Jennie Bennett, Romance Author

This past week in my League of Utah Writers group we did a fun a little exercise. Our chapter president put together a few songs and had us write a story to the music. The point was to showcase how much a shift in songs can change the way we write. I often write with headphones in, and I become so focused that I don't even notice the music until something strikes me. The funny thing about doing that exercise was that I wrote what I wanted to anyway. I started thinking of a plot line and I plowed my way through. But I wasn't really feeling it. In fact, when I got home I tore out the pages I wrote and threw the story in the trash. I didn't think the music had really influenced me until I crumpled up the story, becasue none of the music that played matched what I was going for in a story line. So here's something to consider. Before you sit down to write, visualize the scene, find the perfect song and keep it on repeat. That way you'll have the same tone to your ...

I'm Back! Did you miss me? I sure missed you! And I came back to a few new followers, welcome!! As most of you know, I had a baby at the beginning of the month. I love babies, I hate being pregnant, but I love babies. My new little boy is so good, he just sleeps and poops, and cuddles with me. It's heaven. Who wouldn't love a little guy like this? During my time away I haven't exactly been resting. If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter then you already know, but for those of you that don't, the pitch for my YA sci-fi book EXISTENCE made it to round 2 of GUTGAA! Go check it out on Deana Barnhart's blog :) Guys, I really feel so good and am happy to have my little boy here! I hope you're all as happy as I am! Anyone else make round 2 of GUTGAA? Anyone doing the small press pitches? How's your writing in general? Last but not least, do you love babies too?

Today I'm pleased to welcome the Lovely Lynne Schmidt who is talking about writers conferences, seriously good stuff in here. Glad to have her aboard! Take it away Lynne-- Do I really want to do this? I asked myself this question for days before approaching a college professor. "There's a writing conference my sister wanted me to go to. It's like $40, I'll have to miss some classes, and it's in Denver. Should I go?" She looked at me and said, "you want to go." I probably asked her why, or some other equally obvious question, but her answer didn't change. "You want to go." Soon enough, I packed a suitcase full of what I considered dress clothes (khaki pants, collared shirts, one single hoodie), told my professors I'd miss a couple of days, and headed to Denver, where I met up with my sister, and her friend. From there, we toured the town, checked in, and I rifled through a large book that had the followin...

Thanks to J.A. for asking me to guest post on her blog! I’m so excited for her and her family with their newest member and all the fun (and sleeplessness) that goes along with it. I don’t miss much about the baby stage with my girls, but I do remember with great fondness that initial getting-to-know-you part where you finally get to experience the baby as an individual with a developing personality rather than just “person inside me who kicks all the time and keeps me trekking to the bathroom five times a night.” One of our favorite things to do as a family is hiking. We took our eldest on her first mountain climb when she was nine months. On one of our hikes this summer, I watched the way we all approach the trail, and an analogy blossomed in my mind. Joy, who is five, wanders about from side to side, spends more time looking at the clouds and trees and checking out all the creatures on the trail then in actually walking, stumbles over every rock and root in her path, and ...

Hello there! Ms. Bennett is off taking care of a new little human (CONGRATS MY DEAR!) and has asked a few of us to help her with the month of September. So here I am. Who am I? Kelley Lynn a Young Adult author who’s usual home is my blog which you can find here . I do like visiting places and making new friends though so I’m PUMPED J.A. allowed me to come for a visit. What should we talk about? How about… THE END. J.A. Bennett has a fantastic blog, all about the Writer’s Journey. As I fly around the blogosphere I realize every writer has a different journey and a different goal. Some of our friends are looking forward to typing ‘the end’ on a book, to look at those wonderful two words and say, “I did it! I finished a book!” The idea that we determined we would write a book and followed it through to completion puts a huge smile on our face. Some of us need to see our work in print, whether hard copy or ebook. Perhaps we don’t need an agent or a publis...

Since you can't really take maternity leave from blogging, I asked a few friends to write posts as a help while I adjust to having a new baby. The first volunteer was the lovely Kathleen Doyle. I'm so excited to have her here and I know y'all will love what she has to say :) Thanks to Jennie for having me here today! Good luck with your brand new baby!! Taking Time Writing with young children at home is, at times, an exercise in futility. You’ve heard over and over again the whole “Write Every Day!” and “Get Butt in Chair!” but there isn’t always an opportunity to do either of those things. And then you feel the guilt. Well, stop! Stop it right now. I’ve always been a big fan of taking time off and away from the computer/pad of paper. Not everyone is cut out for the marathon days of writing, and there is nothing wrong with that. Especially if you have those young children at home. There are going to be days when you are exhausted. Your baby just went to sleep af...

August started out as a great month for reading. My goal of a book a week was shattered by the end of the second week in the month. Of course, things got a little crazy at the end of the month and I didn't read anything else, but I had my baby yesterday and now I have late night feedings keeping me up with a good book ;) Onto the reviews - Goodreads Not Your Average Fairy Tale by Chantele Sedgwick. I bought this because Chantele is awesome and the book sounded like it was right up my alley. It was even more than that. I love the world Chantele built and I totally fell in love with characters. Hey Chantele, I better hear you writing because I'm dying for the next book! Goodreads Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian. If you've been following this blog for a while you know that I've made my way through the other seven Artemis Fowl books slowly but surely. I happen to have impeccable timing because The Last Guardian is the final fowl installment and what an en...

It's September which means it's time to gear up to get an agent! Today is all about making friendships, and there's no better way to do that then to tell a little bit about myself. Luckily Deana has provided questions so I don't have to sit on my soap box and feel like I'm being self centered. However, there is something about me that needs to be said becasue it defines a large part of my life. That is, I am a wife and mother. I'm going to have child #3, on Thursday. I can't wait! Onto Deana's questions! 1. Where do you write?  At my desk in the front room of my home. 2. Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to your left. What is the first thing you see? The sliding glass door that leads to the back yard, and subsequently a golf course with a mountain behind it that is just starting to show fall colors. Ain't it pretty? 3. Favorite time to write? At night after the kids are in bed. That hasn't really been pos...