Author Archives: jrizzotto0808

About jrizzotto0808

My day job as an elementary school teacher in Southern California supports my writing and Harley riding habits. My YA fantasy novel The College of the Crones, recently won an Honorable Mention Award at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Southern California 2017 Spring Retreat. My Harley stories have been published in Cold Noon Travel Diaries, Courtship of Winds, Blacktop Passages, Fresh Ink, and The Handlebar Star. When I'm not hitting the keys on my computer, you can find me camping at the beach with my husband, Frank, or holding onto him as we roar down the road on our Harley touring motorcycle.

Are we there yet?(a NaNoWriMo tale)

Posted on November 26, 2019

Only five more days remain for #NaNoWriMo2019. Not exactly sure where November went but I know a good chunk of it was spent writing. Up at 5 a.m., sitting at my computer with a big cup of coffee. My dogs … Continue reading →

Posted in book, books, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, novel, writer, writing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Midway Thoughts-NaNoWriMo 2019

Posted on November 17, 2019

  On the fifteenth of November, I had 25,000 words. Half way through the month, halfway to my NaNoWriMo goal of 50,000. Yeah! (small victory dance) How do I feel? Exhausted. At the beginning of November, I reread a favorite … Continue reading →

Posted in book, books, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, novel, publishing, writer, writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

NaNoWriMo Check In-the pregnant pause

Posted on November 4, 2019

  The first three days of NaNoWriMo have been hard on my diet. My scale reflects my lack of exercise while sitting at my computer. My jeans are tight, I feel grumpy. Reminds me of when I was pregnant. Uncomfortable, … Continue reading →

Posted in books, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, winter, writer, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Twas the Night Before NaNoWriMo

Posted on November 1, 2019

  I have to admit I’m a little nervous about participating in NaNoWriMo this year. If that sounds like gibberish to you, it’s the National Novel Writing Month. It’s a website and a bunch of people who want to break … Continue reading →

Posted in book, challenges, Harley, Harley-Davidson, motorcycle, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, writer | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Art of Waiting

Posted on October 6, 2019

  That inheritance finally goes through, and you have enough money to take the family to Disneyland. You and hubby take the day off, buy the tickets online, load up the kids in the SUV and head down to Anaheim. … Continue reading →

Posted in writer, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Space In-Between

Posted on September 20, 2019

  September in Southern California is the space in-between. It’s past summer, not yet fall. We still endure triple digit heat while the rest of the country cools down. No special holidays except Labor Day, and that’s just another excuse … Continue reading →

Posted in desert, education, teachers, teaching, writer | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Today She Needs to Write

Posted on September 11, 2019

  A short story about a short story. When I announced to my third grade class that one of my Harley stories was going to be included in an anthology coming out next month, a serious-looking girl in the second … Continue reading →

Posted in education, publishing, short story, stories, student, submission, teachers, writer, writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Back to School in the Fiery Furnace

Posted on September 2, 2019

  A million years ago, when I was in elementary school, we didn’t start school until after Labor Day. My hot, muggy Iowa summer days were spent at the community pool, riding bikes, watching “Dark Shadows” and staying out until … Continue reading →

Posted in education, school, teachers, teaching, writer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

In Pursuit of Trolls

Posted on July 24, 2019

  The past is a sidewalk chalk painting destroyed by a thundershower. Our lives storm with responsibilities, and urgent demands wash away our pleasant memories. To find ourselves again, we need to remember. One of my joys as a kid … Continue reading →

Posted in collectibles, memories, nostalgia, thrift store, writer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Rejection Makes You a Better Writer

Posted on July 7, 2019

After a few weeks querying agents for my YA book, I needed to take a break and consider my progress. One agent, who I met and worked with in a critique group, sent me a personal rejection the same day … Continue reading →

Posted in agents, book, books, editors, novel, publishing, stories, writer, writing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment