Just a Girl And Her Pen

Stephen King Lovers (SKL)

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Dexter@skl

Me at the zoo 😂 I loved the manatee exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Swim with the Manatees 🤿 on TikTok Can confirm, they are the nicest animals! 🥺 💕

https://justagirlandherpen.com/2023/05/04/the-english-major-a-will-not-die/

The English Major Will Not Die While stocking the Newsstand at Barnes & Noble, I came across a front page of the New Yorker cover that reads “The End of the English Major by Nathan Heller and my first thought was “No, it doesn’t have to be.” Reading further, I saw that the study findings sourced in the article were based ...

Just a Girl And Her Pen updated their website address.

Okay so it’s almost been ten years since this happened but it’s probably the best-smartest-dumbest-funniest thing I ever did throughout my college experience. In the fall of 2014, I was attending classes at the University of Cincinnati and worked part-time as a waitress. My parents had just made the move to Arizona that summer so it was really the first time I had been on my own, but I was living with my mom’s best friend....

http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/05/25/the-best-assignment-i-ever-completed-in-my-college-career/

The Best Assignment I ever completed in my college career Okay so it’s almost been ten years since this happened but it’s probably the best-smartest-dumbest-funniest thing I ever did throughout my college experience. In the fall of 2014, I was attending c…

Ever imagined what it would be like to live with a true-crime-obsessed family? In Megan Collin's The Family Plot, Dahlia Lighthouse gives a clue as to how a true-crime-junkie's dream come true can become a nightmare. After the disappearance of her twin brother Andy on their sixteenth birthday, Dahlia has all but given up hope. She spent years searching the internet for any signs that her brother might still be out there....

http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/05/23/book-blurb-no-10-the-family-plot-by-megan-collins/

Book Blurb No.10 ~ The Family Plot by Megan Collins Ever imagined what it would be like to live with a true-crime-obsessed family? In Megan Collin’s The Family Plot, Dahlia Lighthouse gives a clue as to how a true-crime-junkie’s dream co…

I know I have told so many of my co-workers at the B&N and even some guests, I literally cannot shut up about this app! When I was a book-addicted teen, I dreamed of having something like this to keep track of my books and my reading. And this app does that and more! So here on the main home screen, you can see a sneak preview of books that I am currently reading, books that I want to read, and so on....

http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/05/08/how-i-read-so-many-books-at-once-basmo/

How I read so many books at once: Basmo I know I have told so many of my co-workers at the B&N and even some guests, I literally cannot shut up about this app! When I was a book-addicted teen, I dreamed of having something like this …

Photo Credits: Web, Cyrus @ Blog Talk Radio Picture it! It's Easter, 2022. I am in my parent's house down in Yuma, huddled under the blanket and hugging a stuffed bunny from my childhood, too scared to go downstairs for a snack all because of this book. I'm an adult, I promise. Seriously though. The Sundown Motel made me realize that I never want to work in a Motel 6 or any small-town motel....

http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/05/03/book-blurb-no-9-the-sundown-motel-by-simone-st-james/

Book Blurb No. 9 ~ The Sundown Motel by Simone St. James Photo Credits: Web, Cyrus @ Blog Talk Radio Picture it! It’s Easter, 2022. I am in my parent’s house down in Yuma, huddled under the blanket and hugging a stuffed bunny from my childhoo…

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com At the start, I had unrealistic expectations for what my general income would look like if I were to seriously pursue my dreams of being a writer. Up until that point, I had been working in retail, in customer service, or in the foodservice industries. Be practical, don't quit your day job, I was always told....

http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/04/29/making-ends-meet-when-youre-a-writer/

Making Ends Meet When You’re A Writer Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com At the start, I had unrealistic expectations for what my general income would look like if I were to seriously pursue my dreams of being a writer. Up until that point…

Go get your copy now!!
http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/04/28/go-get-your-copy-now/

Go get your copy now!! Visit the post for more.

Web Comic No. 1 – Books save lives
http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/04/28/web-comic-no-1-books-save-lives/

Web Comic No. 1 – Books save lives Visit the post for more.

When research turns to passion
http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/04/20/when-research-turns-to-passion/

When research turns to passion Visit the post for more.

Bookworms - they will ‘one-page-more’ you to the death. I’ve always wanted to get into comics. Growing up, my dad, brother and I would read what we called the ‘Sunday Funnies’ over brunch. Our favorites were Zits, The Peanuts, Garfield. Most Saturday mornings, Dad would be the one to wake us up for breakfast and Looney Tunes. In later years, Dad became very enticed by SpongeBob....

http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/04/18/the-first-of-many-web-comic-no-1/

The First of Many ~ Web Comic No. 1 Bookworms – they will ‘one-page-more’ you to the death. I’ve always wanted to get into comics. Growing up, my dad, brother and I would read what we called the ‘Sunday Funnies’ over brunch. Ou…

Every writer has heard of it, endured it themselves, supported another coping with it, etc. It's what has us hitting backspace and staring at the screen, waiting for the right words and inspiration to hit us. It's what has us crying and smashing the keyboard in before tossing the whole computer out the window. Writer's block. A writer's worst nightmare. …...

http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/04/14/i-love-to-write-so-why-am-i-struggling-to-do-so-writers-block-and-other-writer-struggles-with-solutions/

‘I love to write, so why am I struggling to do so?’ ~ Writer’s Block and other Writer Struggles…with Solutions Every writer has heard of it, endured it themselves, supported another coping with it, etc. It’s what has us hitting backspace and staring at the screen, waiting for the right words and inspi…

I need to finish at least one…eventually.
http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/03/23/i-need-to-finish-at-least-oneeventually/

I need to finish at least one…eventually. Visit the post for more.

The Invention of Murder
http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/03/23/the-invention-of-murder/

The Invention of Murder Visit the post for more.

NEW! Fantasy concept art!
http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/03/17/new-fantasy-concept-art/

NEW! Fantasy concept art! Visit the post for more.

I got my work cut out for me.
http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/03/10/i-got-my-work-cut-out-for-me/

I got my work cut out for me. Visit the post for more.

New Book Stand
http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/03/04/new-book-stand/

New Book Stand Visit the post for more.

Taking a break from the usual true crime and murder, I read "Who Moved My Cheese" in one sitting and I don't regret it for a minute. It was recommended to me by a customer, and I am forever grateful to this person for doing so. Adapting to change isn't easy, especially when it is unexpected, feels constant, and out of our control....

http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/03/02/book-blurb-no-8-who-moved-my-cheese-by-spencer-johnson-md/

Book Blurb No. 8 ~ “Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson, MD. Taking a break from the usual true crime and murder, I read “Who Moved My Cheese” in one sitting and I don’t regret it for a minute. It was recommended to me by a customer, and I …

We all start somewhere. Whether it’s on paper, a napkin on a train, on a computer or even just in our heads, the first draft is there. And it’s waiting to written. One thing I’ve struggled with for my first draft is trying to get it perfect on the first go. I’m a perfectionist so this is a personal flaw of mine, but I know many others can relate....

http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/02/17/the-first-draft-we-all-start-somewhere/

The First Draft ~ We All Start Somewhere We all start somewhere. Whether it’s on paper, a napkin on a train, on a computer or even just in our heads, the first draft is there. And it’s waiting to written. One thing I’ve struggled with for…

One of the many joys of working at Barnes & Noble is working alongside other writers and published authors, poets and professionals that have been in the book selling business for many years. We talk, share our work, make recommendations to one another and support each other. It is a really wholesome environment for an aspiring writer like myself. And I am blessed to work some of the most wonderful people....

http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/02/16/writers-wednesday-aubyn-sharp/

Writer’s Wednesday ~ Aubyn Sharp One of the many joys of working at Barnes & Noble is working alongside other writers and published authors, poets and professionals that have been in the book selling business for many years. W…

I can’t Put It Down
http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/02/16/i-cant-put-it-down/

I can’t Put It Down Visit the post for more.

Working at a Bookstore when you’re a book addict
http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/02/12/working-at-a-bookstore-when-youre-a-book-addict/

Working at a Bookstore when you’re a book addict Visit the post for more.

My workspace
http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/02/10/my-workspace/

My workspace Visit the post for more.

John Glatt has quickly become one of my favorite true crime authors. He doesn’t dumb it down for his audience yet he doesn’t bore his audience with the technicalities that other authors get lost in. Don’t get me wrong, I love nitty gritty details but sometimes the legalities can gum up the works. And this is coming from someone who at one point considered a career in law....

http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/02/05/book-blurb-no-7-the-perfect-father-by-john-glatt/

Book Blurb No. 7 ~ The Perfect Father by John Glatt John Glatt has quickly become one of my favorite true crime authors. He doesn’t dumb it down for his audience yet he doesn’t bore his audience with the technicalities that other authors get lost in…

I Will Finish this today!
http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/02/08/i-will-finish-this-today/

I Will Finish this today! Visit the post for more.

A conversation that I've had with my fellow writers at work is the 'outline vs winging it' debate. I love this topic because personally, I am an outliner. But I love hearing about others' writing processes. I think it is important to learn from other writers because there is never just one way to do something. Everyone has their own method of madness....

http://justagirlandherpen.com/2022/02/07/character-outline-template/

Character Outline Template A conversation that I’ve had with my fellow writers at work is the ‘outline vs winging it’ debate. I love this topic because personally, I am an outliner. But I love hearing about…

Agatha Christie Collection
http://justagirlandherpen.online/2022/02/06/agatha-christie-collection/

Agatha Christie Collection Visit the post for more.

A purrrfect evening 😻
http://justagirlandherpen.online/2022/02/05/a-purrrfect-evening-%f0%9f%98%bb/

A purrrfect evening 😻 Visit the post for more.

Since I’ve been home sick ( Not Covid, thankfully) I decided to tackle some books on my TBR list and I have to say, I didn’t find Ted Bundy that frightening until after reading this. Ann Rule gives a frightening insight to what it was like to live in the northwest during the 1970’s, during Bundy’s reign of terror. She had personally known Ted through her work at the Crisis Center and had kept in contact with him during his incarceration in Utah and Colorado....

http://justagirlandherpen.online/2022/01/11/book-blurb-no-6-ann-rules-the-stranger-beside-me/

Book Blurb No. 6 ~ Ann Rule’s The Stranger Beside Me Since I’ve been home sick ( Not Covid, thankfully) I decided to tackle some books on my TBR list and I have to say, I didn’t find Ted Bundy that frightening until after reading this. Ann Rule gives…

Much like research for a college paper, research is also involved in writing a novel, book or anything factual outside your own personal experience. It's how mystery novelists know that their victim has six hours or less to escape from their premature grave based on the cubic volume of air that was trapped in the coffin pre-burial. It's how authors know that the slightly strangest events written are believed by their readers....

http://justagirlandherpen.online/2022/01/06/trust-the-process-research-for-a-novel/

Trust the Process: Research for a Novel Much like research for a college paper, research is also involved in writing a novel, book or anything factual outside your own personal experience. It’s how mystery novelists know that their…

Thank you, Vanessa!! I love it!!
http://justagirlandherpen.online/2022/01/01/thank-you-vanessa-i-love-it/

Thank you, Vanessa!! I love it!! Visit the post for more.

Just a Girl And Her Pen updated their business hours.

Illustration: Bill McConkey, the Guardian Fan fiction is the creative expression of fandom, or a reflection of a pop cultural universe created by a fan. For those that write fan-fiction, it can be agreed that it is not an easy task to create captivating fan fiction. Many authors and writers, including myself got their start with fan fiction. However I’ve found that fan-fiction has changed modern literature in more ways than one....

http://justagirlandherpen.online/2021/12/26/fan-fiction-a-history-and-reflection-of-post-modern-literature/

Fan Fiction: A History and Reflection of Post-Modern Literature Illustration: Bill McConkey, the Guardian Fan fiction is the creative expression of fandom, or a reflection of a pop cultural universe created by a fan. For those that write fan-fiction, it can be…