Jenn's Realm

Been ages

2009-12-03T16:08:55Z

It's been ages since I used this blog, and I don't really see the need for two...

So if you're only my friend on this one, I plan to friend you on my other blog. Friend me back, or not, that's fine;)

Jenn

iTunes Meme (A Song for Yukiko)

2009-02-27T14:59:14Z

Got this from david_de_beer:

1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.

ok, so here we go:

IF SOMEONE SAYS ‘ARE YOU OKAY?’ YOU SAY?

He took my stapler (Snippet from Office Space)

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

Curious, Olive

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?

Only Time, Enya

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?

A Little Piece of Heaven, Avenged Sevenfold

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?

One Day I'll Fly Away, Moulin Rouge

WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?

Points of Authority, Linkin Park

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

Brackish, Kittie

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

Because You Live, Jesse McCartney

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?

Long Ways, Urban Mystic

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

Traffic, DJ Tiesto

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Alive, P.O.D. (LOL!)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

Dance With Me, 112

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

Truly Madly Deeply, Savage Garden

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?

Absurd (Whitewash Edit), Fluke

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

Du Hast, Rammstein

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?

Going Under, Evanescence

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

Live Your Life, Tantric

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?

A Song for Yukiko, Tricky, featuring John Suzuki & Yukiko Takahashi

PS - I only chested a few times, when the Griffin Technology iTrip channels popped up or duplicate artists did. Honest.

Jenn

Personality Quiz

2009-02-11T07:08:08Z

Because I'm bored and awake...

Your result for The Ultra Ultimate Personality Test...

The Protector

You scored 24 Extroversion, 74 Intuition, 55 Emotional, and 36 Spontaneity!

INFJ

INFJs are intuitive, caring, quiet and peace-loving: deep and complex people who may seem equally at home dealing with the personal and analytical spheres of life. The interior world of vision and ideas is this type's most comfortable domain, but some degree of human connection is essential for the INFJ's happiness; a potential conflict for this type. Articulate, empathetic and idealistic, INFJs often say they just know things, they know them directly, and they may not be able to tell you how or why! INFJs seem to be able to feel others' feelings vicariously and sense the good and evil in situations: an almost psychic ability which may be an asset in many "people professions." Spiritual, sensitive and committed, INFJs enjoy being of service to others. Once this type's goals are set and the mind is made up, no argument based solely on reason and practicality is likely to divert the passionate INFJ from a mission or chosen project. Whether this characteristic manifests itself as admirable tenacity or bull-headed stubbornness may determine the individual INFJ's potential for life success.

Relationships

INFJs are warm and affirming people who are usually also deep and complex. They're likely to seek out and promote relationships that are intense and meaningful. They tend to be perfectionists, and are always striving for the Ultimate Relationship. For the most part, this is a positive feature, but sometimes works against the INFJ if they fall into the habit of moving from relationship to relationship, always in search of a more perfect partner. In general, the INFJ is a deeply warm and caring person who is highly invested in the health of their close relationships, and puts forth a lot of effort to make them positive. They are valued by those close to them for these special qualities. They seek long-term, lifelong relationships, although they don't always find them.

Strengths

Warm and affirming by nature

Dedicated to achieving the ultimate relationship

Sensitive and concerned for others' feelings

Usually have good communication skills, especially written

Take their commitments very seriously, and seek lifelong relationships

Have very high expectations for themselves and others (both a strength and weakness)

Good listeners

Are able to move on after a relationship has ended (once they're sure it's over)

Take The Ultra Ultimate Personality Test at HelloQuizzy

These were too funny not to repost

2008-11-14T07:43:09Z

A friend of mine posted a link to this blog page that's changing the names on some famous books in humor.

I thought most of them were cute:)

Jenn

Back to queries again:)

2008-09-05T21:18:19Z

I found this online after following a link to a different post by the same person:

"there is a sweet spot in query word count between 250 and 350 words. Anything shorter than 250 usually (but not always) seems too short and anything longer than 350 usually (but not always) seems too long."

Flash fiction writers should be able to fully understand the length (and depth) of this size of a query.

I read more of his blog and found this:

"Tight, concise three sentence opening paragraph. Tells me the plot, genre, and leaves me wanting more."

The link above is to a query letter he pounced on right away. It's different than I'm used to, with a one-liner, one sentences asking a question, then one more link explaining the word count, genre, and basis of the book.

I followed a few more links and see that he, in particular, likes queries that have this format in there:

My XXX,000 word {type of} novel, TITLE, explores or follows {what}.

He also says this:

"A good flow is perhaps the most important aspect of any good query. Whenever I come across an awkward turn of phrase (like "I've written a 100,000 word historical fiction.") or extended passive voice ("the main character was betrayed and has decided to not be a sucker anymore"), or if there's a poor word choice where it's clear it's not a typo, 99% of the time I reach for the rejection button. Professional writers just don't make mistakes like this -- the sentences wouldn't look right to them."

He also wants the quest and the conflict clearly stated.

And this:

"Then in the third paragraph she brings it home by giving a nice sense of the themes. At this point I wouldn't even have needed the writerly qualifications in the fourth paragraph"

But I am concerned by his liking people who mention his blog. I research agents carefully, and will certainly read their blogs, but to me it sounds like fawning.

And since I'm already there and reading it, let me continue with the Query Letter Mad Lib:

First I'm going to need these things:

[Agent name], [genre], [personalized tidbit about agent], [title], [word count], [protagonist name], [description of protagonist], [setting], [complicating incident], [verb], [villain], [protagonist's quest], [protagonist's goal], [author's credits (optional)], [your name]

Again with the "personalized tidbit." Huh. I thought these were out of date?

He goes on to say:

"if you can't fill this mad lib out in two seconds and craft a pretty decent query letter, something might be wrong with your novel.

These are the ingredients that absolutely positively completely totally must be in your query -- if they are not, something is wrong."

Meanwhile, here are things to leave out of a query letter

I thought this stuff was useful, and you can follow all of the links to read everything for yourselves...

Jenn

Flogging? Seriously?

2008-08-28T05:09:42Z

A miscellaneous email from a friend took me to this place where you send 1st chapter or prologue as an attachment and he'll critique the first couple of pages.

Um, awesome!

But anyone know the ramifications of having your first chapter or prologue posted for the world to read?

I think I'd like to try this with all three of my current WIPs, one at a time, of course, starting with FH. Has anyone done it? If so, what were your impressions?

Meanwhile I'm busy reviewing, though my eyes are starting to get sore. I did four reviews today, but still have no idea what the current rankings are.

Oh wait! She posted them just in time!!

3 Brenta
5 Greg
0 Leah
7 Jennifer (AKA ME)
1 Mike
3 Eva
1 David
2 cathy
4 Jennifer
3 Cacy
9 L. David
8 Patty
5 Barbara
0 sheryl
1 Jessica
7 Ruthanne
1 Elizabeth
3 Stelios
1 John
2 Lindsay

So it's L. David, Patty, and then ME...

And I'm not too far behind. And my latest review just missed her deadline, so technically, unless Patty just posted another one, I'm tied for second. Not bad.

And the best part is so far I've only review people I owe. I will *try* to review everyone I owe during this thing (although obviously those people - Patty, Crash, and Anna - I owe more than three to will continue to be reviewed as they post new stuff). Of course if you don't have anything posted, I can't review you. So... post!

Jenn

iTunes Gift Cards

2008-08-26T05:25:25Z

... are amazing! Ever need to buy me a gift? It's easy as pie, now:)

My mother got one at work and gave it to me. In two seconds I'm listening to new music I've been craving. Awesome.

This is the most fun I've had reviewing in ages...

Jenn

I've got a secret....

2008-08-26T02:14:46Z

I know who one of the upcoming EC choices is! Hah! And I'm not telling who it is:)

I will admit that I'm jealous, though. How DO you get noticed for such a wonderful thing?

E? You did it once upon a time. Remember anything special about that chapter to get it chosen?

Is it luck? Having alot of reviews? Knowing people who know people?

Or is it really based on having a kick-ass post? I'm 50/50 for wanting that to be the answer. 50% for because it should be merit-based, and 50% against because that indicates nothing I've posted has been kick-ass.

Somebody enlighten me... I've been a member for what, ten years now? Something like that. I'm sick of being invisible.

::Jumps up and down waving hands in the air like an idiot, shouting "Pick me! Pick me!"::

Yes, I'm in a zany mood right now. Finishing something as monumental as a new book is super kick-ass exhilarating. I wanna throw a party or something:) Don't think that would work considering everyone who reads this blog lives in different states.

So instead I'm bouncing around like an idiot. Good thing the kids are in bed:)

Jenn

Networking

2008-08-26T01:39:03Z

A friend of mine asked me how to network at a writing convention. I don't have the faintest idea but I'd better get one asap, huh?

I did a little bit a research and learned this much:

"You go to writing conferences and learn from panelists. Afterwards, you query the agents whom you met or saw and mention the conference in your first paragraph."

I realize a conference isn't the same as a convention, but they both have agents and panels, so I assume they're safe to lump together for this exercise.

So if I had to guess based on this, I should bring synopses, sample chapters, and maybe the whole book on CD(?) and go to the convention, not intending to propose anything, but instead to meet. Then you go home and query the people you met, mentioning meeting them at the convention.

Does that sound right? Anyone?

I'll keep looking, but the panel idea is a good one. All conventions have various panels and discussions held for audiences; I've been asked if I want to join a few panels at Archon 32 and decided to email the people at WFC to see if I could volunteer for them, too. I got a little email back saying they'd let me know. I figure as long as you have an opinion on something and don't mind answering questions, volunteering for a panel or two can't be bad, right?

Of course I'm an editor, as well as a published author, so maybe you need some sort of resume to be accepted on a panel. Who knows? For Archon I received an email saying they'd seen on my website that I was attending the convention, and asked if I'd like to help out. How did they find my website? Who knows. Anyways, they sent me a questionnaire about my interests and experience and said they'd get back to me if I fit on any of the panels. Still waiting...

Anyways, I'd love feedback on how to network at a convention. I don't want to look like an idiot carrying around a folder of synopses...

Jenn

What would you call these?

2008-08-23T18:44:23Z

I'm looking for a name for these beasts:

Dark as onyx from head to tail, with large pointed ears that could hear sounds up to five miles away and large jaws filled with brilliant white teeth, both animals were designed to hunt down and kill prey quickly and efficiently. With the souls of two gifted humans, they were intelligent, as well. They knew who their targets were, and would use their new forms to do what no other had yet succeeded at. As big as small horses, with fangs a finger length long, the snarling beasts continued their steady, slow approach. One animal snarled as if laughing. You could see the intelligence and hatred within their eyes. Lurching to its feet, one beast opened its massive jaws and took the top half of a guard’s body off.

I haven't come up with a name I like so any suggestions would be wonderful:)

Jenn

Grrr... arg.

2008-08-23T04:00:23Z

Getting my daughter's archaic computer to function properly is an ongoing nightmare. Her startup disk is full, so there's no room to install system updates. I had to delete most of the programs/files to make enough room, so cross your fingers it works. It takes about an hour for anything to download, so I told her I'd check back in after a while and see if it's working.

I have another old computer I need to try and get up and running. It has more space, but I need to install the most recent operating system. Unfortunately, I only have it on DVD and that ones doesn't have a DVD drive. I keep meaning to take it somewhere and let them get it up and running, or get a DVD drive for it.

Right now she just needs internet browsing capabilities (with parental controls, of course, because the internet isn't kid-friendly) and she'll have to deal with what we have.

I wish computers lasted longer before the became obsolete... Right now I don't have the time, the patience, or money.

Speaking of money, can you believe I had to write almost $230 worth of checks to the school this week? Between book rentals, lunch money, magazine subscription fees, gym clothing fees, pictures, and all the other little admin fees the school charges, I'm going to be broke for a month. That's not even taking into consideration the long list of school supplies we bought before classes started. Those were about $120. Bookbags, gym shoes, folders - they have to bring their own boxes of tissues even! When did public school get so expensive?

Jenn

First full day of school

2008-08-22T20:41:24Z

So today was Bree's first full day of school, and Dom's first day of school ever. It's also the first and only time they'll be in the same school together. They get out of school at different times, so we got to talk to Dom about his first day. He got a sticker today for reading a word in a book for the teacher, and he saw his big sister during lunchtime. She even gave him a kiss:) They're both getting so big, it's kinda sad and scary.

But it was so quiet here without them, and I like quiet:)

Baby boy is taking a nap, so after Bree got home I sent her and Dom out to play. Let them run off some energy before dinner...

Meanwhile I'm doing some heavy-duty writing, as well as working on a timeline for the book so I know exactly what happens on which day. That helps with the streamlining, too.

Overall a great day.

Jenn

Glutton for Punishment

2008-08-21T21:30:12Z

So I decided to try another one of these things, and this one isn't as depressing:

The Blogalyser reveals...

Your blog/web page text has an overall readability index of 13.

This suggests that your writing style is conventional
(to communicate well you should aim for a figure between 10 and 20).Your blog has 11 sentences per entry, which suggests your general message is distinguished by complexity
(writing for the web should be concise).

CHARACTER MATRIX

male		female
self		world
past		future

Your text shows characteristics which are 55% male and 45% female
(for more information see the Gender Genie).
Looking at pronoun indicators, you write mainly about yourself, then the world in general and finally your social circle. Also, your writing focuses primarily on the present, next the past and lastly the future.
</small>
Find out what your blogging style is like!

I guess conventional isn't bad, but it sounds so... unoriginal. Herd-like.

Jenn

Perfect Timing!

2008-08-20T17:36:40Z

An OWW Summer Crit Marathon!

The Summer Crit Marathon will last for one week, beginning on Monday, August 26th and continuing through Sunday, September 1st.

You may join at any time, but you must sign up to be counted. The "official" date/time assigned to the critique will be US EDT (GMT -4). Watch the OWW discussion list for more details and updates.

Perfect timing! I have a bunch of reviews to return and here's my extra incentive!

Let the games begin!

Jenn

Spam losers... that's me!

2008-08-18T18:23:05Z

Well, my story "Aliens Abducted by Michael Jackson" wasn't a winner of the spam contest... poohey!

Here's the winners:

It was a tough contest to judge — in the end we received some 175 entries, inspired by spam titles ranging from the innocuous “Angelina Jolie splits from Brad Pitt” to the unforgettable “Parsimonious Wang.” When all is said and done, though, the spam must be filtered — and three winners were finally left sitting there in our prize-winning inbox:

Third place: “Mexico Delivered At Your Door,” by Kristine Duffey

Second place: “Boy Eats Fried Rat, Pictures,” by Eric Grissom

First place: “Let Yourself Look Spiny,” by Richard Howard

Congratulations to the winners! You’ll be reading their stories here at WeirdTalesMagazine.com shortly — and there’s also a list of honorable mentions to come.

Maybe I was an honorable mention... we'll have to wait and see...

Jenn

Reply?

2008-08-15T10:28:21Z

So I read through some reviews of my chapters on OWW and one thing jumped out at me. One person (you know who you are) said "there was no question, so there can't be a reply." That got me thinking.

Here's the dialogue:

"Good evening," Baccer greeted him.

"Yes it is," Ryant replied. "How is the portal coming?"

Now, I always thought a reply is a follow up, not necessarily an answer to a question. If someone says it's hot, I can reply that it's been hot for weeks. Right?

Well, the dictionary is a bit ambiguous. It says:

To reply is to make answer in words or writing; answer; respond: to reply to a question.

I'm not arguing the review, I'm just curious if I've always misunderstood the meaning of reply or if it does work here.

Jenn

Snip snip

2008-08-10T00:38:19Z

Well editing tonight chopped about 16,000 words! Geez! Alot more than I thought. I have about two chapters to change pov in, a couple new transitions to write, and then it's just the ending... assuming the answer to my previous post is to leave the snippet povs as is.

The kids are being angels and hubby was called in to work tonight, so I might just have this thing thrown together tonight:) My mother is stopping by tomorrow to stay the night, so whatever I get done by dinner time is about all that will get done for a few days. Wish me luck!

Jenn

Snippet POVs?

2008-08-09T23:22:15Z

Other than the protagonist, the antagonist, and the love interest, I prefer books that have few POVs. But what do people think about snippet povs? You know, those one or two scenes from a random pov, that helps thicken the plot, or give a different perspective on one of the main characters. I have quite a few of them right now in First Heir, and I need to know if I should slash and burn them, or if having a few snippet povs isn't something to worry about...

Jenn

And another one...

2008-08-03T00:17:38Z

All in less three hours, I've written TWO 500 word contest entries, done a review on oww AND made dinner, as well as dished out some dessert. I'm on a roll, baby!

My latest entry? "You deserve to be a giant!"

Gotta love spam email, huh?

It's also posted on oww until tomorrow night. My first one lassoed a nice review already, which is super-exciting.

I shall see about writing some more tonight, but right now I have a fussy 1 year old who is apparently done with his dinner. Or should I say, the dog is done eating his dinner up off the floor from where baby boy threw it:)

Jenn

LOL!

2008-08-02T22:44:48Z

So, I just posted something to OWW that makes me crack up with how stupid it is:)

If you're on OWW member and have some time before tomorrow night (Sunday) I'd love for you to check it out. It's just under 500 words...

It's titled: "Aliens Abducted By Michael Jackson"

Yep. I'm still laughing...

Jenn

Oh! And my newest publishing credit!

2008-07-30T22:12:10Z

My story "Not Quite As It Seems" is now in the July 2008 issue of Beyond Centauri. I've been awaiting my contributor's copy all month, only to realize my address changed between submission and publication. I emailed them to see if it's been returned to sender, and hopefully I'll receive it soon.

If you'd like to own a copy, too, you can purchase it: http://www.genremall.com/zines.htm (scroll down to the Beyond Centauri section and look for the newest issue).

The details:

Issue 21

Stories:
Lawrence R. Dagstine: I Want My Alien Back
David Castlewitz: First History
Meghan Burris: Aura: First Lady of Falgadorn
Kimberly Solis: An Interesting Face
Jennifer Sparlin: Spare Parts
Daniel C. Smith: The Minotaur
Peter Frohn: More Than Time
Elizabeth Kuelbs: Lark's Flight
Laura Popp: In the Shadow Realm
Pamela Love: Warning on Whistlers' Beach
T. S. Miller: An Infinite Deal of Nothing
Kim Sheard: New Territory
Elyse Salpeter: We're Here!
James Hartley: Tilt!
Gregory Bastianelli: Two of a Kind
Jennifer Dawson: Not Quite As It Seems
Lee Malis: Penny Wants a Home
Kate Runnels: Shroud of a Suburban Gnome
Daniel C. Smith: Deliverance

Poems:
K. S. Hardy: The Witching Hour
Sharon Fotta Anderson: Frosties
Gabrielle Deede: Annie's Elegy
K. S. Hardy: The End of the Night
K. S. Hardy: The Tombstone
N. C. Whitehead: Cosmic Amusement
Terrie Leigh Relf: Are You My Satellite?
Karen L. Newman: Garden Gnomes
Terrie Leigh Relf: Attempting to Paste Together a Self-Portrait While Not in Geosynchronous Orbit
Kendall Evans: On Lunar Shores
Aurelio Rico Lopez III: So Many Questions
K. S. Hardy: Mapping the Moon
K. S. Hardy: Siren Ship

Features:
Charlotte E. Bennardo: Space Garbage

MIA

2008-07-25T04:09:25Z

I will be MIA until the 30th... have to leave town for a family emergency.

Guess I have to postpone my online activities a while longer...

Jenn

Where have I been?

2008-07-03T00:22:20Z

Gone, but not gone, I suppose:)

I was at the inlaws for twelve days and had a nice, relaxing time, but I *did* do alot of work. In fact, I got more writing/editing done in those twelve days than I've done in months. Insomnia stuck again while I was there AND I was participating in the proposal package focus group (which was amazing, btw, and I'll write more later) so I did alot of work and loved it.

I have edited the first three chapters of my still-playing-with-the-title book, and need a few volunteers to read through them since they're so new. I *may* post them on OWW, but if I did it would be closer to the end of the month. I'd rather have a few people who read the old versions take a look at the new one. I think I addressed every conceivable problem/question/concern from my reviewers and the members of the ppfg. I think they are super-sharp now... now all I have to do is examine the whole-book/plot issues I still haven't addressed. I have three possible solutions and I just need to pick one. I may do a poll, once I figure out how to summarize the changes I propose doing:)

Anyways, just thought I'd let people know I haven't been online much, but I've been working hard.

In other news, my story should be coming out this month in Beyond Centauri... I'm eagerly awaiting my payment and contributor's copy!!

Like I said, I'll post later about the ppfg. It really was amazing. I learned alot, as I had 13 reviews and did 13 reviews, not including the "please look at this revision" ones:) I've volunteered to hod another one in January, too, so if you have any WIPs you're going to be marketing next year, please think about joining the focus group. I think it's by far the best way to get feedback on a package before sending it out.

Tata for now...

Jenn

PPFG- still open!!

2008-06-18T03:49:23Z

We have fifteen proposal packages posted in our focus group and participation has been excellent. Some packages have as many as eleven reviews! If you have a query letter, synopsis and first three chapters of your book(s) come join us - there's still time!

And even if you don't have a proposal package ready, stop by and see what your fellow OWWers are churning out and give your feedback, too. It's a great learning experience, and we can use as much feedback as we can get.

Jenn

Flash Me Magazine still has several open positions!

2008-06-18T03:35:26Z

Flash Me Magazine still has several open positions!

We are currently looking for editors, an administrative manager, several administrative assistants, a few contest administrators, and people to join our new development staff.

If you’re interested in joining our team, visit http://www.wingedhalo.com/positions.html to learn more about these positions and how to apply.

Jenn
aka Editor-in-Chief, FMM