Jodi the Author

It’s now less than a month until The Surrey International Writers’ Conference. I’ve decided what to take for my blue pencil. The blue pencil is a sit down with a published author. This year I’m lucky enough to get feedback from best selling author Tess Gerritsen.

Each year when I prepare to participate with the blue pencil, I wonder how I ever got the nerve to think I could sit before one of these great writers, and have them look at my writing. Somehow I’ve always been able to get through it. Actually, I think it’s the grace of the writers who I’ve had the honor to talk to.

I’ve been working on the first three pages of my mid-grade urban fantasy. There is so much that I’ve written and can use for the books. For now, I just need to find a way to get the first book pulled together.

The only thing I’m missing is time. I would dearly love to work more on this and my other books. Well, the only way I’m going to get anything done, is to use every minute I can find on any and all of my writing.

This I will do. For now, back to the writing and editing.

Keep the coffee flowing.

Respectfully submitted,

Jodi

As I prepare my book for the Surrey International Writers, I am tempted to put it aside and write another story. If I were to do that, I would need to do it now and take it to my critique group. Last year, I took it to the group after I submitted it, and wished I had held off on submitting it. It needed a lot of work.

If I were to write another story, I need to figure out what I would write and who my characters would be. Those in my critique group keep prompting me to work on my Urban Midgrade Fantasy. To write a story in this genre might be a good way to step away from, not only my current book for little, but also the problems in my life.

So, the first question is whose story is this and what is the story arc? Times in the past I have used writing a short story as the opportunity to get to know one of my characters better.

If I do this, I might get to know Cyndre, one of the main characters in “Misty’s Magical Shed”, better. That being said, what would the story and character arc be? This definitely gives me something to work on.

I will report on my thoughts and the progress of the work, or lack there of, on this story. For now, I will sign off.

Keep the coffee flowing.

Respectfully submitted,

Jodi

It seems many times that I reach that point when it’s time to stop working on my writing. After all, I could easily sit on the couch and read books other writers have published. There are many waiting for me. Multiple problems arise with this. I would be giving up on the characters who have set up residence in my brain, and the worlds I’ve been privileged to visit would remain unknown to anyone else.

I guess what I’m really saying is that I want to share the characters, worlds and stories waiting to escape the confines of my brain. Unlike Yellow Glow, a character in my book, “Not Too Late Forever”, known as a Luminarie, who travels out of body to distant locations when there is need, the others want to live and work in a real world. These real worlds bear similarities to the one where I live, yet they have their own peculiarities.

Therefore, despite the fact that I continue to get rejection after rejection, I will stop only when I am no longer able to put my fingers to the keyboard. I would dearly love to share my worlds with you. Someday I hope that will become a reality. In the meantime, I will climb Mt. H’Olenberg, swim in the oceans of whatever planet I visit and fly in any vehicle available, sentient or not. I will do this by myself, or with a few friends, until an agent, editor or publisher determines it’s good enough to be shared with the world.

For now I’ll return to the edit of “Not Too Late Forever” or dive back into the writing of “Misty’s Magical Shed”.

Keep the coffee flowing.

Respectfully submitted,

Jodi

We’ve made it through the horrendous year of 2017. It’s really hard to understand many of the things that happened with our country.

I was called fragile and a snowflake, because I would not give in to condescending meanness. I enjoy a good discussion, and a person does not have to agree with me, however I, as does everyone, have a right to my opinion. This is not the first time I’ve dealt with this. It’s just been a while. Well, I guess if I stand up for myself, then I have proven something. I may come across as a bit fragile, but I guarantee you I am not. Actually the negative was a bit fun, because I proved to myself that I could hold my own with out reciprocating in kind.

This year could prove to be much more than ever anticipated. When negative is thrown into the mix and not returned in kind, it proves the strength of our position. More women are standing up and defending their rights. These movements will continue to grow. I sincerely hope that I will be in the midst of these incredible women, adding to what this country is truly about.

For those who would rather be mean and negative, get ready, we will no longer bow low. To those sincere and eager to grow this wonderful country of ours, even if I disagree with you, let’s talk and add to the conversation. I’m ready, are you?

Keep the coffee flowing.

Respectfully submitted,

Jodi

I wrapped up NaNoWriMo 2016 with just over an hour to spare. I’m happy with what I have to work with now. I believe it’s a good story for book 4 in my Naldo series. I ended with at least two extra friends. They will be the protagonists for book 5 in the series. One of the things that helps me with my writing are the conversations I have with my characters. When I get stuck, either not know how to continue or how to describe something, I turn to them. Many times I find the conversation goes into the story with very few change. Usually these changes are in the pronouns and matching verbs.

I took a break from 50k word count and took the challenge of a story of 15k words. I will submit this to the Writers Digest Short Short Story contest.

Now I go back to work on book 2 in the series and “Misty’s Magical Shed. I like variety in my writing and my characters.