Welcome to Joy Ride, a monthly dose of joy, good things, creativity prompts, and gratitude by writer Jennifer Chen. If you like it, please share this newsletter with someone who might like it too.
Your Pep Talk 🐍
My friends, it has been a month. My family and I are in Los Angeles and while we were safe from the wildfires, we saw its effects out our front window on January 8.
Despite the devastating destruction, I witnessed incredible acts of kindness and community. I volunteered at Best Friends Los Angeles to help organize the pet pantry for displaced families. There were so many volunteers and donations. I met a woman who drove up from San Diego just to do something to help.
While there has been many things that have felt hard this month, today is the start of Lunar New Year. It’s one of my absolute favorite holidays. It’s also a time for new beginnings, fresh starts, and shedding bad energy. Couldn’t we all use that? It’s the Year of the Snake, and just like the snake, let’s shed what doesn’t fit us any more. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready!
My Latest News
I had no idea how this happened, but my YA book, ARTIFACTS OF AN EX, made its TV debut on Saturday Night Live this past weekend! I was thrilled to see so many diverse, amazing YA books on the shelves. Ego Nwodim stood next to my book!
I also wanted to share that I signed with a new literary agent! I’m now working with the wonderful, brilliant Ariele Fredman at United Talent Agency. She encouraged me to start drafting the book of my heart—an adult historical fiction novel about Chinatown in Los Angeles. It’s not an easy book to write, but it’s important.
Check Out This...
TV SHOW: We Are Lady Parts (Peacock). This British TV series about Muslim girls in the UK in a punk band together is honestly so funny and lovable. Thanks, Meghan, for that suggestion!
COMEDY SPECIAL: Welcome to Buteaupia (Netflix). Michelle Buteau makes me laugh so hard and this brand new special is pretty perfect.
BOOK: Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and illustrated by LeUyen Pham. This heartwarming graphic novel explores what it means if you’re fated for heartbreak, but are given a chance to fall in love.
FUNDRAISER: I donated signed copies of Artifacts of an Ex and an advance copy of Hangry Hearts to the Book Lovers for LA auction. Proceeds will go the LA Fire Foundation, LA Regional Food Bank, and LA County Animal Care Foundation.
I'm Grateful For...
Taro! We adopted this sweet kitten on Jan. 17 from our local shelter. Out of the 24 kittens we’ve fostered so far, she is the first (and last!) one we’ve adopted. We just fell in love with her. She went from being a hissy kitty with her feral siblings to being a cuddle bug who is confident and playful. She brings me tremendous joy at a time when things felt very chaotic.
What a super cool experience to have your book on SNL! That sketch was delightful.