7 Enjoyable Information About Me by writer Jen Craven

27 February 2026

Every writer has a backstory that shapes the tales they inform—and mine contains color-coded outlines, lengthy runs fueled by audiobooks, and a deep love of messy household drama. From my days instructing school to my present life writing full-time, these seven issues provide a peek behind the scenes at what evokes my books and the alternatives I make on the web page.

Author and former College instructor Jen Craven

1. I’m a proud plotter (and never even a bit sorry about it)

Before I write a single sentence, I map out my books from begin to end. I must know the place the story goes, who’s hiding what, and the way every part finally collides. Being a “pantser” sounds thrilling, however for me? Absolute chaos. Give me a color-coded define and a transparent ending any day.

2. I used to show school—and I nonetheless have a gentle spot for campus novels

Before turning to writing full-time, I taught larger schooling at a small liberal arts college. Those years left a mark (in one of the simplest ways). I like campus novels, and I pulled closely from my very own instructing expertise when writing my debut modern novel, Best Years of Your Life. There’s one thing about these excellent ivy partitions—the place secret lurk below the floor—that makes for nice storytelling.

3. I ran my first marathon final 12 months—and audiobooks received me by it

I’m a comparatively new runner, which makes the truth that I ran a marathon nonetheless really feel a bit surreal. I do plenty of my “reading” whereas operating, due to audiobooks. During the primary 18 miles of that marathon, I listened to Lessons in Chemistry. Highly advocate a compelling narrator when your legs are questioning your entire life selections.

4. Messy households are my favourite sort of fiction

I’m drawn to home dramas—particularly tales that dig into sophisticated household dynamics and the uncooked, unfiltered expertise of motherhood. Books like The Push reside rent-free in my head. If a novel makes me uncomfortable in that may’t-stop-thinking-about-it manner, I’m all in.

5. I like morally grey characters

I write the sorts of books that make readers pause and suppose, What would I do on this state of affairs? I’m much more focused on grey areas than clear-cut heroes or villains. Good individuals make dangerous selections. Sometimes they remorse them. Sometimes they double down. That rigidity—between intention, motion, and consequence—is the place character arcs and redemption actually come alive.

6. I’m an enormous library advocate

I get most of my studying materials from the library and infrequently purchase new books. Libraries really feel like sacred areas to me—free, accessible, and endlessly inspiring. My children love them too, and we’re weekly guests. There’s nothing higher than strolling out with a towering stack of books and nil guilt.

7. Yes, I dream of a display screen adaptation

Like most authors, I’ve a not-so-secret dream of seeing one among my books tailored for movie or TV. Watching characters I created step off the web page and onto a display screen? Unreal. I’d completely cry within the theater. Probably greater than as soon as.

Jen Craven’s newest novel

I struggle again tears as my greatest buddy clutches her son’s hand, the room silent apart from the low beep of his life help machine. I couldn’t bear it if this was my very own son. My pulse races as she slowly turns to me. “How could you let this happen?”

When my teenage son Miles and his greatest buddy Isaac ask to have a celebration at our home, I instantly agree—as a single mother, I’m used to creating the selections and they should let off steam. But later that evening after I’m woken by the blare of sirens and see blue lights streaking throughout the sky, I notice I’m residing each mother or father’s worst nightmare.

They mentioned they might keep within the storage. So why aren’t they there? Sprinting over to the lake on the backside of the backyard, my coronary heart pounding all I can suppose is, the place is my son? Is he harm? Then in horror, I watch as Isaac is pulled onto a stretcher.

Guilt crashes over me in waves as I battle to breathe. I by no means meant for any of this to occur, however I do know that is all my fault. I ought to by no means have left them. Beth trusted me to take care of her son and I already know that she’ll by no means forgive me.

As Isaac’s life hangs within the stability, I really feel a rising sense of panic. What if he by no means wakes up? And if he does, will he inform everybody what actually occurred that evening and tear our households aside ceaselessly?An unforgettable and emotional story about how one second can change our lives ceaselessly, and the way far we are going to go to guard those we love.

Perfect for followers of Diane Chamberlain, Jodi Picoult and Melissa Wiesner, and Loved by Female First Book Reviewer Natalie Key.

How Could You Let This Happen? by writer Jen Craven is launched twelfth March 2026

---

by Natalie key for www.femalefirst.co.uk