Jenni Merritt's Blog, page 13

Happy Father's Day!

Popping by real quick to wish all of you Daddies out there an amazing, loving, fun-filled and happy Father's Day.

Today is about you.
Your love.
Your hard work.
Your loyalty.  Your protection.
Your goofiness.
Your tenderness.

And not to mention those dang cute babies you made!

I hope you get the hugs you deserve today.  Fathers are amazing.  And they should know it!

I love my Dad.  He is my best friend.  He has always given the encouragement and support I needed in life, while teaching me to never let go of my goofiness and love.  He taught me to be me.  And I love him forever for it.

Then there is the daddy of my babies... Boy, did I luck out!  I am so blessed to have him in my life, and pretty much tell him every single day.  And yes, he gave me some stinking cute babies to boot!

For Father's Day, my boys wanted to make Daddy a book.  (Think I set a certain example?) So we got some paper, sat down, and they told me reasons why they love their daddy.  The result?  This awesome little book that is now officially my absolute favorite book on my shelves.


Whether you are a new Dad, a seasoned Dad or a GrandDad...
Happy Father's Day to you.  You are awesome.

On Critique Partners

A critique partner is a very needed person to have in your writing life.

The trouble is, finding the one that fits.  While everyone out there knows how to critique, not everyone does it the way you need.  Some of us need the harsh partner, who completely covers our pages in red, digs in deep, and tears the story apart.  Others need the softer shoulder, the encouraging words and light editing in order to not forever scare them away from writing forever.
I have been lucky to be blessed with, at this time, two amazing critique partners.  They give me their thoughts, advice, and red lines of doom while still cheering me on every word of the way.  I love them.  And honestly couldn't see myself going on without them.
Fellow writer, and great #writeshove buddy, Laura recently posted this awesome little story on her blog.  After reading it, I just knew I had to share it with all of you here today.
Capilocks and the Three Critique Partners

Once upon a time, there lived a young writer with stories worth gold bouncing from her head. She dreamed of an amazing house—a publishing house that would take her manuscript all the way to Happily Ever After. So after Capilocks trudged through the Forest of Revision, she set out to find a critique partner that was juuuuuuust right.
The first partner she found was a tough one. He flashed his red Sharpie and laughed a maniacal laugh as he slayed each sentence and made them his own. He belittled her ideas, told her to only write to the trends, and tweeted mean things about her crappy first drafts.
Capilocks shuddered. “This relationship is too hard.” She wished him well, gathered her tattered ego, and backed away.
The next partner she found was quite cuddly. She dotted her I’s with smileys and hearts, embraced every adverb, and proclaimed, “Brilliant! Send it!” whenever Capilocks scribbled out a new manuscript on the back of a phone message. Capilocks liked this new partner. She never criticized and always encouraged, but Capilocks' stories were still rather suckish.
“This critiquer is too soft,” she said. Capilocks looked around for someone new.
At last, she landed in a relationship with a fabulous writer and caring soul—someone who wanted her to succeed, but wasn’t afraid to ask tough questions. Someone who encouraged her voice, but hid the postage stamps and guarded the send button until manuscripts were polished and prime.
“This critique relationship is just right,” said Capilocks. And it was.

My tip to you today?  Whether you are just getting started, finishing up draft one, hard at work editing draft fifty or already published:
Find yourself a critique partner.  
Thank you Laura for letting me share this story.  And thank you to my partners, for everything you do.  You are awesome.
Do you have a critique partner?  Are you one to a fellow writer?  Do share!
Happy Writing!

WIP Day - Getting It Done

 Finally.  A week where I feel like I accomplished something!

Remember last week when I posted my new work schedule?  Well, good news: I've been following it!  That's right.  Though I did end up flipping some days to accommodate certain deadlines, the schedule is doing the trick.

This week I managed to:

- Finish the Engagement photo session and deliver it to my clients.  They loved it!
- Start in and almost finish the NICU photo session.
- Actually WORK on ITB.  I know.  Gasp.  Granted I didn't work on it quite as much as I had hoped, something is better than nothing!  And boy did it feel good!

Today is yet another writing day.  My goal is to transfer at least a couple pages by the end of the day.  We will see how it goes.  Tonight I have an Enrichment evening to attend, meaning I still need to flat iron this Hermione mess of hair I have been "blessed" with to look at least someone decent.  I am hoping that once I am home, I can crack out at least an hour worth of edits.

Hey #writeshove buddies.  Are you still around?  I need you!

Yesterday I spent time signing and packaging copies of PN to send out to waiting readers.  This book of mine is being shipped all over the place!  Just in the stack I have here in front of me, I have copies going to Washington, Oregon, Utah, Michigan, Alabama... Crazy!


That is about it for this week's worth of updating.  It is great getting back into the swing of everything.  I missed this.

How about you?  Accomplishing goals?  Do share!

HAPPY WRITING!

A Thought on Writing

I found this thought via Tumblr (in all of my procrastinating awesomeness) and decided I wanted to share it with my blogging friends today.  I have to get back to my work (so close to crossing something off my list!), but enjoy the thought... and remember it well!

“Write about the wind tonight, your bright and terrified child, the intelligence of the darkness, the opacity of grief, the shape of her breast- because these are small, good things and they need to be witnessed. Write them because writing them reminds you and whoever may listen why we live at all. Write because it’s a practice the world seems to want and civility depends upon. Write to keep in practice for telling the truth. We may need people who are good at that; it seems to be going out of style. Write because it seems like a better thing to do, in every possible way, than blowing yourself or someone else up, then rioting on a beach, then dropping democracy on a middle eastern country from a B-52, or telling a bunch of lies and calling it politics or business. Write because, who knows, you may hear and speak a phrase which may save a life or change a mind or start a worth-while rumour. Write well and often because it is a way of playing the instrument each of us has been given, that voice of yours, of keeping it alive and humming. Write most quietly when the politics are shrill. Thats when quietness and calm and inconsequential beauty are most exquisitely needed. Give them to whoever may be listening. Give them back to the world, which gave them to you. Write because writing is a proof of civilisation. Someone had better do it and it might as well be you.”
— Mark Tredinnick, the little red writing book.

Happy Writing!

A Quick Thought on Bad Reviews

source Best-selling author (and just totally awesome person) Beth Revis just shared this blog post about bad reviews.

--> READ IT HERE <--
I love it.  A ton.  Hence me stopping by my blog for this quick moment to direct you all to it.

We all get bad reviews.  That is part of the business.
And while it does hurt, we have to remember: Even if that reviewer didn't like you, others did.  That is what matters.

Besides... some people don't like chocolate??  ?!?
Oh my.  What is this world coming to?

"If there are people in the world who hate puppies, Harry Potter, chocolate, and/or bacon, then there are people in the world who hate your book. Put in that perspective, things aren't so bad, huh?" - Beth Revis

Thank you Beth, for this awesome post.
We writers all need to remember this!
Now, off to eat me some more chocolate!

WIP Day - I'm Back!

What a busy few weeks!

We just got back this last weekend from a two week long vacation.  Hence my virtual blogging silence.  While the trip was completely awesome (we didn't want it to end...) it is nice to be back.

Onto the updates!

My biggest problem lately has been learning how to balance writing and photography.  This time last year I was nearly done with editing PN.  Every second of my day not dedicated to mommyhood was given over to that book.  That was also before I completely dove head first into my photography.

I have loved doing photography forever.  Last year, for Mother's Day, my hubby bought me my DSLR.  After that... meet obsession.

Right now I am working on ways to balance everything.  Writing.  Editing writing.  Photo sessions.  Editing photo sessions.  Advertising for both.  Being mommy.  Reading.  Sleeping somewhere in there...

I know the best bet is to set a schedule.  And actually stick to it.  I have learned that the best way to stick to a goal is to make sure everyone knows all about it.  Then you get nothing but guilt and pressure do it.  With the occasional friendly encouragement.  Which is how I work.  If I keep it a total secret, then it is no secret I will slack.  Majorly.

So here it is.  A screen shot of my new schedule.  I will cross things out as they get done, then print a fresh one once this list is all scribbled away.  This is just a simple one.  Once I see it working, I will make a more in depth one.  Now just to find a good place to hang it...



As for my writing.
I miss it.  More than I can even say.  It honestly feels like a piece of me is gone right now, tucked away in those saved files that have been neglected.  I am so excited to finish ITB.  Not to mention plot for my unannounced NaNoWriMo 2012 Project.

Hmmm when should I announce it?...

On top of all of this: I am back.  Back to the blogging world.  I miss you all so much.  It has been a few solid months of occasional blogging.  No more.  I have a stack of books to review.  Thoughts to share.  Rambles to... ramble.  Miss me much?


My little family on vacation.  :)
How are you?  Getting much done?  Do share!

HAPPY WRITING!

Prison Nation FREE PROMO Weekend

That's right!
I am doing it again.

This weekend, May 18th and 19th, you can get your FREE Kindle copy of Prison Nation.  Two days only!

Help me spread the word about this weekend (hashtag #PrisonNation) and I will smother you in happy virtual hugs.

All of your support and great reviews have really meant the world to me. I love my readers!  Let the Promo begin!

WIP Day: Vacation and Promo Time

Why hello there.
If you didn't know:
I am currently on vacation.

My family is off enjoying the little island I grew up on.  And it is gorgeous here!  It has felt like summer the entire week.  My boys even have little tans and I have that nice pink sunburn glow that will only turn into freckles.  This is turning out to be quite the nice vacation, and I am already sad that it will eventually have to end.

Luckily, its not over yet.

We are staying in my childhood home.  The very one I was born in.  It is weird and awesome being here.  Watching my kiddos explore the rooms I lived in.  Letting them build forts in the bushes where I used to build forts.  Relishing the fact that seven years later, this old house still feels like home.

It is nice.

My little family watching the sunset Of course, there is no such thing as a true vacation.
I brought my computer along, for work.  (Crazy... work...)
I have my photo editing backlog I am hacking away at.  And let's just say I might have jotted down writing for my growing novel idea.  I won't talk much about that one, yet.  But I love it!

In a few hours Keary will be here for a play date.  Our kiddos are all around the same age, and I know they will have a blast today.


Speaking of Keary:  Her Launch party was awesome!  I took lots of photos and had tons of fun.  I will make a post only for that, soon.

That all being said, I need to get going for the day.  Time to wrap this post up and get ready for more sun fun!

Sunset... what a sight___________________

BY THE WAY:

This weekend (Friday May 18th and Saturday May 19th) I will be having another FREE PROMO WEEKEND for Prison Nation!  Didn't get your free Kindle copy last time around?  Want to spread the word about this novel of mine?  Here is your chance!  Two days only, you can snag it for free.  So... spread the word!


How has your week been?  Writing?  Traveling?  Do share!
Happy Writing!

What I Didn't Say Giveaway WINNER

Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway for a signed copy of Keary Taylor's newest novel, What I Didn't Say.  It was a great turn out!

If by chance you are not today's winner, still make sure to go snag yourself a copy of this novel.  It is an amazing read!

Without any further delay, let's announce the winner, shall we?  *drumroll*


Congrats DeAnna!  
Email has been sent.  If I don't hear back from you within 48 hours, I will have to redraw my winner.  So go check your email!

Now, time for me to get my stuff together and head out to Keary's Launch party!  Pictures will come... soon!

WIP Day - More Backlog and More Dreaming

Once again all of my extra time is being claimed by photography.
Not that I am complaining, at all.  I love photography.

I need more hours in the day.  Never ending energy.  And free babysitting.  If only, right?

This last weekend I went off to the beach to do an engagement session for the couple I am photographing this July.  It was so much fun!  We romped around town, in the sand, and ended the shoot in the ice cold water.  My shoes were full of sand (along with my hair, eyes, and fignernails) and I took tons of fun shots.

Like this one.



Yesterday I was given the chance to photograph a little baby girl at the NICU.  She was born with Gastroschisis, and is getting to go home this week!  What a doll.  Moments like that help remind me why I love photography:  Capturing perfection.

Like this one.


Now my editing backlog is nice and full again.

We are leaving soon for a vacation, and I am packing my computer along so I can keep up with all of this photo editing fun!  (While already having two shoots planned during my trip.  Yay!)  Along with hopefully getting in some of that much needed writing time.

As for writing...
I keep having dreams about one of my novel ideas.  I won't post much about it, yet.  But these dreams just won't leave me alone.  I want to write this story.  Bad.  It helps play on one of my biggest phobias, while throwing in some good old Greek mythology and of course romance.  I honestly do not know how much longer I can resist it!

I want to finish ITB.  I really really do.  So how come I keep avoiding it?  Thoughts??

By the way...
Keary Taylor has released What I Didn't Say .  AH!  Following tradition, she let it release earlier than anticipated, and I am not complaining one bit!  This Friday is the official launch party and I am SO excited that I get to be there for it.

Have you entered my giveaway to win a signed copy?  No?  GO DO IT!


That's about it for today.  I need to get back to cleaning this home of mine before we leave for our trip.  I will no doubt still be blogging from the road.  So until then:

Happy Writing!