Jessica Roberts's Blog

 #STILLQUERYING!

Querying can be both exciting and excruciating, mostly the latter. Rejection is always hard. For me, laughter is the best way to get through it. On that note, here are a few fun memes to lighten the process!

AND FINALLY:
(or QUERYING!!!)


Good luck! And don't give up! Good things happen when you want them bad enough. JUST KEEP QUERYING!

 MY WRITING GROUP!

A question I've been asked: "What's the one thing that's helped you most in your writing?"

I could easily rattle off ten things in two seconds that have helped me become a better writer. But if I had to narrow it to one, I'd say it's my writing group.
I LOVE my writing group! They are the coolest peeps in the world. 
There's a grammar queen, a descriptive expert, a speed demon who picks up on all my plot holes, and my wave-length twin who is also my second pair of eyes. That's just one of the many ways they each help me. I could easily rattle off ten more (in two seconds - ha).
Writing Retreat - Park City, Utah - 2021
I believe the best way to improve your writing is to join a writing group. To find one, attend a local writer's conference, find an online group, or simply ask around.
Good luck!
And have an AMAZING summer!
My winters ...

My summers!

 MY WRITING GROUP!

A question I get asked a lot: "What's the one thing that's helped you most in your writing?"

I'm not very good at one-response questions. I could easily rattle off ten things in two seconds that have helped me become a better writer. But if I had to narrow it to one, I'd say it's my writing group.
I LOVE my writing group!
They are the coolest peeps in the world. It's really awesome how each of them brings something unique to the table that helps me in a specific way with my writing.
There's a grammar queen, a descriptive expert, a speed demon who picks up on all my plot holes, and my wave-length twin who is also my second pair of eyes. That's just one of the many ways they each help me. I could easily rattle off ten more (in two seconds - ha).
Writing Retreat - Park City, Utah - 2021
I believe the best way to improve your writing is to join a writing group. To find one, attend a local writer's conference, find an online group, or simply ask around.
Good luck!
And have an AMAZING summer!
My winters ...

My summers!

#AMQUERYING
Summer is here ��� YAAAAAASS!
and that means it���s time to start querying ��� NOOOO!!

I can think of only two things worse than querying: the stomach flu and pregnancy (which is one in the same for us lucky few). 
Here���s the thing(s): 1. Describing an 86,000-word novel in 200 words is freaking impossible. 

2. Rejection letters SUCK. As in, ruin-your-whole-day suck.

3. Crap, I think I forgot to change the default greeting before I pressed send. Again.

4. And is it me, or do all agents have the most difficult-to-spell last names?

5. ���Please include a synopsis.��� NEXT���

6. ���And make sure to say why we would be a good fit.��� Umm, because I���m looking for an agent? 

7. ���Please include the first 5 pages, the first 10 pages, the first 50 pages, the entire MS, the first chapter, the first 5 chapters, till chapter end, not till chapter end������ Need I say more?

8. Do I get docked if I don���t have a blog? a website? twitter? HELP!!

9. [copy], [paste], and ��� yep, formatting error.

If you have others, please feel free to vent in the comments below. ��� It feels really good. ����
I had the best intentions of having my new YA novel, SMARTS, out by 2019, and though I was finished writing it, the rewrites and additions took a ton of time. But it���s finally done! Here���s the pitch:
Loner high school senior, Alice, is kidnapped by motorcycle riding bad-boy, Luke, and his dangerous rebel tribe of Smarts, a worldwide organization of geniuses. Uncovering their evil scheme, Alice���s Smart skills awaken. Unfortunately, so does her heart��� To be honest, I don't ever feel like one of my books is "finished." I just come to a point when I think to myself, If I have to do one more edit I'm going to throw my computer across the room. That's when I know I'm done.
Everyone stay healthy and safe!

#AMQUERYING
Summer is here … YAAAAAASS!
and that means it’s time to start querying … NOOOO!!

I can think of only two things worse than querying: the stomach flu and pregnancy (which is one in the same for us lucky few). 
Here’s the thing(s): 1. Describing an 86,000-word novel in 200 words is freaking impossible. 

2. Rejection letters SUCK. As in, ruin-your-whole-day suck.

3. Crap, I think I forgot to change the default greeting before I pressed send. Again.

4. And is it me, or do all agents have the most difficult-to-spell last names?

5. “Please include a synopsis.” NEXT…

6. “And make sure to say why we would be a good fit.” Umm, because I’m looking for an agent? 

7. “Please include the first 5 pages, the first 10 pages, the first 50 pages, the entire MS, the first chapter, the first 5 chapters, till chapter end, not till chapter end…” Need I say more?

8. Do I get docked if I don’t have a blog? a website? twitter? HELP!!

9. [copy], [paste], and … yep, formatting error.

If you have others, please feel free to vent in the comments below. ⇊ It feels really good. 😃
I had the best intentions of having my new YA novel, SMARTS, out by 2019, and though I was finished writing it, the rewrites and additions took a ton of time. But it’s finally done! Here’s the pitch:
Loner high school senior, Alice, is kidnapped by motorcycle riding bad-boy, Luke, and his dangerous rebel tribe of Smarts, a worldwide organization of geniuses. Uncovering their evil scheme, Alice’s Smart skills awaken. Unfortunately, so does her heart… To be honest, I don't ever feel like one of my books is "finished." I just come to a point when I think to myself, If I have to do one more edit I'm going to throw my computer across the room. That's when I know I'm done.
Everyone stay healthy and safe!

#AMQUERYING
Summer is here … (YAAAAAAAASS!!)
and that means it’s time to start querying … 

(NOOOO!!)
I can think of only two things worse than querying: the stomach flu and pregnancy (which is one in the same for us lucky few). 
Here’s the thing(s): 1. Describing an 86,000-word novel in 200 words is freaking impossible. 

2. Rejection letters SUCK. As in, ruin-your-whole-day suck.

3. Crap, I think I forgot to change the default greeting before I pressed send. Again.

4. And is it me, or do all agents have the most difficult-to-spell last names?

5. “Please include a synopsis.” NEXT…

6. “And make sure to say why we would be a good fit.” Umm, because I’m looking for an agent? 

7. “Please include the first 5 pages, the first 10 pages, the first 50 pages, the entire MS, the first chapter, the first 5 chapters, till chapter end, not till chapter end…” Need I say more?

8. Do I get docked if I don’t have a blog? a website? twitter? HELP!!

9. [copy], [paste], and … yep, formatting error.

If you have others, please feel free to vent in the comments below. ⇊ It feels really good. 😃
I had the best intentions of having my new YA novel, SMARTS, out by 2019, and though I was finished writing it, the rewrites and additions took a ton of time. But it’s finally done! Here’s the pitch: 
Loner high school senior, Alice, is kidnapped by motorcycle riding bad-boy, Luke, and his dangerous rebel tribe of Smarts, a worldwide organization of geniuses. Uncovering their evil scheme, Alice’s Smart skills awaken. Unfortunately, so does her heart… To be honest, I don't ever feel like one of my books is "finished." I just come to a point when I think to myself, If I have to do one more edit, I'm going to throw my computer across the room. That's when I know I'm done. 
Everyone stay healthy and safe!

Summer is here … (YASSSSS!!!!!!!!)

and that means it’s time to start querying …  (NO!!!!!!!!)
I can think of only two things worse than querying: the stomach flu and pregnancy (which is one in the same for us lucky few). 
Here’s the thing(s): 1. Describing an 86,000-word novel in 200 words is freaking impossible. 2. Rejection letters SUCK. As in, ruin-your-whole-day suck.3. Crap, I think I forgot to change the default greeting before I pressed send. Again.4. And is it me, or do all agents have the most difficult-to-spell last names?5. “Please include a synopsis.” NEXT…6. “And make sure to say why we would be a good fit.” Umm, because I’m looking for an agent? 7. “Please include the first 5 pages, the first 10 pages, the first 50 pages, the entire MS, the first chapter, the first 5 chapters, till chapter end, not till chapter end…” Need I say more?8. Do I get docked if I don’t have a blog? a website? twitter? HELP!!9. [copy], [paste], and … yep, formatting error.
If you have others, please feel free to vent in the comments below. ⇊ It feels really good.

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!
Reflection in paperback arrived yesterday! AHHHHHHH!!! I was so excited I almost cried, which is saying something because I’m not a crier, I’m more of a smiler. So I did that instead . . . pretty much all day.
The release date is March 20th, and pre-sales are now live on AMAZON.COM. (chest bump!)Check it out!
I really want to go celebrate at a yummy restaurant, but with all the weeknight family chaos it probably won’t happen. So I guess I’ll settle for Taco Bell, which isn’t really settling because it’s always a celebration if I don’t have to cook. Plus, I LOVE Taco Bell.
Here are a couple pictures of the happy moment: Me with Barry from print

Me holding Reflection

(Old-school style!)                                                                                                         

Reflection in paperback arrived yesterday! AHHHHHHH!!! I was so excited I almost cried, which is saying something because I’m not a crier, I’m more of a smiler. So I did that instead . . . pretty much all day.

The release date is March 20th, and pre-sales are now live on AMAZON.COM. (chest bump!)Check it out!
I really want to go celebrate at a yummy restaurant, but with all the weeknight family chaos it probably won’t happen. So I guess I’ll settle for Taco Bell, which isn’t really settling because it’s always a celebration if I don’t have to cook. Plus, I LOVE Taco Bell.
Here are a couple pictures of the happy moment: Me with Barry from print Me holding Reflection
(Old-school style!)                                                                                                         

Wanna Get High With Me?
No, I don���t do drugs. I���ve never even tried marijuana, ever. I���m talking about this new fitness workout called HIGH FITNESS, and it���s KILLER! It���s sort of like old school aerobics but with plyo moves like burpees, jump tucks, and squat jumps, as well as some hip-hop moves, all to way fun pop songs. Trust me, it���s a blast!

A friend took my daughter and me to a HIGH class that Emily (the founder of HIGH FITNESS) taught. Oh my word--she kicked my butt! I had to leave class three different times . . . to get a drink . . . because my throat was dry. No seriously, because I thought I was going to DIE and so I had to take a ton of breaks! But don���t tell anyone that.

Here���s an after pic:

friend, me, Emily aka crazy-Nazi-instructor-lady, daughter The beginning of this month I had the chance to go to NYC and see a few Broadway shows. My younger brother had an airline companion ticket and took me for my birthday. #coolestlittlebrotheraward

 

Then, on the airplane I got bumped to first class (love it when that happens), but I gave the upgrade to my tall, 6���3 brother. I know, #coolestbigsisteraward.
Here are my reviews of the shows we saw:

ANASTASIA: A

(Loved it! The stage set was unbelievable!)

WILLIE WONKA: A-

(The minus is because they didn���t include the ���fizzy lifting drink��� scene, the lick-able wall-paper, or the final culminating scene when Charlie gives back the everlasting gobstopper and Mr. Wonka whispers, ���So shines a good deed in a weary world.��� On the other hand, they did away with the ���Cheer Up Charlie��� song which should be worth something. Overall, completely entertaining!) DEAR EVAN HANSEN: I can���t even���

I don���t even know what to give this show. Ben Platt gave the most amazing, raw, real performance I���ve ever seen in my life. Too real. There is no way someone can give a performance like that every day for a year and it not affect them. I wanted to reach out to him and tell him to stop doing the show. He���s going to be a psychological mess, if he isn���t already.

After the show, I seriously had to remind myself that there are normal people out there and not everyone is all screwed up. Cuz life is awesome, even when it���s not, because if it���s not today, it will be tomorrow, or at some point, if you choose to make it awesome.

Anyway, here���s to all the normal people out there. Stay awesome!

Book Update: Gearing up for the launch of Reflection in paperback -- YAYY!!!! -- set for
MARCH 20, 2018!