Jennifer DeLucy's Blog

Street Team Sign Up!

2012-01-16T17:27:00.000-08:00

Remember when I mentioned starting a Street Team? Well, I have been working on just that, and it's time to get the ball rolling. :)

Here's the story. Street Team Members are

a special lot. Team Members accept an easy weekly love-spreading assignment, and in return you'll receive Light Series swag, you'll be entered into Amazon Gift Card drawings a few times a year, and you'll be privy to some pretty exclusively exclusive exclusives... if you get my drift. Not to mention the fact that you'll be spreading the word about a series that's soul intention is to inspire you, heart and soul! And BONUS... fun with sexy men. You really can't go wrong.

If you'd like to sign up, you can either click the street team link HERE or the graphic to the right of this blog. Once you've done so, feel free to use any of the Street Team Graphics below (don't forget to collect your official member button). Snatch any of the buttons or banner graphics for use on your blogs or facebook or Twitter or whatever in the world you like.

I'm so excited to have you on our team! So hurry and sign up, because we'll have your first assignment ready by the beginning of next week!

Love,

Jen

Authors, Reviews and Negative Reactions

2012-01-07T07:38:00.000-08:00

Holy Mack

So, I’m just now reading that there have been some…eh hem…interesting public reactions from a few authors to negative reviews of their books. Is it pathetic that I didn’t realize this was happening until very recently?

Anyhoo, this makes me sad--to know that some authors seem to lose their sense of joy and satisfaction from focusing too hard and too personally on reviews. I think this is detrimental, because a level of detachment from opinion is needed in order to continue writing, in order to finish a project you've poured your sweat and blood into, and, honestly, in order to survive the writing business at all.

I definitely understand how challenging it is--the art of silence--and ideally, the ability to keep your peace when someone dislikes your work. But it’s kind of crucial. That cliché thick skin everyone is always talking about is a God-send. It’s not just a mechanism of durability in the business, it’s one of thriving and sanity, as well. Because there’s a definite risk, in our reading and writing haze, (and as with anything in life, I suppose), to get so absorbed, so tangled in the details and reactions that we absolutely lose all perspective. We can miss the forest for the trees and our own individuality, as well.

I consider, as an author, what made me write in the first place. What were my personal philosophies, hopes and dreams for people, love, life and creativity and how did I want them to apply to my writing career? We have a goal and vision for our books, right? That idealism automatically helps you to rise above what ails you, and in this day and age, authors could really stand to hold onto that feeling, simply because technology, while enhancing the intensity of the experience and adding to the fun of reader interaction, has also made it far too easy to access the opinions of others. And for the more reactionary among us, this is a recipe for diplomacy faux pas galore.

I knew, from square one, that I was absolutely, unequivocally going to get some bad reviews. I was going to have some folks who wanted to throw my book across the room and then dance upon it (the idea of which is making me giggle for some reason), and then I was going to have some readers who wanted to take my book to bed with them (no lying…this actually happened), so I set out to steel myself from day one. Of course, I was nuts to think I could be little-miss-iron-emotions straight away, because, in the beginning, negative reviews stung like hell. But I kept reminding myself why I’d written a book at all, and that some people prefer vanilla, while some like chocolate, so I had to keep my head clear. And after a time, surprisingly, negative reviews went from lacerations to mild abrasions to slight pinches, and it really does get better.

I’ll be honest, I used to feel kind of bad for not responding with a thank you to every review of my books, but something always gave me pause, and when I consider it, I believe said instinct suggested that I might be invading the reader’s privacy—their safe, anonymous feeling—along with puncturing the invisible author-reader bubble that I suspect helps people suspend their disbelief while reading fiction.

All of this hardly means that I don’t read reviews or appreciate their insights (in fact, I love them!), but the act of “staying out of it” has always felt right, for me. It’s fitting, I think, to let people take what they need and leave the rest, even if that means I have to plug my ears and sing a few verses of, “Clang, clang, clang, went the trolley!” to get through the hard bits.

Peace and love,

Jen

Credit for photography goes to: Castillo Dominici

William Makes Top Ten Book Boyfriend and More!

2011-12-28T21:21:00.000-08:00

So apparently this is top ten of 2011 week (or month?) on book review blogs across the interwebs, and woohoo! Looks like William Maddox has made...not one...but two book review blogger's lists of "top ten book boyfriends of 2011". Go Team William!

You can read for yourself at both Bookish Temptations as well as Confessions of a Bookaholic!

AND, bless him, Christian Wright has made it onto a list for "best character" over at Bookish Temptations, as well. That's my boy, you hot-headed little Brit.

I should also mention that the Light Series, itself, was named on Bookish Temptation's list of best books of 2011. Fun stuff! So glad to see this. :)

So, the book trailer for Circle of Light has been in the works for a while. I can't tell you how much patience I'm having to muster throughout this whole process, considering that we're only just about to begin official edits/re-writes, and my publisher is wanting to submit to Publisher's Weekly for a review (which is SUPER awesome, if the review is favorable), but it also means that it'll be a little while yet before book three comes out. However, I will say that we'll definitely have ARCS out for review at some point prior to release, so, to those awesome reviewers who keep asking me if they'll really have to wait so long just to get their hands on a review copy... no. You won't. Just hang in there, my lovelies.

All I can offer, right now, is a playlist from the book. But it's something, right? Here you go:

Love,
Jen

Free Holiday Download

2011-12-24T07:35:00.000-08:00

A quick post today, everyone, because it's Christmas Eve and I'm still not done wrapping presents! However... the below gift didn't need wrapping. Only linking.

Please help yourself to this exclusive download on Reverbnation of Joseph's Anthem. It's my Christmas gift to you, and it will be free and available until Jan. 1st.

JOSEPH'S ANTHEM

Love and peace,

Jen

Christmas in July...

2011-12-22T07:22:00.000-08:00

You know that change in mood that comes with the brighter, happier, richer energy of the season? Do you ever stop and consider where in the heck that seemingly supernatural charge springs from? For me, Christmas, at its core, is a celebration of peace and love toward our fellow men. It's a cliche worth encouraging. And that feeling of well-being that pours forth this time of year is a kind of miracle in itself.

The holiday joy thing should really always be here, but, considering the way so many of us are programmed to see life, a lot of folks probably don't feel right partaking of so much good cheer unless it's uniformly expected and accepted by the majority. Really. We're trained to look upon a world full of suffering and feel guilt. Life is hard, after all. People are starving, bombs are exploding, nations are unraveling. What right do we have to be happy all year round anyway? I'd be willing to bet these beliefs cause us to repress a natural sense of joy simply from guilt.

The thing is, if you're living in a world where fate has landed you in a seemingly easier situation than a lot of your fellow humans, how in the heck does year-round cynicism help anything? Does moroseness eleven months out of the year really do a thing to improve the world's prospects? And why do we wait until December to show our truest, happiest, cheer-filled selves and shine our brightest lights, when these are the same light that change the world? I'm glad we display them so well during the holidays, don't get me wrong. I just figure that if we can access that feeling now, we can access it any time. We can step into that field of energy that is transforming and energizing and hopeful no matter what the calendar says. Why should this awesomeness only creep up on us once the Christmas carols start playing in the grocery store? It's odd, the way we restrict our own good.

When you hear someone saying you should keep the spirit of Christmas all the time, it's not just another bit of holiday lip service. It's a golden reality check. Consider the sensation of childlike joy, the pure happiness that comes from being reminded of the bliss of being together, of celebrating life and knowing joy for joy's sake. We want to be better people, do nicer things. But why just now? Why only for Christmas?

I'm not positive, but I'd be willing to bet it has something to do with the mass power of suggestion--the power of empowering. The world says it's okay to be happy and good, and so we're free to do so. But, you know, it's actually okay to be happy and good to each other in the middle of October, as well--heck, get crazy and spring for June, if you want to. Keep that feeling alive--not just during the holidays. It should be a goal worth reaching for, yes?

Regardless of your religious or non-religious affiliation, Christmas inspires the memory of a man who understood the concept of giving and love, forgiveness and peace and he wanted to express that with his life. He was an inspiring human being, just as each of us have the potential to be. Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Whatever-The-Heck-You-Want-To-Celebrate is the perfect time to re-ignite your passion for generous, spirited living. But they shouldn't be a box of time that have an end. Let's see if we can carry this season over to the next one. What do you think?

Blessings, all. And Merry Christmahanzaa.

Love,

Jennifer

Winning Embrace and Some Swag Goodness!

2011-12-19T18:20:00.000-08:00

I love writers, and I know what it's like for a new author out there in the big book world. Lately there's really been a surge in new authors being published who I want to introduce to you. So I'm happy to host author Cherie Colyer and her debut novel Embrace on the blog today. Cherie wrote an awesome guest post for her launch tour, which includes a contest to win an e-book of Embrace and some awesomely cool swag! Enjoy her post below and be sure to comment and enter and here and all that good stuff!

________________________________________________

Writing Embrace: journey from idea to release

by Cherie Colyer

It’s hard to believe Embrace has been released. This got me thinking about Madison’s journey from an idea rattling around in my head to an edited book available for purchase. I wish I could say that I woke up one day last year with the image of Madison and her friends, made my morning cup of coffee, sat down at my laptop, and voila! The story was written.

But that’s not what happened. I was in the middle of writing another book when I first started to see Madison running through the halls at school (details about that here) and I had to finish that novel before I could fully immerse myself in Madison’s story.

By the time I started working on Embrace I had a good picture of my main character and I knew enough about her to know that she would do anything for her friends. I did what brainstorming and research I needed to do and wrote the first draft in 2008. After many revisions, I queried ten or so agents and received mixed responses from a request for a full to this isn’t right for my list. I was fortune to receive some comments that helped me know what I needed to work on. By this time I was working on a new project, or maybe I was revisiting one of my other work-in-progresses. I can’t remember. I finished what I was working on and went back to Embrace. In this round of revisions I targeted the areas I knew needed improvement. I signed up for a course on writing in a teen’s voice which was offered at a conference, submitted the first 10-pages for a critique from one of the faculty, and went back to working on something else.

The conference was in August of 2009. I attended the breakout sessions that would best help me at that stage in my writing career, took notes from the course on voice, and came home excited to revise Embrace one more time. In the winter of 2009 I sent more queries out into the world, received requests for fulls and partials, got encouraging responses that include you have a great voice, this has potential, and this is a great commercial concept. Unfortunately, these praises were followed by two words I’d like to chop from agents’ vocabulary: but and however.

But it had potential. So I did another round of revisions and then entered Embrace in Amazon’s 2010 Breakthrough Novel contest, and it did well. The judge from PW also said it had potential. Once again, I took the comments I received from the different judges and from readers who read my excerpt and revised. This time when I went to query I decided to submit directly to publishers and picked the ones I felt were the best match for my novel. In spring of 2011 I received a response from Omnific Publishing that they felt Embrace would make a good addition to their young adult list. I still get a tingly feeling when I think about that email. There were more revisions to be done, but this time I had the guidance of my amazing editor. And now, I'm so excited to be sharing Madison’s story with the world.

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Embrace Launch Party Guest Posts!

Jennifer DeLucy Blog: Writing Embrace - From Idea to Release

Kym's Quips: The Research Behind to Story

Once Upon A *Spark*: Mythology Behind Madison's World

Nicki Elson's Not-So-Deep Thoughts: Bring on the Romance

Jennifer Lane Books Blog: Facing Change

Embrace Launch Party Posts!

Susan Kaye Quinn, Conjuring Tales for Young Minds

Kim Winters, Kat's Eye Journal

Carole, the life of fiction

Mina Burrows, books for paranormal & mystic minds

Joseph Rinaldo, Read Rinaldo

Angela Brown, in a Pursuit of Publishness

Debra Anastasia , Tell me a Story

Colleen Wagner, London Relocation

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Embrace

a novel by Cherie Colyer

Madison is familiar enough with change, and she hates everything about it. Change took her long-term boyfriend away from her. It caused one of her friends to suddenly hate her. It’s responsible for the death of a local along with a host of other mysterious happenings. But when Madison meets a hot new guy, she thinks her luck is about to improve.

Madison is instantly drawn to the handsome and intriguing Isaac Addington. She quickly realizes he’s a guy harboring a secret, but she’s willing to risk the unknown to be with him.

Her world really spins out of control, however, when her best friend becomes delusional, seeing things that aren’t there and desperately trying to escape their evil. When the doctors can’t find the answers, Madison seeks her own.

Nothing can prepare her for what she is about to discover.

AUTHOR INFO

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

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Prizes: To celebrate the release of her debut novel, Cherie is giving away an eCopy of EMBRACE and 5-Embrace Hemp Bracelets today. There are three ways to win:

1) Leave a comment here or at any of the Party Posts.

2) Tweet about the Virtual Party or any of the Party Posts with tag #EMBRACEnovels

Example:

Nothing could have prepared her for what she’s about to discover. #EMBRACEnovels @CherieColyer #YA avail NOW www.cheriecolyer.blogspot.com

Example:

Celebrate the launch of EMBRACE by @CherieColyer #EMBRACEnovels #paranormal #YA avail NOW www.cheriecolyer.blogspot.com

3) Facebook (tag Cherie Colyer, author) about the Virtual Party.

Example:

Celebrate the launch of teen paranormal thriller/romance novel EMBRACE by Cherie Colyer, author and enter for a chance to win Embrace prizes! http://www.cheriecolyer.blogspot.com

Do all three and you will have three times the chances to win! Leave a comment at each stop of the tour for a chance to win the Grand Prize.

If you haven’t already, remember to stop back by Cherie’s blog or click here to fill out the form to ensure your entry is counted.

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Unto Us an Album is Born!!!

2011-12-09T22:45:00.000-08:00

You guys! I'm so stinkin' excited. :) You know what? My first CD was born tonight. *big shmoopy grin* We named it "Joyful Air", and the delivery was much easier than anticipated.

The Christmas themed album is available for purchase as of right this very minute, you know. *bites nails*

I told everyone that I dedicated this CD to my Grandpa Gene (it says so in the CD jacket), but I have to reiterate that the man was the only father I ever had. Add to that the fact that he was so unfailingly gentle-hearted and proud of his kids. If they had a house they had a mansion, you know? Grandpa died far too early. I was only ten years old. And times like these I miss him most, because I don't exactly have any typical parental sorts around to go all button busty for me. He wasn't around to see my books get published or to hold this CD in hand, but his influence on me is huge. In fact, most of the covers on "Joyful Air" are directly because of him, because when I was a little girl we always played Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, etc, at Christmas time, and I would listen and croon along with them and say to myself, some day I'm going to make an album. It really meant everything to me. So, when opportunity knocked in the form of a dear friend who had a sudden day away from her studio and offered it to me, "Joyful Air" is what came of her act of friendship. I'm so grateful.

Production and things have progressed a lot quicker than I thought and I'm both nervous and thrilled to be able to share it with you.

HERE'S THE LINK TO PURCHASE

You don't need a paypal account to order. You can do so with good old plastic, if you like. Also, should you have any trouble with your CD or you're unsatisfied in any way please let me know. No unhappiness will go unrectified.

Love you guys. And happy holidays!

Jen

Winners and William Maddox Tweets!

2011-12-08T07:13:00.000-08:00

1st announcement of the blog: Congrats to Meghan A and Sheherazade. They were randomly selected as ebook winners of Debra Anastasia's Poughkeepsie! I'll forward your emails on to Debra.

Also, William Maddox, of The Light Series, has started tweeting with his fans. @WilliamDMaddox!! Looks like he has an affinity for flirting...

Last, I'm about to release a Christmas album. :) I'll keep you posted, but, for now, check out my reverbnation player to the right for samples!

Love!

Jen

Introducing Poughkeepsie and Debra Anastasia!

2011-12-04T15:51:00.000-08:00

A newly published author friend of mine, Debra Anastasia--all around sweet lady and wonderful writer--is in the midst of her first book tour, and she asked if she could drop by my blog to share the deets and offer a giveaway. Of course I said yes! Debra is a good soul. Did I mention she offers part of her sales to hurricane victims? Pretty awesome, huh?

Debra is giving away 2 copies of her ebook on today's blog stop, so you'll want to comment on this post for your chance to win.

Here's the awesome info on Poughkeepsie and Debra

Anastasia:

Give a Copy of Poughkeepsie a Home:

Poughkeepsie in eBook, ePack, and Print: Omnific Publishing

Poughkeepsie in Kindle and Print Amazon Kindle Amazon Print

Poughkeepsie Book format allromanceebooks.com

Watch the trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tHdSFrxnp4

GIVEAWAY

There are 2 eCopies of Poughkeepsie to give away on the blog today. To enter, please leave a comment and a valid email address.

POUGHKEEPSIE

He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others . . . he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day.

Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.

When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.

Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?

In an interwoven tale of unlikely loves and relationships forged by fire, Debra Anastasia takes readers into the darkest corners of human existence, only to show them the radiant power of pure adoration and true sacrifice. Complicated families and confused souls find their way to light in this novel, which manages to be racy, profane, funny, and reverent all at once.

Holiday Music and a New Blog!

2011-12-03T09:52:00.000-08:00

A few announcements!! First, there are a handful of songs from my upcoming Christmas album, Joyful Air, now exclusively available for individual purchase through reverbnation! Watch for the full album release very soon. In the mean time, here's the link to my reverbnation store! JINGLE BELLS!

Secondly, I now have a dedicated musician's blog. Please follow for chances to win music and blog exclusive giveaways/free downloads and the latest album announcements! FA LA LA!

It would be a grand thing if you'd follow my musician's blog. A nice holiday sentiment of good will? *batts eyes*

Okay, enough shameless pimping. I am off to put up a Christmas tree!

Jen

Sharing the Joy on the Blog Hop!

2011-11-10T13:40:00.001-08:00

Today is the weekly Author! Author! blog hop from Omnific Publishing, and as my blog post, I'm just going to share the joy and congratulations for my friend and fellow author, Linda Cunningham, who will be appearing on the Craig Ferguson show tomorrow night!!! Linda's debut novel, Small Town Girl, is out now, and she'll be discussing the book on the show! SO EXCITING! I'm thrilled to say that she chose a song of mine to go with her book trailer. You can view it here:

To join in the author blog hop and get to know Omni authors, here's what to do. From Omnific's Blog:

If you are an author, click on "Get the Code Here" to get the link. Copy and paste that link in your blog post. Then hop right on and add your blog url to get added to the list.

If you are a reader, you get to bounce from blog to blog and meet some great new authors and maybe find some new books to read.

So everyone hop on and go for a bounce!

The Truth About Today

2011-11-08T13:41:00.000-08:00

I'm always so tempted to keep my dreary days to myself, because I'm afraid of bumming anyone out. But, I thought I'd share a little prose poem I wrote as therapy. We all have days like the following, I think. Here's what mine is like:

__________________
TODAY

I am vulnerable today
In the bleak of November
With a clinging mist and a fine rain
And air that sinks into your flesh like invading hands.

I am uncertain of this moment and tomorrow.
The past is past, and this is well
But all that is still worries me
And all that comes concerns me.

I feel strange today.
Not hopeless, but unprotected.
Alone and fragile.
I need a blanket from the world.

Today, I do not want to be brave
I do not want to have faith, so much as shelter.
A warm cup in hand, a small, hidden place.
An unanswered phone.
A place where no one can find me.
A place where I do not exist to anyone else
Where I hardly exist to myself.
A place where you cannot require or request.
You cannot ask me, you cannot tell me
You cannot judge me, you cannot coerce or sway me.
You cannot argue, you cannot spin.
You cannot touch me here.

You cannot find me at all
In this quiet, dim place with warm cup in hand.
I am not yours.
And when I am ready, I may come forth from my hiding spot
Standing taller, acting bolder, feeling like more and not less.
But I am vulnerable today
In the bleak of November
With a clinging mist and a fine rain
And air that sinks into your flesh like invading hands.

Real Conversations: Run or Flail. Would YOU Survive a Zombie Apocalypse?

2011-11-03T18:40:00.000-07:00

I've been watching The Walking Dead lately (I'm quite a fan), and trying to catch up on the first season. Additionally, I make my best friend, Ally, watch with me, because I'm not watching that shit alone! Are you nuts? Anyway, it's really made me stop and think about my zombie survival skills, and after tonight's conversation with Ally, I think I need to institute a new blog feature. We're going to call these entries, "Real Conversations." All I have to say, ladies and gentlemen, is that it appears I am in big trouble...

Me: "Yay! So this Sunday it's a Walking Dead marathon."

Ally: "Okay. Though I don't know how I'm going to run away if we're watching it at your place. Nowhere to run."

Me: "I think it's funny that your physical reaction to this show is to actually get up and run away, as if they will climb out of the screen and chase after you."

Ally: "Hey! It's practice for the real zombie apocalypse. I will be ready!"

Me: "Whereas I tend to scream and flail about. That reminds me. Remember, at my old house, when lightning hit the wiring and the light bulb buzzed loudly and exploded above my head, and instead of running away like a normal person I kind of jogged in place frantically and flailed my arms about? I think I'm realizing that this is my instinctual reaction to fearful situations. Not good."

Ally: "You would be SO screwed in a zombie apocalypse. You're dead. They would eat you so fast."

Me: "Oh my God, I know. I would flail at them. I would just scream and flap my arms and that wouldn't help. Maybe I'll kick them in the nads, instead."

Ally: "I don't think that would help, Jenny."

Me: "I'll roundhouse kick them!"

Ally: "They'll just bite your feet off! You need to run, woman!"

Me: "God. I'll have to buy you a t-shirt that says, 'Run, Jenny, Run!' in big letters so I'll remember what to do."

Ally: "Well, you'd better put the writing on the back, because I will be OUT of there so fast. I'll miss you so much."

Me: "No you won't, cuz I'll come find you and eat your brains. You'd better be skilled at shooting things in the head. I'm a little worried about you in that area."

Ally: "Hey, good shots run in my family line."

Me: "Woman, you struggle with high-fives and blowin' up your fist bumps. I'm skeptical about your hand-eye coordination. Though, you're really good at knitting things, so, maybe that'll be your saving grace. I've been playing the piano all my life, so, I'd probably be good with a gun. Maybe you could knit some gun holders, and my hands will be all toasty warm while I kill the zombies for us."

Ally: "Shut up. You'd better learn to run first."

Me: "I'm working on it."

Post on Being

2011-10-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

I found the below post buried in my facebook notes, and I thought, why don't I just blog it? I wrote it a long time ago, but, it still holds true to me. Here's what I was thinking at the time:

So many people claim to be miserable. Miserable with their life, their jobs, their place, their status, their relationship, etc, etc, and the list goes on. But what are they comparing themselves to?

Dissatisfaction is a difficult thing to overcome. It's difficult because we are often so completely absorbed by the whole mass of a specific societal view, so blindly following its predispositions and norms that we don’t bother or even realize to think beyond the invisible cage.

Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose and how should I live? These questions have been beaten to death forever. But I think the problem is that, if at any given time, you find yourself answering these questions with anyone else but yourself in mind, that is, if you're seeking the answer from someplace outside of yourself, then you’re officially missing the point. And more, you’re limiting the field of possibility and purpose for you, trying to patch leaks in things that were never leaks at all, and as a result, blocking the flow.

In fact, I am ever more certain that there is only me in this world.

And I know this sounds like a completely selfish outlook, if the above statement is viewed in the light of ego, but I mean it in a completely different way, I mean it to be freeing and I mean it as a statement of humility. Once you've learned how to walk and talk, how to say I love you and show gratitude, the aping of pop-culture human behavior and rules does little to unveil your truest self.

And so, naturally, it’s the most perplexing and absolutely head-bashingly difficult notion to practice that I’ve ever come across. It’s much easier to follow the old ideologies, to believe that I am inherently evil or ugly, that there are specific steps to follow, rules to abide by that can make me ideal, match me to the head table. It’s much easier to conceptualize a means to a “correct” end that, with enough dumbing down of my own mind, enough ignorant acceptance and faith in a specific culture or sub-culture’s demands, that somehow I might actually become “right,” become “correct,” become “good enough.”

So what if the guy with the four-foot beard has been camping out in the woods and eating grubs and fish he’s caught with a branch and some earthworms for forty years? So what if the girl next door has more tattoos than bare skin? So what if your brother only makes twenty grand a year selling sports mags door to door? Is he happy? Is he fulfilled? Do we have the right to say otherwise when it is their mind, their heart and their life, not ours, in question? There is only me. You see what I mean?

When I fall into the same trap I've succumbed to, unwittingly, countless times before...if I allow my individual thinking mind to go lax and take the mentally easy route, looking around and observing what has been built, what has been pre-determined and defined by other minds, by a majority only, and permit these perceptions to mold my beliefs and actions, then I find myself in the same state of dissatisfaction as most. It’s the curse of the sleep-walking masses.

It requires a braver kind of thought to step out of queue, to call your own folly. People may have narcissistic impositions, but that doesn't mean we need to believe them.

What the hell is correct? And perfect? And what is beautiful? How can we dare answer these questions for anyone else but ourselves? And how uniquely egotistical, believing we can.

We're all connected, but the human path and experience is individual for a reason. It’s peppered with associations, relationships of varying degrees of significance, but it is singular. And yet, what people have done, so often, is built a mold, a maze for others to work, a uniform puzzle with a precise and ideally replicated end. We rear ourselves and our children to run this maze, thinking that this is the way it's done, even though it was only one man’s puzzle to solve. Many times this mold was meant to be an inspiration, but it was never meant to be a "how to be" manual.

We tend to admire the accomplishments of wealthy or extreme personalities to such a degree that we automatically assume, in our self-contained understanding, that their direction is the right direction for us all. But, while acknowledging the many technical and philosophical accomplishments of man throughout history, after thousands of years, there is still war, there is poverty, there is murder, every kind of addiction and vice and a crumbling environment because many remain so very focused on the immediate, popular, mundane, material. Humans are still warring with each other for the shiniest stones or the most righteous gods, fighting for the survival of mercilessly compared egos honed in a specific image, and, sadly, too many people are still teaching their children to do the same every day, chastising and belittling that which dares not comply. I only have to point at the bullying crisis as an example of the aftereffects.

Sometimes I just need to remind myself, in writing, that certain ideals, certain “standards” are merely concepts and opinions put forth by others. I don't have to own them, and they don't have to own me.

There is only me in this world, because I can only live and act and speak for myself in accordance with what feels true. To presume to do so for anyone else is out of the question. And hopefully, if I strive to keep my eyes opened, I will be more kind, more understanding, more hopeful, and I will remember more often than I forget

How to Scare Your Readers...In a Good Way

2011-10-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

YAY! I'm taking part in a Halloween Blog Hop! :) Romance Girls Gone Goblin Hop, to be specific! As a fun surprise, I'm giving away an ebook set of books (Light Series) in celebration of said blog hop. It's open internationally, so LEAVE COMMENTS TO ENTER! And today, as a participant, I've chosen the topic of creepy writing methods. For all my potential authors and those interested in writing some spine-tingles into their work, just a few tips below to nudge you along!

1. Scare Yourself.

One of the main measurements of how well something is going to disturb your readers is whether or not it keeps the author awake at night. I've written scenes about shadow creatures, banshees and ghosts galore, and my favorites are the ones that really messed with me when I tried to go to sleep.

2. Be There.

Readers know when you've detached from your own story--they can feel it in the writing (or lack thereof.) A suddenly cliche or flat sentence will hit them just as hard as an off note in a song, so, dig deep into your own imagination and try to experience what's happening from as personal a perspective as possible. If you're walking through a cemetery, don't imagine the most impressive words possible to describe a tombstone. Imagine how it smells creeping through that graveyard at night, with the wind whirring past you like fantom arms and an owl flashing you a glowing pair of eyes from leafless branches. If you're getting chills while writing it, if you're ready to jump a mile because you're so into a scene that the slightest interruption will scare the poop out of you, then well done!

3. Embrace Your Dark Side.

I think that some people, writers or otherwise, are really afraid to embrace their own fears. But taking the very thick of what bothers you, embracing the root fears you only entertained as a child will build a great foundation for your paranormal scene. For instance, if you can't get yourself to watch The Exorcist because you were raised Catholic and it freaks you out, or maybe something about those damned bodies rising from the mud in Poltergeist makes you turn the station every time--bingo. You've found a point emotional enough to you that you can write it exceptionally well.

4. Read What Scares You and Pay Attention to the Details.

I've read a LOT of Stephen King, and the most disturbing things he's written aren't necessarily about the ghosts or the monsters, themselves. It's the smell of the bodies in The Stand, the way he describes a rotting corpse as a "sick sweet treat" for the maggots, the laughter of the devil as he taunts a little boy beside a river. These things are more psychological...and they stick with your reader.

I'm one of those people who likes to take a fear and get lost in it, let it turn from terror to fascination, so it's no surprise that I've done the paranormal thing. I was horrified of horror movies and such when I was a kid. And they still freak me out, but I also can't get enough of them! I guess I'm a glutton for punishment. Hope I've helped any potential spooktastic writers out there!

Scare on,
Jen

My Favorite/Freakiest Scary Movies

2011-10-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

Just in time for Halloween, I wanted to talk about my favorite/freakiest scary movies! (I love this topic.) Anyone who knows me is well aware that I'm a fan of creeptastic cinema, but not the slasher violent type. I like the nearly plausible, psychological kind. Unfortunately, most of my friends are the opposite and hate to be scared, so I can't typically get them to agree to a scare-athon.

Anyway, here we go!

Favorite: Night of the Living Dead - Black and White version. The very first one, I mean, from the 60's. It's my favorite one of all. It was surprisingly well done for that time, and it's the kind of thing that mixes survival with supernatural...my favorite!

Freaky: The Exorcist. Oh, Lord, I didn't watch this movie until I was 18 years old, and I'm glad, because, had I watched it as a little kid, I would have never. ever. slept again. And look, I was raised Catholic (strict), so, this stuff messes with your head when you're young and impressionable. I don't think I slept for about three nights after watching it, as it was. All I can say is, spider walk, dude. Spider walk.

Favorite: The Sixth Sense. Come on, now, who didn't love this movie? And the fact that it's placed in my home state, (I'll always love M Night for his Philly affiliations) only added icing to the cake. It was both touching and creepy. The sick little girl sequence was particularly disturbing.

Freaky: Any of The Host type movies. I simply cannot make myself watch them full through. I've tried sitting through clips, but, for some reason, those Japanese film-makers have really hit on a major nerve with me, and the creepy little open mouthed, black eyed, seemingly uncomprehending but evil children crawling up your covers to frighten you into a heart attack thing is f'd up, people. Just wrong.

Favorite: Signs! Another M Night movie, another home state tribute, but this is one gets kudo points for cute children. I get so scared right along with that family no matter how many times I've watched the film, even though I know exactly what will happen. But when they've finished boarded up the house and the first alien bangs on the wall... aaah!!! Also, how adorable is the tinfoil hat scene?

Freaky: Pet Cemetery. I have only one thing to say about this: zombie babies are not right, Stephen King. I may love you, man, but, you can't unsee a toddler nomming on a guy's neck.

That's it for now! I have lots more, but these top my list. What are your faves?

Boo!
Jen

Are You a Bitch?

2011-10-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been called a "bitch"?

I hate that word, because it's too often applied to pretty much any woman, across the board, who is outgoing, outspoken, or opinionated--regardless of how they conduct themselves. It seems there is a black and white spectrum here. But where is the variation? All of us have a bit of "bitch" in us. I think it's important, though, not to confuse an honest voice with a bitchy one. Strength of character and the courage to stand up for yourself and others is never a bad trait. It just makes some people very uncomfortable. ;)

When I was a little girl, the kids in school used to call me "Mother Theresa" or "Sister Jennifer" because I was the most mild-mannered, well behaved kid you could imagine. I never wanted to fight with anyone and I hurt for the kids around me who were bullied or picked on. I just wish I'd had the guts to stand up for them more.

I guess that's what adulthood is for, huh? The years when you're supposed to be brave enough to stand up for people--yourself included. It can be scary when you discover that not everyone is going to like your truth, though. That infamous day when you discover that *gasp* someone doesn't like you! *smirk* Tough to get used to.

I've discovered that, the more comfortable I am in speaking up for myself and others, (respectful though I am), the more pissed off people become. In fact, it really knocks some folks off their rocker. Especially if they aren't used to complete authenticity in communication. Especially if they're clearly used to being a bully.

Maybe the Portuguese/Italian/German/Irish in me is finally kicking in, but I don't have quite as much of a stomach for immaturity or judgment as I used to. More and more I understand who I am, what I want, what I stand for and what I do not stand for--and for some reason, I'm not so afraid to say it anymore. I'm also having a harder time with people who practice any sort of mental hierarchy, as I realize that no one is more or less equal to anyone else, no matter their economic or educational station, and so I don't behave as if they are. Again, this irks some folks, but it seems just plain silly that it should. If you know yourself and you grasp the value in every person, there's no need to bully people or carry grudges or mistreat others. There's a point where you're supposed to move past high school and enter enlightenment, right? Honest, heart-felt communication and then resolution seems like a pleasant counter to storming up and going off on someone, only to run away before they can say their piece. Why is this so hard?

I wish I could reach down into every frightened person's dark place and offer them a hand, say, "Hey, love, what are you hiding from? Come on up here and don't let anyone put you down." But I've also figured out that learning to stand up for yourself and believe in yourself is a very personal journey, one that often comes of getting just plain fed up with the bull. You can't really do this for anyone else. You can only do it for yourself. But you can continue to speak your truth and follow your heart, even if you think someone will resent you for it.

It's hard to reconcile that not everyone will like you. It's especially hard for me, because, for a very long time, everyone always did--either that or they didn't notice me--or they took advantage of me. It was a surefire sign that I wasn't quite there yet. I was still hiding from my truth.

Are you?

It's interesting to watch my life unravel and observe, from almost a bystander's perspective, the changes in my level of guts. It's like my passion ratio raises with every year that goes by. There are days when I think back to the timid little girl I was and think that I could never, ever go back to that. I wouldn't want to cage myself up again. The goal is to conquer fear... not otherwise. And every day I try to summon my inner strength, because every day I come across an instance where I need it.

Balance, balance, balance. First shyness, then passionate boldness, then the middle ground. I guess that's the ultimate goal.

For all my supposed "bitches" out there, who really just speak their heart-felt truth in all things, God bless you. It takes a lot of courage, but I suspect the rewards are great.

Talk to you soon,
Jen

Haunted Halloween = PRE-SEERS EXCERPT SCENE

2011-10-16T10:28:00.000-07:00

Here's your chance to get a little glimpse at a super exclusive PRE-Seers of Light scene. If you've read the books, it'll be more knowledge in your Light Series cap, and if you haven't, it's a great teaser! ;) Also, Bound By Books is giving away an epack of both books. Can't beat that! So get on over there and spread the word. XOXO

A Life Bound By Books: Haunted Halloween 2011: Guest Post - Jennifer DeLu...: Pre-Seers Excerpt: I liked my new apartment. It was small and outdated, but I was fond of the porcelain kitchen sink with scrub marks a...

My First Ever CD Song. Sniff

2011-10-10T19:28:00.000-07:00

Now that book three is essentially written, in initial drafts, anyway, I've been able to start my CD project. My friend Chris (from Cluthe/Lee Music) helped me with laying the title track for said CD yesterday and he is mixing it, as well. (Btw, I don't know that Chris realized this IS the title track...so, surprise, Chris! Heh.) It's going to be more of a short, sampler CD, with about five songs on it, I think, so I'm choosing wisely. Anyway, this is probably not the final, final mix of the song, but it's close enough and I thought I'd share. The song is called "We've Sailed Here", and the story behind it is thus: I believe that we have the potential for real soul mates in life (more than one, probably), and this song is about finding them. It doesn't have to be romantic (though I am a total romantic). It can relate to any kind of destined relationship. I'm nervous about letting you hear this, because it's so intimate, but it's now or never. Lyrics are below the player. :)

I'll see you where earth meets sky
I'll read you in between the shadows and the lies
A moment will feel like an eternity gone by
And it will stop all time. It will stop all time.

I'll know you. My mystery
Unraveled, the pages that have born your history
Forget all the things we used to think would make us free
And we will finally be. We will finally be.

Hold on, hold in they say. But I won't hold back that day.

Your face in a broken dream
Replacing and filling any holes inside of me
And taking the last of a deceived reality
And we will finally be. We will finally be.

Hold on, hold in they say. But I won't hold back that day...

We've sailed here, we've raised that mast
In circles, in years have come and gone in lifetimes past
The questions were answered every time we thought to ask
And everything shall last. And everything shall last.

Take heart, take time, they say. But, I'll take what's mine that day.

Rock Your Own Life!

2011-10-07T08:23:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed, lately, an increase in the moving and shaking of life? People are going after things, being brave, creating, endeavoring, dreaming big and then making it real.

There's something in the air, guys. I mean it. I'm not sure exactly what, but I'm telling you, now is the time to go with your gut and scare yourself. It's a rich and fertile energy out there. No wasting it!

I just wanted to create this post to give you a few affirmations I think we could all use. Yes, this is going to be a Jen the Cheerleader pom-pom waving, just in case there was any question. I wanted to say the following to get you going:

First, you cannot fail. There's no such thing...dead serious. Because failure is something defined by a fixation on a specific outcome. The concept of "failure" stems from forgetting that the most important aspects of life are the stepping stones, not the cottage at the end of the path. You get me? It doesn't matter how "it" turns out, whatever your "it" may be. Results are always more amazing when they spin off, accidentally, from a life full of adventure.

Second, (broken record much?) you attract what you put out. So, if you're someone who wants to be optomistic about everything but you keep running into other people's walls of cynicism, screw 'em... lovingly, of course. You know what they say about cynics? They're jaded optomists. But you know what else? They're optomists who were obsessed with outcomes! See where I'm going with this?

I know that sometimes focusing on an outcome/the future gets you through things more easily. When I was a kid, I got by with a constant hope for resolution, for a better life, for less hurt. Looking forward seemed like my saving grace. But, as the late Steve Jobs said, you can't connect the dots looking forward, only back, so I couldn't understand how the things that were happening could possibly be of any good to anyone. I was wrong, of course. They were super important. They taught me the most valuable life lessons ever--namely, what I didn't want to be. Luckily, once you've passed that, you can start to appreciate what you are.

Something more: Do you speak and live your truth, even if others can't stand you for it? Even if I can't stand you for it? If it's in your heart and it feels exactly right, if it comes from a sense of fairness and love, that is a good measure of whether or not you should be living it. Some people speak their truth more gently, more reservedly, some sing it from a mountain top. Whatever your style is, being true to yourself is vital. Miracles tend to happen when we do--and when we allow the same for others. Believe in your own mind. No matter what anyone else says or how they try to force you into gulping down their ideology pills, you do what feels right to you. And yes, that includes my YOU ROCK ramblings, too. ;)

Finally, before you doubt your worth and chicken out, I need you to understand that you are seriously, actually and deeply beautiful. I don't care about your age, body type, your race, your supposed flaws. Nowadays, concepts of beauty are a delusion created by someone else. Cultures, generations gone by have always defined beauty completely differently, and our own has quite the monopoly on cut-out dolls and conveyer belt models, but remember this: That does not mean it's true! It doesn't mean it's real. It means that someone else had enough power and enough money and influence for enough time that they convinced others of the same. And we're so very eager to fit in, so folks tend to buy it... at first. Think outside the box, though, just for a minute, and that mess starts to dissolve away.

Do one thing a week that pushes you for the rest of the month. Hard as I know it is, do specifically those things that test the limits of your fears and insecurities, even if they're just small things, at first. Put yourself out there, with an invisibly extended energy that says, I'm ready... I'm scared shitless, but I'm ready. BRING IT ON, UNIVERSE. And see what happens. And then be prepared, because if you say it and you really mean it, things will start to happen. More of those colorful, fateful stepping-stones will spring up and start coaxing you along toward cool things that you couldn't have made up ahead of time to save your life.

This is SO a time to be manifesting your own good, my friends. So do it! Start inviting in the bigger plan and let it happen. We can be scared and excited together. I want to know the things you do. Tell me about them! Post them here or email me or send me messages. I'll do my best to egg you on. ;)

Love you. Be brave!
Jen

I Kissed a Girl...No, Really.

2011-10-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

This post is going to be a little bit hard for me, just because it’s extremely personal, but, it’s probably the most important thing I’ve ever written about—and I’m kind of nervous!

I’m not someone who talks about the details of their private life in a public venue. I don’t like to use my blog to proselytize about hot topic political or social issues, but this one happens to be very personal. This one happens to be something I’ve sat on for the last few years, never quite certain whether I could or should say anything about it.

Fact is, I like girls….and guys. I’m bisexual.

Right. That’s done.

I don’t tend to hide it from the people in my immediate life these days. I don’t scream it from everyone’s rooftops, but I don’t try to conceal it, either. My friends are some of my greatest supporters and love me without exception. Most of my family tolerates the idea of my being bisexual, though some are still loathed to even acknowledge it. My ex is still known as my “friend” to them. And our eight year relationship was just a phase. But, you know what? Even if they were willing to accept it and—hell shall freezeth over—embrace it, the truth is that I’ve never really stood up to them or publically admitted it with any kind of backbone, acknowledged the truth full on, and that’s a key for me. I’ve waffled. I’ve loafed. I’ve been in denial and limbo where it counted most. I was afraid to even let my own truth in.

When my family first found out about my relationship with a girl, I was barely into my twenties. The fallout sent me packing and far away from my home town and away from everything I'd known. Things were a disaster, then. I was so young and I felt so utterly abandoned during a time when I needed support the most. A very few tried to understand, but those who should have raised me up the most were suddenly afraid for my soul and repulsed by the news, even though, up until then, I’d been the perfect kid. Never got into trouble, loved and cared for my family, did what they wanted and asked and that was that. They simply couldn’t believe it. I’vE always been so girly, after all. I had never acted like “one of those people”. What had gone wrong?

Now, this isn’t to come off as a martyr. Victimhood is useless and depressing and I don’t believe in wallowing. But the point is that, until then, I was acceptable. I was the Jen they knew and trusted. And then suddenly, because of who I loved, I was not. I was no longer welcome. I was called the worst of names and treated with disdain.

And I’m not alone.

How many of you have been through the same thing? How many of you have friends and loved ones that you’ve watched suffer through rejection, abandonment for simply being who they were?

That sticks with you. And it tainted my vantage point about trusting people for a while, making me tip-toe very cautiously around, wondering if all love was conditional.

Once I understood that my own compassion wasn’t conditional, though, once I recognized that I still loved my family, even if they couldn’t handle who I was, then I was able to heal. This wasn’t about them anymore. It was about the fact that I couldn’t be stomped out. Nothing could kill my spirit—my capacity for love in the face of nearly anything.

A big part of what I do and who I am involves the public. Authoring and musicianship puts you right smack out there, so there might be some who think it’s risky business being so open. But come on. We’re talking about me here. I absolutely cannot keep my heart to myself forever. And when I feel something deeply, it’s against my nature to hide it.

Of course, I’m under no obligation to make this known, but, for some reason, it feels like a weight off my shoulders to just put it out there. After all, I always say to be authentic. I always say to be your best self, to follow the truth of your path. Might as well practice what I preach.

I’m proud of who I am. I’m blessed by it. I thank God for making me the passionate, affectionate, open person that I’m meant to be—including the part where I think chicks are super cute! ;) And to my friends who have known the same path, I’m proud of you and I love you. Don’t let life make you bitter. Continue to live your truth with grace and goodness.

As always, thanks for listening.

All my love,

Jennifer

Blog Hops, Music and Sweaty Balls...er...Schweddy Balls.

2011-10-02T17:52:00.000-07:00

Hello, hello! Oh, I am raring to go today, people. I've had coffee and I am super inspired after a crazy awesome weekend. SO, I'm here to inspire you in return.

Let me start by asking... who loves ridiculously good music? Because I got an OD of it this weekend. To my listeners of folk, indie rock, super-freaking-tastic genre ear candy, allow me to recommend the following performers/bands.

Numero uno: Kara Kulpa, who is on her first national tour right now (and happens to be one of my best friends, but, whatever, she's amazing...and I'm a music snob, so please trust me on this.) Kara is maniacally gifted on any kind of stringed instrument and her voice is like magic. She writes lyrics that flow like water. Her fellow traveler, musician Kristen Ford, is also on tour right now, and that girl is wicked good! Honestly, I listened to her very first song and knew I was addicted. I dare you not to be in a good mood while/after listening to this. Love it. Here's a sample from their show here in my home town the other night:

In the middle lending some backup is the soulful Violet Vonder Haar, who is a whole other realm of amazing songwriter herself. Okay, now, on to the next line of interest. Guess what today iiiiiis... It's Monday! That's right, baby. Everybody's favorite day of the week. But, I won't leave you in the lurch. Aside from the above boost in your day, I've got the below author blog hop to offer for new contracted writers who want to network it a bit. Sign up! See below for deets from author Lisa Sanchez's blog:

READERS:

Follow as many authors as you like. Just follow the Linky list and hop from author to author. The idea is to find as many "new to you" authors as you can, and hopefully some great new reading material as well. Leave a comment as you hop from blog to blog! We'd love to chat with you!

AUTHORS:

Follow the Meet an author Monday host (Cali Cheer Mom) along with any of the wonderfully talented authors on the list.
You will need to enter your name and blog url into the Linky tool.
Grab our super cute button and place it in a post. (THIS IS IMPORTANT!) If you don't create a post for the hop, your readers won't have a place to comment, and the hop will stop with you. So create a post, paste in the Linky code and start hopping!
The purpose of the hop is to meet "new to you" authors and discover great new reads. Follow as many authors as you can. Leave a comment and introduce yourself!
If you'd like to share the Linky list in a post on your blog ( Please do!) just follow the link and grab the code.
Authors! The more you promote this hop, the more successful it will be. Tweet about it. Post a link on Facebook. Talk about it on your blogs. Let's get the word out!

Before I leave you, can I just say that Schweddy Balls taste way better than I thought they would. Nice job, Ben and Jerry's. Also, you guys are amazing! Hope you know it and wear that badge every day.

Peace, love and rock and roll,
Jen

Authors... Join the Blog Hop!

2011-09-25T20:52:00.000-07:00

I've been missing out on the author blog hops lately, and that just makes me sad. So, I'm jumping on this train early. ;)
So what the heck is this blog hop about? Straight from host Lisa Sanchez: Authors! Have a book out? Are you under contract for publication? Make sure you join in the hop. This is a great way to network your blog and let readers know who you are!

Here's how it works:

READERS:

Follow as many authors as you like. Just follow the Linky list and hop from author to author. The idea is to find as many "new to you" authors as you can, and hopefully some great new reading material as well. Leave a comment as you hop from blog to blog! We'd love to chat with you!

AUTHORS:

Follow the Meet an author Monday host (Cali Cheer Mom) along with any of the wonderfully talented authors on the list.
You will need to enter your name and blog url into the Linky tool.
Grab our super cute button and place it in a post. (THIS IS IMPORTANT!) If you don't create a post for the hop, your readers won't have a place to comment, and the hop will stop with you. So create a post, paste in the Linky code and start hopping!
The purpose of the hop is to meet "new to you" authors and discover great new reads. Follow as many authors as you can. Leave a comment and introduce yourself!
If you'd like to share the Linky list in a post on your blog ( Please do!) just follow the link and grab the code.

Authors! The more you promote this hop, the more successful it will be. Tweet about it. Post a link on Facebook. Talk about it on your blogs. Let's get the word out!

Building A Paranormal World - Series Recap and Discussion

2011-09-22T11:14:00.000-07:00

While I'm in the "soon to say goodbye to writing my third book" throes of bitter-sweet heartache, I really wanted to take the opportunity to chat with readers and writers alike about the process and miracle of building this world and learning about its characters.
I've made it no secret that t I'm not a hardcore planner, although lots of my fellow author friends are. I can and do build a loose outline, but it rarely stays the same. It's never been something I could really get myself to do--to plot out the every character and interaction and event ahead of time. Mainly this is because, if it weren't for the element of sudden inspiration and surprise for me, the journey would turn stale. I'd be terribly bored and therefore unmotivated. I want to live my books too, after all, and micromanagement isn't my style.

Here's the way things have turned out for the Light Series Trilogy thus far. In fact, let's just start at the beginning, shall we?

I'd been finishing up my beloved Harry Potter books, which were just at their end, all the while reading lots of ghost and near-death accounts, just because they fascinated me so much. I remember being out to dinner one night with my best friend just sitting in a dim little booth and saying, "I want to write my own book now. I'm ready. I've put it off long enough."

And that was the start of Seers of Light. People with special abilities doing spooky things. Exciting huh? *smirk*

I had written one scene on its own at an earlier date. In it, I tried to conjure the scariest imagery possible--something that would disturb me, personally. I wanted something similar to a "shadow person"--preferably reminiscent of the kind I'd read about in real life haunting accounts. I looked at this seemingly free floating scene and realized that it belonged in Seers. It fit perfectly into the newly born Lily Hunt's world, and thus began her adventures. But she wasn't alone...

I've talked about Christian before. Those who read my blog will know that I had planned (that is, when he introduced himself to me early on) certain things for him.

However, Christian Wright knew secrets I didn't--secrets that book two (Whisper of Light) would stand to reveal to me, and secrets that would help define the whole concept of the complete circle of all the characters' lives.

I thought I wanted everything one way. They wanted them another. Because they knew better.

Case in point, another (if not THE) prime example of someone who knew better? William Maddox. If you've read the books, you know he kind of takes us by surprise. Then he takes the whole series by surprise. I've been hopelessly thankful to him ever since, because he ended up being kind of my catalyst for the whole deal, all three books, in his own quiet, sexy, smart-assed, unassuming way.

The series begins Lily and company in Atlanta, Georgia, but in book two, we follow Christian to California (because, apparently, there was a story there that required telling, damn it.) People are still hesitant about poor Christian until after they've read Whisper of Light, which is why I'm nudging those certain readers to make sure they read the second book. After all, it's a third of the trinity. You could read the other two novels only--but for heaven's sake, that would be a mistake. It's crucial to know the events of book two, the minds and hearts of its main characters, so that you can appreciate Circle of Light. Don't skip it. I beg of thee. It's part of the heart of a series that turned into something more than I'd ever planned or imagined it would be, something that changed me completely--something that made me realize my own calling as a person was to inspire people, to give them hope and to make them passionate again, in every way that counts.

And that brings us to mild teaser-age when I say that Circle of Light starts out in Philadelphia, but it sure doesn't end there. The book contains more lore, love and action than either of the first two, but that's only because it's the culmination--the worst of the storms you have to go through in life when you're fighting for a silver-lining.

NOTE: I plan to start a Sentient Street Team that includes all who are enthusiastic and willing, and I'll be putting out the official invite soon. It will involve swag, cool, unique prizes and love from me, fun contests and some Sentient-love spreading from you. After all, I can write till I'm blue in the face, but if there aren't people out there to say, "HEY, YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!!!!", people who are every bit as passionate about seeing and experiencing the Seers world all over the place as I am, what's the point, eh? ;)

I'll be in touch with more deets soon. Leave me some comments, though. I don't ask for those enough. But I still love them!

xoxo

Jen

A Banner for the Sharing!

2011-09-18T13:16:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to tell you to feel free to snatch this banner and use it at will! You can link to either my blog or my website at http://www.jenniferdelucy.com/

Vote for William! and Getting it Right in Circle of Light

2011-09-16T15:10:00.000-07:00

I know William Maddox has some swooning hearts out there (and he's going to need them more than ever in book three, just so you know!) But here's your chance to show him the love right now!

Parajunkee Reviews is having an awesome Supernatural Smackdown event where one literary character is pitted against another, and HE NEEDS YOUR VOTE!!!

So, head on over and support his smart ass, because he'll love you even more for it. OH, and did I mention the ebook giveaway?

VOTE FOR WILLIAM HERE

Ok, so next line of business.

Remember way back when I first started planning Circle of Light? When book three was in its beginning stages and I mentioned Glendalough and Ireland, in general, and London and globe trotting adventure? Well, now that I've finished the first draft of the book and am re-writing, it's crucial and fabulous to me that I have the aid of my my one and only, personal, real-life Irish contact (I call her Danni ;) to boss me--er--guide me in matters of dialect.

In fact, she will launch into a lecture and a half about how I mustn't spell Brian with a y, how I cannot say "ye" unless referring to more than one person, and even then, it's only okay because of the region/upbringing of the particular characters. She is one proud Irishwoman, and I am not about to willingly and needlessly offend the people who make a strong part of my root heritage! You just don't get them mad. Period. Unless you have a loooot of time on your hands, because you're going to hear about it.

Anyway, my point is that I cannot stress enough how important a resource like Danni is when writing for believability. It would be really easy to just fake my way through a dialect or throw in some geographical guess-work. But if you're lucky enough to have a friend who actually knows the facts, ask them to help!

Before I go, I want to let you know that I finished and recorded the Circle of Light trailer/book song. :) I'm proud of it and I'm aching to share it with you, but I'll have to wait until a little bit later. Hopefully you'll feel the heart that went into it.

William and Lily et. all have a hell of a journey ahead of them in book three and I rooted for them hard as I wrote, but you never do know how these things will turn out (at least I didn't) until the very last. Glad you're sticking with us so you can find out too!

Talk to you all soon. Love.

Jen

Three Jens Guest Post and Ebook Sale! Woohoo!

2011-09-13T19:46:00.000-07:00

Guess what? One of my favorite authors (and most favorite people, for that matter) decided to stop by my blog today and hit us with a guest post! Nicki Elson, author of the fun, quirky, smart eighties throw back novel, Three Daves, has her ebook on sale right now for 99 freakin' cents, people. So enjoy her post! And then go check out Three Daves! It's super awesome!

FROM NICKI:

It’s only fitting that our all-American dreamgirl, Jennifer DeLucy, is host to the all-American Dave, better known as Big D. Since the main character in my 1980s chick lit/romance novel ThreeDaves is named Jen, I asked three Jens to host each of the Daves during my September Blog Blitz to celebrate the awesome new book cover. Thanks for being one of my Jens, Jen!

Let’s meet Big D, shall we? In a word, he’s perfect. Every mother’s ideal boy for her daughter. After meeting her daughter’s scruffy former boyfriend, Jen’s mom was introduced to the clean-cut, athletic, straight-A Big D, and “her entire countenance seemed to sigh with relief.” When Jen met him, he’d been appropriately strutting around in a Superman costume at his fraternity’s Halloween party.

Our musical Ms. DeLucy will appreciate that the story uses music to define its characters. Even for the 80s, Big D is a throwback to an earlier era, and so 70s classic rock comprises the bulk of his repertoire. His favorite song would appear to be an 80s product…you got it, R.E.M.’s “Superman” heehee…but even that’s a remake of the 1969 song by The Clique. Go figure.

Today I’d like to cast Big D in the imaginary Three Daves movie. And since the story is set in the 1980s, we’ll be doing it with an 80s actor. With the overview you have of him, who would you choose?

Here are my top three picks:

Michael Schoeffling

Yeah, I had to Google to find out his real name. I’m talking about Jake Ryan from Sixteen Candles. Nuff said.

Charlie Sheen

Pre-crazy. He practically was Big D in Lucas. Can’t you just hear the *ting* off his teeth?

Emilio Estevez

Let’s pit the brothers against each other, eh? Remember Estevez’s most excellent portrayal of good guy jock in The Breakfast Club?

So, who would you pick to portray Mr. Wonderful?

All month long, Omnific Publishing is hosting a Back-to-School Sale―Three Daves and other school-related titles are only only 99 cents in Kindle, Nook, eBook and ePub! If you’re a book reviewer, A Tale of Many Reviews has opened up sign-ups for a Three Daves paper book tour.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

(You can meet Dave #1 at Jennifer Lane Books Blog, and Dave #2 at Jen Daiker’s Unedited blog. I’ll be at Carol Oates’ this Friday to talk about Young Adult and Adult and where the line gets crossed.)

And then I Started Crying...

2011-09-12T19:04:00.001-07:00

So, I did this little thing last night where I FINISHED THE FIRST DRAFT OF CIRCLE OF LIGHT!

*Beams*

Please stick with me here, because this is so cool. I am in utter shock about the whole thing. Let me tell you my little story.

About six months ago, I moved out of my old home and old life and into a new kind of interim life that left me groping around for some steady ground, so, even though I'd written roughly half of Circle of Light before all this happened, the muse and passion for the story all but poofed out of sight once everything came to a crashing, life-altering halt.

I'm really serious. My muse literally flipped me the bird, laughed at me and ducked under a bush somewhere. And as much as I gave her dirty looks and sighed with disappointment, her unreasonable (or so it seemed) behavior would not let up.

This sucked, because my publisher, as gracious and empathetic as they were was kind enough to bump the release date later in hopes that Ms. Muse would whip her ass into shape and do her thang.

In the mean time, her musician sister paid me a little visit and explained that book three had a reason to lag behind, and that suddenly I needed to write music. Like now. Immediately. So I did. I followed the flow and need to create music and, once that was over, I regrouped in full knowledge that it was damned well time to jump back into the world of Seers and bring the whole of their story full circle (thus the title.)

The return of my absentee muse all started with a song. A trailer song, to be precise, which I composed in one night and then proceeded to create a craptastic recording so that I wouldn't forget the whole thing before it came time to professionally record the song. (As a side note, for those of you who aren't aware, I've always written a song specifically for the release of each book and to be used for the book trailer.)

Moving on. I was so excited by this song, that it reignited a desire to continue the story asap. Although desire, alone, is not necessarily enough without Musey McMuseypants. It was my firm opinion that a moving, compelling story can only be created if the author is moved and compelled while writing it. And at that moment, I was a little questionable about the passion of my Muse. She hadn't jumped upon my back and she wasn't whispering sultry plot-nothings in my ear, after all, and I'd gotten used to her spoiling me so for the previous two books. I was not about to accept a half-hearted plot woo-ing.

Then came the fateful day about two weeks ago when I was having a discussion with my publisher about the book, and something, in the middle of that little chat, just burst open the floodgates and everything started coming in a crazy, obsessive compulsive, emotional rush of story.

I had to get it all down. I had to keep going. And when the tumbling story threatened a snag around some future corner, I simply took a shower or went for a drive or out to dinner with my bestie and gave it a little thought and the flow would be free again. I'd rush home and continue where I left off. Then there were a few times when the plot surprised me, which happens a lot, actually, and it's my favorite part of the whole thing. When it came to who would live, who would die, how so-and-so got to such-and-such a place, conclusion, etc. Why it turned out that things had to be the way they were, all of the loose ends and fates and destinies, if not shoved at me in an obvious way, popped into place as I wrote. And the key seemed to be ecstatic faithful feeling of being in the flow-zone of whatever the hell was happening to me with this book.

Guys, I was half-way through with Circle of Light two weeks ago. It had taken me a few months to get to that place, but, for some absolutely mind-blowing reason, I managed to write the second half of the book (which is just slightly longer than the first half, mind you), in a period of two weeks.

Two weeks!

It hardly seems like I was writing that much, though, anybody around me would snort and complain otherwise, since I guess I all but disappeared from the face of the earth.

It was, pardon my language, fucking incredible. I finished the first draft last night, and then, I started crying...either because I am a pathetic, pathetic sap, or because this has been a journey of three books and my heart and soul and blood and tears and lessons learned all my life and along the way are encompassed in its pages. I'm betting on the latter. ;)

That Muse knew what she was doing, even though I wanted to strangle her for leaving me in a lurch during a time when I felt abandoned enough as it is. But it turns out that the last half of the book could never have been completed as it was, could not have contained all it needed, if I hadn't waited. I needed everything that's happened in the last year, and especially the last six months, to even understand how to come full circle--and to realize that I'm just at the beginning of my own journey. Gosh, I sure hope it's half as cool as the last two weeks have been.

Book release date is February, tentatively, btw. ;) Thanks for reading. You know I get a little verklempt sometimes.

Love,

Jen

On Writing Book Three: Circle of Light!

2011-09-02T20:36:00.001-07:00

WHEW! I'd been going through a dry spell of writing for a while but that floodgate has been lifted and WHOOSH! In came the inspiration that had been evading me. Book three in the Light Series Trilogy, which is tentatively entitled Circle of Light, is now, officially on a roll! Well, its author is on a writing bender, anyway.

In fact, I'm really not doing the experience any justice unless I say that I am thoroughly and passionately excited about what's happening in the book. I love it with all my heart when everything, all the answers and the mysteries unravel themselves like magic and leave me saying, AHA!! That's why! And that's what! And Oooooh, wow, really??? My best friend always makes fun of me because I refer to the events in my books as if they're happening of their own accord and I'm simply watching them and copying them down. But, it's so very true to how it feels when I'm writing, and that is a big part of the reason I write in the first place--that experience, that passionate, emotional, magical journey the hour it sweeps me up and carries me along. And I'm really caught up in things now, so, passionate I am! :) Lily and I have that in common.

I'll leave you with one or two things. First, a tiny teaser to say that things are reeeeally hittin' the fan for William and Lily right now, but I'm rooting for them always! Also, I came across a song this week (okay, shoot me, because it's a Beatles song and everyone should know it...which I didn't, at first), called "Across the Universe". It's now on the book three playlist, which I thought I'd share with you tonight. It'll be early winter, I think, when Circle of Light is released, so we've got a handful of months to go, but I'll give you little gifts along the way, I promise. This playlist is a work in progress, so, you'll want to check it every once in a while and see if there's a new song or two! Mwah! Enjoy!

A Contest and a Hurricane

2011-08-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

Contest alert: The first full chapter of Seers of Light is up on D. Renee Bagby presents "First Chapters Blog" today. All entrants need to do to enter the 24 hour contest and win an epack of the Light Series is leave a comment under the Seers post HERE. Easy as that and you're entered! So go for it! Remember, the contest only runs 24 hours, so get those comments in ASAP!

Contests aside, who all is being pelted by that damned hurricane???? So much of my family and friends are from the East Coast/Mid-Atlantic/New England. I grew up in PA in an area that was prone to flood like mad just with normal heavy rain, so God knows what's happening there. My little sister is in nun-school in New Jersey, my cousin is in NYC, one of my dear friends in NC and another in Mass... so I've been sweating it for them. In fact, I need to go look at the news and see how they're doing. I know so many of you lost power. It's ridiculous and epic, this storm. God bless anyone who was affected. Let me know what happened in your neck of the woods!

Love and safety!

Jen

Fiction Trivia Continues!

2011-08-21T19:29:00.001-07:00

I promised we'd have another fiction trivia contest after the last one was such a smash hit! And, as always, we'll be doing a giveaway to go with the fun. The winner of this trivia game will get an ebook copy of Seers of Light!

Deets: Fiction Trivia will be held this Wednesday, 8/24 at 8PM Eastern time, USA. Since we were so rowdy last time, Twitter put some of us in prison, so, to avoid a hitch in our game playing, I've devised a little chat room for us. Here's where we'll be: TADA!

If you already have an ebook of Seers, play anyway! You can always try and win a copy for someone else. And spread the word, guys!

Love ya,

Jen

Online Dating and Big Dog Publishers

2011-08-17T16:42:00.000-07:00

I've been trying this online dating thing for a little while and, oy... I cannot say that I'm entirely a fan. Here's something I've noticed: The women are normal. The men... not so much. And I used to think this was a stereotype, but I'm beginning to wonder. In fact, I'm starting to come to the conclusion that many of the guys in my age bracket are specifically online because they either don't really want another actual relationship after a new divorce/breakup, or, they can't handle the reality of dating--period--thusly, they are online. Neither of these work for me. I tend to be a "Why can't we just meet up for coffee and skip this texting madness" kind of girl.

You know how I am about positive attitudes, but, for me personally, I really am convinced that Mr. Right is going to have to present himself in person, because the online pickins' seem a liiiittle disturbing. ;) Correct my jadedness if I'm wrong, though. Have you had a great online dating experience? Or a really awful one? Tell me about it...

In more pleasant news, just wanted to mention that Dorchester Publishing's Blog had an article up this month referencing my books and music! They're a big dog in the publishing world, and I thought that was super cool, so, thanks to them for the mention! See? Who needs real men when you can write your own? (Oh, fine, I guess the real ones are okay, too.)

That's about it. Short post today. :) Maybe I'll add a little cheer to go with it, though. Read the Light Series Trilogy! YAY!!!!

(Shook my pom poms and everything. *wink* )

Love,

Jen

Forgiveness: What is it? And How Does it Work?

2011-08-17T06:15:00.000-07:00

I don't know the precise moment when it dawned on me what forgiveness actually meant. I'd been raised to repeat the mantra of forgiveness since I was a little one, but that didn't mean I knew how to do it... or what it really amounted to, for that matter. You hear the word all the time, but it seems so shallow beneath the weight of whatever suffering accompanies the need for it.

Forgiveness. Forgive your enemies. Forgive and ye shall be forgived...

But, beyond an overused, religious cliche, what is the emotion behind this word? This act? And how do you know if you're actually forgiving someone or simply uttering the obligatory words? How do we cope with the sting of a wrong committed by the ones we trusted... the ones who should have loved us enough to know better? Even suspecting they might never change their ways? And is it even about them? You know, maybe indirectly, but forgiveness is more of a healing journey for the one who has been hurt. That is what matters most.

For years, the concept of forgiveness sat like a stone in my heart. There were many things I needed to overcome, for my own sake. There were several people I considered purveyors of the pain from my childhood and that of my siblings, but as long as I was compelled by an enigmatic word only, I couldn't fathom the reality, the truth of forgiveness, and the fact that achieving it was not so easy as uttering the words, "I forgive you." It had to be sincere. It had to be understood. It had to be learned. And most of all, it had to develop in its own time.

Some of us have to maintain a lifelong distance from those who repeatedly harmed us. Some of us grow thick enough skin to stick around. In my case, it was nearly thirty years coming--and many miles of safe distance between me and my home state--before I could return to that raw place with different eyes. I think that the greatest factor, the thing that helped me most, was stubbornly loving those who had hurt me, in spite of their faults and alongside the fear, the anger that their associated memories evoked.

Loving the offending party, even while you can't stand them, if that makes sense, helps things along. And don't get me wrong, you'll have to trudge through the nightmare and muck of your heartache for as long as it takes. Let yourself have that time, no matter what anyone tells you. Eventually, though, if you haven't sealed yourself completely against love, you'll begin the process--and yes, I say process-- of forgiveness. Look at the human behind the perceived enemy, acknowledging that something has shaped and scarred them, and if you can empathize with that, even just a little, you're on the path to forgiving them.

The desire to understand those who have wronged us is a great means of converting personal anguish into compassion. Unconditional love has this magical way of subtly transforming bitterness into forgiveness. It happens all on its own, without you even knowing it. One day, you'll wake up and, instead of the hatred you once felt, there's a sad empathy, instead. You can feel for those whose negative actions or words sprang from a repressed fear, from self-hatred or an injustice they, themselves, could not overcome.

Forgiveness, I believe, is not just a word. It's the essential ingredient to our happiness and well being. The peace that follows will do more to enrich our experience than a lifetime of harbored ills.

Till next time,

Jen

Author Blog Hop Monday!

2011-08-15T05:11:00.000-07:00

Hulloooo authors and readers! My friend, author Carol Oates, is hosting the Monday author blog hop today. If you'd like to learn more about new books/authors, this is a great hop to join! Here's the deets:

For Readers -

Follow as many authors as you like. Just follow the Linky list and hop from author to author. The idea is to find as many "new to you" authors as you can, and hopefully some great new reading material as well. Leave a comment as you hop from blog to blog! We'd love to chat with you!

For Authors -

Have a book out? Are you under contract for publication? Make sure you join in the hop. This is a great way to network your blog and let readers know who you are. The more you promote the hop, the more successful it will be. Tweet, Facebook and blog. Let’s get the word out.

Follow the Meet an author Monday host (Carol Oates) along with any of the wonderfully talented authors on the list.

You will need to enter your name and blog url into the Linky tool.

Grab our super cute button and place it in a post. (THIS IS IMPORTANT!) If you don't create a post for the hop, your readers won't have a place to comment, and the hop will stop with you. So create a post, paste in the Linky code and start hopping!

The purpose of the hop is to meet "new to you" authors and discover great new reads. Follow as many authors as you can. Leave a comment and introduce yourself!

If you'd like to share the Linky list in a post on your blog ( Please do!) just follow the link and grab the code.

Artists Keep Us Sane

2011-08-13T21:03:00.000-07:00

Have you ever really stopped to feel gratitude after reading a great book, listening to an incredible score, watching an awesome movie? I know we take these things for granted in today's world when they are so readily accessible, but, it's important to realize how much deeper, richer and better our lives are because of art.

This has happened to you, hasn't it? You're having a horrible day, down in the dumps, feeling like Pessimistic Polly's dog farts lit on fire, and then you watch a great movie that helps you escape it all for a few hours and you come away inspired or comforted or encouraged to keep at this game of life. It really is needed, all this entertainment, because the troubles of life are eased by things like cracking open a fresh new book and disappearing into the pages. I don't even want to think of what we'd do without them.

I watched Signs by M. Night Shyamalan tonight (for the dozenth time.) I love that damn movie. I mean, in the beginning it's not too uplifting, what with the killer aliens of eeeeeviiil coming to earth, but, it gets better. Also, gosh, the elements he uses to frighten people in this movie are so simple and realistic that you just have to sit back at certain parts and say, "well done." Plus, I like the message of the movie, as well. But I digress.

The last group of books I read that really aided me in getting through a tough time were the Sookie Stackhouse novels. You know, the Southern Vampire Series? I consider those books a giant warm blanket and a cup of tea for my nerves. Their author, Charlaine Harris, has a really comforting voice. And again, I cite this because it's another example of how art is vital to happiness--something I don't think we really consider enough. After all, reading and music and movies are considered recreation, right? I mean, *regal old man voice* Tut, tut, aren't we supposed to think that science and math and history and cold hard facts are far more valuable than fiction and art? Harumph!

Psh. Whatever. I think that the physically intangible, the colorful, the passionate, the imaginative and the escapist are every bit as valuable as a book of rocket science. Really. You spend a hard day studying quantum physics and you need a nice HBO drama to come home to. I'm just sayin'.

So thank your artist of choice today, plus, while you're at it, share with the class. Tell me what keeps you going. And for God's sake, put down the Investor's Weekly and pick up a JK Rowling, will you?

Peace out,
Jen

Releasing Control and the Art of Saying No

2011-08-10T16:52:00.000-07:00

I want to talk to you about something that sort of crept up on me as of late and started patiently slapping me in the face until I paid attention. The subject is the art of saying no and releasing control, a pairing that seem to work well together, paradoxical as they seem.

The reason for this post is because I've got issues with these topics--I have for a long time. So many of us have these same tendencies and habits we don't know are harmful, but in fact, really are. But they're masked in the veil of virtue, so we don't want to question them. We're often taught to give, and give, and give of our time and energy as a behavioral ideal. Good Samaritan stories color everything most religions and spiritual practices have to offer and The Golden Rule is a standard that most people like to adhere to.

But how much self-giving is too much? When is it okay...good, even, to say no?

I suspect it has a lot to do with whatever your natural inclination is to begin with, since I think we're here to learn those lessons that are most needed on our journey. So, with that in mind, and for those of you out there whose answer is an immediate and enthusiastic "of course!" when asked to do something, it might be a good idea for us to examine the reasons behind this reaction and the consequences that probably follow, if you're anything like me, before you reach the burned out, grumpy, self-neglected stage... again.

I've noted the following pattern:

Person: "SO, Jen, I was wondering if you'd ________________________ with/for me!"

Me: "Of course! I'd love to!"

Mean while, the pile of previous 'Of course, I'd love to's shout: WAIT!!! Shit, too late. She's done it again.

But, honestly, I do love to!!! I really, really do. The trouble is that sometimes we hide behind our obligations to others in order to avoid the promises we haven't kept to ourselves. And when that becomes the case, it's time to change the focus. Luckily...? for me, when I start to veer too far off course of where my energy needs to be going, I typically end up absolutely miserable--a pretty clear sign, in my opinion.

For instance, I did something tonight that might seem really silly to some people, but it was kind of an important thing for me. I let me cat free to roam around my landlords' house with the other felines--something I'd refused to do in the six months (OMG, SIX MONTHS) I've been here. But it was kind of a symbolic releasing, because, again, my supposed obligation to obsessively protect this animal was really causing me stress and inconvenience where there was already plenty to handle everywhere else. I could have said "no" to my manic worry-wartish, mothering Achilles Heel a long time ago, but I didn't. Then, my cat decided to twice demonstrate just how unnecessary this coddling was (let's just say it involved a sudden christening of furniture), and I wised up.

This is kind of how it goes with me, in general. I'll hold tight to what I know in order to protect it, all the while miserable because, deep down, I crave change, until the universe comes and takes a baseball bat to my ass. Tonight I kind of said "no" to that voice that taught me the only way to keep something safe was to be overbearingly protective. That voice holds people back in so many ways, constantly presenting the option to sacrifice one's own happiness for what appears to be the security of what is understood.

Releasing control of unnecessary obligations is a good way to regain focus and momentum in your own life, but it's not the only reason we refuse to acknowledge the need for self care by not being selective about our yes's. The concern over what others think of us is a major culprit, as well, and at least a good portion of the draw to be a yes man. Thing is, I wouldn't want someone doing something for me just because they're afraid I won't like them if they said no. I'd much rather they love me so durned much that they can't wait to see the joy it brings when said solid has been administered. That's what I'd want, so, don't we owe the same pure intention to others?

Giving freely of yourself should be non-obligational, otherwise it's not free, is it? Otherwise, it comes with a price, a perceived imbalance that requires repayment. It comes with an invisible ledger to tick off debts repaid. You end up feeling used and confused and hurt, because you were never really acting from a place that finds happiness in giving to begin with. Only with the subconscious desire for something to gain. A very wise minister I know once said, (and I'm paraphrasing), "If you're not going to offer yourself with joy, minus expectation, please don't give anything! That's not love."

So, how selective are we about the time and energy and gifts we give? Do we make sure to only say yes when we mean it? When we truly feel a sincere loving urge to do good without expectation of any kind? I think that's a helpful measure of when something will leave you blissful versus a drain of energy. After all, there are a lot of emotional vampires out there who will suck you dry if you let them (but that's another post altogether.)

Are you hiding behind all sorts of things with strings attached and grumpy because of it? Do you find yourself lacking the time and energy to live your own life because you've self-sabotaged and bitten off more than you can stomach? It's annoying, isn't it? Whatcha' say we knock that off, eh? Next time you ask me for something and I say yes, you're going to know that I really freakin' love you... and it makes me super happy to see you smile. Kind of cool, huh? :)

I'll talk to you later. Love always,

Jen

Imagination Atrophy. Do Something About It!

2011-08-09T07:26:00.000-07:00

As a kid, I was late to the video game thing. When Nintendo started popularizing, my cousins were passing down their old Atari to me, and I admit that I loved it! Mrs. Pac Man/Jungle Hunt (is that what it's called? Where you swing from vine to vine trying not to fall into the swamp?)/Space Invaders/Frogger/Donkey Kong/Some kind of hide and seek game that played "No Place Like Home" in the background/A haunted mansion game that never did work but MAN... I wanted it to so bad!

Back then (Oh, God, I'm totally getting old when I can pull that phrase off), it was awesome just to have a joy stick that actually worked. Oh, how far we've come. Now you can pretty much live in a virtual reality world that doesn't even exist, blurring the mental boundaries of a real VS. computer generated environment. We're entertained in such an intense way these days, all of our senses blitzkrieged with noise and visuals that don't require any real extension of the mind. And it's fun! It's very cool. I look forward to the day when, in the middle of winter, I can flip a switch or click a computer key that will generate a tropical beach simulation. Never the same as the real deal, of course, but nice just the same.

Nevertheless, with all of our senses being monopolized, with someone else's preconceived sounds and flashes and voices and ideas and events coming at us and implanting right into our brains, I'm worried (especially with our kiddos, who have grown up playing video games) how much creativity and imagination is being stifled. I also wonder if people's ability to sit quietly, to contemplate life, to think deeply is being destroyed. Because if we're fine-tuned, almost from birth, to expect continued sensorial input, are we going to be fully capable of any remarkable kind of output? Will we have the patience? I mean, all that ADHD causing technology changes the way we function on the basest level. Would we be a bit too hypnotized for the complexity our human brains are capable of?

Think about books. Envision a kid who is used to not having to engage their own mind, sitting in a classroom or curled up on a chair and trying to concentrate on words alone, no automatic stimuli. They'd have to picture the events in their minds' eyes, imagine the sounds and smells and conjure the emotions. And, of course, this is the whole point, this is the entire point of reading a book. It's the most fantastic way of growing your brain. But, how much are we damaging our ability to appreciate that form of entertainment?

Think of a world without provocative philosophical novels, without heroic stories that really sink in and change you because you've had to read the words and take them to heart. Is this a possibility? Could we become desensitized to, even turned off by the quiet, subtle, intentional and conscious things that forge character and intelligence?

Let's not allow that, shall we? I guess my one small contribution to the not-doing-of-that (aside from the writing), will be an insistant pimpage of reading, no matter the genre, as a vital tool in cognitive and imaginative function. Plus, you know, it rocks.

So this is my "PLEASE-READ-BOOKS-and-other-imagination-oriented-activities" post. What can I do to get you to write one of your own? Or link to this one? Or promote a book or fifty? Shut off your kids' X-Boxes and shove them out the front door? Tell them to dig in the dirt for a while. And maybe they can carry a worn copy of Tom Sawyer in their back pocket while they're at it.

Love,
Jen

Music Reccs?

2011-08-04T09:22:00.000-07:00

My musical tastes are eclectic, for sure. And I mean it. Just pulling up my MP3 player I see: P. Diddy (er, Puffy? Puff Daddy? Sean Puffy Co...Oh, whatever he goes by now), Evanescence, Pavarotti, Muse, Frank Sinatra, Josh Radin, Hot Action Cops, Patti Griffin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Linkin Park, Chemical Brothers, Celtic Women, Radiohead to name a few. Anyway, I'm always looking for new music to inspire me while I write. So I wondered if you'd like to give me some reccs?

Whatever you think is emotional, moving, unique, funny, awesome, crazy, angsty, fabulous... (I enjoy listing things.) LINK ME! If you do, I'll let you know, after book three comes out, how your song choices fit into the story. Who knows? It might even be the inspiration for an entire scene...

Love,
Jen

Three Myths About Men

2011-07-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

You know how we constantly hear the old adage about how women are so complex, we're emotional, we're insecure, etc, blah, blah? And you know how we tend to label men as simple, uncomplicated creatures, sex-machines who are seemingly easy to understand and deal with? Well, the stereotypes are wide-spread, but, I am beginning to doubt their accuracy. My interactions with dudes in the last few years have really smashed a lot of those jaded ideologies to shreds and left me to start from scratch. After a conversation with a male coworker/friend, I've decided to blog about some mutual observations--open for interpretation and outside opinions, by any gender and by all means.

1. Men are simple and unemotional.
Uh... you know... not true. It's not fair to say so, either. Men are just as complicated as women, but, the difference is their coping mechanism. Women tend to be much more willing to express insecurity, sadness or fear, and that's surely societal. I mean, we've been gearing girls to be blushing, shrinking, emotive violets for literal ages, essentially teaching them that it's expected of a woman to display as much. Men, however, having been shaped from all that hunting-fighting-ass-kicking-because-somebody's-gotta-kill-stuff business were forged with a paradoxical ideal, so, it seems to be a struggle with their psychological biology to admit it. Which brings us to point two...

2. Men are more confident than women.
Wow. Okay. NO. No, no, no. I really don't believe this. Men are better at faking confidence, though. They're better at giving themselves pep talks, at tolerating rejection, because again, think of the roles we've become accustomed to. Man has been the seeker...the chooser... therefore he had the upper hand. Women want to wait around to be sought... chosen, which is a big point of disadvantage. Anyway, I worry about guys, because there is definite repression going on, they hold more in, and you know what, in spite of this point usually being attributed to ladies, I suspect that men judge themselves with the same harsh eye as women. How many guys do you know who feel like they have to be the "provider"? How many male egos all but freak out at the prospect of a girlfriend/wife who makes more money than them? And do you know a guy who can't stand to lose? Who feels the need to start fights just to prove their courage? I've seen a lot of that, and kudos to the guys who are gentler in nature, but my heart aches for the ones who struggle otherwise. More than that, do women perpetuate this pressure by settling into traditional roles so readily? You know, if it works for you (and it does for the many), then rock on. I just wonder if it's time for an all around shift in consciousness...

3. Men are Always Horny.
Straight from a male friend's mouth, "women tend to think we think of them as just a piece of meat. I can't speak for everybody, but I know it's not true for me." In fact, I'd promise you the majority of my male friends feel the same way. But, society keeps on banging that old line over our heads anyway. Yes, guys love the sex, but that doesn't mean they live for it. And let's get something straight here. Women think about sex plenty. I can personally attest to this, being who I am and pulling from the loud opinion of a very extended female friend base--chicks love sex, too. But this is one point where we are accustomed to repression, for some reason. Maybe because women tend to make their own needs secondary to those of their families... another bit of psychological evolution? Religious teachings from childhood, hell, even medical error from generations past have really made it a struggle to let our sexual flags show, that's for damn sure, but the desire is there, the passion is there. Interesting note: I can remember, in one of my grandmother's very old nursing school books (probably from the 30's or 40's?), reading a passage about reproduction that said, (and I'm paraphrasing here), "Contrary to popular belief, the female orgasm is a myth. Women do not experience any pleasurable sensations in the vagina during sexual intercourse." .............. Even as a kid I knew that shit was bogus, and it struck me as such a lie that I never forgot it!

Anyway, I think deepening and enlightening the lines of communication between the sexes can only be a good thing. Embrace the good in our differences, but don't fuel the machine of negative and limiting cliches. Maybe we can try not to be so hard on eachother, eh?

Love ya!
Jen

Seers and Film Rights! Yay!! :)

2011-07-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

So. Super awesomely cool news today. Very few people have known about this tidbit of info yet (we don't have a deal with anyone at this point), but, my publisher went ahead and announced today that a major film production company has inquired about the rights to Seers of Light. I'm not entirely sure what the outcome will be, but, I'm pretty darned excited that these folks have interest in Seers as a film. So many of you have been faithful Light Series followers, so I had to share! Book three is coming along, slowly but surely, by the way. Between the album I'm producing, my editing work and the third book, it's a busy time! Also, (and I'll be vague about this till I know more and have it solidified), but it seems that I may be book touring this winter. I'll keep you posted with details and further news!

As always, thank you for the energy and love you put out there. It's a huge part of everything good that happens. I love you guys very much.

Talk to you soon!
Jen

Gender Roles in Fiction (Twilight and Harry Potter Talk)

2011-07-22T06:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a great conversation with a woman about books... certain ones, in particular... and their various ways of treating women. It led me to think about the male/female dynamic in writing--actually, in life, but, as reflected in writing for sure.

Okay, for instance... take Twilight. (CHILL OUT my Twihard friends, I'll be gentle.) So, Bella Swan is kind of an alert for young girls about the pitfalls of the traditional female gender role. She's more of a classic grotesque placed in a modern period, because her behaviors are quite against the supposed feministic grain. Modern women are commonly reminded not to place all their worth in a partner, because you are your own person. You don't want to live for someone else to the degree that, should they go away, you are unable to function. You should have a backbone, a life and purpose and joy all your own that is not dependent upon anyone else. But, the character of Bella in Twilight does the exact opposite. She, quite literally, falls catatonic and unshakably depressed upon losing her love interest. And you know what? When I think about the story fairly, I can kind of understand why. Not only that, but I'll go so far as to say that this depiction is more realistic to how a teenager would react. Let me explain. You have this character who has been taking care of people all her life. She's been forced to be the grown up. Her mom is more an adolescent than she is, her dad is helpless. Now, enter strong, independent, stubborn, doting and handsome father-figure Edward... suddenly she's got everything she's ever wanted, namely, someone to take care of her--a reliable parent figure. Someone who doesn't need her, just wants her. The premise, psychologically, makes sense. But, it bothers me anyway, because it's a rather realistic example of how girls can be made so dependent upon others for their own sense of okay-ness that they wouldn't be able to stand being away from whatever security blanket has made them so non self reliant.

Now that I've named what bugs me about this particular fictional dynamic, I'll say what I like about it. In spite of its portraying Bella in such a sad way, women everywhere, from every walk of life seem to be intensely attracted to this series! And it probably has a lot to do with the fact that the character of Edward (much as I really want to just sucker punch him for being such a hard-ass), possesses a few vital traits that are seriously hard to find in a lot of guys. Namely, Edward gives a shit. He sees her humanity, he cares about this girl on a much more respectful, compassionate level than simple teenage lust would allow. He IS fatherly (which, you know, if given too much thought will start to squick me out a little, so moving on). He is somewhat evolved (in his old-fashioned way), and absolutely seems to see the intrinsic good and worth of this human being beyond what she is capable of seeing in herself. That leads to my theory about why women love these books--and men, you should pay attention, because this is important. Recognizing and honoring the humanity and worth in a woman is essential. Wanting her sexually is fantastic--but wanting her HUMANLY is more important. In fact, it often leads to the sexual part, ifyaknowwhatI'msayin'. People make fun of Twilight, for sure, but it's got its good points.

Right, so, what is my ideal treatment of characters as equals in fiction, then? I'm going to have to agree with millions across the world and say HARRY POTTER, my friends. Seriously. And not just referring to its equal treatment of women (Hermione! Ginny! Tonks! Professor McGonagall! Luna!). I'm talking about all of the main characters. The book so beautifully develops and evolves each and every one of the main characters into their own strong, important, independently courageous human beings. You have to adore that. And the women, they are solid! You get the feeling that if anything bad happened to Harry, Ginny would still go on. If Hermione lost Ron... she'd push through it. The characters regard each other with deep respect and they give each other room to be who they are meant to be, again, independently of anyone else. So, while Steph Meyer did a realistic job of portraying the common dependency of a teenage girl, JKR went with the idealistic polarity. I wish her dynamic were always the case, but, alas, it is all too often not.

Anyway, just my thoughts. I'd love to hear your ideas/theories/opinions on your favorite or least favorite male/female dynamics. Talk to you later!

xoxo
Jen

Are you in the Flow?

2011-07-06T11:05:00.001-07:00

I know sometimes I write about things that might cause some people to look at me strangely, but, I feel too passionate about them to care. :) I talk a lot about creating your bliss, about making your dreams come true. And that's because I just REALLY badly want to see people happy. This life is short. Grab it, use it.

I'm a strong proponent of the concept (with a lot of scientific evidence to back it up) that the matter of reality is alterable dependent upon our most predominant state of mind, or our "output" of energy, so to speak. Whatever you repeatedly feel, you create, because that's what emotional energy you're sending out to the universe as a need or a fear... that's the way you're affecting matter and so it's what you're attracting to you. Some call it the Law of Attraction. Some call it The Secret, etc. It started sinking in as I read so many stories about NDE's (near death experiences) several years ago, which then lead me to read tons more about the physics and logic behind the whole "higher power" thing. I like to research, you see. I like evidence. So, what recurred again and again was this idea that, basically, whoever or whatever you believe as a God or the creating force or intelligence behind the cosmos, has given us this life to express love in all ways possible, to experience and to learn, and to, quite literally, co-create our own existence. We've got this unthinkable, potential-filled life force of a soul that animates us and connects us to all living beings--the energy of all creation. Make sense? Man, I hope so. Unless you think I'm nuts, in which case, you can find consolation in the fact that I'm exceptionally cute and a very good kisser.

Back to the topic. A lot of the people in these NDE experiences are left insisting that we purposely forget reality when we do the human thing and are inherently born with the ability to have and experience life as we wish, that is, once we realize that obstacles are often self-created. It's an idea that has really focused and molded me in the last several years, especially after I started putting it to use. (Not that I really grasped it at first. For some reason, it's kind of hard to understand, and even harder to practice. I think we're used to believing life has to be hard all the time, and that we can't have what we want without constantly fighting an uphill battle.)

Ours minds are full of recordings, some good, some awful, and the thoughts that tend to repeat themselves the most (no matter how subconsciously) are the ones that end up determining the outcome of our lives.

I can't do it.

I'm not good enough.

I'm not ready.

I'm not worthy.

I'm not wantable.

I'm ugly.

I'm fat.

I'm stupid.

That's just how I am.

That's just how it is.

These things sound really familiar to me, I don't know about you. For as many years as we waste thinking these thoughts, we are putting a hell of a lot of unwitting energy into ensuring they come true. Letting go of the beliefs that hold us back is probably the most difficult task we can undertake as human beings. We spend our whole lives, it seems, fighting a battle with ourselves and blaming everything and everyone else for our perceived failures and disappointments. We're probably just complicating things. Maybe altering our own minds and thoughts for the positive is the key to altering our physical reality. Yeah, yeah, positive thinking, New Age sounding mumbo jumbo, blah blah. But I'm not trying to trump some kind of niche spirituality here. I'm just sharing what's helped me and hoping more people will believe in their innate goodness and their very real ability to be and do what they truly want. I can't stand all the settling going on out there. We're taught to settle, aren't we? "Don't count your chickens," they say. "Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed," they say.

You know. Depressing. I'm totally not going to follow that advice, but thank you!

It's a great comfort to be able to sit with a feeling that all is well, in spite of what outter circumstances may suggest. It's a great comfort to hold a knowing of good things, rather than a fear of bad ones. Just try it. Try repeating an affirmation of gratitude for what you have, whether you have it or not, as an act of faith. Repeat it over and over, until you feel it sink deep down into you like an echo. Don't just say something on the surface. Repeat it to yourself until you feel it, because I think that's where it counts... that's where the proverbial magic happens. Once you manage that, there comes a state of peace that a lot of people refer to as being "in the flow". It's something you may not always manage, but, the good thing is that, once you've felt it, you at least know when you're not!

I am aching...aching, I tell you, to see a world of people who are too happy to fight, too blissful to be angry, bitter, jealous, fearful. Maybe somebody will read these little blogs and think I'm sniffin' the glue. Maybe some people will read them and think there's actual merit to what I'm saying. Either way, I'm sharing it. I'm sharing it in my books, sharing it in my music. And I'm trying, trying, trying to share it with my life.

Until next time,
Jen

Thirty-Something? Welcome to the Good Years...

2011-06-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

I have a very sneaking suspicion that my thirties are going to be far better than my twenties ever were. Perhaps that's not the normal order of things for some, but it sure as heck feels that way to me. Honestly, I don't know how you're supposed to truly enjoy yourself when you're younger and don't know who you are or what you believe. (Oh, sure, you think you do, but really...)

So much of life in your twenties is defined by all the remnant voices in your head from everything you've been taught, all your safe, nurtured pre-conceptions and your level of emotional independence. And emotional independence is a trait that the population appears to be losing sight of, sadly. It seems like a lot of young people are far more reliant on their parents than ever before. It's like a whole generation of adults who never really left the nest, a whole generation of parents who won't let go. An example... I work in a doctor's office and I still get calls from fifty-something year old mothers who are setting up their thirty-year-old's medical appointments. I could have been privy to that kind of parenting, but, I didn't stick around to partake. It too often came with a leash. As life would have it, I chose a scarier route... one where circumstances didn't allow me to fall back on the parentals to think/act/survive through my twenties. And you know, sometimes I really wish I could have, because it's nice to have help when you can. It's cool to have a safety net, there's nothing wrong with that. But, I guess, by not having it (or by opting out for the sake of personal freedom), I've been learning a lesson that I badly needed. The universe knew I'd have to work hard on honing my inner strength, personal fortitude. Having the faith in my own singular ability to manifest my own happiness has been a struggle! But, nowadays I believe strongly that we contain all that we're created to be and that we should love the hell out of ourselves first so that we attract the right kind of love in return.

I'm just scratching the surface of this loving the hell out of myself thing, but I have to say, I think I've got it! At least a foot in the door, anyway. Something shifted in my psychology, especially in the last year, that set me on this path where I'm realizing myself, seeing myself with conscious purpose. And that purpose seems to have a lot to do with emerging as my best self. Seeing the beauty in who I am and encouraging the same in others.

How often do you look in the mirror and say, "God... I am SO stinking adorable I can't even stand it." Seriously. If you're not to that point, chat/email me. I'll getcha' there.

Also, one more thing, and this is important. I'm not certain (especially for my girls out there), if you understand your own fabulousness yet, but let me just courage that attitude whole-heartedly. Now, I don't mean conceit. I don't mean, "I am so much better than everyone else." Please, don't do that, for it will likely get you bitch-slapped. What I mean is self-love (yeah, yeah... perverts.) But, really, I mean recognizing the tremendous gift you are to the world and how you uniquely impact others. If you haven't acknowledged that, if you're still hiding that tremendous spirit in a hole somewhere, you have got to let it out! Nothing has felt better to me, so far, than the sudden moment when I realized how cool it was to be me and how much I deserved love. You wouldn't think that revelation should be so hard for somebody, but, apparently it really just is for the good majority of us.

Thirty-one. I should be freaking out about the "2" being gone from my age, according to some, but all I can do is think, THANK GOD, I can get on with my life. It just feels better. I can sense who I am and who I'm meant to be. I can honestly say I love me and am putting self-care first. Not too shabby. It can only get better from here. And I am soooo ready, man. Let's DO IT!!! LET'S GO!!!!

Love you!

Jen

Love,

Jen

Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay

2011-06-24T06:13:00.000-07:00

My birthday is this weekend (yay for existing!), so I've been giving myself little presents the last few days. One of my favorite things to do is sit by the lake, and last night I went on a pic taking bender. The folks I rent from have a dock at the end of their property, so, I've made it a habit of sitting there by myself later in the evening. Maybe I'm waiting for some kind of revelation. Maybe I'm just comforted by the solitude. Maybe I just like the smell in the air. Any way you put it, nature sure it pretty, even if it does seem to enjoy biting me. A LOT. Not that I blame it.

My feet like kicking, apparently. I have no control over it. I'll find that I'm swinging them in the water like a happy five year old and it's pretty amazing how many ripples just one person can make over an entire lake. Not so sure the ducks thought it was as cool as I did, but hey, they quack loudly, so, it's all even.

I liked the contrast between dark and light in this picture. It really drives me nuts that this camera couldn't possibly capture how really beautiful the lake it... and nevermind how much you miss without the sounds!!!!

Siiiiiiigh. Glassy water. Only thing that could have made this more perfect is a cold drink.

The dock upon which I sit. (Yes, I did have to word it that way. These things are important.) I love being there and I love talking to people, so, if you're ever in the area (and aren't a serial killer), let me know! We can combine the two. :) (The talking and sitting, not the serial killing.)

Just thought I'd share. Life's more fun when other peeps are in on it. ;)

xoxo

Jen

P.S. I couldn't be more excited. You know that fund raising concert I mentioned? The one we're having next month to raise money for my CD... well my baby sister is coming all the way from Pennsylvania to sing with me!!!! YAY! Oh, exceptional amounts of bliss!!!!!

That is all. Seriously. I'm done.

OH no, WAIT! The birthday bunny left a bag of Dove chocolate on my desk this morning. Gosh, it's good to be loved.

Done.

xoxo again

Still Jen

Guess what?????

2011-06-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

I'm doing it!! I'm making a CD!!

And yeah, it's not that simple, lol! But, I'll be working to raise money for the production process in the coming months, with the help of some musicians who have already been through this and know what they're doing. The first fund-raising event, in fact, will take place next month, and it's a big one!

I know you're used to me talking about author stuff! (I might have mentioned my books a few times, eh? *wink*), but while I'm still writing about the creepies, it's finally time for me to work on the second half of my passion - my very first CD! That means I'm putting on a show to raise funds for the venture and share my heart and hope with you!

The concert is taking place on Friday, July 15th - 7pm at the Unity Center in Columbia, Missouri (1600 West Broadway). I'll be performing my own original music and enjoying the lovely assistance of musicians Trina Brunk and Karla Lewis. Any other musicians who would like to collaborate are welcome to contact me!

The concert works on a love offering basis, so if you're in the area and want to come, any donation is accepted and appreciated, no matter what. Funds will go toward the CD production process! This is a long time coming, and you know how I feel about being able to take all the aspects of my life and incorporate them to create an inspiring, life-changing outcome for everyone. Some day soon, maybe you'll just see me on the road, singing my songs and signing your books. :) Thanks for always sharing the bigger vision. Love you guys and see you at the concert!

XOXO,
Jen

Best Kiss? Which Lip-Locks Make Your Legs Buckle?

2011-06-16T09:08:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I'll just youtube kissing scenes for inspiration. No... seriously. Surely I'm not the only one who does that?

*crickets*

Well, anyway, if there's anything I love talking about, it's a good kissing scene. And I'm always curious about people's picks. I'm thinking film kisses... movie and TV. Here are a few of my favorites. Feel free to chime in. I'd hate to miss out on a primo make-out session.

Fritz and Gray in Catch and Release:

Ooooh my word, yes, please! Wall, wall, wall! I have a serious weakness for walls because of this movie. The scene just builds and builds... and that anger hides and then sparks intense passion that you can feel straight through to your toes. Love. It.

True Blood - Sookie and Bill's first kiss:

Ooof. You can just taste how badly Sookie wants Bill to kiss her well before it happens. He's a wild card, and that undercurrent of messed up attraction/lethality is pretty climactic. Then during the kiss... yeah. Dangerous attractions, indeed.

Twilight - Edward and Bella's first kiss:

Okay, pre-empt, I don't even care who you are or how you feel about this series. This kiss was stupid amounts of sexy. Raw, real, completely well done. Chemistry, chemistry, chemistry, people... they haz it.

Pride and Prejudice - The almost kiss:

Yeah, for me, this almost kiss was even better than an actual smooch. You give me angst + unresolved sexual tension and it's the recipe for perfection. Apparently, it's quite the hot topic across the globe, though. Some love, some hate.

EDIT: Because - Lord forgive me - I am ashamed to have left out the following scene, which is also one of my faves! Thanks, Jessica, for pointing it out.

Damon and Elena (Katherine) from Vampire Diaries.

Not only is the character of Damon absolutely painfully sexy (seriously... my heart... it palpitates), but the bad boy, good girl heart-wrenching Elena/Damon thing is appealing in the utmost. This deceiving kiss had me going "Whaaaaa?!??!" and then "YES!!!!" and then "Ohh, damn" in one breath.

Ok, so those are a few of my favorites. What do you think? What am I missing? What should I know about?

xoxo
Jen

Where is the JUSTICE and also Men are Pretty (A Prototype Discussion).

2011-06-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

OOOOh, sparkling, fancy, member's-only corner pool... How thou doth taunt me with your plentiful deck chairs and your colorful umbrellas. And what the hell is with that sand pit? Really?? BASTARDS.

There's a lake in my neighborhood, so I can swim there any time I want, basically, but that doesn't mean that I don't pine and growl at those Wilson's Fitness swimmers every day on my way home. The pool is in my neighborhood, too, so I have no choice but to behold its refreshing, sanitized, turquoise, strings-attached and overpriced goodness. You must be a member of the gym, you see, and additionally, I believe you must purchase membership to the pool, as well. It reminds me of that episode of Sex and the City where the girls use a false ID to get themselves into an exclusive pool club. Course, they get caught and kicked out, so perhaps I should reconsider my plans to scale their electrified fence (just kidding...about the electrified part), and crash the party.

This is kind of, (if you stretch your mind), a metaphor for the next point. Stick with me. It'll make sense eventually.

So, why is it that I never noticed just how many cute men there are in this world? Seriously, like, everywhere. On every corner, in every coffee house and eatery and niche store and gas station and holy man-candy, I can't seem to hit a red light without getting distracted by an attractive male pedestrian. Stupid eco-friendly city. This phenomenon of awareness must have something to do with the fact that I'm actually looking now, where I wasn't before, because I know that the male population hasn't just emerged with the cicadas. (BTW... HATE. Demon bugs.)

And there are so many kinds of them! (Er, men, not bugs... though, there are a lot of those, too, but, whatever.) It's like a man-vasion. You have your emo hipster, annoying but oftentimes pretty boys who brood a bit too much and are, paradoxically, in desperate need of both a cheeseburger and a looser pair of pants. Then the all-American, clean cut, nice jawline sorts who have tossed their business suits for khaki shorts and kids on their shoulders. Those are lovely. Hell, even the jocks have some appeal... some. ;)

I think I'm most attracted to the teachers, professors, musicians, do-gooders... you know what I mean. Picture it: The shirt is half unbuttoned and wrinkled, the hair is disheveled because he's been reading all night/grading thesis papers/obsessively writing a novel/saving the whales/making passionate love to me...er...uhm... what? Though you have to be careful of some social activists, man, as they would never be half as enthusiastic about their spouses as they are about their causes.

My quandary is this: With so much out there, why does the whole coupling thing seem so very, very... elusive? Kind of like that frickin' fitness center. Wait a minute, do I need to buy a membership to the man-pool, or might Mr. Right be interested in a private lake, instead?

Maybe I'll find him wrapped in some kelp.

Man: "Save me! Save me!"
Jen: "Viciously attacks slimy greens."
Man: "My hero!"

*Cue triumphant music.*

Yeah. Kelp. That's the answer.

Peace out,
Jen

So. Dating. Let's talk, shall we?

2011-06-10T20:43:00.000-07:00

Ooooh mah God. Okay. SO. I'm currently involved in this practice called dating, and, while I don't intend to give you any of the gory personal details, I did want to write a brief post for channeling the universe and asking a very important question:

Seriously, universe? Really? I mean, for real?

When I first approached this practice it was with a certain sense of stress. I mean, how many eligible men are out there anymore? That is, the normal ones with cars and jobs and a sense of personal hygiene? Must. Find. Normal. Human. . . Right?

Now, this, as it turns out, is a bad attitude to have, because it appears that whatever you put out, you darn well get back. This has been evidenced via the very many "marry me tomorrow and adopt my seven children or let me immediately impregnate you" type lads I've been coming into contact with. The thing is, I don't want to marry anyone tomorrow. In fact, I might be just as happy to live in committed sin for the rest of my life, if the right person were involved. And heck, I certainly don't want to jump into anything. It's so important, after all, to be friends with someone before anything else. That's the foundation of anything good, right? Surely there are compassionate, sexy, lovable and intelligent men out there who know both the value of a relationship and of judging the potential for one carefully.

I came across this book called "Dating From the Inside Out" by Dr. Paulette Kauffman, and it's really opened my eyes to the ways that people basically attract exactly what they fear or what they think of themselves. It's a vicious cycle of repeated, reinforced crap until you learn whatever it was you were supposed to and move past it. It's really enlightening, and, amazingly, since I started reading and felt the shift in my thoughts, a lot of those interesting gentlemen have stopped it with the crazy. I'm thinking this is a good sign... a sign that, perhaps, I'm doing something right.

One key point in this book is that we should really be more than ok with a lot of dating. I mean, let's be honest, my fellow females, how often do we whine to ourselves and each other that we just want to find The One and be done with it already, that we HATE dating, it's torture, a cruel chore, etc. All men are bastards, otherwise they're taken, right?

WOOF. My breaks are screeching to a halt while I let all that bitterness pass me by. Dating. Something clicked in my brain that said that, somehow, it's more of a vital tool of self-awareness and wisdom than a nightmarish fact of adulthood. This book really solidified that, because the point is that we don't know who we are, what we want, what we DON'T want and so forth, unless we experience different things/people/behaviors/approaches. It's supposed to be exciting, God, forbid, even fun. Look at each interaction as a step in the right direction and, I think above all, be authentic and honest and heartfelt in everything you do.

That's how I'm doing things, anyway. I guess I'll let you know how it ends up when The Dude shows up. You know... wherever he is.

Love,
J Dub

Erotic romance / English Teacher Scandal? Bring it...

2011-04-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

When I heard that an English teacher in my home state (Pennsylvania) was being bashed for *gasp* writing NOVELS on the side, it nearly gave me a stroke. As it turns out, the main freak out had to do with the fact that she writes romance novels, because, God forbid that any teacher should even think about romance/sex, let alone write about it in books! If you ask me, all public school instructors should be banned from any talk of sexual matters in their private lives. In fact, I propose that they not be allowed to even have sex... ever again. We don't want to risk that some remnant vibes might accidentally spin off and impregnate someone. Teen pregancy is serious business, after all.

Anyway, as a a fellow author (and a former Pennsylvanian, for that matter), I am more than offended on Judy Buranich's behalf. In fact, I plan to buy anything she's ever written and ever writes. The country seems to be quite aware of her work, now, thanks to those folks who felt the need to make a cruel example of a good woman (and published author -- good for you, Judy!).

How disturbing that people would try and stop an obviously beloved teacher from doing what she does best. If her class was entitled "The Art of Sexin' 101", I might be a little worried. But she's an English teacher, damn it! And let me tell you something else, it takes both courage and ability to get to the publication point, and if she managed that, she must be one good educator! So why would anyone try and put her down?

I've seen the comments of support raging around the writing and publishing world. I've also seen the support from the readers and Judy's former students, and if anyone back in Pennsylvania planned on sabataging this women's living, it's backfired. She'll be more popular than ever now, because karma never fails.

I hope she stands tall and proud. She writes erotic novels? Good for her! So many author friends of mine do the same and they are fabulous at what they do. In fact, some day maybe I'll just write one myself... screw a pen name... and I'll dedicate the book to Judy Buranich.

Lady, if you're out there, I've got your back.

Jennifer

Harry Potter Does Taekwondo in the Wilderness... Then He Drinks an Iced Coffee

2011-04-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

Oh, great gobs of macaroni, I need inspiration lately. I thought that simply being in a scenic area would do it for me, writing wise, but no. No, as it turns out, your muse has more to do with your state of mind and your circumstances than with the view out the window. Silly me.

I still want to get a digital cam and do video blogs. Not all the time, mind you, but some of the time, yes. A picture can speak a thousand words, after all (says the writer), and sometimes I'd rather show than tell. Plus, I could use a unique creative outlet.

Am I supposed to pick a single topic, by the way? Gosh, an author usually does that, huh? You pick a topic and stick to it, but I'm feeling so very random today that I'm not sure if a single topic is even possible. For instance:

Harry Potter: Love/hate the movies? Anybody else ready to have a giant stroke if they don't release a final trailer? I am so bitter-sweet about the final movie, as are all Potter-heads, I'm certain. It's a tough thing to say goodbye to. The series has meant so much to me, and as I tend to say in any author interview that asks me my favorite author, JK is in my top two, for sure. The purity and heartfelt accessibility of her writing is so hard to find. It makes me just want to hug her.

Iced coffee mix: I'm trying to find one. I've found an iced Chai mix in the form of a carton of Oregon Trail Chai concentrate. It's a wonderful thing, but what about coffee? Does anyone know where to find an iced coffee mix? It's too expensive to buy an iced coffee every day anymore. I'm a single girl, afterall, and every penny counts.

Tornados: Uhhmmmmm.... I think I jinxed people with my last blog post about spring weather tornados. But really, my thoughts and prayers go out to those who were hit with that last round of craziness. Love coming your way.

Frontier living? Okay, maybe not frontier, but something that I always wished I could do involves moving away from civilization and hunting and fishing and building my own shelter and basically escaping from everything I know and every noise pollutant and misery maker for like six months. I know some have done it, but I'd probably be dead in fourteen hours... LOL. Man. How I long to just detach, though. You know, I'm totally going to take mini retreats this season, though, and come back with a mind and spirit refreshed.

Target practice: Now don't shoot me (pardon the pun), but I think I'm going to go target practice shooting. Yeah, yeah, I know. What?! Are you serious? YOU??? What is going on? Well, it seems I'm having a bit of a "do everything I've never done before" sort of thing going on, so bear with me. I may not ever intend to own a gun, but for some reason, I really want to know how to handle and use one. What can I say?

Yoga: I've been going to a few yoga for beginners classes lately and I like it. Considering how out of shape I am, it's a good start. My real dream is to learn a martial art, though. Any of you into MA's? There's just something crazy cool and sexy about the idea of being that balanced and strong and skilled and disciplined. Who doesn't want to think they could kick ass and be all zen while doing it?

Phew. That was a lot of topicage. Time for a margarita??

Later crew,
Jen

Tornado?!?

2011-04-15T05:36:00.000-07:00

How many of you live in tornadic areas? This is tornado season, for sure, and it's a really volatile time for those of us in "Tornado Alley". I wonder how many of you have experienced a tornado? These storms enthrall me...always have, especially in the years following my move to Missouri when they became a real threat. My fear of the storms changed into a kind of passion for them and I can see myself as one of those nuts who goes chasing after them for fun.

Anyway, I love tornado stories. Have you ever seen/been caught in/video-taped a twister? Tell me your experience!

Bring it on

2011-04-13T07:02:00.000-07:00

As of today I've started saving up for Seattle again. I knew I needed to stick around Missouri and get my bearings after the split up, but I wasn't sure where or when I was going once I'd gotten said bearings. I know now. It's been tough lately, kiddos. In fact, I think that the universe has made me sufficiently miserable so as to know that I have to leave. Funny how that happens. All the greatest accomplishments and changes in my life have been spurred on by a state of total unhappiness. I think that must be a sign that your energy is shoved against a wall and needs to be flowing in another direction. With me, especially, I guess I have to be in a really dark place in order to be shaken into necessary action.

I got mad at God yesterday, actually. I said listen here, if this is meant to move me forward and make me happier than I could have been before, then BRING IT ON. Just do it. Because I'm done. I'm ready. Staying here is not an option. So I pulled out my spreadsheet and worked out my savings budget and now I have a goal. I'm not announcing a date until it's time, but when I know it... you'll know it.

I'm flying out to Pennsylvania next month for my baby sister's graduation. My family is usually pretty fun to be around, so, hopefully it'll be a nice visit. I love my baby sister and brother so much, and I rarely ever get to see them. Hm. Maybe I can invest in a digital camera before I go...

Love you guys,
Jen

Is it just me?

2011-04-08T11:54:00.001-07:00

Is this just a sign that I'm "getting old", turning into one of those "lame, boring adults" that we all swear we'll never become when we're teenagers. I ask this because of one thing in particular: MUSIC.

Okay, so, when we were youngins we listened to our current music trends with delight, right? It was great music, we loved it. Our parents just didn't understand us or the things we liked, right? Sure, sure, same old adolescent line used for generations. BUT... but... I can honestly say that most of the pop music that came from my generation and earlier had one thing going for it that seems to be missing from 99 percent of the top 40 nowadays. That would be positive substance, by the way. A meaningful, strong message meant to somehow improve the world. Instead, I'm hearing an abundance of talk about da club... having sex on the flo', under the bar while you stoke a couple... getting so bleeping drunk you can't remember who you did an hour ago, where your shirt went, even where the hell you ARE, but, you know, it's totally okay because you look hot while doing it and lots of men want you, so, whatevs, just dance, right?

So, top record companies are producing "musicians" (aka dubbed in, smoothed out, auto-tuned "singers") prattling on about their bitches and their hoes, their money and their drugs, partying, partying, partying. Life is nothing but a sexually exploitative, woman-using, drugged out, hung over, drunken binge that measures one's worth (especially when it comes to women) in degrees of sex appeal.

I've heard young girls trying to claim that songs about letting themselves be pimped out and objectified are "empowering"... Freedom of sexuality, right? Please. I'm all for being sexually healthy of mind and body, for enjoying consensual, responsible sex. You only have to read my writing to know that I am NO kind of prude. But I'm also no kind of idiot. I know the difference. You take a song like "Shoulda Put a Ring on It" by Beyonce and I'm behind you. Don't try and buy sex from a girl with shiny material things, treat her like a piece of crap and then complain when she smartens up and moves on. I like it. But "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga... don't even get me started on how much that song pisses me off.

So, is it just me? Am I just crazy? Our kids are listening to this. They think it's all cool. Our girls have no clue that their gender is being stricken repeatedly, that a lot of these lyrics and ideas are setting women's rights and equality waaaay back in time. It's horrifying, it's unbelievable, but a lot of our girls are actually buying into this crap. They actually think it's the best way to get a guy's attention. They're PROUD of flashing enough T & A, of sacrificing their dignity. This is what society sings about, right? It must be the way! Yeah, we're teachin' 'em good, aren't we? NICE job, music industry. I just wonder how many record execs teenage sons come home with STD's and daughters with unwanted pregnancies?

Why are we okay nurturing the idea that a girl isn't a person--she's a blow up doll, a porno flick, a piece of equipment you use to satisfy yourself? Why is "popular" music so one-dimensional? Why do we need so many guys singing the same lyrics, practically the same damned song about smackin' dat and grinding up on dat and hittin' dat? Why is anyone okay with this? Why aren't we sick of it yet? This is seriously messed up.

Respect. Dignity. Compassion. Reality. Inspiration. There are songs out there that talk about these things, too, but they aren't getting spotlight time like the shitty stuff does. And record companies need to get their heads out of their asses if they think that people are that limited, that stupid. I'm no sheep. Are you? Are your kids? No freaking way, my friends. Now let's sway the trend and buy the good stuff, okay? Let's talk to our kids about what's going to mess them up, about how they should view each other, about what real love is, and undo the damage our radios do when we're not around.

Sigh.

Okay, I feel better. A little.

Love,
Jen

On Criticism

2011-04-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

There's an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond that always cracked me up. Ray cannot rest, he cannot sleep, because he's actually found someone who doesn't like him. Now poor Ray takes up the obsessive mission of changing that one mind, converting that person, because he simply can't fathom that it might be ok to do otherwise.

I feel like a lot of authors and artists are the same way. We know how much heart, how much of our souls and our beliefs go into our work. We know that we mean only the best for people and we want to deliver something that will make them happy, so when we get negative reviews or feedback, it can be painful, kind of like swallowing a jagged lump of coal, in fact. But I tend to tell my writer friends the same thing whenever I see that they're particularly distressed over a bad review: Not everyone will like your work, and that's okay. Write the story only you can tell for those who need to hear it.

That applies to most everyone in a creative field. Musicians, painters, sculptors... anyone whose work is subjective. All creation comes from an inspired place, a greater place than the base and mundane. If you can express it, it's meant to be perceived. Some will have no need for it, some won't understand it at all, but you and your observers will be changed by the unique color of the creation. You might pen the precise words, paint the perfect hues or strum the ideal chords that could move things forward, alter a soul - whether it be yours or someone else's. So, when someone doesn't march to the beat of your drum, if they think your notes are strange or your words are silly, well, maybe they are! But only to them. To others, they're exactly right. Sing for them.

New Lift Post - The Inner Sanctum

2011-03-20T12:23:00.000-07:00

I said I would blog about things once I felt like I could, and today wants to be blogged. The wind is blowing in through both of my windows, the chimes outside are competing with the birds for sweetest music, and as long as the sun is shining on me, I should take advantage of the mood lifter and do something productive and even therapeutic. So, I have pics.

I haven't much felt like sharing pics of the new space for a while, because my heart wasn't in it. In fact, I've been in kind of a haze for weeks and weeks, and feeling things wasn't something I was ready to do, but, today I'm letting myself feel some pleasure from that breeze that keeps rustling my sleeve and the sound of the little lake waves slapping together. And I'm going to find pleasure in sharing these pictures with you, as well. They're simple little things... my bed, my cat, my new writing space, the view from my window, because I want to let you guys into everything. I like people. I like interaction, and the last thing I need is to become a monk right now. It's time to invite a larger group into my life. That would be you. So, welcome aboard. It'll probably get personal. :)

WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS. (Yeah, right, Jen... in your dreams... literally.) But, really, I thought about making the bed all perfect and crap, but come on... that's not very candid. Note feline.

My brother, my sister, my cousins. They may be a thousand miles away, but it still makes me feel better to see their pics. I kind of like them a little.

Ok, THIS is where the magic happens... and also where I check my gmail. Note Panera Bread iced green tea. Aaaaaah, refreshing.

A room with a view... gotta love it. Lake is on the right.

I can't wait for the trees to start budding. Imagine what it'll be like then. Come on, warm season, inspire me.

So, you've probably noticed the aquatic theme in the room. This is because of two things. One, I'm obsessed with the ocean (and bodies of water in general, really), and two, there is the above mural to work with, and how many people get to share a room with dolphins?

Right. And then there's me. I thought about posting a clearer image, but then I realized this one is perfect, because it's exactly how I feel... foggy. Hopefully the film will clear soon, though.

Love you guys,
Jen

Hooooo Boy

2011-03-09T15:05:00.000-08:00

Here's what I know about my life right now.

1. I am alive.

2. I write books.

3. I like to sing and write songs

4. I love people--maybe a little too much.

That seems like a reasonable list, when I really look at it. But, the foundational things that have really defined my sense of safety... being in a long term relationship, a nice town home that I love, two pets and an expected future... those things are gone as the move has been completed and my ex and I are restablishing who and what we are on our own.

I'm now renting a cute little space, an ocean themed room separated from a friend's lake home by a garage and staircase, and I keep trying to feel at home and failing so miserably. Of course, it's not been long, only a few days, really, but my sense of loss and, dare I even say, abandoment of/by my own life is a good bit overwhelming in the moment. I find myself praying that it eases, even just a little, every day, and I'll admit that I haven't been doing much positive self talk or good energy building or optomistic thinking lately, but this is mostly due to the fact that I just plain haven't been able to. The end of the life I've known for the last decade is maddeningly harder to handle than I thought it would be. Things were a lot easier to handle when I was still in the home I knew, after all. That security really made the rose colored glasses more comfortable to wear.

SO, now what? For one, this crappy weather absolutely needs to let up. We need weeks of sun and warmth so that I can visit the dock and do some praying and soul searching. For another, I need to get internet connected somehow. I've run into some difficulties with that, at the present moment, and though I have access here at work, I'm going to have to do a little research to figure out how to make that happen where I am living. I shall, though. Where there's a will, after all.

It's just me and my little orange tabby and the decade of my thirties to either dread of look forward to. I will tell you what, there is no way I'm going to be defeated, but gosh, I need to get over this emo slump, because I love being happy, and this heartache business is pissing me off.

Anyway, I'll post pics of the living space as soon as it's doable, and maybe I'll do some video blogging, which I've wanted to pull off for a while now. I need a new project to keep me sane, I think. Plus, you know, there's the whole writing of book three thing, which, God grant me the inspiration to carry out further. I will see this book completed, my loves. You can bet on it.

I love you guys. I miss everyone. Wish me luck and pray for me on this new adventure in life. Little miss crabby/weepy pants here needs to get a grip ASAP.

*kisses*
Jen

The Roses of Prose: Saturday Spotlight: Jennifer DeLucy

2011-02-26T09:40:00.000-08:00

The Roses of Prose asked me to do a Saturday blog spotlight a while back, and it's up today. You'll get to read some exclusive excerptness for those who haven't read The Light Series yet:

The Roses of Prose: Saturday Spotlight: Jennifer DeLucy: "Today The Roses of Prose welcome author Jennifer DeLucy to this week’s edition of Saturday Spotlight! Jennifer’s Light Series is published w..."

Love,
Jen

Laura Kreitzer Talks Human Trafficking

2011-02-25T06:43:00.000-08:00

My buddy, Laura Kreitzer, author of the Timeless Series (I highly recommend, btw), has a passionate stance on the issue of human slavery and trafficking.

Laura wrote a beautiful blog post about the issue and how it has affected her writing a few days ago and so, with her blessing, I'm reposting it as a guest blog. Please read.

Hello Literary-Folk!

My name is Laura Kreitzer, and I’m the author of the Timeless Series and the Summer Chronicles. This week I would like to alert everyone on a colossal crisis that’s gone unnoticed in the world: human trafficking. That’s why I’ve asked hundreds of blogs to be involved with spreading the word on this issue that’s become close to my heart.

As an author, and someone whose life is put in the spotlight, I keep most people at a distance. Only a handful of my friends know the whole me and the events from my past. But this week I’d like to share with you a part of myself that the outside world doesn’t see (and a part of me I don’t like to share). I was emotionally abused for five years by someone I thought loved me, my mind beaten into submission. Though the turmoil I went through doesn’t penetrate as deep as someone forced into slavery on the worldwide market for human trafficking, I can sadly relate in some ways: imprisoned, my life dictated down to what I wore, ate, where I went, whom I spoke to, where I worked, when I slept, bending to his every whim. He did not sway, even when I cried through some of the more traumatic things he had me do. I was a slave in my own home. In my desperation for freedom, I held out a gun and asked him to just end my suffering. I was desperate.

I can’t even imagine how many women (and men) in the world are in a similar situation. What’s even worse, I had it mild compared to the children that are sold for labor or sex. Surprisingly, the good ol’ U.S.A. is reported to be the host to two million slaves. Did you know this? Because I certainly did not; not until I was preparing to write my newest novel: Phantom Universe. The main character, Summer Waverly, was stolen as a child and sold as a slave to the captain of a modern-day pirate ship. From a loved child who only knew “time-out” as punishment, to being whipped into silence was something I knew nothing about. So I researched deeply into human trafficking and the psychological effects of torture of various types that one would endure in these circumstances. I felt shaken at my findings and knew I had to tell Summer’s story. (Read a sneak peek here.)

A storm began to brew in my mind; transforming, morphing, twisting, and expanding into this massive, black cloud. I had to bring this tragic atrocity to the forefront. My own emotional experiences, mixed with the research I did on human trafficking, made me feel an intense connection with Summer, and to all women who’ve been through this kind of brutality. The cloud ruptured and rained all over my computer one day. It took one month to write Phantom Universe, the first in the Summer Chronicles. I was so consumed by the story that I wrote nearly nonstop, only breaking for necessary tasks like eating, showering, and occasionally—very occasionally—sleeping.

Though the book I’ve written would be classified as Science Fiction, or as I’d like to call it, Dystopian, the emotions and psychological aspects are not Science Fiction—they’re real. Reviewers have said many amazing things about Summer, this character who is so real in my mind and who I cried along with as the words poured from my soul onto my screen.

“I admired Summer’s strength and ability to adapt,” says CiCi’s Theories. “I felt tied to her emotions,” Jennifer Murgia, author or Angel Star admits. And Tahlia Newland, author of Lethal Inheritance, remarks, “Summer is strong and smart in mind [. . .]”

Through her overwhelmingly horrendous past, Summer goes on more than just a physical journey in Phantom Universe, she goes on a psychological one as well; growing beyond her mute state to persevere and survive in a new world beyond the whip she’s so frightened of.

Now that the release date is here, I’m excited and terrified to share this story with everyone. I’m emotionally tied in every way to the words I’ve written, because they’re more than words. More than just a story on a page. Beyond the fictional aspects, there’s a real issue that needs to be addressed: human trafficking must be stopped. We shouldn’t sit idly by while this continues to plague us. Our world’s children—our nation’s children—are being affected. It’s time we take action!

Earlier this month Phantom Universe hit Barnes and Noble’s top 100 Best Selling list. I’ve decided to donate 10% of my sales from Phantom Universe, until the end of February, to the DNA Foundation.

“DNA hopes to help abolish modern day slavery, deter perpetrators, and free the many innocent and exploited victims. We are committed to forcing sex slavery out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

Freedom is a basic human right and slavery is one of the greatest threats to that freedom. No one has the right to enslave another person.”
—From DNA Foundation’s Website

I ask that you spread the word to everyone you know. Look around on the DNA Foundation website and find a way to get involved in ending human trafficking. Take action today. Everyone has a voice—you have a voice. Will you have the courage to use it?

Speak up, Speak out

2011-02-24T14:37:00.000-08:00

*big pouty face*

I don't like being frustrated or upset over things, which is why I've essentially avoided a certain issue for the last year until I couldn't ignore it anymore. I mentioned this topic once before in a post, but this is going to take it up a notch, I'm afraid.

The issue is piracy -- ebook piracy, to be exact.

I am so grateful in so many ways to know that people want to read my books. You can't even imagine how glad I am of that. And it's really hard to get me upset enough to make any kind of strong public statement against anything, but I've definitely reached my limit with regards to this topic. I've had an absolute attack of email alerts about my book being illegally uploaded to sites like Minova and ShareTermPapers.com and so on and so forth with increasing levels of disturbing in the last several weeks, and my blood pressure is definitely on the rise. In the past, I've kind of overlooked the trickling reports of illegal file sharing with regards to my books, but now that it's grown to this magnitude, the issue really has my attention. And I'm not the only one being hurt by this. There were a lot of authors listed on the aforementioned sites, and certain author friends of mine are suffering from it, too.

If you borrow a paperback or ebook from the library, if you buy and lend it to a friend, it's one thing. Heck, if you let your best friend read your ebook, I won't balk at that, but uploading it to a sharing site for everyone to just help themselves to is not right. And it upsets me deeply for a couple of reasons.

For one thing, I work my behind off, I put my life, my heart and my soul into everything I write in hopes that I can produce a story that will give people some escape and inspiration. If you haven't ever written a book (let alone more than one), it's probably hard to imagine what goes into the process, but I'll just promise you that an author spends more time writing than sleeping, eating and basically anything else trying to build a livelihood doing what they feel called to do. That doesn't even include the re-writes and edits, and edits, and edits, and edits... and then the marketing and the often exhaustive work that comes post-publication. When I see ebook theft, it signifies either a disregard for or ignorance of this work, and it breaks my heart.

Secondly, I love my readers so much. Truly. Every time I get a message or email or tweet from a reader saying that these books have done something for them, it boosts my spirits completely, and I want to just kiss them to pieces. So, it feels like a betrayel to think of any reader choosing to cause me harm, whether they realize it or not, by illegally pirating my work. In some cases, I'm sure that people don't understand the gravity of what they're doing, and that's why I'm blogging about this. Which takes me to point three...

Earnings. Yep. The money issue, which I loath bringing up more than any other point. Let me just admit something: I've never inquired about my book sales. I don't want to know numbers, mainly because I can tell how I'm doing based upon many other factors, and they have all been so wonderful that I refused to focus on the monetary aspects and used reader response as a measure of success. But, even me, Little Miss Suzy Sunshine Hippy Love DeLucy, can't help but acknowledge that the sharp increase in pirated ebooks of The Light Series will seriously cut into my livelihood and make it difficult to continue writing. I'm a new author, and what I earn goes right back into my writing. I'm not yachting it up or anything. Trust me. And I can't spread the word and share these stories properly without earning back what I put in.

$4.99.

That's how much an ebook costs. Not so much, huh?

At this stage in my writing career, every single sale counts. It counts in earnings, it counts in ratings, it counts in accurate readings of how my books are faring in the market. Sigh. SO. I'm appealing to my beautiful, faithful readers and my author friends alike... please speak up when you see piracy of this nature. Report it, explain why it's wrong when ignorance is an issue. This author thanks you in advance.

Love,
Jen

Tour End, Thank You's and New Life Vlogging

2011-02-19T07:16:00.000-08:00

Before I get into anything else, I want to begin by thanking all of the wonderful book bloggers and book site hosts who participated in the Light Series Blog Tour this past month. It was so much fun! I enjoyed collaborating with each and every one of you, and am so touched by the amount of love and work you put into your wonderful blogs. Thank you, also, to the readers of their blogs... you guys have been so cool with your comments (I read them!), and enthusiasm. OH, and to my new blog followers, thanks for connecting with me! Below are the bloggers and sites that participated in my tour. Please show them some love!

Larissa's Bookish Life
Author Laura Kreitzer's Site
2readornot2read & A Fanatic's Book Blog
Golden Moon
Mystical Lit Lounge
Unread Reader & Confessions of a Bookaholic
Life Bound By Books
booksoverboys
Parajunkie
Amaterasu Reads and AliseonLife - Read My Mind
The Itzel Library
Bibliophile's Journal and Tahlia Newland's Blog
Lady and the Books
The Cozy Reader and Once Upon a Twilight
The Book Vixen and Books and Things

__________________________________

Now that the tour is over, it's back to working on book three. Okay... let me adjust that statement. It's back to packing up my house and moving. THEN it's back to book three.

Packing has been, so far, a very emotional time. I don't like to dwell in negative emotion, I don't like to feel it, period, but there are some times when you have to sludge through the muck of life so that you can get to the good stuff on the other end. This just happens to be one of those times. Aaah, music. I've been listening to a lot of it lately as I pack. Some of it has been a little on the emo side, but I don't let that stuff color my energy too much. I've got a lot of life in the works, and I know it's all good and amazing stuff. The emo-mourning of Old Life will end soon enough. Just have to let myself have some whiney time, I guess.

I don't really have much more to say this post, but, I will end by telling you that my intention is to buy one of those flip video cams and start doing some vlogging of New Life-- the good, the bad and the ugly. Should be interesting.

Okay, all. I send you love and empowering energy.

My theme song for today:

*squish*
Jen

Join the Author Blog Hop!

2011-02-07T07:36:00.000-08:00

It's that time again! Every Monday we reach out to new authors and awesome readers to join in the blog hop! It's a great chance to get to know new talent!
READERS:
Follow as many authors as you like. Just follow the Linky list and hop from author to author. The idea is to find as many "new to you" authors as you can, and hopefully some great new reading material as well. Leave a comment as you hop from blog to blog! We'd love to chat with you! AUTHORS:
Follow the Meet an author Monday host (Cali Cheer Mom) along with any of the wonderfully talented authors on the list.
You will need to enter your name and blog url into the Linky tool.
Grab our super cute button and place it in a post. (THIS IS IMPORTANT!) If you don't create a post for the hop, your readers won't have a place to comment, and the hop will stop with you. So create a post, paste in the Linky code and start hopping!
The purpose of the hop is to meet "new to you" authors and discover great new reads. Follow as many authors as you can. Leave a comment and introduce yourself!
If you'd like to share the Linky list in a post on your blog ( Please do!) just follow the link and grab the code.

Are you Scared of Your Own Life?

2011-02-03T18:15:00.000-08:00

Do you ever feel like your own dreams intimidate you? How about my aspiring writer friends out there? Musicians? Bakers? Lion tamers? You name it? Does the weight of what you really want scare the bejeesus out of you? Ever think that you're the only one holding your destiny back, whether consciously or subconsciously, simply out of fear? Maybe you don't believe you can handle it... maybe you don't think you're enough.

I hear you. As my life has upturned in the last year, I've had the feeling of unraveling fate and it scares me as much as it excites me. All kinds of things come with dream fulfillment--positive and negative--and I'm trying to come to terms with what's happening, trying to remind myself not to hold my arms out in a stopping motion toward my own future. I need to let the waves roll over me.

Are you pushing back against your own purpose? I'm posting some songs here that I think you should listen to, because they often wrench me out of freak out mode and toss me into "Okay, okay, fine. I get it! I'm open! Throw me the ball!" mode. They're from an artist named Joshua Radin who has been a massive life saver for me. Several of his songs have undeniable get up and live you life...do it... take the dive messages. I adore them.

Here's a good one.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us."
Marianne Williamson

"Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake."
Henry David Thoreau

I dare you to listen to this song and not be instantly lifted up. Seriously... take the challenge:

"So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains and we never even know we have the key."
Lyrics from Already Gone by The Eagles

Okay. Now do just one thing to kick your fear in the rear this weekend! Tonight even!

Love you!
Jen

Did you survive the Snowpocalypse?

2011-02-02T16:20:00.000-08:00

We did! Though we're pretty well snowed in. The driveway got shoveled out today (thank God for friends and good neighbors), but that's as far as the progress goes. A few larger vehicles tried to maneuver around here earlier and ended up running into each other on the street. Neighbors had to dig them out. There have been no plows through my neighborhood yet, which is making everything a mess, but, that's typical for residential areas.

Ah, winter. What a trickster you've been this year. You grant us mild winter after mild winter in Missouri and then KERSPLOOSH... blizzard time. And I thought I'd escaped this kind of mess when I left Pennsylvania.

Anyway, luckily, we didn't lose power or anything dreadful like that. Sorry to those who have, though! I hope everyone's everything is up and running and driving safely soon. Below are some pics from the Snowpocalypse/Snowmagedon here in central Missouri. If any of you were affected by the blizzard, you should link pics as a comment. I'll show you mine if you show me yours...

Meet and Author Blog Hop and SECRET PHOTOS! :)

2011-01-30T11:56:00.000-08:00

YAY! It's Meet an author Monday, and we have a theme today. We're taking pics of our writing spaces... and I'm going to share my most frequent one with you. Now, that doesn't mean my most formal one (I'm skipping the whole home office/library thing, because you guys are my blog peeps, and you get exclusive tidbits.) This is the area that gets the most writing traffic. My living room... my coffee table... my poor, beat up laptop. TADA! OH, and my cat, Maddox, decided he wanted to be in the picture, too. Maddox has a tendency to hog my work space... in fact, he'll go so far as to lay his head/paws on my hand and close his eyes as I try to type, and it's so darn precious that I'd swear he knows that I don't have the heart to disturb him. The brat.

So, before I give you instructions on how to meet new authors and join the Meet an Author Monday network, I'm going to point out the icon in the right side bar... the Lookin' for Love Valentine's Day Scavenger Hunt graphic... see it? This is an EPIC fun chance for you to win an entire set of Ebooks from my publisher. Give it a click! You don't want to miss out on this.

Back to the Author Hop. See below to learn how both authors and readers have been taking part. This is a great way to get a first look at up and coming novels!

READERS:

* Follow as many authors as you like. Just follow the Linky list and hop from author to author. The idea is to find as many "new to you" authors as you can, and hopefully some great new reading material as well. Leave a comment as you hop from blog to blog! We'd love to chat with you!

AUTHORS:

* Follow the Meet an author Monday host (Cali Cheer Mom) along with any of the wonderfully talented authors on the list.
* You will need to enter your name and blog url into the Linky tool.
* Grab our super cute button and place it in a post. (THIS IS IMPORTANT!) If you don't create a post for the hop, your readers won't have a place to comment, and the hop will stop with you. So create a post, paste in the Linky code and start hopping!
* The purpose of the hop is to meet "new to you" authors and discover great new reads. Follow as many authors as you can. Leave a comment and introduce yourself!
* If you'd like to share the Linky list in a post on your blog ( Please do!) just follow the link and grab the code.

Muse is Hot and Real Life Premonitions

2011-01-29T19:18:00.000-08:00

First of all, this is my latest song crush. Seriously, can Muse be any sexier? I say no.

Secondly, I wanted to tell you about the coolest thing ever, but I'm trying to figure out how without confusing you to death and bungling up the whole tale. Let's see if I can keep this simple. The story is a bit of real life magic, and exactly the kind of thing that confirms my belief in purpose and destiny for all. I'll need you to stick with me, here. Just trust me.

So, a few years back I was in a lovely coffee house here in Central Missouri with a small group of friends. We were chatting when, let's just call her Susan, got a kind of distant look on her face and muttered something about feeling compelled to meet a woman she'd spotted sitting at a table elsewhere in the building. She jumped up and disappeared and my friends and I just kind of shrugged. Susan has a mind of her own, and she's a unique soul that I'm convinced is attuned to things that some of us can't see. So, anyway, when she returned to our table she had a business card in hand, and she gave it to me, saying, "I think this is actually supposed to be for you."

I took the card and looked at it carefully. It had a woman's name on it, and it read, "First Chance for Children". Some kind of family resource specialist. Very cool, but... I had no children, and I couldn't imagine what I would do with this card or what this person had to do with me. So I took the card from Susan and tucked it into my purse and forgot all about it.

Fastforward some months and I remember finding said card again while cleaning out my wallet. I almost threw it out, but my gut said to hold onto it for some reason. So I did. This happened every time I'd come across the business card in future. "Throw it away?" I'd say to myself. "No. Susan said it was meant for me." So, ever the believer, I'd tuck it back into my wallet and then, eventually, into a shoe box of paperwork. I never really even paid much attention to the name on the card... never remembered it.

A few years went by and a lot was happening in my life. I was singing at a wonderful open-minded church, I was writing books that would later be published, struggling through an ending relationship, finding my way and so on. I'd developed a wonderful core group of friends that seemed ever expanding and refreshing with new energy. They're creative, lovely people who I love dearly and I feel blessed to have in my life. One of them (Toni Rahman) wrote a book called Tahole, the politics of love. It chronicles a young American mother's journey in Bangladesh and into full adulthood. (She and I just did a talk together, actually, on dream fulfillment since we're both authors.) You should check out her book. It's amazing!

Anyway, back to the story, I have a photographer coming to my house this week to take a picture for an article, and so I was clearing some things away... sorting through a shoe box... and I came across that old card again. This time when I read it my heart jumped, because, for the first time, I took notice of the name on the card. It actually meant something to me now...

Toni Rahman.

I smiled from ear to ear and realized that Susan had tapped into something amazing that night at the coffee house. She'd somehow known that there would be a connection between myself and this person, and on some level, I must have, as well, since I kept the card all the while, long before I'd ever met Toni.

I finally threw the card into a bag of paperwork intended for the trash man, and then promptly dug it out again, realizing that this was something I wanted to share with Toni. A confirmation that we're all connected, that the universe has its intentional hand in everything, and that we need to have faith and follow our heart, because every step is waiting to be experienced, every door waiting to open for us, so long as you keep moving... and follow that gut, my friends. Follow that gut.

Signing out with love,
Jen

Wow. Just Wow.

2011-01-25T16:52:00.000-08:00

Sometimes all you can do is wonder how a crappy day can turn so awesome. Take today, for instance. My household seems to be suffering from what I strongly suspect is the flu, and while I've been sitting around feeling all blah and miserable, a couple of super wicked reviewers were posting their thoughts on Seers of Light. When I saw their tweets and read their reviews, my heart just about exploded. Let me give you some samplings:

Lisa at A Life Bound By Books says, "Simply put, Seers of Light By Jennifer DeLucy is beautiful. The writing flows off the page, the characters are more than memorable and the story utterly unique – easily making this a must read book for any lover of Paranormal books as a whole."

And, as if this wasn't enough to cheer me up, Jess, of Confessions of a Bookaholic, went and posted her review. Here's an excerpt:

"Seers of Light is nothing shy of magical. The writing, plot and astonishing characters transport the reader directly into the story. I went through a full range of emotions while reading this book and I know this will be one of my favorite reads of 2011. Bravo Jennifer, I am now your biggest fan!"

Okay. Look, I know that faithful readers don't necessarily want or need to see every single review that an author gets, but I had to share today with you guys, because the nature of these reviews reminded me of the kind of connection you can establish with someone who reads your book. It's incredibly emotional and I just wish both blog reviewers were somewhere close by so I could hug them to pieces.

If you'd like to read either of these reviews in full, visit Confessions of a Bookaholic or A Life Bound By Books. Give them a follow on their blog and on twitter and show them the love. Book bloggers like them make it possible for Indie authors to share their voice.

Peace out,
Jen

Exclusive Character Interviews on the Tour Today

2011-01-24T09:19:00.000-08:00

If you've got a thing for William Maddox or Christian Wright, today's your day. Missie from the Unread Reader has done an exclusive character interview between the two Light Series men, and you can find it HERE! Be sure to comment and thank her for the bright idea. :)

What Lily Hunt? Maybe you'd like to know a little more about my relationship with my main Seers protagonist from Lily's point-of-view? Jess at A Fanatic's Book Blog has this clever idea. Check it out and give her some love HERE!

Don't forget to enter to win ebooks on both of these awesome blogs, as well. Talk to you soon!

XOXO
Jen

Talkin' to the Library

2011-01-22T17:31:00.000-08:00

I had a fun little event today at the Daniel Boone Public Library. Folks were awesome to come out in this yucky weather, and I really enjoyed meeting and hugging readers! Also, I still have some leftover chocolate if anyone wants any...

My hope was that five people would show. That's all I wanted, considering the weather was so poopy. I was so pleasantly surprised at the turnout. I was also just plain touched by how sweet and helpful the library coordinator was. What a peach. I have to brag about our local library here in Columbia. That place is insanely busy. It's nearly as packed as the mall, I swear! Parking is always so difficult. It's a popular stop! This city loves its library.

Here are some pics from today. Forgive the blurriness of some.

Leaving or Staying, Audio Chats and Blog Tours.

2011-01-20T18:08:00.000-08:00

As I sit here and freeze in my fluffy pink socks, life, it keeps a'changin'. Last time I updated about my moving status was a couple of months ago (when I said that it looked like I was headed for Seattle in the spring). Well, the spring will be sprung soon enough, and while I'm still looking forward to spending some time in Seattle, plans have altered, as plans often do, and things look to be headed in a decidedly more subtly scary direction. And sure, it can be both things at once. Trust me.

For a while there, my state of mind resembled a Scarlet O'Hara-esque back of the hand on forehead type "where shall I go, what shall I do?" reaction. I've been pretty well clueless, just going with the flow of emotion, the fear and hope and faith. I really wanted to escape what I didn't think I could face--an ended relationship that turned my life upside down. Though I'm still quite nervous and on occasion sad (and okay, sometimes even pissy) about the whole thing, I do understand that it was actually a blessing in disguise. This I've known for quite a while.

In about a month and a half I'll be moving into my own place here in Missouri, and the circumstances around the move are pretty perfect. A dear friend of mine has this lovely home that backs up to a lake, and attached to said home is a little living space that was, apparently, waiting for me to move into it. If there's anything I need in this transitional period of my life, it's to get my bearings. But if there's anything else I need, it's to be inspired, and I am pretty confident that I'll be feeling the muse. Something that always struck me when I visited my soon to be neighborhood before was the peacefulness of it all. There are no car sounds... I swear to you. All you hear is breeze and trees rustling and birds. It's incredible. Soul-restorative, even. The cool thing is, I didn't see this coming. It was the perfect circumstance, a lovely, insightful friend, an inspiring setting, a familial atmosphere, and for the first time in years, time that is mine to use as I choose. Here I thought I'd be lonely and depressed and whoa is me (insert more hand against forehead action here), but it occurs to yours truly that the next year is meant to be a major breeding ground for creation and a launch pad for awesome.

Remember how I said that I wanted to combine my novels with my music? Well, starting this weekend, my amazing friend Chris, of the band Cluthe/Lee Music, will be assisting me with recording my first CD (something else I didn't quite see coming. Do you see how this works? Trust and openness can do amazing things.) I'll be working on this music in the next year, along with finishing up book three in the Light Series, which is slated for release late this June. The plan is to save up for... and here's where it gets scary... for a tour that will last six months or a year. During said tour, I'd be singing to you and reading to you. Also, I'd love to do a host sign up, if any of you would be willing to have me as a guest for a few days. But I'm getting ahead of myself. First, do the work, have the faith.

Before I go, let me take a minute to remind you guys that the Light Series Blog Tour is going on right now! If you check out the Author Events page of my blog, you'll get a run down of coming events and participating blogs, and remember that each of these blogs/sites will be giving away a set of Light Series ebooks to their readers. There are a lot of cool things to look forward to, like character interviews and reviews and guest blogs, there is even a live audio chat with me, hosted by the rockin' ladies at the Mystical Lit Lounge. It'll be taking place HERE on Wed, 1/26, beginning at 8:30pm Central time. This will be so much fun, because I'll actually get a chance to TALK to you guys and chat with you live. Anyone who has a mic can yap at me, but you can text chat along, as well, if you prefer.

I hope you're all staying warm! We've had storm after storm with more on the way around here. Brr. Ready for spring!!

Love you,
Jen

Day Two = Guest Blog, Character Interviews, Giveaways and More!

2011-01-17T07:10:00.000-08:00

The Light Series Blog Tour continues, with a guest post on To Read or Not to Read Book Blog. The topic is symbolism of character among the two main couples. If you're interested in knowing more about the purpose behind the four major series players, you'll want to check it out!

Also, I know you guys like giveaways... so be sure to enter to win ebooks of Seers and Whisper, as well!

Check it out HERE

Also participating in the tour today is A Fanatic's Book Blog (LOVE YOU, JESS!) and they have posted a character interview with Lillian Hunt! Be sure to stop by and give the blog a shout out HERE.

Thirdly, Golden Moon Book blog has just reviewed Seers, and they have decided to do a whole week of features on the Light Series as their contribution to the tour. You'll want to keep an eye on Golden moon for coming giveaways and more! CLICKY!

Last but not least, today is Meet an Author Monday, hosted by author Lisa Sanchez! To authors out there who would love to pick up some new followers, and to readers who want to discover new authors, you'll want check this out! How does it work?

READERS:

* Follow as many authors as you like. Just follow the Linky list and hop from author to author. The idea is to find as many "new to you" authors as you can, and hopefully some great new reading material as well. Leave a comment as you hop from blog to blog! We'd love to chat with you!

AUTHORS:

* Follow the Meet an author Monday host (Cali Cheer Mom) along with any of the wonderfully talented authors on the list.
* You will need to enter your name and blog url into the Linky tool.
* Grab our super cute button and place it in a post. (THIS IS IMPORTANT!) If you don't create a post for the hop, your readers won't have a place to comment, and the hop will stop with you. So create a post, paste in the Linky code and start hopping!
* The purpose of the hop is to meet "new to you" authors and discover great new reads. Follow as many authors as you can. Leave a comment and introduce yourself!
* If you'd like to share the Linky list in a post on your blog ( Please do!) just follow the link and grab the code.

Talk to you later!

Love,
Jen

Book Three: On location...

2011-01-16T11:57:00.000-08:00

I am really trying to stay on publication deadline with book three after some slackage. *hangs head in shame* Vigilant writing mode has ensued since yesterday morning. BONUS: I'm looking through pics of Glendalough, Ireland right now, because my AWESOME Irish contact spent a day taking pics there for me to use as inspiration! That's right, I have a cute Irish girl on location willing to visit/research book sites for me. I know I'm spoiled rotten and I love it! Mwah to Danni! Here are a few pics for your viewing pleasure, and I'll tease you all as the winter/spring goes on with increasing mercilessness. Love you!

William Maddox Outtake and More!

2011-01-15T08:30:00.000-08:00

Today is day one of the Light Series Book Tour, and we begin with author Laura Kreitzer's blog. Laura has a really special treat set up for you guys. A while ago, she asked me if I'd write an outtake from Seers of Light from someone else's point-of-view, after which I held a poll on Goodreads to see which character my readers would most prefer to hear from. William Maddox was the winner (clearly), and so here it is!

DAY ONE - LAURA KREITZER

You'll also have a chance to win twin ebooks each day of the blog tour, so don't forget to enter. And thanks to Laura for hosting!

ALSO, major news. Bitten by Books (these guys are a huge paranormal review site!) has given Seers of Light a 4 1/2 tombstone rating! So exciting! Thanks to their reviewer, Danielle.

You can read said review HERE!

Love you guys!
Jen

Holy Virtual Book Tour, Batman!

2011-01-04T19:53:00.000-08:00

The Light Series team and I have been scrambling in the last few days to keep up with the requests from book bloggers who want in on the virtual book tour! All I can say is, thank God for table documents or I would lose my mind! lol.

This is turning out to be tons of fun and it's also forcing me to pull out some organizational skills I'd forgotten I had! (Who, me? Head in the clouds?) The response has been a beautiful thing, and I'm pleased as punch to be working with both established review bloggers who know and love the series as well as bloggers that I have met strictly through this venture! What a truly dedicated bunch of bibliophiles they are, and I can do nothing short of relate! Books are life.

There is still some space left on the docket, but not a lot, I'll tell you! So, if you are an established book review or author related blog and you'd like to participate, be sure to visit the events page HERE for details about how to join and what it involves, as well as the latest tour date availability.

Readers, every blog host will be given a set of ebooks to giveaway, so you'll want to follow along each day and try for your chance to win! You'll also get insider info about the series through author or character interviews, guest blogs and more.

Okay, dear ones. Thanks for tuning in. Talk to you all soon!

XOXO
Jen

Publishing... what of it?

2011-01-02T22:10:00.000-08:00

When I first started trying to publish my novels, my experiences taught me that there were certain practices that everyone seemed to prescribe to. You needed a writer's market handbook (which I do recommend, by the way), and you needed an agent. Then, you were to follow the standards to the letter, format and measure and choose a genre and etc., jump through flaming hoops, dance on hot coals, swim through lava, sacrifice your first born, and then, if you insisted on going the way of utmost tradition, maybe perhaps, if a star aligned in the correct constellation while the exact agent met the fated contact who sweet-talked them into reading your manuscript, then they might... might consider representation. Then, of course, you have to pray to God that one of the big dogs of publishing will throw your agent a bone, which requires a whole new level of disillusionment. All this just to tell your story...

Rejection and disillusionment are a good thing, mind you. You need to experience these in order to grow. You need people to be honest with you when improvement is required (which is basically always, because one can never stop growing). But, I wonder, discipline and talent and nurturing of skill aside, do we need to follow traditional publishing standards in order to be great at what we do? If we lose the narrow vision goggles, do we recognize that we're missing the wide screen shot of possibilities?

I'm thinking of epublishers, small presses and various forms of Indie authordom. I am well acquainted with people who are published via pretty much all venues, and I wonder at those who criticize or belittle such courage and hard work, simply because an author dares to take an alternative route. Think about it. If the same size seven shoes are treading the same footsteps through a concrete path for decades, what of the size tens? Where do you step when your ideas are progressive and don't fit the mold? What road do you travel when change is the name of the game?

Some forms of publishing are a real old man's club. It's hard to get in unless you smoke the same cigars, wear the same outfits and swing the same literary anatomy, so to speak. But times are a changing, as they should, as they must, in order for an art to thrive. Take ebooks, for instance. They seem to be the certain wave of the present, forget the future. A lot of you have probably heard of the NY Times wanting to do a top ten ebook list. This excites me, for sure, because it means that someone is acknowledging the flow of time and the reality of change.

It's kind of the age old battle, to prove that change doesn't necessarily equal the end of times, and that the big, bad C word is not only okay, but also crucial to survival? Just because something is atypical, non-standard, does not make it wrong or any less valid. Reinvention is a good thing, and it may very well, in this humble author's opinion, save the necks of a nation in peril of tragic illiteracy. I realize a lot of us have a terribly hard time with change. As it's always been, the phenomenon tends to bring out the worst in some people. We humans like to cling to what we know, to what has been laid out for us as "correct". When people say, "This is the way to go", it's a lot easier to follow right along. Things aren't so scary then. And I can hold hands with those who wish to preserve some of the old ways along with the new. It does, however, sadden me to witness disrespect directed at the ground-breakers of our literary world, especially when I realize that these attitudes are largely motivated by fear, whether understood or not. Nothing stays the same, after all. We can only take the good we've gathered and the knowledge learned and let it flow into today's mold. Otherwise, we run the risk of losing it completely.

I'm always wary of people who claim to know the "right" answer, the "best" way. Where unbending black and white yields war and hatred, why would we encourage such a thing in the written arts? Words are meant to alter us, to inspire, encourage and shake us up. I would loath to think that some passionate idea might die with its thinker, simply because they were never given a chance to share them with the world. So, here's to my author friends, in all their varied shades of expression, and to their Indie and alternative presses. However you choose to share your creations and whatever route you travel, know that I am shaking pom-poms on your behalf.

Peace out,
Jen

2011 Virtual Book Tour! Bloggers Invited....

2011-01-02T10:00:00.000-08:00

What: Light Series Blog tour
When January 15 - February 15, 2011

I'll be doing a virtual book tour through January and February. Below you will find a list of available dates and current participating blogs.

Readers, this will be a chance for you to learn more about the series through character interviews, guest blogs, Q & A's and more. There will also be a giveaway for each blog.

Interested bloggers, here's how it works: Select your preference based on the the dates below, then email me with your top three picks. Bloggers will be granted their time request on a first response basis, so we ask that you choose three dates that would work for you in case your first choice is no longer available. There is a 2 blog a day limit.

My publisher will provide participating blog hosts with e-copies of both books in the Light Series (Seers of Light and Whisper of Light) should you wish to review the series during your slated time, but a review is not necessary to participate. I'm open to anything you'd like to do, whether it be interviews, character interviews/features, public chats, etc. We will also be giving away e-books to the readers of each blog, so please let us know asap so that we can solidify your slot on the tour. Email me at jenniferdelucy@gmail.com. You will find all updated blog tour info on the Author Events page of this blog from now until the end of the tour.

Thanks everybody! It's so awesome to have you aboard!

Available tour dates (list updated daily):

January: 15th, 19th, 21st, 26th, 28th, 30th

February: 1st, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th

Currently Participating Blogs:

1/4: Larissa's Bookish Life, kickoff post
1/17 2readornot2read &
A Fanatic's Book Blog
1/24 Unread Reader &
Confessions of a Bookaholic
1/28 Life Bound By Books
2/1 Parajunkie
2/5 Amaterasu Reads
2/7 The Itzel Library
2/9 A Bibliophile's Journal
2/15 The Book Vixen

A Fearless New Year's Resolution...

2011-01-01T20:28:00.000-08:00

There's a wonderful book out there called The Five People You Meet in Heaven, by the same author who wrote Weekends With Morrie. I was thinking about that tonight, along with Conversations with God and The Reluctant Messiah, the writings of Deepak Chopra, all the near death experiences I've hunted down and read about. They were the beginning of my desire to try and understand a sliver of my own existence, and I say my existence, because there's no way I can speak for anyone else. I'd have no right to insist that anybody draw the same conclusions. But, I can say that these readings really stirred a feeling of truth in me that a childhood of traditional religious ideologies hadn't granted. Aside from the whole 'what are we and why are we here' business, I wanted to know what caused anger, strife, pain, war, envy, misery. Is it chance? What causes us to feel negative emotion? What's the root of unhappiness? That leads me to my New Year's Resolution.

I've had an amazing 2010. I've experienced things I never thought I would and I've shared myself with the world in the most vulnerable way. Holding back my heart is not something I do well, and I find that I am too passionate to let anyone trample my resolve. That doesn't mean that I don't struggle, but I combat my doubts by reminding myself of the ideals that speak to me most, the ones that suggest that the universe is made of two dueling perceptions, or rather, one reality and one illusion. Love and fear.

From what I understand, love is reality, it is true matter, even while the illusion of fear is the root of all suffering. If you reject fear, you'll manifest peace.

So, if God/Spirit/The Universe/however you want to put it sources our consciousness, then it seems that he/she/it does so with a particular plan to know itself through the human form. And if God/Spirit/The Universe/however you want to put it knows all, understands universally and perfectly and naturally, then his/her/its love must be infinitesimal. God (for the sake of ease of typing) must be pure, perfect, omnipotent... love. So how would love come to know itself best?

If we're going to know what we are, it's imperative that we know what we are not, so, if the universe is perfection, then what creates every struggle known to man? Why do we harm and kill and war against each other? Why do we gossip and bully and cheat? Why do we steal and lie and take advantage of each other? Is it because we're evil at heart? No way, Jose. It's because we're scared.

If you want to get to the bottom of suffering, blame fear. We're scared of what we don't understand so we bully it away, or blow it up, or tease it, or talk about it behind its back. We're scared of lack, so we steal or we try to destroy the gains of others. Greed, envy, tyranny, war... it all equals a fear of something. We're scared of losing what we have or we're scared of never having what we want. We refuse to give of ourselves because we're afraid that we won't have enough left over, even though there is always enough... there will always be enough. When you give without expecting a thing in return, when the only thing you take from a loving act is joy, what do you think you'll get in return? You'll get what you gave, you'll be loved as you loved. I've seen it again and again. The more you extend your light, your energy into the world, sharing and giving of your heart without wanting or expecting repayment... the more you receive, because people will reflect it back to you. You can't be slighted by love. We do, however, slight ourselves with fear, because fear causes people to hold back, it limits the expansion of your mind and spirit. It is a wound that is, sadly, too often prodded, salted, and never allowed to heal over. The illusion--the LIE-- of fear is the root of unhappiness, but recognizing it is probably essential to understanding ourselves better, to living more fully and being truly aware of what is real.

So all our lives are an effort to beat back the demon of fear and exist in a state of love. If we're all linked together by the same great energy that governs the particles and bits of this unfathomable space, then to love your neighbor is to love yourself. To fear your neighbor is to fear yourself. Our lives and our experiences are a ripple in the pond.

For 2011, I take up the challenge and I offer it to you as well, to live in a way motivated by love and purpose without fear. Let's see how we do...

I kind of have a crush on you...

2010-12-27T15:45:00.000-08:00

... just so you know. I do a lot of sighing shmoopily when I think of my readers and how you guys came through for this series. For those who didn't hear, did you realize that your write in votes got Seers of Light into the top nominations for best paranormal novel of the year, and you earned me the same in best author of 2010? Seriously, anyone who thinks that their voice doesn't count, this proves otherwise. Win or not, being in those nominee categories is a victory for a little Indie author like me along with everyone who supports The Light Series.

So, will you spread the word and keep up the votes? I believe Jan 1st is your deadline, so if you haven't voted yet, it's easy! Just sign into Goodreads and click HERE and HERE to vote for Seers of Light in both nominated categories. Spread the word to those who would vote and let's get our Sentients out there for the world to know!

Ah, if I could fly you to a tropical beach with the Sentiently man/woman of your choice, I would, (though you'd have to promise to return them relatively undamaged.) I'll keep you posted. In the mean time, onward and upward, my friends!

Love you,
Jen

Look what you did!!!!!

2010-12-23T18:51:00.001-08:00

Oookay. So, it's official. I have the world's best readers ever in the entire history of existence for as long as we both shall live, amen. Hands down, the most fantastically attractive and wonderful. And why do I say this? What is my proof?

Well, a few weeks ago one of you alerted me to Goodreads' Book/Author of the year contest, and, even though the thing was close to being finished, I put out a request to my peeps to write in and vote for Seers in whatever categories you thought applied.

Let me tell you.... YOU PEOPLE ROCK! I found out yesterday that not only was Seers of Light among the nominees for book of the year, but you've voted me into the noms for Author of the Year, as well! Look at what you did!

GOODREADS ANNOUNCEMENT

PARANORMAL CATEGORY

AUTHOR CATEGORY

So, I think you might be able to vote again, this time as an official vote. If you can, will you add your voice? And please spread the word to others.

It's my goal to use my writing, beginning with The Light Series, as a tool to help people find their courage, to be inspired and passionate about their lives, and to seek their purpose, whether huge and bold or humble and mild. Thanks to you, we're that much closer to really getting the series out there and noticed. What a wonderful Christmas present!

With all my heart,
Jennifer

A Tree's Lament

2010-12-17T20:00:00.001-08:00

You'll find this poem in my Goodreads writings, but I thought I'd post it in my blog, as well. There's always more than the surface meaning in poetry. This case is no different. It's not one of my most cheerful pieces, but it does touch on how lonely humanity can be sometimes. Just wanted to share.

A Tree's Lament

The breeze is balm to new and perfect branches
A soft caress and gentle lover’s touch.
But twisted, knotted scarred and gouged
The blemished branch seeks solace just as much.

Reaching, straining, waiting, pining
Alone and left to bear the singe of sun
And witness to the ages may grow calloused
Deafened to the breeze that scarcely comes.

But once, or twice, in some false start the wind
May blow off course and brush the weathered limb.
And sighing in its momentary bliss,
The tree will feel the touch and know a kiss.

Then, reviled to see what it has done,
The breeze will part as soon as it has come,
But leave the sage a memory to keep
And hope alive in winter’s frozen sleep.

Why you so scary, new life? A plea for good vibes...

2010-12-13T20:44:00.000-08:00

In the last few weeks, I've been sitting in kind of a dark place. A funk, so to speak. And it's had a good deal to do with the pending major life changes--uncertainties and such--that are about to take place in the next few months: a move, whether large or small, a new kind of life, one that I wasn't expecting or feeling at all prepared for, and one that's going to happen, whether I like it or not.

I think I like it, sometimes, but then other times I'm scared to death. "Scared to death" has been ruling the roost for a few weeks now, though I've been holding it at bay to some degree. The holidays always make it harder, though, especially in a divorce situation when you're looking around you and preparing to say goodbye to the way things have been, the memories associated with the holiday. And while I think I'm doing tolerably well with it all, the heaviness of divorce is only one consideration . The other is a more hopeful one, and I am praying, wishing, sitting in faith and hoping for it's fruition. See, now that I'll be me, myself and I, there's a whole opportunity to fully embrace the kind of life I've been aching for as long as I can remember. It doesn't just involve my books, though they are half of the equation. It also involves that little box to your right--the music players. See it? It's the one with me singing you lullabies. While most of you know me through my novels, the other half of my life aspiration has been a bit more inconspicuous. Now that everything's been flipped upside down, though, it seems like it's time for me to embrace both of my loves. A door closed is another one opened and all that, right? Here's what I want, what I've always wanted.

I want to spread positivity to a world that is absolutely crying for it. I want to write music, record music and sing to everyone who needs to feel uplifted, inspired and encouraged. And I see myself doing so in conjunction with my books, touring around, making a living creating and comforting and performing and writing. This is exactly what I've always felt called to do, even as a tiny little girl. Both of these things have always belonged together in my heart. Now, the question is, how do I stop asking how? That's right, you heard me. How do I take my own advice and stop obsessing over the hows? I know what I believe. I believe that you trust in a higher purpose, you manifest whatever you dream of by believing it to be true and feeling gratitude. Easy in theory, a bit trying in practice sometimes. I know I should sit here and envision myself with the things I need. A Macbook for recording music on Garage Band, a reliable car for touring, a strong, independent, single me... the basics. But, under it all, I still have to smack away that confounded "how". How, how, how.

Dear Oxford English Dictionary, can we do away with that word for the time being? It's doing me no good.

I have three months before I must move out of my home and figure out what the heck to do from there. And son of a gun if everything isn't screaming NOW'S THE TIME.

So, if the time is nearly upon me, can I quell that confounded "h" word and just believe that all will roll out perfectly? Can I find a way to kill any pessimism, to combat any negative thoughts, to hold only hope, peace and trust in the full journey of my life? I'd better, because this is my calling. This is me. I must do what I must do.

Screw you, how. Screw. You.

Peace and love. So much love,

Jen

Giveaways at Bibliophile's Journal!

2010-12-08T17:32:00.000-08:00

Would you like to win ebooks of The Light Series? It's easy. Just hop on over to Miss Shy's blog and follow along:

TADA!

Mwah!
Jen

Pomplamoose is the winner of LIFE... and my heart

2010-12-07T07:14:00.000-08:00

So, it just so happens that one of my favorite bands out there, Pomplamoose, has just about made my season by graciously giving us the nod to use their AWESOME music in our Seers holiday greeting video!! Happy holidays from the Seers and Sentients of The Light Series.

Also, be sure to support their current project and donate a book!!! You get some sweet music in return!

Love,
Jen

A Wonderful Whisper Review

2010-12-06T16:49:00.000-08:00

This review made me smile big. Thank you to Miss Shy at The Bibliophile's Journal for hosting Light Series Week! This week, Shy will feature a giveaway and interview (where Shy actually MADE me pick between William and Christian... le gasp!)

You'll want to keep a look out this week for fun stuff to come. Here's a tiny review excerpt:

"The author, Jennifer DeLucy, has masterfully created a spin-off that lets readers view the personality of the characters from a totally distinct light."

You can read the rest at A BIBLIOPHILE'S JOURNAL and thanks again to Shy! Be sure to drop in and show her some love.

XOXO
Jen

Shall I Sing to You? :)

2010-12-04T19:21:00.000-08:00

Hey, loves. It's the Holidays, and I wanted to offer some music. :) A wonderful musician friend, Trina Brunk, assisted in the recording and we hammered out Peace Be Yours Tonight earlier today. You'll possibly recognize Lily's Song and Free Me as soundtrack pieces for The Light Series. Anyway, I hope it brings you some love in musical form, and if you'd like to follow me on Reverbnation for music updates, I'd love to see you!

xoxo
Jen

Please Nominate Seers of Light??

2010-11-30T21:35:00.000-08:00

It's so easy, and one little type in vote. I just learned about this tonight! Don't know if it's too late, but, heck, you know I don't give up! So, PLEASE HERE CLICK AND VOTE?

Vote in any category that applies. You guys know the message of this series and you know what it means to me, so I appreciate your support! I'm so grateful for you! Thank you for the love.

*hugs*
Jen

P.S. If you thought Seers was fresh with a good message, you can also vote for the book at the NPR fresh books of 2010 page HERE

T-shirt and books Winner!!!!

2010-11-30T17:46:00.000-08:00

Today was the deadline for the signed books and Team William or Team Christian t-shirt giveaway! I've chosen a number and the winner is:

Missie!!!!!! It seems Missie is quite the Team William girl. I've got your email addy from the comments, my dear. I will be sending you a message shortly!

Thanks to everyone who entered. This was especially heartbreaking for me, since I looked at the list of everyone who entered and I just want to smooch you all for being so completely wonderful. I have the most good hearted, fabulous readers and I love you guys. I hope you know it. I will be offering more swag contests in future! This won't be the end of the t-shirts and goodies.

Talk to you soon!
Love,
Jen

Are you a Positive Force?

2010-11-26T12:18:00.000-08:00

I don't know that the times we live in are much harder than they were say, a hundred or a thousand years ago. Honestly, I'm sure they're better. People are more enlightened, they're more freedom-minded and peace loving. But, things seem harder because we are more aware of each other than ever before. National and international news keeps us all abreast of the goings on, and most of the focus from these media outlets is negative, negative stuff.

A lot of the media glories in the depressing and deprecating. And we may not like to consider this, but, aren't they just reflecting the mindset of the majority? They show what they show, they glorify what they glorify for a reason... because they think that's what the people want.

Is it?

For as much as we complain about the news, aren't so many of us on the edge of our seats awaiting some juicy tidbit of bad tidings about someone else? Some pitiful tale of tragedy or judgment or failure? Does scandal and gossip make your ears perk up? It's a temptation that everyone faces--using other people's misfortune to feel better about our lives. Sadly, most of the time we don't even realize we're doing it. We're just relieved, somehow, to know that it's not us going through the tough times, not us being ridiculed or bullied or oppressed or tormented. But, you know, it is. It really is. It is you. I believe that the same energy that flows through us and gives us wisdom negates all space between you and your neighbor, whether they're around the corner or around the globe, it connects us all. You may not know it, or even believe it, but what's happening to them directly affects your existence, your life, for the worse or the better. So how are you affecting the world?

I'm heartfelt about the idea that your mind, your thinking, your perception creates your reality. Think of physics. All matter and all energy is shape-able and bend-able. Any energy put outward has to go somewhere... but that's a whole bag of scientific beans that would probably put you to sleep, which is counterproductive, here. Speaking from a personal spiritual standpoint, I am always so heartsick to hear about how unhappy people are. Whether at work, play, home, family, shopping, banking, you name it... if I ask people how they're feeling or how they're doing, I get an indifferent answer, at best. When I get an enthusiastic response, it makes my day.

A lot of disappointment seems to stem from how they spend their eight to five. If someone tells me what they do for a living and I ask them how they like it, here's what I get more often than not: "Meh, it's pays the bills, I guess. I should probably be happy just to have a job, right?"

OY. How depressing. I mean, sure we have to pay those bills, but, honestly, what else are we doing with our time and exactly how do we perceive life that makes bleakly existing the rule of thumb for so, so many people?

I asked a coworker this question last week, actually. The resulting conversation went something like this:

"Joe/Josie Shmoe, are you happy?"

Blank stare. "Am I happy... what do you mean?"

"I mean, are you happy? With your life? "

"Uuh... Idunno. I guess. Sort of."

I then went on to force Joe/Josie to tell me what would actually fill them with happiness, and it turns out that a job that excited them, one they actually wanted to wake up to every day would do the trick. So, I wondered why they weren't pursuing that path, and, as I often find when I ask folks this question, I think the answer has less to do with feasibility than positivity. If you convince yourself that something can't be done, it won't be done. If you say, "It's not possible", then for you, it's not possible. But what about the happy ones? What about the people who could be working as a dung collector in Death Valley and they'd still be so joyful you have to wonder what the heck they've been sippin', ifyaknowwhatI'msayin'?

Another example. I like my espresso. Love it, in fact. Coffee helps me wake up (as it does most people), and when I'm fully awake, I'm kind of a Suzy Sunshine--I'll admit it right now. I'm perky, I'm hyper and I'm super positive. Those days when I'm sleep-deprived and grumpy... that's not my natural, state, and it's not how I want to be. However, I didn't used to be like that. No. I've battled depression for a long time, in fact, and I could easily fall into a dark way of thinking about life, if I allowed it. But, I don't allow it. I listen to music that inspires and excites me. (I avoid, with the exception of writing purposes, depressing/fatalistic songs.) I read and listen to inspiring people and read inspiring literature. My friends tend toward the optimistic side of life. And all of this is very intentional. You become what you surround yourself with. All that energy I talked about, the circulating, infiltrating energy, it molds you. Add to it that you become what you repeatedly think about yourself and your life, and that makes for an interesting self-created experience that could be good, bad or "meh", depending on what vision you repeatedly put out into the universe.

Over and over again life has shown me proof of this concept--that a disciplined dedication to positivity will result in exactly that. It's not easy to do, it requires that you constantly bat away doubt and fear and limited thinking, but it gets easier if you make it a habit. Not only will you be a much happier person, but you can't imagine what kind of healing your thoughts will bring to the world.

Ignore those who would criticize your heart, your style, your passion or your potential. If you have a vision for the world, you stick to it! Don't absorb others' negativity as your own. Let them have it and keep it. Who needs it? Misery may love company, but it'll have to rent a friend for the evening... I'm otherwise engaged. :)

Love you guys!!
Jen

What's your Light Series Personality Type?

2010-11-24T06:48:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of characters to choose from in The Light Series, and it's always interesting for me to see which one my readers most identify with. I've chosen some of my favorite ones to use as examples. Let's break it down and be honest. Read below and tell me who you're most like.

Are you a William Maddox? Do you tend to be more observant, less impulsive? Do you have more patience than the average person? Are you amused by the quirks of others?

William doesn't say a lot, so when he does speak, it's significant. He's a corner lurker, never wanting to make others uncomfortable, never wanting to be overbearing. But, when someone behaves badly, William's keen observance and sharp tongue make him a bit of a smart ass. He just can't help himself. William knows when to stand back and let others learn their own lessons.

Are you a Christian Wright? Oh, come on, admit it. There are a lot of Christian Wrights out there. Heroic-minded people, always wanting to jump to someone's rescue, full of good intentions that tend to go a bit overboard sometimes? Christian has a top notch heart. He's fiercely loyal and a total family man. He's a grudge holder, though. You don't want to piss him off. But, once you've won him over, there's no better friend to have on your side.

Are you a Lily Hunt? Are you passionate and deeply loving, with a habit of acting before thinking things through? Are you a bit too independent for some people's tastes? Lily hates it when people try and fight her battles for her, even if, perhaps, she ought to let them. She is incredibly affectionate and emotional, due to her empathic nature, and cries more than the average person. She is also prone to letting other people's emotions get to her.

Are you like Nicole Abbot? She's is a bit of a wallflower, it's true. Ever humble and soft-spoken, Nicole tends to let others have the spotlight a lot of the time, though she's extremely talented, visionary and perceptive. Her devotion to her loved ones can be to a fault, and she sometimes lets people take advantage of her kindnesses.

Are you an Anna Wright? Shy is not in her vocabulary. She's a bit of a ham, and she lacks a censor, often spitting out whatever is on her mind quite shamelessly. She'll tell you like it is, whether you want her to or not, but, she's also a pillar of strength emotionally and generous as can be.

What about a Gilford Boyd? Those who have read Whisper of Light will recognize Gil as the techie geek with the Intelligence Endowment. Gil is addicted to caffeine, can be somewhat self-deprecating and moody, but he's staunch in his opinions. In spite of his inferiority complex, he comes through in the end.

Are you like Paul DePrimo? Do you tend to flex your muscles or flaunt your tight bod? Maybe you come off as conceited to some, but under all that macho flash and charm is the desire for some old fashioned love and attention. You're an all around teddy bear.

Want to take the original character quiz from Seers of Light?

QUIZ

The Light Series and Connections -- The Why's of Book Two

2010-11-21T13:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Sunday, bloggers. It's about time for a fresh post! Let's have a little chat, shall we?

Today I wanted to talk to you guys about book two, Whisper of Light. And, to be more specific, I wanted to explain how important the concept of connections is to me. By connections, I mean that invisible rope that binds everyone together--the few degrees from this person to the next to the next that all interlap and impact the lives around them, whether they realize it or not.

In Seers of Light, you have this set up of characters and this paranormal story told from the perspective of newbie Sentient, Lillian Hunt. I've learned how incredibly loyal a lot of you are to Lily. In fact, some of you feared even reading Whisper of Light once you learned that Lily and William would not be the focus. Luckily, though, it seems the readers get it once they've finished with Whisper... they see why the story was important, even if it wasn't full of quite as much flash and fear and action as Seers was. Thanks for giving it a chance, by the way.

So, what does this have to do with connection? Only everything. :) Fact is, we go through life meeting and befriending and loving and bumping into or hardly noticing people all the time. We affect the energy of their lives and the outcome, as well. It's like the butterfly effect, but, better... because in the Seers world, and I believe in our world, as well, these connections are perfectly placed, they're completely needed. They're maneuverings of the universe to bring us all the happiness we could ever dream of. And you only need to keep the faith and believe in your own purpose.

Look at Lily and Christian. They meet in book one--they become fast friends, sure. He saved her life, after all, and now they have to share a house. Of course, Christian's ideas of what their relationship should be are very different from Lily's... a point which causes definite issues all around. Disaster, yes? Tragedy for Christian, right? You know what? Not at all.

Once Katrina and the Northwest Sentients come into town, we learn very briefly of a girl named Nicole Abbot--a non-Sentient in Northern Cali with a life that seems anything but enviable. And then you move on through the rest of Seers and forget all about her. Just like life, right? Have you ever barely made someone's acquaintance only to find that they would hugely impact your life some time later? You look back on when you first met and think, wow, that's amazing. It's almost like it was meant to be...

Bingo.

Christian had no idea what he really wanted or needed in Seers. Most of us don't in the very start of things. We have to trial and error. We try to be someone else for a while before we realize how pointless the practice is. We try to make others into what we need before we understand how big a mistake we're making. Christian tried to force a connection, he was trying to make it into something it was never intended to be, when his relationship with Lily and her purpose in his life was already exactly as it needed to be.

William Maddox was another connection. Christian needed him most desperately of all, because William forced the Combatant to look at himself and change his life. He made Christian deal with his demons. And the William/Lily connection also forced Christian Wright to leave Abram's group, which was, in keeping with the purpose of connection theme, precisely what had to happen.

Nicole Abbot could not have guessed any of the connections that she'd made in her life would actually amount to anything, considering how out of place she was. How could anything in the Sentient world relate to her? How could she possibly be any kind of integral part of it, a vital player in the lives of the people around her? Why was she still in this house full of gifted souls who seemingly had no use for her? What was it all about?

Enter Christian Wright.

So, connections. In the books and in our lives, I am passionate about them, and I wanted you to see, before I moved on to the Lily/William-ness of book three, how every life, no matter how small it seems, no matter how hopeless, is exactly perfect, exactly needed. Each connection is precious to someone, somewhere finding their happiness. And, in the end, all I want is for these books to remind you to find yours.

Love you.
Jen

Rejection? Never heard of it...

2010-11-15T17:12:00.001-08:00

It's such an ugly little word, isn't it? Rejection. Stamped on an envelope or written into email, etched into the heart of a jilted lover or littering your childhood memories. Rejection is a part of life that most of us would rather do without. Especially writers.

I read an article about rejection today and it brought up my experiences with the nasty little bugger. You know, poor little Seers of Light was more often shunned than not in the beginning. And this was just based on a query letter, a point which could have driven me mad, but I had to get used to this kind of thing pretty darn fast.

In the beginning, you have an idealistic viewpoint, a real naive belief that you'll query your dream agent/publisher and they will respond immediately with the very best news ever. Rejection? What is this? You buy that fresh Writer's Market handbook, highlight and underline and draw squares and circles around the perfect matches. You research e-submission guidelines with care, and then you send out your envelopes and packages, prep your email queries and hold you breath while hitting send. You sit back and wait for the magic to happen...

Then you get kicked in the gut... repeatedly and with great indifference.

"I'm sorry, but, this is just not what we're looking for right now."

"Your story does not meet our needs at this time."

"Your book wouldn't be a good match for our agency."

"Though your story sounds fascinating, it would not be a good fit for our company."

And so on, and so forth.

And we take it so personally, don't we? At least at first. But, if you're smart and serious about this writing gig, then on and on and on you go, improving, digging up new agents, resubmitting, swimming in rejections all the while trying to somehow resist the urge to erase every single page of everything you have every written in a dramatic scene that involves a baseball bat, a computer and a drop from a second story window.

Okay, maybe not so overboard as that, but you get my drift. How do you field mounds of rejections and still keep your spirits, your love of writing and your dreams alive? Truthfully, part of what saves you is a thick skin, and you will develop it in time. In fact, if you are truly serious about a writing career, a thick skin is a must. But I don't want that to cause you to shut your heart off in the mean time. Your heart is what makes your writing worthwhile, so don't build an iron gate around the very thing that will really sell your work in the end.

I still have to repel rejection, you know. I have a few books published, but there are plenty of people out there who have never read my novels, who would dislike them based upon marketed genre alone. Actually, now that I've got The Light Series kicking, I'm in the market for an agent, myself, so I'm sure I'll run into good old Mr. R. Ejection again.

It's not so horrible, really, to be turned down sometimes. That process callouses your ego early enough to strengthen your resolve and remind you of what's important. It also results in needed improvements that you wouldn't necessarily be aware of without said rejections. I'll offer you an example. The very best advice I ever received came as a result of an agent who actually critiqued the first few chapters of Seers before rejecting it. Said agent told me that if I tightened up my dialogue, I'd have a first rate manuscript. This advice was the spoonful of sugar that helped the rejection go down, and it really did teach me an important lesson. It also added to my belief that everything is for a reason. Every step is needed, every interaction precious.

The second best advice I've gotten was the following, and it came from an author: The difference between those who succeed and those who fail is simple. Persistence. Stubbornness. Relentless hope. This process...publication...it's not an easy road for anyone. The vast majority of us who actually find a publisher have thoroughly worked our nooks and crannies of possibility, have made contacts and gotten our work into the hands of someone who cares to give it a chance. It's not just about submitting and waiting. It's about keeping your eyes opened, and more importantly, your MINDS opened, because you never know which dock your ship will crash into. I'm sure lucky the stars aligned in the right place with the right people. And I'm glad I took a brave step and went with an indie publisher. This has given me a huge appreciation for writing itself, and it's taught me more about marketing than I ever thought I'd know! I'm also glad I didn't toss out my manuscript with the first rejection letter.

No, I wasn't going down so easily. I knew in my heart that I wanted Seers in print more than anything else in the world, and I wasn't taking no for an answer. If you believe in your own story this much, don't you give up, either. Work it and improve it and perfect it and grow with the process, and enjoy every day for the gifts it brings. Rejections included.

So, what about your experiences? Are you drowning in frustration? Let it out. I'll sing you a song and feed you cookies and we'll keep on trucking down the road together. Tell me all about it.

The Couples of The Light Series (SPOILER ALERT)

2010-11-11T19:24:00.000-08:00

Lily and William

Seers of Light
One is impetuous and passionately emotional, the other is smart-assed and mysterious. From Lily's initial reactions, you'd think they would kill each other before anything else... but honestly, life is full of surprises. It's often the most unexpected people who claim our hearts. And they're always the perfect fit when they do. Now, will these two survive a Society that doesn't want them together? All I have to say is, book three...

Quote:

“All right, William. You want to know how I feel? The truth is, I’d give it all up, the sentience, the endowments, and I’d go back to Scranton and work in that damned store and stock fucking Pez dispensers for the rest of my life if it meant that I could still be with you until I die.” ~ Lillian Hunt to William Maddox, Seers of Light.

Christian and Nicole

These two are a complex animal. Enter Nicole Abbot, self-loathing wallflower, introduce her to a confident charmer with painful secrets and see what happens.

Sometimes you need to pair some serious soul-searching with repeated shoves from the universe to see when you're missing the opportunity of a lifetime. There were definitely times in Whisper of Light when even the author wanted to strangle these two...

Quote:

“You’ve got this huge complex, you know that? You don’t trust anyone, and it’s glaringly obvious that you think you’re somehow unworthy compared to the rest of these people when, in reality, you’re this strong, loyal, enduring, beautiful, gifted human being who’s made it her life’s work to help people in the most impossible circumstances! Do you think all Sentients can do something like that? I can promise you—they can’t.” ~ Christian Wright to Nicole Abbot, Whisper of Light.

Anna and Katrina

(STILL SEARCHING FOR PICS. OPEN TO SUGGESTION)

These two need more blog time, for sure. Anna would demand it. She has a lot to say about the whole thing. I think I'll have to blog about them more dedicatedly in future, but for now, I'll say that there's a lot more to this mischievous duo than meets the eye. Another reason to pay attention to book three.

Girls... What determines your worth?

2010-11-04T08:44:00.000-07:00

Is it a magazine? A family member? Your friends? Is it the attention of the opposite sex (or same sex, depending on your preferences)? Maybe your resemblance to the actors on a WB Sexfest...

I know the world we live in. After all, I'm a girl who has struggled to establish her self-worth just like anybody else. And it can, often times, feel like an upward climb in this culture, where, not only are we surrounded by idolized examples of what we are ordered to look like, but also, there has been a shift in the focus of how people are raised--a new generation of superficiality that often takes things to an extreme. More often than not, if you're in the thirty or younger set and you're paying attention, you've seen the behavior present as an obliviousness to compassion and empathy. The trend angers me... and not much gets me angry. I want nothing more than to reverse it immediately.

Just look at your average college campus--especially here in the corn-fed, All-American Midwest--and you'll see what I mean. Have you ever watched the move Stepford Wives? It's something like that. Everywhere you look there are straight-ironed, bleach-blonde, bronzed, skinnier than is healthy (or trying to be) young girls, wearing the same clothes, talking the same way. Seriously... the valley girl accent should not extend to Missouri, but somehow it does. And why are we doing this to ourselves? Why are we dumbing down and slutting up? When did it become a desirable outcome to resemble a porn star? We are human beings, ladies! We are people with hearts and souls and minds and purposes. There is more to this life than you could imagine, so why are we so distracted by surface things? We're not squirrels...shiny objects should not be our primary focus in life.

I guess it comes down to what a lot of women believe will prove their worth to their peers/family/society, and having a culture validate her sexual appeal seems to be the goal nowadays. This is tragic, because no amount of outside approval will ever sate a person if she does not believe in her own invaluablility.

I want, more than anything, to know why. I want to know why this has happened, and why has it established itself so much worse in the younger crowd? Is it because of a more sexual culture? Sure... but you can't just blame sexual commercialism here. True, we're drowning in superficiality to the degree that I'd swear our brains are developing differently. But what about the parenting aspect? There's been a lot of sheltering going on. Modern parents want their kids to fit in. You buy them the trendy clothes, you hope they are popular, liked. No one wants to see their child left out. But, to what end? Are they exposed to the idea that it's actually OK not to "fit in"? That it's actually OK to be "different", to look "different"? Heck, are the parents, themselves, striving daily to fit a nitch of their own? Always keeping up with the Joneses, right?

When you're not taught to think beyond surface comfort, you aren't able to comprehend the varying arrays and alternate ideas of beauty based on more complex factors than your waist vs. boob size. You can't imagine what could be more important to "fitting in", and a lot of that carries over to adulthood.

But, before I get too far off track... sex... it's great. Believe me. We all need to feel wanted. This is part of being human. But this cannot determine everything, it's not the most important thing. And when it is the focus of life, of purpose and happiness, even more than love, you are detrimentally limiting your own character development. After all, Hitler wanted a blonde haired, blue eyed world, remember? And we all know what a screwed-up jerkoff he was. We don't need a repeat of that business...

There are definitely folks who believe that you can put a Barbie-eque Cosmo fantasy ideal next to a size 8, 16, 22, whathaveyou real woman and the value of the one life compared to the other is somehow diminished. I've listened in on plenty of conversations--I've seen the comments made by some guys about purposely going after "fat chicks" or "ugly girls" in bars or clubs because they assume that this woman is desperate and therefore easy prey. It breaks my heart. And I want to challenge women NOT to be prey. Be strong and love yourself wholly and powerfully. Do not let anyone think, even for a moment, that you don't love yourself. In the mean time, all I can do is write real women into my books and blog about loving one another and absolutely bombard the universe with my desire that our culture evolves more compassionately to include the janiter or the girl that delivers your dry-cleaning, or your sister's friend or buddy's cousin or any person who you may be tempted to belittle or look down upon because they don't fit a certain mold. Everyone is someone's somebody. Everyone has a life, a history and a story to tell. And most importantly, everyone has an equal and specific purpose while here--no less than your own. We are all connected to the same source. When we understand and believe this, it starts to shape the way we see and treat each other, and this is what I feel is missing, this bit of understanding. If you don't think the life of the stranger on the subway is somehow relevant to yours, think again. If you think their soul is any less magnificent--reconsider. Our bodies all end up looking like bags of rotten mushrooms in the end, anyway, so you might as well look deeper than that, right?

Let's all strive to think outside the box. And ladies... you are impossibly precious and unthinkably beautiful.

Love,
Jen

WINNER! NEW BLOG FOLLOWER CONTEST

2010-10-31T17:48:00.000-07:00

Tonight ends the new blog follower contest, and we have a winner!

CASSIE!!!!!!

Cassie, I've emailed you for a mailing address, so, you can expect to receive signed copies of Seers and Whisper, along with a few worry stones. :)

Now, for the folks who have entered the books/t-shirt giveaway, don't forget that the contest ends Nov 30th, so if you haven't entered yet, you'll want to pick your team (William or Christian), and leave it in a comment! By the way, switching teams is perfectly acceptable, so, if you change your mind (say, after reading Whisper, for instance), feel free to leave that in the comments, too.

Happy Halloween!

MWAH!
Jen

Jennifer DeLucy's Blog

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