A Visit With Author Jennifer Hallmark

Welcome to The Borrowed Book, Jennifer. We're delighted to have you with us. Have you always wanted to be an author? If not, what made you decide to write, and how long have you been at it? 

When I was nine, I received an “A” on a book of poetry I had written and illustrated as an English assignment. The first poem started, “My cat is fat.”  In the eighth grade, I won $5 in a poetry contest and realized I could possibly make money doing what I loved. I took my writing from hobby to career in 2006.

What do you love about being a writer, and what do you like the least? 

I love being able to express my deepest joys and sorrows through the written word. It’s therapy to me. I enjoy working with other writers and all the people I’ve met since I began. I dislike trying to explain to people face-to-face that I’m a writer.

Are you a plotter, a pantser, or a combination? 

Pantser. I tend to write scenes, in no particular order, then put it all together later. I have learned to do a little plotting. It became a necessity when I participated in NaNoWrMo, writing the rough draft for my latest book in a month.

What do your kids think about your being a writer? 

They know? Oh, I guess they do. I think deep down they’re proud of me, though its like pulling teeth to get them to read my stories. Maybe they are afraid of what they’ll find…

How do you get your best ideas? 

Writing Prompts. Our local writing group and online blog use writing prompts to spark ideas. My latest W.I.P. came from these prompts: Faded coveralls, baseball cap, and wedding dress designer. 

Writing is a sedentary occupation. What do you do for exercise? 

Does shopping count? Seriously, when I first started writing, I did nothing different. I soon realized I needed a way to combat the long hours in the chair. I now do thirty minutes of low impact aerobics five days a week, and also ride an exercise bike.

Do you have any pets? Do you own them, or they you? 

We have a Basset Hound named Max. My husband, Danny, and I both spoil him, especially since we’re now empty nesters. We have to keep him outside because of my dog hair allergy, however.

What fun fact would you like your readers to know about you? 

I love football and actually played intramural flag football in college. I never miss an Alabama game (Roll Tide!) and follow the Atlanta Falcons and Peyton Manning. I’ve considered joining a fantasy football league, but don’t really have enough time to dedicate to it.

Thanks for having me on the Borrowed Book!

Our pleasure, Jennifer!

Jennifer Hallmark: writer by nature, artist at heart, and daughter of God by His grace. She loves to read

detective fiction from the Golden Age, watch movies like LOTR, and play with her two precious granddaughters. At times, she writes. Jennifer and her husband, Danny, have spent their married life in Alabama and have a basset hound, Max.

Check out her website, connect with her by Email, on Facebook (here's her Facebook author’s page), Twitter or Pinterest.

And don't forget to stop by tomorrow, when you can enter to win a free copy of Jennifer's latest release, a collaboration with eleven other authors entitled A Dozen Apologies!