About Denise...
BOOKS FOR READERS. BOOKS FOR WRITERS.
The Official Bio:
Denise Jaden wrote her debut novel, Losing Faith, in twenty-one days during NaNoWriMo in 2007, and she loves talking with writers and students about drumming up story ideas and her just-get-to-the-end fast-drafting process. Jaden’s other young adult novels include Never Enough, A Christmas Kerril, Foreign Exchange, and Avalanche. Her nonfiction books for writers include Writing with a Heavy Heart, Story Sparks, and the NaNoWriMo-popular guide Fast Fiction. Her latest writing pursuits are in Cozy Mystery, where she’s releasing her Mallory Beck Cozy Culinary Capers. In her spare time, she acts in TV and movies and dances with a Polynesian dance troupe. She lives just outside Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband, son, and one very spoiled cat.
I LOVE meeting writers and readers of any kind. If you’ve found yourself at my website, please sign up for my newsletter so we can stay in touch!
The Detailed (AKA - Long-winded) Bio:
I am, or have been, everything from a professional Polynesian dancer and fitness and strength competitor to a mushroom farmer and church secretary. Most of my time now is spent on set acting, or in front of my computer writing. I’ve been writing for about eighteen years and published cozy mysteries, fiction for teens, and nonfiction for writers, as well as short stories and articles for magazines. My pet peeves include clutter (somebody please tell my husband this!), wet socks, and being cold (which is a common occurrence in B.C.!)
My writing has appeared in Mississippi Crow Magazine (Spring, 2008), The Greensilk Journal (Fall 2007 – where LOCKED AWAY, won an Editor’s Choice Award), Writer’s Digest, and The Tidepool Fiction Ezine. My novels from Simon & Schuster include LOSING FAITH and NEVER ENOUGH, and have received various nominations and awards through Romance Writers of America, INSPY, and SCBWI. My YA novel FOREIGN EXCHANGE was an Editor’s Pick from Evernight Teen.
Thanks for stopping by. I’d love to hear from you!
Hello Denise,
I have read your book “Fast Fiction” and I liked it. Thank you for shedding light on the darkness that still is NaNoWriMo. I am going to attempt it for the first time this year. Your book has encouraged me to do so. However, I have difficulty stuffing all the chapters (and work steps/processes) into one month. I can’t figure out how much time each of those steps is supposed to take me or how long it takes you, so I can make an estimated guess how long it will take me to work through each step/chapter. Can you give me some pointers? I’d really appreciate it.
By the way, I absolutely loved the creativeness of your method (having read so many others), I love your light-hearted approch to outlining. You make it seem like fun, more of a game really. I do like that a lot.
Kind regards,
Daniela
Thanks so much for your response, Daniela, and I’m so glad to hear you’ve enjoyed FAST FICTION! As far as each step/chapter goes–to be honest, I don’t break it down this way during the first draft. I’ll often add “Chapter ???” where I think there could eventually be a chapter break, but that often changes during revision. Don’t sweat the small stuff, is my mantra. And keep writing forward, getting the words down, and trusting you will have the bones of a great story after you’ve finished and put it aside to let it breathe for a while.
All the very best with your first attempt at NaNo this year, Daniela! I will be rooting for you.
Hi Denise.
I found your webpage a few days ago and have enjoyed reading everything. I’ve ordered a copy of Fast Fiction and Writing With a Heavy Heart. They should be here by early October. I’m wondering when I may access your printable Writing Tips?
For the first time I am going to enter NaNoWriMo. I’m excited as well as apprehensive but … nothing ventured nothing gained!
Thank you for your encouraging videos and tips!
Val.
Hi Val! I’m excited to hear you’ll be using my books to try NaNoWriMo! I will be rooting for you, and hope my books are helpful along the way.
As for writing tips–I have some under Resources here on the website, that you should be able to access any time. Also, if you sign up on the main page of my website (denisejaden.com) for Writing Tips to Your Inbox, you will get semi-regular tips from me via email. Unfortunately I don’t have time to send these as often as I’d like, but I hope to remedy that this November.
Thanks again for getting in touch, Val, and all the very best to you with your writing 🙂
Denise
I love reading your books especially the recipes! Do you have them compiled anywhere?
Thank you for your kindness!
I don’t yet have them in a book, Denise, but I hope to one day. If you sign up for my newsletter on my website, you’ll be sure to hear about it when I have that available. Thanks so much!
Guidance, Wisdom, Co authoring and or Collaboration
Hi Denise,
I am a good friend of Shelly and Harry Wielenga. We met on set a few years ago and were together on set yesterday and your name popped into the conversation.
I have had a book on the shelf for the past 16 years and have written over 19,000 words, had it turned into a short film by hiring an LA screenwriter back in 2017 and produced a teaser trailer. I must admit in all honesty, I\\\\\\\’m stuck. I was wondering if you would peruse my manuscript and short film screenplay and give me some advice and guidance.
Grazie Mille.
Sincerely,
Salvatore
604-710-2100
salvatorevetroactor.com
[email protected]
Hey Salvatore!
Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. I’m afraid I don’t keep up on my website as often as I should. Congratulations on all you’ve done with writing and getting your work produced. Unfortunately, I’m in a bit of a spot right now where I don’t have any extra time or brainpower, so I wouldn’t be the best person to look at your work. I’ve been fast-releasing a cozy mystery series over the last year and even that is a bit more than I can manage.
Thanks for reaching out, though, and if you see me again on set, definitely come and have a chat!
Denise
Just finished reading and posted a review of the Mile Marker 18 cozy. Thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the cat! Would you be willing to do a blog interview with me on your writing? My interviews range from authors who write children’s books to adult suspense. I have interviewed first-time authors to NY Times bestsellers. My interview style is meant to be informative and focus on helping others improve their writing by learning from other published authors. Here’s a link to my blog to get an idea of the types of interviews and the questions I ask. TheWriteChris.blogspot.com.