First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy

A bit of a rant today on the use of the term "Clean" in reference to books - and sex in general - and how some authors produce two versions of a book, one "clean" and one with sex.

Also a shoutout tod…

I'm talking about levels of editing today - what you can expect - and what an editor you hire should absolutely NOT do. Also updates on the garden, Dark Wizard, and UNDER A WINTER SKY.

First Cup of C…

Good news on THE PROMISED QUEEN! I read you the fab email from my editor. More on story structure, and a reveal of my new series AND the title of my novella for UNDER A WINTER SKY!

First Cup of Coffee…

A report on our outing yesterday and kayak fishing in New Mexico. Also some thoughts on the things readers say to authors, seeing writers as real people, and why we don't need to rank everything. 

Fir…

I'm talking about POV today and why 3rd Person isn't more "mature" than 1st Person. I'm also looking for help on titling my next series if you all have input!

The blog post on gender bias is here (htt…

Why you shouldn't save your silver bullet, writing endings, and managing recurring tasks. Also, some thoughts on finances for authors who lives entirely on their writing income. 

The Dar Williams song…

The fascinating sky-striping caused by the smoke, big sale on my Twelve Kingdoms and Uncharted Realms books today, and some discussion of the business side of self-publishing. 

The blog post (w/photos…

A rambling podcast today on sleep cycles and the importance of sleep, daily routines, how much I love the In Death books, and how I'm *still* vacillating on what to write for UNDER A WINTER SKY.

First…

I'm talking about story structure today: how the analysis can be useful, but also limiting; why the Black Moment isn't necessary, that dramatic beats are useful only so far, and how we need to intern…

Why the GMC approach to characterization doesn't work for me, what does, and other thoughts on showing flaws in characters. Also how much I loved Melissa Marr's THE WICKED AND THE DEAD.

First Cup of C…

Showing off my amazing mini-me shrunken head made by Mab's Menagerie and gifted to me by the lovely Grace Draven. I'm also discussing series arcs and how to sustain conflict long term. 

You can contac…

Should magic systems make rational sense, since they're, well, MAGIC? I'm mulling this question today and talking about a slow-down with DARK WIZARD. Also how this Facebook ads guy is driving me nuts…

Lament for a dead clematis, plus weird experiences with Facebook ad people, drawing boundaries, and the cover reveal of THE PROMISED QUEEN!

First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. Y…

My many varied and conflicted thoughts on prologues, RWA's Vivien Award rules, winning the RITA Award and how you know that book is The One. Also my travails trying to buy Windex.

The blog post on nee…

Why I don't think what I learned in Psych 101 is correct, enjoying firsts and seasonality of all kinds - including pumpkin spice lattes! - and why saving white for summer is okay by me. And a snippet…

Happy birthday to Stepdad Dave! Also more on the best way to adapt to using a treadmill desk, easing into exercising in general to find those endorphins, and the western tanagers marauding my grape a…

A primrose casualty today, how yesterday ended up being a Lost Day, my (difficult and annoying) new printer, and a discussion of writer health and why I'm a walking desk evangelist.

First Cup of Coffe…

I'm reporting on my lovely birthday celebrations - I like golf! - and my honey-sweetened cake. Also the awesome knitted shrunken head Willow Draven made for me.

First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frol…

I had a bit of a writing crisis yesterday, so I talk about that and how I sorted it out with the help of Agent Sarah and lovely author buddies. Also a funny story about toilet paper and being terribl…

Join me for a wide-ranging and wonderful interview with celebrity guest author Maria Vale. We talk about life in NYC during #Covid19, her writing journey, and of course how wonderful wolves are! (She…