It's a new week, my friends, which means I get to introduce you to a new author.
Please welcome J.C. Cervantes to the blog! Out in cyberspace, you can find her as Jennifer or Jen, but on the cover of her upcoming novel with Rick Riordan presents (gasp!), it says J.C. Cervantes, and I so want you to find that novel.
I've only ever met Jen online, but we share an agent and I adore her online presence and her heart for people. I can't wait to read her upcoming novel, The Storm Runner. But more about that Wednesday.
Today, let's learn a little about the author herself:
Jen
(J.C) is an award-winning children’s author; her most recent book, THE
STORM RUNNER is scheduled for release in September 2018 with its sequel
THE FIRE KEEPER, coming in 2019. As an author, she has earned multiple
awards and recognitions, including the New Mexico Book Award, Zia Book
Award, and was named a New Voices Pick by the American Booksellers
Association for her first book Tortilla Sun.
Jen's
a champion of the underdog, an advocate for more POC in children's
fiction, and a believer in magic. But only if you’re willing to listen
to the whispers of the universe.
Isn't she fantastic? So, let's get to it! Today's panel question is:
Jen: Oh boy, so many ways. Sometimes, I binge watch some of my favorite TV shows (like Game of Thrones or the Originals, or my new fave, The Goblin). I also focus on my health when I can by doing Pilates, hanging with family or just taking a walk in nature. And if I have time, I love a good facial! For me, recharging is remembering peace and finding a world (even if temporary) with no worry. Not an easy place to get to, but it’s totally possible.
Steph: That happened to me after I finished writing Within These Lines. It was such a heavy book with intense research requirements, plus we were dealing with hard family stuff. By the time I turned it in, I was exhausted. For me, it’s giving myself permission to not write. I might still choose to write if it sounds fun, but I’ll typically turn my focus to taking online classes or catching up on podcasts or reading something I haven’t had time for. Making space for intentional learning really recharges me.
Jill: I read. I brainstorm new ideas, but don’t really write anything much. I do creative things, like paint a map or make my own Jill Pop. I record an audiobook or a YouTube video. Take bookish pictures for Instagram. I might work on a nonfiction project. Go on walks or long drives. Play my guitar. I need to keep busy and let my brain work, but it needs to work on different things.
Shan: I like to be outdoors. It feels less like work than anything else I do. So, I roadtrip or I hike or I sit in my hammock. I binge TV shows like Jen, and I snap bookish pics for Instagram like Jill. I catch up on sports news--football is my favorite but California has so many fantastic sports teams it's easy to lose myself reading up. If I can, I hit the theater. There's nothing like a live show to remind me why I love storytelling. Every time I go, I leave inspired and ready to write again.
I do a mixture of all this. I hate taking breaks and admitting I need to recharge, but that just means I need to do it all the more. So, I don't write (usually) and Saturdays. And I try to make an hour free most days to walk and run. And when I finish a big project (short stories don't count) I'll not write for a couple weeks (I think I stole that from Stephanie). When I need breaks I need breaks from everything words, even social media, but that doesn't include reading. Reading can be great! Music really winds me down, too. And spending time with friends.
ReplyDeleteThese are all fantastic ways to unwind, Keturah. I'm so glad you've made refueling a priority.
DeleteI take a break and walk outside, watch historical films on my laptop, read, or search for pictures to inspire my book projects. Sometimes, work on something totally new, or just write a blog post. It's a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteI love that you're enjoying the process. Keep it up, Ryana.
DeleteI will usually go back to read a favorite book. I also really like taking walks too and I love watching Star Trek after a long day or when I have writers block! One weird thing that is unique to me is when I am stuck I google search images of autumn and cats and various variations especially autumn cats. I love fall and am so excited for it to get here!
ReplyDelete~Mila
You're making me crave fall, friend! I love this.
DeleteIt depends on what "season" of writing I'm in. Generally I'll read and watch movies and TV (I've gotten a lot of plot ideas from TV and movies in the past few months), but I'll also draw sometimes (fashion design, specifically) and just let myself relax and point my creativity in a different direction, or if I'm lucky then I'll hang out outside the house with friends or something and gain inspiration from the people and places around me. (Unfortunately, it's difficult for me to get out of the house. XP) Mainly, though, I read and watch movies and take in other stories.
ReplyDeleteYou remind me that there is inspiration just everywhere. Even inside our homes, for those seasons when we just can't get outside. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteI just put my story away for a few minutes and think. A lot of times if I just let my mind wander for a few minutes I’ll be ready to go again. But, sadly, it doesn’t always work that way. When that doesn’t work I look at a writing blog, often y’alls. Or I might read my book on writing. But the thing that always helps the most is to just think. I guess I was a born daydreamer.
ReplyDelete-Sophia E
A born daydreamer! Sounds like a book title! Thank you so much for sharing. I love these.
DeleteSophia E.- I forgot about daydreaming! That always helps;)
ReplyDeleteThese are all such good things! I’ll usually binge watch LOST or The Vampire Diaries, or a lot of times I’ll hop on Pinterest and just browse, with no particular story in mind. I feel like the storyline in movies/tv shows and the inspiration and ideas from Pinterest refuels my creative side without me specifically having to think about writing.
ReplyDeleteYes! We need other people's words. Not to copy but to inspire.
Deletewhenever my well of ideas is running dry, i simply get off the computer to do something else, or have a look at random games/cartoons/series on the internet, for a quick way to be inspired, and to see how to use those ideas to improve my own characters
ReplyDeleteWhat I usually do is read books or do something that would motivates me and give me some ideas. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDelete