Jan Saenz

jansaenz

Browsing All Posts By jansaenz

Writing. 0
Falling in Love with the Agents You’re Researching.

Many books on publishing will advise writers to research agents before choosing to query them. As far as I’m concerned, this isn’t just advise–it’s a straight up RULE. A seasoned ...
On January 25, 2015 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
Little by Little. . .

Excerpt from novel #2. Elizabeth reflects on her father’s love. “My father has never hugged me. I’m almost twenty-three and my father has never hugged me. He’s touched me. ...
On January 5, 2015 / By jansaenz
Random Coolness 0
COMING SOON to jansaenz.com: Designer bookmarks!

Coming in 2015! DESIGNER BOOKMARKS Now available on Etsy.com www.BadGirlBookmarks.com www.etsy.com/shop/BadGirlBookmarks www.jansaenz.com ...
On January 1, 2015 / By jansaenz
Photographs. 0
West Texas

...
On January 1, 2015 / By jansaenz
Playlists 0
Today’s Playlist, “West Texas Highways”

Wolf Like Me by TV on the Radio The Teeth by Hanni El Khatib Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones Every Other Freckle by Alt-J Old Money by ...
On December 30, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists 0
Today’s Playlist, “If I Were Fifteen Years Younger”

She Looks So Perfect by 5 Seconds of Summer Dancing With Myself by Blink-182 (Billy Idol Cover) Kids by Sleigh Bells The A Team by Ed Sheeran Yeah ...
On November 18, 2014 / By jansaenz
Obsessions 0
My Winter Season Obsessions

TURBANS Maybe it’s my ongoing refusal to fix (or actually brush) my hair, but I’m becoming increasingly obsessed with turbans. Anytime I see a girl wearing one in ...
On November 2, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
Dismantling Your Library; Dismantling Yourself.

We’re moving. To most, this is new news. Originally, we were on a 2-year plan to vacate our home of the last 7 years, but that plan got scrapped. Quickly. Now ...
On October 24, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists 0
Today’s Playlist, “Random Gems”

Out of the Black by Royal Blood No Type by Rae Sremmurd I Call It Art by The Kills Haunt You by The Pack a.d. Jealous Guy by ...
On October 8, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 2
WooHoo! Check it out!

CLICK HERE to check out my guest blog Breaking the Formula: 6 Tips for Writing Great Sex Scenes. Thanks WriteOnSisters.com! You Rock! ...
On September 14, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists 0
Today’s Playlist, “Please Kill Me”

In honor of this AWESOME book, I’ve constructed a short playlist from some of its contributors. Enjoy! Gloria: In Excelsis Deo by Patti Smith I Wanna Be Your Dog ...
On September 13, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists 0
Today’s Playlist, “Questions”

Where is My Mind? by Pixies R U Mine? by The Arctic Monkeys How Soon Is Now? by The Smiths Is this it by The Strokes Do You ...
On August 27, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
How Writing Turned Me Into a Full-Time “Wait”ress

I know how to wait. In fact, I’m quite good at it. I have the patience of a prom night boner. Holding in all that pent-up anticipation. Excitement. ...
On August 21, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists 0
Tonight’s Playlist (Jack White songs with a number in the title).

Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes (Elephant) Sixteen Saltines by Jack White (Blunderbuss) Freedom at 21 by Jack White (Blunderbuss) Three Women by Jack White (Lazaretto) Just One ...
On August 15, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 2
1st Novel Baby Weight: 4 Ways to Avoid “Writer’s Ass”

Attention fellow writers! I’ve got a little secret I’m going to let you in on, something most of the books on writing failed to tell you. Something you ...
On August 11, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists 0
Today’s Playlist.

It’s a rap day… ‘Till I Collapse by Eminem feat. Nate Dogg 99 Problems by JAY-Z So What’Cha Want by Beastie Boys Let Me Blow Ya Mind by ...
On July 30, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
“SOS! Send Words and Sandwiches”: 6 Helpful Suggestions for Overcoming Writer’s Block

You’re at your computer. You’re staring at a blank screen that you have promised 1000 words to before the day is up. And NOTHING is happening. Not even so ...
On July 28, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
Taking back the power when there’s no time to write.

I keep waiting for things to slow down so I can finally sit and start writing a new book. So far, this plan of action is shit. Summer is crazy. ...
On July 23, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
Choosing the Right Sophomore Novel.

With the journey of my first novel coming to a close, I enter into the wonderful world of QUERIES and SUBMISSIONS. (Mmmm, smell that? That’s the smell of my ...
On July 14, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
Publishing is exposure, but not always the good kind.

Ever realize that your most desirable wishes come with your most dreaded fears? Take money, for example. Everyone wants money. We all wanna hit the jackpot. But if my husband burst in ...
On July 11, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists
Tonight’s Playlist.

I should soooooo be sleeping right. Instead, I’m writing. I’m going to regret this tomorrow morning when the kids wake me up by nibbling at my fingertips. “What’s for breakfast?” Satellite ...
On July 7, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists
Tonight’s Playlist.

House of Gold by Twenty One Pilots Everyday by Fiona Apple & Jon Brion The Only Exception by Paramore Bus Ride by Rocco DeLuca and The Burden You ...
On July 2, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists
Today’s Playlist.

Roller Coaster by Blink 182 Mony Mony by Billy Idol So Alive by Love and Rockets Got the Life by Korn Lazaretto by Jack White I Wanna Get ...
On June 27, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
Grieving the completion of a novel.

Another night in the office, sitting in front of the laptop while the house sleeps. I stare down at my 84,000 words and counting. …and I want it ...
On June 26, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists
Tonight’s Playlist.

Hello Operator by The White Stripes Death by Diamonds and Pearls by Band of Skulls Time is Running Out by Muse Andy, You’re a Star by The Killers ...
On June 22, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing.
The Ghost of Anxiety.

Like a deaf man sensing an alarm clock shrieking from behind the drywall of his studio apartment, I am unconcernedly perturbed. In denial of a racing heartbeat. It’s ...
On June 12, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists
Tonight’s Playlist. (“Radio” songs.)

Radio by Lana del Rey Radio Song by Jet Radioactive by Imagine Dragons Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles Raid on the Radio by General Elektriks ...
On June 9, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists 0
Today’s Playlist.

Sing by Ed Sheeran Laura by Scissor Sisters Yeah Yeah Yeah by New Politics Such Great Heights by The Postal Service Believe by The Bravery In The Meantime ...
On June 3, 2014 / By jansaenz
Obsessions
My 2014 Obsessions (so far)

Summer is coming. Time to reflect and pay homage to 2014 (so far). Below is a list of this-and-thats I’ve been obsessing over for the last five months. Enjoy. The 2014 ...
On May 20, 2014 / By jansaenz
Photographs.
Cover Girl.

One of my pics made the cover of Houston Resale this month, with more pics inside. Check it out! http://www.resalehouston.com/resale-houston-magazine-april-2014-issue/ ...
On April 30, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists
Today’s Playlist.

Santa Monica by Everclear Electric Avenue by Eddy Grant Pot Kettle Black by Tilly and the Wall Sexx Laws by Beck Pork & Beans by Weezer ...
On April 22, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
Is this REALLY fiction? A writer’s insecurity.

The inside of my writer’s belly is tight with uncertainty. Unnerved with the thought that maybe, in the pursuit to write for my own pleasure, I risk placing others in the crossfire-particular the ...
On April 21, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists
Tonight’s Playlist.

Crown on the Ground by Sleigh Bells Come Alive by Hanni El Khatib Words (album mix) by Kate Miller-Heidke A Dustland Fairytale by The Killers No Suprises by Radiohead ...
On April 12, 2014 / By jansaenz
Photographs.
Whoa! That’s awesome.

Completely HONORED to have taken that picture for such an incredible facility (and for the incredible woman in the photograph!). Finding out your kid has Autism is completely ...
On April 3, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
Writing. Momming. And Tuesday Guilt.

Yesterday was Tuesday. 3 things happen on Tuesdays: French class, Cub Scouts, and Writers Group. Yesterday, I chose to go to my writers group over my son’s Cub Scout Pack ...
On April 2, 2014 / By jansaenz
Photographs.
ATX

...
On March 26, 2014 / By jansaenz
Photographs.
NYC

...
On March 26, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists
Today’s Playlist.

Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine Don’t Bring Me Down by Electric Light Orchestra The Middle by Jimmy Eat World Wild Horses by The Rolling ...
On March 26, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
This could get ugly.

Professionally, I don’t know what I’m doing. And I don’t have thick skin like the rest of ‘um. I get anxious in the midst of criticism. I get ...
On March 4, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
I need things. To write.

Like many writers, I have a list of “must haves” in order to set my creative writing skills into full motion. Props, if you will. I’m constantly trying ...
On March 3, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists 0
Tonight’s Playlist.

Broadripple is Burning (Daytrotters Session version) by Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s Beetlebum by Blur Ramona by Guster Pyro by Kings of Leon Face to Face by ...
On March 1, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 2
Insecurity check.

Here’s the thing. I don’t know if I’m a good writer. Scratch that. I know I’m a good writer. I just don’t know if I’m a STRONG writer- ...
On February 25, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
You Better Work

So. Last night I wrote out a weekly BLOCK SCHEDULE. You know, to keep me on task and balance work and family and home and seasonal Girl Scout ...
On February 24, 2014 / By jansaenz
Playlists 0
Today’s Playlist.

I Know What I Am by Band of Skulls Can’t Pretend by Tom Odell Play Your Part (pt. 1) by Girl Talk Ca Plane Pour Moi by Plastic Bertand Plateau (MTV ...
On February 21, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
A Tap on the Shoulder.

Trust paid off tonight. In the amount of 1500 words. Good words. And just that small little crack, that fraction of rebirth in the staleness that has overshadowed ...
On February 21, 2014 / By jansaenz
Random Coolness
“Debra” by Beck

...
On February 20, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
Ah, sick!

Getting over the world’s worst sinus infection. Lovely. At least I can see again. Feel like my eyes have been swollen shut for days. ...
On February 19, 2014 / By jansaenz
Writing. 0
trust.

Every day, it’s the same thing. I sit at my computer. I open the word file that has steadily hovered at 360KBs for the past 3 months. And ...
On February 18, 2014 / By jansaenz
About

I market myself as an edgy, cinematic writer for the modern woman. I enjoy exploring journeys of self-discovery with all types of odd transgressions along the way. I aim ...
On February 16, 2014 / By jansaenz
About

JAN SAENZ is a full-time writer living in North Houston with her husband and two children. She has a BA in Theatre and a doctorate in useless pop-culture ...
On November 12, 2013 / By jansaenz

What’s Jan saying on Twitter?

Never realized Keanu and I had so much in common. twitter.com/biancaxunise/s…

Omg just discovered @YogaTX on YouTube. My morning back pain savior! #StretchThatShit

I'd ❤️ to read a novel inspired by a famous photo series. Like Bruce Davidson's Brooklyn Gang or Ryan McGinley's The Kids Were Alright.

Daughter handed me a paper w/ multiple "pitches" & book covers drawn on post-its. "I don't wanna be a writer, I just wanna help writers." 😂😭

First day of fall, ladies. mcsweeneys.net/articles/its-d…

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