Jenna Kernan

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

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Looking for Fiction Writing Tips?

April 07, 2024 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

Follow me on Instagram for weekly tips on fiction writing.

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April 07, 2024 /Jenna Kernan
#TuesdayTips, #amwriting, #fictionwriting
Writing Process

The Thrill of Crafting Suspense via Dictation

March 13, 2024 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

Writing with a digital recorder.

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March 13, 2024 /Jenna Kernan /Source
Writing Process, thriller books, Writing muse, DragonSpeak, Dictation, Dictating
Writing Process

Revising a Manuscript

May 07, 2023 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

When faced with the overwhelming edits that need to be undertaken and knowing I have less than a month to do so, the project seemed overwhelming. What to do?

Here’s my process.

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May 07, 2023 /Jenna Kernan
Editing, Revisions, Structural Edits, Structural Editing, Writing Process, Text Aloud
Writing Process

First Draft Edits and Chinese Take-out

February 07, 2023 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

Did I just buy enough food for SEVEN PEOPLE? Don’t judge. I’m editing!

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February 07, 2023 /Jenna Kernan
Editing, Novel edits, writing tips, Domestic Thriller, National Novel Writing Month, First Draft
Writing Process

A Corner of the Mess

January 08, 2023 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

Ever wonder about other people’s workspace? This isn’t a complete tour but rather a micro one of just part of author Jenna Kernan’s desktop.

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January 08, 2023 /Jenna Kernan
Jenna Kernan, Author workspace, Writers Desk
Writing Process

Why is Florida an ideal setting for a detective mystery?

December 22, 2022 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

I set all my thrillers in Florida, including my two latest domestic thrillers, The Adoption and The Ex-Wives, because I can’t imagine a better setting for a page-turner of any sort.

Florida presents a steamy, bug-ridden paradise for authors. Like the Southwest Desert, the unprepared can quickly run into peril. The difference between tropical getaway and subtropical jungle is often just an auto breakdown away. And there is no better place to dispose of a body than Florida’s ocean, Gulf, bay, or alligator infested lakes.

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December 22, 2022 /Jenna Kernan
Detective Mysteries, Thriller Books, Florida, Story Setting
Writing Process

10 Do’s and Don’ts for Writing Thrillers

November 17, 2022 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

Writing a compelling thriller isn’t always easy, but it is always exciting. Here’s a nice even ten do’s and don’ts to bear in mind as you seek to surprise and thrill your readers and keep those pages turning.

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November 17, 2022 /Jenna Kernan
Writing Tips, Writing Thrillers, Thrillers Books
Writing Process

Five Things About Florida You Missed in the News

November 03, 2022 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

The sunshine state is so featured in my stories that it seems to be another character. It is such fun setting all my thrillers in my new home state. My current release, The Ex-wives, takes place in a fictional community in the rolling pines found in northern Florida, just shy of the Georgia line. The small city seems safe from the outside. But nowhere is safe and Florida poses some unique challenges for residents and visitors alike. So, to underscore that we have some unique problems, here are Five Things About Florida You Missed in the News.

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November 03, 2022 /Jenna Kernan
Florida, Writing muse
Writing Process

A Killer's Daughter wins bronze from Florida Book Awards, 2021 in Popular Fiction

March 02, 2022 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

A Killer's Daughter is a bronze metal winner in the Popular Fiction category of the Florida Book Awards. This annual program recognizes, honors and celebrates the literature by Florida authors and books about Florida published in the previous year.

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March 02, 2022 /Jenna Kernan
Writing Process

Zooming here and there!

January 19, 2022 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting tired of attending workshops, conferences, and meetings virtually.

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January 19, 2022 /Jenna Kernan
Writing Process

Manuscript Submitted

September 30, 2021 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

There is a feeling of satisfaction when you submit your completed manuscript to your editor. I’ve done the hard work of character development, gotten that rough and nearly unreadable first draft down on paper and

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September 30, 2021 /Jenna Kernan
writing, draft, manuscript
Writing Process

Holiday Collection now available.

December 15, 2019 by Jenna Kernan in Release Information, Story Behind the Story, Writing Process

Winter Western Weddings are here!

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December 15, 2019 /Jenna Kernan
Jenna Kernan
Release Information, Story Behind the Story, Writing Process

Developing Characters in a Romantic Suspense

November 29, 2019 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

Jenna Kernan explains a shortcut technique she uses when crafting multiple series characters.

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November 29, 2019 /Jenna Kernan
Writing Tips, Series Romance, Tips for Writers, Intrigue, Jenna Kernan
Writing Process

Forensic Investigators present at MurderCon

August 27, 2019 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

MurderCon 2019 - Get crime investigation right as you write!

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August 27, 2019 /Jenna Kernan
Sirchie, Writers Police Academy, MurderCon, Writers Conference, Thriller, Mystery Writers Conference
Writing Process

Down Time

June 06, 2018 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

I often find that getting away from my computer gives me a fresh perspective. Perhaps it's the distance or the fresh air or the fact that I rarely have a pen to jot down that epiphany that lures the muse.  But I often get story ideas, plot twists or dialog snippets when I am not writing.

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June 06, 2018 /Jenna Kernan
Animal Adventure Park, Amy the Giraffe, Writing muse, Down Time
Writing Process

First Lines as Hooks in Writing Novels

May 23, 2018 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

I often find myself in bookstores, looking at covers and reading back cover blurbs. If those grab me, I open to page one and read the opening line.  It that appeals, I read the next...

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May 23, 2018 /Jenna Kernan
novels, Writing, Craft, First Lines, fiction, writers
Writing Process

Seeing my release in stores!

March 24, 2018 by Jenna Kernan in Writing Process

...I feel very lucky that this series is being published four straight months in a row.  Although, the revisions, edits and alterations nearly killed me.  They were so close together that...

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March 24, 2018 /Jenna Kernan
Apache Protectors, Romantic Suspense, Series Romance
Writing Process

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