The Orlando shooting happened yesterday, and I bought my first newspaper.

Two, actually.

Obviously, I am deeply saddened by this horrific event, but I am also discouraged by the reports that the gunman aligned himself with Muslim beliefs.

With the coming election, this tragedy will be paraded out at every opportunity as evidence of each candidate’s opinions. I imagine this may prove to be the most grotesque part of the attack.

Please. If you truly wish to honor the memory of all the beautiful souls we lost, please remember the only lesson that can be found in this devastating event.

Please, do not hate.

Don’t waste your time and energy hating. It is understandable to be angry with a singular person who has caused harm, but please don’t hate a group.

No matter how you choose to segregate society, there will be members of each group that cause harm. Equally true, however, is that the vast majority is made up of wonderful, kind, and prismatic individuals. They love freely. They believe truly.

And they do not hate.

Just because I act like a kid, doesn’t mean I can’t grown-up when I need to. Lucky Charms for breakfast and still getting things done. Boom!

To Rhyme Or Not To Rhyme: The Writing Process

A sneak peek into the “glamorous” work of a writer.

I know, as a young author, I need to be blogging as much as possible. However, I struggle to know what’s worth blogging about in the first place. Perhaps it’s my visual arts background that makes me feel that if there’s nothing worth looking at, there’s nothing worth reading. The process of writing a children’s book, while challenging, is not very visually stimulating.

However, until we have new art, I thought I’d give you a peek at the writing process.

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One thing I wish more authors did was show us there crumpled up piles of rewrites. It’s easy to assume that the amazing book you just read was written in just one sitting. As if god was speaking directly to the author who only had to transcribe each perfectly placed word.

In reality, for most of us at least, writing is a long and grueling process. Similar to chiseling away at a sculpture, and wondering if you’re even using the proper hammer.

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The biggest challenge for any children’s book writer is deciding whether or not to rhyme.

Yes, if you can manage to craft the perfect meter and rhyme, your book will be beloved, at least by relieved parents. However, a clumsy attempt can ruin your otherwise delightful tale.
So for the last few weeks I tried my hand at a completely rhyming draft of Shivering Snivels & His Shadow. It was not far off in the first place, since I found many of my lines were already beginning to rhyme.

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Since I majored in Filmmaking, not writing, my first step was to study rhyme and meter. Then I broke down my manuscript (as is) into all of its respective parts.

How many words are in each line? How many syllables? Is there a pattern?

(Because there should be)

Then came the crafting. Taking the lines that didn’t fit the pattern and rewriting them, over and over again, until they fit with the rest.

Now I have to ask myself, “Is it good enough?”
Is it close enough that a little editing will bring it home?

Or should I go back to an earlier draft?

I’ll let you know the answers when I have them!

My (Not So) Secret NatGeo Habit

So beside the degree in filmmaking I’m about to receive, and the children’s book I’m publishing in Fall 2016, I have a (not so) secret dream of working for National Geographic.

-by JMP

-by JMP

Out of all my artistic pursuits, I consider this closest to my “Hobby”

There is no pressure to build a sustainable career, or brand. Maybe one day I’ll be paid by researchers or non-profit organizations, but so long as I have a camera I will continue to study and “capture” this amazing planet.

-by JMP

-by JMP

Sadly, having a camera is not always assured, lol.  So, the whole idea is a work in progress.

But, even a working artist needs to find a hobby that relaxes them, that gives them the sense of accomplishment — without the stress of achievement…

-by JMP

-by JMP

…And a chance to be a little cheeky!

I Never Grew Up…

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Shivering Snivels & His Shadow : A Quite Frightful Children’s Picture Book

Help bring Jessamyn Prince’s spooky, scary, and spine-tingling picture book from concept art, through printing, to promotion.

Donate at: HTTP://WWW.GOFUNDME.COM/SHIVERINGSNIVELS

When you donate money, it will immediately (no waiting, no goals, no matter what) go towards bringing this book closer to completion.

At $500——–

  • Running Artist/Book Website.
  • Concept Art.
  • Rough Mock Book.
  • Supplies & Equipment.
  • Edtor fees.

At $1000——

  • Final Mock Book.
  • Illustrator Fees.
  • Final Manuscript.
  • Book layout & Design.

At $2000——

  • Legal & Administrative fees (ISBN, Barcode, Registration).
  • Publishing fees Layout & Development costs.
  • E-publishing Fees.

At $3000——

  • Production & Book Printing.
  • Warehouse & Fulfillment costs.
  • Book Shipping.
  • Amazon fees.

At $5000——

  • Publicist fees.
  • Producer Fees.
  • Travel & Promotion.

Donate and become a member of The Shadow Backers!

Shadow Backers

by LaluCoo

Expect to receive news, sneak peaks, free e-books, and even the chance to win hardcover copies of the book and more!

What would you change if we REBOOT AMERICA?

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A Film Maker’s Manifesto

By Jessamyn Prince

I promise..

To always be a slave to my art, not my bills, and to always consider myself an artist, never a businessman.

To treat everyone magnanimously, and give credit where it’s due.

To always admit what I do know, but more importantly what I don’t, and to encourage collaboration on all my sets.

To not allow egos or contracts to degrade the artistic integrity of my work.

To make well rounded movies, where no aspect is neglected.

To give the audience a satisfying ending, where they learn and hopefully come out slightly changed for the better.

Qualities I will strive for in all my work:

High Production Value

Elegant detail

Subtle subtext

Narrative Depth

Appreciate and Respect the Female Form

Surrealism & Expressionism

Use of Negative Space & Framing

Bright/Vivid Color

Complex Characters

Textually Rich Locations

A Touch of Magic