About Jennifer Kay
Jennifer Kay is a KidLit author and Structural Engineer. She has a VCFA MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, is an SCBWI Rockford Network Rep, edits the SCBWI IL Prairie Wind, and belongs to Mystery Writers of America. Jennifer works as a writer, freelance editor, literary agency reader, and creative writing teacher.
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Tag Archives: Jennifer
Post-Grad Revelations
Last month I checked a few major writing milestones off my bucket list: 1) Delivered my graduate reading of my young adult science fiction work-in-progress, Eraser. 2) Presented my graduate lecture, Shift That Narrow Trend Line into a Scatter Plot of … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, Engineering, Family, Jennifer, MFA, Nature, RVC, SCBWI, Teaching, VCFA MFA WCYA, Writing
Tagged Goals, Graduation, Jennifer, MFA, RVC, Teach, VCFA, Writing
3 Comments
Talking Slower and Thinking Deeper
My twelfth packet of MFA homework was due earlier this week. For once it was submitted without any all-nighters, drama, or emotional meltdowns. I had plenty of time to do the quantity and quality of work I knew I had in … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, Jennifer, MFA, Poetry, VCFA MFA WCYA, Writing, Writing Excercise
Tagged A Poetry Handbook, Bernard Friot, Jennifer, Mary Oliver, Poetry, The Aspiring Poet's Journal
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Cleaning Up The Trailer Trash Stereotype
Tomorrow I depart for my third residency at Vermont College of Fine Arts WCYA. The dreaded critical thesis semester is about to consume my life – except I’m not really dreading it. I’m a structural engineer. Critical analysis and technical … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Jennifer, VCFA MFA WCYA, Writing
Tagged Fighting Stereotypes, Jennifer, Monica Roe, Trailer Park
4 Comments
Subtext: Two Plus Two Equals A Reader Connection
Eons ago, at my first SCBWI Prairie Writer’s Day Conference, I heard the popular writing tip “show, don’t tell.” That catch phrase should be writing advice to live by, except this wide-eyed newbie didn’t understand how to “show.” I jumped … Continue reading
Posted in Jennifer, MFA, Prairie Writer's Day, SCBWI, Writing, Young Adult Books
Tagged Andrew Stanton's, Donald Maass, Holly Black, Jennifer, Sarah Aronson, Subtext, Writing
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Can Kids Relate to Structural Engineering?
I never thought my day job as a structural engineer designing bridges would ever intersect with my dream job writing for children. Right-brain pursuits never cross paths with left-brain projects. Yet somehow they have, with a little help from my … Continue reading
VCFA WCYA Residency: My Trip to Hogwarts
Vermont College of Fine Arts. A.K.A. Brigadoon This place bears an uncanny resemblance to Hogwarts. The staircases don’t move, but the buildings seep tradition and history. There’s an eerie fog. A forest off in the distance. Even a bathroom stall … Continue reading
Sample Illustrations
Where has Jennifer been for the past two months? Attached to my new digital drawing pad. It’s become a third limb. After only three hours of online webinars on how to use Manga Studio 5, I’ve reached below average functionality … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, Graphic Novels, Jennifer, Middle Grade Books, Nicole, Publishing, Writing
Tagged Graphic Novels, Illustration, Jennifer, Kelly Sonnack, The Shooting Stars
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Starting the New Year with New Art Forms
It’s no secret I’m a creature of habit. If my online calendar crashed, my life would fall into utter chaos. I make lists. Even lists of my lists. There’s only one way to juggle so many balls for myself, my … Continue reading
Posted in Blogging, Creativity, Graphic Novels, Jennifer, Nicole, Parenting, Writing
Tagged Abigail and the Snowman, Amulet, Art, Baby Mouse, Bones, Graphic Novels, Jem and the Holograms, Jennifer, Mark Fearing, New Year Resolutions, Phoebe and her Unicorn, Rapunzel's Revenge, Scott McCloud, Toad Hall, Writing, Zita the Spacegirl
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Ornaments are Memories
I love Christmas. Few things make me happier than seeing the lights and decorations go up, hearing holiday songs start playing, and watching the joy and wonder on children’s faces when they open gifts from Santa. That said, it’s a … Continue reading
Writing Characters Who Don’t Look Like You
Last weekend my critique partner and I journeyed into Chicago for SCBWI Prairie Writer’s Day. Once again it was an event filled with awesome people in the publishing industry (or aspiring to be), invaluable knowledge, and heaps of inspiration. This … Continue reading
Posted in Jennifer, Prairie Writer's Day, Publishing, SCBWI, Writing
Tagged Diversity, Jennifer, Prairie Writer's Day, SCBWI, Writing
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