Jen K Blom

Thursday, 16 July 2009

...but the cat eeted it.

Carry on amongst yourselves.

XOXOX

Wednesday, 15 July 2009

I know a lot of writers that are pretty irritated with other writer's success. In fact, there've been some twitter controversies recently, which just goes to show - *think* before you *tweet*.

lol

Anyway, can you all do me a favour? My friend Aprilynne Pike, a regular mom with some really cute kids and a great husband, wrote a book. She kind of exploded on the scene, more or less, and now has some really great news.

I'm a firm believer in "What success you have, I have," as I do think we're all in this together. So if you get a chance today, can you go over and comment on her post? Spread the love and share in the excitement?

Congratulations, Aprilynne! I'm super proud of you!! Livin' the dream, allllll right!

Getting the hang of it

Tuesday, 14 July 2009

As you all might know if you follow me on Twitter, last night I had an accident.

I was walking into our bathroom (which has a very low door) and bashed my head upon it. I am (un)happy to report that my hubs confirmed it does sound just like a melon cracking. Which is gross.

The funny part? My first thought was "Crap, this HURTS!" and my second thought was, "it's all story fodder." And that second thought I've had quite a bit lately.

So there you go.

Everything in my life is story fodder, and I'm okay with that.

How YOU Doin'?

Monday, 13 July 2009

Well, we got the Leipzig house moved up on the weekend. And it gave me a chance to feel like a trucker, as I was the designated driver for the Mercedes Sprint truck we rented for the move.

Now there are lots of boxes in my flat again, all of which need to be unpacked as well as new furniture we need to find a home for. It's a constant shuffle.

And that's how I'm feeling with my writing right now, too. Reading through, editing a little of the last page I've written before going onward with the book, reading over The Forester's Son and thinking about what I'll do to make this book more marketable. I.E., sellable.

I think I have an idea but it will require a basic rewrite of the book. I think I'm up to it, but I've got to finish the rough draft of the PoloGRRL book first before seriously thinking about it.

I'm even keeping up (mostly) with my word count goal, although I'm not sweating it if I don't get much in. I'm going for quality over quantity right now, and I think I'm succeeding.

So how are YOU doin' with your writing?

What's the rush?

Thursday, 9 July 2009

I had a talk with my agent the other day, and she gave me some really good things to chew on.

Namely, what's the rush?

The rush to get published? For what? I have it on good authority, from her and from published authors I'm friends with, that this never gets better. The demands on you only increase, and your time is less.

Time, my agent said, to really push the envelope in your writing. To see what you're capable of. To try different things. With all this rush to get an agent, and then a publishing contract...she said (and I really do think she's on target here) pure writing falls by the wayside in some cases.

Why not prepare yourself as well as you can beforehand?

I think this advice can be extended to almost every aspect and place we're all at in our writing. Whether you're doing a first draft, editing, looking for an agent or looking for a publisher, the way is long, and we need to stop and enjoy the route a little more. (I am lecturing myself as I type this).

So although I've got myself a goal here, I'm not going to worry about it if I don't make it by that exact day. I'll relax on my little raft on the publishing waters and just see where I go.

Never give up, never surrender.

Wednesday, 8 July 2009

I know it's insane.

I know.

But I'm setting myself a goal.

I reckon I've got about 20k left to do on PG before the first draft is finished.

Next month I'll have been here seven years. On the 6th I'll have been married for five.

August is a big month.

So I'm a-gonna set myself a goal. As I said.

First draft of PoloGRRL - done by the 15th of August.

I won't do it unless I write it down here, so here's looking at you, kids.

The 15th. Mark it.

Anybody else in?

A tour.

Tuesday, 7 July 2009

Yoda-cat, get up!

*clears throat*

Hi guys! Welcome to my house! Ignore the cats snoring in the bed, I want to take you through and give you a quick looksee.

Yoda has now gotten his rear end up and is happy to lead the way as I show you through the house.

The living room is, I think, my favourite room. Did I mention that this is the first house I've ever lived in where I feel like a normal-heighted person? For a 6'1" behemoth, this is a very. nice. thing.

Anyways, I dig that all the rooms' ceilings are bordered in stucco patterns. And they are so tall.

Yoda wants me to point out that he can reach the top of the bookcase from the back of the sofa. He does not answer when I ask why this is important.

We have a little balcony that faces out to our quiet street. The altbaus here (old houses) have double-windowed windows. By this I mean they have two sets, with a small space in between. It's how they did insulation in the old days.

Isn't that neat?

(Don't worry, they've stuck enough real-time insulation around it to not have to worry in winter.

Yoda wants to go outside too.

Here are our little plants on the balcony, and ...

A nice view of our quiet little street. The "Sauertz" store is a flower shop. Isn't that nice, how things work out?

I love flower shops.

So when you come in, here's the view from the office.

Such a nice office.

Again, the patterns just tear me up. I love it. I feel like I'm living in some crazy castle dream.

We have two long hallways that the boyz have decided are their Kitteh Raceways. Let me tell you, Daytona has *nothing* on two cats who are busy chasing each other up and down.

Yoda would *again* like me to point out to you that if he gets to the top of the cat tree, he can be closer to the ceiling than me.

Um, big whoop.

Ah, the pretteh patterns.

Berlin has a large number of altbau houses...and generally (according to the gossip we got here once we settled) the first floor room to the front was very 'pimp'. As in fancy to the max, so people from the street could see it.

They can't see my door handles, though, all of which are like this.

*drools*