Tag: fiction

Heading into the Holidays

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This holiday season has been very busy for me. It is a time of reflection and tons of social gatherings. For me it has been a time of preparation, getting ready to submit various writing projects to various writing contests. It’s also been, perhaps, my busiest season for voice over, so that’s kept me decently occupied as well.

As a little update, I joined Romance Writers of America. I haven’t joined any sub-groups just yet, but I am considering a few. For now, I am navigating the waters of RWA. I am also considering self-publishing an e-book on Amazon. I’m working out some of the kinks from the operation and trying to see what I need to make it successful, but I will certainly post more about that once I am ready. I’ve also started working on another book – <gasp> there are no vampires – which has been a task as well. I plan to post some bits of it here, eventually.

Currently, I am reading a book by Julie Kagawa that I stumbled upon while trying to find comps for my current book. I am quite enjoying it, and it does remind me a lot of my book, though with a certainly different feel and setting. My book is about vampires that rule society, and how it affects the people of said world is a large part of the story. The book I am reading is more of a dystopian, future version of a world run by vampires (different circumstances brought the world to its current state though) – so I feel her world is how mine could potentially turn out a couple 100 years in the future. I will get more specific about the book I’m reading once I’m done, and I will do a review of it.

So, yeah. That’s what I have been up to. Keeping busy, reading and writing, and preparing for the new year ahead!

A bit more about me…

On By Jennifer TruxilloIn Uncategorized1 Comment

There is already an “About” section, but I thought I would go a little further into what makes me tick.

Likes:

I LOVE CATS! To risk sounding like a crazy cat lady, I have four in my house. Three are mine, and the other belongs to my roommate. It’s highly possible you’ll see random pictures of any one of them here or on twitter in the future.

I am an avid reader of young adult urban fantasy and paranormal romance. It all started with L.J. Smith and her various series (Vampire Diaries, Night World, Secret Circle, The Dark Visions, and The Forbidden Game). I fell into those books and could not get enough. Keep in mind, I mean the original versions, not the ghostwritten new sequels. Though, I would love a new sequel (actually by L.J. Smith) for any of the above titles, including the conclusion of the Night World series. I could make a full list of all my other favorites in the genre, but I may have to dedicate an entire post to that.

I write what I read, so all of my stories are ya urban fantasy/paranormal romance (I love vampire and witch stories. It’s even better when they are together); however, lately I have been branching out with a few new genres in my writing. While my first two completed manuscripts were UF/PR, my newest WIP is more a ya romantic suspense with a touch of sci-fi (think: Veronica Mars-like girl gets sucked into a case involving a cross dimensional serial killer – only the protagonist has more to do with the crimes she wants to solve than she could ever imagine.) Another story waiting for its chance involves a bit more of a steampunk/time travel feel.

I love playing video games, and can often be found venting frustrations with a good action or hack and slash type game. Current new obsessions: Fallout 4 (though it makes me a little motion-sick), Until Dawn, and the new updates in Final Fantasy 14 (online). I am also often playing Dragon Age (any of them, at any given time), World of Warcraft, Katamari Damacy (there is something cathartic about rolling around and picking up random things), Plants vs Zombies, a random slew of hidden object games, and Love Live School Idol Festival (it is a mobile device game, but I love rhythm games like it)

I also love board, dice, and card games. I enjoy getting to play D&D and Magic with friends, and have a huge stash of some great board games ready any time a party makes its way to my house – One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Munchkin, Betray at House on the Hill, and Red Dragon Inn to name a few.

My favorite season is winter (I love the cold, but don’t get much of it here in Southern California), but my favorite holiday is Halloween.

I have an obsession with apocalypse (stuff that throws you in a dystopian world) and weather/natural disaster movies.

Generic Info:

When I’m not writing, I do voice over for Japanese animation dubs, cartoons, and video games. I love having the chance to not only write about all kinds of characters, but also to add an actual voice to many as well.

I live in Southern California, so I visit Disneyland quite often. Thrill rides, princesses, castles, and fireworks…that’s what I call a good day out with friends.

I grew up right outside of New Orleans, and spent quite a lot of my late teens/early 20s hanging out in the French Quarter. New Orleans often ends up being a setting for my stories, even if I don’t originally intend it that way.

I lived in South Korea (Seoul) for almost a year. It started as a study abroad program, but I stayed around another couple months because I really liked it there. Given a specific set of circumstances, I would love the chance to live there permanently. Heck, I can write from anywhere, right? I can read and speak a little Korean, but most of what I learned is already quickly fading thanks to a lack of use.

I’m saving up supplies for the zombie apocalypse…also useful in case of an earthquake!

SPEED REVIEWS #1

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(NOTE: This is a transplant blog post from my old, barely used blog. I want to start doing more of these, so I figure this is a good way to start – reminiscing on the old days of a few years ago…)

Okay, this will be the first of what I will call – Speed Reviews. It’s kind of like speed dating, only without the creepy jerks drooling at you from across a table. Essentially, it’s just quick thoughtful bits about books I’ve read and really like, then I’ll be off to something else. Some may be shorter than others, but don’t expect a full laborious critique. There are so many great reviewers out there, doing excellent jobs of getting across the full nitty gritty on these wonderful works. I just want to say what I thought, and perhaps encourage others to pick them up and find out exactly what they are about for themselves (that is if you haven’t already, since some of these will be older books).

Now, to get this started, I’m going to do a Speed Review of THE IRON KING, first in the IRON FEY series by Julie Kagawa.

I have to say this particular book/series/author was suggested to me by my friend Michelle (Authors are Rockstars). Normally, I’m a hard and fast vampire fan, but I know there is more out there than vampire fiction. Fairies? Why not! So, thanks Michelle!

I bought the book and started reading, and was instantly hooked.

Yes, hooked. I literally couldn’t stop reading. I was sneaking in reads at the dinner table, while I took a bath, and stayed up way too late until I finished it. It was practically an obsession, and I don’t say that lightly.

What did I like?
The whole thing really, if I have to be honest. The story pulled me in, and I fell effortlessly into Meghan Chase’s life. I got a tiny taste of the fey world through L.J. Smith’s earlier books and a text RPG (role playing game) I did many years back, plus I’d always been a fan of Midsummer Night’s Dream, so many of the characters felt familiar and like old friends/enemies. The ones I wasn’t already familiar with fell in naturally making the rest of the reading quick and effortless – which is how I think reading for pleasure should be. The writing is so easy to follow, and that only lends to how pleasurable a read it was.

As another note, the covers of the series are amazing. I, like many, are drawn to the attractive covers. Sure, you aren’t supposed to read a book by its cover, but that’s harder than it sounds sometimes. The covers create a tone for the story, and The IRON KING cover really does its job. Bravo cover designer!

What didn’t I like?
That is a tough one, since there really isn’t anything I disliked. If anything, I suppose I didn’t like what happens to Puck, but I won’t get into that for those who haven’t read it yet. Since there are several things that happen, it would be hard to specify on the down-low. Just know, I am leaning on the side of Team Puck, so… yeah. Ahem. Moving on.

Maybe I can also say I didn’t like how I was constantly on the edge of my seat, but then that would be a lie. While those parts drove me crazy and had me kicking the bed with socked feet when things were going crazy, that is the kind of stuff that really keeps you reading. Ahhhh~ it was a roller-coaster, that’s for sure.

Favorite Character:
Tie between Ash and Puck

Favorite Scene:
When Meghan dances with Ash.

TADA! This concludes my Speed Review of THE IRON KING. Sheesh, I’m long winded even when I’m trying to be speedy. Figures!

If you aren’t familiar with Julie and her work, I suggest checking out her website: Julie Kagawa. You can also get more information about the IRON FEY series here: IRON FEY

Up next?
Who knows. Perhaps it will be another IRON FEY book, but likely it will be something different. You’ll just have to pop back in later and find out.

Birth of a new blog!

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Blogs are almost a requirement in this industry, along with twitter, Facebook, and a realm of other social media options. I have always been horrible keeping up with blogs. Even when I was younger, attempting to keep up a diary, it was a complete bust. I’d write a few pages, perhaps cover about a week, then gradually slip away from it and forget it even existed. A year of two later, I’d find the note book, roll my eyes at the failed attempt, then tear the pages out and try again.

Now, in the digital age, there are a lot of options for blogs, to keep people updated on what you are doing. I’m going to make a solid attempt at this, writing something at least once each week, talking about my writing, reviewing other books, and discussing whatever comes to mind. If you, the reader, have a question or topic suggestion, feel free to reply and I’ll see what I can do.