Thursday Spotlight ~ Listen to Your Mother

It's up!! Check out my Listen to Your Mother video!!

Jennifer the Punk

I totally punked out.

Yesterday was the Listen to Your Mother reunion in Oklahoma City and I didn't go. Why? you ask. Where you ill? Did you have a writing gig? Was the world being overthrown by zombies?

No.

The original plan was for The Hubs to watch The Kid and I was going to pick up a few fellow cast mates and make the journey. Then The Hubs work got in the way. He recently got a new promotion, head of fixing crap when all chaos breaks loose. And chaos ensued, so he was unable to watch The Kid.

Here's where I punked out. I could've taken The Kid to the reunion. Others were bringing their entire families, but the thought of 5 hours (roundtrip) with The Kid in the car did not have my heart going pitter patter. Neither did the knowledge of not really being able to enjoy the reunion because I'd be constantly making sure The Kid didn't break or injure anyone. Those thoughts, plus the fact I have tons of work to do on my upcoming novel, didn't help persuade me to want to go.

I really hated to let this group of ladies (and gentleman) down, but the very thought of it had me groaning. Then I remembered some valuable words a very wise woman said to me, "Sometimes you just have to say no."

I know I can't do it all, even the things I really want to do. Sometimes it's really hard to say no, but I know that it was the right thing to do. And I will definitely make the next one. Balancing this Mommy thing and a full time writing career is hard. I want to be the girl who does it all and goes to everything, but part of making it successful is knowing when to say no.

© Dikar | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images

Weekly Wrap Up

It has been a fabulous week.

On Sunday I was part of a huge movement, Listen to Your Mother. I can't put the experience into words. I blessed for having been a part of it.

The fabulous Listen to Your Mother - OKC cast

Monday, I shared my Craamazing Weekend with y'all.

Giddy!

On Tuesday, I finally posted part 4 of Fallen Angel on the Anna's Legacy blog.

Dark clouds are a forming.

Wednesday, I embraced my Fat Arms.

You are you know

Thursday, I spent a fantastic evening with the lovely ladies of the Bartlesville Women's Business Expo.

Bartlesville Women's Business Expo

Friday, I told y'all how I am who I am today all Because Of My Mother.

My sister, Brandy, mother, Cathy and me

Don't forget this weekend, Quail Crossings is FREE for your Kindles!!

Fat Arms and All

"I can't believe you used that picture!"

"What? It's a good picture."

"I look like an old lady. You can see all my wrinkles and I'm about 15 pounds heavier there than I am now..."

***

Why do we do this? Seriously, why are we women so hard on ourselves? Yes, I realize men are hard on themselves as well, but how often do you hear a man gripe about a pictures someone posted of him on Facebook? We women do it all the time and I am just as guilty of it as any of my friends.

I told y'all of my craamazing weekend, and it was crazy amazing. I won 2 second place awards at OWFI and got up in front of a sold out crowd of 400 people to read for Listen to Your Mother. I was walking on cloud nine, then the pictures started getting posted of the weekend's events, and I fell.

Actual text to my bestie: As I look at all the photos from this weekend I realize I need to work on my arms... like a lot.

It makes me sick to think that of all the wonderful things that happened this weekend, I'm dwelling on the fact I don't have Michelle Obama's arms (politics aside, the woman has fantastic arms). Why? Do my "fat arms" make my wins any less of a win? Let me check my certificate: Nope, I still won second in both categories, "fat arms" and all.

Let's see, were the people in the audience of Listen to Your Mother saying to their neighbor, "Her piece would've been so much better if she had Michelle Obama's arms"?

I'm gonna go with no.

Are there things I need to work on? Of course, but not for vanity sake, for health reasons. But as I work on those things, it doesn't make me a lesser person for still having those flaws. We all have things we want to change, but we are ALL beautiful just the way we are.

We are our own worst critics, so stand tall and get up in front of that sold out crowd of 400, or wear that bathing suit to the lake, and smile in every damn picture you take, because you are BEAUTIFUL. You are FIERCE. And you are AMAZING, "fat arms" and all.

A Craamazing Weekend

Last week was crazy... but crazy in a good way. In fact one might say it was Craamazing (Crazy Amazing, thanks Sonia Gensler for the word).

Thursday morning we and my wonderful WordWeaver friends left for the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. conference. This is my 4th year attending the conference and I will be the first to admit I go for the people, more so than the workshops. I am not exaggerating when I say the people who attend the OWFI conference are some of the nicest, most talented, generous people you will every meet. And going to OWFI every year is like a big reunion of friends.

My reading of Quail Crossings at OWFI.

This year was a bit different for me, this year, on Friday, I was featured in the Famous Author's banquet for having published Quail Crossings. And then we had the opportunity to listen to the uber funny Patrick Rothfuss.

My sister, Brandy Walker and I at the Famous Authors Banquet

Saturday was the awards banquet and I was elated to find out I had won 2 awards. Second Place in Young Adult Short Story and 2nd Place in Prose Humor. Not only did I win, but my wonderful, wonderful writing group, the Bartlesville WordWeavers, took home a total of 17 awards!!

With the uber talented, Peggy Chambers.

Yay!!

And as if that wasn't enough to have me walking on cloud nine, I still had Listen to Your Mother on Sunday. I am a writer, it is my job to put emotions into words, but I cannot do that with my Listen to Your Mother experience. It was an unbelievable journey from start to finish and each and every one of the cast members had an amazing story. And each and every one of us told our stories in front of a SOLD OUT house of 400!

Our wonderful Listen to Your Mother producers, Julie Bohannon, Misti Pryor and Heather Davis.

 

The Listen to Your Mother - Oklahoma City cast

 

I wish I had pictures, but I don't yet. When I do I will share them. Today, on this Monday, I feel so very blessed to be living this life.... so very blessed indeed.

AND if you missed anything from last week, here ya go!

You still have time to win!! Moms Who Rock Giveaway!

Listen to Your Mother is in the books, but don't miss the read-thru pics.

I posted a BRAND NEW short story on Clever Fiction, A New Dream.

And if you're craving a sweet, healthy treat, try my Chocolate Strawberry Banana Muffins.

Listen to Your Mother - A Read Through

When I got the call annoucing I was part of the cast of Listen to Your Mother - Oklahoma City I was excited, wait excited doesn't even begin to explain it... I was elated!

After the read-through my emotions have changed from elated, to honored. Don't get me wrong, I am excited, but after hearing the stories of these women I realize how privilaged I am to have my story told along with their wonderful stories. Here are just a few pics of the stories you'll hear this Sunday. So get your tickets today - sorry they are SOLD OUT!!

 

To see more (and hear some Bon Jovi) check this out ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvQWVj2H5YY

Officially a Mother

Having auditioned for Listen to Your Mother - NW Arkansas last year I felt like an old pro when I got the wonderful call to audition for Listen to Your Mother - OKC. It didn't hurt that my good friend, Heather, was a producer (and no, we being friends did not guarantee me a spot, nor would I want it to). I read through my piece a dozen or so times, tweaking here and there, feeling very well prepared for the audition.

On audition day I picked up my friend, Barbara, who was also auditioning and she admitted she was super nervous. I waved her off, "It'll be fine," I said. "It's very informal, just look at Heather and read to her." We continued our chit chat all the way to Oklahoma City.

After missing my exit, three times (Thank you, Fran, my GPS for getting me back on track, sorry I wasn't listening the first time) we arrived at the audition spot exactly one hour early. Ok yes, Fran told me it was only 2 1/2 hours, even Mapquest confirmed her timeline, but we left early because that's how I roll. I'd rather be sitting there for an hour, than be late.

Barb and I rushed to the bathroom. We were getting headshots, there was hair brushing, teeth checking and clothes fidgeting to be done. That's when the nerves started, but I was still okay. I joked around with the photographer about wearing the same shirt for everything (and I do). Then went into the lobby and joked with Heather's daughter and talked about my love of Girl Scout cookies.

Then I went back to bathroom to recheck my teeth for cookie crumbs... seriously, I love Girl Scout cookies.

 

Soon, Barb finished and it was my turn. I smiled, put my shoulders back (just like my Grandma always told me) and walked toward the room with confidence, only to have that confidence bounce right off the door jam. Taking a deep breath I remembered the year before when I didn't make the cut, it stung, okay it more than stung, it really sucked, but I was okay (I may have pouted for a week or so, but still, I was okay). The same would be true if I didn't make it this year. It would sting (and I would pout), but I would be okay.

I started reading, the panel laughed when they should've and at the end they had tears in their eyes. Tears! I had made them cry! The greatest accomplishment for a writer is when they evoke emotion in the reader, or in this case the listener. That meant more to me than they probably know. I knew right there I had done my best and had absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, even if I didn't make it.... but I DID!

 

 

Tuesday News - Covers, Mothers, and Kindles Oh My!

Seems like Tuesdays are my day of choice to share big news. Sometimes I plan it like that, other times it just happens. It seems I'm not the only person who likes to share news on Tuesdays. But I digress, you aren't here to read how people like news on Tuesdays, you're here to read my BIG NEWS!!

Where to start?

Sunday I auditioned for the Oklahoma City cast of a little show called Listen to Your Mother. And by little show I mean a show that is done nation wide, in 24 different cities, in front of a LIVE audience, then spread all over YouTube, only to be watched by THOUSANDS of people. Yeah, that kind of little. Anywho... I GOT CAST!! I'M A MEMBER OF THE OKC LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER CAST!! SQUEEEE!!

See my shinny new button? -------------> (okay you might have to scroll down to see my shinny new button).

So the show is in Oklahoma City at the Will Rogers Theatre on Sunday, May 5th at 2pm. You can get more information and buy your tickets here. This show will benefit Infant Crisis Services, so it's a super good cause. Please come see me and all these other uber talented women, you won't regret it!!

This is not the button I was talking about, go ahead scroll down.

After some mental debate I have decided to jump on the free Kindle books bandwagon and give Kindle Readers 3 whole days to get their copy of Quail Crossings for FREE! And it starts this SUNDAY!!

 

 

Ok, and last, but certainly not least, because it's still FREE! It's time to reveal the cover of my next FREE short story, Jar of Pickles, cover art by the ever so talented Brandy Walker at Sister Sparrow Graphic Designs. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about this one, it's unlike anything I've written or that you've read before. And although it parallels some life events, it is not meant to be political. Mmmm'kay ya'll?

Free for your e-readers via Smashwords.com starting April 2nd!!

Big News!!!

I have two very exciting announcements to make today!

First, I have been selected to audition for a spot on the Listen to Your Mother - Oklahoma City show. I did this last year for the Fayetteville, Arkansas show, but didn't make the cut. Keeping my fingers crossed that I make it this year. I feel I have a stronger piece, we shall see.

 

Second, I am pleased to announce my second novel, Winter Song, which is a paranormal contemporary romance novel, will be released on May 28th, just in time to take on your summer vacations.