Stay Tuned for Updates

15 March 2012 | 1 Comment 

Sorry for the long absence. One of my dogs died around the time of the last post. For a while, I had nothing I wanted to say. Then I had nothing at all to say. Ever since my dog Sam died two years ago, I’ve had trouble dealing with dogs and death.

Luckily for you, class has spurred me back into action! We have to come up with a website with some very specific features, so I’m going to be making some dramatic changes to this blog. Can’t promise anything yet, since I have to get my idea approved by the professor – but hopefully you’ll be as excited as I am.

Check back soon!

#WriteMotivation Continues!

16 January 2012 | 7 Comments 

So my writing goal has basically flown out the window. I’ve been working on revising, and right now that’s more “find what’s broken” than “write what’s new.”

I’ve just started lesson two of How to Revise Your Novel. I cannot recommend Holly Lisle’s classes enough!

In other news, I’ve got an idea on how to cover books I read this year besides individual book reviews. Hopefully I can get it up and running soon!

Good luck to everyone else on your January goals, and I’ll see you on Twitter!

Rafflecopter and Their Giveaway

10 January 2012 | Leave a Comment 

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you might have noticed I’ve gotten a bit into giveaways. They’re super fun (and I find a lot of good blogs this way, especially if they’re hops), and Rafflecopter makes them really easy. I signed up to get invited to Rafflecopter so I could use the forms on my own site – just haven’t had any giveaways yet!

Today I got an email directing me to a massive giveaway for their public launch. You can win an iPad2 or a Kindle Fire! (I’ve also included a widget below for easy entering!)

So go! Go forth and enter! Tell them I sent you!

And may the odds be ever in your favor. ;)

Read more

Update on #WriteMotivation

9 January 2012 | 6 Comments 

I’ve kind of failed this week. My writing’s been pitiful. I finally remembered to blog! I’ve been trying to keep up on Twitter with everyone else in the group, but I’ve been a bit busy in the evenings.

I did finally print out my manuscript for revision. Revising on a screen is a crappy experience. I know you love paper – I do too – but just print the darn thing.

And I signed up for Holly Lisle’s How to Revise Your Novel class. Dang, I love her classes.

And the cream of the crop: latest grad school semester started tonight. Woohoo.

Here’s to a better second week of #WriteMotivation!

2012 Resolutions

2 January 2012 | 6 Comments 

Hello again! Sorry for bailing, but between work and school and having no idea what to post…

But as part of K.T. Hanna’s #WriteMotivation, I’m going to try to get back on track. So here are my goals:

  1. Write at least 250 words a day. (Classes are starting soon, so I’m aiming low!)
  2. Blog at least once a week. (Kind of fell off the blogging wagon.)
  3. Keep up with GoogleReader.

And of course, I’m off to a poor start. I wrote nothing yesterday, and only 46 words today. I’m off to try to get more words on the page.

What are your goals for the year?

The Plan to End All Plans

30 November 2011 | 2 Comments 

Okay, not really. But I’ve decided to take a leaf out of Holly Lisle’s book and make a Master Checklist. It includes my plan to get published, my plan to improve my craft, and there’s even a checkbox for when I finally get my Masters. Take a look:

First off, we have the Narrator task force. I’ve included all the main tasks I need to complete: rewriting, sending out to beta readers, revising, and querying (broken down into query, synopsis, perfecting the first 10 pages, and agent research).

Second, I have the Holly Lisle classes I need to finish / take: How to Think Sideways and How to Write a Series. I’m extremely pleased with HTTS, and I want to take another course. The series one sounds perfect, considering all the series ideas I get.

Third, I have space for writing a second novel. Notice I didn’t put the name – I’m going to go back through HTTS to plan my next project, whether it’s Shadows, Echoes, and Reflections, Gatekeepers, or Sight.

This checklist should help me keep an eye on the Big Picture. Hopefully when I dive into Narrator I won’t get downtrodden by Endless Revision Syndrome. The light – and tally mark – are just ahead!

So there you have it. My master plan to be awesome. What’s on your master checklist?

So Many Updates

16 November 2011 | 2 Comments 

NaNoWriMo: Yesterday was the halfway point, and I was 5k down. I’m going to get further behind this weekend since I’ll be out of town (see below), but hopefully I can catch up and surpass my 50,000 words after that!

Holly Lisle lessons: I’m a little behind, but at least I’m not skipping any!

Grad School: The semester is almost over, thankfully. Just one assignment and one final.

Anime USA: I’m going to be at AUSA this weekend, working on staff as a blogger. If you’re going, let me know, and we can meet up!

Before Harry Potter…

9 November 2011 | Leave a Comment 

…there was Alanna of Trebond.

As part of Beth Revis’ Thankful for Books contest, I thought I’d give thanks for the book that first drew me into the world of YA fantasy: Alanna: The First Adventure, by Tamora Pierce.

As part of our Medieval Studies unit in fifth grade, our teacher split us up into four groups and gave us each a book from the Lioness Quartet. My group got the first one. Alanna is a fantastic character. She’s brave, strong, and doesn’t put up with any crap.

As soon as I’d devoured the first book, I moved on to the rest of the quartet, then on to the Immortals Quartet. I loved her characters, her plots, her humor, her worldbuilding. Tamora Pierce was now my favorite author.

From her books I launched into the rest of the genre, with classics like Dealing with Dragons, Ella Enchanted, and The Hobbit. I’ve never looked back.

Fourteen years later, Tamora Pierce is still my favorite author, but I’ve discovered other favorites along the way. She’s the main reason I decided to write YA fantasy myself.

And it all started with one book.

So, what was your Gateway Book?

ROW80 – Check In #7

7 November 2011 | 6 Comments 

NaNoWriMo: Well, I’m behind, but not by much. I’m probably going to fall further behind though, since I need to make some baby hats for my new cousin before I see her this weekend. But I am determined to keep up as well as I can!

Holly Lisle lessons: Trying to keep up. I think I accidentally skipped a lesson. I’ll have to go back and do that.

Other: Fellow ROW80 participants and campaigners, I plan on going around and reading your blog posts and leaving comments and stuff. I just…yeah, you know I’m busy. I’ll get to it, I promise!

Now let’s keep writing!

Update on NaNoWriMo

4 November 2011 | 1 Comment 

As you can see by my progress bar, I’m still on track for NaNo. It’s tough going, even though I have an outline this year. I’m not sure if it’s lack of good conflict in my scenes or what, but it makes for frustrating writing!

A few minutes ago I decided to try a completely new and “non-canon” scene with my main character and the antagonist to see where they take it.

Back to writing!

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  • Welcome

    new haircut

    Hi, I'm Jenn, new grad student and old YA fantasy writer. I've long dreamed of being a novelist, and I bet you have too. I hope you find my blog helpful, inspiring, and maybe just a little bit fun. (But not too much fun. Writing is serious business, you know.)

    You can follow me on Twitter or Facebook, or email me at:
    jennifer.a.johnson7 at gmail dot com

  • Official Progress


    4/21 segments

    A narrator hijacks a cliche fantasy story, much to the chagrin of its characters.

    Status: Second revision



    1,639/70,000 words
    A young noblewoman with strange powers must choose: her king or her soul.

    Status: First draft



    1,087/70,000 words
    When a girl's heart is stolen, she's plunged into a world of magic and shadows - but can she get her heart back before she loses it completely?

    Status: First draft





  • All writing, unless otherwise specified, is the property of
    Jennifer Johnson © 2010