When I published my first book, The Jennifers, I was so excited. Writing that book was one of most amazing experiences of my life. Was I prepared for people to not love it or even like it? I don’t think I really thought about it.
Three of my writing inspirations for different reasons, J.K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, and E. L. James all have bad reviews. You can’t get to the big time without some haters.
“It was so bad I didn’t even finish it! What a waste of money. Too bad there isn’t zero stars!” was one of my bad reviews.
I wanted to go to her house and knock on her front door and say, “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“This book is useless. I would have given it no stars if I could.” Errr…kiss my grits, jerkface. Have you ever written a book or put yourself out there. Put your damn name on a review, will ya! Own it.
Then you have these three epic reviews. (Not from family members either!)
“This is a fantastic book and such a fun read. You can relate to each of The Jennifers and I could not wait to find out what they were up to next! We just had our book club and everyone loved the book! We all agreed it was our best book club yet due to The Jennifers!!!”
“What a great summertime read! I read this book in 3 days. I fell in love with all The Jennifers, and found myself cheering for all if them! Loved this book!”
“Every once in a while I read a book that I love SO MUCH, I have to put it down when I have like 3 pages left because I am not ready for the BIG CRY at the end and to say goodbye to the beloved characters. “The Jennifers” by Jenny G. Perry is that book for me this year. it was SO FUN. It is full of amazing characters who you will love with such fullness that love for them will spill over into your OWN LIFE and make you love YOURSELF that much...or more. Get this book. It will help you believe anything is possible in spite of your flaws. It will help you trust that you are worth it. You will come away KNOWING that life is wonderful and we are here to be happy and create our own joy. GET THIS BOOK.”
It goes to show you that everyone has a totally different perspective. I love to write about love, sex, friends, personal growth and yes...the language style I wrote the book has a certain flavor that some will not get. I’m from Philly but was raised in Jersey since I was 11. I’m not limited to that type of accent, but I know it well. I am currently writing my second novel titled BS. It’s not as light as the Jennifers and has some deeper themes. One of the guys has that Philly/Jersey accent...cause you know I gotta throw one of those guys in. I was raised on mob movies and 80’s flicks after. I love cheesy for sure so there will always be that somewhere in my books..
Will some people like my next novel, BS? Yes. Will some hate it? I hope so. I don’t want to be writing so that every single person likes it. That’s boring. I love the writing process. That is the fun part, the rest can be a pain in the ass. I love creating characters. I love the arc. I love falling in love with characters. I love writing steamy scenes towing the line between sexy and trashy. It’s describing the kiss. The feel of touching someone’s back. Caressing your lovers’ shoulder with the look of heat in your eyes. It builds this energy that’s undefinable. I love creating that in your mind as the reader. I love writing about bad choices, flawed people, fights, and multiple-layered people…and pain…and how we come back.
Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, my lead character of BS, Lila, will rise and fly. I’m smiling as I think of each of the characters. Oh, Betsy will surprise you. Eddie, he’s the best, and is so like my hubby…like he is him. G. is complicated and I swear I’m channeling Jackie Collins in her amazing characters. I loved reading her books way before I ever fell in. I mean I was in love a thousand times before I ever was. For the past twenty years, I have been with my husband, and we were not always in love but loved each other. Now we know the secret. We are deeply in love and no matter what life has thrown us especially this past year, we are committed to each others’ joy, dreams, and love.
I will keep my booty writing fiction and non-fiction like blogging and inspiring others and I can bless any haters from afar and stay in my own happy bubble. I take constructive criticism from my inner circle and then still probably do what I want to do. I am Taurus after all. So is G. Tall, dark, and complicated...
Writers, keep writing! I’m cheering you on!