Author Jenny Danson Reveals the Messy Reality Behind Writing Her Novels
Jenny Danson, an author who has published two novels and is currently working on a third, shares her candid experience of writing a book, contrasting it with the romanticized image often portrayed in films. Initially imagining herself as a brooding writer typing furiously in a book-lined study, she quickly realized the actual process was far less glamorous and more chaotic. Despite the abundance of advice promoting structured outlines and rapid writing schedules, Danson approached her work pragmatically by breaking the task into manageable daily goals, aiming to write at least 500 words per day.
Danson's writing process often began without a clear plot or structure. Instead, she focused on developing characters, such as Mani Kaplan, the protagonist of her latest novel "It’s Not What I Wanted," published recently by Kinneret-Zmora. Mani is an Instagram star married to a charismatic relationship guru, and Danson knew she wanted to explore themes of betrayal but had no detailed plan beyond that. She embraced a flexible approach, writing scenes as inspiration struck and using techniques like writing irrelevant scenes to maintain momentum, a strategy she learned from author Emily Henry.
Through continuous writing, Danson deepened her understanding of her characters and their relationships, allowing the story to evolve organically. She acknowledges that many scenes will never be published but are essential to discovering the narrative. Danson emphasizes the importance of persistence and momentum over perfection, advising aspiring writers to start writing without waiting for the perfect plan. She notes that every writer’s process is unique, and for her, the key is to keep writing daily and not become overly attached to any particular text, as even discarded passages may inspire future stories.
Danson’s experience highlights the unpredictable and personal nature of writing, encouraging others to begin their own projects with patience and openness to the creative journey.
