#186: Listen to This While Doing Something That Brings You Joy
We’ve finally made it — the last episode of 2023. As always, thank you for listening and being curious along with me as I meet new folks and have a grand ol’ time diving into the cool things they’re doing. There’s a lot more to come in 2024, and I’ll be back with the new season on February 7. For now, let’s wrap up this season in style!
Jennifer Chen is a writer and the author of Artifacts of an Ex, a book that, as we’ll learn in the episode, is 14 years in the making. Jennifer is also the creator of Joy Ride, a lovely newsletter that highlights some of the brighter spots in life. And with the way 2023 went for a lot of us, that’s something we could all use.
We’re talking about Jennifer’s writing journey and how she helps herself focus, what surprised her about her book launch day, and her favorite Ted Lasso episodes.
Highlights of our conversation
The first thing Jennifer ever wrote. (2:04)
How Jennifer has reflected on releasing her debut book, Artifacts of an Ex, and whether having a two-book deal has created extra pressure on the second book. (3:04)
A look inside the writing journey and what Jennifer learned from her previous writing. (5:59)
Ways to avoid getting bogged down while you’re writing. (7:34)
How Jennifer celebrated her launch day. (11:07)
The importance of making dialogue authentic for a young adult audience. (15:45)
Why Jennifer started her Joy Ride newsletter and why she’s focused more on organic growth instead of rapid growth. (17:36)
Organizations that Jennifer loves to support, including WriteGirl and I Support the Girls. (22:23)
Jennifer’s top Ted Lasso episodes. (24:52)
Where to find Jennifer Chen
Pick up a copy of Artifacts of an Ex from the Jennifer Chen website or your local indie bookstore.