Showing posts with label Visionary From The Stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Visionary From The Stars. Show all posts

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Writing Update and Sneak Peek

Map for Visionary From The Stars


I HAVE been working on the sequel to the Alien Mind like I promised. I just have everything on paper for now as I've been writing at doctors appointments and while waiting before interviews (I keep my resume's in a leather folder with a few clean sheets of paper and a pencil just in case). Unfortunately, this means I don't have a sneak peak from the sequel ready to share yet. AWWWWW!  I know! I'm sorry!

However, I HAVE been having some success with editing/rewriting Visionary From The Stars here lately (my second book and NOT related to The Alien Mind). I'm currently about halfway through the manuscript (FINALLY!). It took me forever to get here!

Meantime I have alternated between wanting to toss out my map and subsequently realizing I drew it that way on purpose at least half a dozen times. This map may not make it into the final book, I draw to keep myself organized when describing a scene. I do however include these drawings on the Fan Extras section for each book which can be found listed on the Books tab above.

So, since I can't give you a piece of the sequel (Darn! It is getting good too!), for this week's sneak peek, I'll give you a piece of Visionary! I hope you enjoy it, feel free to tell me what you think!

Also, I'd LOVE to hear what you are working on! Doesn't have to be writing related. Anyone doing any projects this summer? Tell us about them in the comments!


*****

“There should be a small stream coming up soon,” Chris stated while walking and peering into his MTD screen. Focused on the screen, he bumped into Laurie. Mumbling an apology he put his computer away and paid attention to the path.

“We should find two more members waiting for us on the other side of the stream.” Bushwhacker informed them.

 Upon reaching the stream, they crossed on natural stepping-stones they found midstream. When they reached the opposite bank, there was no sign of the expected ECOPs. 

“Where are they?” Chris asked.

Bushwhacker was scanning the forest edge stream bed with careful scrutiny.

“Perhaps we should signal them?” Laurie suggested.

“Yes, I suppose so. They’re probably just late,” Bushwhacker replied with a nod.

All three ECOPs took out their tegars from their belts, extended them with two shakes of their wrists, and commenced generating the signal. Two iguanas came dashing from the woods. They too were making the call in response. As the group came together, they each put away their tegars. The iguanas bent over panting and laughing, their hands on their scaly knees.

After they caught their breath, they both straightened up and introduced themselves.

“I’m Mon,”

“I’m Nom,”

“Sorry we’re late,” they chirped in unison, 

“Chameleons had farmland disputes,” 

“We just managed to get it all settled.”

Bushwhacker smiled and nodded, “Quite understandable, it is farming season for the chameleons. Whirlp expected something like that to come up… Mon, Nom, this is Laurie Kingston and Chris Hagan,”

“A pleasure,”

“To meet you,” said Mon and Nom smiling.

The brothers were identical, Laurie noticed, from the way the ridges above their eyes curved to the pattern in the scales down their chests. They both had orange spines running down their backs and multiple black rings down their tails. The tips of their tails were the only physical trait Laurie noticed a difference in; one was black the other green. The brother who had identified himself as Mon wore a red braided bracelet around his right arm.

“You two are twins!” Laurie exclaimed with a laugh.

“You are also iguanas, like Tarpin, if I’m not mistaken,” Chris added.

The way Mon and Nom kept jumping and hopping around, it was hard to tell.

“Right and,”

“Right again!” The twin brothers answered as they continued dancing in place on their tiptoes. 

 The children laughed.

“We thought Tarpin,” Mon started.

“Would  be joining us.” Nom finished.

“He will join us at the meeting,” Bushwhacker answered.

The twins stopped dancing and started doing arm circles.

“We should probably make camp now,” Bushwhacker continued, looking toward the setting sun.

Chris and Laurie went off to look for edible plants while the twins went to look for firewood. 

Bushwhacker put together a fire ring with rocks from the riverbed.

Soon after everyone had eaten, the twins stretched out on the riverbank and fell into a watchful sleep. 

Bushwhacker and the children sat beside a merrily crackling fire.

“Are Mon and Nom always this energetic?” Laurie asked. 

“They have their days. Mon and Nom can be serious when duty calls. Even so, you haven’t seen the worst of it. I’m just glad the Chameleons had the sense not to let them anywhere near their sugar cane; now that makes them hyper!” Bushwhacker answered.

Chris chuckled as he found himself trying to imagine Mon and Nom more energetic than they were today.

*****

Friday, December 18, 2015

I need your help! Name that program!


I need a name for a program that checks the chemical and elemental composition of an object in space. something that would check to see if there were any lifeforms or potential for life forms... any ideas? If your idea is chosen I will be sure to add your name to the acknowledgement section of the book when it is published!



8554367793 ed17a7277f

Visionary From The Stars, sneak peak excerpt for reference: (Bare in mind that this is a non edited excerpt)


Jean realized in awe that a comet was coming slowly into her view. She spared a few seconds to peel her eyes away from the viewscreen to make sure her instruments were recording the comet’s majestic passing. Sure enough, they were all doing what they were supposed to do. Crediting the [previous to this passage] strange signal to her bored imagination, Jean welcomed the chance to observe the passing comet. 

Jean crossed over to another window to get a better view and realized the “comet” didn’t look quite right. It was round, but instead of the usual comma tail, five spire-like objects extruded from its sides bending backward to meet and produce a fiery tail. Uneasiness filled her stomach. Jean jumped as the (Insert Name Of Program) sent out an alarm. She ran around the center circle and rounded on the culprit computer console. Jean frowned as she realized what the huge load of information scrolling down the blue glowing screen was trying to tell her. Horrified and mystified, she turned to the viewscreen across the room. 

What is this thing? 

Slowly the comet’s pace slowed until it matched her own ship’s relative speed. The comet turned slowly towards her ship, beginning its approach. Confused, Jean looked back and forth between the nearest computer terminals. One of them began screaming a proximity alarm. Six others sent out computerized voice messages meant to alert Jean to the comet’s possible time to impact, probable future course, and various choices of evasive actions to choose from.

 “Impossible!” She exclaimed, aloud, to the viewscreen. 

Comets just don’t change direction like that!


##End Excerpt##


photo credit: Comet C/2011 L4 Through Telescope via photopin (license)
Photo is not intended for the book.

####


Find The Alien Mind on Amazon!
And wherever else books are sold!

Did you like this post? If so you might enjoy my first book (while you are waiting for Visionary From The Stars to be released)!

For adults and teens alike, it is truly a science fiction adventure for the whole family!

If you'd prefer an autographed copy straight from the author you can buy one here as well!
Autographed Copy:$13.00 + Shipping
 


And remember! If you liked this excerpt or any of the other flash fiction pieces on my blog... you can sign up to get them straight in your e-mail box by plugging in your e-mail in the box on the right hand side!

Thursday, December 4, 2014

An Overwhelming THANK YOU!

V.L. Jennings books
Want to help me spread the word?
Share this picture and/or set it as your profile image!

You Guys ROCK!

V.L. JENNINGS' BOOK TOUR! 


Click here to visit Amazon- order your copy today!
Announcing the re-release of V.L. Jennings' two books, Visionary From The Stars and The Alien Mind, newly published by PDMI Publishing LLC. and their imprint Rara Avis! 

Book release tour ran from from October 20th to November 30th, 2014

Did you miss a stop and want to catch up?
 See Tour Page! 




While you are catching up on all the tour stops I want to take a moment to graciously thank all of my wonderful hosts and all of my friends that helped spread the word about the releases!

To those who participated in the book cover blasts and flew my book covers as their profile pictures for the duration of the tour I salute you! (THANK YOU SO MUCH!)

Skye Hoffman
Ali Lewis
Edward Frank
Kevin/Honi Drown

To all those who hosted me on my tour these past two months- words can not express my gratitude!

Dianne Gardner
Clay Gilbert
Skye Hoffman
Jo Linsdell
Writers &Authors
September Oaks 
Second Annual Novel Wine Tasting Arts and Literary Festival
Tracee Ford
Cindy Koepp
To all of the people who follow my facebook page- you all have been such great friends! I've noticed each and every one of your shares, comments, and likes - thank you for all of your support!

To my fellow PDMI peeps- you guys just rock! Thank you for your help and support- each and every one of you!

And finally! Thank you to all who participated in the Rafflecopter!



Our rafflecopter winner is Elizabeth Chang!
Your card is coming in the mail! :)

gift card


a Rafflecopter giveaway


It is because of all of your support that my books made it onto Amazon best seller lists in the first two weeks they were out! One of them made it all the way up to #14 on one list! Now, they are certainly not there now- because everyone has been busy eating turkey ha-ha! However, if you'd like to help me climb that list again, well, my books make excellent gifts for all ages- especially if you have a middle grade teen in the house that loves science!

Happy Holidays!



Friday, November 21, 2014

V.L. Jennings At Space Camp

Me- at spacecamp

I've been referencing my time at Kennedy Space Center Space Camp for the past two days on facebook that I figured it must be fate. Time to share a picture that rarely sees the light of day. Yours truly, V.L. Jennings at space camp- at the top of the shuttle simulator ladder.

I will always be so thankful to the people who run that place. I was 16 then and about two years outside of the camp age requirement. We were able to call the staff and get them to allow me to attend though. That was such an awesome vacation! I enjoyed it so much that there are numerous nods to KSC in Visionary From The Stars.

Besides the shuttle mission simulator we also had a chance to try various other simulators. We got to try moon walking, simulated climbing in "nearly zero gravity" (Its amazing what some counter weights can simulate!), and I also rode the G force simulator three times. The last time I almost got sick- I kid you not!

Another of my favorite moments was riding the bus beside the launch pad crawler and watching it crush the rocks beneath its HUGE plates as it rolled up the road.

I learned so much, took TONS of notes and I believe I took 5 rolls of film worth of pictures (yes, back before digital cameras were standard). Then that fannie pack you see in the picture... Well I had my last two days of film in there and my notes and left them all behind at a gas station on the way home. EPIC FACEPALM!

We went back to get it but someone had already wandered off with it. No money inside that I remembered... just undeveloped film and a mini notepad. (Really? Who steals film?)

I do still have a copy of the Camp KSC chant that one of the program leaders was said to have written. I love that song so much that I asked them for a copy of it before the camp ended- it STILL hangs in my kitchen (yeah, I am well aware that I am a nerd).

If I can get at least 10 comments on this blog post I will take a picture of it and post it here on my blog for you all to see- 20 comments and I will even sing it for you!

Have you ever been to Kennedy Space Center? What was your favorite part of your visit?

Monday, November 3, 2014

When Squirrels Go Nuts

Caption This - A Game!

Unsalted?
photo credit: Jim Bauer via photopin cc

Today on my blog- JUST for the fun of it, I am going to try a caption this game! You are all welcome to join in the fun!

Rules: Keep it clean please.
1. Post your caption in the comments on this post.
2. Remember to click the Squirrels Go Nuts entry in the rafflecopter 


While you are pondering your caption entry, I have an excerpt from Visionary From The Stars to share with you! In this one, the main characters find themselves in a very serious, and yet slightly funny situation. Enjoy! (and DON'T forget to post your caption in the comments!)




Later, in the afternoon, the team passed over one of the many grassy hills and could see, further ahead, the edge of what appeared to be marshlands. It was quiet--too quiet-- almost as if something were waiting for them there; expecting them as they approached. As the group slowly began to follow the edge of the marshlands, Laurie started to feel quite uneasy. Young Chris Hagan looked over his shoulder and into the marshland trees repeatedly, soon finding himself becoming increasingly worried about…well he didn’t quite know.


 As if out of nowhere, a downpour of stones and arrows came launching out of the trees and rained down upon the unprotected EOE team. The group barely had time to cover their heads with their arms when a large band of squirrels jumped out of the trees yelling war cries, and surrounded the team. Realizing that the group had no weapons ready, the squirrels took the team hostage. 

As the squirrels herded the EOE Team into the marshlands, a rather burly squirrel handcuffed and chained the team together. Mr. Kingston looked around for his daughter and Chris— they were nowhere to be seen. 

“Captain Mitchell, the children aren't here!” He whispered urgently. “Do you think they escaped?” 

“They could get lost out oomf!” Mr. Kingston managed before being butted in the ribs with a stick by a fierce looking squirrel.


Available for pre-order on Amazon! - RELEASES WEDNESDAY!  


About The Book: 
For millenia, humans thought they were the only life in the galaxy-- until the day an alien species claiming to have humanity's best interests in mind forces its way onto an unsuspecting exploration craft. In another part of space, the Star Traveler's crew sets out on a camping trip to the surface of the moon. There, they stumble upon an object covered in alien writing revealing the first piece of a galactic map that will lead them into an intergalactic controversy--all while the Platonian race strives to sabotage their every move.

What Critics are calling:


Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Whats Its Like To Be A PDMI Author, (With Pictures)

I just realized that some of the pictures got broken somehow... until I fix them, you can find them here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/virginialorijennings/sets/72157649031383555/



This past weekend was awesome! I am proud to be an author with the epic PDMI Publishing LLC!


Cyndi, Tc, Nessa, Jack
I met the owners, Tc and Nessa Mckinney, in person (finally!) this past weekend. (center two in photo) They had traveled from Alabama to attend the Second Annual "Novel" Wine Tasting Arts and Literary Festival. Our Marketing Director and fellow author Greta King had also traveled up here for the festival.





Cyndi Jack, Me, Tc, Greta (Nessa's behind camera)





They try their hardest to make all of their authors feel like family! Friday evening Greta treated us to bowling and pizza. (BEST Pizza ever!!) Later we sat out on the porch in our PJ's and laughed and joked till the wee hours of the morning.
10743783_10202814793678201_1626903147_n[1]
Me Bowling





 Saturday we got down to business and sold some books at the festival! We tag teamed taking  pictures when someone would come up to one of our tables. We even helped sell eachother's books.

 
Me-before changing into my costume, setting up my tables
Me with Miss South Carolina- MAN she is tall!



PS- Check it out! Rivi's Costume is DONE!!! I'll be taking my kids trick or treat in it as well as wearing it to sci fi conventions! ;)











Jack and Cyndi








Besides my books, I had brought some brain teaser games for my table that many people really enjoyed. A few stopped by for almost an hour- one girl ALMOST beat the hardest puzzle! Later her mom came over to try the puzzle and even bought a copy of Wiggle Worm's Shape Adventures ;)







This is me, visiting C.D. Bonner's booth
before he packed his stuff for the day



As the sun went down we helped eachother pack up our stuff and take down the tents. 


Then we went over to join all the other authors at the after party. I won't give you a blow by blow because "What happens at the after party STAYS at the after party." But, no one said anything about not sharing the evidence!




I havn't the foggiest what I was laughing at here

Had to catch a picture with my good friend C.D. Bonner
Before today I had only ever talked with him online
 and in Where Writers And Authors Meet lol
Jack- doing one of his impressions lol















This event is scheduled to be part of the book tour for the release of Visionary From The Stars and The Alien Mind

Facebook covers3 copy