Jennifer. J. Chow

Pushing Myself

There’s this recurring dream I have where I’m taking a timed test. Did I mention that it’s a stress dream for me? For someone who’s a total nerd (confession: I was part of my high school’s Academic Decathlon team), you’d think I would enjoy exams. But I always felt the heavy weight of expectations.

This was why I had to push myself to contribute to a collection of non-fiction essays. The publisher, McFarland, declares themselves to be “a leading independent publisher of academic and nonfiction books. We are especially known for covering topics of popular appeal in a serious and scholarly fashion…” Talk about pressure! Besides, whenever I write a novel, I know I can submerge myself in the plot or play around with different characters. In non-fiction, (very awkwardly) the “main character” is me.

I decided, though, that I had to write about a topic close to my heart for Writing the Cozy Mystery: Authors’ Perspectives on Their Craft. You’ll find that all the essays are sectioned into the categories of writing genre, writing theme, writing setting, and writing character. My contribution specifically involves culture; how can I not write about that when my author tagline says that I “write cozies with hope and heritage?”

Huge thanks goes to our editor, Phyllis M. Betz, for collating our materials—and making sense of it all. I bet it was like herding cats. (Side fun note: See Ellen’s post about bookstore cats from Monday.) Speaking of felines, cats on covers are a common element for cozy mysteries, so naturally, the anthology cover is:

Check out my 3D printed cat, made at UCLA, perching on the book

I’m grateful for the opportunity to push myself and contribute to this book, making this publication my first non-fiction credit! I’m also hoping for more future coverage on the often underappreciated cozy mystery genre.

P.S. You might spy some familiar author names in the book, including avid Chicks reader, JC Kenney!

When have you had to push yourself?

ABOUT THE BOOK

This book brings together essays written by a number of well-known writers of cozy mysteries, including Sherry Harris, Amanda Flower, Leslie Budewitz, and Edith Maxwell, among others, who provide insight into their approaches to writing. Topics covered include how they work with the form, develop characters and settings, and utilize the particular hook, skill or business that establishes the protagonist’s ability to solve crimes. In addition to discussing these traditional aspects of writing, several authors focus on how they have expanded the direction the contemporary cozy mystery has taken with the inclusion of more diverse characters and social issues.

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32 thoughts on “Pushing Myself”

  1. Jennifer,
    Hestia here.

    I feel ya. We all give ourselves challenges throughout our lives. At least the people who want to more than exist. I do a lots of stuff I’m uncomfortable with just to see if I can do it. My Masters. Writing a novel. Talking to strangers. And the piece de resistance, going for a hot air balloon (in Aspen in December) with my phobia of plunging to my death.

    I am very excited about this book. I had just placed preorders for Cynthia’s and Lisa’s books coming out this month. Like 30 minutes ago. And then I read this post. Went right back to ordering. Even though my stuff is more traditional, it’s flipping close enough.

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    2. So awesome that you give yourself those tough challenges, Hestia. I am…less courageous, although you’re right that we all put ourselves out there by writing. And thanks so much for preordering my and Cynthia’s books–hope you enjoy them!

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  3. Congratulations, Jen. Quite oddly, the last time I had to push myself out of my comfort zone was when I applied for a promotion at the day gig. I don’t know why I felt “weird” about saying, “Hey, I do all this stuff,” but I did.

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  5. I’ll tell you, Jen, it wasn’t easy writing my contribution to the anthology. Even though I’m open about my challenges living with depression, putting those thoughts down for all kinds of people to read was a challenge. It glad I pushed myself to write it, though!

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  6. This looks like a very interesting book. I enjoy reading about how authors write books. I find the process fascinating. This looks like it covers quite a number of different aspects. I think cozies are getting more respect these days. Not every book has to be a literary masterpiece. Books like cozies that just entertain serve an important purpose. Sometimes it is just nice to tune out the world and escape to a fun setting with characters that you know and love. And I love the increasing diversity of characters that are now represented. As far as doing things to push myself, I have to really work at it. I use self-talk to tell myself things like I can do this even if it’s difficult, uncomfortable, or I don’t want to. It seems to help me. And congratulations for having your first piece of non-fiction published Jennifer!

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    1. This made me laugh, Sue! There are very few “literary masterpieces” that haven’t bored me to tears. (Don’t get me started on Hemingway … ugh.) Give me some genre crime fiction any day!

      My son tells his foster kids, “You can do hard things,” whether it’s climbing high at the playground, or picking up a bug, or swimming. I got all teary once when I heard one of them tell her younger sister, who was reticent about something, “You can do hard things!” and hold her hand to help.

      It’s a lesson I didn’t specifically teach my son, but now I hear his voice when I’m reticent about something. I also hear the very persistent voice of my mother reminding me I ain’t getting any younger, and my dad’s asking, “what’s the worst that can happen?”

      Congrats to you both, Jen and JC, and all other other contributor friends! There’s lots of collective wisdom in our community and we should share it whenever possible!

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  7. Congrats on your part in what looks like a terrific new craft book, Jen! (And to all the other contributors, including J.C. and Leslie B.!)

    I have to push myself to do lots of things, such as going on my bike rides and getting my butt in the chair and write. But the hardest is making myself do promo; it’s so hard getting inspired to get out there and say “Buy my books! They’re great! Really!” Ugh.

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  8. Jen, congratulations! I’m so bummed I missed the chance to contribute to this but I’m so glad you did, and with such a great and important topic. J.C., you too!

    Honestly, lately I have to push myself every. Single. Day. I’m on my second outline in a row and both of them have been extremely tough. I don’t know if it’s the storylines I came up with or that I a bit worn out. Maybe both? All I can say is that I’ll be SOOOO happy when this outline is done. I would love to take a break but I have blog posts to write for my next release, plus I have to prep for Bouchercon. But I do need to get in some downtime to recharge. Or is Bouchercon the downtime???? #workaholic.

    (P.S. thanks for the post shout-out!)

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  10. Congratulations, Jen! You, J.C., and others who pushed themselves and did the hard things to write these pieces have given such a gift to readers. It’s a great way to know, love, and understand you all–and ourselves–better. Kudos!

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    3. Ditto from me, Kathy–and I love your positive view. I’m going to adopt it, because you are exactly right. I don’t think I’ve looked at hard things that way enough.

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  11. So sorry to be chiming in late–I am literally writing from a plane, crossing coasts. But Jen, I’m so glad you wrote that hard essay and shared the contributors here, because the antho sounds awesome. As soon as we land I am buying my copy!

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