So this was posted on Xanga and I thought I’d share it here cuz some of you aren’t on Xanga anymore. In case you are there and you want to go over there and rec it here’s the link— Xanga Writer’s Spotlight
And the Xangan in this month’s spotlight is…
Her Favorite Piece: I loved this, I wrote it for a scavenger hunt…a lot of my favorite things were products of the scavenger hunts. Scavenger Hunt II 33 and if you’ll bear with me, this one too: Scavenger Hunt II Numero 20
1) When did you first become a member of Xanga?
I started my first blog December 1, 2003. Kastlerulz.xanga.com. Everyone in my tiny school had one. I cannot remember why I started it exactly or who told me about it, but it was a thing so I jumped on that bandwagon and never looked back.
I made my first post as the secret life of pandas on January 20, 2005.
2) How did you begin writing? What inspired you? Who inspired you?
I guess it started with bedtime stories. I come from a family of avid readers. My parents and my sisters would read to me all the time. I fell in love with the written word. I fell in love with telling stories.
In first grade, I was part of the bilingual program, briefly, at my elementary school and due to the encouragement of a counselor, I entered the young author’s contest (http://www.illinoisreadingcouncil.org/yac.html) with a story called “A Day Without a Friend.” I wrote it because one of my neighborhood friends had moved away and I was upset about it.
Kiddie coping mechanism.
I won 1st place at my school and was invited to go to the state conference and accept my award.
It was at the age of seven that I decided I wanted to write.
3) What’s the meaning behind your Xanga username?
I heard about the book “The Secret Life of Bees” and thought “The Secret Life of Pandas” was funnier. I was also tired of Kastlerulz. I figured a blog should have a clever name. Kastle rulz seemed a bit egotistical.
4) Who’s your favorite author/poet/writer? Why?
It’s so hard to chose a favorite. I know that sounds like a cop out.
There are so many that I love– to say that I love more than the other wouldn’t be fair since they are all so different.
But I will throw a few names out there because they are inspiration.
Sandra Cisneros, her writing is so relatable and soothing and it flows like cool fresh air. She’s also one of the most adorable people ever.
Edgar Allen Poe, I made my sisters read The Raven to me over and over again before bed that I had it memorized as a little girl. It was The Raven and Goodnight Tiny Dinos by Guy Gilchrist (after much Googling I discovered it was part of a series from the 80s, MAGIC) that were my night time favorites. Greatest line from Goodnight Tiny Dinos, which I will always remember is “not the palm tree sandwich, not the mango mush, but the toothpaste and the brush.” Gold.
Stephen King, he is a master of creeping me the fuck out and I love it.
5) What’s one thing, if anything; you would tell everyone about yourself that they may not know?
That’s hard too. Especially here in this place where I over share in ways that are probably incredibly obnoxious. Hmm… I have a huge birthmark by my bellybutton that kinda looks like the island of Crete.
6) What’s your preferred genre or style? Why?
I really enjoy writing in first person narrative. I like writing in such a way that makes the reader unsure of whether or not what they’re is reading is fact or fiction.
7) What inspires your writing now?
Mood. My surroundings. An interesting word or phrase or sentence.
8) What do you plan to do with your writing in the future? Ex: publication, starting your own literary magazine, writing as a hobby, etc.
Well, I’m trying to get something published. Anything at this point would make me happy. I’m currently working on a novel and hoping I get around to finishing it.
9) How does it feel to be in the spotlight?
Pretty darn exciting.
10) Who would you like to see in the spotlight next?
If you continue this I would love to see NoGraySunflowers. Betsy has always inspired me with her writing. I think it’s beautiful.
What I Like About TheSecretLifeOfPanda’s Work:
Jenny’s writing is very raw and real. Her work relates and forms a connection with the reader. Sometimes it only tugs on the heartstrings and other times it yanks on them, but no matter what the experience is enjoyable. It’s an experience I found myself going back for time and time again.
As for her preferred genre style, while I’m not usually a fan of first person, she’s made me a believer in it once again. For a while I staunchly avoided first person because I told myself it was cliché and used only by “weak” writers. I’ve since amended my beliefs. A great writer is one who can use all the tools of the trade, and use them in such a way that the resulting work is awe-inspiring.
Her work pushes me to become a better writer and to try topics I normally avoid. Her work has also inspired me to more fully develop characters in such a way that the reader gets a sense of them without having to be told everything in a matter-of-fact way. Her work will put the bit back in your mouth if you’ve fallen out of touch with reading and writing, and if not, you’ll still find yourself wanting to sit down at a keyboard or pick of a pen and do what feels natural.
My Favorite Piece To Date: I Finally Got Around To Finishing This
Now it’s your turn, Xangans. In the comments share what you like about thesecretlifeofpanda’s writing and presence here in the community. And if you don’t know her work then you definitely need to head over to her site right now and educate yourself.
Keep Writing
—Jen
The Secret Life of Pandas 