Emma left her career in corporate law to pursue her passion for criminal defense, but she can’t seem to catch a break. So when she lands an interview at a small law firm, she’s more than thrilled. But she has no idea what she’s in for.

A Life Filled With Multiple Sclerosis, Moments & Memories
Emma left her career in corporate law to pursue her passion for criminal defense, but she can’t seem to catch a break. So when she lands an interview at a small law firm, she’s more than thrilled. But she has no idea what she’s in for.
3. Do you have any suggestions to help budding authors become better writers?
If so, what are they? I have four main ones: 1. Read and read and read, in your
chosen genre and almost anything. You learn from reading what you like and good
literature as well as what doesn’t work. Read classics to see why their stories
have endured even if the language use seems outdates. You are searching to
develop your own writer voice. 2. Also, a good usage book on your desk is key.
Many modern writers today use their computers for dictionary-thesaurus searches
but I prefer the break looking things up in a book gives me. It clears my head.
And a usage book that’s well indexed is a great companion. Right now I’m
recommending Benjamin Dreyer’s DREYER’S ENGLISH to everyone. It’s compact and
filled with delightful footnotes, so it’s a pleasure to read and to consult. 3.
Find a writing critique buddy or join a writing group. You can find one online
if you can’t find anyone near you. It’s helpful to have a good critique partner
who knows the bones of writing and can provide honest feedback. If you are
truly a beginner, take a course first to get the basics down. 4. Write. it
doesn’t matter what, it doesn’t matter how long. Write about waht you see out
the window. Write a character study you envision and may work into a future
story. Write a setting that pleases you, and use all your senses in its
description. Write when you can and don’t dismiss even ten snatched minutes as
worthwhile. The idea of writing soon becomes ingrained and more natural. Don’t
look at a large project at first; it’s too daunting. Start small and work your
way up and you will use all of that early writing at some point. And don’t
forget to always carry a small notebook around with you. It’s useful for
jotting down ideas that hit you in the grocery story or when you’re out
driving. If you hear a snatch of great conversation, write it down. Writers are
sponges; soak up what is realistic in order to create your own world.
4. Where do you get information and ideas for your books?
I write two mystery series, one set in Manhattan
and one in England, so setting is always a starting point for me. The place
where a murder is set becomes its own character and lends itself to where my
characters will go and what they do. Since I have recurring characters, why is
Nora or Trudy in this place? Then I go to the end and figure out who will be
murdered and why. I work my back from that point and fill in the characters,
subplots, motives. I do some research before I start out but only have a vague
idea of the ‘muddled middle’ when I do and do other research as it comes up.
The idea for the actual murder usually comes from some human emotion in
overdrive: jealousy, revenge, greed, even twisted love. I do keep a file with
interesting news articles or things torn from magazines to spur ideas. The best
ones come from reality.
Parents to four wonderful children, Jerry and Stephanie Jaeger enjoy working together as J.S. Jaeger to write uplifting, entertaining stories.
Jerry overcame bullying to earn his black belt in Kempo Karate. He served as a special agent for the FBI and currently works as a prosecutor.
Stephanie ran her own accounting practice for several years before turning her focus to writing Scrolls of Zndaria with Jerry.
Together, they are excited to bring readers of all ages into the magical world of Zndaria.
3. Do you have any suggestions to help budding authors become better writers?
If so, what are they? Start writing. The only guarantee in writing is that if
you don’t start, you won’t finish. Your first draft will probably sound awful
and not even resemble what’s in your head. That’s perfectly normal. We call
this our vomit draft. You have to get it on paper so you can rework it.
4. Where do you get information and ideas for your books? Jerry develops the story
as he runs, bikes, and drives. He first started developing the idea when he was
finishing the last book of the Harry Potter series.
When a small planes crashes behind Jase’s rural home, the ghost of the pilot
begins to haunt him. Jase can’t figure out what to do until the day he sees his
classmate, Stevie-girl, enter the legendary haunted house. That’s when he
decides if anyone can help him solve the mystery, she’s the one.