I am motivated by my kids, my family and my faith in Christ. When I was a kid, I always dreamed of becoming a detective or a secret agent. Don't judge. Since I didn't join the CIA, I became a fifth grade teacher, but I retired early from teaching to become a writer. I'm hooked on the t.v. show Chuck. One of my favorite series is the Alex Rider series based on a fourteen-year-old MI6 agent. The Cold War fascinates me: microfiche, cryptology, code breaking, the KGB. I do enjoy foreign languages and can fly a plane, so, hey, maybe there's hope for me as a spy someday.
I write middle-grade fiction and enjoy going back in time to my eighth grade year and the 1980's. My writing also reflects the possibilities the future can bring. Because I have two teenage boys, my novels end up written from a male, first-person POV with geeky, humorous protagonists. My current WIP is set in contemporary Chicago, centered around an ancient relic with enough 80's references to indulge the parents of said middle-grade readers. Of course, the pages overflow with lies, spies and secret government projects, bringing to life some interesting objects and characters.
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| Let's do this. |
My top 5 New Year's Resolutions:
1. Watch Back to the Future on October 21, 2015. You'll get this date if you've seen the movie. (If you haven't seen it, I just don't, can't understand.) I'm still undecided which is the greatest 80's movie of all time: Back to the Future or Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
2. Finish writing my new WIP. This one is my re-worked YA novel turned back to MG and switched from a mystery to an Urban Fantasy. I'm having way more fun than I ever imagined. Goal: make final edits by March.
3. Not get the flu. (You don't even want to know. So far, so good.)
4. Become the best writer I can be. There is always room for improvement. Be humble. Keep learning.
5. Be patient. Always working on this one.
Maybe the year 2014 didn't fulfill your dreams or expectations. Is 2015 already headed in the wrong direction? I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. There's always a lesson to be learned from our experiences. And you can always include them in your writing.
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| 2015 |
Have you made any resolutions this year? What things do you like to include in your writing? Let's settle the debate. Which movie do you like better: Back to the Future or Ferris Bueller's Day Off?
LOL! We totally got the kids hooked on Back to the Future a year or two ago, and it's become family culture. LOVE those movies.
ReplyDeleteHere's to the best 2015!
It's interesting to see my kids' reaction to these movies. After watching the mall parking lot scene in Back to the Future, my youngest son asked, "So, you had JC Penneys back then?" Ha!!
DeleteBwa-ha-ha-ha! Wow. Kids are awesome. (Your WIP sounds super cool btw.)
DeleteHi Jennifer, most of your New Year Resolutions are mine too. Interesting that you are reworking a YA into MG. Good Luck with it.
ReplyDeleteI just couldn't do it. I tried, really, for a few months but I was sad and depressed the entire time. :-) Once I switched back to MG, I realized my calling in life--middle-grade.
DeleteI get it!
ReplyDeleteThose are good goals.
And appreciate the first line of your introduction. Amen.
Oh, I'm glad. I had to point it out to my teenage son who watched it for the first time yesterday:)
DeleteCongrats on changing you WIP to MG - it's important to recognize and do what you love. I hope you succeed in all your goals and especially don't get the flu! (I already failed that one and 2015 is only a week old. Argh.)
ReplyDeleteI won't fight it anymore. I write MG, not YA:) My poor son had the "coughing" flu and the stomach virus twice. I've cleaned my house more times than I can count. I wish you well in your attaining your goals this year!
DeleteYou have great goals! I love Back to the Future! I'll have to try to remember to watch it on October 21st.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog! ;)
I love that you target a date to watch Back tot he Future, and yes, I get it. It's a great film. I'm going to have to try to remember to watch it on the same day. Here's wishing you much success in 2015 and I hope you meet your goals. =)
ReplyDeleteBack to the Future is my brother's favorite. You should see his collection of T-shirts. And posters.
ReplyDeleteLies, spies, government projects, ancient relics, and 80's references? Sounds like a winner to me!
ReplyDeletePatience is tough to have when you're a writer. It takes so long to write and get published!
ReplyDelete(I wanted to be a detective when I was a kid, too!)
It was great learning more about you. I love 80's-related anything. I'd like to see Back to the Future again.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Back to the Future II will be showing on that date. Surely it will on TV...some theaters may do a special showing, though...
ReplyDeleteI am totally a Back to the Future supporter! I'm wondering when I'm going to get my fancy clothing. I often tease my husband saying that the games he's playing are baby games, because he uses his hands. :)
ReplyDeleteI love #4 of your resolutions.
What a great idea to watch BTTF on that day! And who knows, you might be another Ian Flemming, wanting to be one thing, then writing about it and getting famous! Sorry I'm late from IWSG, great way to start the new year! Ha ha.
ReplyDeleteI love that you watched Back to the Future on that date :) so awesome!!
ReplyDeleteFerris Bueller, of course. The best 4th Wall break in movie history! :)
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