What's Up?
What's Next?
CONTEST!
Contest Prizes!

What's Up?

I haven't written an actual blog entry in a while, and you'll have to forgive me if this is littered with typos. I kind of just woke up and am trying to multitask by writing this and eating my Honey Nut Oh's (aka, the gluten free equivalent to Honey Nut Cheerios from Trader Joes). All the while, I'm also trying to regulate J Walk, my toddler, and keep him from exploring the electrical outlets. Let's just say he's discovered over to pull off plug covers. Everyday is an adventure here, let me tell you. I think that's a pretty good lead in to talking about what's up!

Things have been a bit quiet over this way, and they will be for a while in terms of new content. This of course should give you all lots of time to catch up or explore other stories on the website, but for those of you who have been reading as it comes up, I'm sure it's kind of a drag. Don't worry, I will not be forgetting about you all and never touching this place again. At the moment, I'm just taking some time to pursue some other projects.

Other projects? Are these writing projects? Yes, of course! I'm taking some time to work on a book project that will not be published on the site, and that I hope to traditionally publish. Yep, I'm going to try my hand at querying. This is an exciting and nerve wracking step! I am currently in search of two more beta's/proof readers/people who know how to do editing (catch my grammar typos, spelling errors, and hook me up with some advice on the project as a whole). If this is something that you'd be interested in doing, you can apply for the position by emailing me at: jfjenkinswrites@gmail.com. My only request is that I get some timely feedback. I guess you could say, I expect something in my email box after about 2-3 months have passed. Even if it's just a part of it being done, but just something to let me know that it is being worked on, and that it is on the list of priorities. I am willing to offer up my services/offer some other kind of a reward in return for your services.

What else has been going on? On a more personal note, we're currently in the process of house hunting (anyone in the twin cities area in Minnesota looking for a condo by the way? ;)) and I am putting in my time at the local coffee shop (Caribou for the win!) while also finding ways to play with my attention mongering toddler and write at the same time. This is why I usually tell people I have three jobs! Granted, I could be taking the time to do things like cleaning and stuff too (kidding, I do that too, for the most part), but I don't want to get too busy. My free time, I'm sad to say, has not been as dedicated to writing as I want it to be. I have been doing a lot of reading though, and I find that to be a crucial part of my writing process. It definitely teaches me a lot. I've also been playing a lot of video games which has also been good for teaching me things about writing. Video games, I've found, are a good source for researching flow and pacing of a story. Granted, I also play a lot of action/adventure games and RPG's so that might be why. I just finished Wild ARMS 2 and am currently 10:30 into Final Fantasy V. I do my daily Sudoku on Brain Age as well, and I've been getting a lot of plotting/exercise over at The Mall of America on the mornings that I'm not working.

There's also been a lot of Dora the Explorer and Yo Gabba Gabba watching going on in the house, but we won't get into that one.


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What's Next?

So what's next? Like I said, I'm working on a project that I hope to traditionally publish soon, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop putting stuff up for you all here for free! Nope, I plan on still offering my fiction for free for as long as I write. No, not every story will be free, but I plan on offering at least something and believe me when I say there is always going to be something going on in my head to share.

Here's what you can expect in the somewhat near future:

The Dragons Saga: Touched

It's coming, and it's going to be amazing. New characters, new drama, and the conclusion of the war between the Inero and the Oceina. Will Tai remain faithful to Darien? Will Matthias ever see the light? What about Taj's lost love? Will Tony ever find true love? Who will live and who will die? All of this will be answered!

Coming in 2011!

Tales of the Blue: Part Two

Months after the events from Part One, how is everyone coping? Are Ricky and Rina still involved in their forbidden romance, or is Vanessa making Ricky have second thoughts and a wandering eye? How will Kaden save not only Page, but also their marriage? Will Tru ever ask Mja out? Will Garrett and Kent ever figure out what they really are, or will they move on without each other? Will the underground make a move? You'll just have to find out!

Coming in 2011!

Dark Project: Birth of Blackness

This is a project I've sadly neglected a lot in favor of the other two, but you can definitely expect to see some more of this posted up before 2010 is over! Trust me, I will not leave you hanging!

Vala: Heritage

The sequel to Vala: Agendas, Heritage explores the world of Jewl Dite. From her highly political family life, the hidden truth about her being one of the divine, all the way to relationship with Anj and how those things will drive them together...or apart. What is her connection to Denver and the reasons behind why she helps him to do his rather unethical things? And who is the new young man that's entering her life and competing with Anj for her undivided attention?

First half is coming in 2010 and continuing into 2011!

New Specials!

New Specials featuring collaborations with some of my favorite people!

NOTE: If you're interested in writing a collaboration or crossover with me, drop me an email at jfjenkinswrites@gmail.com, or comment this post. Or if you're awesome, you can text me.

And there's going to be even MORE coming. You better believe that I am going to be a busy, busy woman!

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Contests!

This seems like a good place to segue to the next part of this post: CONTESTS! Everyone likes a contest right? Well, I have one for you! I'm calling it the 'Pimpaliciousness' Contest. The prize? A book (or maybe even two) from my list of gently loved books (see below!), and maybe a few other surprise goodies too ;) (stickers, candy, or other random goodies that I can fit in a box!).

What: Earn points. Each point counts as an entry to contest! OR You can earn an automatic WIN (may limit this depending on the number of entries I receive).
Where: It's all done via the net. You won't have to leave home unless you want to.
Who: Anyone! New and old readers alike!
Why: Because I wanna!
When: NOW! - DECEMBER 1st

Now for the most important part....

HOW!: It's easy!

+1 entry....for friending me on LJ (current friends get +2)

+1 entry....for every person who tweets about this. Just make sure you mention @jfjenkinstweets so I can keep track!

+1 entry....for tweeting: I want a book! @jfjenkinstweets!

+1 entry....for being a new follower on twitter! But you need to tell me that you're following me for the contest and not because of a random add!

+2 entries....for writing up a review/critique/praise for any of the work on the website. These can either be given to me view LJ comment, or email (jfjenkinswrites@gmail.com). I don't care if it's positive, just that it's honest. For every chapter/piece you comment on, it counts for points. So if you comment on 3 separate chapters of The Dragons Saga, you'd get 6 points. You following?

+4 entries....for writing up a review on your website for an ENTIRE story. Yeah, that means you have to read the whole thing k? Then link it to me so I can count it! You also need to link back to my website. (This might also count as an automatic win)

If you haven't guessed, I'm desiring some comments, etc. There are a few reasons for this. 1) I'm always looking to improve. I like to know what is liked and what isn't liked, etc. Keep in mind, that uneducated reviews/critiques probably won't be taken very seriously though. 2) Really good comments, reviews, are going to used for another project I'm putting together. I'm not going to be revealing that though just yet! 3) Networking. I want to get to know the people who are browsing my site!

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PRIZES

So here's the list of books. Yes, I write a lot of YA, so a lot of them are probably going to YA in genre, but I do read a little bit of everything as well!

Now, about these books. These are all gently loved books. That means that they are used, and they were used by me. For the most part, I am very kind to my books. With that being said, some of them may have dog eared corners and bent spines. I just recently got a book mark, and my really thick books I tend to bend the spine so that I can keep the book open without it continually closing on me. I have weak fingers that cramp easily when I read. The pages are all in-tact though, and they are all very readable. That being said, if you like your books in absolute pristine condition? I would say so before entering and we can possibly work something out.

Why my used books? I'm 1) running out of shelf space. 2) it's a good way to pass on the love that I have for these books and share what I'm reading with others. 3) I'm a barista, so I don't make enough money to buy 20+ new books to give away, but I want to give back all the same. 4) I'm all about being green and recycling. ;)

The collection is pretty awesome!


Take One - Karen Kingsbury (Christian Romance)
Evermore - Alyson Noel (YA, AUDIOBOOK!)
Wicked Lovely - Melissa Mar (YA)
Dark Prince - Christine Feehan (Supernatural Romance)
City of Bones - Cassandra Claire (YA)
Goddess of the Night - Lynne Ewing (YA, HARDCOVER!)
Tricksters Choice - Tamora Pierce (YA)
Where is Joe Merchant - Jimmy Buffet (General Fiction)
A Salty Piece of Land - Jimmy Buffet (General Fiction)
Shadow Game - Christine Feehan (Supernatural Romance)
Eyes Like Stars - Lisa Mantchev (YA)
Rogue Angel: The Spirit Banner - Alex Archer (Sci-fi)
The Dragon Quartet - Marjorie B. Kellogg (fantasy)
Learning to Sing - Clay Aiken (Memoir, HARDCOVER!)
On Writing - Stephen King (Memoir, HARDCOVER!)
Gramercy Park - Paula Cohen (General Fiction, HARDCOVER!)
Bones of Faerie - Janni Lee Simner (YA, HARDCOVER!)
Frozen Fire - Tim Bowler (YA, HARDCOVER!)
Based on Availability - Alix Strauss (general fiction)
The Map of True Places - Brunonia Barry (general fiction)
Secret Son - Laila Lalami (general fiction)
Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater (YA)

NOTE: I will add to this list (probably!), or take books off (doubtful) as I see fit. Any alterations to the list, I will be sure to announce. :)

NOTE 2: Like I said, contest ends December 1st. This gives me time to accumulate some cash so I can mail these guys out and make them shiny for you! Winners can expect to see the goods starting January. They might have to be mailed out in waves.

NOTE 3: If you're an author and you want to contribute to the prize list, send me an email (jfjenkinswrites@gmail.com)

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That's all for now! See you again soon! I'll be reminding you all of this frequently, don't worry. ;) And remember to pass it on!