Guest Post: Jennifer K. Ensley - This Writer's Dream Vacation
Through the course of writing and publishing my own novels, I've made some wonderful friends in the publishing business, among whom I have found solidarity, camaraderie, and understanding for my weirdness - because for the most part, my writing friends are all deliciously weird right along with me.
I have met and enjoyed the company of romance writers, mystery writers, fantasy writers - writers covering nearly every genre (and sub-genre!), and I have fallen in love with many a book just on the merit of the delightful person behind it.
That's not what happened with Jennifer Ensley. I mean, sure, she's a delight - she's funny and easy to talk to, her sense of sarcasm is hilarious, and her knowledge of the publishing business is both admirable and intimidating. She's a genius when it comes to spinning a story with deeper meaning and symbolic significance, and she crafts characters you can't help but love - even if they're bad and you actually also hate them a little. But beyond the merits of her character and the strength of her writing, she's truly an all-around good person, so when I had to drop out of the roster for Romancing The Smokies 2017, I was thrilled to be asked to host an RTS author here on the blog. I may not be able to attend the event this year, but based on my experience of it last year, I can promise that it'll be well worth packing up and coming to the area to attend.
I'm actually sort of crushed to not be attending due to various reasons, and have avoided much of anything to do with the event because it pains me to be missing out on it. But for Jennifer, I thought it worth coming out of solitude to introduce her to you. (Also, aside from her beauty as a person, you can see certain parts of why I so delight in her writing here, and here.)
And now, a guest post from the always lovely and effortlessly effervescent Jennifer Ensley:
I have met and enjoyed the company of romance writers, mystery writers, fantasy writers - writers covering nearly every genre (and sub-genre!), and I have fallen in love with many a book just on the merit of the delightful person behind it.
That's not what happened with Jennifer Ensley. I mean, sure, she's a delight - she's funny and easy to talk to, her sense of sarcasm is hilarious, and her knowledge of the publishing business is both admirable and intimidating. She's a genius when it comes to spinning a story with deeper meaning and symbolic significance, and she crafts characters you can't help but love - even if they're bad and you actually also hate them a little. But beyond the merits of her character and the strength of her writing, she's truly an all-around good person, so when I had to drop out of the roster for Romancing The Smokies 2017, I was thrilled to be asked to host an RTS author here on the blog. I may not be able to attend the event this year, but based on my experience of it last year, I can promise that it'll be well worth packing up and coming to the area to attend.
I'm actually sort of crushed to not be attending due to various reasons, and have avoided much of anything to do with the event because it pains me to be missing out on it. But for Jennifer, I thought it worth coming out of solitude to introduce her to you. (Also, aside from her beauty as a person, you can see certain parts of why I so delight in her writing here, and here.)
And now, a guest post from the always lovely and effortlessly effervescent Jennifer Ensley:
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
This Writer's Dream Vacation
Studying, research, research, and more research are all parts of spinning a believable story. I wrote a book called Forgotten Grace where the main character goes to Japan to find something new and amazing for her travel-guide publisher. During the course of writing this enchanting love story, I learned more than I ever thought possible about so many places I have never been. I want to see what Grace saw. I want to go to the places my character walked through. So intent and drawn into this story, I managed to pull off the impossible. I fooled my readers into actually believing I had seen these many wonders with my own eyes. That’s how I like to write—immersive and intense, while seeming completely normal and natural. My stories are actual movies playing out in my head for my own personal viewing pleasure. My job…to allow you to see exactly what I saw in my mind’s eye. This I accomplished with Forgotten Grace, from not only her point of view but several other characters as well.
And thus, the reason for this post …
I truly want to see what Grace saw. That is one of my own books that I’ve read over and over again. When asked for a recommendation from a new-to-me reader, I always say … Forgotten Grace, without a doubt. I loved the story so much, I want to go to Muro-ji Temple in the spring. I want to walk through Aokigahara—the Sea of Trees, the Suicide Forest—and see the caves and wonders Grace saw. I want to watch the sun set from Rainbow Bridge and eat the many delicious foods I’ve only ever read about via research. I want to go to Japan. And that was totally not a bullet-point on my bucket list before writing this particular book.
As writers, that is what we strive to inspire in our readers—adventure, amazement, curiosity. I want them to fall so in love with my characters and their journeys, that they themselves long to fly to the other side of the world … just to keep living in the magic.
You can find my books available in all formats and for all devices by going to JKEnsley.com - or click here
if you want a quicker route.
Jennifer K. Ensley will be attending Romancing the Smokies!
March 17-18, 2017 | Hilton Knoxville Airport, Alcoa, TN
Romancing the Smokies, a production by Sweet Romance Author Donna Wright, is a romance readers dream with a Emerald Isle event, author meet and greet, an elegant luncheon, book signing, Masquerade Ball including fun casino games, plus tons of swag and giveaways.
Here, readers get to meet their favorite authors and authors get to connect with readers. We have put together authors from every sub-genre of Romance and even some Mystery authors so you, the reader, can make a personal connection and really get to know the authors whose books you’ve loved.
Find out how YOU can win the:
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
And that's it! I hope you'll check Jennifer's books out - she's got you covered in multiple genres, all with the same poetic prose and trademark flair that makes her writing what it is - and that you'll take the time to come meet her at Romancing The Smokies 2017. I promise, you'll be glad you did.![]() |
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Jennifer is a great author to get to know. I sometimes have to do a double take when she says something. Was she serious just now, or was that sarcasm? Yep she's a black belt in sarcasm.
ReplyDeleteI know, right? It's so funny to chat with her - she definitely keeps you on your toes.
DeleteI love love love seeing people support others. Blogging is so incredible when it comes to support and I'm happy to see you took the time to feature one of your friends. Must mean you truly believe in her craft! I'll check it out :)
ReplyDeleteKatrinaJeanCarter.wordpress.com
I definitely believe in her - she's a genuine talent.
DeleteI just recently got serious about blogging and I'm inspired by this guest post. I'm looking for ways to connect and collaborate with other bloggers and this is an awesome approach. I enjoyed this post, thank you. Now, what is "Romancing the Smokies?" I never heard of that. I would like to know more about that event (?)
ReplyDeleteTiffany Bacon
www.Groovecitylady.com
Hi Tiffany,
DeleteThere was a link up in the post where it says click here... but here is the info/link again. Signing 2 to 4 on March 18th
at Romancing the Smokies a Reader/ Author Event
Hilton Knoxville Airport, Alcoa, TN
See full details at our website HERE https://romancingthesmokies.com/.
I hope you can attend!
Glad you see you're getting more serious, and that you're inspired by this post and the idea of collaborating and getting to know other bloggers!
DeleteRomancing the Smokies is a book signing event, where authors and reader come together to spend some time getting to know each other. It gives authors a chance to schmooze and meet new readers, and gives readers a chance to hang out with the authors they love (if they're in attendance, of course) in person - you get to ask questions, chat about books and plots and characters, etc. It's a great time, and if you're in the Knoxville, TN area I'd definitely recommend you look into it.
I was a huge novel babe in high school. Oh, how much I crave those days back. I'm on a mission to get back not just to reading novels but other literatures too! Will try and check your friends work.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely should. Her stories are an adventure, for sure - both in the imaginative sense, and in the sense of being given something with deeper meaning.
Deleteshe is new to me
ReplyDeleteDon't let it stay that way!
DeleteI'm not really into romance novels but I think I might try someday.
ReplyDeleteJennifer also writes High Fantasy - the A Dance with Destiny series is High Fantasy, and while it does incorporate some romance (what good story doesn't?), that isn't the main focus.
DeleteI have never heard of this author. I will have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely should! She won't disappoint.
DeleteI love getting to know authors! These look like fantastic books. Will check them out. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat!
DeleteIt seems an interesting book. I think I'll read it 😊
ReplyDeleteCome back and tell me how you liked it!
DeleteI write with intent... I tyr to have a Law of Attraction lifestyle so when I'm spinning a story about a foreign landscape, I'm actually attempting to attract that place into my life. I'v succeeded a couple times; my trip to NYC and a cross country train ride with full sleeper car. The more detail you put into your landscape such as street names and exact location of a tavern (I use the street view on Google Maps) the better chance you have to attracting that and actually physically visiting that place. Ricahrd B.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great plan, and I love that it's worked so well for you!
DeleteI have never heard of this author.It seems interesting.
ReplyDeleteShe definitely is a good one.
DeleteThe book seems interesting.. I will check it out :) Anything not thriller or horror for me is ok. I think she is a great author.
ReplyDeleteShe's definitely a solid talent to look into.
DeleteI think it's interesting that what you wrote inspired such a dream in you to visit the place you wrote about, and it's awesome that readers think you've already been there. - Katie
ReplyDeleteThat happens with a lot of authors actually. When I first read what Jennifer had written for her guest post, I loved it so much because I could relate so well.
DeleteVery cool gues post. I'm a librarian so I always enjoy hearing what books people are reading. And great to hear from an author.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!
DeleteShe's completely new to me, but it sounds interesting, I'll give her a chance XDD
ReplyDeleteI recommend it, for sure.
DeleteShe sounds like an awesome writer. I'm curious about her book because I am in love with Japan. It's one of the best places that people can go to for adventure.
ReplyDeleteYou would possibly also like her A Dance with Destiny Series - it's got somewhat of an Asian focus, both in location and in borrowed custom.
DeleteI know exactly how you feel since you can't go! I do the same thing, I won't have anything to do with it because I don't want that reminder that I can't attend!
ReplyDeleteYeah it's really been bothering me. I was super excited about it because they're even having a masquerade ball, and I was looking forward to the opportunity to dress up and hang out with my writer friends, along with getting to know some VIP readers. Not going stinks, really.
DeleteI have to check out Forgotten Grace. Any book that the author rereads has to have great substance.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
Delete