Napa Writing Retreat

Tolkien may have had it right when he said, "Not all who wander are lost." To finish my work-in-progress novel, I took a desperate wander down to Napa so that I could focus on the book, not on my laundry and bills.  On a brief break from my rewrite, I took a slight WRONG TURN, but discovered this view. Gorgeous, yes? Proof that wandering is a very good thing for the creative process... I completed RETURN TO ME!

Montgomery County Teen Book Fest

What a weekend of books and stories and laughter and dancing! Flew to Houston to attend the 7th annual Montgomery County Teen Book Fest along with fellow authors Lois Lowry (!!), Jeff Stone, Anna Godberson, and Tom Sniegowski.

Books, yes. Posters, yes. Bookmarks, yes.  But I'd never signed a Kindle or a Converse until this Book Fest... Love these teens!

Composing a Novel

Composing a Novel by Justina Chen on Polyvore.com

An abundance of thoughts and thanks to my two friends and heroes, Robbie and Pete, who are helping me unlock a character in my work-in-progress novel. Motivation and male psyche insights... Such great men, these two.

Write This Way

Write This Way by Justina Chen featuring sweatshirts hoodies

Welcome, 2011! Go on. Explore. Sure, you can step carefully, deliberately, but you know the way.

Friendship

Friendship by Justina Chen on Polyvore.com
Joy is spending time with girlfriends who make a difference. For 7 years, a few of my friends and I helped non-profit organizations with business strategy as StrataGem. Tonight, we hit the town to watch The King's Speech together, which is a rich testament to friendship and faith (and Colin Firth). That's the hallmark of my Strata-gals...and this collage is for them. Thanks for dancing in the rain with me for all these years...

Kerlan Collection

Just received the sweetest note from the curator of the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota where some of my papers have been archived: an early draft of GIRL OVERBOARD, research notes for NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (AND A FEW WHITE LIES), and a few galleys of all my novels. I'm going to have to figure out an excuse to get to Minnesota some day soon! AND with any luck, I'll finish my forthcoming novel, RETURN TO ME, soon and can send the Kerlan Collection my very, very, very messy first draft.

Vision Board 2011

Vision Board 2011 by Justina Chen on Polyvore.com

My annual ritual: vision boarding with my intention for the coming year. Typically with girlfriends, always with hope. Here it is, Vision Board 2011.