Jenny Hansen

California

Writer. LinkedIn Jedi. Copywriter. Co-founder of the award-winning Writers In The Storm. Loves #coffee, dogs & family. #SocialMedia #MoreCowbell.

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Articles

How (and Why) To Define a Strong Author Brand

1 week ago | writersinthestormblog.com | Jenny Hansen

by Jenny HansenMy day job involves helping businesses clearly define their brand, so they can turn their stories into money and clients. And do you want to know the most common request people approach me with? "Can you help with my marketing?" *shakes head* This is a common thread among businesspeople AND authors. Branding and marketing are two very different things, and yet I see people mix them up all the time. Even worse, they try to put the least important of the two at the front of the line.
A Spring Gift from WITS: Share Your First Lines!

1 month ago | writersinthestormblog.com | Jenny Hansen

Every so often, we open the doors of WITS to our readers. It's our version of Open Mic Night where you get to take the stage. We like hearing what you're up to in your writing and, since we just made the turn into Spring, it seems like a great time to hear about new beginnings. Today, we'd love to hear your first lines for a new manuscript or short story. If that sounds daunting, give us the first line of your new chapter, or the first line of one of your favorite books.
Some Keys to Achieving Confidence in Your Writing

1 month ago | writersinthestormblog.com | Jenny Hansen

by Jenny HansenGaining confidence is often difficult in many areas of our life, but for creatives, confidence might feel exceptionally hard. We create something tangible out of our own imaginations. Our "something" is typically judged by others as valuable vs not valuable. Creatives rarely know in advance how our creations will be received. We begin our creative journey with whatever gifts are innate, but then we have to build upon them. We spend weeks or months planning a project.
Crafting Characters Using the 7 Types of Listening

2 months ago | writersinthestormblog.com | Jenny Hansen

by Jenny HansenIt's hard to listen in a world like ours. Between phones and socials and the 24/7 television cycle, we live in a fairly overwhelming world. Yet so much value comes to us, and to our characters, if we all take the time to learn the true art of listening. Listening was so important to me that I took a class on it last year. (The One Philosophy by Nancy Matthews.) It was illuminating on both a writing and a personal level. While I had a lot of takeaways, the biggest were about listening.
Book Structure for Disorganized Writers

2 months ago | writershelpingwriters.net | Jenny Hansen

A while back, I shared a post at WHW about Scene Writing, and why it’s such a valuable tool for writers (especially those like me, whose brains get easily overwhelmed by details). This post also shares my tricks for keeping a story organized even if you have a disorganized brain or process. Like underpants, writing process is personal. You’ll find out what fits YOU the best by trying it on for size.
Writer's Block vs Turkey Block

Nov 22, 2024 | writersinthestormblog.com | Jenny Hansen

by Jenny HansenNovember is here, which means our American Thanksgiving is at the end of the month. In other words, the holidays are upon us, which often leads to stress for writers. Over the years, I have noticed a remarkable similarity between Writer's Block and the Dreaded Turkey Block. I'll share my story, and let y'all decide. I am late in reserving my organic grass-fed turkey this year. (Yes, I know.
5 Valuable Writing Lessons from Dry Socket

Oct 23, 2024 | writersinthestormblog.com | Jenny Hansen

by Jenny HansenI had a tooth pulled last month -- my very first -- and it did not go well. I had pain, nausea, swelling, and all those apparently usual things. Three or four days later, the pain went from about a four or five out of ten to “someone is chiseling my face from my jaw to my eyeball with a rusty drill bit.” I'd developed something called Dry Socket,Frankly, when my primary care doctor texted me that term, I thought he'd gotten autocorrected. I had no idea what he was talking about.
Double The Love at WITS, Fall Edition

Sep 25, 2024 | writersinthestormblog.com | Jenny Hansen

Since the beginning here at Writers in the Storm, we've been all about spreading the love. And every so often, we throw the doors open for some shameless self-promotion opportunities for our readers. Our only requirement for those glorious days -- formerly called "Pimp & Promote" — is that they double the love and promote someone else's work alongside their own. Today's event will give us all the opportunity to share great resources and celebrate our own successes.
Writing 101: What The Heck Is a Turning Point?

Aug 16, 2024 | writersinthestormblog.com | Jenny Hansen

by Jenny HansenWhen I first began writing, a lot of common writing terms and quotes made no sense to me. Maybe you felt that way too. I'd have running commentary in my head about point of view, dialogue, turning points. Because seasoned professionals said smart things about writing and I had no frame of reference for most of it. Write what you know. (I don't know ANYTHING.) Show, don't tell. (I'm writing a book...don't I HAVE to tell the story?) Tension on every page! (What kind of tension?
WHY Do We Do This Writing Thing?

Jul 22, 2024 | writersinthestormblog.com | Jenny Hansen

by Jenny HansenA while back, my pal Julie Glover asked this question on social media: "Fellow writers, why do you write?" There were easy answers like joy, entertainment, discovery. And one writer who said, "The books I most want to read are not yet written, so I must write them. —paraphrasing Toni Morrison.."One person said, "Writing is an adventure!"But many writers haven't nailed their motivation down. I've always written. I don't know why. I've just been compelled to tell stories my entire life.