I’m Jae Varela. I’m an aspiring novelist.
I wrote my first novel when I was 14, and the writing never stopped. I’ve probably written a dozen or so novels between then and now. And while it partly kills me to think of some of those novels as “practice,” it’s brought me to where I am today. I’m a better writer because of it and I’ve learned a lot along the way.
Just another day in the life of Jae.
That’s all fine and well, Jae, but is there anything else to you?
Anything else? Soooo glad you asked. When I’m not pounding away on the keyboard, you can find me busting a few jams on my guitar, getting down with my karaoke self, or consuming my favorite movies and TV shows in large amounts. You know, shows like Doctor Who, Chuck, Psych, Adventure Time, Firefly, Smallville, Farscape, and lots of j-dramas and anime. If I could only take one movie to watch on a desert island for the rest of my life, it would be a tough call between the Goonies and Back to the Future. I’m a mixed martial artist of mayhem, hoping if the writing gig doesn’t work out maybe I can work for Ra’s al Ghul in the League of Shadows. I mean, that League’s got some serious exclusivity! Yeah, definitely writing first…
As I continue on my journey to what I hope ends at writer extraordinaire, I want to share those things I’ve learned so perhaps other aspiring novelists can find their paths to success as well. You can email me at jaedvarela (at) gmail (dot) com
Lit and Scribbles with Jae 
Great photo. I love snorkeling. 🙂 And I completely share your love of this. Started writing my first book in the 6th grade (what a catastrophie!). Happy writing!
I know what you mean. Looking back at the early writing, I cringe a little. But it’s all experience that brought us to where we are today.
Hi Jae, you’re really creative. Keep up the great job.
Congratulations! I have awarded you the One Lovely Blog Award. You have a wonderful blog! You can read more about and find the award on my page here: http://daphneshadows.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/one-lovely-blog-award-pink-tree-invasion/ .
Thanks! 🙂
I have awarded you with the Fabulous Blog Ribbon! For details, see my post here: http://tinyurl.com/czp8oph
Totally digging your blog. I like the incorporation of images with your text. Looking forward to reading more!
Thanks. Two things I’ve always loved is doodling and writing. Now I can do both. 🙂
I’ve written 10 manuscripts and it’s only the 10th that has finally been picked up by an agent. It’s a long apprenticeship, isn’t it? Keep going. You’ll get there 🙂
Not really sure why my avatar is some red, devilish looking character!
Probably because you haven’t set up a personal avatar. This is a default one.
Longer than you ever think, but a wonderful journey all the same. 😀
Adding you to my blogroll fyi 🙂
Aw, thanks! 😀
Great photo there! And here’s a versatile blog award to boot 🙂 I really love your little mini series like the cover design series. Keep on blogging 😀
http://heartofparadise.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/versatile-blogger-award-just-one-year-too-late/
Thanks! I’ve got a self-editing your novel series in the works. I intend to do it while I’m editing my novel (again) so I can write about a fresh experience. And thx for the nomination.
Hi Jae- I nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. If you are interested in participating, you can check it out at http://misfortuneofknowing.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/a-lovely-interruption-to-regular-content/
Thank you! I’m flattered by the nomination, but I’ll probably pass with new writing goals emerging. You certainly deserve the nomination, keep up the good work.
I understand completely. It’s always nice to be recognized, but accepting those “chain” awards takes up a lot of time. Thanks again for the comic (I love it!) and the links yesterday!
You’re welcome. Hopefully I drove a little more traffic your way. 🙂
Hi Jae, I nominated you for two blog awards…I got two today myself..Blogger of the Year 2012 Award: http://jennnadams.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/717/
And beautiful blogger award: http://jennnadams.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/beautiful-blogger-award/
Thanks darling! I’m not sure when I’ll get to these, but I appreciate the nomination all the same. And congrats to you for receiving the nominations yourself!
Jae, it is really an honor to nominate you for the Inspiring Blogger Award and the Sunshine Blogger award.
Please check on; http://meirozavian.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/nominated-for-awards/.
Congratulations!!!
Blessings,
mei
Thank you! 😀
I nominated you for the Liebster award! If you’re interesting in accepting, the details are here: http://moonstonemaiden.wordpress.com/2012/12/12/ive-been-smiling-nonstop-for-a-few-days-now/
CONGRATULATIONS! …… you are nominated for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award.
Please check at
Have a wonderful holiday!
Best wishes,
mei
https://cgiovanniwrites.wordpress.com/2012/12/28/blog-of-the-year/
I nominated you for the Blog of the Year Award!
Thanks, I think this gives me two stars. 😀
Hurray for jammin’ with your guitar! I do the same and it’s great. Nothing like getting together with friends and busting a few tunes over snacks and gossip!
I need to get me some more musical friends. I had a bunch in college and we’d jam sometimes like that, but lately not so much. Hmmm… thank for the inspiration!
I love the design and art on this blog. It’s really lovely–did you make the little girl character? I wish I could draw for my blog.
Yep. They’re my scribbles. Comics are a big part of the blog for me. Glad you like them! And thanks for paying me a visit! 🙂
Love them. I always come up with ideas in my mind that I can’t translate into art. I just don’t have “scribbles.”
Thanks for the follow. Ra’s al Ghul, anime, Goonies, and Smallville in one bio? I think I found a new idol. 🙂
lol, thanks! What can I say, I have eclectic interests. 🙂
Mind if I ask what anime you watch? I’m always looking for new series to add to my collection.
You’ve probably seen most of what I’ve seen. Recently I watched Kids on the Slope and loved it. It’s by the same guy who did Cowboy Bebop.
I haven’t watched a new anime in years, so good chance that I haven’t. Last one I watched was Great Teacher Onizuka and half of Outlaw Star before life took me away from my DVDs again. I’ll look up that anime because Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo were great.
I think you can watch it free on hulu.com. There’s a lot on hulu for free. 😀
I’ll take a look. Thanks.
I really like what I’ve read on your blog and our few conversations over the last day. I nominated you for the Sunshine Award.
http://legendsofwindemere.com/2013/02/26/sunshine-award/
Thanks! 🙂
Jae, I have nominated your WordPress for a Liebster award!
See instructions here: http://zombieminstrel.wordpress.com/2013/03/02/1565/
Thanks!
Jae,
I have nominated you for The Liebster Award. Can’t wait to see who you nominate. I want to thank you for eveything that you write. Especially the posts on editing. You have helped me so much. Thank You.
Thanks for the nomination! And I’m glad my posts have been helpful to you. 😀
“What a beautiful and inspiring visit. The quality of your work is outstanding. Very impressive. I love your blog.” hugs and love!!
Just stopped by to let you know I’ve nominated you for some (no pressure of course) awards 🙂
http://sarahcradit.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/v-is-for-versatile-very-inspiring-sunshiny-blogging/
Hey. I love what you have been posting recently – well, actually I like most of your post. I have thus nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Check it out here: http://jaywcarmichael2.wordpress.com/2013/04/26/versatile-blogger-award-naw-_/ Happy writing!
Thanks so much!
You had me at Goonies. My two movies would be Goonies and Ghostbusters for sure. 🙂
I’m fairly certain I can say with authority that the ’80s produced some of the best movies EVER! Hands down. I’m glad to know there’s another fellow Goonies lover out there. Well, and Ghostbusters goes without saying for awesomeness. 😀
Both top choices! They really ought to have an all-80s movie channel… In addition to the ones you mentioned, a little Beastmaster, a little The Last Starfighter. Sign me up!
They really should have an all ’80s movies channel. Although, maybe they shouldn’t. I might never get any writing done again…
Charles Yallowitz mentioned your blog to me, and now I know why!
Your “how-to-series” is something which I will be using for a long, long time! Thank you for posting those amazing tips. I’m an aspiring writer and on a learning curve…um yeah, that sums me up…I think! (Did I use the ellipsis properly? 😀 )
Thanks again.
-Saunved
Oh, why thank you! I’m glad you’re finding helpful information on here. Looks like you used ellipsis right to me. 😉
Keep working hard and I’m sure you’ll have a finely polished story to share in no time. (I’m in the midst of doing this myself). 🙂
Yes, I will work hard! And I’ll keep on reading your blog for some editing help (that stuff nearly kills me!).
You can imagine the horror I got after I wrote the first draft and realized that it was not good enough. So, I kept the first draft aside and I’m writing the story with a completely different perspective (and now I am rambling, so I will stop!).
Happy blogging to you! 🙂 And yeah, nice scribbles too!
Hey Jae, just letting you know I nominated you for the Always Here if you Need Me award. No obligations, of course. 🙂
http://phillipmccollum.com/2013/06/13/blog-award-always-here-if-you-need-me/
Thanks!
Hi Jae, I know you’ve already got a swag of them, but I’d like to nominate you for the Liebster Award. Thanks for all your great and inspiring posts – I love reading them. http://highfantasyaddict.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/liebster-award-my-first-award-awesome/
Thanks! I appreciate it. 🙂
Hi jae,
Just dropped over here from Kori’s.
Sometime soon I’ll be taking a longer look at your blog.
Kelly.
Thanks for the visit! 😀
Yo – Did you die?