#IWSG #PassorPages Romance Query and #AtoZChallenge Theme Reveal 2022

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/2022-badge-graphics.html

I plan to have my #AtoZChallenge 2022 theme as

speculative fiction from a dreamer.

What I feel would really put this over the top is if I could get some prompts from you, my blog visitors.
A name, a setting, a scenario -- anything that could be dreamed up and used in speculative fiction. 

Please leave it in the comments (or send me a DM on Twitter @JLenniDorner).
Before March 25, please! Thanks to everyone who helps. 

(And if you use Twitter, leave me your handle so I can give you a shoutout when your prompt is used.)

You'll notice this year that we've added pronouns as an option. Not only to avoid people being misgendered (Me! This happens to me online. Doesn't happen offline, though my hair is now long enough to strangle a person... just ask my Snookums. 😍😄), but also to encourage the normalcy of stating pronouns. If only certain groups offer pronouns, then it becomes exclusive instead of inclusive. Of course, it will remain OPTIONAL, because no one is ever required to share their pronoun preference with anyone.

- J Lenni Dorner (team captain) 👨 he/him or 🧑🏽 they/them 

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Shout-out to Alex and the awesome co-hosts for today: Janet Alcorn, Pat Garcia, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence!

March 2 question - Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not?

There is a scene in the second Existence book that I've deleted and put back and deleted again. I wrote it long ago. Then it happened. Like, actually happened. So I tried to rewrite it, but then it didn't work in the story. I left it as it was, but then another year went by, and it felt like I took from the headlines and wrote something in poor taste. Which isn't true because, as I said, I wrote the scene before it came true. (Granted, it probably didn't come true because of my character. There is logical science.) 

There was also a scene in Fractions of Existence, the first book in the series, that came true. But the book was published a few months beforehand. And only a handful of people know that it happened, so it isn't as big of a deal. (Though you could have knocked me over with a feather when a scroll on social media showed a picture of the scene from my head.)

Please also visit: The Insecure Writer's Support Group Book Club on Goodreads.

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Happening at OperationAwesome6.blogspot.com

#query #querycontest #romance #romancenovel #RomanceBooks
Your chance for agent feedback on your novel's query letter.
March 2022
This week only - Entry Form! https://t.co/Fx3NzkLaaf#PassOrPages this round is for FRIENDS OR ENEMIES TO LOVERS ROMANCE pic.twitter.com/TBUQ6pc9OZ

— Operation Awesome (@OpAwesome6) March 2, 2022

Please share that with a retweet. Thanks!

And there are 5 days left on this signed book giveaway: https://operationawesome6.blogspot.com/2022/02/christine-herbert-answers-13questions.html

Zero Lies #atozchallenge

Thursdays this month are going to be about me. If you use Facebook, you've probably seen survey posts where people get to know each other. I'm going to fill out one a week for April.



This one is called Zero Lies.

1. Have you had a zero-calorie soda? I don't think so 🤷
2. Last time you went to the zoo? It's been a few years
3. What would you do if you had a zillion dollars? That's not a real amount, but I'd really mess things up for those who oppress people, and almost certainly would get assassinated for my world-changes. Worth it.
4. Favorite zesty food? I am not a good cook, especially indoors. But here are two zesty recipes that Snookums (a chef) said sounded fine.

• Zesty Duck - Duck, lemon, orange, thyme. Zest fruit and add thyme, slide mix under duck skin. Put more on skin. Marinate in fridge overnight. bring to room temperature before grilling for about ten minutes. (Duck is red meat, especially for cooking purposes, so medium to medium-well is done.)
• Zesty Peaches and Cream Tart - Thinly slice peaches. Add zest and juice of a lime and 2 spoonfuls of sugar. Cover and chill for up to two hours. Heat oven 400℉. Create an 11x9 inch puff pastry, score the edge, poke holes, put on a baking sheet. Brush with some heavy cream, sprinkle with sugar. Bake until puffy and brown (15 mins). Beat 3oz of cream cheese, 3 tablespoons of sour cream, and 1 tablespoon of sugar together. Add ½ cup heavy cream and beat until thickened. Spread on puff tart. Top with the peaches and a little more lime zest.

5. Zero pineapple on pizza or lots of it? 🍍🍕 Bring on the pineapple pizza.
6. Have you ever pretend a zucchini was a phallus? 😳 Well, it'd make more sense than an eggplant. 🍆
7. How would you handle a zombie apocalypse? I'd move back into the woods and survive just fine. #DarylDixon
8. Did you ever get a zero on a test? Yes. The teacher hated me. I knew all the answers, as was later proven, but was being given zeroes as punishments for alleged infractions.
9. Do you know anyone who has been zapped by lightning? Yes.
10. For Ziplock-type plastic sandwich bags, do you prefer a slider, two-colors mix, clear press-n-seal, or fold over? I don't care. Slider, I guess.




*Note: Never answer questions that lead to your password or SECURITY QUESTIONS.
https://www.al.com/news/2020/04/better-business-bureau-warns-about-posting-your-senior-picture-in-classof2020-facebook-challenge.html

And that's it! Another year of the challenge is complete. Thanks for hopping to my blog. Now... what should I do for May?

Ten T Questions #atozchallenge

Thursdays this month are going to be about me. If you use Facebook, you've probably seen survey posts where people get to know each other. I'm going to fill out one a week for April.



This one is Ten T questions.

1. The person you're named after? No one, actually. I picked the name J Lenni Dorner because I didn't understand how names worked. I didn't know J is meant to have a superfluous"ay" after it. I didn't understand what "middle name" meant, and the explanation made me think they were asking about my tribe. The hyphenated part was dropped. The last name was the final family I was with, who it turned out I was distantly related to, so it felt right. (My true name is known only to me, the Name Giver, and my Snookums. I was in my twenties when I got that name. As per custom, no one else will ever know it.)
2. Time you last cried? After another child died.
3. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes.
4. Try bungee jumping? I probably would.
5. Tastiest breakfast cereal? Wheaties or Corn Pops
6. Do you untie your shoes before you take them off? If they have laces, yes.
7. Last thing you ate? An orange. 🍊
8. The color crayon you would be, if you were a crayon? Burnt Sienna #CrayolaRocks
9. T-shirt (or other shirts), what color are you wearing right now? I'm not wearing one.
10. How do you like your tea? Hot green tea with some honey.


Twitter - Do you take part in #FollowFriday or #WriterWednesday connection recommendations?
@JLenniDorner


*Note: Never answer questions that lead to your password or SECURITY QUESTIONS.
https://www.al.com/news/2020/04/better-business-bureau-warns-about-posting-your-senior-picture-in-classof2020-facebook-challenge.html

Never Been Asked #atozchallenge

Thursdays this month are going to be about me. If you use Facebook, you've probably seen survey posts where people get to know each other. I'm going to fill out one a week for April.



This one is called "Things you've never been asked."


1. What is the color of your hairbrush? Brown

2. Name a food you never ever eat? Jackfruit - though I'm sure it probably tastes fine

3. Are you typically too warm or too cold? I'm usually fine. Warm, I guess.

4. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Checking Twitter

5. What is your favorite candy bar? 5th Avenue

6. Have you ever been to a professional sports event? Yes

7. What is the last thing you said out loud? I'm mute, so nothing.

8. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Mint cookies and cream

 

9. What was the last thing you had to drink? Water

10. Do you like your water? Sure

11. What was the last thing you ate? Greek Yogurt

12. Did you buy any new clothes last weekend? No

13. The last sporting event you watched? Tabletennis. It was on at work in the break area.

14. What is your favorite flavor of popcorn? That orange Cheddar one in the tins at Christmas

15. Who is the last person you sent a text message to? Tim

16. Ever go camping? Yup

17. Do you take vitamins? Yeah, when Snookums bugs me about it.

18. Do you go to church every Sunday? Not every, no.

19. Do you have a tan? My skin is pretty much this same brown shade all the time.

20. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza? Usually

21. Do you drink your soda with a straw? Not normally

22. What color socks do you usually wear? Gray. I don't generally care for socks.

23. Do you ever drive above the speed limit? What's it to you, officer...

24. What is something that terrifies you? Lynch mobs

25. Look to your left, what do you see? A paperclip

26. What chore do you hate? Dusting

27. What do you think of when you hear an Australian accent? Australia.

28. What’s your favorite pop? (I see we've switched from soda to pop here.) A-Treat Sarsaparilla

29. Do you go in a fast food place or just hit the drive-thru? I don't really get much fast food, except Wawa, but they don't have drive-thrus anyway.

30. What is your favorite number? 237 😆

Room 237 - Movie version of The Shining

31. Who's the last person you talked to? Snookums

32. Favorite cut of beef? Ribeye fillet on the bone

33. Last song you listened to? I Am The Avalanche - Where Were You?



34. Last book you read? Not Guilty (see yesterday's review)


35. Favorite day of the week? Wednesday! That's Debut Author Spotlight day at Operation Awesome (except during special events)

36. Can you say the alphabet backwards? In my head

37. How do you like coffee? In a cup held to m mouth, pouring slowly into my throat. 😜

38. Favorite pair of shoes? Moccasins

39. Time you normally go to bed? Late

40. Time you normally get up? Around sunrise

41. What do you prefer, sunrise or sunsets? Sunrise

42. How many blankets on your bed? One in summer, up to five in winter.

43. Describe your kitchen dishes?
Me: They're white.
Snookums: Actually they're <insert some lengthy description>.
Me: White.
Snookums: 🙄

44. Do you have a favorite alcoholic beverage? Black Tartan, straight

45. Do you play cards? Sure

46. What color is your car? Green

47. Can you change a tire? Yes

48. Your favorite state? Pennsylvania

49. Favorite job you’ve ever had? Children's costumed entertainment performer

50. How did you get your biggest scar? I was brutally attacked by someone I had a crush on who thought I was interested in their ex and had caused their break-up. Over twenty years of surgeries and I still have very visible scars.



If you were to add a question, something these social media surveys "never ask," what would you add?
*Note: Never answer questions that lead to your password or SECURITY QUESTIONS.
https://www.al.com/news/2020/04/better-business-bureau-warns-about-posting-your-senior-picture-in-classof2020-facebook-challenge.html

Have you #atozchallenge

Thursdays this month are going to be about me. If you use Facebook, you've probably seen survey posts where people get to know each other. I'm going to fill out one a week for April.


This one is a "have you."

Life:
✒ Have you gotten any tattoos: Nope
⛸ Have you gone Ice Skating: Yup
🏥 Have you stayed in a Hospital: Yup
💍 Have you gotten married: Yup
🎸 Have you mastered an instrument: Not mastered
🌻 Have you ever raised a flower from a seed: Yes
👽 Have you ever had an alien encounter: I don't think so

Travel:
🌴 Have you been to an island: Yes
🗽 Have you been to NYC: Yes (And Manhattan is an island. My tribe sold it. You're welcome.)
🐴 Have you rode horse: Yes
🚜 Have you driven a tractor: Yes
🚅 Have you traveled by train: Yes
🚁Have you ridden in a helicopter: No
🚑 Have you ridden in an ambulance: Yes
🏍 Have you ridden on a Motorcycle: Yes
🚓 Have you rode in a police car: Yes

Food & Drinks:
☕️ Have you drank coffee: Yes
🍕 Have you a favorite pizza: Dominos Philly Cheese Steak pizza with mushrooms
🍺 Have you had beer: Yes
🍷 Have you ever been wine tasting: Yes
🍗 Have you ever entered an eating contest: No
🍦 Have you ever had brain freeze: Yes
🦌 Have you ever ate an animal you hunted: Yes, I'm a Native American

Have you ever done these surveys on Facebook?
Facebook.com/j.lennidorner Facebook.com/WhatAreThey

ABC 'Bout J Lenni Dorner #atozchallenge

Thursdays this month are going to be aBout me. If you use Facebook, you've probably seen survey posts where people get to know each other. I'm going to fill out one a week for April.



This one is an ABC. I'll add an extra B option for any question that needs it!

A Age : The estimation is that I'm 40. Best age: 25.
B Biggest Fear : Being caged and burned.
C Current Time : Matters less than people think. Current Behavior: Focused and responsible
D Drink You Had Last : Water Drink with a B: Birch Beer soda
E Easiest Person To Talk To : My Snookums. Easiest B-name Person To Talk To: Bryan
F Favorite Movie : Die Hard or Mallrats Favorite Movie that starts with a B: Braveheart
G Grossest Memory : Melting flesh. Grossest bar you've drank in: Jake's, which has shut-down.
H Hair color: Dark brown, almost black 
I In Love With : My Snookums Interested in: Book reading
J Jealous Of : Bakers who just "magically" know their craft
K Killed Someone : Seriously, who is filling these surveys out and admitting to murder on social media? And who in their right mind is staying friends with the people who are using social media to confess to killing? I'm not saying some people don't have a good reason to kill. But is Facebook, a survey, where you go to talk about it? Are Jason Voorhees and his mom filling this out? Kill time a better way: Board games
L Longest Romantic Relationship : My Snookums. Longest B-word off the top of my head: bloodthirstiness 
M Middle Name : I picked Lenni. (I didn't understand the question at the time. I barely understand it now that I'm adult. Naming customs are so freaking weird.) Best Middle show: Malcolm in the Middle
N Number of Siblings : Biologically, none. But plenty if we count other ways. A few who kept in touch.
O One Wish : More of the Lenni-Lenape ways to be brought back to most of society.
P Person Who You Last Called : I don't make phone calls. Person who you last mailed a letter to: Bonita
Q Question You're Always Asked : "So, you can't speak at all?" Followed by questions ranging from ignorant to personal to medical to 😳 a total lack of social decorum. Question for readers of this: Besides the #atozchallenge, what Blog hops do you enjoy?
R Reason To Smile : There are still trees in the woods, and freshly baked bread smells awesome
S Song Last Sang : I don't sing. Last B song heard: Kill Hannah - Believer
T Time You Woke Up : A little after dawn. Time you went to bed: 1am
U Underwear Color : At the moment, slate gray boxers with dark blue squares.
V Vacation Destination: Just leave me in the woods. Or maybe Bangor, Maine 
W Worst Habit : Being overly critical of myself
X X-Rays You've Had : A few. I don't really remember it all. X-rays are usually of bones.
Y Your Favorite Food : Sushi. Especially ending with tamago or tamagoyaki. I haven't tried Bara sushi.
Z Zodiac Sign: Leo, according to the guessed date. Zodiac Birth twin: The date that was guessed and put on my form is, oddly enough, the same date that someone who would marry my cousin and become my friend was actually born.

 

Let me know your answer to the question I asked in Q!

#AtoZchallenge 2020 Theme Reveal #AuthorBrand

On my previous blog, I posted about my author brand. It started after I read a book that included the subject. Every month I would do my goal check-in posts. And every month I'd notice that I didn't focus enough or evenly on what I feel is my author brand. So, for the April A to Z Challenge 2020, I'm going to focus on my author brand topics each week.

• Characters and Settings (Mondays)
• Speculative Fiction (Tuesdays -- includes a WEP Flash Fiction post)
• Reading and then writing book reviews (Wednesdays)
• About J Lenni Dorner (Thursdays)
• Legends, Myths, and Storytelling (Fridays) A continuous story told in parts!
• Lenni Lenape /Native American interests (Saturdays)