?

Mandy: Robin Jones Gunn is my all-time favorite author. And really, anything she’s written might qualify as my favorite book.

The new year is around the corner, and in two days we will close the door on another year. Do you review your goals from the past year? Achievements? Or do you focus on the items still glaring at you on your checklist? Those items not accomplished. Things you wished you would’ve done or couldn’t because, you know, life.

Life can be messy. With family obligations, work, kids, activities, and church. Or even a book deadline. The list is endless.

For myself, if I dwell in the land of regrets, I’m more prone to procrastinate. The mentality is “I’ll start that project next week.” Next week arrives and I still haven’t started. Which results in one week turning into two weeks, into a month, and so on. You get the picture. I end up scrolling through websites or social media and have nothing to show for my time spent.

Frustrating, right?

What can we, as writers, do? What if we changed our entire mindset of how we look at the close of 2022? What if we didn’t focus on the unchecked boxes on our to-do list, but we zeroed in on the positive and determined that we could live each day with a more positive mindset?

No regrets.

Okay, so maybe you didn’t make your writing goal for the month of November. How many words did you write? Focus on the words you wrote.

Perhaps you’ve heard from the agent or editor about your submission, and they want you to change a few things. Don’t give in to negative thoughts. Instead, give yourself a high-five, you finished a manuscript! Think about how you can strengthen your story.

No one ever said being a writer was easy. Learning to celebrate the small victories in our personal and professional lives is a monumental step toward contentment.

Here is just one example: My MBT Huddle group is exceptional. We share our burdens, victories, praises, and our daily struggles. I know these ladies are praying for me and I am for them. Support from like-minded individuals is a blessing and I believe one key to staying on track with writing goals.

So, what draws your attention from 2022? All the things you didn’t finish? Or will you find the silver lining in the small victories, the personal goals met?

Remember, give yourself some grace. Focus on what matters but also set reasonable goals for yourself and your writing.

May your 2023 be filled with unexpected blessings and fulfilled writing goals.

Happy New Year!

Do you love fast-paced romantic suspense? Then I need you to help me spread the word about my upcoming release, Lethal Intention!

Each Launch Team member will receive a copy of my newest release in ebook form. All you have to do is read it, post it on your social media and then on release day, post a review. I’ll even provide the graphics for you. Easy-Peasy!

Here’s the link for the Launch Team: https://forms.gle/nFV4YTEuobmfZXXh8