A LESSON WORTH HEEDING...

"TRUE WISDOM IS IN KNOWING WHEN NOT TO SPEAK."

HOW COOL IS THIS?!

...So I was starting my early morning writing rituals, when I came across an Email regarding a food article I had written for a popular online website.

Much to my surprise and delight-- it was from BOB IBACH, friend of the late Jack Brickhouse and former PR DIRECTOR of the CHICAGO CUBS!

He simply wrote to give kudos on my recent work. It really made my day!

The impact of the written word is awesome! Wouldn't you agree?

CLIENTS' COMMENTS...

WHAT CLIENTS SAY…
About JENNIFER BROWN BANKS
v FREELANCE WRITER//EDITOR// CREATIVE CONSULTANT
PRESIDENT
CORPORATE AND CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Jennifer was the instructor for a writing workshop that I took, and I contacted her following the workshop for a personal consultation. I’m glad I did.

I found her to be knowledgeable in her field and resourceful as well.
What I especially like about Jennifer is her commitment to her craft, and her personable nature. It was money well spent.”

----Stephanie Gates, M.Ed. Freelance writer and Teacher

“Jennifer Brown Banks is a prolific writer and a very important fixture at Being Single Magazine. She is one of our most popular columnists, and has a legion of fans who look forward each month to the witticism in her column, and her insight into the world of male/female relationships.”

-----Bonita Bennett, Publisher/CEO Being Single Magazine

“Jennifer Brown Banks is a long time business associate and friend.
She has helped many persons, including myself, to explore and expand our creative horizons, and has mentored many of her peers in her capacity as Senior Editor of a regional publication.

She is a positive role model to the younger members of the community, and I am proud to be associated with her.”

---Hurley Green III, Managing Editor-Chicago Independent Bulletin


From Marcie Hill, President/CEO The Write Design Company

“Jennifer, thank you for your constant support and assistance with my writing projects. Your honest feedback and wisdom is taking me to greater heights in my writing career. I am more confident and sure about my purpose.
You are truly, truly, truly appreciated.”


“Thank you for helping to make Online Dating Magazine a better place, not only through your presence and articles, but also through the corrections you send from oversights on our part via other articles. Thanks, again!”

-----Joe Tracy, Publisher Online Dating Magazine

DEADLY DECISIONS...

Last night, at about 10:30 p.m., I got a call.


Much to my regret and sadness, I received the news that a friend of mine had died of cancer. She was a mere 58. This woman was such a bright light in so many others' lives.

It was rare to see her without a smile on her face, a kind word, and dressed like a diva!


It got me to thinking. (Death does have a way of making us reflective.)


Time is such a gift that many of us take for granted. There used to be a day when death was reserved for those that were elderly or afflicted with fatal diseases.


Not anymore. For much of the time I had known her, she was the picture of health, always ripping and running full tilt--always attending to the needs of others.


Her demise has caused me to think differently, to pledge to live differently.



As of today, I commit to:


WORRYING LESS, TRUSTING GOD MORE

EATING MORE HEALTHILY--Eventually doing away with all pork and maybe red meat

EXERCISING MORE--Starting by dusting off my vast collection of workout videos

IMPROVING MY FINANCIAL FITNESS--Which can be the source of stress

FULFILLING(MORE FULLY) MY DIVINE PURPOSE-Getting an agent, publishing 2 more books (1 relationship, 1 for writers)

PRACTICING PROSPERITY PRINCIPLES



And I'm putting it in writing, to help my goals to become more concrete.



How about you? How will you show value for your time spent here?

If today were your last day on earth, would you have many regrets for things you hadn't done?



...Food 4 thought.

SO BUSY, I'M DIZZY!

It's the wee hours of the morning.
And already, I've consulted with a client on a book cover, answered endless E-mails, prepared for a radio interview scheduled today, and engaged in recruiting efforts for a not- for- profit organization of which I am a member.

Boy, I'm so busy I'm dizzy! Not to mention, I'll be teaching a new creative writing class on Sunday. It seems it's always feast or famine.

Still, I'm blessed to have work I enjoy!

Hope you're enjoying an abundance of blessings!

ZIPPIDEE DOO DAH, ZIPPIDEE DAY!

I've found a new love, and this time it's not in a 6 ft. package.


To make a long story short, by a chain of events. divine arrangement, and some business savvy, I have a new position.

You heard it here first!

I've just accepted a position as a SENIOR EDITOR at Mahogany Magazine, and it's been a blast so far!

Also BLOG-worthy is that I got 2 nice sized checks from my publishers on articles written in previous months... and on the same day, would U believe!

Let the Good times roll!

RANTS ON WRITING!

The writer's life, as I wrote in a recent article for FUNDS FOR WRITERS, ain't all glamor and glory!

Like this week.

I'm still waiting for checks in the mail for writing services provided months ago.
One article that I placed in a fantastic magazine, failed to reveal
my by-line credit.

I've been sending out pitches and proposals like crazy, with no takers as of late.

Still, I wouldn't trade it.

I'm convinced there's light at the end of the tunnel.

May your journeys be bright!

This, That, & The Other

So much has changed. So much remains the same.

I'm pleased that my online columns are being updated regularly and getting good responses.

... Still waiting for pymt. from various publishers for work of the past.

A good agent for a couple of very good (marketable) books ideas I have still eludes me!

...Conducted my very first interview with author WENDY BURT! She's really super cool, and a very good person to know. I learned a lot from our exchange, and I think we'll have an ongoing thing going!

My classes at the Discovery Center will resume in May. I love them!

This session I'll be teaching time and money management, sub. teaching, and writing for the romance industry.

It promises to be fun for all. Often I learn from my students as well. Many are credentialed professionals with busy lives and exciting minds. I'm grateful for the opportunity.

This weekend looks to be busy. I have a poetry meeting, a writer's meeting, and a few creative projects.

That's it for now! May The Force be with you!

SHE'S BACK!

After many months of absence, due to website revamping by my publisher, my online column is back in business! And I'm pumped!

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

I'm geeked!

Yesterday I went in to Walgreen's to shop and discovered that 2 of my articles had been published in March's edition of TODAY'S BLACK WOMAN MAGAZINE!

I also got an acceptance from Writing for Dollars for a piece of mine to appear in an upcoming issue as well!

ON THE HOME FRONT---OH HAPPY DAY!

I bought a new kitchen table, the 1st in more than a decade! It is gorgeous. I can't believe that it took so long to take the plunge. Actually, the purchase was the result of my son breaking the chair to my previous set.

It's great how good can come from bad! Now I'm motivated to improve some more stuff around the house. Of course it goes without saying that March/spring will bring about gutter repairs, painting, yard work, etc.

I'll try to get a jump start this year.

PEACE!

DR. SCOTT AND WENDY SHOW!

Wow! What a blast!

I was contacted a few weeks ago by the "DR. SCOTT AND WENDY" Internet radio show for an interview regarding my weekly column, "JENNIFER'S GEMS".

It lasted about 30 minutes or so, and touched upon celibacy, dutch dating, and other topics related to dating and mating.

It was my 3rd radio interview thus far, and it's been really cool breaking into another medium.

And hopefully, I'm getting into the swing of things with each one!

...Can't wait to see where new horizons will take me!

Hope you'll join me.

EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES!

February is becoming a month that I'm loving!

To date, this is what I'm digging:

MY NEW BOOK (As a contributing author) "GRAB YOUR TIGER" is available online through www.grabyourtiger.com

I JUST RECEIVED A CHECK FOR OVER $500.00 FROM ONE OF MY CLIENTS!

I JUST SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO HAVE 2 PIECES PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S BLACK WOMAN MAGAZINE.

I JUST SOLD 3 ARTICLES TO A REGIONAL PUBLICATION IN TENNESSEE.

I RECEIVED A REQUEST TO APPEAR ON THE DR. SCOTT AND WENDY SHOW.


AT THIS RATE, 2007 COULD BE MY BIGGEST YEAR EVER!

SIMON SAYS... AND ROSIE RANTS!

Rejection is a part of life. As a professional writer for more than a decade, this is something with which I am intimately familiar.

I have been rejected by some of the best and worst publications possible---ESSENCE, NEWSWEEK, WOMAN'S DAY, and more.
As a creative artist, I know oh too well that it comes with the territory!
You pick yourself up and keep on going.


In fact, some editors and publishers have been so harsh in their criticism, that if I had not been confident in my ability and thick-skinned I would have folded under the pressure!

But my persistence paid off. Years later, I can now boast a portfolio that some would envy.

With that being said, I can't quite figure out why all the hoopla surrounding Simon Cowell, Rosie, American Idol and the contestants.

Granted, his words could perhaps be a little more tactful, but Simon's caustic comments are considered as entertaining as the "talent" by some of the millions of viewers.

As the expression goes, "If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen."

That's my 2 cents!

WRITING GOALS AND RESOLUTIONS FOR 2007

I typically don't believe in publicizing my yearly resolutions.

For one thing, it makes me feel accountable to others, and in some instances, they change from time to time depending upon my mood and focus.

But, in an effort to move forward, feel less "stuck", and have this be the best year ever, I present them to you.

Here for the first time this year, is the unveiling!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE....


1. TO FIND A PUBLISHER OR AGENT FOR MY NONFICTION BOOK
2. TO FIND ANOTHER COLUMN GIG
3. INCREASE WRITING INCOME MONTHLY BY $ 200-1000.00 DOLLARS
4. JOIN ANOTHER WRITERS' GROUP
5. BLOG AT LEAST 1X A MONTH
6. PROMOTE MY POETRY BOOKS
7. GARNER MORE TEACHING GIGS
8. FIND AND WRITE FOR 2 OR MORE NEW MAGAZINES OR WEBSITES
9. SUBMIT PIECES TO CONTEMPORARY RHYME.COM
10. TACKLE A FEW CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS I FIND IMPORTANT

WHERE YOU'LL FIND ME...

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2007 (PARTIAL)

February 24th--The Beverly Library 2-4:00 p.m. Chicago Writers Association Reading
February 25th--The Discovery Center 3-5:00 p.m. Teaching class on Writing for Anthologies
May 12th---The Story Studio Time and Title T.B.A.

FEATURE ARTICLES MONTHLY IN BEING SINGLE MAGAZINE (Published by Harbon Publishing)

RELATIONSHIP COLUMNS--MONTHLY ON ONLINE DATING MAGAZINE'S WEBSITE

DREAMS VS. RESPONSIBILITY

It's a dilemma that every creative artist faces.

How do you pursue your art, balance professional demands, keep connected to loved ones, and keep your sanity? How do you find the time?

When do you give up on your dreams if they're not achieved? One month? 10 years?

What are your thoughts?

PET PEEVES--PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL

IN THE WORDS OF TEARS FOR FEARS...

"SHOUT, SHOUT, LET IT ALL OUT, THESE ARE THE THINGS I CAN DO WITHOUT!"


RUDE CELL PHONE USERS
ELITISM OF ANY KIND
THE TRUTH CHALLENGED
PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HONOR THEIR WORD
LAZINESS
EXCESSIVE TARDINESS (TIME CAN NEVER BE RECOVERED)
THE CURRENT RATIO OF MEN TO WOMEN
EDITORS THAT DON'T PAY ON TIME/OR AT ALL
CLOSED MINDS

SUPERIORITY BASED ON RACE OR RELIGION
PHONY FOLKS
PEOPLE WHO DON'T GIVE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT

51% OF U.S WOMEN LIVING WITHOUT SPOUSE?

Ouch! Is it just me, or does this recent New York Times' headline cause you some concern?

Where are the men? Where is the yang to our yin?

And more importantly, what does this social dynamic communicate to future generations?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

VIEWS AND VENTS!

After spending hours on end trying to get this Blog thing down, here you have the fruits of my labor!

I had problems with passwords, templates, cookies, and everything under the sun. It's enough to make any sane person go under, but success is oh so sweet!

Today was not as productive as I would have liked, but progressive just the same.
I was scheduled to teach a class on anthologies today, but due to bad weather and low attendance, I had to reschedule.

Next week, I'm looking to sign a writers' agreement for two articles that will hopefully appear in Today's Black Woman Magazine (in March), if all goes well. There's also the possibility of another radio guest spot.

WELCOME TO MY NEW SPOT!

Okay. So if you Google my name, you'll find various Blogs that I've set up over time, and then abandoned.

The reason? A few were experimental in nature. I wasn't sure of the design, the direction, or whether or not I really wanted to post my perspectives for public viewing.

Yet, as a professional writer there is a need. Everyone seems to have one.

So, here we are again. Hopefully, this one will suit my needs and be a place that you can learn more about me, be entertained, enlightened, or simply share your thoughts and who you are.

With that being said, welcome to JEN'S JOINT 2007! I look forward to your frequent visits!

MY DEBUT ON WVON RADIO!

Pinch me. I can hardly believe the direction my writing career has taken me. I have just had the incredible experience of being asked to serve as a guest commentator on WVON Radio! What a blast! So far, I've done it a few times--not sure as to the regularity of my spots.
But will enjoy the journey just the same.
Love the staff, love the forum, love the exposure!