F**K You Cancer – A tribute to my beautiful friend

 

The world has lost a bright light and I have lost my beautiful friend Sara, and already I miss her enormously. Cancer is something that is often spoken about in hushed tones, almost as though if you don’t say the word aloud it can’t touch you but it can. It does. It will. Is there anyone who hasn’t had a friend, a family member brush against this disease? Sometimes it seems not, but knowing that doesn’t make it easier to understand. It doesn’t make it easier to bear.

It’s hard to know what to feel right now. What to do. Who to be. And so I write. Sitting at my desk. A framed quote from Sara hangs on my wall. Something she sent to cheer me up a few months ago. Even with her life drawing to a close she thought of others. She thought of me. It always makes me laugh when I read it. Today it makes me cry and I know that she would hate that.

Next to her quote I have a corkboard packed full of photos of my family and my heart aches as I think of the children she will never now have. The places she will never see. And yet I have never quite known anyone as surrounded by love as she was. Enriching the lives of everybody she met. Always looking on the bright side. Never losing hope. A fighter til the end.

For the past seven years Sara has made me laugh and despite her circumstances that didn’t change. Until very recently we’d still Skype, laughing as we remembered times past, mutual friends and perhaps remembering the most important lesson of all.

“The world’s so beautiful.” Sara said and since then, no matter how busy I am, I make sure I look for the beauty in every day.

It’s been such a privilege to know you.

Goodbye gorgeous girl.

 

 

B.A. Paris – The Breakdown Launch Lunch at The Ivy Club, London

I had the pleasure of first meeting the lovely B.A. Paris at an author event last year. At that time I had just released my debut, The Sister, while hers, Behind Closed Doors had been out for several months. We bonded over our shared experience, our genuine bewilderment of both finally being published later in life and having No.1 Bestsellers and have championed each other throughout the process of writing our second tricky novels. She was thrilled for me when I published The Gift before Christmas and it shot to No. 1 and I was delighted to be able to join her at The Ivy Club yesterday to toast the launch of her second novel, The Breakdown, which is already soaring up the charts. It was lovely to catch up with old friends and make some new ones, over one of the most delicious meals I have ever eaten. But first lets talk about the book.

The Breakdown is good. Not good in a ‘my friend is the author so I’m obliged to say that’ good, but ‘I started it last night, couldn’t put it down and have just finished it,’ good. From the opening chapter I was gripped by the story of Cass, a woman who is driving home late one night and passes a car that has broken down. There’s a raging storm, isolated countryside and I could feel Cass’s anxiety as she tries to decide whether she should stop and help, worried she could be putting herself at risk. Eventually she decides to drive on, a decision that ultimately haunts her throughout the rest of the book as the driver of the broken down car is found murdered and Cass has a creeping sense of unease throughout the story that she might be next on the killer’s list. The tension builds and builds throughout the story and anyone who loved Behind Closed Doors (and with over a million sales there’s rather a lot of people who did!) should love this story too.

The launch lunch itself was intimate, in a private room at The Ivy Club. I ate mixed beetroots with whipped goat’s curd, mixed seeds and moscatel dressing, followed by macaroni cheese and I finished with a cheeseboard. We drank champagne and red and white wine and chatted about books and writing. Being an author can be such a solitary existence sometimes, I really do treasure the time I get to spend with other writers.

The Breakdown is the WH Smith Book of the Week which I know B.A. Paris was very excited to discover, her ambition has always been to be able to visit a W H Smith’s store and see a copy of her book. The demand is so high W H Smith’s do keep selling out! As well as in all good bookstores you can also buy The Breakdown on Amazon UK here or Amazon US here and follow B. A. Paris on Twitter here.

#GIVEAWAY – Audiobook of The Gift

I am so incredibly grateful for all the support I’ve been shown during the launch of my second novel, The Gift, and absolutely delighted it has now been No.1 on Amazon in the UK for over 4 weeks and is in the Top 10 in Psychological Thrillers in the US, as well as debuting on the USA Today BestSellers List this week.

As a thank you I am giving away two audio versions of the book, narrated by the super talented Jasmine Blackborow (I’ll supply codes which can be redeemed on Audible). To enter either click this link to my Facebook post to nominate someone you would like to gift a copy of the audiobook to, or follow this link to my Twitter page and retweet to win a copy for yourself (you can enter both if you wish).

The competition is open to all and winners will be generated at random on Sunday 22nd January.

Thanks again.

Louise x

Make your next book purchase count!

Today is the publication date of Dark Minds, the charity anthology compiled by the fabulous Betsy Reavley of Bloodhound Books.

Firstly, the important stuff. All proceeds of  the sales of this book will be donated to Sophie’s Appeal and Hospice UK.

Sophie’s Appeal was founded in memory of Sophie Louise Barringer and supports the social, emotional and educational welfare of children, their families, nursing and support staff and provide a caring and supporting environment in both local hospitals and in the community. There are many ways the Trust provide support to parents, carers and schools who find themselves suddenly faced with the reality of cancer.

Hospice UK are the national charity for hospice care, supporting over 200 hospices in the UK. Their aim is to make sure that everyone with a life limiting or terminal condition rightly get the very best care, and hospices are critical to achieving this.

Two hugely worthwhile causes, so how can you help? Buy the book! It is packed full of short stories by some of the best crime writers around. I’m immensely proud to be included in this collection. My story, ‘The Shoes Maketh The Man’ is about Bill, a widower who lives alone since the passing of his wife, Maureen. Bill is anxious as he watches the news report of yet another attack on the elderly and when he hears disturbing noises coming from his friend Ethel’s flat above him he is faced with a choice. Should he investigate? Would you?

You can read this, and other stories, including authors such as Lisa Hall, L.J. Ross and Steven Ross in the digital or paperback version of the book, or listen to it on audio if you’re brave enough.

Think you know Dark Minds? Think again…

Dark Minds is available from Amazon UK and Amazon US.

 

From Twitter friends to lifelong friends

Last January I was shaking with nerves as I walked into Cotes Brassiere in Covent Garden to meet up with a group of writers I only knew via Twitter (you can read about that here). What could have been an awkward meeting with these social media acquaintances was actually a fabulous lunch, and I left the restaurant that day with far more than a full stomach. I formed friendships that have deepened over the past few months. These women are not only talented writers, they too are juggling the pressures of raising a family, juggling a career, while trying to carve out precious time for working on manuscripts.

It seems incredulous that since our first encounter I have signed a book deal, published my debut novel The Sister. And I’m preparing for the publication of my second psychological thriller, The Gift, which will be released next month. Every step of the way from submissions to the edits and everything in-between, these phenomenal women have been my champions, my cheerleaders, and sometimes, my shoulders to cry on.

As lovely as my friends and family are, sometimes it takes another writer to fully understand the soaring highs and crushing lows of being an author, and having the support of other writers, offering to support other writers, has kept me grounded and given me the confidence to complete my second book.

For years I dreamed about the day I might hold my paperback in my hand and although that was certainly a high point of this year, the best bit of becoming an author without a doubt have been the people I have met, both online and off-line. Readers and writers, all united by our love of stories.

And I am incredibly grateful to call this amazing group of ladies my friends; Jane Isaac, Lucille Grant, Karen Coles, Tina Death, Ruby Speechley, Fiona Mitchell, Debra Brown, Jo Hogan, Kerry Fisher.

 

My first launch; The good, the bad & the cake

 

Saturday was sweltering, and as we drove to the location I’d booked for my launch party for my stomach churned with nerves. Would the room be too small? Too hot? Would I be expected to do a speech? Would I faint?

‘Not Just Words’ is a quirky bookstore in Kettering, Northants. It’s packed full of books, as you’d expect but also instruments, games and is such a great place to hang out. Jacob, the super talented pianist I’d hired, arrived alittle after us and the shop was soon filled with music as we set up the room.

 

It was a frantic hour pumping up balloons, trying to arrange the alcohol without drinking it all, and once again, I couldn’t have done it without my amazing husband, Tim.

I was overwhelmed by the love and support I received. Being a mum has always been so rewarding and I’m immensely proud of my three boys. To hear my 21 year old son, who never reads fiction, declare he’d finished my book the night before and it was ‘better than the TV’ was one of the greatest moments of my life.

Kim Nash, Marketing and Social Media Manager from Bookouture, and now a very dear friend, travelled to support me and gave a lovely speech written by my editor Lydia. It was super exciting to hear Kim read out snippets of reviews and chart positions. It’s phenomenal The Sister reached the top ten in the UK, US and Canada within days of its release and so nice to have made my mum and sister proud.

I was so pleased to be able to share my evening with Louise Walters and Jane Isaac. Louise was my mentor via the WoMentoring Project. I really do feel incredibly grateful to her and don’t think I’d be published today without her guidance at the beginning of my writing process. Jane was always at the end of the phone to answer my many, many questions about publishing.

Having the two best friends a girl could ever have by my side (Natalie Brewin and Sarah Wade I’m looking at you) was the icing on what was an extremely tasty cake.

The evening was fabulous, and one I’ll always remember. I even summoned up the courage to make a speech.

Thanks so much to everyone who has supported me during the journey of publishing my debut novel – friends, family, readers, writers and reviewers – tt means such a lot xx

How I am (not) preparing for publication

 

Life has been fraught recently. My youngest son has been off school for 3 weeks with Glandular Fever, my eldest son’s girlfriend has moved in, and amongst everything I’ve been frantically editing book two.

It came as a shock yesterday evening to receive a flurry of texts from my sister; ‘Have you hired wine glasses for your book launch?’ ‘Have you bought sparkling wine for the toast?’ ‘Have you sorted out the food?’

I knew, of course, The Sister was creeping towards its publication date but I’ve been so busy, aside from booking a venue weeks ago I haven’t actually done anything, except, to the delight of my husband, sample lots of wine in the evenings – hmm this one is nice but I won’t make a decision today, we’ll try another tomorrow.

Now there is only; Two. Days. To. Go. until my launch party.

This morning I’ve been glued to the phone, trying to source a cake, magenta and black balloons, napkins and plates to co-ordinate with my book cover and I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve said ‘Yes. I appreciate I have left it late…’.

I may have to scale back my elaborate plans but at least I know of a decent white wine, or should I give the red another try…

 

The Sister is out tomorrow in paperback, digital format and audio book. The digital is still available for the special price of 0.99 Over from Amazon UK or Amazon US. 

 

 

Why I dreaded my audiobook…

At first when I discovered The Sister was also going to be an audio book I was jumping-up-and-down-excited. I love listening to stories in the car and was flooded with impatience to hear mine.

That is until I curled up on the sofa one evening last week and watched the film adaptation of a book I loved. It was terrible. the casting was wrong and I hated every single second of it. The stomach rolling anticipation I’d felt waiting for my book to be recorded morphed into a gnawing anxiety. I felt sick at the thought of my characters being in the hands of a complete stranger.

Would she give them weird accents? Would they sound aggressive? Too hard? Too soft? Would the tension be nail biting? The emotion shine through?

Today I’ve been sent the audio file, narrated by Natalie Blass, and my hand was shaking with dread as I pressed play. The urge to protect the characters I’d spent every day with for the past year was overwhelming.

Within the first few minutes of listening I felt my shoulders relax. Natalie has a beautiful tone to her voice and has captured the essence of the book perfectly.

I’m thrilled with the result, and so, so grateful to everyone involved in the making.

 

 

 

 

 

Why a book review changed my life

 

As a child, when the school reports were handed out, my stomach churned with anxiety. It’s not that I was a bad student, but I was very shy and this was something teachers were quick to point out. Every. Single. Year.

‘Louise has a good grasp of English but doesn’t join in the class debates, and needs to…’

‘Louise excels at maths but is very quiet in class, and needs to…’

‘Louise produces some excellent work but fails to put her hand up, and needs to….’

 But. But. But. And it didn’t matter how much I studied, the exams I passed, or the homework I always (nearly always) handed in on time. It was never enough. I was never enough. There was always a ‘but’ no matter how hard I tried. My results were good but my personality was always in question and my fragile confidence shrunk year after year, and the more I was told to speak up, the more insular I became.

Last month when my debut novel ‘The Sister,’ went out to Book Bloggers I was literally shaking with fear, and for days and days I couldn’t face seeing if there were reviews. I was writing my second novel and I knew I should look and take anything constructive and use it to improve my writing, so I took a deep breath, and logged on to Goodreads and clicked on a review which said: –

‘The Sister is Louise Jensen’s first novel but shows the maturity of a writer who is already very skilled at her craft.’ ‘Louise’s writing style captivated me instantly. I could hear and see each scene as it unfolded.’

So that was the good bit and I read on waiting for the ‘but….’ and ‘she needs to….’ but there wasn’t one and I’m not ashamed to admit I cried. Throughout this process I’d felt that if one person enjoyed reading Grace’s story it would all be worthwhile and suddenly it all was. Not everyone will like my story I know. Not all my reviews will be glowing, but that’s ok.

Publishers and authors talk about how important reviews are in terms of sales, of getting your name out there but I never thought they could have such an impact on the way I feel about myself.

The reviews have eradicated the memory of sitting, hands trembling, while my Mum sliced open the envelope containing my school report. That feeling of never being enough. I finally feel that I might be, just the way I am.

 

 

Meeting via Twitter – #Writers

 

It was strange to travel from Northampton to London yesterday, to have lunch with a bunch of people I’d never met before.

It wasn’t until I walked into the restaurant hoping I ‘d recognise someone, anyone from their Twitter photo, panic flooded through me. This could be a disaster. The temptation to run out the door and head to Oxford Street to do a bit of shopping instead was immense.

Instead I shrugged my coat off, summoned a smile, and wondered whether it was too early to start drinking.

Within seconds any tension I’d felt dissipated. Everyone was far lovelier than I’d hoped and understood, in a way my non-writer friends can’t, the joy of finishing a novel, the wrench of leaving characters behind, the fear of starting something new and the feeling of falling in love all over again when writing another book.

The hours flashed by without any awkward silences at all. I came away feeling super inspired and I can’t wait to do it again.

It was so lovely to meet you Karen Coles, Kerry Fisher, Lucille Grant, Jane Isaac, Tina Death, Ruby Speechley, and Jo Hogan.

And a big thanks to Debra Brown for arranging it all.