Tidbits from JOURNEY TO PUBLICATION: Maintaining the Correct Tense

   Past, Present, and Future walked into a bar...it was tense!
   OK, enough foolishness. Tense is serious business when writing a story. Look at the following example:
        Jack approaches the small rowboat tied to the dock. He looked out over the lake and sees the      
        whitecaps. The boat was pitching and rocking, so he steps directly into the center of it to keep it 
        from capsizing. 
Confusing? Most definitely! First Jack approaches (present tense). Then he looked (past tense).
Then he sees (present tense). The boat was pitching (past tense). Finally he steps (present tense). We don't know whether this has all happened in the past or if it's happening right now. It certainly can't be happening at both times simultaneously. Yet this confusion of tense is quite common among novice writers. The solution to this problem is to choose one tense and stick with it throughout.
   It is true that the best writing process is to get your thoughts on paper ASAP so you don't forget an idea. HOWEVER, it is imperative that you go back and correct such blatant errors before submitting your story for publication. This is part of your self-editing process. Remember that no reader wants to spend time trying to figure out "what's going on when" in the middle of an action scene.
   Using the example above, make the corrections necessary to create an entire story in present tense. Then go back and make it all in past tense. It's not so difficult once you realize that you need to pick one or the other--the choice is yours--and keep the action happening at the same time.
   Here's another example that mixes the tenses, but in this case, it makes sense:
        Jill says to Lily, "I went shopping and found some great bargains." 
        Lily says, "You're always lucky when it comes to saving money. I have never had that kind of 
        luck. I wish I could find the same kinds of buys you always seem to come across." 
Believe it or not, all of the mixed-up tenses are perfectly acceptable. In this case, the actual conversation is taking place in the present, but Jill and Lily are discussing things that happened in the past, and Lily is wishing for things in the future. WHAAAAT? It is because all of the action is in the present (Jill says and Lily says), and the things they are talking about are not happening at the very same moment.
   These are points you'll need to become familiar with when writing for publication. And yes, it's tense!

BeaslePunk and Amy Sellers Art Gallery Combine Talents...

Welcome! So glad you stopped by the blog today. We've got some awesome news for you. 

Artist/Children's Author Amy Sellers

JLB Creatives' BeaslePunk Art Division is joining forces for the upcoming weekend with Artist Amy Sellers (Author of Miss Amy's Rhyme Time Children's Books/published by JLB Creatives Publishing). 

The Mount Dora, Florida Arts and Craft Fair is happening this coming weekend, and Amy has invited BeaslePunk artists, Don and Janet Beasley, to combine their artful talent with her and her gallery for the event! 

If you come to Mount Dora, Florida for the event on February 6-7, 2016 be sure to stop by Amy Sellers Art Gallery on Donnelly Street (located in the Renaissance Building) to feast your eyes upon some of the most imaginative and talented art pieces the creative world has to offer. With Amy's diversified talent in the painting realm you'll want to be sure and browse through Amy Sellers Art Gallery where we're certain you'll find a piece of art that suits your taste. Both originals and canvas reproductions are available. Say "hi" to Amy herself as she will be on hand to sign autographs on every piece of art sold. Amy's credentials are impressive, including presenting Charlie Daniels with an original painting she did specifically for him for a previous Mount Dora event. 

Artist/YA Fantasy Author Janet Beasley

In addition to browsing inside Amy's gallery you'll want to make a stop just outside the doors and say hello to BeaslePunk artist, Janet Beasley. Janet will be dressed in costume (steampunk) as her newest character Lady Vixen Beasle, meeting and greeting BeaslePunk fans, and selling her's and her husband's (Sir Bwana Beasle) unique steampunk artistry of cosplay props. BeaslePunk recently received the "People's Choice Award" from the Orlando Museum of Art's 1st Thursday event "Dreams of Steam" on January 7, 2016. In addition to their award BeaslePunk's artwork is going to be featured in the Full Sail student film production of "Sun Blade," releasing 2016, and a large selection of art is under creation in preparation for MegaCon 2016 taking place at the Orlando Convention Center May 26-29, 2016. 

For more information on these artists we invite you to visit www.JLBCreatives.com where you'll find Amy Sellers listed in the Authors tab, and you'll find a BeaslePunk tab that will take you directly to their site. 

Hope to see you in Mount Dora! When you stop by Amy's Art Gallery tell them JLB Creatives sent you. Here's wishing you a stellar day!    

Spark Your Creativity!

Every Wednesday we offer you a special photo taken by our CEO Janet Beasley to help spark your creativity. Whether you're an author, a painter, a musician, or clay sculpture artist we think you'll find her photos very inspiring!

Don't Let Your Feathers Get Ruffled

Happy creating!

Happy Ground Hog Day!...and Another Thing...

Hello fans and followers - so glad you stopped by the blog today. We are hoping that your tomorrow's "shadow" event will prove to be a great sign of an early Spring. Here's wishing you and yours a very Happy Ground Day! 

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Thom Battisto

In other JLBCP news...we are excited about how this year is shaping up. During late December 2015 the JLBCP top team members met and reviewed all of the goodness that has happened thus far in the publishing company. After much consideration, dedication, and passion to the craft, we are going to be focusing on the little readers of the planet, and couldn't be happier!

This year we will be putting a lot of focus on children's books. (Not to worry, though, if you're getting ready to submit the next Great American Novel to JLB Creatives Publishing that's fine too, however our submissions will be continually open for children's authors. 

Yes, we're sailing the literary seas in search of the best children's books on the planet in 2016. 

Amy Sellers

Rhonda Walker

After two years of publishing, we've found that with our fantastic design department and other top team members' skills we've offered up some of the best children's books to be had! To this date JLB Creatives Publishing and our wonderful children's authors have received nothing but coveted 5 star reviews from Readers Favorite (a well known and respected review entity in the business). 

Since JLBCP opened their doors in 2014 we have published seven outstanding children's books, complete with illustrations, from three outstanding children's authors. 

With the rave reviews and the amazing response received for these authors' talented works, we're certain we've found a meaningful niche` when it comes to publishing books to keep the little ones happy and entertained.

We invite you to discover our children's authors at www.JLBCreatives.com Look for Thom Battisto's, Amy Sellers's, and Rhonda Walker's specific Author Pages. Three authors from three different walks of life, all with common goals of writing creative, educational, and fun children's books.