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Once writing has become your major vice and greatest pleasure only death can stop it – Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway had it right, as usual. I started writing an MG Magical Realism novel in 2006 as a “hobby”. I’m laughing right now, though you can’t hear me. After spending almost five years researching, lurking on writing forums, writing 130k words, revising, beta reading and revising some more, I trunked that first project. But the bug had bitten, and bitten hard. I was hooked. I had a slight hiatus from late 2011 to late 2012 for personal reasons, but when I started writing again I was “Burdened with glorious purpose”. Sorry, I couldn’t resist the Loki quote. It just fit so nicely. (You’ll discover I’m a bit of a fangirl as well!) This marked a turn for me. My next project was a YA Post-Apocalyptic novel I Have No Name and I was no longer content with maybe being published someday. There is only one end game here and I’ll write until the last breath escapes my lungs or I have a satisfying career sharing my stories with others. You know, whichever comes first. π
Currently, I am working on a YA Science Fiction retelling of The Last of the Mohicans, told from the POV of 5 different characters. I’m a little worried about so many POV’s, but hey, the story told me to do that! Kora and Uncas are the primary of the main characters and it takes place on the alien planet of N’dah. It’s currently with betas and I hope to have it ready to query by Christmas, or sooner.
On a personal level I am happily married with five (yes, five!) beautiful children who I shall henceforth refer to as Minions. Minion #1, and my only girl, is 20, Minion #2 my teenage son is 16, Minion #3 my curly headed ray of sunshine is 7 and the youngest Minions, #4 & #5, are identical twin boys at three-years-old who just may be the death of me! Or at least warrant my induction in a mental ward.
Though I once had a career as a CADD Tech engineering museum exhibits for children, I am now a stay-at-home mom. When I’m not chasing Minions, attending soccer games, chaperoning field trips, making cupcakes, or trying to squeeze in a little time with my hubby, I’m reading, writing, reading about writing, and spending an inordinate amount of time on Pinterest (Check out my boards!)Β and Twitter.Β So welcome to my little world. Hope you enjoy your stay, learn something, and leave a little info for me too!
Oh wow, I can’t believe you have 5 kids and manage to do so much writing! I am in awe. Looking forward to following your writing journey.
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Nap time! That’s the only way I get anything done.
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So you did write it–that’s wonderful! π I’m amazed you were able to accomplish that with so many kids. I’m worried about having just one, but hard-working moms like you make me feel like–“Hey, I can do this!”
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Yes you can! If I can do it, anyone can. It may take longer than the person who can dedicate 8-10 hours a day, but honestly, how many writers have that luxury unless they’re already published! π It takes a great deal of drive and focus, squeezing every minute out of a day, deciding what things can be left for another time (laundry, cleaning) and what needs to be attended now (boo-boos and story time). My kids and husband come first, but after that writing takes a front seat. Hopefully I’ll have a published book to show for it someday!
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I hope so, too! Thank you, Jennifer. π
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I have twin 6 year old grandsons … a couple’a hours with them and I’m ready for a week long vacation … truly impressed that you manage your 5 π (not all the same age thankfully … or not?)
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No, not all the same age! My twins are 2, but before them there’s 18, 15, & 6.
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Hi there, I like what you do. So much so, that Iβm nominating you for a Liebster Award. Yay! Should you choose to accept, check out this post http://ejmcgrorey.wordpress.com/2014/05/29/liebster-award-can-you-feel-the-love/ to find out what itβs all about and how to get involved. Ciao.
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Thanks for your nomination. I’d love to accept! Is it okay if I put it off until next week though? Today is book-editing-day and then I have a Ninja Training Party to plan for a six-year-old. π After Sunday I’ll have more time.
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Yes of course! Whenever suits you. As far as I know there is no deadline to it. And Ninja Training Party, wow, I’d love to know more about that. Ha ha.
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Hey, so I tagged you in a Writing Process Blog Hop, fellow YA writer π Just ignore it if you don’t want to do it.
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I’m pretty sure I would love to, but I’ll have to check it out later tonight. In the middle of preparing a Ninja Training Party for a six-year-old! π
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Haha that is epic! Way better than a blog hop. Good luck and hopefully no one pokes an eye out with throwing stars π
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Hi. You must be a busy lady. How do you find the time to write with five kids. I have two and that seems a lot to me! Good luck with your writing. i am at a similiar stage by all accounts, hoping to get published some time soon……. π
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Nap time! That’s how I write. Since we had the twins I started taking them to daycare twice a week because the stress was driving me crazy, so those are my hardcore writing days. And it takes forever to write. I’ve been working on I HAVE NO NAME for a year and a half and that doesn’t include the years I plotted before that!
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I was checking out Paige Randall’s blog and I saw a link for yours: A YA author and mother of five. I’m also a YA author and mother of five and I wanted to come say “Hi.” I also love your quote: I’m no longer content with maybe being published someday.” Funny how that works, isn’t it.
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Nice to meet you Dawn! I’ll have to check out your blog. Looking forward to sharing and learning!
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Hey Jennifer! I nominated you for this award! http://thependanttrilogy.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/the-very-inspiring-blogger-award/
π
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Thank you so much! I’m hoping to get a few blog posts written tomorrow (I have a mental backlog!) So I’ll try to participate then. Thanks again for thinking of me. BTW, I love that you’re twins who write and blog together. I hope my twin boys find something they can do together as they grow up!
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Pingback: A Recap Of Pride 2014 | Musings From Neville's Navel
Okay, I just started following you on Pinterest and I am in LOVE with your pins! If you’re wondering recently who the heck is repinning everything of yours… yeah… that’s probably me. π (I’m a bit of Pinterest addict).
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Me too! I don’t pin as much now that I have a blog, but I find I get swept up scrolling down. Just one more pin! Just one more pin! It really is like an addiction.
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Yep. Just like reading. “I’ll put the book down after just one more chapter. Okay, now I mean it: one more chapter… I CAN’T PUT THE BOOK DOWN!!!” π
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Pingback: The Sunshine Award | Musings From Neville's Navel
Hello there! I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Award!
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So, just leaving you a comment here because you reblogged that post from Gretchen and mentioned Infinite Free Time in the reblog. Those are two of my favorite bloggers, just so you know. Any friend of theirs is a friend of mine, you might say π
I’ve got the writing bug too, and I have a fiction project that i am really insecure about and don’t talk about much. But I write a lot of nonfiction and I blog like a madman. 5 children strikes me as a lot. I am in awe. I never had a child of my own, but I do have a really cool grandson (blended family!) and he runs me ragged all by himself.
Followed you on some social media. I’m the front man for the blog Sourcerer. @Sourcererblog on Twitter an Pinterest is me.
Happy to make your acquaintance!
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Nice to meet you too! See you around the internet. π
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Hi Jennifer, I nominated you for a Liebster Blog Award: https://caffeinatedmusing.wordpress.com/2015/01/27/liebster-blog-award/
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Thanks Michelle, but I’m afraid my schedule is so booked right niw I won’t be able to participate. I’m starting a new novel and I need every second for that! π Thank you for the nomination.
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No worries π You’re welcome!
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Hi,
I wanted to share with you the new book and author promotions I am running! You can find the link here https://aopinionatedman.com/book-promotion-terms/! Please give this a look if you are interested or share the info with another author that might need some help! Thanks!
-OM
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