Jen's Blog

Jennifer McKenzie

Romance--Boy meets girl. Romantic Suspense--Boy meets girl with dead bodies.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween Everyone. Hope yours was fun. This is Dell and Paul. Dell is an Engineer and wants to run "The Big Boy" when he gets older. Paul wanted to be everything from a fireman to a skeleton. He settled for a red ninja. Ahhhh, Halloween with the sugar highs and the spooky houses. Love it.
What do you love about Halloween?

posted at 8:48 PM by Jennifer :: 0 comments

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Monday, October 30, 2006

Blogging at Shadows Of Passion

I'm blogging at "Shadows Of Passion" today. Go on over and comment will you?

Shadows Of Passion

Show me some love.

Fires Of Passion

12,962 / 25,000
(51.8%)

posted at 7:48 AM by Jennifer :: 0 comments

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Saturday, October 28, 2006

The Diva Challenge

I told you all I finished that Romance Divas ebook challenge. I managed to bang out 1800 words on a very short scene called "The Ties That Bind". I was talking on the phone with fellow author Crystal Jordan and I asked her how different my voice was in this piece.
"Ties" is written in my pen name and it's erotic romance. I wondered if my style changed very much when I write in the erotic genre. It was a little hard for her to tell, since she knew it was me. I'm still wondering. I notice my mood changes when I write an erotic romance in comparison to when I write romantic suspense.
I know when I've read an author's work that spans several romance genres (Sara Dennis for example. "Fortune's Fool" vs. "Dragon Undone") that I can tell it's their writing by the style. But does the same hold true for me? Sara's romances were both "sensual" romances, not erotic. The heat level is the same. Does it change when the heat levels are significantly opposite?
Well, you'll all be able to make that decision. I'll be writing something in my Jennifer McKenzie name as well, so you can let me know if it still seems like "me". What about you? Do you notice a change depending on what genre you are writing? Is writing like music? Are there "moods"? For myself, I notice I can't write "funny" to save my life. I leave that stuff to Shelli Stevens and Tawny Taylor.
What do you think?
(Like the picture? It's a hint about "Ties". LOL)

posted at 7:55 AM by Jennifer :: 3 comments

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Thursday, October 26, 2006

Romance Divas Challenge And Puppies

FIRE OF PASSION

9,868 / 25,000
(39.5%)

THE TIES THAT BIND

1,860 / 1,500
(124.0%)

I've written my Valentine's Day Romance Divas Challenge for Jennifer Leeland. Whew! It's hot. Definitely one to hide from my mother. The fantasy is going well, but I never really got a chance to get into it today.
What's the Romance Diva Challenge you ask? Here's the link to the topic.
Romance Divas ebook Challenge

I got my contract for "Perfect" today. *happy sigh* I feel so priviledged.

posted at 2:05 PM by Jennifer :: 1 comments

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Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Work In Progress

EYE OF THE STORM

998 / 40,000
(2.5%)

FIRE OF PASSION

8,808 / 25,000
(35.2%)

Well, I'm starting new stuff while I'm in wait mode. "Eye of the Storm" is a sequel to "Heart of the Storm". It tells the continuing story of the missing brother and how he falls in love and finds out who is behind everything that happens in the first story.
"Fire of Passion" is a romantic fantasy. Think "Sword Of Shannara" with a lower word count and sex. LOL. I'm kidding. I'll have blurbs and such as soon as I figure out what direction these stories are headed.
25K is a total guess for "Fire of Passion". I have no idea how long this one is going to go on.
Today is Paul's day. We're going to see a fire truck. Then Dell and Paul get to go to the park today. I won't be online much today.
Be back to look for blurbs on both my books. Oh and I'm finally going to get my bathroom fixed. (See my picture blog for the ugly truth it is right now).
Off to do the day.

posted at 7:45 AM by Jennifer :: 2 comments

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Monday, October 23, 2006

I'm blogging on Shadows of Passion

I'm pretty excited. I'm now on The Wild Rose Press blog and the forum. It feels great. Nothing like filling out the actual "I'm going to be published" forms to make a new authors' day.
It's Monday, so I'm blogging on Shadows Of Passion. Go on over and say "hello". I love this blog because I'm with my favorite fellow authors. (Well, Shelli and Stacy are missing, but I'll get my chance to hang with them soon I hope.)
It's also my day to BE HOME and write. I've got to get those 37 pages long hand transposed into the computer and work on my sequel to "Heart of the Storm". Did I mention already that it's called "Eye of the Storm"? Word count up tomorrow.
Meanwhile, come visit me on SoP.

http://shadowsofpassion.blogspot.com

I'm a little scattered, but here's the question of the day. How do you come up with titles for your work? Does it come to you? Do you brainstorm with others?

posted at 7:21 AM by Jennifer :: 2 comments

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Saturday, October 21, 2006

More Happy Dancing!!!!!

After working all week, I had all day today to work on my stuff. I thought I'd be here at the computer FOREVER!!! Instead, I finished the polishing on "A Taste of Christmas" and submitted it.
Then, I finished the edits on "Heart of the Storm" and submitted that. I am DONE!!!!!!!!!!! YAYYYYY!
Now I just have to waaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttt.
While I was working, I used the slow times to--you guessed it--write. I've started a romantic fantasy. Thirty-seven pages long hand. I have to get it on the computer, but it's going to be a fun one to get down. I have no idea where this is going (being a complete panster) but I'm having a good time so far.
One thing I decided. I DO NOT want a full time 9-5 job. The whole time I was there dispatching, making deposites, writing reports and putting people on the computer, I wanted to be home writing. It's motivation folks. I need to get published and make some money at it. Otherwise, this job will be available soon and I'll have no good reason not to take it.
I'm well on my way. It felt so good to press "send" and be finished.
So, to update. I have "Perfect" out and I'm still waiting to hear back. I just subbed my Christmas story and HOTS. I'm being published in an anthology in March of '07. It's looking good.
I started a sequel to HOTS called "Eye of the Storm". I've got my fantasy flying along and I'm getting ready to do some editing. It feels GOOD!!!!!!!!
I want to thank everyone who has encouraged me. There's a ton. Sometimes, it was just a comment on my blog (both this one and Jennifer Leelands') and sometimes it was long conversations instant messaging. All of you have given me the courage to go on. Thank you so much.
Question of the Day? What encourages you? Is it success? Is it people telling you that you can do it?

posted at 10:23 AM by Jennifer :: 2 comments

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Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Still Doing The Happy Dance....

I'm still excited about my contest win. I don't know where the last three days have gone! On Saturday, I talked on the phone with Crystal AND Dayna in a very fun and looooooooooooong conference call. There were even times we talked about writing. That was so cool.
Sunday was family day since Joe was heading back to work. Monday was my first day on the job without the permanent secretary there to hold my hand. It had it's ups and downs and I was glad when it was over.
So, now I'm waiting to hear from The Wild Rose Press editor for "Garden of Sin" and I'm still waiting to hear whether they accept "Perfect". I have some tweaking to do on "Heart of the Storm" and I've started it's sequel, "Eye of the Storm". Oh, and I need to finish polishing and submit my Christmas Story which is now "A Taste of Christmas". Which leads me to the picture above. In my Christmas story, Christmas roses are featured. They are also known as Hellbore and there's a beautiful legend behind them.
I don't really have a favorite flower (I have a black thumb) but I wondered what everyone elses' favorite might be.
So the Question of the Day? What is your favorite flower? Is it exotic? Does it have to smell pretty?

posted at 5:38 AM by Jennifer :: 6 comments

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Friday, October 13, 2006

I'm Going To Be In An Anthology!!!

Doing the Hobbes Happy Dance. I entered the "In The Garden" contest at The Wild Rose Press. I came in first place in the Erotic Miniature category. It's under my pen name, Jennifer Leeland. And it's going to be IN PRINT!!!!!!!!!
Tre cool. I'm excited. Part of me is sighing with relief. "Finally! Whew! I'm published." Part of me is thinking "What now? Oh no! What now?" Deep breath. Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!
OK. Now I just have to get through the edits. http://www.thewildrosepress.com/premiere_contest.htm

posted at 8:55 PM by Jennifer :: 6 comments

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Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Fall is here. Did you notice?

One of my favorite times of the year is when it begins to get cold and I start wanting to make soup and bread and chili. Here, we have the Apple Harvest Festival that shuts down an entire section of our little town and people take a tractor drawn carriage around to different locations. There's apple cider and kids' games and pumpkins everywhere.
The redwoods don't change color, but the Oak trees turn orange and yellow, giving off an eerie look in the groves. The mountains are dotted with color, as clumps of Oak trees create a kaleidescope effect on the hillsides. Everyone begins to light fires in their fireplaces and the smell of woodsmoke begins to blend with the fog. It's beautiful here. The sea turns grey, the sun's light is still bright,but less harsh and everything looks as if a softer lens was put over your eyes.
I love all those things. There is one thing, though, that stands out for me from all the rest. It's the wind. During the summer, there are ocean breezes that cool things off and move the fog off the coast. During the winter, there are squalls that drive the rain into your face and blow your umbrella. In the spring, the wind only whispers.
But in the Fall, the wind blows the leaves out of the trees. It's musical. I don't know why, but I love the wind in the Fall. It crackles and swirls giving a dancing show to anyone looking for it.
Question of the Day? What do you love about the Fall?

posted at 3:32 PM by Jennifer :: 3 comments

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Monday, October 09, 2006

Great Book from a Great Author

WEREPLANETS: IN ICEAvailable October 13, 2006 from Cobblestone Press (http://cobblestone-press.com)Jain Roberts' spaceship was supposed to dock at the new colony on the water world of Aquitilis. Instead, she crash lands after 500 years in cryongenic freeze on an icy mountainous planet. A planet populated by monstrous predators and shape-shifting bears. Kesuk, the Arctic Bear leader, rescues her from the snow, but the laws of his people say she is now his slave until she repays him for the favor. He intends to give her over to the first trading vessel bound for Aquitilis, if he can convince himself to keep his hands off of her.

Crystal Jordan is one of the best authors I've read in ebooks these days. LOVE her stuff.

Just for information, I'll be working at a temporary secretarial job for the next two weeks, so I don't know how much you'll see me around. I'll be blogging over at Shadows Of Passion on Mondays. Today is my day.

Question of the Day? Who's your favorite ebook author?

posted at 9:59 AM by Jennifer :: 1 comments

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Saturday, October 07, 2006

We Have Nine Puppies...

Did I mention that one of our dogs is pregnant? *Sigh* That's right. So the total count? Three adults, three boys ages 21,19 and 17, a girl age 18, two toddlers age 4 and 5, one cat, three adult dogs and nine puppies.
At two A.M. this morning, Cindy went into labor. Now we've got puppy patrol. It's all good.
It didn't put a crimp in my day, however. Joe took the boys hunting and Michelle and I went out for a girl day. She got her hair colored, I got mine cut and then we went to lunch, the sex shop (called Good Relations. Fabulous place. I just looked. No touching) and then tried on some clothes we weren't going to buy. It was a blast. Nothing like a girls' day out.
Two of the teenagers were on puppy patrol. Everything was kind of mess when I got back, but I'm leaving it until tomorrow.
I'm making Halloween sugar cookies tonight.........that I can't eat. But it'll be fun.
Hope your weekend is going great.
Question of the Day? When you do a "Day Out" (with the girls, family whatever) what's your favorite thing to do?

posted at 4:26 PM by Jennifer :: 2 comments

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Friday, October 06, 2006

Waiting.........Waiting......

Christmas Wine

12,691 / 12,000
(105.8%)

Heart Of The Storm

43,999 / 44,000
(100.0%)

I don't know if I mentioned this. I sent both "Christmas Wine" and "Heart of the Storm" off to Dayna for line edits. Hopefully there won't be too many changes to make when I get them back. I also sent "Christmas Wine" to my cp Rach. Whether or not I'll be able to get HOTS into The Golden Heart is up in the air at this point.
I struggle with word counts. I never know how long something is going to be. When I was writing "Perfect" (erotic romance, subbed to The Wild Rose Press August 30th) I had no idea what the word count would be. I aimed for 20K, but fell short of that. With HOTS, I was aiming for 75K initially, which changed to 55K and then ended at 44K. LOL. I have no idea what the word count for a story will be.
I'm hoping to sub HOTS to Whiskey Creek Press/Torrid which is looking for submissions about Alaskan men. CW is heading for The Wild Rose Press for their holiday submissions. At this point, I'm not working on anything.
It's making me crazy.
I could start a new one, but I may have a ton of corrections when I get the other two back. I could work on one of the ms I've started. Reading those put me in a foul mood, however.
For the first time in almost a year, I'm not "working" on anything. It's very weird.
Question of the Day? What do you do when you're waiting? Do you obsess? Do you start a new ms knowing you may have to set it aside to fix the ones out for critiquing?

posted at 6:45 AM by Jennifer :: 4 comments

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Thursday, October 05, 2006

Awesome Blogs I Love

I looked at my blog shocked to discover that Monday was the last time I blogged. Where did this week go?
So, I'm thinking of doing a blog winner every week. Because there are blogs I visit and love and then there are blogs I like but sometimes they have a really awesome entry.
Like Emma Sanders. Last week she posted about the fall. The words she used drew me in. Or Dayna Hart on The Novelty Girls posts something on finishing a manuscript. There's always some posts that make an impression on me.
Today, I read a blog that is one of my favorites. Stacy Holmes is one of the best bloggers I've ever seen. Every Monday I click on her blog and "Escape The Mondayn". She's clever and it's fun. Todays' post was a riot and I can always count on Stacy for that.
Blogging, as I'm sure you know, isn't easy. Keeping it up is a challenge. I like it because I get to write and communicate what's going on with me.
So, today click on over to http://stacyholmes.blogspot.com/ and see how Stacy's brain is working today.
Who's your favorite blogger? Do you have one? Or two or six (like I do)?

posted at 10:31 AM by Jennifer :: 2 comments

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Monday, October 02, 2006

Happy Dances For Me

I'm doing the Hobbes Happy Dance for a couple of reasons. First reason is that I've finally finished "Heart of the Storm". It's ready to back out to Dayna and Crystal for line edits. This story gave me fits for a bit and I'm glad it's finally straightened out.
Second reason is non-writer related. I mentioned a while back that I decided to go on the "Low Carb" diet. I did lose weight and saw results, but nothing gave me more encouragement than shopping for clothes for a temporary secretary job. I haven't bought anything "professional" for almost seven years.
Folks, I'm a size 16. I haven't been that size since before my first child. I was sooooo excited. And I'm not finished. I know I can lose a little more. I'm aiming for size 14 by next year.
Then I just have to maintain it. LOL.
It's been extremely busy around here, but I've managed to get some work done. I've figured out what I want for Christmas though.
I want a laptop. I'm hoping maybe I can find a secluded place somewhere to write.
OK, here's the Question Of The Day. What do you do when you put "The End" on something huge? Do you tell a friend? Do you do a dance? What's your celebration look like?

posted at 12:31 PM by Jennifer :: 3 comments

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