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Do you like Women's Fiction? How about books that feature characters in their forties or older? Our guest author today, Jen Dodrill, has just what you're looking for. See why she's recently switched this new genre and what she hopes it will bring readers.  I recently made the switch from writing cozy mysteries to publishing women’s fiction. In my cozies, I get to be an amateur sleuth (don’t all authors live vicariously through their characters?). Women’s fiction is a whole new ball game. Some basic differences in cozies and women’s fiction:
For instance, in a cozy, I might be figuring out which culprit had the motive and opportunity. In women’s fiction, I dig into why a woman walked away or made that choice, etc. Both genres offer differences and similarities. I like to write about women ages 45+. Women who have lived enough life to carry both regret and wisdom, who are still growing, still becoming, still asking, “What now? What’s next?” Those questions look different for every woman. For some, it comes after loss. For others, it shows up in the middle of an ordinary day when they realize they want more or something different. Those are the stories I’m drawn to telling, because they reflect real life in a way that feels honest and hopeful. At the end of the day, both genres remind us of something important: no matter our age or our past, there’s always more to uncover and more growth ahead. To my cozy mystery lovers, don’t worry. I still love a good mystery, and I have another series in my back pocket. These days, though, the clues are a little more emotional than criminal. I include a bit of romance in my cozies, but it’s not much. Same for my women’s fiction. There might be the possibility, but the focus is more on my main character and where she’s headed both physically and emotionally. I love exploring how my character will change. Our lives are never static (can I get an Amen!). Seasons shift, relationships evolve, and sometimes the life we thought we’d have looks nothing like the one we’re living. That’s where we find the richest stories—in the middle of the mess, the waiting, the unexpected turns. There’s no reason my characters’ lives should be any different. Things happen – good, bad, and in between. Sometimes it’s actually those boring times that characters do their best pondering. So, why did I make the switch to a different genre? Experience, mostly. There came a point where solving a mystery wasn’t quite enough for me as a writer. I found myself lingering on the quieter moments, the conversations, the regrets, the things left unsaid. I wanted to explore what happens after the big events, when a woman is left to pick up the pieces and decide who she wants to be. Plus, the opportunity and desire to share hope in the hard times. I wanted to spend more time with my characters and understand what shaped them, what hurt them, and what healing might look like for them. As a woman well past 45, I’ve lived through some pretty tough life experiences, seen second chances (and offered them), and found resilience and strength. Writing women’s fiction provides me with the chance to offer real, concrete ideas to help people grow and find support. I don’t usually read nonfiction, but I will pick up a women’s fiction book and dive headfirst into the wonderful, crazy world of real life. And that’s what I hope my readers will find in my books, stories that remind them they’re not alone, and that even in the hardest seasons, change and hope are still possible.  Finding Ginny A heartwarming multigenerational drama about addiction, forgiveness, and a grandmother’s fight for custody. Kat Johnson is a widowed elementary school teacher living a quiet life in Virginia Beach—until her estranged daughter returns after eight years, leaves behind a six-year-old granddaughter Kat never knew existed, and disappears. Ginny is frightened, vulnerable, and desperate for stability. Kat opens her home and her heart, knowing Becky is still battling drug addiction and could come back for Ginny at any time. As summers pass and Ginny keeps returning, their bond grows stronger—but Becky’s relapses grow more dangerous. When Becky vanishes, and Ginny is taken across state lines, Kat must fight for custody of the child who has become her world. Facing a failing heart, a painful family history, and impossible legal odds, Kat turns to her faith, her friends, and a strength she never knew she had. In a battle between addiction and love, only one can win.  Jen Dodrill brings inspiration and hope to life through the pages of her books, telling heartfelt stories that shine in both good and challenging times. A mother of five and a proud grandma, she writes cozy mysteries, romantic suspense, and women’s fiction—fueled by her love of reading and all things coffee. Learn more at jendodrillwrites.com.
Connect with Jen on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest @jendodrillwrites.
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This is a place for me to tell you about what I'm writing, talk about the process or where some of my ideas came from, or even have other authors come in and talk about their books.
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