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:

via GIPHY

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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.

Don’t miss Jennifer's newest story, Loli’s Dilemma, in the upcoming anthology—Masquerade.

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:

See full details at the RTS website, here, and get your tickets to attend this beautiful event here - the book signing from 2 to 4 on Saturday is free to the public.

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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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