A week ago I spoke at a girls’ event. I did a session for middle school girls, my first time to talk to that age. I had no idea what to expect. Here’s a little blip of rough video of our intro. A little light material before we got into the serious stuff.

If you’re a speaker, it’s good to video yourself and watch. (totally painful.) From watching this, I’ve learned:
1. My shoes didn’t sparkle as much as I thought they did.
2. Tank tops on short girls gather in the middle. Not good. Not good at all.
3. I think I got my 10,000 steps a day in during the first five minutes of the event. Lesson learned, with apologies to the crowd.
4. I blink approximately once a second. Sometimes two. My friend Kim took about 20 pictures. I had my eyes open in zero percent of them.
5. Wondering if Excessive Blinking is enough to get me a special parking permit.
6. Many middle schoolers do not yet understand the concept of rhetorical question.
7. Middle schoolers do have attention spans. It’s unclear how this disappears by the time they get to ninth grade.
8. Praying over these girls was a total honor. They’re going to need it.

My next speaking event is this June/July. I’ll be tagging along with Susie and the whole gang in Ecuador for two weeks for Never The Same. I’m a little nervous about leaving Miller that long, so please sign up, go with us, and be there to whisper encouragement like, “Miller hasn’t decided you’re never coming back and thrown himself off the top of the mantle. . .”

Then in July I’ll be at SheSpeaks, co-teaching a session with fab author Mary DeMuth on incorporating story into your speaking and teaching for ministry. Mary will address the more serious side, and I will take the light version. I hope we don’t get confused and switch.

She Speaks only accepts 50 attendees, so if you’re interested, sign up now! I’ve heard such good things about this conference. It was on my to-do list to attend, so to get to go this year AND to participate, I am blessed. And I would love to see you there.

Then in September (where I will know better than speed walking across the stage…), I’ll be at the American Christian Fiction Writer’s conference in St. Louis. I’m teaching a class on dialogue and one on brain storming. If you have any interest in fiction writing, GO. I have learned SO much at these conferences. That first one changed my life. Best investment evah. (Except maybe for my collection of sweat shirts.)

Have a great week. I will be absent til next Monday, working on There You’ll Find Me. (You’ll Find Me crying and binge eating over my laptop…)  We have contests and cover reveals coming soon, so let’s all meet back here next week and hang out again, shall we?

In lieu of a post today, jump over to Southern Belle View today and see this week’s story wrapup of Whirlaway Island. I got to write this installment’s finale, and while the team wouldn’t let me incorporate vamps and mermen, I did manage to work in a wedding, guns, and kissing. (Sounds like a date I had back in the 90s…)

Also don’t forget Natalie Lloyd is giving away a copy of Save the Date. Even if she wasn’t doing that, you should check out her blog because it’s one of my favorites. And not because she’s talking about Save the Date this week.

Here’s a little snippet of Whirlaway….

“I love you.”
Nina heard Max’s words and her heart soared like a gull against the sun. “I. . .” And how did she feel? She and Max had spent only a blip of time time together. And yet, it seemed as if she had known him forever. She might not know whether he preferred Wheaties or Cheerios, but she knew that man’s heart. It beat strong and true, and with a rhythm of loyalty and honor she had never known.

Nina was saved from answering as Rafe moved in closer, close enough for her to smell his heavy cologne that came with a fancy Parisian label and a hefty price tag. The scent was as cloying as the one who wore it.

“I’m just asking for five minutes to talk to you, Nina,” Rafe said. “Alone.”

“No.” The breeze tossed Nina’s hair, threatening to disrupt the white lily at her ear. She took a step closer to Max, who wrapped his arm around her in a lock tight enough to squeeze out any doubts that he would protect her. “You and I are over. Finished.” Her eyes met those of her favorite FBI agent. “My life is with Max now.” But was it? Were his affections real? She’d heard of love at first sight, but never believed it. Until now.

The pastor looked between them all and tugged at the collar of his shirt. His nose reddened under the afternoon rays.

“My dear, it was not that long ago I was under the assumption you and I were to be married,” Rafe said quietly. “You left me with nothing more than a note on the refrigerator. I believe after all I’ve been through, all we’ve been through, I deserve some closure.” He slanted Max a look. “That’s all I’m asking for.”

“My bride said to leave.” Max’s face was a neutral mask, but he was coiled like a snake ready to strike anything that touched what was his.

Happy mid-week!  Random message: To the girl who was at the conference this past weekend and asked for a copy of the letter from God I read, please email me (jen at jennybjones dot com) and I will get that to you.

The picture above is from the Beautiful Girls conference I went to this past weekend, and those are just the middle schoolers. Aren’t they all cute? Super great group. If you squint, I’m the one in the center. I’m sure my eyes are closed. They always are.

The big awesome contest we were going to have this week has been postponed for a few weeks. Sorry to be a contest tease, but I have a feeling the time will fly by before I’ll be throwing books at you again.

If you are a woman in ministry or interested in a speaking ministry, you should totally check out the SheSpeaks conference this summer in Charlotte, NC. I’ll be speaking there on using story and humor in your presentations. There are all sorts of classes geared just for the speaking ministry. Very cool and specialized conference, and we’d love you to join us.

Awesome author Natalie Lloyd has totally, utterly blessed me by dedicating an entire blog to reviewing Save the Date. It’s my very favorite review. (On another note, does anyone else dislike the word utterly? Reminds me of cow parts and dairy barns.)  You can read the wonderful  review HERE and get in her drawing for a copy of the book.

Blogging might be hit or miss in the next few weeks. Next time I get the bright idea to take a college class while teaching and writing, just smack me down. Not my most brilliant idea. We missed a ton of class due to snow, and we’re doing double the assignments to make it up. I would like to say I’m learning a lot, but I’m too busy chain smoking and knocking back tequila in my stress.

Just kidding.
I don’t drink tequila.
But I do listen to Adele’s new CD called 21. I recommend it mucho. I’d love to see this girl cut loose on an old school gospel song a la Aretha.

Are you all watching American Idol? I’m mostly not due to time, but I’ve caught a minute here and there, mostly getting clips at the online water cooler. Did you see Jacob Lusk, who should have Broadway absolutely stalking him?

Okay, that boy can flat out sang. I’ve watched that a handful of times, and I find that clip so fascinating. It reminds me of the Paul Potts from Britain’s Got Talent. Paul’s performance was more than a guy singing a song, it was his battle cry, his “Here’s Who I Am, World” moment.  I think it was the same for Jacob. Neither Jacob nor Paul watched the audience; they both just withdrew within and went to some happy place where they don’t have a crappy desk job, where they don’t have memories of kids making fun of them, and where somebody noticed not only their talent, but their worth and handed them a miracle. Win or lose, go on to the next round or go home, these guys had what they came there for and (imho) would never, could never be the same after this.

And what I’d like to see AI do is get away from picking pop stars or encouraging the idea that that’s all they’re looking for. Jacob isn’t pop material. He’s Broadway. And he could be the a really big deal. So I would hate to see AI try and put him in a pop box career-wise and then blame him when the sales aren’t there. Just like Kris Allen should’ve been encouraged to go Christian radio. And Soul Patrol? Well, casino lounges.

Another performance that caught my eye was Casey Abrams. Slow start, but stick with it.

Very original. Love it when they’re musicians too.

And I adore Steven Tyler. That guy is having CHURCH in those two performances. What I like about him, besides the fact that he’s in one of my favorite bands ever, is that he feels the music. He’s not just a singer, he GETS it. And he has the people connection. He’s going to be the first one to turn around and look at the contestant’s family and give them some encouragement. I think I’m still in shock that Tyler was a good pick for this gig, but he’s completely fabulous and clearly enjoying himself and having fun, quite the opposite of Simon. And he brings a new element of “I get the soul of music.” AI has never really had a true musician on there. Til now.

Speaking of impressive, I think we should all order THESE from ModCloth.
You go first…

So stop back by Natalie’s blog later in the week as she continues her giveaway and she and I talk bacon and Oreos and lipstick. Libya is going crazy, pirates are causing devastation, but Natalie and I bring the real content. Also the Southern Belle View girls and I are continuing our Whirlaway Island story, and I hope you’re joining us. Friday is my spiffy day, so put on your sunscreen, grab your nose plugs, and swim on over.

Back to studying and editing and eating salsa.

Above picture is reader and Facebook/Twitter buddy Ashley upon FINALLY getting a copy of Save the Date. If you have a photo of your fine self reading Save the Date, send it my way so you can have your blog debut. (Send to jen at jennybjones dot com)  Thanks to Ashley for always being pro+Christian fiction, pro+JBJ books, and pro+fun.

Loved our discussion on literary crushes. Some of you threw a twist in there and put in movie/TV crushes. Clearly this is an important issue we need to discuss this at length. (Discuss Egypt? Health care? China? Noooo. Let us talk of swoonie TV dudes.) Stay tuned.

Next week my sweet publisher is giving away TEN copies of Save the Date right here.  (Yes, giving away STDs. You can’t get those from just any blog…)  Be sure and check back for how you can snag your copy.

I haven’t shared my students’ little quips in a while. Mostly because my kids have not been that funny this year. (Ha. Can I say that?)  Or maybe they’re funny, but their teacher is too distracted and sugar-deprived to see it. Anyway, lately I’ve caught a few good ones. I hope to get more soon. Don’t they know their grades depend on it depend on their effort and attitudes?  That they won’t pass unless they make me laugh work hard and complete all the assignments? That the only reason I became a teacher is to have a captive audience and full-time entertainment spread the love of learning and invest in children?     (Names changed to protect the young and silly)

From essays on the students’ favorite possession:
Student 1: One day I was having trouble reading the board. I figured I had something in my eye, but as the day progressed, I still had problems. I couldn’t beat up kids like I used to.
Student 2: My favorite possession would definitely be my cowbell. The main reason I hold it so close to my heart is because you always need more cowbell.
Student 3: My most prized possession that I could bring to class without someone thinking I was going to kill someone and most likely resulting in getting shot by Officer Moss’s taser…
Student 4: My photo book contains the pictures that got me through four years of staring at the floor and my stepmother who looks like a  horse.
Student 5: Not only is my unicorn beautiful, but it also comes with a pink bridle for control. Because unicorns are known to pull shenanigans.
Student 6: My favorite possession is my squishy pillow. Squishy was a blessing from heaven. When my eyes and his squish met, I knew he was the right pillow for me.
Student 7: My calculator is my favorite. It has an automatic stand. All I need to do is press a button and my calculator is raised into the air as if carried by an angel…

Student walking in the door:  “I love you!”
Me:  (stern face on) “Thomas, is that how you enter my classroom?”
Student:   Yep.
Me: Fair enough.

Question: You are in charge of creating a holiday for the nation. What is it?
Student: National Punch Your Big Brother in the Face Day.
Student 2: National Ninja Day
Me: What do we do on this day?
Student 2: Everyone hides.
Student 3: National Sun Day. And it’s on Sunday. And we…celebrate the sun.
Student 4: Dog Day
Me:What are we gonna do?
Student 4: Pet dogs.
Tara: National Alpaca Abuse Awareness Day
Ben: National Throw An Alpaca At Tara Day

Me: You’re a super hero. What’s your super power? Mine is Super Memory. I could remember amazing things. . .events from my life a long time ago. Like yesterday.
Student 1: The power to brush my teeth without any hands.
Student 2: The power to hit Justin Bieber without being attacked by girls.
Student 3: The power to fly!
Student 4: The power of invisibility!
Student 5: The super power of time travel!
Student 6: The power to have a super beard.

Have a great weekend. See you next week for mega book giveaway.

I’m going to be a total follower this week (though a late one) and pose the question that lit the blogosphere over Valentine’s: Who is your book crush?

Joy from Edgy Inspirational Romance picked my Alex Sinclair from Save the Date. Joy just earned my Favorite Person of the World At Least on This Wednesday Award.

The Writer’s Alley also gave Save the Date a shoutout HERE and Alex in the spotlight as well. Very nice, ladies!

I think mine is still Benedick from Much Ado About Nothing. (4ever & always)  He’s smart, he’s protective, he’s loyal, he’s a good friend, and his banter is absolutely swoon-worthy. (By the way, if you’ve never seen the movie adaptation with Kenneth Branagh, you must. Soooo good.) (Start at 1:00)

I love minute 4:57 and 6:33. Nanny McPhee is such a good Beatrice.

So what about you? Who are you crushing on these days? Fictionally speaking, of course.