We recently had the pleasure of hosting international bestselling author J.L. Witterick on The Writing Community Chat Show, a show recently ranked among the top 10 writing podcasts in the UK. In a wide-ranging and insightful conversation, Jennifer, a master of emotional depth and compelling narratives, shared her journey from a high-stakes career in finance to becoming a globally recognized author. The interview offered a glimpse into her creative process and the powerful themes of her work.Check out her website here.From Finance to Fiction: A Journey of PassionJL Witterick's career path is a story of its own. She was a successful professional in the investment world, even co-founding her own firm, before a documentary inspired her to make a life-altering change. She revealed that her motivation stemmed from the profound emotional connection her books created with readers, a feeling she found more meaningful than the world of finance. Her belief that "anyone can learn to do anything if they want it badly enough" is a powerful message for aspiring writers from any background. Her debut novel, My Mother's Secret, was a testament to this, becoming a worldwide sensation and being translated into 10 languages.The Creative Process: Authenticity and EmotionDuring our chat, JL offered some invaluable advice for other authors. She emphasized that her writing is driven by passion rather than strategy, and that every story, regardless of genre, must feel authentic and be well-researched. She believes the key to a successful novel is creating characters that readers truly care about. She also revealed that her next novel, Stronger, is about 80% complete and is based on a true story from Taiwan. When asked for her most important advice to writers, she offered a classic truth: "everyone's first draft is shit," reminding everyone that perseverance is key.Exploring "The Truth"The conversation also delved into her latest book, You Can't Take the Truth, a young adult dystopian romance. JL described the novel as being about the "transformational power of love." The story is set in a society where people use a dream-inducing drug called "The Truth" to escape their mundane reality. She explained that the love story between the main characters, Flo and Day, serves as the anchor for the plot, which explores themes of appearance versus reality. Her writing style is fast-paced and focuses on the core identity of her characters, making her books accessible and engaging for a broad audience. The book is available now on Amazon. BUY IT HERE.Watch the interview here! Or head over to YouTube. Please consider liking the video, leaving comments, and subscribing. It will help like-minded people find us.📢 A Word from Our Sponsor – Amazon KDPWe’re thrilled to have Amazon KDP sponsoring The Writing Community Chat Show! KDP gives authors the tools to self-publish eBooks and paperbacks and reach readers all over the world. Whether you’re just starting out or already have a few books under your belt, KDP makes it possible to share your story without giving up creative control. They are running the Amazon Kindle Storyteller Award which is an incredible opportunity to win some rediculous prizes. Including £20,000. Simply by adding a keyword as you upload your manuscript to KDP. Watch the video to find out more.Enter here!💙 Support Our Non-Profit CICAs many of you know, The Writing Community Chat Show is now officially a non-profit Community Interest Company (CIC). Our mission is to support authors and creatives through interviews, workshops, competitions, and community projects.Running the show takes time, effort, and resources — from live streaming and editing, to event hosting and outreach. If you enjoy what we do and want to help us continue providing a platform for authors, please consider donating directly to our PayPal. Every contribution goes right back into growing the show and supporting the writing community.📌 Donate here: PayPal.me/TheWritingCommunityEven the price of a coffee makes a difference in helping us keep the lights on, the mics live, and the conversations flowing.
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