Jenny Allen is an amazing talent. I met her in a critique group because I wanted some female eyes to look at a story I was working on.
Yet another reason to join a critique group. More on that HERE
She had written a fantasy story – I hate fantasies – and I grudgingly returned the favor and looked at her story. Worse, it was three or four chapters in, so I was bound to be completely lost. *Dread*. But oh well, we have to do what we have to do.
I was immediately hooked.
A man diagnosed with schizophrenia, who has been in and out of mental institutions, discovers his delusions are real.
Whoa, what’s that gotta be like, thinking all the crazy stuff in your head actually happened?
From there, it turns out that this is part of an epic fantasy that she’s been writing for a few years, so it was a finished first draft, a real beginning-to-end-with-a-middle story.
And a really good one.
After a few chapters, I was a fan.
After a few more, I volunteered to help get it published.
Volunteered. As in, for no money. It’s that good.
Don’t take my word for it. Lower you expectations and let me persuade her to put up a sample chapter or two soon. Give her your thoughts. But trust me when I tell you, this is something special.
Enjoy the ride with me as this new author starts a blog and a twitter account and finishes a novel – something a lot of you are going to do. Follow along for the ups and down of the real life struggle to become a published author, as she tells you what she’s going through every step of the way.
Here’s the blog link
Here’s her Twitter handle @JenstraAllen
When you see where all this is in six months, you’ll wonder how she did it. So will I. but that’s the vibe I get from this thing.
When you find a writer who’s better than you are, you don’t get jealous, you tell the world.
Stay tuned.
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Dan Alatorre is the author of several bestsellers and the hilarious upcoming novel “Poggibonsi: an italian misadventure.” Check out his other works HERE.
DAN ALATORRE 
6 replies on “New Author Profile: Jenny Allen”
Wow! This is great!
Thanks so much, Dan. Before I joined our critique group I was strictly a closet writer. Your encouragement has really been outstanding.
I am blogging and tweeting, and in a few short months, I expect to have a finished (awesome) book in my hands!
This is a great example of the impact a good critique partner can have, not only on an author’s work, but their business perspective, too.
Thank you😊
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Yours is a great fantasy story coupled with a good personal story (the author’s actual story) that readers are going to be captivated by, too. They will see that, and everyone will be pulling for you!
As for me, I was impressed with the story, impressed with the writing, and impressed with your sense of humor and your work ethic. Whatever crits wrote, you assessed it and wanted to improve. Somebody recently told me that I’m that way, too, so I guess I appreciate it in others. You’re not shy to point things out in my stories that need to be fixed, either.
That honesty and appreciation of the process is what will carry you, and finding a few helpful friends along the way makes it all a little easier.
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[…] Author Page, he sent people over to like it. When I started Scribbles on Cocktail Napkins, he ran a new author profile on me and linked it to my blog. He’s critiqued every one of my chapters, and it’s his […]
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What do I think? (asks me WordPress here…). That you´re both brilliant enough to be helping others, like me and other followers, sharing your time, effort and knowledge with us. Thanks for your posts, for your writing news, for the hands you give when your write here. I always feel much identify with Jenny (not “some times”, but always!), and even with the language barrier for me, I get everything I can from you to learn. Every time I´m about to do something with my draft, my social media accounts, whatever, I receive you news, and there we go: DO YOU READ MINDS? Tell me how you do it ! 😉
I wish you THE BEST with your upcoming books and personal lives.
THANK YOU!
My hugs from Argentina.
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Such kind words. Thank you!
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[…] friend of mine recently wrote a post about staying motivated. She is what she referred to as an “aspiring” author. Personally, I consider her very good author; she’s just not published […]
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