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Guest Post & Giveaway with Pam Jenoff, author of Almost Home

March 5, 2010 by Darlene


I’m really pleased to welcome Pam Jenoff, author of the novel Almost Home, to Peeking Between the Pages today. I reviewed Almost Home yesterday and I quite enjoyed this book. It’s one of those books that managed to surprise me and I like that! (see my review). Pam has very graciously joined us today with a guest post on Knowing Yourself as A Writer so let’s sit back, relax, and enjoy…

One of the things I most frequently tell aspiring novel writers (as well as the law students to whom I teach legal writing) is that it is vitally important to know yourself as a writer. This statement often generates puzzled expressions or looks that seem to convey that I am stating the obvious. But I don’t think that’s the case. As novelists, we spend a great deal of time getting to know our characters by interviewing them. But we seldom take the time to do the same for ourselves.

Why does it matter? Because most novelists, myself included, are very busy people. I’ve got a one-year old at home, a day job teaching, my job as a writer, etc, etc. You get the idea. So I absolutely must leverage my writing time in order to get the most out of it. And the best way to do this is to understand myself as a writer, both in terms of procedural and substantive issues.

The easiest way to do this is with a self-assessment. I suggest asking oneself the following questions:

What times of day do I most like to write? This is key. You have to find your most productive work time and guard it zealously. For me, I am a morning writer; it has to happen before noon in order to get done.

What kinds of things can I do to be productive during other, non-writing time blocks? For example, I may not be at my best for writing, but I can edit or work on publicity in the afternoon or evening.

Am I a short or long burst writer? Good to know for scheduling. I like to write in shorter blocks, about 40-45 minutes at a clip, and then let myself take a break until the next hour starts. Other people take longer to get going and prefer to write for several hours at a time.

Do I prefer to write longhand or on a computer? Desktop or laptop? I like to brainstorm and problem-solve with pen and pencil, but actually write the manuscript on a computer. Laptop is best for the actual writing and desktop with a big screen for editing and restructuring. It isn’t always possible to accommodate these preferences but it is helpful for knowing when to try to put myself in a particular space.

How about noise? I can’t work with music or anything else. Quiet is a must. Sometimes if I am in an uncrowded coffee shop and trying to work, I will even as (nicely and with a good tip) for them to turn down the music.

What kinds of things help get me in the best state of mind for writing? Sleep if possible, coffee if not.

These are just examples of the types of question an author should ask him or herself. By creating an atmosphere most conducive to your work style, you can maximize your productivity.

But it doesn’t stop there. Once you’ve assessed the atmospherics, you need to think about substantive writing issues. Do you prefer to outline first, or write stream of conscious and then bring structure in later? What are your strongest writing skills (plot, etc)? What weaknesses do you need to be most conscious of and how can you improve them? For me, I know that I enjoy writing dialogue, but I need to be attuned to scenic detail and inner monologue. So I utilize a host of resources, such as checklists, books on writing, and peer feedback to make sure I am paying enough attention to those.

And this type of self-audit also works well when assessing your needs for other types of work projects as well. Armed with this information you can create goals and a timeline for completion that will put you one step closer to realizing your dreams.
__________

Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful guest post with us Pam. I wish you all the best in the future and I can’t wait to read the sequel to Almost Home to find out what happens next! Be sure to check out Pam Jenoff’s website as well!
__________

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have 1 paperback copy of Almost Home by Pam Jenoff to share with one of my readers courtesy of the author! To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do, thank you, and please let me know in your comment.
  • For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only. The book will be sent to the winner directly from the author. I will draw for the winner on Saturday, March 27, 2010. Good luck everyone!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mystica says

    March 5, 2010 at 11:32 am

    The book looks an interesting read. Please count me in.

    I follow

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

  2. baileythebookworm says

    March 5, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    Looks like a great read! I'd love to be able to check it out.

    I'm a follower.

    baileythebookworm at gmail dot com

  3. DarcyO says

    March 5, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    Sounds like a winner. Please include me.

    I follow

    dlodden at frontiernet dot net

  4. Debbie says

    March 5, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    I'd love to have this.
    fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

  5. Debbie says

    March 5, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    I'm a follower.
    fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

  6. Lynn Irwin Stewart says

    March 5, 2010 at 1:52 pm

    I loved "The Kommandant's Girl" and "The Diplomat's Wife" — so I can't wait to read this one! Please enter me in the contest — I'm a follower.

    LIS859@gmail.com

  7. bermudaonion says

    March 5, 2010 at 2:16 pm

    Great guest post! I'd never really thought about getting to know myself as a writer. Please enter me. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

  8. Chris says

    March 5, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    Please enter me gcarroll at rochester dot rr dot com

  9. Jo-Jo says

    March 5, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    Great review Dar…I would love to win this!
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  10. Jo-Jo says

    March 5, 2010 at 2:23 pm

    I'm also a follower.
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  11. Bethie says

    March 5, 2010 at 2:47 pm

    Please count me. Thanks for the giveaway.

    +2 I am a follower.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  12. holdenj says

    March 5, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    I liked your review–the book looks very intriguing. Pam's comments today were very thoughtful. Please count me in!

    +2 follower

    Thanks.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  13. Sue says

    March 5, 2010 at 3:29 pm

    Looks so good! Thank you for the giveaway.

    s.mickelson at gmail dot com

  14. Linda says

    March 5, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    I tho't when I read your review that this book sounded very intriguing. I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow through Google Reader.

    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  15. Karen B says

    March 5, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    Your book is on my wish list so it would be wonderful to win it!

  16. Karen B says

    March 5, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    Blog follower.

  17. carla says

    March 5, 2010 at 4:22 pm

    I really enjoyed your review of this book.
    Pam's guest post was really interesting. As she said, it could be applied to other types of projects as well.
    Thanks Dar for the giveaway!

    cjay (at) iavalley (dot) edu

  18. fredamans says

    March 5, 2010 at 5:28 pm

    Thank you.

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

  19. fredamans says

    March 5, 2010 at 5:28 pm

    I follow publicly.

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

  20. fredamans says

    March 5, 2010 at 5:29 pm

    tweet; http://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/10033737386

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

  21. Janel says

    March 5, 2010 at 9:51 pm

    Great information for anybody who needs to produce creative work.

    +1 I am a follower 🙂

    jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

  22. Sandy Jay says

    March 5, 2010 at 10:39 pm

    Thanks for the post, Pam. And the book sounds very interesting. I'd love to read it.

    I'm a follower.

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

  23. Pamela Keener says

    March 5, 2010 at 11:03 pm

    I would love to win this book!
    I am also a follower via google
    Love & Hugs,
    Pam
    pk4290@comcast.net

  24. xxsquigglesxx says

    March 5, 2010 at 11:26 pm

    Please enter me!

    I am a follower.

    I tweeted: http://twitter.com/squiggles87/status/10047399447

    xxsquigglesxx(At)gmail(Dot)Com

  25. tetewa says

    March 6, 2010 at 12:36 am

    I'm a follower, count me in! tWarner419@aol.com

  26. Anonymous says

    March 6, 2010 at 1:43 am

    I would love to read this!!

    billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com

  27. Emily says

    March 6, 2010 at 1:50 am

    I would love to get my hands on this book! Enter me in the contest please.

    I am a follower.

    emily DOT wittenberg @ gmail.com

    THANKS!!

  28. gaby317 says

    March 6, 2010 at 1:52 am

    Sounds like a good read. Please count me in.

    gaby317nyc at gmail.com

  29. gaby317 says

    March 6, 2010 at 1:53 am

    I follow.

    gaby317nyc at gmail.com

  30. Kim says

    March 6, 2010 at 2:09 am

    This book looks lovely and I would love to win a copy.

    I am a follower: Both in google friend connect and with google reader.

    kimmery4(at)yahoo(dot)com

    *smiles*

  31. Anonymous says

    March 6, 2010 at 3:48 am

    This looks like a great read. vivaglampink@yahoo.ca

  32. Margie says

    March 6, 2010 at 4:00 am

    I'd like to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway.
    I'm a follower.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  33. skkorman says

    March 6, 2010 at 1:59 pm

    Sounds like a good read—please enter me to win!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

  34. Andreea says

    March 6, 2010 at 4:11 pm

    Great post, Darlene. And the book sounds interesting!

  35. MJ says

    March 6, 2010 at 4:14 pm

    I'd love to read this.

    I follow.

    mj.coward[at]gmail.com

  36. Barbara C. says

    March 6, 2010 at 4:24 pm

    Would love this book!

  37. Jaime says

    March 6, 2010 at 6:56 pm

    would love a copy
    copperllama at yahoo dot com

  38. Jaime says

    March 6, 2010 at 6:56 pm

    1 follower
    copperllama at yahoo dot com

  39. Jaime says

    March 6, 2010 at 6:56 pm

    2 follower
    copperllama at yahoo dot com

  40. Jaime says

    March 6, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    1 tweet
    http://twitter.com/Copperllama/status/10085305700
    copperllama at yahoo dot com

  41. Jaime says

    March 6, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    2 tweet
    http://twitter.com/Copperllama/status/10085305700
    copperllama at yahoo dot com

  42. Jaime says

    March 6, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    3 tweet
    http://twitter.com/Copperllama/status/10085305700
    copperllama at yahoo dot com

  43. AmandaSue says

    March 6, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    Great Post!

    And I'm a follower thanks.

    unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com

  44. Jenn says

    March 6, 2010 at 9:36 pm

    I have heard good things about this book. Thanks for the giveaway!

    I am also a follower

    sleepingbette[at]yahoo[dot]com

  45. Literary Feline says

    March 6, 2010 at 10:23 pm

    What a great guest post! Very informative and such good advice. Thank you to Pam and Dar for hosting the author.

    Please do not enter me in the giveaway. I already have a copy of the book.

  46. Pam says

    March 7, 2010 at 12:08 am

    Count me in please!

    melacan at hotmail odt com

  47. Pam says

    March 7, 2010 at 12:08 am

    I'm a follower

    melacan at hotmail dot com

  48. Shannon says

    March 7, 2010 at 4:36 am

    Thanks for the chance! I'm a follower.

    sliugarcia@gmail.com

  49. Booksnyc says

    March 7, 2010 at 4:21 pm

    great review and interview!

    please count me in – leenbeen2001 (at) yahoo(dot) com

    I am a follower

  50. Jo-Jo says

    March 7, 2010 at 5:09 pm

    I blogged about your contest here.
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  51. Toni says

    March 7, 2010 at 7:35 pm

    What a great author post. No need to enter me Dar…I am over booked so to speak. I just wanted to comment on the guest post. It is nice. While I am not out writing a novel, I do find that I can use a lot of her tips as a blog author! Thanks for posting.

  52. Mitzi H. says

    March 7, 2010 at 7:53 pm

    This book sounds terrific!!! Count me in!!!

    mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net

  53. Mitzi H. says

    March 7, 2010 at 7:53 pm

    I'm a follower on google friend connect and google reader

    mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net

  54. Michele says

    March 7, 2010 at 8:56 pm

    I would love to read this book. Please enter me. Thanks.

    mmmtnbike09@yahoo.com

  55. Jenny Girl says

    March 8, 2010 at 6:22 pm

    Throwing my name in
    jennygirl73(AT)gmail(DOT)com
    and I follow, of course 🙂

  56. Anonymous says

    March 8, 2010 at 10:30 pm

    Count me in
    RJB
    loki304[at]tds[dot]net

  57. Bani says

    March 8, 2010 at 10:54 pm

    +1 I'd love to enter this giveaway. E-mail is wakeupangel at gmail dot com

    +2 I'm already a follower.

    +3 Tweeted here- http://twitter.com/baniclips/status/10191961518

  58. Aik says

    March 9, 2010 at 11:14 am

    I'd love to enter! Thanks!

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

  59. Aik says

    March 9, 2010 at 11:14 am

    I'd love to enter! Thanks!

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

  60. Aik says

    March 9, 2010 at 11:15 am

    I tweeted:

    http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/10216224503

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

  61. Debbie F says

    March 9, 2010 at 8:54 pm

    Please enter me!

    Thanks
    dcf_beth at verizon dot net

  62. Debbie F says

    March 9, 2010 at 8:54 pm

    I follow on google reader

    dcf_beth at verizon dot net

  63. Misusedinnocence says

    March 9, 2010 at 9:37 pm

    This sounds great, I would lvoe to read it!

    misusedinnocence@aol.com

  64. Misusedinnocence says

    March 9, 2010 at 9:37 pm

    I follow.

    misusedinnocence@aol.com

  65. Zibilee says

    March 9, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    This was a really interesting interview and the self assessment sounds very helpful! I would love to be entered in the giveaway, the book looks great!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  66. Holly (2 Kids and Tired) says

    March 9, 2010 at 10:58 pm

    This one looks interesting. Hmmm….. Count me in.

  67. a real librarian says

    March 10, 2010 at 1:25 am

    This looks interesting!! Thanks for the chance to win!! I follow!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  68. Serena says

    March 10, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    No need to enter me, since I've read and reviewed the book and have my own giveaway going. LOL

    I just wanted to say this is great advice and something I should consider, though I wonder how I can gauge what areas of writing I'm best at given that traditionally I'm a poet and not a fiction writer…and I'm trying a new genre?!

  69. justpeachy36 says

    March 11, 2010 at 5:07 am

    justpeachy36@yahoo.com

    Please enter me in the giveaway.

  70. justpeachy36 says

    March 11, 2010 at 5:07 am

    justpeachy36@yahoo.com

    I am a follower.

  71. Anonymous says

    March 11, 2010 at 7:20 pm

    I would love to win, read, and then donate this book to my book club book sale. Thanks.
    bentzen.linda1943@gmail.com

  72. Amanda says

    March 12, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/IAmMidnight/status/10345597293

    My email:
    ihappydance(at)gmail(.dot)com

  73. Kaye says

    March 16, 2010 at 10:55 am

    This sounds like a great read. Count me in, Dar.

    florida982002[at]yahoo.com

  74. Kaye says

    March 16, 2010 at 10:55 am

    I'm a follower

    florida982002[at]yahoo.com

  75. Vera says

    March 17, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    Please enter me! vvperesk@gmail.com

  76. Vera says

    March 17, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    I follow entry #1 vvperesk@gmail.com

  77. Vera says

    March 17, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    I follow entry #2 vvperesk@gmail.com

  78. Allison says

    March 18, 2010 at 3:48 am

    Please enter me.
    allygotts567 at hotmail dot com

  79. Allison says

    March 18, 2010 at 3:48 am

    I follow #1
    allygotts567 at hotmail dot com

  80. Allison says

    March 18, 2010 at 3:48 am

    I follow #2
    allygotts567 at hotmail dot com

  81. bison61 says

    March 20, 2010 at 2:16 pm

    this book sounds so good-please sign me up

    tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

  82. Lacey says

    March 21, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    This sounds like a good book.

    Lacey914 at sbcglobal dot net

  83. Lacey says

    March 21, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    I am a follower on google friends connect.

    Lacey914 at sbcglobal dot net

  84. Lacey says

    March 21, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    http://twitter.com/HtxAstrosFan/status/10827596433

    tweet

    Lacey914 at sbcglobal dot net

  85. dsandyboy says

    March 21, 2010 at 7:34 pm

    Count me in.

    dsandyboy@gmail.com

  86. dsandyboy says

    March 21, 2010 at 7:35 pm

    I follow you.

    dsandyboy@gmail.com

  87. FrankSandy says

    March 21, 2010 at 7:42 pm

    Please enter me. walkerd@primus.ca

  88. FrankSandy says

    March 21, 2010 at 7:42 pm

    I follow you. walkerd@primus.ca

  89. Linda Kish says

    March 22, 2010 at 8:45 pm

    Sounds interesting. Please include me.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  90. Teresa says

    March 23, 2010 at 5:49 pm

    I would love to read this one. Thanks!

  91. Marilu says

    March 26, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    This sounds like a book I would really enjoy. Please enter me. Thanks!

    lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

  92. Marilu says

    March 26, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    I follow through google friend connect.

    lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

  93. CherylS22 says

    March 26, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    I read your review & would love to read this book. Please count me in!

    Thanks ~ megalon22 at yahoo dot com

  94. CherylS22 says

    March 26, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    GFC follower
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

  95. Nancye says

    March 27, 2010 at 2:21 am

    This book looks great! Please include me.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  96. Nancye says

    March 27, 2010 at 2:21 am

    Follow

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    #1

  97. Nancye says

    March 27, 2010 at 2:21 am

    Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    #2

  98. Nancye says

    March 27, 2010 at 2:22 am

    Tweet! Tweet!

    http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/11122936986

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    #1

  99. Nancye says

    March 27, 2010 at 2:23 am

    Tweet! Tweet!

    http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/11122936986

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    #2

  100. Nancye says

    March 27, 2010 at 2:23 am

    Tweet! Tweet!

    http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/11122936986

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    #3

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