Tag: psychologist

cover reveal, new release

New Release LOW WATER

Jennifer Lane

Happy release day to my 10th novel, sport psych suspense Low Water.

Amazon US

Universal Book Link

Two lives marked by trauma. One chance to rediscover hope.

In the sun-drenched Lowcountry of South Carolina, a swim coach haunted by tragedy and a psychologist devoted to healing cross paths just as their lives unravel.

He once believed Olympic-sized dreams and awful dad jokes could get him through anything, but waves of grief threaten to pull him under. She has built a career navigating others through pain, yet she struggles to confront her own.

When their worlds collide, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD forces the question: is it possible to dive into the past without drowning? Neither expects the other to become a lifeline. But with connection and courage, they search for a way forward—one stroke at a time.

Striving, tender, and surprisingly funny, this is a story about resilience and learning that the best way out of the deep end is together.

The exciting climax of Low Water takes place on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Behind the scenes: Why did I write this book? 

It’s been four years since I published sports romance Rivals. In the meantime, I’ve strived to help psychotherapy clients heal.

Have traumatized book characters led you to despair? Did you ever wonder, “How will they ever recover from this tragedy?”  

As a psychologist, once I learned a powerful PTSD treatment called Cognitive Processing Therapy, I now feel hope that EVERYONE can recover from a traumatic event. When I read about characters stuck in trauma, I want to yell at them, “Go get CPT!”

Witnessing trauma survivors turn their lives around inspired me to write a fictionalized version. Due to my background as a college swimmer, I chose a swim coach as the protagonist. His psychologist faces her own drama when she meets a mysterious man while speed-dating.

~*~

Thanks to fellow author Ronel Janse Van Vuuren for hosting me on her blog to talk about domestic violence and PTSD.

cover reveal, insecure writers support group, new release, writing

Low Water Pre-Order #IWSG

Jennifer Lane

Happy November, writers! Join us for the Insecure Writers Support Group, a monthly blog hop that’s the brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh.

I’m thrilled to co-host today along with my teammates Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove!

Today’s question: When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way?

I started on a lark with zero expectations about life as a “writer“. The word felt pretentious and unfamiliar to me. It was simply a delight to create fictional worlds shaped by my characters’ whims. The words poured out of me without much knowledge of structure or point-of-view.

Three years later, in 2010, when a small publisher took a chance on my debut novel, I experienced a mix of imposter syndrome along with incredible support from online friends, authors, and readers. I bounced from envisioning “best-seller” status to feeling like the heel of the shoe worn by those best-selling authors.

Surprises have ambushed me from quite a few corners, like:

  • Finding my own voice. I used to compare myself unfavorably to other authors, and sometimes I still do. But I heard somewhere that NOBODY writes like you do, and that sentiment has stuck with me. There aren’t many psychologists/ authors (psycho authors) out there, and probably none who share my obsession with swimming, volleyball, Pinterest food creations, and curse words!
  • I will survive if readers don’t like my books. Reading preferences are so subjective. I’ve found that writing is just like school, work, sports, and relationships in that I perform better by focusing on the process (writing what I want to write, learning the craft) instead of the outcome (reviews and sales).
  • I always knew I could persevere. Swimming thousands (millions?) of laps while staring at a black line on the pool bottom, as well as my neurotic need for achievement, strengthened my sense of grit. But I never predicted that I would publish ten novels!

Which brings me to my NEW RELEASE on 11/14/25: Low Water!

Cover by Coreen Montagna

Haunted by the past. Healing in the present. Hoping for a better future. And telling cringey dad jokes along the way.

I shared my blurb last month, and it’s available on Amazon as a pre-order. Have you ever felt hopeless about healing after tragic events? I used to. But then I learned a powerful treatment called cognitive processing therapy, and I want everyone with PTSD (real or fictional) to start the therapy, stat. CPT inspired me to return to writing after a three-year hiatus.

Two questions for you, writers:

  1. Would you be willing to publicize Low Water around the time of release day (Friday 11/14/25) on your blog or social media?
    • If you’d like a special blog post about trauma (sudden death, domestic violence, etc.), cognitive processing therapy for PTSD, writing about sports, or a topic of your choice, please leave your email address in a comment or email me at jenniferlanebooks at gmail.
    • If you want to share a social media post, here are options:
    • Two lives marked by trauma. One chance to rediscover hope. New Release LOW WATER. Psychological suspense. https://www.amazon.com/Low-Water-Jennifer-Lane-ebook/dp/B0FYV32BV4
    • Trauma survivors, there’s hope! Combine the thrill of competitive swimming with the power of cognitive processing therapy to heal PTSD. Pre-order “Low Water” by Jennifer Lane now and rediscover strength. https://www.amazon.com/Low-Water-Jennifer-Lane-ebook/dp/B0FYV32BV4
    • Trauma survivors, listen up! I’m Jennifer Lane, psychologist & author. My new ebook LOW WATER reveals how cognitive processing therapy can heal PTSD. Pre-order now and rediscover hope. https://tinyurl.com/2vbzx668
  2. What are the pros/cons of publishing the ebook on KDP Select vs. wide? Ronel Janse van Vuuren helped me try to figure out Draft 2 Digital to publish wide my novella earlier this year, but I’m still unfamiliar with the site compared to Amazon. (I’m trying to publish the paperback on D2D and don’t know how to set the margins to 8.5 x 5.5 while using my own interior pdf, for example.) I’ve had all my books in KDP Select for years, which might make more sense for romance novels, but my new release has only a side element of romance.

This insecure writer thanks you for stopping by!

insecure writers support group, new release

Feels Great to Finish! #IWSG

Jennifer Lane
Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh started The Insecure Writers Support Group. Join us!

THANK YOU to the co-hosts for the October 1 posting of the IWSG: Beth Camp, Crystal Collier, and Cathrina Constantine!

I appreciate your encouragement last month, fellow writers! I was able to finish my 10th novel, Low Water, in the nick of time (I hope) to have print copies published before a book event on November 1. My critique partner, Nicki Elson, has provided wonderful support, as always. I sent the manuscript to my editor today, and my book designer is working on cover designs.

Research for the climactic action scene took me to Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island, where I snapped this photo (which might become part of the cover?)

Blurbs are always a challenge, ugh. Nicki helped me craft this one:

Two lives marked by trauma. One chance to rediscover hope.

In the sun-drenched Lowcountry of South Carolina, a swim coach haunted by tragedy and a psychologist devoted to healing cross paths just as their lives unravel.

He once believed Olympic-sized dreams and terrible dad jokes could get him through anything, but waves of grief threaten to pull him under. She has built a career navigating others through pain, yet she struggles to confront her own.

When their worlds collide, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD forces the question: is it possible to dive into the past without drowning? Neither expects the other to become a lifeline. But with connection and courage, they search for a way forward—one stroke at a time.

Striving, tender, and surprisingly funny, this is a story about resilience and learning that the best way out of the deep end is together.

I’m hoping for a November release date.

What’s your favorite dad joke? Here’s one from my swim coach character, Jordan:

What does the buffalo tell his son in the morning?

Bye, son!

I look forward to reading about the favorite thing you’ve written.

Last Update for my Novel in Progress: Low Water 88,500 / ~87,000 words

insecure writers support group, writing

Stuck Points #IWSG

Jennifer Lane
Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for starting the Insecure Writers Support Group! We post monthly to cheer each other on.

Thank you to the awesome IWSG co-hosts this month: Ronel Janse van Vuuren,Natalie Aguirre,Sarah – The Faux Fountain Pen, and Olga Godim!

I’ll skip this month’s question since I don’t know much about the publishing industry. Instead, I’ll focus on my work-in-progress. My novel doesn’t fit into any genre I know. Maybe I’ll just call it a trauma drama.

I’m about three-fourths done with the story, which alternates chapters between a male swim coach and a female psychologist. I’ve known the character arc for the hero since I started the novel over a year ago, but the heroine’s journey is less clear. I’m trying to structure the plot as crisscrossed narratives–as his trauma heals, hers is just starting. But creeping doubts and perfectionism have led me to feel a bit stuck. Since the coach’s therapy involves challenging beliefs that have kept him mired in the past (“stuck points”), my feeling seems ironic.

While writing this post, I experienced an insight. Maybe I know the hero’s path so well because I tread it every day with therapy clients. The indomitable human spirit’s potential to recover is my main inspiration for writing the story. But the horror leading up to a trauma is (thank God) less familiar to me. And maybe it’s tough to go full-throttle with torturing my heroine since we have the same career.

I just need to keep butt in chair and continue writing. One bonus is that I decided to stop working my psychologist job on Fridays, freeing up more time to create and resolve conflict for my characters.

Thank you for listening, support group! How do you get unstuck when you’re not sure which direction to write?

Novel in Progress Update: Low Water 65,500 / ~85,000 words

insecure writers support group, writing

Intriguing Genres IWSG

Jennifer Lane
Join the Insecure Writers Support Group, started by Alex Cavanaugh.

THANK YOU to this month’s co-hosts: Rebecca Douglass, Natalie Aguirre, Cathrina Constantine, and Louise Barbour!

July 2 question – Is there a genre you haven’t tried writing in yet that you really want to try? If so, do you plan on trying it?

There are quite a few genres that intrigue me. I enjoy action movies, and it would be fun to write a novel about heroes facing crises like in Speed, Top Gun Maverick, Gladiator, or The Fugitive. (Though I have written novels in adjacent genres of romantic suspense and psychological thriller.) Speaking of movies, I would like to learn how to write a screenplay one day.

I’ve also considered writing a nonfiction book in my specialty of psychology. I’m excited about an upcoming psychologist work trip to Germany that will add to my knowledge base!

Unrelated question: For those of you with Mailchimp newsletters, have you seen any strange activity lately? I’ve been getting new subscribers daily, though I’m not soliciting them with giveaways or other marketing strategies. (Alas, my marketing has been non-existent.) A few of the email addresses (that I deleted) were suspicious, but most of them are gmail addresses. Any ideas what is going on?

Novel in Progress Update: Low Water 59,000 / ~85,000 words

insecure writers support group, writing

Writing My First Novel #IWSG

Jennifer Lane

Writers, join our fun and caring support group, created by Alex Cavanaugh, HERE.

I appreciate the co-hosts for the April 5 posting of the IWSG: Jemima Pett, Nancy Gideon, and Natalie Aguirre!

April 5 question – Do you remember writing your first book? What were your thoughts about a career path on writing? Where are you now and how is it working out for you? If you’re at the start of the journey, what are your goals?

Though I enjoyed creative writing as a child, I never intended to become a writer or author. But the world of fan fiction swept me up in its encouraging community, much like the support of this wonderful writer’s group. I posted one chapter at a time about characters in a favorite TV show, and fellow fans cheered me on (even though my writing was quite amateur at first).

As a psychologist, I listen all day. As a writer, I guess I had a lot to say, because the words poured out of me. After two long, rambling fan fiction stories, I started writing my first novel featuring an ex-psychologist who fell in love with a felon she met at her parole officer’s doorstep (With Good Behavior). And I was lucky to find a small publisher, Omnific Publishing, to release my baby into the world in 2010.

I have since published nine novels and two short stories. Writing is a side gig for me, not a career. Since the pandemic began, I have taken a hiatus from writing. But I recently started outlining novel #10, once again featuring a female psychologist character and a male swim coach character whose trauma she helps heal. I can’t wait to dive in!

Image by David Mark from Pixabay 
writing

Author Interview with RelationshipsAreComplicated.com

Jennifer Lane

I love to write complicated relationships, and the lovely folks at Relationships Are Complicated interviewed me about my characters’ bonds HERE. I mention my sports romance and romantic suspense novels, as well as some past dating complications. 😀

Image by Juan Fernando Yeckle from Pixabay

Do you have relationship questions? Check out https://www.relationshipsarecomplicated.com !

insecure writers support group

#IWSG Writing Future

Jennifer Lane
Join us HERE and thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for starting the group.

Much appreciation to the co-hosts for the July 7 posting of the IWSG: Pat Garcia, Victoria Marie Lees, and Louise – Fundy Blue!

This month’s question: What would make you quit writing?

This question hits deep because I haven’t written fiction for about eight months. And I’m not feeling a current urge to write. But I won’t go so far to say I’ve quit–there’s a finality to that statement that doesn’t fit me right now. If I speculate about reasons for taking a break or even quitting writing, here’s what comes to mind:

  • Lackluster sales. There are so many books out there that it’s hard to capture reader’s attention. Still, I’m disappointed by sales of my last two novels, Rivals and Twin Sacrifice. I’m thankful for lovely reviews by readers devoting time to my books–I just wish there were more of them. Reviews, even critical ones, spark motivation in me.
  • Consuming career. I have high productivity goals and a fast pace in my psychologist position at an academic medical center. Therefore, I want to decompress on weeknights and weekends by swimming, reading, walking, socializing, playing volleyball, and watching TV. (Swimming laps outside in the summer is so relaxing!) The demands of my career have felt even more relentless this past year due to the pandemic worsening mental health for many, especially teenagers.
  • Time for a break. I started writing in 2007 and publishing in 2010, and maybe it’s just time to slow down. I like to write only when I’m inspired, and I don’t want to force it.

How are you feeling about writing? What inspires you to jump back into writing after a hiatus?

Image by AI Leino from Pixabay 
insecure writers support group, new release

IWSG: New Releases by Nicki Elson and Chrys Fey

Jennifer Lane

Welcome to the August 2020 edition of the Insecure Writers Support Group, hosted by Alex Cavanaugh.

iwsg2badmin

Congratulations to my critique partner, Nicki Elson, on the launch of her 8th novel yesterday: MOLLY UNPLANNED.

Here’s my 5-star review of Miss Molly.

I’m thrilled to co-host today, along with: Susan Baury Rouchard, Nancy Gideon, Jennifer Hawes, Chemist Ken, and Chrys Fey!

Speaking of the lovely Chrys Fey, I’m part of the blog hop to celebrate her new release, Keep Writing with Fey: Sparks to Defeat Writer’s Block, Depression, and Burnout. Congratulations to Chrys! Scroll down to read my own experience with these issues.

KWWF

Catch the sparks you need to conquer writer’s block, depression, and burnout!

When Chrys Fey shared her story about depression and burnout, it struck a chord with other writers. That put into perspective for her how desperate writers are to hear they aren’t alone. Many creative types experience these challenges, battling to recover. Let Keep Writing with Fey: Sparks to Defeat Writer’s Block, Depression, and Burnout guide you through:

  • Writer’s block
  • Depression
  • Writer’s burnout
  • What a writer doesn’t need to succeed
  • Finding creativity boosts

With these sparks, you can begin your journey of rediscovering your creativity and get back to what you love – writing.

(The table of contents of this book looks fantastic!)

BOOK LINKS:

Amazon / Nook / iTunes / Kobo

Goodreads

Chrys Fey Author Photo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Chrys Fey is the author of Write with Fey: 10 Sparks to Guide You from Idea to Publication. She is also the author of the Disaster Crimes series. Visit her blog, Write with Fey, for more tips on how to reverse writer’s burnout. https://www.chrysfey.com/

Keep Writing with Fey Blog Hop: Share your story about writer’s block, depression, and/or burnout and how you overcame it or what you are currently doing to heal.

Since writing is secondary to my work as a psychologist, I write only when I feel like it. Therefore, I don’t experience much writer’s block or burnout. But I have turned to writing to deal with feelings of depression from painful events in my psychology career.

For 15 years, I have worked for two different university departments, and I don’t seem to fit well with one of them. Twice, that department has chosen to work with another psychologist instead of me. (I guess I’m a masochist for returning after the first time they let me go.) The process has been all the more agonizing due to their lack of direct communication. It was a gradual ghosting instead of a kind cutoff.

Therapy has taught me that self-talk is important for healing. When hurtful events happen, we can benefit from compassionate narratives. Since I write romance novels, some of my narratives compared getting fired to romantic rejection:

When reality sucked, I turned to fiction.

They don’t know my strength.

I won’t let one person determine my value.

We separated, then reunited, but the bitterness and poor communication continued, leading to a divorce.

A relationship breakup doesn’t mean either person is wrong or bad; it’s just a poor fit. I can find a better fit elsewhere, or I can stay single by going into private practice! 😀

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What is YOUR experience with writer’s block, depression, or burnout? Thanks for stopping by.

Uncategorized

#IWSG The Healing Power of Writing

Jennifer Lane
Happy October, writers! Time to support each other on this writing journey…join us here.

Thank you to this month’s co-hosts:


IWSG Day Question: How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?

This is a timely question for me as I’ve been pondering why I haven’t felt as motivated to write lately. (Though I do plan to finish a short story soon.)

I’ve realized that I don’t feel the burning need to write right now because things in my career are pretty good. I went through some difficult times at work in 2007, and I unknowingly turned to writing to cope with feelings of insecurity and betrayal. The words poured out of me then. I made my ex-boss the villain of my first book, a murder mystery. (He he.)

Thank you, writing! You have helped me heal. I also feel grateful for second chances. After a six-year hiatus working elsewhere, I returned to my same position, and version 2.0 is much better. I’m less naive and more confident, and my career as a psychologist feels like a true calling.

Maybe I’ll immerse myself in a sea of words again, but for now I’m happy to bask in the sunshine onshore, knowing writing is always there to dive into when I need it.