Do you remember that little post I made a few weeks ago? You know the one, about the new line with manga (*squeal*) covers? Yes, that's the one. Can you believe I have it up to 12 chapters already? Not completely written out, mostly outlined with pieces of story dispersed through out. It's coming along wonderfully, but I may change my mind about submitting it to Dorchester.
Right now it's branched into two books, and I'd really like to keep it that way. I know, the decision of making it two books lays (mostly) with the editor. I don't care. I've written out two alternate endings, one for a one-book proposal, and another for a two-book proposal. We'll see what happens, hum? Please, keep your fingers crossed.
Don't even ask me what I've decided to call it or the series...
I'm in the middle of two rather large web design projects. One for a motivational speaker and another for a non-profit horse rescue. One I'm being paid for, the other I'm not. Despite that, I have several projects I'd like to work on.
1. Finish my 'manga' outline
2. Finish short story 1
3. Start and finish short story 2
4. Send off short story 1
5. Start short story 3
If I'm lucky, I will be able to start all this at the start of April. Again, keep your fingers crossed.
So, what are your monthly goals for next month? Are they the same as this month? Different? Or did you drop them all together? Well, what ever you decide to do, I hope you give it your best and keep at it.
Happy Writing,
Amber Jennell
March 30, 2006
March 11, 2006
Death of a Character
Some times it amazes me how easily I can come up with characters. Good characters; ones that make sense, ones that fit into the story smoothly and add texture to the plot. Such is the case of the two secondary characters for my manga-style story. They, as far as I can in vision, add depth to the plot, a comic chuckle now and again, and a little extra that just needs to be added. Personally, I love these characters. They’re great to get along with, good friends to the hero, have amazingly strong personalities and strong convictions. Unfortunately, that may be a reason I need to kill one of them off.
I know, I know, how terrible! It is terrible; the character I may kill off is a very kind, loving woman. Her death will completely change the other character’s personality forever. So, if her death is going to make such a terrible impact, why do it? For that reason alone. Her death will give my story a much-needed tern. The bad guy is about to win, the hero and heroine are nearing that very curtail point in the story that will either end it there (happily or not) or cause the whole thing to fall apart. A hard turning point is needed, and this is the only one that comes to mind. Trust me, I’ve thought long and hard over it. Right now, I’m thinking. Unfortunately, not even my dinner of a Monte Cristo sandwich and an ice-cold glass of Mug Rootbeer could help.
Ah, well, things could change. I like my character, and if there is any way I can save her from being killed, I’ll find it. If not… Please, no hate mail, thank you.
Happy Writing,
Amber Jennell
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March 4, 2006
A New Home?
OMG, I found a new genre! Read this:
Dorchester is launching a new romance line, line name as yet to be determined. Aimed at a young, hip audience, these books will feature 18-25 year old heroines and will be packaged with Manga-style covers. The stories will feature a heroine "stolen from her normal life into an alternate universe--a universe that challenges all she thought she knew.“ The hero will usually be in a position of some power or in the know in the new world. The stories should be told primarily from the heroine's point-of-view, and should have a strong narrative voice.
Ok, that was rather strange. I may have lost myself a bit there. Ok, I'm fine now. Manga is put into the back of my mind and I can breath properly. My hand is a bit sore, but...
Well, it's Saturday night, and I'm ready for bed (yes, I'm that pathetic). I plan on working on my writing tomorrow since our horseshow was canceled due to rain. What a bummer.
Happy Writing all, and stay dry!
Amber Jennell
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February 26, 2006
What a Funk
I’ve been in a really strange funk this week. I’ve been extremely depressed, unable to write, and been drinking tea and cleaning the house like... well, crazy. The house isn’t clean completely; I don’t have that much energy, but I’ve been drinking so much green tea and licorice tea that I think it’s making me sick. On top of that, I was watching my favorite anime Fruits Basket the night before my ‘funk’ and am now stuck in ‘anime zone’. I thought the show might have been the basis of my ‘funk’ so I haven’t watched any of it for over 5 days! It hasn’t helped, I only want to watch it more, so I just might tonight... that is, after the Sunday line up (Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, SmallsVill and others).
*sigh* Maybe I’m just getting old too fast. I found my first gray hair last week, I’ll turn 25 in a few months, and I haven’t done anything substantial my whole life. I’ve been working on my brother (manga/anime artist of the future) but he doesn’t want to be pushed, and I don’t want to push him. But I don’t want him to feel like I do, like I’ve wasted the last 6 years. The anime helps. It’s funny, inspiring, and uplifting (even though it makes me wish I was a 16 year old girl again, ^_^ )
I know, I shouldn’t be anime and manga surfing, or watching TV, but hey, I can’t write, I suck at drawing (so much for my hopes of ever writing that manga), what else is there to do?
Ok, ok, I know. Get writing. Write through the funk. Just do it. I will, starting tomorrow. Up at 7:30. Writing from 8:30 straight till noon with only 5 min brakes every hour. I need more discipline if I want to get something, anything, finished and I hope fallowing this plan will work. I’ve started making a list of what I need for my garden, so working in it should help with all future funks. If not, I’ll have an even longer list of manga to buy, and an even longer list of anime to rent.
To jump start my writing, I’ve decided, on top of writing my short stories, to write ‘fan fiction’. No, no. It’s not what you think. I’m going to write fan fiction for art. I’ve seen so many wonderful pieces of art over the past 5 days that words for them just... flow. Yes, I know, many artists have ideas behind all their work, but I don’t think they’ll mind if I ‘barrow’ their picture for inspiration. I’m not planning on steeling their art, using it or saying it’s mine. I just want to look at all the pretty pictures while I type. Hum... you know, one of those wide screen monitors would be nice for that. I could have the picture open and just type and stare. *sigh* maybe one of these days.
Some great sites I’ve found while in my ‘funk’:
http://www.hyung-taekim.org/
http://www.raingate.net/
http://www.dlanham.com/
http://www.demonlab.net/
http://www.tokyopop.com/
http://www.writenews.com/2005/072905_darkhorse_harlequin.htm
*sigh* Maybe I’m just getting old too fast. I found my first gray hair last week, I’ll turn 25 in a few months, and I haven’t done anything substantial my whole life. I’ve been working on my brother (manga/anime artist of the future) but he doesn’t want to be pushed, and I don’t want to push him. But I don’t want him to feel like I do, like I’ve wasted the last 6 years. The anime helps. It’s funny, inspiring, and uplifting (even though it makes me wish I was a 16 year old girl again, ^_^ )
I know, I shouldn’t be anime and manga surfing, or watching TV, but hey, I can’t write, I suck at drawing (so much for my hopes of ever writing that manga), what else is there to do?
Ok, ok, I know. Get writing. Write through the funk. Just do it. I will, starting tomorrow. Up at 7:30. Writing from 8:30 straight till noon with only 5 min brakes every hour. I need more discipline if I want to get something, anything, finished and I hope fallowing this plan will work. I’ve started making a list of what I need for my garden, so working in it should help with all future funks. If not, I’ll have an even longer list of manga to buy, and an even longer list of anime to rent.
To jump start my writing, I’ve decided, on top of writing my short stories, to write ‘fan fiction’. No, no. It’s not what you think. I’m going to write fan fiction for art. I’ve seen so many wonderful pieces of art over the past 5 days that words for them just... flow. Yes, I know, many artists have ideas behind all their work, but I don’t think they’ll mind if I ‘barrow’ their picture for inspiration. I’m not planning on steeling their art, using it or saying it’s mine. I just want to look at all the pretty pictures while I type. Hum... you know, one of those wide screen monitors would be nice for that. I could have the picture open and just type and stare. *sigh* maybe one of these days.
Some great sites I’ve found while in my ‘funk’:
http://www.hyung-taekim.org/
http://www.raingate.net/
http://www.dlanham.com/
http://www.demonlab.net/
http://www.tokyopop.com/
http://www.writenews.com/2005/072905_darkhorse_harlequin.htm
Read more!
February 15, 2006
A Humble Goodbye
For the past several months (well, only one month shy of a year) my family has been taking care of a little kitten named Emma. Emma was born with no tail, a trait of the Manx cat. Because of this trait - she had no tail, not even a stub - Emma had bladder problems. When we took Emma to the vet, we also found out that she had coccidia, a trait often seen in animals that have been kept in small, unlearned cages even though her space was cleaned daily.
After several trips to the vet, three months in a diaper, and most of her life confined - Emma could not wonder the house because she ‘leaked’ - as well as her daily dose of medication, Emma passed away Monday evening. She had started to turn the night before, her left hind leg grew slightly stiff and her back side became raw and sore. We moved her into a comfortable area, with an extra soft bed and some special food. The next morning she was worse. Her hind leg had grown limp and her backend was spotted with blood. We made and appointment with the vet for 4:00 pm and waited. As the day grew, Emma grew worse. We left for the vet early, but on our way I noticed Emma’s eyes dilate. Having cared for many, many cats and kittens, I knew what this meant. As we rushed into the vet, Emma had a small seizure. Another sign I was familiar with and not happy to see. We waited to see the vet for over 10 minutes, and by the time we saw the vet, dear Emma had passed. The vet suggested that Emma either had a heart attack or one of her organs failed.
We brought her home and put her to rest with a handful of wiled California poppy seeds as her grave marker. A fitting one for such a playful little kitten.
Emma was one of the spokes kitties to my mother’s web site: DobbyCat.com. With Emma’s help, we where able to fix 3 cats, 1 dog, and are soon to see one cat’s teeth fixed. Thank you Emma for the laughter and the hope. Because of you, many cats and dogs will live a little happier.
~Amber Jennell
After several trips to the vet, three months in a diaper, and most of her life confined - Emma could not wonder the house because she ‘leaked’ - as well as her daily dose of medication, Emma passed away Monday evening. She had started to turn the night before, her left hind leg grew slightly stiff and her back side became raw and sore. We moved her into a comfortable area, with an extra soft bed and some special food. The next morning she was worse. Her hind leg had grown limp and her backend was spotted with blood. We made and appointment with the vet for 4:00 pm and waited. As the day grew, Emma grew worse. We left for the vet early, but on our way I noticed Emma’s eyes dilate. Having cared for many, many cats and kittens, I knew what this meant. As we rushed into the vet, Emma had a small seizure. Another sign I was familiar with and not happy to see. We waited to see the vet for over 10 minutes, and by the time we saw the vet, dear Emma had passed. The vet suggested that Emma either had a heart attack or one of her organs failed.
We brought her home and put her to rest with a handful of wiled California poppy seeds as her grave marker. A fitting one for such a playful little kitten.
Emma was one of the spokes kitties to my mother’s web site: DobbyCat.com. With Emma’s help, we where able to fix 3 cats, 1 dog, and are soon to see one cat’s teeth fixed. Thank you Emma for the laughter and the hope. Because of you, many cats and dogs will live a little happier.
~Amber Jennell
Read more!
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