Site of the Week - mixedmetaphor.net

1. How long have you been writing fiction?

I just started writing fiction for the first time when I launched Mixed
Metaphor.net in late 2007. 

2. What kind of fiction do you enjoy writing?
 
It's all about human relationships. I have no interest in science
fiction or most fantasy. Mysteries are intriguing and fun, although I
haven't really delved into writing a good mystery yet. I will eventually.
 
3. What kind of fiction do you enjoy reading?
 
I enjoy reading fictional stories about situations and circumstances in
which people could conceivably find themselves. In other words, stories
about events and people that are no so far-fetched as to be impossible.
I love reading about how people analyze and react to challenges that
they could find themselves facing in real life, especially within the
context of relationships with and relating to other people whether they
be family or not. For that reason, I have read most of the books that
Oprah, over the years, selected for her book club. I discovered many of
my favorite novels of all time in that fashion.
 
4. Has your work ever been published?

Only at Mixed Metaphor.net. I have no idea how one goes about looking
for an agent or publisher, submitting his/her work, etc. and no time to
research the process. So I dream about being "discovered" in old
fashioned Lana Turner-esque fashion, i.e., by someone happening upon my
site and deciding to publish my work. If you know a publisher, send
him/her to my site!
 
5. What are your writing dreams and goals?
 
Like every write, my dream is to be published, of course, and earn
enough money to be able to quit my "day job" and focus solely on
writing. That will most likely never happen, of course, so I keep
getting up and going to work every day, writing when I can steal a
moment late at night or on the weekends.
 
6. Is any of your fictional work autobiographical?
 
I'll never tell.
 
7. Is Jenn H. your real name?
 
I'll never tell.

The following is Chapter One of The Letter.  You can check out the other 25 installemts & other great creative work by Jenn H. at Mixed Metaphor.net

“Write him a letter. Tell him how you feel,” Dr. Nolan said during one of their weekly sessions. “You don’t have to mail it. We’ll deal with whether or not you should do that at a later date. Your assignment this week is simply to write.”

“I don’t know if I can do that,” she declared matter-of-factly.

“You might need to work at it gradually. It may be too difficult for you to write everything you need to say in one sitting. You may have to write it all down over the course of the week. And, frankly, you may not be finished by the time we next meet. This may be an ongoing process for a period of time. But this week I want you to get started. Next week we’ll assess your progress.”

“Why are you asking me to do this?” she asked pointedly.

“Because there is great therapeutic value in writing down one’s feelings. And that brings me to an important point: I want you to hand-write the letter. Don’t compose it using the computer or even a typewriter, if you still have one. Instead, I want you to actually pick up a pen and write your thoughts on the paper.”

“You have to be kidding. I haven’t actually written anything other than a check or a note to the housekeeper in . . . how many years? I don’t even know. I use the computer to do everything! I can’t possibly spend hours and hours writing all of this down in longhand.”

“We’ve been over this many times. If you are unwilling to do the work, I can’t help you. You might as well discontinue therapy,” Dr. Nolan replied in the firm but kind manner that her patients both loved and dreaded.

“All right,” she sighed deeply. “Since you are using emotional blackmail, I guess I have no choice but to comply.” She half-smiled as she said it, acknowledging that Dr. Nolan was asking her to embark upon a journey that could be lengthy but was absolutely necessary if she was ever going to understand her life up to that point. And, more importantly, face the future.

“Good. It won’t be easy, but you’ll look back on this as a turning point in our work together. If I weren’t confident of that fact, you know that I would not ask you to engage in such an excruciatingly difficult exercise,” the doctor reassured her gently.

“I know.” A single tear rolled down her cheek as she walked to the door. “I’ll see you next week.”

Click here to read Chapter Two

Comments

[Nona]

Good interview!

[Jenn]

Thank you so much, Frances!

[qualcosa di bello]

i love that 'i'll never tell'!! ;)

congratulations,,,& thanks for the chapter tease...i'll be reading more!