San Diego Comic-Con 2013 ROCKED!

I MADE IT! Finally, after several years of wanting and trying to get to San Diego, I made it this July. Wow! It was packed with people, but it was well worth it. I loved seeing all the new comic books that would be coming out later this year and next. I loved the panels I attended. I applaud both The 2013 Black Panel and the Women of Marvel panel, both were outstanding. Lots of great information and loads of inspiration to keep doing what I'm doing, continue learning and improving my craft and believe in myself and my work. Thank you to everyone who sat on a panel and gave of themselves, their knowledge and their time to the fans at SDCC2013.

So Much to Read, So Much to Write

Summer's here, and I'm having a hard time dividing my time between reading the many science fiction and zombie stories that have collected on my bookshelf over the last few months and writing the interesting and complex story concepts whirling around in my head.

Currently, I'm reading The Enemy by Charlie Higson, Star Wars Lost Tribe of the Sith, The Collected Stories by John Jackson Miller, Hidden Empire by Kevin J Anderson and The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan. If you've read them, great! (Don't spoil it for me, please.) If you haven't read them or are looking for some fun summer reading, grab'em, dive in and join me.

Summer days may be long, but when you have such awesome reading ahead of you, the day's are never long enough to just relax and get lost in a wonderful story. Happy reading!

Hoodratz In Space Fans, We Hear You!

Wow, May rocked for me. I attended #DallasComicCon for the first time as a vendor and it did not disappoint. Friday night we had plenty of people come by our Hoodratz In Space table. Saturday was even busier. And...we sold out of Hoodratz In Space Issue #1. People came by our table asking us if we had anymore because they wanted #Hoodratzinspace! Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table, picked up our comic-along with Peacekeepers and Throwd by the talented Mr. Erik Reeves-and asked "when is Hoodratz In Space Issue #2 coming out?"

Fans, we hear you! Stay tuned to Erik's blog, Artache!, and mine. We'll let you know when and where the next issue will drop. Next stop...SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON!! I've wanted to go for so many years and finally I'm going to the 2013 show. Look out for my tweets while I'm there.

And if you see someone wearing a Hoodratz In Space t-shirt, stop us and say hi! You, the fans, keep us going and we love meeting everyone of you.

2013 Dallas Comic-Con This Weekend



Catch Hoodratz In Space fever at the 2013 Dallas Comic-Con, May 17-19, in Irving, Tx. See this-and more-amazing artwork by series creator and artist, Erik Reeves. Pick up Hoodratz In Space Issue #1 and learn what's next in this exciting, up-and-coming comic book series.

Mr. Reeves and I will be there signing on Saturday, so be sure to stop by our table and see what all the buzz is about. Get your copy this weekend!

Write Sci-Fi/Fantasy? Attend a Comic Book Convention, Most Definitely.

If you're a writer of sci-fi and fantasy and haven't been to a comic book convention, wow, are you missing out! It's an amazing creative environment, and you meet some amazing people as well. Meeting other artists and writers in the industry helps me understand the business that much better, something I'm always working on.

Erik Reeves (the comic book artist I work with) and I will be in Dallas for the Comic-Con happening May 17-19, 2013, at the Irving Convention Center. This will be our second show together and I can't wait! Work on Hoodratz in Space Issue #2 has begun, and I'm outlining story ideas for the Aocks origins! (Don't know what an Aock is? Check out Hoodratz in Space Issue #1 at #comics pic.twitter.com/Txx2kYHpRq).

So if you're in Dallas that weekend-and need to rev up those creative juices to get your writing flow going-check out the convention. And stop by our booth and take a look at Hoodratz in Space for yourself. We know you'll like what you see.

Try Different Avenues to Get Your Writing Out There

I've had a book idea for some time now (actually I have several!), but this one is a little different. I've sat on the concept for a while because I didn't know the best avenue to take to get it out where the right audience would see it. Then, I read an article in a magazine about being a columnist. Hmm... That was a new twist that I hadn't considered before. I did some research, and now I have a few e-zines that I might contact to see what their guidelines are for accepting freelance work. Mind you, I have to rework the book into bite-size pieces (250-500 word columns) so it will work in that format, but it just goes to show you, if you stew on something long enough, eventually it might turn into something good!

Just wanted to say, "Thank you"

I know it's been a long time since I've blogged. And for those of you following me, I thank you and I give you my apologies for not having blogged in so long. Truth is, I haven't had much to blog about. I've been outlining new story ideas; editing other's works and cleaning out old "stuff" that's just been weighing me down (actually, I believe most would call it "purging"). Through all of that, I've come out with a much lighter feeling, emotionally, mentally and physically. It's hard to describe, but I'm much more content in and with my life than I have been in many, many years. And I've realized a few things over the past few weeks.

I wake up and don't mind going to the job that I have. I don't mind the work that I do. True, I'd rather not have to work and wish I could stay home and write at any time, but for the job I do, I don't mind it at all. I enjoy coming home and being able to relax, whether it be reading, writing or simply watching TV and not thinking or worrying about the job and what I have to do the next day. Overall, things are very well with me. Sure, I could stand to be in better health (i.e., lose a lot of weight, primarily), but I'm thankful for the health I do have.

When I started this blog, I set out to write every weekend. Then, I asked, why? Do I have to write every weekend? No. Do I have to write at any set time? Not really. But for a writer trying to build a platform, it's important to write on a steady basis to show a potential agent that I can write and, hopefully, write well. So, my new goal is to write twice a month. I feel that for me, that's much more doable and reasonable.

We may be three months into the new year, but there's never a deadline or time limit for renewing, rewriting, reinventing the goals and dreams we have for our lives. Until next time!

jackie