Diva Jefferson

Hi Readers,
Thank you so much for stopping by! I haven't written a blog in a LONG time, but I want you all to know I haven't stopped writing or dreaming and I am still here doing what I love. My daughter is getting bigger and bigger before my eyes and I can barely remember how the time fled so quickly.

I am trying an artistic experience where I post pictures of my Wreck-It Journal entries. You will see how I am expressing myself and I hope this gleans some inspiration for me. Destroying this said journal is supposed to be a sort of therapy and it is known to give some clarity in the artistic journey a person embarks upon.

So, here goes...

Have you ever used a journal or dream book to find inspiration? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time.

Happy writing!

Good day, Readers. I apologize profusely for the immense delay in posting an update! Oh, what am I kidding? My real self is a mother of an incredibly smart and beautiful little 10 month old girl. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss everyone, though. It seems that everyday is a new adventure in my life. Whether I write or not, nothing is ever as it seems! I do try my best. It is the only thing I can do...TRY!

I don't have a theme for this post. I had a wonderful idea to write about, but I forgot it in all the turmoil! I've been slowly getting back into what I started almost a year ago. I'm working on more material, querying agents, and reading blog posts again! These things take time. Although, I have even less now, I'm trying to make the best of it. A daily schedule is in order!

This is my story. Okay. Maybe not the whole story, but you get the gist.

Never give up. No matter how long it takes you to get there. Life is a journey, not a destination. I think I've epitomized that phrase a thousand times over.

Thanks for reading. Happy writing!

Everyone has felt the bite of rejection. It stings for a while and sometimes it's really hard to get over. Luckily, I'm not about to go into the best rejection letter I've ever received, because I've already been there and done that on my post called "Exits and Entrances".

The real reason why I made this four-part series in the first place is to tell everyone about my successes, not my failures. How I've overcome the hurdles in my (short, to some) life and came to where I am today.

No, I'm not a bestseller, but I'm published.
No, I don't make six figures a year, but I'm rich in creativity.

I hope you listen to my words and gain inspiration to find happiness in your life. This is my ultimate goal. I think this is my calling. The only way I can truly help others. Even though I'm currently on a hiatus from writing, I can still encourage other people to make their dreams come true. I've mentioned how you could overcome other people's expectations, how writing can take you away from the stress of everyday life, and how time could affect your creativity. Now, it's time to overcome your own fears and reach your greatest potential.

Yes, it hurts when the people closest to you doubt your ability to reach success, but when you doubt yourself the possible becomes impossible.

In 2008 or 2009 I asked my only friend on the planet to beta read my first book before it became self-published. I sent her the whole novel through email. A couple months went by and I didn't receive a single reply. I wrote her again and she said she was so busy that she couldn't get past the first chapter. The whole time I'm thinking, she must have hated it completely. This friend was an avid reader. She is the person who let me borrow "A Rose In Winter" by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and hooked me on romance. Why would she let me down when I'm trying to become one of those authors she adores?

Let's just say it hurt. I got so emotional about it, I published the book without making sure it was the best it could be. I wanted my estranged family to read it. I wanted my coworkers to read it. I wanted the world to read it. I think it was a cry for attention or at least notice, because after they'd read it I asked for input/reviews, etc. Most of it was positive. They wanted me to write a sequel. Do you want to know why they felt this way? Because I knew them. They cared about my feelings. It became a personal reaction, not an unbiased assessment of my work. Of course, years later, I see every single flaw in that novel and it irks me to know I let this reach so many hands. I'm ashamed, rather.

Then I read the newest book on the bestseller's list and wonder why I can't write like they do. Why hadn't my published book get placed on the list? Maybe I hadn't done as much marketing/promotion as I could have. There are things that I could've done, but so many more things I could be doing.

The fact of the matter is there are things that are in my control and there are things that are beyond my control. Right now, I still write everyday, whether schoolwork or a blog or even a comment. I learn as much about the craft as I can and I take these skills to my own writing to improve the quality. This is all I can do for right now. Until I have a large outreach, this is all I have to do. What I can't do is force people to buy my book and expect readers to find me themselves. Writing is amazing, but it's a career for a reason. You have to build yourself to the top like everything else in life worth having.

So, you wanted the recipe for success? Well, here you go. Never give up, never surrender. Thanks so much for reading. I appreciate every single one of you!



Happy writing!
Diva J.

Today, I'm continuing my 4-part series about love, life, and the pursuit of writing. :)

With midterms on the horizon, I haven't much time to do anything. Every time I think there is a silver-lining in the clouds, they turn dark with rain again. I've almost finished writing an outline for my new story and I'm working on the series bible, which takes a lot of thought. One thing I do know for sure, I think this will be my first and only year of college. I think it's become one of those dreams that have turned sour. After so many years of failed attempts to go, I see now why it wouldn't have been possible as I got older. Too many changes have occurred in my life. I have a sure path now...

Why should I attempt to change what I cannot? I already write for a...living. If you can call it 'meager' without sounding harsh, than so be it. I haven't written in almost a month. And I know exactly why.

College has become my hobby now. I probably take the day job and writing more seriously, though. Actually, if I had my way, I'd take writing and college seriously and not even have a day job. But like Cinderella says "a dream is a wish your heart makes when you're all alone."

Truth be known, the confession I have for today is that, I play video games in my spare time. I'm not talking about Facebook flash games either (although, I did spend a good amount of time on there, too). No, these are Xbox 360 games/console games with controllers and headsets. Although, I've been known to spend hours on these past times, every time I do, I feel like I've wasted time I could be working. Does this make me a workaholic?

If I sit and do classwork, or writing, everyday, I would be miserable. Since I can't afford to go anywhere (unless I don't want to think of a savings account) I have plenty enough entertainment outlets around the apartment. In fact, 4 of my favorite shows have started another season. Of course, I want to watch them.

Sometimes, when I've finished all my schoolwork and I have a day off, I sit on my computer with nothing to write about. Well, let me rephrase that, because there is always plenty of ideas to write about, just not enough inspiration/motivation to get it all out. Like the image says: my brain is so fried that I just waste time online. This was a major reason why I deactivated my Facebook account. Those games are so addicting!

Yes, I can't sleep at night, because my mind goes a million miles an hour worrying if my characters' stories will ever be told. Yes, I daydream at work about other peoples' lives. Yes, I open Word on my computer to write and not a single sentence comes out of me. Yes, I'm human. These things happen. "Life happens to you while you're busy making other plans." (John Lennon) You can't just sit around and expect greatness...you have to work toward it. Luckily, dreams are attainable and they do come true.

Anyways, I will leave you with a final note: Recently, I read an article about writing the best you can, instead of falling under the pressure of making a word count everyday.

Your characters and readers will love you more for taking the time on your work, then rushing through it.

As always, thank you so much for reading my posts. I hope you have gained motivation and insight as your journey continues. You can't put your life on hold for your dreams, but you can at least enjoy it. Please feel free to leave a comment with how you make the time for your writing. :)



Happy writing!
Diva J.

Well, I've joined the workforce again. I'm working days at a fast food joint and doing schoolwork/promoting/writing by night. I feel like a vampire. I haven't slept a full-night's sleep in days. Even when I literally pass out at a decent bedtime hour, I stay awake all night fretting/thinking.

For the past two weeks, I've been so busy, I didn't even remember to turn in some assignments. I know what you're thinking, I shouldn't have gone to college when I had so many other responsibilities, but I'm not going to allow lack of time to come in the way of my dreams. There is no excuse. Besides, I wanted to do something to make myself happy, because the wedding I planned 6 months for, didn't happen. (Don't worry, we're still engaged.) This is the main reason why I got another job: money. Other than the 20 hours plus of classwork/homework for 2 classes, college is great. I could write essays like nobody's business. :)

If there is such a thing as writing withdrawal that is what I'm experiencing right now. Without writing, I'm completely lost. I love it even more than college. Even more than playing video games. I want it to be the only thing I ever do right in my life. But without a roof over my head...writing would be very hard to do, indeed. Do you want to know why I write in the first place?

The truth is:
I write to escape from reality.

I'm not saying everything I've experienced (so far) is worse than anyone else, but to me, to what I want from life, it could've gone very different. By now, I'd have a Bachelor's Degree in English and I'd be on the next plane to Ireland/England to teach some type of writng/reading course at one of their schools. Or maybe I'd just travel the world teaching people to read. Either way, I'd get around.

Of course, if I never embarked on my current path (life is funny that way), I probably wouldn't have the best fiance in the world. Although, we swear that we'd find each other no matter what. :)

Good thing there is such a genre as "Historical Romance", because it's saved me a lot of traveling remorse. Every book is an adventure in a time/place I haven't visited yet. It takes me away from the day to day struggle. I just hope I could do more for my readers than write a blog once a week. :)

Last week, I talked about priorities and what people think is more important than writing, this week I vow to write no matter how much time I have. I. must. write. book. two. no. matter. what.

I'd love to hear your confessions. If you have any to share, please put them in a comment below. Thank you for reading!!! Until next time...



Happy writing!
Diva J.

If you came here, expecting a life story, then please read my autobiography in forty or so years. This is a series of confessions that I will tell you in relation to my publishing journey. This is for anyone who ever picked up the art of writing or anything they dreamed of doing and found discouragement. Sometimes, it comes from your friends and family, co-workers, other people in your profession, and yourself. Personally, I think we are our own worst critics. Since we are the author's of our lives, we take the blame for everything that doesn't go according to plan, and we punish ourselves.

No matter what is holding you back, don't EVER stop what you love to do. Why spend your life wallowing in the day to day or finding another outlet to enjoy yourself? If you believe what you love to do is just a hobby, then you are not driven, and your main focus should be is to find motivation. Success never comes before hard work, unless for some reason, someone did everything for you. I really hope this is not your case, because I have more faith in you than you have in yourself.

Speaking of faith, here is my first confession: The one person in my life I thought would stand by my side, told me that I'd never go anywhere in life and that writing shouldn't be my main priority.

Okay, maybe this person is a generalization of a few people fused into one. Anyone who doubts someone this much, needs to first get their own priorities straight before offering their disheartening advice. The fact of the matter is that I've heard this from many people throughout my life. Friends, family members, significant others, etc. They are pretty much the people I care about the most. Not knowing how they felt about me was one thing, but hearing it was entirely another. Actually, it was the best motivation I'd ever received. Not even a rejection letter could make me this ambitious. It was like receiving a million-dollar cash prize. Well, maybe not that great. :)

Don't get me wrong, you will become emotional and feel lost, but then you consider it a challenge to meet and beat their expectations. And I'm not even competitive. Believe me, I've been trying to overturn everyone's expectations my whole life. I turn all of those doubts upside down.

When you let your past come in the way of current goals, your view of success may change. Yes, you will no longer consider your profession as a hobby and take it more seriously while working for what you need to survive on the side.

I've read a few articles where people wish they could reach success at an earlier age. Others believe youth is wasted on the young (In which, this is true on many occasions.). For those who think they wasted their youth on less productive endeavors, I salute you. Either you worked really hard to get where you're at right now or you had a great time and laughed. When I say this, I'm coming from the perspective of the youth. College, working retail/fast food jobs to pay rent, etc. is a major setback for people my age. I don't have the time nor resources to set my writing career into full motion. I don't have the funds to attend conferences, or the free time to do anything other than write the books. Looking up publishers and agents is very time-consuming. Every time you think you have a working list, another year passes and it's out of date. :)

In order to cope with the day to day stress, I've gone on a few writing hiatuses, (lasting from one to three months) in order to work more hours, go on vacation, etc. And I regretted every moment of it. Well, maybe not the vacation part. Anyways, wherever you are in life, don't give up on your dreams. Luckily, they don't have a deadline and are attainable at any age. I believe in sacrifice, but not at the expense of your whole being. I love writing so much. It's become a part of me more than anything else. I'd be lost without it.

Thank you so much for reading! Join me next time for the Naughty or Nice giveaway hop and another author confession! :)



Happy writing!
Diva J.

When I hear the phrase 'know people', I think about lawyers, people with high-standing in society, the insurance companies, or the police. You know, the whole mob lingo involving 'my people calling your people'. It may sound ridiculous, but I actually used to think in order to do anything so awesome as become a writer is that you have to know other writers. Or at least know an editor from a large publisher. The biggest lesson I learned in my writing solitude was that you don't need anybody in your field but yourself.

Like the cartoon states, your people ARE my people. We share in this journey together. As I've said before, no one should look at this as an opportunity to say we are better than anyone else. You are the only one who could make your dreams come true. Not the 1,000 best-selling author friends you have on Facebook. Success depends on your state of mind and your goals in life. Sometimes it depends on help from those around you. But never solely on WHO you know.

No one can write like you do. You are unique.

Of course, always take work for what it really is...if you are serious about your career, always seek knowledge to improve your craft and write every day. This will make you stand out among the rest.


"Be different, stand out, and work your butt off." 
~Reba McEntire

After all, without dedicated readers and support from friends/family, it's much harder to find success in what you love doing. These ARE your people. Cherish them.

Who do you have on your side? Who has helped you the most in your career? Family member, friend, fellow author? Tell us who makes you shine in a comment below! :)



Happy writing!
-Diva J.

A journey is not an adventure without leaving the confines of all you dream and turning those dreams into a reality.

A week ago, for three nights, I dreamed of a vacation in Ireland. Each trip began with a long flight and continued when I went gallivanting through the lush, green countryside. I never went home. I blame such an imagination on the publishing contract I just signed for my novel, "To Love An Irishman" View Book Trailer Here.

You might ask if I have an agent and the answer is 'no.' By the time I wait for agents to read the queries I sent, months will pass and my book's release date will be extended. I love my small press. The other authors are encouraging, the editor is nice, and the acquisitions department is very helpful. Agents have lives and mid-year everyone is already filled up with clients and readying a book for release before summer vacation.

You're an independent person if you feel more capable and more empowered when you do something alone.You are proud to say you work hard for everything you have and want from life. You never give in and you never wait around for others to make a decision you could easily make yourself. Okay. Maybe I'm exaggerating a bit with the 'never' part. You've experienced your fair share of break downs, but you know what you want from life and you set goals to accomplish it.

What sets you apart from others? Your ability to make better judgments in life? Your personality? Your determination or lack there of? Your smile?

"I haven't a clue as to how my story will end. But that's all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, you don't conclude the road has vanished. And how else could we discover the stars?" -Unknown


Find something that makes you totally unique from everyone around you and use it to your advantage. If you particularly like your smile, do so often, people will deem you as approachable, and genuinely want to read what you have to say.

Readers love to relate to their authors as much as they relate to the characters in a book. If you live in and write about South Carolina, then you will have readers who live there. While others live halfway across the world. No matter how your related, some will only see a picture and a small blurb on the back of your book. Others will hear you speak at a conference or take you out to lunch or see you at the day job. Readers are everywhere. An author's professionalism is the key to leaving a good impression, but behind those fancy clothes and eloquent manners, is a person. Wherever you go, whatever you do, never forget who you are. A professional writer who knows what she or he wants from life (to become successful at doing something they love) is someone who stays true to themselves, always.

While on your life's journey, confidence could become your favorite trait. If not, like me nine times out of ten, at least you have another goal to set and reach.

Thank you for reading.



Happy writing!

-Diva J.