Writing Out of My Genre

I don't enter a lot of writing contests because I want to explore my own creative ideas, not write to someone else's prompt. But when I'm feeling stuck, arbitrary prompts can get some ideas and motivation flowing. So when I found the NYC Midnight Microfiction Challenge, I signed up last fall. I liked that the … Continue reading Writing Out of My Genre →

The Novel: Which Novel?

So...I kind of have a reputation for being a starter and not a finisher, especially when it comes to writing. I lack the ability to resist the next bright, shiny thing. I have a lot of ideas that I get excited about, and I have a hard time sticking with previous projects, making revisions, and … Continue reading The Novel: Which Novel? →

Where Have I Been?

It's been awfully quiet here on Jen Seriously for the last two months. What gives? The simple answer is that I’ve been trying to prioritize my time better. Without any real responsibilities or obligations outside my full time job, I have plenty of free time, but I do a lot with that time and have … Continue reading Where Have I Been? →

Flora Versus Fauna

On March 3 this year, I was one of the featured storytellers at the Truth Be Told season finale, featuring all the first and second place winners from 2018. I didn't win in the finale, but I told a damn fine story. I hope you think so too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l70k1uOmfUc And if my story didn't convince … Continue reading Flora Versus Fauna →

Say What? Edition 9: A Motley Collection

I've been keeping lists of weird things about English for a while. And by keeping lists, I mean that I write down one thing I think of and tell myself I should look for similar irregularities and fill the list so I can blog about the topic, but I never do. So, I'm cleaning out … Continue reading Say What? Edition 9: A Motley Collection →

The Novel: Which Critiques (Don’t) Matter

I now have a complete manuscript of my debut novel, a contemporary young adult story. Complete, of course, means that I still have another full edit to do over the summer...and then probably another one after I start to query in the fall. My first task is to incorporate the remaining comments I have from … Continue reading The Novel: Which Critiques (Don’t) Matter →

Turning 40: Why I Write

At three days away from turning 40 years old, I haven't been published, and yet I continue to write and call myself a writer. I'm not published because I haven't ever submitted anywhere or queried an agent. Sure, I'd like to be published some day, but that's never really been the point for me. The … Continue reading Turning 40: Why I Write →

The Novel: To Query or Not to Query

As this entry posts to my blog, I am wrapping up my third year at the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers retreat. This is a wonderful annual event held at a Franciscan Retreat Center in Colorado Springs. The center is in the perfect location, easily accessible from Boulder but far enough that I really do feel like … Continue reading The Novel: To Query or Not to Query →

Human vs. Mouse

After a year and a half haitus, I returned to the storytelling stage last November. The theme of the night was "Fire." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJB4lyyx2Sw I won second place with this story, which means I'll be performing in the season finale on March 3 at 7pm in Boulder's Dairy Arts Center. Come out to see me, all … Continue reading Human vs. Mouse →