SPECIAL Edition
December 20, 2022
Welcome to the Prickle Forrest Chronicles, Jessica Butler!
It’s wonderful you could take the time to share with the Pricklers a bit about you and your writing.
First, where are you from? How long have you been writing? What book is this for you? First? Second? Or too many it’s hard to remember?
Hey everyone! I was born and raised in New Jersey but have been residing in Pennsylvania for over 15 years. I’ve always been an avid reader but didn’t take up writing until the beginning of quarantine in 2020. “Sweet Pear” is my first book and I’m currently working on the sequel!
What type of romance do you write? What romances do you love to read? Do you have a favorite romance author that inspires you?
I write cozy Romance/Mystery novels that make you think. I love to read romance books that make me feel all of the emotions. Tears, laughter, anger, sadness … give me all of it! One of my favorite romance authors is Sally Thorne. I read “The Hating Game” many years ago and her characters just stuck with me.
In brief, tell us about your book, Sweet Pear.
Elle Elverson, a mostly happily married, successful writer, wakes up one morning with a man other than her husband, Ryan, lying next to her. The kicker is that she knows who this man is. It’s none other than the one who broke her heart and soul whom she hasn’t spoken to in many years. Her ex-boyfriend, Josh Wilson.
With the help of her best friend, Gwen, she’s on a mission to recover the missing pieces of what happened, what life she’s entered, and whom does she really desire to be in it?
Is the grass really greener on the other side, or is it simply artificial?
When you received your first copy of your newly published book, Sweet Pear how did you feel? Did you flood social media with a book selfie? Celebrate with Champagne? Chocolate? Or pass out?
The feeling of holding my published book was so surreal. I immediately cozied up in fluffy blankets to read it over again. To feel the actual pages, reading the words knowing they came from me but having the ability to step outside myself as a writer and view it as a reader was wild! I celebrated with pinot noir (my fave) and went on a family beach vacation to the Outerbanks.
When you’re stuck with a scene, how do you resolve the trouble? Take a shower? Call your writing pals? Reenact the scene with your significant other?
I read it out loud. Sometimes hearing it come out of my mouth helps me feel as if I am the character. When that happens the conversations can flow easier and sometimes they lead you into unexpected territory you hadn’t originally planned. That’s the best when they take you by surprise!
Besides your computer, what can be found on your writing desk? Pictures of a hunky guy? Gorgeous woman? Coffee? Popcorn? Craft books? Empty wine glass? Chocolate? The latest issue of Vogue? The Writer’s Magazine? Or maybe a fluffy fur ball? In other words, what helps you write?
I have candles that I like to light when I’m writing (gardenia scented ones are my fave) and I will always have some kind’ve beverage whether it’s coffee in the morning or a glass of white or red wine in the evening. I like to set the scene so music is always playing as well.
What type of character populates the majority of your pages? What’s your favorite trope to read and write? After you’ve written your novel, ever get stunned by the fact that you wrote it?
I like to write about the “perfectly imperfect” character. The one who is “flawed” but also isn’t afraid to share their vulnerabilities. I like to read enemies to lovers and love triangle tropes so it’s no wonder that my favorites to write are also those. Yes, reading your own novel is such a cool feeling. Sometimes when you write you’re so “in the zone” that you forget some of the wording. One of the coolest feelings is to separate yourself as the writer and enjoy your words and story.
If you write the hotter romances, when’s the best time for you to write those scenes? Does the writing come natural or do you make yourself blush? Have your parents stopped answering your calls? Buy you a gold-plated keyboard? Or have they signed you up for sex counseling classes?
Haha; this one made me laugh. “Sweet Pear” is a little on the sweeter side rather than full spice but the sequel is making up for it. I do have moments where I blush of course but I think that also comes from developing crushes on the characters, (it happens). Music sets the tone for me for writing those kinds of scenes. I also like to envision the story as if I’m watching a movie.
So, say you want to do a box set with two other romance authors, who would you choose? What romance trope would you write?
I would choose Sally Thorne and Alessandra Torre. It would have a nice blend of sweet & spicy. I would write an enemies to lovers trope for sure.
If someone were to make a movie based on your book, which actors would play the leading roles?
I actually have a Pinterest board made up for this! For the lead female role of Elle, I would have Kaley Cuoco play the part. For the lead male character, I would have either Lucas Bravo or Joshua Jackson. As long as they have dimples; I’m sold!
Where can we find your book…
Where do you socialize……
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078420572227
Twitter:
Instagram: handle is @jessicat_xo
Pintrist: https://pin.it/5rq2suY
Tiktok: @jessicabutlerauthor
Rumble:
YouTube:
Other:
Big –big thanks to Jessica Butler for taking the time to travel into the Prickle Forrest and share a bit about your writing and Sweet Pear. And much thanks to our readers who make it all possible.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
Please don’t hesitate to comment, but better yet, check out (Jessica Butler’s newest release at Amazon.com/author/jessicabutler
Enjoy!
Chrissy Hartmann
Prickle Forrest LLC
All Rights Reserved December 2022
PrickleForrestChronicles By Chrissy Hartmann 