Jaye Robin Brown's Blog, page 13

Being Scared

Way back in January of 2011 I wrote a blog post on Resolutions with the number one goal being to work with my 2 young horses. As I wrote then, I had a bad horse accident in fall of 2009 (Gosh, has it been almost FOUR YEARS?) that seriously curtailed my riding and riding enjoyment. I did continue to ride, but my main horse lamed herself the summer of 2010 and with my two youngsters untrained, I quit.

Now the time off wasn't futile. I wrote books. I got a publishing contract. I started teac...

COVER REVEAL! For DEFY, by Sara B. Larson

One of the most amazing parts of being a debut author is the opportunity to connect with other writers debuting in your same year. And then squeal along with them when great things happen. Like getting to reveal your cover!

And for Sara B. Larson, author of DEFY (Scholastic, January 2014), and fellow YA Valentine, today is the day.

Here's the blurb for DEFY:

A warrior and a protector, the prince's best guard is also a girl in hiding. No one knows who she really is--or so she thought. But when he...

A Snippet from the Sekrit MG project

There's a fun new tagging game working its way around the Internet. Last night I was tagged by Bethany Smith (read her snippet here) who shared a snippet of her sea story. You should all go read it, Beth is an Aussie, and is am amazing atmospheric writer. I was lucky enough to beta her previous manuscript and this girl will be published at some point. She's good.

Anyway, the idea is to go to your WIP, and search for words like "time" or "moment" or "forever" in your writing. Pick your favorite...

Why I Teach Art

"I mean the kids take art so they can have freedom to express themselves in an environment where it’s ok to be different, its ok to not be normal. If they did this in other places in the school, they typically would get bullied."

Written by a very overweight senior girl who found herself through ink and watercolor this year.

Focus on the Seasons

I’m fortunate to live in an area where life is still dictated by seasons. I watch the natural world shift from red to grey to pinks to greens every year and start all over again. My neighbors fertilize and seed, cut hay, bale, then go quiet in front of fireplaces. Cities have their own seasonal rhythm. Can’t get a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha in July can you?
How does this affect writing. For me, it touches tone, setting, and voice. To explain, I’ll use my own community, the Appalachian mountain...

Massive Giveaway Going on Over at the One Four Kid Lit Blog

Hi Followers!

I don't want you to miss out on not only our newly revamped website, BUT, the giveaway to celebrate it. Hop on over and enter to win one of the fabulous prize packs!

HERE IS THE LINK FOR THE CONTEST

After the Sale - Part 1

Many of you out there in blog world might like to know what it’s been like for me “post-sale” of the novel formerly known as SING TO THE WIND (we’ll get to this point shortly.)
Let’s see if I can recap.
I received an e-mail offer late September.Agent took a week or so negotiating.Once we’d arrived at a yes, the announcement was scheduled for Publisher’s Marketplace and I was able to blab to the world.
That, of course, was all very exciting and my social media world was abuzz for a few days. When...

What's Up Wednesday

Today I'm jumping in on this weekly meme I saw on Katy Upperman's blog. I've been missing you all but need a short and sweet and low-stress blogpost. So here goes!


What I'm reading: 
I just finished Beth Revis' Science Fiction trilogy with her Shades of Earth. It was a fun, action-packed sci-fi adventure and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire trilogy. Book Three wasn't really my favorite but I had to follow Amy and Elder though to the end. Now I've got two books going, The Art of Racing in Th...

Hanging on for the Ride of My Life - And a Blogging Break

My edit letter has arrived for Sing To The Wind (which will have a new title). So, I bid you adieu until June. If I'm inspired to talk about my process or something I may pop back in, but no promises. I'm sure y'all will handle the blog world just fine without me!

If there's a post I shouldn't miss - shoot me an @jayerobinbrown over on Twitter and I'll try and swing by.

In the meantime....here I go!
dives into revision cave

Taking Back the Things You've Said

In my case, the statement, "I'll never write a historical because I hate research."

Because guess what? In my wide waiting space to get going on edits for Sing To The Wind I needed something to keep me from going insane. I tried pre-writing blog posts. I beta'd some manuscripts. I read all the time anyway, so reading was no big switch.

Eventually I caved. And started a new project. And yes, it's a historical. Not only a historical but a Middle Grade.


For about a year, this girl Maddie and her mu...