Show Me the Voice!

It's time for another contest! This time is at Brenda Drake Writes for a contest judged by Natalie Fischer. You could get the details here. My pitch and first 250 words are below. Can't wait to read every else's!

Pitch: Princess Evie Kingston finally gets her wish—her sweet older cousin takes her place as princess so she could run away and have an adventure. Too bad that same sweet cousin double crosses her with her baker assassin quicker than she can say “Happily ever after”, resulting in a head injury, lost memory, and a handsome prince who hates princesses coming to her rescue.

First 250 words excerpt

Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess who cast all other princesses in the shadow with her beauty, charm, and bravery. She saved countless villages from dangerous perils. Princes lined up around the kingdom for her hand, but she had no intention of marrying. Happily ever after was just going to have to wait until—

“You’re not supposed to lie in your storybook, you know,” Alyanna Townsend commented without looking up from her sewing. Her needle glided smoothly in and out of the embroidery hoop.

Accidentally blotting the cream parchment with ink, Princess Evelyn Kingston scowled over at her older cousin. “Look what you made me do!”

“Doesn’t matter. You’re going to have to rip that page out once the Queen sees it.”

Evie opened her mouth to retort, but snapped it shut and sighed instead. Alyanna was right. Her mother was going to freak once she saw her story book and not because of the black splotches. For a princess to declare that she didn’t want to get married and have a happily ever after was a worst scandal than a fairy sharing her first kiss with a troll.

She gazed out the alcove window at the clear sky. The trees’ leaves rustled in the breeze beyond the kingdom stone walls. Evie longed to feel the wind in her hair. She was never able to go outside much. Not when her days were filled with lessons. Singing, dancing, cooking. The list went on and on. And so did her mother.

Agent Pitch Contest!

I had another post planned (I know! TWO in one week! *preens feathers*), but I just couldn't resist. YAtopia is hosting a great contest on their blog here. It's open to all authors with a MG or YA manuscript and the judge is *drumrolls* Ammi Joan Paquette who isn't even OPEN to queries. How awesome would it be to win?

You just have to blog about their contest and fill out the short form below to post in the comments.
Name:
Email:
Story Name:
Genre:
Blog/Twitter/Facebook link:
2 Sentence Pitch:
Opening sentence:

Which is a bit harder than it looks. Darn those two sentence pitches! And since we're on the subject of contests, there's another great contest at Oasis for YA where they're celebrating reaching 300 followers! As a prize they're giving out five query or first chapter critiques.

So hurry and go enter before the deadline comes! And good luck! :)

Relationships

A post! A real genuine not from another blogfest post! I know I'm quite proud of it myself. I figured it was time. Not to mention I'll probably have another blogfest post up in four days :) But okay, back to the point. There's been many exercises about how to shape your character and make them real. Whether it's their favorite color or what they would do if a zombie attacked. (Btw Megan's favorite color is green and she's probably give into the zombies. After all, there's no cure and she knows you can't run forever. She's a bit of a pessimistic and realist that one. Darn her.) But there's another important aspect to make a character believeable.

Their relationships.

Just to make things easier, I'll use various tv shows as my examples. And cause, you know, I want to :)

First off would obviously be Blair and Chuck. Chuck and Blair. This is the type of relationship I LOVE. The love/hate relationship where they feel attracted to each other even though they despise each other. And despite it all they have to be together. And man are they hot together. The chemistry between them is like a explosion.

Next we have my current favorite. Kurt and Blaine. They're both fun, sweet, and honest. No games. No tricks. Just very genuine feelings. And are they boring in the slightest? Uh, not according to all the squealing I did yesterday! They were friends first and slowly realized that they wanted more. At least on Blaine's behalf, but seriously can you blame Kurt for falling for him right away?

Both relationships are completely different, but still equally loveable to fans.Why? Because of the chemistry between them. The dialogue. (Especially the insults and quips between Blair and Chuck). The scenes. And I'm not just talking about romantic relationships. For example, Veronica Mars and her dad. LOVE their chemistry together. (Love her interactions with all characters actually, but no time to fangirl about that tonight)

So remember, don't just worry about the main character. Worry about the other people around them too. What are your favorite type of relationships?

Gone but not forgotten blogfest

All my posts these days seem to be from blogfests, but I can't help it because they're so great! Today's post is the awesome Gone but not Forgotten hosted by the equally awesome Erinn, Pam, Quita, Holly, and Alicia! It's about the dear shows that have left us but will always be with us.

First off is...

Veronica Mars

This was a recent discovery of mine and I LOVE it. The characters are witty and fun while the plots are so clever. There’s nothing not to like about this show besides the fact that it ended. I confess I didn’t watch much of the third season though because of a certain couple breaking up. I figure if I don’t watch that part then they’ll always be together in my head! I know its denial. Leave me alone! 

The Tudors

This show may not have been very historically accurate, but I still love it anyway! The costumes and drama is just great. The ending was very satisfying though and I liked the way it ended even though I miss Jonathan Rhys Meyers bellowing “I’m the King of England!” every Sunday. 

Legend of the Seeker

I confess I’ve always been a fan of epic fantasies (even though I can’t write it). I watched tons of Hercules and Xena growing up so of course I would love Legend of the Seeker. The characters are just so loveable! And the eye candy doesn’t hurt either. I mean look at him! *fans self*

Friends

My ultimate favorite show hands down. This show never fails to crack me up no matter what. I’ve seen all the episodes so many times I can recite all the lines and whip anyone's butt at the trivia game. Yet I still burst out laughing whether I’m watching a rerun on tv and anticipate the next quip or am driving and can watch it in my head (although I really should be watching the road). It ended on a great note yet I still miss it.

One Tree Hill

I know One Tree Hill isn’t off the air yet, but for me it is. Why? Because every since Lucas and Brooke broke up the second time around, I stopped watching it because it was dead to me. Sorry to all the Leyton fans out there, but I’m a through and through Brucas fan J Not the first season, but the second and third season when they became friends and fell in love. In my head they’re still together lol 

Well, those are the top five shows that makes me sigh sadly that it's gone. These are the relatively newer shows. Honorable mentions go to the older ones such as Saved by the Bell (the original gang at Bayside not the New Class), California Dreams, and USA High. Oh, and What I Like About You! All hilarious! :) What are yours? Oh, and here's to leave you with a bit more eye candy...

Oh, Richard Cypher you could be my Seeker any day :)

Love Letters to my Fake Boyfriends

Yes, you read correctly, I have TWO letters for Amparo's Blogfest! I just couldn't decide. Although when I finished writing these I realized that one was more of an admiration letter than a love letter and the other one was just a flat out breakup letter. Oh well, hope you guys enjoy! I had a blast with this hehe.

First off, *drumrolls* The one and only...Mr. Logan Echolls!

My dear tortured, rich 09’er boyfriend,

What am I to do with you? I told you over and over that we can’t be together. I know that time we met in Mexico was fun. And the making out was certainly entertaining. And I’ll always treasure that day on your dead murderer father’s yacht when you told me you realized that you never actually knew the meaning of the word epic until you met me. (Which btw worried me, so I bought you a dictionary).

Yet we can’t be together. It’s too dangerous. I’ll be too worried for my life. I don’t want the millions of LoVe shippers to come after me with pitchforks wanting to lynch me. I know you said you’re willing to take the risk, but I’m not because I know they won’t hurt you. All you have to do is smile and say something sarcastic and they’ll be melted putty in your hands. Unfortunately, I don’t have that superpower.

Still, that’s not the entire truth. The main reason is that I know I can’t be with you because even I’m rooting for you and Veronica. You remember, the girl that smelled of marshmallows and promises? Right. You belong with her, not me. I know, crazy huh? But it’s true. You’re made for each other. You two should get married and have lots of blond, witty, snarky commented babies and grow old together. Forget about how smart, talented, and beautiful you think I am. Forget about me.

I’ll be crossing my fingers for the day when I can see you two together again.

<3 Jenn

To my supermegafoxyawesomehot boyfriend,

Yes, I’m talking to you, Mr. Darren Freakin’ Criss. 

I don’t know what I would do if you weren’t in my life. You sing. You dance. You act. You play the piano and guitar and drums AND violin (not to mention I’ve seen a picture of you with a cello). I mean, seriously dude, like Red Vines, what CAN’T you do? 

But the best part about you is that you’re a true and true nerd. And I say that in the best possible way, of course. It makes you real. Humble. Approachable and loveable. Whether it’s your acting as the awesome Harry Potter or fanboying about Avatar: The Last Airbender (which made me love you more btw). Or even the way you make fun of yourself at interviews. 

I’ve known you since Harry Potter Musical and I won’t lie and say that Glee hasn’t made me love you even more (cause it obviously did, I mean who can resist Blaine?!), but you had a spot in my heart long before that. And I’m sure you’ll stay there for a long time.

<3 Jenn

P.S You know, I decided a mere picture doesn’t do you justice.

If you guys haven't done this yet, then who are your literary/celebrity crushes?

Happy Valentines Day!

I didn't want to make another post with an excerpt, but I couldn't resist Stina and Christina's Just Kiss Already Blogfest. I already read some of everyone else's and they're AWESOME toe curling scenes! A perfect way to spend Valentines Day. You know, besides being with the boyfriend that is :)

Title: WIP Just a Con

Setup: Let's just say Megan and Ian were arguing and Ian found another way to settle the fight. The best way of course. (It's a little over 250 words because I couldn't help myself :))

“Will you just—” he stopped and shook his head. “Just shut up for a minute, okay?”

“But why—” I couldn’t continue because his lips were suddenly on mines. Warm, soft, wet, and as strange as it sounds, so delicious I could feel shivers running up and down my arms and back.

I’ve been kissed before. It’s hard to pull off cons without giving at least something back to keep the target from leaving. I’ll admit I get carried away sometimes and we move past first base. Never all the way though. I wasn’t exactly a prude, but a slut I was not.

It was different with Ian though. Maybe because I knew I wouldn’t get anything from him. God knows I couldn’t manipulate him from day one. Maybe it was because I could tell that he genuinely liked me and wasn’t only trying to get into my pants. Or maybe it was because I knew I liked him far more than I was supposed to.

He cradled my face in his hands and leaned in closer to deepen the kiss, his warm breath mingled with mines. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and held on tightly when my legs started to feel weak like he drugged me. I threaded my fingers in his dark hair that softly curled around his nape.

Ian stumbled backwards and I felt him bump into the back of the sofa. Before I could react, he picked me up and we fell backwards onto the white cushions. I laughed as he pulled me to sit on his lap, straddling his lap. I traced his adorable crooked dimples for a minute before pulling his head down for another kiss. That was enough of a break.

I don’t know how long we stayed like that, wrapped around each other, hands caressing each other, but he pulled away first.
“That’s why,” he said with a shaky deep breath.

"Oh." What the hell was he talking about? To be honest, I couldn't even what our conversation was about before. I mean, who could remember after those fifteen minutes in heaven?

Teaser Tuesday

Just a Con: Raindrops

“I guess we shouldn’t have parked across the street,” Ian said, changing the subject with a groan. “Do you think it’ll let up anytime soon?”

As a response, the rain seemed to thunder down even harder. I looked up at the rumbling dark clouds with a doubtful frown. “Unless soon would mean tomorrow.”

“Our car’s not that far. We could run.” Ian gave me a wide grin. “Unless you’re afraid the rain might make you melt.”

At his challenge, I hopped off of the curb and landed in a large puddle with a splash. Wet gritty mud sloshed into my sandals and between my toes. It wasn’t long before my clothes and hair was completely soaked through. I swept my dark locks off my face and turned to him with my hands on my hips. “Well, come on.” I taunted. “Afraid your expensive leather jacket’s going to get ruined?”

He chuckled. “For your information, I don’t even know what my jacket’s made of.”

“Then what are you waiting for?”

“I just want to remember this moment forever.” Ian used his thumbs and index fingers to make a frame. “The image of you looking like a drowned rat. It warms my heart.”

“Well, that makes two of us.” I leapt forward and grabbed his hands, dragging him into the rain with me.

Just as he came off the curb, a large stream of water came off the roof and landed right on his face, causing him to choke and sputter. Unable to help myself, I clenched my stomach with my arms and laughed until I was practically gasping for air.

With an evil glint in his eyes, Ian pulled me toward him until the water splattered on me too. He kept an iron grip around my shoulders and tilted my chin up until I got a faceful of the rainwater. I alternated between laughing and gurgling.

Finally, he pulled us both out of the waterfall and into the shelter of the diner. I gave him a mock glare and wrung my hair to get the water out.

“Alright, that’s enough.” Ian fervently shook his head, making his hair fly around and stick up in all directions effectively drenching me once more. He raised both hands in surrender. “Now that we’re even, let’s go home before we both get pneumonia.”

I didn’t realize until we were standing on the sidewalk that Ian was still holding onto me. I peered up at him out of the corner of my eyes, but his gaze was straight ahead, watching the street to make sure we didn’t get run over. His hair was plastered to his forehead and neck. Droplets of rain ran down his nose and lashes.

I thought he forgot until he shifted his hand and laced his fingers through my cold ones. He looked down at me and smiled, lightly squeezing my hand.

I could have pulled away right then and there. I should have.

But I didn’t.