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.