every jenny has a story

another installment of a very sporadic newsletter from jenny lane

Jennifer Lane
September 28, 2023

I’ve been doing a lot of percolating or ruminating or staring off into the middle distance lately. I have lists of ideas, some half-formed or half-abandoned, but not a ton of finished new work to show for it. Still, the world spins and there are things happening, so I’d like to tell you about them. I have every intention of using this newsletter more consistently, but you know what they say about good intentions. Anyway. Here’s all the Jenny News that’s fit to print.

TWO FILM FESTIVALS

The film I wrote and co-produced is an official selection of 2 film festivals! It will have its world premiere at the Heartland International Film Festival and you can also view it online during the festival run!

The film will also be screened at the San Diego International Film Festival on October 19, 2023, at 1PM. So excited to get to see the reshoot on the big screen!

PASSION PROJECT

I am thrilled to announce a new creative partnership with my dear friend and colleague, Samantha Hendricks. We have written a book together — the first of a planned trilogy — and are currently editing it and outlining the second book. We’ll have much more to announce soon (including a cover reveal for the novel, as well as a release date!) But for now, we invite you to join us as we create a world that we hope many other people will want to play in.

NEW DAY JOB

I recently accepted a new role as Content Acquisition Lead for the newly formed US arm of GoodNovel, a digital fiction platform. It focuses primarily on user-generated content, and I’m coming on board to build out its IP development processes. This means I’ll soon have tons of ghostwriting jobs available, so please reach out if you’re interested! (Hit me up on my work email: [email protected].)

MUSIC IS CHURCH

A photo of my new Yamaha piano, beneath a piece of art we recently acquired from San Diego’s ArtWalk.

On a personal note (PUN VERY MUCH INTENDED) I recently joined the San Diego Women’s Chorus and am very surprised to report that I am still a mezzo-soprano. Or, rather, that’s where they placed me. There’s a song where I have to sing a high F# and, oof, it is a stretch. Also, I fulfilled a lifelong dream and bought a piano, and I’m working on Beethoven’s Sonata Pathetique (second movement) and Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2, and it’s both joyful and meditative. These two things are very much connected to my spiritual practice, wherein I’ve tracked and reflected on the wheel of the year, but I will have more to say about that when the year is up. (Mark your calendars for an SDWC winter concert on December 17!)

STUFF I LOVE LATELY

Things I’ve read, listened to, watched, seen, and loved.

Having a Kid at the End of the World by Amil Niazi

In the face of bleak climate future, is it ok to want a baby in the present?

“[P]arenting itself is an act of optimism, a willingness to believe that the world, your kids, and you, will be better tomorrow than you are today. People have had kids in the midst of wars and plagues, doing it all on sheer hope.”

Run Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley

In this extraordinary book, Polley explores what it is to live in one’s body, in a constant state of becoming, learning, and changing.

“It had always seemed… that she was very, very near to a world of wonderful beauty. Between it and herself hung only a thin curtain; she could never draw the curtain aside—but sometimes, just for a moment, a wind fluttered it and then she caught a glimpse of the enchanting realm beyond…”

Unladylike Podcast hosted by Cristen Conger

A feminist lifestyle podcast about the life stuff we don’t talk about enough.

Or don’t know to talk about.

Or don’t know how to talk about.

OH, THIS STILL EXISTS

In case you want some of my weird drawings as stickers.

WonderWright

Welcome to WonderWright, digital doodles created by Jenny Lane!