BooksChatter: ✉♫ Turning Frowns Upside Down

Today author Jennifer Patricia O'Keeffe takes over our blog to tell us about "Turning Frowns Upside Down". Her latest release, My Name is Not Cupid, is part of Falling For You (1 August 2019, DCL Publications, 205 pages), a Romantic Comedy Anthology by Adesanya, Jennifer Patricia O'Keeffe, and Jae El Foster.

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‘Turning Frowns Upside Down’

by Jennifer Patricia O'Keeffee

When I sit down to write, I do so with the intention of making my readers happy. I want them to feel something good through my characters, and I want them to laugh with them along the way.

I have always felt that humor, joy, and laughter can help brighten any dreary day, even just a little. Getting lost in a good book when the world doesn’t seem to be on your side can help take you away from the tribulations of it all, and when that book is light-hearted and funny, it can lower your blood pressure and put a smile on your face.

This is my playlist for my novella, My Name Is Not Cupid

Writing ‘My Name is Not Cupid’ was something that put a smile on my face. It’s the story of an angel who hasn’t quite lived up to God’s expectations with her assignments. After fouling up one time too many, Zeretha is sent to Earth without her wings or her powers and is given one more assignment. If she successfully completes it, she gets her powers and wings back. If she doesn’t, she remains a mortal on Earth. As Zeretha is not that fond of mortals, she’s eager to complete her assignment, but without her powers, she will have to rely on the kindness of mortal strangers to guide her way.

With this novella, I had to think like someone who has to live life as something completely different than what she is, and it was a fun challenge. For instance, some of the early comical moments include Zeretha needing food for the first time, needing to digest said food for the first time, and getting her very first pampering makeover with thanks to her mortal hosts, an elderly couple named Mildred and Milton. Those two were an absolute hoot to write.

As with most of what I write, my side-characters help make my stories exceed my own expectations. Mildred and Milton are the kind, fun-loving grandparents that everyone wants, and they are, in a way, guardian angels to Zeretha as she stumbles through her new assignment. They teach her what it is like to be a mortal human and how funny and loving life can truly be.

Another notable side-character that I loved working with was Titus – God’s… spy, for lack of a better turn. Titus is given the task of keeping an eye on Zeretha and logging her progress during her assignment. Neither he nor Zeretha are all too happy about the arrangement, and Titus becomes one of those snide but rudely funny characters that we all love to hate. Don’t judge the guy too soon though. Like with everyone in this story, there’s more to him than meets the eye.

A reader commented to me how much they enjoyed Zeretha’s story and asked me if I would continue it. My answer is the same now as it was then; no. Zeretha found herself with this story, and now the rest of her life can be hers to enjoy. As with my readers and with all people, I believe my characters should also be happy at the end, so why disturb them with a sequel?

An angel from heaven
A demon from hell
And a klutz in between