Author Guest Post with Jen White

Welcome to one of the April 21st stops on the blog tour for A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight by Jen White, organized by XPresso Book Tours. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for spotlights, reviews, other author guest posts & interviews, and a giveaway! More on that at the end of this post.

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Author Guest Post

Advice I’d give new authors:

I think I heard this advice from Sarah Dessen’s book signing. She said keep your eyes on your own lane, or something very close to that. Meaning, that when you begin writing it’s very easy to look at other writers around you and want their attention, or awards, or book deals. But this will never serve you. Comparison is the thief of joy. If you want to compete, compete with yourself. Focus on your own writing and what you’re accomplishing. This will make it easier for you to sleep at night. Along with that, support other writers. There is no such thing as scarcity in the writing market. There is room for everyone’s voice. Focus on your craft and how to get better. Lift other writers and they’ll lift you. You will make some of the best friends you’ve ever had.

Also don’t try to force yourself into a writing style that doesn’t fit. I never have been someone who pre-plots my books. Many authors love to do this, but in my case, I begin with character. When I hear a character’s voice in my head, then I know I’m ready to begin. My characters come little by little. I begin with the protagonist and then the story unfolds. I meet the characters in the book, just as my protagonist does. Anytime I try to pre-plot a book, the energy for the story dies. Sometimes I’ll do a very loose outline when I’m in the middle of a book, or at the end of my first draft, but not always. I think it’s important to know your process and how you write. There is no correct way to write a book. Listen to yourself.

And lastly, write every day. I mean it. I am my most successful self when I write daily, no matter how little I write. Words are like muscles. When I stop using them, they disappear and are very difficult to coax back. Do the heavy lifting immediately, not when inspiration strikes. Write words when they won’t come, or when you’re tired, and especially when you’re wondering why you ever decided to become a writer. Write the words. You can always make them better tomorrow.

About the Book

A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight
by Jen White

Published 20 April 2021
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr)

Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary Fiction
Page Count: 304
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!

Jen White’s A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight is a sensitively-written middle grade novel about a girl struggling with anxiety, family secrets, and the meaning of friendship.

Cora is constantly counting the minutes. It’s the only thing that stops her brain from rattling with worry, from convincing her that danger is up ahead. Afraid of the unknown, Cora spends her days with her feet tucked into sand, marveling at La Quinta beach’s giant waves and her little sister Sunshine’s boundless energy.

And then danger really does show up at Cora’s doorstep–her absentee uncle, whose sudden presence in the middle of the night makes her parents nervous and secretive. As dawn breaks once more, Cora must piece together her family and herself, one minute at a time.

A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight is an endearing and revelatory middle-grade novel that is perfect for fans of Counting by 7s and Fish in a Tree.

About the Author

Jen White writes middle grade fiction. Her second book, A THOUSAND MINUTES TO SUNLIGHT, releases on 4.20.21. Her debut, SURVIVAL STRATEGIES OF THE ALMOST BRAVE, has been translated into several languages. She grew up in Southern California and currently resides there with her family. Jen received her bachelor of art’s degree in English and her master’s degree from Vermont College of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults. You can find out more at www.jenwhitebooks.com.

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Giveaway Alert!

Tour-wide giveaway (INT): Print copy of A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight

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