Side Effects

Why I Do It…

March 15, 2012 by Jen Barry, posted in Let's Get Serious, Side Effects

I suffer from Anxiety Disorder. Many people in my life would tell me that there’s no need to let everyone know that. There seems to be a certain stigma attached–like it’s something to be ashamed of. Yes, I know it’s a mental illness. I also know that I’m not alone. In fact, there are probably millions of people in the world who suffer from this particular disorder and have no idea. Many of the symptoms resemble those of simple stress, and others seem like general insomnia.

This is why I wrote Side Effects. I freely admit that I first wrote a fanfiction with the same theme a few years ago, but I had the desire to really explore the illness. Armed with the knowledge I gleaned through my own suffering and months of research, I started back at the beginning and set out to create new characters–namely Isaac, a teen boy who battles the disorder while trying to survive high school. I wanted people to know they’re not alone.

I’ve been told that this is a “niche” novel–that there aren’t enough people interested in this type of book to stock it on shelves. I don’t think this is true. While Anxiety Disorder may be the focus of the book, the overall message is one of hope and triumph. We see how true friendship can help the healing process. Most of all, readers can bask in the memory of their first love. These themes are appealing to a wide variety of people, to be sure. However, returning to the Anxiety Disorder argument, I think it’s safe to say there are plenty of teens and young adults experiencing the things Isaac faces in the book.

My ultimate goal when I wrote Side Effects was not to attempt success with a short story that had found a moderate readership online. I want people to know that this disorder is not something to be ashamed of. We should be able to tell people openly and honestly that we have Anxiety Disorder so that others might understand what we face on a daily basis. It is my fondest hope that those who have been too scared to seek help will find some courage in the pages and talk to someone about their panic attacks, nightmares, aches and pains, withdrawal from society, and crippling shyness. Without the freedom to speak about it, there is no way to find relief.

I do still experience anxiety attacks, though not as regularly as I once did. I’m now able to power through them without the aid of medication and live a very healthy life. I want this for everyone, and I hope that reading this book could be the first step toward finding the courage to talk to someone.

Taking Your Requests

February 15, 2012 by Jen Barry, posted in Books, Kingdom Series, Martin Sisters Publishing, Music, Side Effects

I feel like a radio DJ, taking requests for blog topics, but the truth is that I just didn’t know what to blog about. To my utter disappointment, Liam has followed his beer-making instructions step by step, so there have been no major mishaps. With nothing else to talk about, I had to ask on Twitter what people might want to read. My first request was to discuss some of my upcoming projects. This makes me happy. I love talking about what I’m working on.

First of all, I know that some people may be waiting to hear some news about The Kingdom and The Morning Star. There will be official news very soon, but I can tell you that the series will now be published through Martin Sisters Publishing. The first book has gone through a total re-edit, complete with some additional content – though not so much that anyone who has the first edition will miss out. While reworking the first book, I’ve also been working on the edits for The Morning Star so that the quality carries through the series. I hope people are still eager to learn more about Rioghan an Lily, and I’m so glad I have a chance to do this right through Martin Sisters.

There is also a follow up to Side Effects in the works. I’m seventy-five percent through with the first draft of Soundtrack. As with Side Effects, this novel will deal with teenagers who have very real problems. Though it’s not exactly a sequel, Isaac and Grace lovers will get to read some more about them through the eyes of new characters in the same universe. Becky Honeycutt and Travis Robinson, who were both mentioned briefly in the first novel, are teens from different social circles who take the time to learn more about each other. Travis, the popular, basketball-playing bully, suffers from ADHD–

We interrupt this program to bring you the news of a triumph in the kitchen. Jen Barry managed to create Chicken Parmesan for the tenth time without burning it. Her husband announced that it was “delish.”

We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog, already in progress.

–and Becky, the invisible girl, learns how to help him through his studies using music therapy. It’s been a lot of fun researching the disorder and getting to know these characters. I think people will love these new characters as much as they love Isaac and Grace, if not more.

I’ve also completed the first book in a new series, which will be called The Oracles of St. Ambrose. This series will focus on three teens with extraordinary powers and how they learn to trust their abilities and each other to solve mysteries. There’s already a page for it here on the site, so you can learn more about the first book, Going Under. I hope people will love Chase, Cinnamon, and Bryan as much as I do.

I’ve also got a few books for adults in the works, though these are moving a little more slowly. Jinx is the story of a ridiculously unlucky girl and how she learns to live with her misfortune and love in spite of it. I’m also constantly writing and rewriting a book set in my hometown of Oakdale. With factual elements and a fictional plot, the lines keep blurring too much for comfort. It’s a labor of love, and I won’t put it out there until I get it just right. Finally, there is a collaboration with an author friend, but that’s a secret.

With so much going through my head at any given moment, I often just spend my time with the character who is speaking the loudest. Sometimes I take six months to a year to finish the first draft of a project, and every once in a while, I sit down and write straight through one in a month. One thing is for sure; I have plenty to be going on with. I don’t imagine I’ll stop writing any time soon!

Side Effects Trailer

July 2, 2011July 5, 2011 by Jen Barry, posted in Books, Side Effects

The Making of a Book Trailer

June 30, 2011 by Jen Barry, posted in Artists, Books, Side Effects

I had every intention of blogging about Liam’s new weed trimmer, but after being assured divorce would be in my future if I wrote one word on the subject, I decided to avoid that topic. Instead, I bring you the making of a book trailer. After all, it’s relevant and interesting, and it saves my marriage. It’s a win all around.

From the moment the idea took root, I knew it was going to be a problem. Some fell into place immediately. I do happen to know the best photographer in Nashville, so lining up the true talent of the day was pretty easy. MD Laidlaw jumped on board the crazy train with me, and plans really kicked into gear. The storyboard was written, and then we had another brief roadblock. Enter AJ Ellington, an emerging musician and producer in the Nashville area, and the original score for Side Effects was introduced.

Those were actually the things I expected to be the hardest to take care of, especially since the talent necessary to cover those aspects of the trailer needed to be significant. Instead of struggles, I ended up working with some of the best possible artists. Where we really ran into trouble was finding a location for the shoot. We had models lined up back in April, but the first location fell through. We then had to wave goodbye to those models and start a new round. When the location fell through in May, I began to get a little antsy. My assistant, Sarah, jumped on the bandwagon and began calling every school within a fifty-mile radius to secure a location once and for all. The moment it was decided, we lost half of the models again.

With a song, a photographer, and a location, I knew we could make it work. We had the main characters cast and locked down, as well as some models secured to play school friends, so we were pretty sure we could do some tight shots and really pull it off. With that thought in mind, we pressed forward with determination. We might have failed.

We didn’t, however. Thursday night before the shoot, MD and I took a little trip to hear a songwriter she knows, and the whole thing turned around. First of all, he was fantastic, as well as the other two singers with whom he shared the stage. When we got the chance to talk to all of them after their round, we mentioned the photo shoot and our concerns. These wonderful, talented people stepped forward and volunteered to fill in the gaps. We ended up with five more participants for the shoot, and everything was looking up once more.

As you might expect, I woke to thunder on Saturday. Go figure. With a call out to some Twitter friends to perform an anti-rain dance, I went on with the show. Faith is an amazing thing. Would you believe the last drop of rain fell the moment the first model pulled into the parking lot at the shoot location? Not only that, but the sun came out from behind the clouds right on cue throughout the day. With failure after failure leading up to the day of the shoot, we ended up with the best group of models we could have asked for, the most perfect weather possible, and a great location that offered plenty of options for photo sets.

I can’t wait to show you the final product, because I know it will blow you away. In the meantime, I’d like to take a moment to thank the people who made the whole thing possible. Without MD Laidlaw, nothing would have happened. She kept her cool and led the charge like the true professional she is. Her work on the trailer will blow you away, but until you can see that, you should check out her portfolio on her website.

AJ Ellington, the brilliant musician who penned the score, is working on her website and her first album. When you hear the song, you’ll know she’s going places. The piano piece she composed is only one facet of her talent, though, so be sure to keep an eye on her for future work. I can’t say enough about the ability this woman has.

Sarah Witte gave of her time to help us secure a location, and I couldn’t be more grateful to her. Not only that, but she showed up on the day to help keep things organized and drag props to and from the sets. Without her help, I might have absolutely lost my mind. If you get a chance, leave a message for Sarah to let her know how awesome she is.

The main characters of Isaac and Grace were portrayed beautifully by Austin Lewis and Macy Mayfield. Let me tell you; they are so perfect in the trailer it’s as if I wrote the book with them in mind. I must thank them for being so professional and open to direction. You will see the story through their photos. Macy nearly leaps from the photos, she’s so brilliant, and Austin was also gracious enough to pose for the book cover.

Logan Patton, Tayler Moore, Alexia Marable, and Kiana Marable also helped out to portray friends of the characters. They were brilliant on Saturday, and I am so grateful to them for their time and assistance. I hope to see big things from all of them in the future.

Finally, to the fantastic people who jumped in at the last minute to help make everything a success, I give my undying gratitude. It may not seem like much, but these guys showed up two days after hearing about the shoot and gave four hours of their time. Katie Marcario, who works with The REP Agency here in Nashville, was so adorable I had to beg her to be on the cover of my next book. Blake Mundell, a singer/songwriter who already has plenty going on in his life, also stepped in and helped out. You’ll see him featured on the next cover, as well. Chelsea Gill, a beautiful singer/songwriter from Belmont also gave freely of her time. Finally, Jared Mitchell and Tim Price of the band Yours Truly jumped in and added the final missing pieces. They also passed out some CDs at the end of the day, and I haven’t stopped playing mine.

As a thank you to these guys for saving my bacon (oh, I really did say that, MD and Yours Truly), I hope you’ll check out some of the stuff they’re working on. You’ll eventually see them all featured on the artist page, but for now, I’ll list some links you can follow. I highly recommend them, not just because I like them, but also because they’re true talents and the future of music in Nashville. If you like what you hear, you should let them know. You can say you heard it here first!

And as a thank you to you for your patience and enthusiasm, I’m also including another shot from the photo shoot on Saturday. Enjoy!

Side Effects Cover Revealed!

June 27, 2011 by Jen Barry, posted in Artists, Books, Martin Sisters Publishing, Side Effects

It’s here! It’s amazing!

With a photo by MD Laidlaw and design prowess from Melissa Newman of Martin Sisters Publishing, the Side Effects cover captures the very essence of the book. Take a look for yourself!