Jen Dodrill Writes

  • Home
    • About Jen
    • Connect
    • Media Kit
    • Newsletter
  • For Readers
    • Trinity Sands Beach Club
    • Meet the characters from The Empty Nesters Cozy Mystery Series
    • Candy & Books – A Perfect Pairing for Your Sweet Tooth and Bookish Soul
    • Favorite Book Quotes
    • Research for Where’s the Quetzal?
    • Book Reviews
      • Book Review: Evolving in Monkey Town by Rachel Held Evans
      • Book Review: Shield of the King by MB Mooney
      • Book Review: Cake That! by Heather Greer
      • Book Review: Exercise is Murder by Bruce Hammack
    • Everything Cozy Mysteries
      • What is a Cozy Mystery?
      • 10 Must-Read Cozy Mystery Series for Every Mystery Lover
      • 10 Writing Prompts for Cozy Mystery Lovers
      • Exploring Cozy Mystery Themes: Diving into Comforting Crime
      • Cozy Mysteries with a Unique Twist: 5 Unconventional Series to Add to Your Reading List
      • Why Cozy Mysteries Are Perfect for Fall Reading
  • For Writers
    • How-tos
      • Writing a Holiday Story: Creating Fiction That Captures the Spirit of the Season
      • Unpacking Backstory: How to Seamlessly Integrate It into Your Novel
      • Creative Exercises to Spark Inspiration and Improve Your Writing
      • Creating a one-sheet on Canva for your novel
      • Crafting a Writer’s Mood Board: Inspiration and Insight for Your Creative Journey
      • Designing Your Book Cover Using Canva: A Step-by-Step Guide
      • Creating the Perfect Setting: The Heartbeat of Your Story
      • Crafting Unforgettable Characters: A Guide for Authors
      • Defining your genre and audience as a writer
      • Mastering Success: A Guide to Setting SMART Goals for Writers
      • How to use the Save the Cat Beat Sheet
      • How to hook your reader
      • How to prep for writing conferences
      • How to Prep for NaNoWriMo
    • Tips
      • From Hook to Inciting Incident – What Fiction Writers Need to Know
      • 10 Essential Ingredients of a media kit
      • Why you should enter writing contests
      • Plot Points and Pinch Points: Understanding Their Role in Fiction Writing
      • Finding Inspiration: Ways to Fuel Your Novel Writing Journey
      • Crafting Compelling Character Arcs: The Heart of Fiction Writing
      • Critique groups: how & why they help writers
      • How do you pick your writing genre?
      • Obstacles to writing (aka writer’s block)
      • Top 10 Books Writers Need
      • Writing about conflict: tips to incorporate it in your novel
      • Writing conferences – why you should go!
    • Information
      • Mother’s Day Gifts for Writers
      • The Power of Guest Posting for Writers
      • Top 10 Writing Obstacles and How to Overcome Them
      • Mastering Punctuation in Fiction: How to Use It to Shape Tone and Style
      • 25 Best Christmas Gifts for Writers: Perfect Picks for the Literary Mind
      • Essential Types of Editing Every Novel Needs
      • The Art of Judging Book Covers
      • Diving into Themes: A Fun Guide for Authors and Readers
      • How to choose your premise and concept when writing your novel
      • Are you a plotter or pantser?
      • Different types of point of view (POV)
      • Writing terms writers need to know
      • What drives your story – character or plot?
      • World-building – why every author must use it in their novels
      • What do you do when nano is over?
      • Authors should be speakers
      • Embracing Gratitude in My Journey as a Writer
  • Author Interviews
    • Meet author Shannon Dunlap
    • Author Jenny Carlisle and her Writing Process
    • Meet author Susan Lawrence
    • Meet author Terri Wangard
    • Meet author Elaine Cooper
    • Meet author Beth Westcott
    • Meet author Bruce Hammack
    • Meet author Jennifer Burrows
    • Author Mike Ehret and Beyond December
    • Meet author Linda Dindzans
    • Hope T. Dougherty and Forever Music
    • Meet author Regina Merrick
    • Meet author Lori DeJong
    • Meet author Shirley Gould
    • Meet author Susan Page Davis
    • Meet author Amy Anguish
    • Meet author Mary Pat Johns
    • Meet author Jenny Carlisle
    • Meet author Delores Topliff
    • Meet author E.V. Sparrow
    • Meet author Donna Wichelman
    • Meet author Betty Woods
    • Meet author Michael Ehret
    • Meet author Lynn U. Watson
    • Meet new author ~ Kim Banet
    • Forever Free by author Hope Toler Dougherty
    • Meet Heather Tabers ~ Historical Romance with Grit & Grace
  • Monthly-themed Reading Lists
    • Monthly Themed Reading List: Cozy Mystery Book Recommendations
    • Monthly Themed Reading List: Fantasy Book Recommendations
    • Monthly Themed Reading List Recommendations: Romance
    • Monthly Themed Reading List Recommendations: Science Fiction
    • Monthly Themed Reading List Recommendations: Nonfiction
  • Book Updates
  • Resource library
  • Shop
    • Writing by the Acts eBook
    • Writing Conference Prep Video
    • One-Sheet Templates
  • Home
    • About Jen
    • Connect
    • Media Kit
    • Newsletter
  • For Readers
    • Trinity Sands Beach Club
    • Meet the characters from The Empty Nesters Cozy Mystery Series
    • Candy & Books – A Perfect Pairing for Your Sweet Tooth and Bookish Soul
    • Favorite Book Quotes
    • Research for Where’s the Quetzal?
    • Book Reviews
      • Book Review: Evolving in Monkey Town by Rachel Held Evans
      • Book Review: Shield of the King by MB Mooney
      • Book Review: Cake That! by Heather Greer
      • Book Review: Exercise is Murder by Bruce Hammack
    • Everything Cozy Mysteries
      • What is a Cozy Mystery?
      • 10 Must-Read Cozy Mystery Series for Every Mystery Lover
      • 10 Writing Prompts for Cozy Mystery Lovers
      • Exploring Cozy Mystery Themes: Diving into Comforting Crime
      • Cozy Mysteries with a Unique Twist: 5 Unconventional Series to Add to Your Reading List
      • Why Cozy Mysteries Are Perfect for Fall Reading
  • For Writers
    • How-tos
      • Writing a Holiday Story: Creating Fiction That Captures the Spirit of the Season
      • Unpacking Backstory: How to Seamlessly Integrate It into Your Novel
      • Creative Exercises to Spark Inspiration and Improve Your Writing
      • Creating a one-sheet on Canva for your novel
      • Crafting a Writer’s Mood Board: Inspiration and Insight for Your Creative Journey
      • Designing Your Book Cover Using Canva: A Step-by-Step Guide
      • Creating the Perfect Setting: The Heartbeat of Your Story
      • Crafting Unforgettable Characters: A Guide for Authors
      • Defining your genre and audience as a writer
      • Mastering Success: A Guide to Setting SMART Goals for Writers
      • How to use the Save the Cat Beat Sheet
      • How to hook your reader
      • How to prep for writing conferences
      • How to Prep for NaNoWriMo
    • Tips
      • From Hook to Inciting Incident – What Fiction Writers Need to Know
      • 10 Essential Ingredients of a media kit
      • Why you should enter writing contests
      • Plot Points and Pinch Points: Understanding Their Role in Fiction Writing
      • Finding Inspiration: Ways to Fuel Your Novel Writing Journey
      • Crafting Compelling Character Arcs: The Heart of Fiction Writing
      • Critique groups: how & why they help writers
      • How do you pick your writing genre?
      • Obstacles to writing (aka writer’s block)
      • Top 10 Books Writers Need
      • Writing about conflict: tips to incorporate it in your novel
      • Writing conferences – why you should go!
    • Information
      • Mother’s Day Gifts for Writers
      • The Power of Guest Posting for Writers
      • Top 10 Writing Obstacles and How to Overcome Them
      • Mastering Punctuation in Fiction: How to Use It to Shape Tone and Style
      • 25 Best Christmas Gifts for Writers: Perfect Picks for the Literary Mind
      • Essential Types of Editing Every Novel Needs
      • The Art of Judging Book Covers
      • Diving into Themes: A Fun Guide for Authors and Readers
      • How to choose your premise and concept when writing your novel
      • Are you a plotter or pantser?
      • Different types of point of view (POV)
      • Writing terms writers need to know
      • What drives your story – character or plot?
      • World-building – why every author must use it in their novels
      • What do you do when nano is over?
      • Authors should be speakers
      • Embracing Gratitude in My Journey as a Writer
  • Author Interviews
    • Meet author Shannon Dunlap
    • Author Jenny Carlisle and her Writing Process
    • Meet author Susan Lawrence
    • Meet author Terri Wangard
    • Meet author Elaine Cooper
    • Meet author Beth Westcott
    • Meet author Bruce Hammack
    • Meet author Jennifer Burrows
    • Author Mike Ehret and Beyond December
    • Meet author Linda Dindzans
    • Hope T. Dougherty and Forever Music
    • Meet author Regina Merrick
    • Meet author Lori DeJong
    • Meet author Shirley Gould
    • Meet author Susan Page Davis
    • Meet author Amy Anguish
    • Meet author Mary Pat Johns
    • Meet author Jenny Carlisle
    • Meet author Delores Topliff
    • Meet author E.V. Sparrow
    • Meet author Donna Wichelman
    • Meet author Betty Woods
    • Meet author Michael Ehret
    • Meet author Lynn U. Watson
    • Meet new author ~ Kim Banet
    • Forever Free by author Hope Toler Dougherty
    • Meet Heather Tabers ~ Historical Romance with Grit & Grace
  • Monthly-themed Reading Lists
    • Monthly Themed Reading List: Cozy Mystery Book Recommendations
    • Monthly Themed Reading List: Fantasy Book Recommendations
    • Monthly Themed Reading List Recommendations: Romance
    • Monthly Themed Reading List Recommendations: Science Fiction
    • Monthly Themed Reading List Recommendations: Nonfiction
  • Book Updates
  • Resource library
  • Shop
    • Writing by the Acts eBook
    • Writing Conference Prep Video
    • One-Sheet Templates

No Widgets found in the Sidebar Alt!

  • 2025,  blog post,  book quotes

    Favorite Book Quotes

    / January 20, 2025 / 0 Comments

    I have so many favorite book quotes - the kind that stay with me long after I've turned the last page. Here are some of my favorite quotes in a random list of…

    read more
  • 2025,  Author Interview

    Meet author Jennifer Burrows

    / January 17, 2025 / 0 Comments

    Jennifer Burrows is a multi-genre hybrid author who has joined the Scrivenings Press family. Her first book with SP, FreeFalling, is out now!

    read more
  • 2025,  blog post,  cozy mystery,  Where's the Quetzal?

    Research for Where’s the Quetzal?

    / January 13, 2025 / 1 Comment

    Research for Where's the Quetzal? - Book #2 in The Empty Nesters Cozy Mystery series - was as simple as diving into my memories. Okay, and a visit to Fort Pickens!

    read more
  • 2025,  blog post,  cozy mystery,  monthly themed reading list

    Monthly Themed Reading List: Cozy Mystery Book Recommendations

    / January 9, 2025 / 0 Comments

    This month's themed reading list is all about cozy mysteries. Cozies are my "thing," as you might know. Here are ten cozy mysteries to curl up with for a delightful escape.

    read more
  • 2025,  Author Interview

    Author Mike Ehret and Beyond December

    / January 7, 2025 / 0 Comments

    For Mike Ehret's second time on the blog, he's sharing about his writing style, and about his new novel, Beyond December.

    read more
  • 2025,  blog post

    Top 5 posts of 2024 and what’s next in 2025

    / January 1, 2025 / 0 Comments

    As 2024 wraps up, I've looked back to see what posts readers have loved the most. Pulling from the top 5 posts of 2024, I see a variety! This year, I focused on…

    read more
  • 2024,  Author Interview

    Meet author Linda Dindzans

    / December 19, 2024 / 1 Comment

    I'm excited to talk to Linda Dindzans today. She's a new author with Scrivenings Press, and she writes Biblical fiction!

    read more
  • writing a holiday story blog post cover with a red mug full of cocoa and whipped cream and a red book with a green and white candy cane
    2024,  blog post,  Writing tips

    Writing a Holiday Story: Creating Fiction That Captures the Spirit of the Season

    / December 17, 2024 / 4 Comments

    But writing holiday-themed stories that feel fresh, engaging, and emotionally true can be a challenge. How do you create a holiday story that reflects the magic of the season without falling into the…

    read more
  • 2024,  blog post,  Writing tips

    From Hook to Inciting Incident – What Fiction Writers Need to Know

    / December 6, 2024 / 0 Comments

    One of the most critical aspects to master is how to hook your readers right from the start. Then you need the inciting incident to propel the plot forward. Let's learn how to…

    read more
  • Hope T. Dougherty blog post cover with her book cover Forever Music
    2024,  Author Interview

    Hope T. Dougherty and Forever Music

    / December 3, 2024 / 1 Comment

    Hope T. Dougherty was on my blog almost a year ago, and I’m glad to have her back. Let's see what Hope is up to!

    read more
 Older Posts
Newer Posts 

Recent Posts

  • Trinity Sands Beach Club
  • Meet author Shannon Dunlap
  • Monthly Themed Reading List: Fantasy Book Recommendations
  • Book Review: Evolving in Monkey Town by Rachel Held Evans
  • Author Jenny Carlisle and her Writing Process
©Jen Dodrill Writes 2025
  • Privacy Policy and Disclosure
  • I Branded by ARH Inspirations
Ashe Theme by WP Royal.