Meet Penny Jaeger

My guest today in My Writing Corner is Peggy Jaeger. We'd like to know about your books. What genre do you write? 

I write contemporary romance, which also happens to be my favorite genre to read.

What made you fall in love with that genre?

I believe the power of love can heal all wounds and make the world a better place. Romantic fiction espouses the belief that there really are happily ever after endings in the real world and that true love can and will make your life better. I love that.

Your newest book is Skater's Waltz, which is available today. Tell us a little about this story and what made you want to write it?

My story is about an Olympic figure skater. I skated for many, many years – not at the caliber of my heroine – until a ridiculous fall while skating destroyed one of my ankles. After that, I hung up my skates. But I still adore the sport, never miss a televised event, and wanted to write about a skater and how she finds love.

How do you come up with your characters?

I am a huge people watcher. Whenever I am out and about I watch people, their mannerisms, how they are doing something as simple as making their coffee taste perfect in Dunkin’ Donuts, or the way their order their dinner at my fav restaurant. I love seeing how people interact with one another. I try to guess if the couple bickering at the next table is married, or if the lovebirds in the corner are dating/cheating on spouses/newlyweds. I usually pick up one trait or character component from all my watching to add to the layers of my characters. Let’s face it, one note people are boring. And one note characters will make the reader put down the book in disgust very quickly. So the quickest answer to the question, is I “find” my characters in my every day encounters. Having said that, though, I have never used someone I know personally as a character.

 What about the plot?  Do you do a complete outline or do you just wing it?

I am the proverbial master plotter. I take days, sometimes weeks, to meticulously write down all my ideas for a story and then weave them into the semblance of an outlined plot. I refer to the outline frequently once I start writing, but I have been known to veer off from a  plot point every now and again if something more promising jumps onto my pages.

What do you do when you hit a rough spot?

I usually have three or four books in various periods of production at one time. If I hit a rough patch in one, I move to another and work on that one until I resolve the original problem, or become so engrossed in the present plot that I’ve forgotten why I started working on it!

Do you listen to music while you write or do you like total silence?

I write in an attic room lit by skylights and over looking my wooded property. I simply love silence. During a snowstorm – which is happening right now as I write - I can gaze out the window during page breaks and see nothing but beauty stare back at me. To mar that with sound would be anathema to me. The only “music” I ever listen to while writing is the birds chirping when they come back in the spring.

What was the most valuable tip you ever received about writing?

Hands down the best piece of advice I’ve ever taken away from another author was from Nora Roberts. At 2014 RWA nationals, I sat in on her chat. She was asked how she can be such a prolific writer, even after over 200 books penned. She said it was simple, really. She puts her butt in the chair and she types. That’s it. Butt in chair, hands on the keyboard. I think about that everyday when I sit down to write. If it was an ad, it would probably be Nike’s: Just Do It. Words to live an write by.

How about a blurb?

 Figure skater Tiffany Lennox is busy with rehearsals for an upcoming ice show when the only man she’s ever loved comes home after a two-year overseas stint. She needs him to see her for the woman she’s become and not the child he knew to ensure he stays home, this time, for good. With her.

For all his wanderlust and hunger for professional success, Cole Greer comes home wanting nothing more than to rest, relax and recover. He is delighted in being Tiffany’s hero and has a special place in his heart reserved for her. But faced with the oh-so-desirable woman she’s become, he starts questioning his determination to keep their relationship platonic.

When forced by the television network to go back on assignment, Cole - for the first time in his life - is torn between his career and his heart.

How can readers reach you or find you online?

I’m a social media junkie!
My website/blog: http://peggyjaeger.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peggy-Jaeger-Author/825914814095072?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/peggyjaeger/
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00T8E5LN0

Rebecca – thanks so much for hosting me! Love your questions. 

Thank you,  Peggy, and best of luck with Skater's Waltz. I'll be looking for it today!  Any question