The Written Realm

INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER ARCHER by: Christen Reighter

Jennifer Archer (www.jenniferarcher.net) is a best-selling author who was recently nominated for the RITA award—the Romance writer’s equivalent to an Oscar—and she just happens to come from right here in the panhandle. She graduated from Amarillo High, and later acquired a Business Management degree from West Texas State University (now called ‘West Texas A&M’). Archer has published two novellas and eight novels, including her newest mainstream women's fiction novel, “Off Her Rocker.”

Her love for writing grew as a child, but her dream of actually becoming a writer was pushed aside to start a family and a career. After working as an advertising assistant, a secretary, and an oil and gas accountant then starting three businesses with her husband, Archer’s desire to write became strong and she began taking Creative Writing classes at Amarillo College. The writing-bug bit and she started writing children’s books, short stories, and novels. Five years, and an abundance of rejections later, she received news that her novel, a paranormal romantic comedy called “Body and Soul” would be published.

On being published, she says, “Being a published writer continually brings more fascinating people and fun experiences into my life. Some are real, some only in my imagination…. I remind myself daily how lucky I am to be able to do work I love.”

C.R.: 1. On average, how long does it take to write one of your novels for the first draft?

J.A.: The time I take depends on my deadline. If I had my preference, I would take a year to write a book from start to finish. Unfortunately, I haven’t had that luxury since I sold my first books. On average, I’ve had about six months to write my novels. On my last contract, I asked them to add a month to that.

2. Through how many rough drafts or edits do you go?

That’s a tough question for me to answer because I don’t write a book in what I guess is the “typical” way. Most writers and how-to-write books suggest that you should write a quick first draft and not allow yourself to polish it until the second and succeeding drafts. I’ve tried that, but it doesn’t seem to be the best process for me. I call myself a three steps forward, two steps back writer. That’s how I write my first draft. I write, then the next day I rework the pages I wrote the day before and then move on to new material. The next day, I back up and rework the previous day’s work then write more new material, and so on. By the time I reach The End for the first time, I have a fairly polished “first draft.” Still, I usually do one more in-depth draft, and a third quick final polish draft. Every writer must find the process that works best for them and stick to it.

3. What has been the most difficult book to produce and why?

My Perfectly Imperfect Life was a tough book to write. It was the final book in a three-book deal and my publisher bought it “blind.” That means they knew what the first books in the contract would be about, but not this book. Problem is, I didn’t have an idea for the storyline when they bought it, either. So when it came time for me to write the book, I found myself under deadline for a story that didn’t exist in my mind yet! I was also a little burned out from meeting too many deadlines too close together. Which is why I’ve asked for more time on my recent deadlines!

4. Do you have a specific writing process? (When, where, doing what...) What would be you ideal location to write?

I’m sorry to say I’m not very disciplined when it comes to a set routine. I struggle with this all the time. I do best when I complete my pages early in the day before I do anything else, but that doesn’t always happen. My husband is a hospital pharmacist and he works odd hours so, often, I work when he works. If he’s working days, I work days. If he has to work a night shift, I work at night. Usually I work in my home office with my two dogs, Tia and Marge, in their beds on the floor beside me. But sometimes I take my laptop to another room of the house and work there. And if the weather is pretty, sometimes I work on the patio in the backyard or take editing to a coffee shop and sit outside on their deck to work.

5. Do you tend to plot out your stories first, or flow with an idea to see what becomes of the story line?

Before I published, I was more a “seat-of-the-pants” writer. I’d start writing with only an idea or a character and see where that took me. I love that process! Now that I’ve written and sold several books, though, I’ve been able to sell to my publisher on a synopsis alone (rather than having to write the entire book and then try to sell it). It’s necessary to plot my story out in advance in the synopsis so I can send it to my editor as a proposal. Still, these synopses are only a bare bones idea of the plot, etc., and when I actually start writing the book the story tends to veer off in new and unexpected directions.

6. What sparked your desire to write? When did you begin and what did you write?

I’ve loved to write for as long as I can remember. My love of reading came first and sparked the desire to create my own stories. As a child, I wrote poems in a notebook. Then I started writing short stories in junior high (which is what we called “middle school” back in the dark ages!) I never tried to sell anything I wrote, I just did it for fun. My grandmother had other ideas, though. She sent a limerick I wrote to Reader’s Digest. It was about a frog and a fly that fell in love! Reader’s Digest did not send a check! In fact, they didn’t even bother to send a “Thanks, but no-thanks” letter. I guess they didn’t see the same genius in my story that Grandma did!

7. What helps you form ideas, plots?

Honestly, I don’t know! An idea for a story can come from anywhere. A conversation, a magazine article, an interest in certain subject matter. Or sometimes it’s simply a mystery. The book I’m working on now…I truly have no idea what generated the concept for it. Usually, though, I’ll hear something or see something or read something and start asking myself “what if.” For instance, the idea for my book “The Me I Used To Be” came from an article I read about a woman who, as a teenager, gave up a baby for adoption, and three decades later, her grown-up child found her. I started asking myself what if she’d been hoping the child would find her, but before that could ever happen, the grown-up child—a daughter-- died. What if the daughter had had a child of her own? What if that grandchild was the one to find the grandmother? And so on…

8. Your characters appear to be a bit autobiographical (with the themes of child-related plots, baby boomers, and strong themes of family) was this intentional or a product of the "write-what-you-know" rule?

My more current books do tend to have protagonists close to my age and plotlines that center around children and family themes. I’m drawn to these types of characters and stories – I can relate to them, and I think most other people can, as well. Everyone has or has had family – even if they never knew them. And though not everyone has had children, everyone has been a child. But, though I gravitate toward these types of stories, I wouldn’t say my books are autobiographical. I’ve never given up a child for adoption. I’ve never been divorced or stalked my husband or run away from home! J But my protagonists have all had these experiences. My stories tend to be a mix of truth and imagination. I pull things from my own life, from the lives of other people I either know or have heard about, and I make up the rest! People who know me well see glimpses of me in my characters and glimpses of my life in some parts of my stories. Some of that seeps in on its own, and some I intentionally put in. For instance, I’ve used familiar towns and street names from my childhood and have woven in funny incidents that have happened to me or to my family members or friends. But the biggest percentage of the stories I write are fictional. In fact, I like writing about people different than I am who are experiencing things I’ve never experienced. It keeps the work interesting for me!

9. Do you have a favorite scenes, characters, or books that you have written?

There is something about every book that I love – that means something to me. Even the books that I feel aren’t my strongest work. The Me I Used To Be is extra special to me, though. While writing that book, I felt more strongly than I ever have before that the story was coming from outside of me – almost as if Ally, the protagonist, was whispering it in my ear. All I had to do was type what she told me. I was very touched by her story.

10. Do you have any influences or people who have inspired you?

Too many to name! There were a lot of teachers over the years who encouraged me to write. One was an English teacher at Amarillo High School back in 1975 when I was there. I’m ashamed to say that I can’t remember her name! (The name Mrs. White is coming to mind…?) Her praise of my classwork made me believe I had talent as a writer. Also, I’ve been inspired by so many other writers who have continued to write even when they were discouraged, when no editor seemed to like their work, when they had so much else going on in their lives that time was scarce.

11. Your story: How did you come about getting published/getting an editor?

I started taking continuing education courses in creative writing at Amarillo College when my children were small. I started learning the business of writing there, as well as the craft. I learned about writing contests I could enter, about conferences I could attend where I could sit in on workshops about characterization, plotting, pacing, etc., but also where I could meet editors and literary agents and hear what they had to say. My first novel, Body and Soul, sold because of a contest I’d entered. The final round judge was an editor with Leisure Books. She awarded me first place on the synopsis and first chapter (the required entry), and asked to see the entire manuscript. Of course, I sent it to her, and she ended up making an offer on the book.

12. What are the best/worst/embarrassing moments you've had as an author?

I’ve had several great moments. Some that come to mind – I met Clive Cussler at a conference and had a photo taken with him. Afterward, I took a chance and sent him the photo, asking if he’d autograph it. I also asked him about the best way to find an agent. I thought there was a slim chance he’d sign the photo and send me a short note back, answering my questions. Instead, he called me! Another great moment—seeing the cover of my first book Body and Soul for the first time. My editor sent me a cover flat in the mail. Seeing it made it all real for me and I cried my eyes out and took it to show just about everyone I know! My Rita nomination for The Me I Used To Be was also a fantastic moment. As for worst or most embarassing moments – I guess I would have to say learning to be a better public speaker. I’ve always been terrified of speaking in front of an audience, but since publishing back in 1999, I’ve been asked to do so several times. I had to face that fear, and it was tough for me. I was horrible at first, and I’m still not great, but better. I actually enjoy speaking to a group now. Especially if it’s a group of writers or people interested in writing. I understand their needs more than other types of groups and so I’m most comfortable talking to them.

13. Are there any perks to being a successful author? Do you, or does your name, ever get recognized in public?

Hmm….perks. People seem very intrigued by writers. For me, this is a plus and a minus. Like many writers, I’m a bit of an introvert; I don’t like being the center of attention. I remember a dinner party where I didn’t know many of the attendees well. When they heard I was a writer, the focus at the table turned to me. While this was flattering, because of my nature, I felt uncomfortable, too! As for my name being recognized, I’m far, far, FAR from being on a level with, say, Dan Brown or Nora Roberts, etc. But occasionally something fun happens. I went to a family birthday party in Cozumel, Mexico once and a woman I met said she’d recently read a book by an author with my name, and that the book had a fortune cookie on front. That was my first novel Body and Soul! It was fun to tell her I was the author.

14. What is, in your opinion, the best non-writing-related experience as a writer: (speaking at functions, book signings, getting the contract, engaging with fans, etc.)?

It’s always great to hear from a reader. Sometimes I receive emails through my website jenniferarcher.net from readers telling me they’ve enjoyed a book. That’s always wonderful to hear. I also love seeing my covers for the first time. Watching this story that started only in my mind become something tangible that I can actually hold in my hand is always a strange but awesome experience. Two of my books, Sandwiched and Off Her Rocker, have been released in audio through www.audible.com and hearing them read has been incredible, too.

15. What is most exciting for you about writing: (getting the idea, writing the first draft, writing the beginning, middle, end, or typing "the end", etc.)?

When an idea springs to life in my mind that I just know in my gut is a good one – that’s always extremely exciting.

16. Do you ever get writer's block? How do you overcome it?

Sure. But I think writer’s block is mostly a product of fear. Fear that I won’t be able to make a story work. Fear of filling all those blank pages. Fear that the book will be terrible. I just have to sit down and start writing through the fear…allow myself to put words on paper even if they’re lousy writing. I have to remind myself that I can always go back and “fix” the bad stuff.

17. What surprised you the most about being a published author? Is anything like you did not expect?

The loneliness of being a full-time writer has been surprising. I’ve always liked time alone, but sometimes the lack of interaction gets to me. I have learned to schedule frequent lunch dates with friends. And I have a critique group. We meet one night a week and read our work, help each other, brainstorm.

18. If you could pick one of your books to be a movie, which would it be and why?

Oh, I think they should ALL be movies! J I think Sandwiched would be a fun movie. It has something for people of all ages since it deals with three women at three different stages of life – a 75 year old grandmother, a 40 year old mom, and a 17 year old daughter. I would also love to see The Me I Used To Be turned into a movie. I think all the baby-boomer issues it touches on would appeal to a broad audience – memories of Woodstock, Vietnam, how choices a person makes while young affect their later life, etc.

19. Do you research for your novels? If so, how and for how long?

The amount of research necessary depends on the book. I’ve written books that required little to no research, simply because I already knew all I needed to know in order to write the story. The book I’m working on now has required more extensive research since it deals with some legal issues and also nursing and hospital administrative procedures. I turn to the Internet for help, as well as books. But there’s nothing like talking to a real person who is an expert in the subject with which you’re dealing. Recently, I’ve been in close contact with a couple of nurses, one who now works in administration at a hospital, and I’ve also met with an attorney.

20. Regarding your recent RITA nomination for "The Me I Used to Be", what are you feelings on being nominated among some of the best for this coveted award? When did you find out about your nomination?

I was so excited and honored to be a RITA finalist. The authors in my category made it all the more thrilling. Some of them are “household names,” well-known, well-respected in their field. And the newer authors are all rising stars whose names are becoming more and more recognized. One of them, Candace Havens, is a dear friend of mine, so that was fun. We sat together at the awards ceremony in Atlanta.

21. Have any advice for aspiring young authors?

Go into this knowing it’s hard work, but fulfilling work. And, chances are, you won’t get rich! Develop a thick skin because rejection is a big part of this business. Believe in yourself, trust your gut, but have an open mind about your work. Writing is one profession in which you never stop learning. Read like crazy. Most of all, write, write, write. If you want to be a selling writer, don’t make excuses. Too often, I hear people say they want to write but they don’t have time. Writing as much as you can as often as you can is the only way to find your voice and develop it. Write on your lunch break. Set your alarm a half hour or an hour earlier everyday and write. Stay up an hour later. Give up something less important to you -- that television show that you don’t really care about but watch anyway, that Internet chat room. Stick a little notebook in your pocket or purse and write at red lights, while waiting in line at the bank…you get the idea. No excuses!