Tag Archives: writing life

My Solar-Powered Self

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Jennifer Jensen

The power of thunderstorms fascinates me.  Tree branches whip in the wind, rain pelts against the roof, hail clatters on the deck and the skylights.  Thunder rolls and cracks, and I count seconds until the flash of white.  When the lightning and thunder come on top of each other, I startle, shudder and look on in amazement, safe in my house.  No matter what I’m supposed to be doing (including sleeping at night) I find myself drawn to the window to witness the spectacle. On the other hand, when cottony fog muffles the outside world, cocooning me in my solitary day, I’m grateful that the only commute I have is the three paces to my computer.  And when a soft, gentle rain waters the grass and flowers, I feel like taking a book out to the outdoor table set.  These gray days make me glad to stay home and curl … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc, TAKE JOY! | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Chasing the Mailman

Posted on August 17, 2014 by Jennifer Jensen

Friday:  Waiting for the mailman is a difficult thing for an author.  The postal tracking number showed that the print proof of Through the Shimmer of Time would arrive today, and the mail comes about noon.  I worked hard on guest blogs in the morning so I could enjoy the moment. 11:30 – No mail yet. 12:05 – Mail!  But no book package! 12:07 – Back inside, I check the USPS tracking number on the computer.  “On Delivery,” it says. Is it on a package-only mail truck?  Or did it go astray? We’ve had mail mis-delivered before. I sign up for text alerts and they send one immediately, telling me once again that it is “on delivery.” 12:32 – My phone chimes.  The text from USPS says that the package has been delivered. 12:32 – I check the mailbox again.  I check the front porch and beside the big garage … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, SHIMMER OF TIME | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

New Year’s Resolutions – Who, Me?

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Jennifer Jensen

As I write this on New Year’s Eve, I think of all my friends and writing buddies setting resolutions.  Some are big, some are small, and many of them are just way too … many.  Just consider: Measureable Goals (my thoughts in italics) Lose 5/10/50 pounds. Exercise 2/5/15 times a week. Read ten books this year.  (10 a month – at least!) Cook more meals at home.  (Eat out at least once a week.) Go on a cruise.  (Bask on the pond in a rowboat.) Learn to speak French/Russian/Chinese.  (Remember a smidge of the French I used to know.) Organize the house.  (Organize a closet.) Put all the kids’ pictures in scrapbooks.  (Find the boxes that the pictures are in.) Learn to use Excel/Scrivener/Photoshop well. (I’d settle for just one.) Writing Goals Write X number of words/hours each day. Revise X number of chapters each week. Send X number of … Continue reading →

Posted in Goals, Writer's Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

YA Author Cindy Hogan: Balancing Writing with Real Life

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Jennifer Jensen

Wow, I have my first guest blogger today!  Help me welcome author Cindy M. Hogan, who’s on a virtual book tour for her latest YA suspense novel, Created. With three YA novels under her belt now, plus a busy family and community commitments, I asked Cindy the ever-present question in my own life:  how do keep your life from spinning out of control?  She came up with some great advice for us, so read on: ************************* I’m so excited to be visiting Jennifer’s blog today. The topic she gave me is one that I have learned a ton about in the last year and a half and I hope to share with you what I’ve learned. How do I balance my writing life with my real life? My writing life before I published was pretty off and on. I didn’t schedule any writing time, I just wrote when it was convenient … Continue reading →

Posted in Goals, Guest Blogs, Writer's Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Linkfest: Children, Writing Tips and Granny’s Health Plan

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Jennifer Jensen

I’ve been saving links to blogs I really liked, some new and some old, and it’s sharing time!  And not just blog links – there’s an ROW80 goal update at the bottom. Some heart-warming, life-affirming, thought-provoking, general feel-good stuff: Kids don’t just go to school, play, and do a few small chores – they can help in big things, too!  Leanne Sype’s son Sean has a caring heart, and a willing mind, as she writes in When Life Gives You Lemonade. Lynette Burrows shared a great post on keeping a child-like creativity.  It’s kept me thinking … a lot! Over on Bliss Habits, Dani Nelson continues that thought with all the positive things you get when you live Life with a Side of Silly.  Because what’s better than a smile?  (Ignore the giveaway at the bottom – it’s over.) Reading Pretty LIttle Liars got Emma Burkhart thinking about the friendships … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog Mashups, Goals, ROW80, WRITING | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments