Jennifer Erin Valent's Blog, page 11

A Day To Remember

Friday was a busy day what with errands, computer work, appointments, and it wasn't until afternoon that I even realized it was Good Friday. That's half a day gone by without stopping to think of what that day commemorates: Christ's ultimate sacrifice.I don't tend to stop and think about these things often enough. I'm too busy doing... stuff. Most of the things I do with my time I won't remember

Accentuating The Positives

Since we've been on the subject of monotony lately, I've mostly been thinking about things that really annoy me. But today I'm going to try a radical new idea... brace yourself... I'm going to turn my attention to things that make me happy. Gasp! I know it's a revolutionary idea, but when it comes down to it, there really are a lot of everyday things that make me smile.Like... time with the Lord,

Crying Over Spilled Milk... or Juice

So since I wrote my last post about how the little annoyances of life can be valuable lessons, I've been... umm... learning lessons! My computer has been slow, my brain has been slow, and my ability to complete projects has been... slow. And this morning I managed to spill cranberry juice all over the fresh tablecloth. Things just are NOT working properly.I should have expected it, really. That's

Life In The Slow Lane

I really don't care for monotony.That day in, day out grind that seems so perpetual, you eventually come to the conclusion that NOTHING will ever change - it's sometimes overwhelming. In fact, it often feels like I could write my schedule down before it happens:Get upGet readyStub toeCheck e-mailStub toe againDo some workEat lunchDo some workBang into doorjamb when turning cornerEat dinnerCut

Cottonwood Whispers

I love writing a series.Now that I know these characters so well, working on the third installment of life with Jessilyn and Gemma is like writing about great friends. The third book, tentatively titled Catching Moondrops, will take place three years after Cottonwood Whispers; seven years after we first meet the Lassiters in Fireflies In December.But having just received the preliminary cover for

Follow The Blinking Cursor

This time of year drives me crazy. One day it's hot, the next it's cold. It's sunny at noon, rainy at one. I can't figure out whether I should wear a sweater or short sleeves. The weather is so fickle.And so am I.I can't figure out if I want to work on fiction, tinker with the blog, fiddle with the website... or just go shopping. My brain is in squirrel mode, skittering back and forth with no

Releasing The Butterflies

I recently had the honor of speaking to the Richmond Christians Who Write writers group, and I truly enjoyed every second of it. There were plenty of nerves going into my first public speaking situation since senior year of high school, but they made me feel completely at home.One of the first things someone said to me about my new career once I won the contest was, "I hope you enjoy public

Don't Forget To Drop By...

the Dancing Word web chat on St. Patrick's Day at 9pm EST. I hope to see you there!

Out Of Focus

It just occurred to me today that I've let my focus stray, that I've forgotten to recognize uncomfortable circumstances as chances to grow. And the primary reason I've done that is because I've let my focus veer back to myself. "I'm tired, I'm overwhelmed, I'm frustrated, I'm nervous" - those are the thoughts that keep going through my head.And really, I think it's fine to recognize how we're

Springing Forward

It was great to find out this week that Missy Frye was kind enough to pass along her Premio Dardos award (for her blog, Incurable Disease Of Writing) to me. What’s the Premio Dardos Award?Premio Dardos means “prize darts” in Spanish. It is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing.Thanks, Missy!Today is a