Jennifer Don and Poetry and other things too...

Interview with Jennifer Don for the TTC Virtual Blog Tour.
Jennifer Don has a great online presence, I enjoy her posts and she is always a lot of fun. So I was excited that I got to interview her, and learn a little more about her.

I know you write poems, I've read some and they are lovely. Can you share a short one here?

Jennifer: Yes, of course I can. It’s been some time however since I’ve written a poem that I’ve actually kept hold of. The one I’m going to share will be familiar to a small group of writers that participate in writing sprints.

The Call of Arms,

Any writers ready to write, any sprinters ready to sprint?
A calling of arms is upon you now,
so steady the bearing and lay down your foundations.
Call upon that elusive muse,
and send him forth into a world of mystery.
Steady now that quivering quill,
and watch as the ink will bleed your love.
Now off to war with you, with a world of words.
Fly the flag, the banner, and tell the world the writers are coming.

Jennifer Don © 2011

2. HHow do you write a poem? By that I mean what inspires it?

Jennifer: That’s a very good question. To write a poem is to start understanding the internal feels. It is about watching and exploring the world around you and then twist it into the magic we all poetry. Life inspires me. Often though, the smallest of triggers will produce a swarm of words that move in a way that you just know you need to write down, and from there – the poem begins.

3. HHow long have you been writing?

Jennifer: Well there are technically two answers to this question. I’ve been writing poetry on and off since April 2008. During which time, I’ve experienced so many highs and lows that some are very obvious as to how I felt at the time of writing; others hide more than they show.
I’ve been writing with novels in mind since January 2011, so the whole journey is new to me and each day brings a new experience and a new challenge to face.

4. AAre you published? 

Jennifer: I’m not currently published, but I certainly hope to be in the near future. I’m working on a project that I hope to release sometime in the early months next year, but at the rate it’s going I could be looking more towards summertime 2013.

5. DDo you write anything other than poems?

Jennifer:  In fact I do. I write short stories when the inspiration flows and I’ve written one completed first draft of a 122k novel. I’m currently aiming to finish another novel and planning is underway for a third. With all that said though, the editing is the hardest part of writing. But the arduous labour and intense love of writing keeps you moving.

6. WWhere do you do all of your writing?

Jennifer: Wherever the moment strikes you will find me hunched over with a pen in my hand and a notebook in my lap. Be it at the beach, in the back, at work or at home. Pen and paper are never far away so that any idea’s that spring to mind are duly noted and stored, having said that, the bulk of my writing is done in my cave (room to everyone else).

7. WWhat are your non-writing hobbies?

Jennifer: When not writing I can be found walking my beloved border collies, or still with a pencil in my hand yet focused intently on the artistic side of my abilities. When that fails me, I am often found curled up in corners, under covers, or on the floor with a book or my kindle in hand. Down time is the best time!

8. WWhat’s your favorite genre to read?

Jennifer: Ah, you know I don’t think I have a favourite genre to read. I’m so open that I can read just about anything and be comfortably satisfied with them, Paranormal and Young Adult will always hold a place in my heart but separating them from Horror and Mystery would be very difficult.

9. WWhat are your favorite kinds of movies to watch?

Jennifer: Again this would be very hard to answer with just one type. I love Action and Thrillers, but also enjoy Comedy and Music orientated films. Horrors hold a special place in my heart but when you see my movie collection you’ll be hard pressed to say which category I favour most.

10. FFavorite flavor of ice cream?

Jennifer: For a while as a child, it used to be Vanilla. Over the years it then changed to Strawberry but now it has to be Mint Choc Chip!

11. What can you not leave your home without?

Jennifer: My Inhaler, for medical reasons obviously… oh wait this question is based on something else… Let’s see… I never leave home without a pen in my pocket or a notebook in my back. Oh don’t forget the kindle or iPad; I always take one of those with me too.

12. HHow do you feel about the dentist?

Jennifer: Ah, yeah I don’t like them. In fact I would step so far as to say, I am terrified of them but recently I’ve had to step into the dark side of fear and face it head on.

13. SShare with us three things that your Facebook friends don’t know about you:

Jennifer:  Now this is hard, as I have different circles of friends all on the one page. To some, they don’t know I read Tarot Cards and work with a psychic development site (free of charge naturally) where I am also an assistant manager. Some don’t know that I’m a writer even though many should by now; it still amazes some when they see it posted. Oh, and I can roll my tongue… does that count? Do we have three now because my head is frazzled? 

Yes, Jennifer, that would be three LOL. And this is the close of our time together. Thank you so much for participating today! =)

Bio & Links:

About Jennifer Don

Jennifer spent many years without daring to lift a pen, without writing a word that wasn’t forced. But 2008 arrived and with it, her love of writing. She began with poetry which quenched her thirst to begin with but soon that wasn’t enough to satisfy her. 2011 arrived with a dream to write her first novel – Awakening, which is on-going. November saw her attempt her first NaNoWriMo, and so Timber Varden was born, with the bulk of it being written within that month. Now she finds herself aiming to re-write that draft and turn it into her first published novel.

Contact

While she aims to work through the edits needed, updates on her progress can be found on here -http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenniferDon
To find out more with regards to her other projects, then check out her blog here - http://thoughtsgowild.blogspot.co.uk/
And should you wish to follow her on Twitter, or ask her any questions please see here -https://twitter.com/#!/Voice_Of_Spirit

You can also add and follow Jennifer over on Goodreads. You will find that link here – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6155054.Jennifer_Don

Jennifer will be more than happy to answer any questions you have for her. You can contact her at any of the links posted above. Or email her at authorjenniferdon@hotmail.co.uk

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