Jennifer J. Chow's Blog, page 32
July 17, 2017
My First #Pit2Pub
“An unexpected event will soon bring you fortune.”
Twitter is alive with a lot of publishing opportunities. Different hashtagged events allow access to agents and editors. Some examples include #PitchWars, #SFFPit, and #PitMad.
Last week, I decided to participate in #Pit2Pub. This is a chance to get a 140-character pitch in front of editors at various publishers. If it’s hard to whittle a novel into a synopsis, it’s insane to do so into a tweet. But I tried.
I wanted to provide a sense of the main character and a hint of the conflict in my pitches. Here are the four I sent out (you can pitch one manuscript every two hours during the 12-hour event):
Terec upends society by botching a skin messaging. With the help of a beautiful rebel, he must restore order to his world.
#Pit2Pub #YA #SF
In a world of air cars and skin messaging, one young scientist’s mistake changes his society–for the worse.
A world on the verge of dystopia. Skin messaging. One teen’s discovery will push it over the brink.
A teen’s mistake helps a dystopian leader rise up. With the help of outsiders, he must now restore peace to his country.
Friends can retweet your post to enhance visibility. Editors can heart your pitch. So the final results?
Three likes from editors!
July 14, 2017
Foodie Friday: Mochi Donut
Checking out…
Mochi donuts: mini donuts made with mochi and filled with cream
I know what you’re thinking…How can mochi be made into a donut? Well, these cute treats can be found at Mochi Cream bakeries.
Instead of the usual outer dough layer, the donuts feature a covering made from glutinous rice. They must add something to harden the texture, though, to give it shape. Maybe a type of glaze?
Inside, there is a flavored cream layer, similar to that found in a cream puff. Of course, the flavors are more exotic. My favorite happens to be mango cream.
Although the donuts are really cute in shape and fun in color, I believe regular mochis are better. There’s something about the chewiness of the traditional flour that is more satisfying.
(I shared these donuts with friends during a girls’ night out!)
June 26, 2017
Disneyland
“A lifetime of happiness lies ahead of you.”
School’s out…and I’m going to Disneyland! (“The Happiest Place on Earth.”)
It’s been about 15 years since I last visited The Magic Kingdom. I got a twofer deal and saw both Disneyland and California Adventure.
Since I have an amazing friend who works at Disney, not only did I go in on a discount, but the day was efficiently packed with rides.
What spots did we hit? Here’s a breakdown:
Disneyland
Finding Nemo
Space Mountain
Star Tours
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Gadget’s Go Coaster
“It’s a Small World”
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Jungle Cruise
Indiana Jones Adventure
Tarzan’s Treehouse
California Adventure
Grizzly River Run
Soarin’ Around the World
The Little Mermaid
California Screamin’
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies
Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train
Radiator Springs Racers
Animation Academy
Guardians of the Galaxy
Highlights of the day?
I got stuck on Splash Mountain. This was my first time ever not completing a ride, but I got a nice pass for my time in the sunshine. It let me go straight to the front of the line on any ride. (Note: Does not work across parks, but only the one where the ride broke down–Disneyland in my case.)
Favorite rides in Disneyland:
Indiana Jones: What can I say? I’m an Indy buff, and I love going on adventures with him!
It’s a Small World: A blast from the past. I know it’s a little cheesy, and the song keeps playing over and over. But I enjoyed seeing all the puppetry and different areas represented. There are even surprise Disney character sightings inside.
Magical endings: The fireworks show still delights the child (and adult) in me! The electrical parade brought back nice memories, but it’s not as alluring as when I was a kid.
Faves in California Adventure:
Toy Story: It’s a ride where you have a slingshot device and hit items on the screen, a la the midway carnival games.
Little Mermaid: I grew up with Ariel, so I knew all the scenes. This peaceful ride brought back sweet memories and toe-tappin’ music.
Radiator Springs: This is an awesome backdrop that recreates different scenes from the Cars movies. I loved the idea of “racing” against another car!
*Guardians: Okay, this is my love-hate ride. The concept is great, and I think it’s thrilling. But it takes the worst part of the roller coaster rides for me (the drops) and multiplies them over and over. However, I think it’s very well-done, and I love the secret opening at the top where you get to see California Adventure from a high height.
Extra tips:
Fast Pass: Use this system to receive slots in advance for a lot of the rides
Single Rider Line: Go alone and skip a bunch of waiting
Snacks: Pack energy boosters, particularly healthier options that may not be available at the park
Souvenirs: Buy in the middle of the day (I made the mistake of browsing at the end, when everybody was shopping)
Straps: Use bags and hats with straps, and hold onto them! (I lost my hat on a roller coaster–and not even a scary one like California Screamin’, but the kiddie coaster in Toontown.)
Clothes: Bring a change for when you hit the wet rides (or at least a dry pair of socks)
June 19, 2017
Short Story Stats
“Don’t let statistics do a number on you.”
Interested in finding out how much of writing involves waiting? Look no further. I’ve been trying to shop around a 2100-word short story for a while. No bites so far. Here’s my record of numbers:
First date submitted: October 2016
Number of submissions: 5
Number of responses: 4
Quickest response time: 7 days
Longest response time: 8 months
Extra notes: Two personalized rejections, one form rejection. One of the customized rejections went into a number of details and featured opinions from multiple reviewers.
June 12, 2017
Tips for Podcast Interviews
“You are never selfish with your advice or your help.”
Recently, I got interviewed for Sheena Yap Chan’s podcast, The Tao of Self Confidence. I was excited to contribute my observations about gaining confidence. I love the idea of encouraging other people with Asian heritage to find their voices and be proud of themselves.
I’ve done a few podcasts now, and here are a five things I’ve learned along the way:
1. Opportunity:
First off, getting a podcast means actively seeking opportunities. I receive notices from www.radioguestlist.com to hear about new shows and learn what podcasters are seeking. Friends of friends also provide connections. Sheena found me through this website: TaiwaneseAmerican.org.
2. Environment:
When actually recording, a quiet zone is best. Sound gets muffled in too open of a space, so I try to find somewhere secluded. Closing the door also helps shut out distractions (and improve concentration!).
3. Technology:
During a previous podcast interview, I donned a headset. Somehow I’d read that using one provides a clearer voice for recording. It felt too bulky, though, so I retired it after that one trial. I’ve also done interviews via actual microphones, but some folks ask questions through technology, so I definitely have a Skype account on hand if needed.
4. Speech:
Podcasts are radio shows. Nobody can see you as you make motions, so it’s best to enunciate when speaking. Also, shorter sentences are easier to follow. I find that an informal tone is best, so everything sounds more conversational.
5. Preparation:
Usually, interviewers will give you a list of questions to prepare for. It’s nice to have an outline of ready responses. Also, I try to research the specific podcast to get a sense of its origin and tone. Then I can incorporate the findings into my answers.
June 9, 2017
Foodie Friday: Green Tea Oreos
Green tea Oreos: chocolate sandwich cookies with green tea cream
Now this is what I’m talking about! If you remember, I was trying out a green tea version of a well-known candy a while back: green tea Kit-Kats. My verdict? Dissatisfied.
That’s because I was yearning for chocolate in the mix. Well, I’ve finally found the right combination. It’s got the chocolateness of Oreos, along with a delicious green tea middle. Do I split the cookie? Eat the middle first and then the rest? Nope, I’m more of a combo Oreo-eater, crunching down on everything together. (Here a few other methods of chomping an Oreo.)
Fun fact: I’ve been spinning a new bio of myself and added this line:
Jennifer lives in Los Angeles, where she hunts for all things matcha.
June 7, 2017
June 2, 2017
Foodie Friday: Ketchup Chips
My husband found this gem in Canada.
Ketchup chips: potato chips with ketchup flavor
Okay, so I’m thinking this should taste good. I mean, fries and ketchup? An A+ pairing. (Although I have some friends who like fries with mayo instead.)
Plus, I’m a bit of a ketchup fan in general. It’s got to be my #1 condiment of choice.
But ketchup chips, to be honest, don’t taste ketchup-y. I’m not sure what spices they use to simulate the sweet tomato sauce, but the combination is not anywhere near the real thing. In fact, there’s an odd spiciness (the hot kind) to the flavor.
So if you see a bag of ketchup chips, pass on it.
May 30, 2017
Ronald Reagan Library
“Meaningful relationships bring meaning to life.”
Living in So Cal, you would think I’ve been to at least one of the presidential libraries in the area. Alas, I only finally made my visit recently. I got to finally walk through the Ronald Reagan Library. This was a double pleasure because I got to do it with my amazing father (love you, Dad!).
Ascending the driveway to the main area, there are flags featuring past presidents, starting from George Washington. It was history literally flashing before my eyes. Somehow seeing all those leaders made me feel a profound sense of national pride.
The actually library–both the grounds and indoors–is gorgeous. There are some elaborate displays, like life-sized statue replicas. There was even a mock Oval Office room:
The two things that stuck out the most to me, though, were from his personal life. He framed copies of kids’ artwork and–according to one former aide–took the time to call up sick children and encourage them to live in hope.
I also liked learning about the Reagans’ love story. They felt like they completed one another in a wholesome way. I really respect Nancy Reagan for staying so loyal to her husband, especially through a tough disease like Alzheimer’s.
Also, I got to check out Air Force One. It’s so interesting seeing the cramped quarters for everybody (President, First Lady, etc.) on this plane.
There also two phones–one for regular calls and another with a secure line. On an old typewriter, there’s even a copy of the famous letter to Gorbachev to “tear down this wall!”
And now, I’ll leave you with my favorite portrait of Reagan–made from jelly beans!
May 26, 2017
Foodie Friday: Sweet Duck
Sweet duck: a more sugared-up version of roast duck
I admit it. I’m a big duck fan. Ever since I saw the glistening displays in Chinese barbecue shops, I’ve been a sucker for duck. In fact, I’ve posted about roast duck before.
Recently, though, I had a sweeter version. The dish was actually called sweet duck. It featured a glaze on top of the skin, a slight subtle honey flavor. Even though the components were the same (tender meat, crispy skin), it didn’t quite compete with the traditional roast duck. Maybe I’m just more of a savory kind of gal.
