There have been so many things that have kept me from coming here and visiting a spell. I had so many things that came to mind to share, but life got in the way. I could tell you that I fell and it has taken a while to heal,and it would be true... that is not something I want to talk about. I am working very hard to hold my own in this life and live it as best I can. I understand that I have limitations, but do not want to let them define life. I don't care who you talk to or where you meet them, if we are alive we each have difficulties to overcome or find a way to deal with.
But I am back. I am back and want to share so many things. I titled this blog... More Than Just A Story In A Book. That is the way I look at it. What I write is really more than just a story in a book.
Life Goes On is a story about a family in crisis. The father lost his job and they lost their home. Forced to live in an area they had avoided even driving through there were many influences the children were exposed to. When they could not pay the rent there they faced being homeless or accepting help from a relative they hardly knew in a different part of the country. They had children that did not want to go, relocating to an area so different from all that they knew, among strangers. They did not want to go. They would be moving from north to south, city to country, to a life they did not accept.
This is a story of more than the family in crisis. This is a story of life. Life Goes On relates to many who are faced with choices. We may thing we have the right to do what we want to do because it is our life but do not consider the cosequences of our actions and choices. Those consequences may reach far beyond our own lives. Some choices may alter the course of our entire lives and affect all who care about us. The choices we choose could hurt or even kill those who love us the most. When it is done and over....Life Goes On. This is not a story where they always make the right choices or learn and do what is right. This is a story of a family facing difficult times and trying to survive.
That is the first book I published. It is not the first book I wrote. I wrote Jouney Home first. I published Life Goes On after considering the state of the economy and how many families faced such difficult times. We can feel so alone in life at times, especially when times are so difficult.
Journey Home will always be special in my heart. My daughter had a school project of writing a short story. I was trying to encourage her and show her that she could do it. She challenged me and told me she loved my idea for a story and I should write a short story of my own. It ended up being over 550 pages long. I guess you could call it the short story that did not end. I have written blogs and even included a section in the book that is not fiction called I Will Not Give Up...Not Today...Life Is A Journey. I have tried to be real and share this time in my life.
Journey Home tells of a young woman who strives to succeed in life. Her mother abandoned her at a young age but her father was her world along with her aunt and uncle who helped raise her in the rural hills of Arkansas. Life was not easy and she found no satisfaction in her personal life. She did however have a talent for writing that allowed her the freedom of employment to work where ever she resided. When she was notified of the death of her uncle following her aunt, she was pushed into residing in the old family home where she had grown up. Things had changed since she was a child.
Her father had been killed in a robery of a local store leaving her alone in the world. She could be in a crowd of people and still feel alone knowing others had no idea of the heart ache or problems that she faced. She had a stalker. It was not an obvious stalker that would stand out so they could isolate, find and deal with. Her stalker worked at doing subtle little things. If she told others about the things harrassing her they all blamed her imagination stating she was after all a writer. They told her not to worry about them. When you think about it,.... her apartment had been broken in numberous times and nothing was ever taken. A chair would be pulled out in the center of the room to let her know they had been there. Something else would be moved. She could not call the police and tell them it was an emergency because someone rearranged her furnature....but she knew. She knew they had been there and they wanted her to know too. Knowing in her heart that who ever it was, was spending a lot of time to watch her and torment her for an unknow reason caused fear. Everyone does things for a reason. What reasons would be important enought for this much attention?
After being told over and over it was probably her imagination or not to worry because they did not steal anything, she began to feel alone. She could be in a crowd of people and feel alone. She was in her uncle's will and there were some unusual stipulations for her to reside in the family home for a speciafied period of time. She began to view it as an escape of the problems she endured. What she found is more and intense problems leaving her to survive or ..... not. She had endured so many dissapointments and betrayals in life that it was difficult for her to accpt others into her own private world let alone trust.... but if she did not learn to trust only the right persons, she might not survive. There would be times in life everyone needed a little help from their friends. There would be times there was no easy way to explain but you hoped someone would understand and accept you anyway.
Journey Home is a mystery, suspense, romance, drama, and story that has an ending, that so far no one.... no one .... had seen coming. I wanted to write a book that could keep the reader there in the story from beginning to end. I want you to know the people because they are not just characters... they have all of the attributes of people.... It may be fiction but I wanted it to be the most real fiction I could make it. I wanted the reader to be there and see it , feel it, and be a part of it to the very end. Even then, we could write some more. As long as I have breath, I have one more book that I want to share.
I have so many more things I want to tell you about the books that I write but every day is a new day. I am going to come back tomorrow and tell even more.
I want to tell why I write. I want to tell the things that inspire me. I want to tell what I am woring on now and the things that are soon to come. I want to share so many things but if I wait until I feel good enough to tell it all it will never be told., I will come and visit a spell as life, time and health permit.
I know there are others out there who understand what I say when I say I am tired....really tired. There are others who have had health problems with heart, breathing, cancer who know tired....can be so much more than a word. I may be a bit tired but I am not giving up...Not Today.... I Will Not Give Up Today,,,, That is my book. I hope you all get a copy. It is more than saying buy my book. It is sharing me with you. This is my way to reach out to the world and not give up,....lay down and die. I will live each day to the fullest and know that each day is a blessing.
I write books but this blog is more than just the story of writing and books it is all the life, love, art, living, and part of me too that goes into the stories in the books....
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
You Can Hear It With Your Ears But Can You Feel It In Your Heart?
Friday the 13th to some may be an unlucky day and it could be an interesting discussion about that day but I have other news I want to share. I want to tell you about something that did more than entertain me. It did more than provide an interesting evening. I want to tell you about en evening, place and people that have made a great impression for me and many others.
TheArts@311 is a musicians/artists collective providing a meeting place for artists and those who appreciate and want to support the arts locally. That sounds simple but when you experience the place and what is happening there, it is far from simple ... except, it is simply outstanding in so many ways.
This is a place where people with a passion can share their talents and works. Art comes in many shapes and forms. When the sky is ablaze with color that paints the heavens in a sunset....a writer may have words that fill the soul sharing the beautiful site and bringing it to life to share with others. An artist can visualize the colors flooding the canvas or paper creating such a beauty to share. A photographer feels the desire to capture the moment of the ever changing beauty as the sun sets. A musician may feel inspiration to create the song, the music, the composition or performance that ignites the passion in their hearts. Art in many forms and often combined are so much more than something to see and hear.
That is what we experienced on Friday the thirteenth at The Arts @311. I could say that we listened to some really good music there but that would be an understatement. I could say that we had such a good time it made you want to tap your foot and sing along but that too would not be enough to actually explain what the evening was like for me. I heard music and that is true but I felt the passion by those performing as the rhythm, lyrics and sounds touched my heart and soul.
There were so many there and everyone had a chance to share their own gifts such as Skye and Jennifer Ansara and Leon McEntire who were playing when we arrived with Carl Holden. What talent all of them have and an ability to covey emotion. Song after song playing and singing the music seemed to flow from them.
Watching my own husband on stage with Rev. Rick Bowen, and Rob Rubenstien playing harmonica as if it was sounds from the soul, joining and blending with the other instruments and vocalists made me smile and proud.
Mike Lovell, Eddie, Carl Holden, and David Shade playing guitar in all different songs with such talent and inspiration as the different vocalist of Carl, Jen, Skye and Eddie formed an evening you did not want to end. I can honestly say there was not a moment I did not enjoy and even more than listening to the music....I felt the music. I felt the enthusiasm and passion. I felt the art shared and moment that was like electricity through all who were present.
Hearing Carl Abraham and Erik on the drums gave depth and intensity pulsing in the soul. The music was alive and I felt alive in a moment to remember. This is something so special in the place and the people right down to those who became a part of it all as we listened and became one with the music and people who played. It was more than the notes of a song or words of the lyrics. It was more than the rythum of the drums. The music was passion and intensity uniting all who were there.
I look forward to returning for many other events and nights shared and people sharing their ART at The Arts @311 in Jonesboro, Ar at 311 Church St.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Silver Moon
Jetta described it like this..."The American Cowboy is a real life hero whose memory has crossed generations. His courage and patriotism has been kept alive through music and the written word, and rodeo. The horses, those Stetsons and Boots, the competition to tame the wild beast are all captivating and perhaps a bit hypnotic. There is an intensity and vibrant life you can feel in rodeo and the people there."
When you think about what a hero really is there are many things that come to mind but Jetta has an interesting way to think about it. "A hero is someone who takes the appropriate action at the appropriate time regardless of personal risks. Sometimes that hero saves others, or saves the situation, sometimes the hero saves themselves" As you read Silver Moon you can see that thought as you can in real life viewing characters that apply these attributes. Jessica Warnick is one character that is complex but has depth and heart. She has to find the courage to do what she feels is right even if it breaks her heart to take a stand. I will not tell you what her choices are or what she finds the courage to do. I will tell you that you will want to know these characters as the people they become in this story. You will love them, hate them, become angry with them for some of their choices and actions but all of that is what makes this more than a simple story and more of a tale to be remembered. You will find things you love and things you hate but you will not find a lack of emotions including some humor.
In Silver Moon, the rodeo is a bond of four characters all looking for change in their lives and the hope of much money to be made. Each of the four have different objectives and find life does not always follow the best made plans. Every person has their own dreams in life. Some dream to be free from a relationship they are in while others dream to hold on to one. She dream for change in the opportunity to prove themselves and others want to change the direction of their lives while they still have time. None of them is prepared or foresees all involved in the changes that will come. This fast paced and interesting book involves the reader with the characters during their physical and emotional challenges, personal triumphs and losses. Bonded together by a business venture of the Rodeo, the four people dream and hope they will be able to make the changes they so desire, never dreaming that all things have consequences including what makes dreams come true or become a nightmare.
Instead of telling you the story in the book I will tell you not to miss the special event July 19th, 20 and 21st. For these three days Silver Moon is celebrating and offering it free sharing the intense and riveting novel to all. http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Moon-ebook/dp/B006IYF3JK/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_t_4
See and learn more about the author here and many others sites. Jetta is a member of the NEA Writer's Group and is inspirational, supportive, informative and a delight to all who know her. She share many links and other things of interest on her pages and the group page of https://www.facebook.com/LindaNanceNEAWriters
facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/JettaStone
and https://www.facebook.com/Stone2.J
That Ain't No Bull Blog http://jettastone1.blogspot.com/
jettastone1(Twitter)
Amazon Author Central Page http://www.amazon.com/Jetta-Stone/e/B005UNPFU2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
SOMETHING WONDERFUL
Lat night I saw something wonderful. I have told about the special event planned with the writers group as an out reach project. Guest speaker CD. Mitchell came to the Art@311 in Jonesboro, Ar. It was a wonderful evening in so many ways.
TheArts@311 is a place for artists and those who appreciate and want to support the arts to be able to meet locally. Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas has an incredible amount of talent in so many fields such as music, fine arts, visual arts, writing, and even the art of story telling. TheArts@311 hosts these local professional and semi-professional artists for performances and exhibitions providing a friendly and interesting place for people to share with others the things of their passions. The stage is equipment for music performance and perfect for exhibitions of visual and fine arts, reading or other performance art in many forms.
Their goal is to promote the artist and they do provide and promote such a wonderful venue for that, but they do so much more. The atmosphere and the people there encourage even by the friendly and appreciative attitudes. What they are doing and developing is more than a place to go with things to see and hear. By being there you are a part of something special and having a wonderful time with art in so many forms by so many people. The Arts @311 is something wonderful.
The NEA Writer's Group felt honored that CD Mitchell would be guest speaker for a special program we wanted to offer. Who and what are we....
We hope that by gathering together and sharing, we might offer and receive encouragement, support, information and individual growth assisting us to accomplish our goals and make dreams come true. It is my desire that each person find something of interest and benefit from these meetings of friends reaching out to one another sharing a common interest and goals. If you love to write, want to write, are published or write for your own pleasure or just have an interest or want to share with others, we hope to form an interesting group to grow, share, learn, and reach out.
That’s it. I had an idea and hoped it would work out to be something that might really help others. I hope that is exactly what it is doing because those in this group have helped me so much. There is such an abundance of talent but there is so much more. The enthusiasm, support, encouragement and attitudes are fodder for the soul to me. Each and everyone who comes is special.
When we think of something special I have to say the experience of listening to CD Mitchell would have to go on the list of Something Wonderful. He would have to sit at the top of the list. I have listened to many speakers on many topics,but this man has the magic of a story teller, the expertise allowing for in depth and insightful discussion and the creativity that works magic to bring a story to life. When he read his stories you could see it, feel it and know the characters. The crowd sat motionless mesmerized with his presentation.
When CD had concluded speaking on stage he visited with everyone answering questions and speaking on many topics to the delight of all. This man has a gift in not only his creativity but in his attitudes and compassion to inspire and help others to do and be more in the projects and their creations. This is an individual of such talent we felt honored he shared the evening with us and hope to see him again.
Before it started I was so nervous. I was going to speak explaining who and what the writer's group is and introduce CD. As the moment neared my apprehension and I guess you could call it stage freight mounted and my hands actually trembled. When I stepped up to speak I can not say I am the most professional speaker or experienced but I was looking out at faces. There were not the faces of the crowd. They were faces of some wonderful people who took the time to come and share the evening together listening to a wonderful speaker and story teller.
I have to say the evening was indeed.....something wonderful.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Jetta Stone Interview
Jetta Stone lives in Arkansas with her husband who is both a Cowboy and a 40 year careered law enforcement officer. Her love of the Old West Culture and the sport of Rodeo was the muze for her writings in this novel allowing her to not only create a vivid and realistic story, but one with the heart and soul of the culture found in so many who have the rodeo lifestyle.
Silver Moon is a rich story filled with passion and romance as well as high drama of shattered lives, hard choices, relationships that are breaking and bending, mystery, suspense and more.
Interview with Jetta Stone – Author of "Silver Moon"
Linda...
I've told a bit about you and Silver Moon but would love to have you share even more.
Jetta:..
Thank you Linda. I would love to especially since Silver Moon is something dear to me. As I worked writing the story the characters seemed to take on a will and life of their own. Silver Moon immediately splinters into several different stories as it encompasses four separate lives. What makes the story interesting is that although each individual is struggling with their own issues, there is a common thread tying them together and that thread is the business they have contracted into as co-owners. Money is the key and they hope to make a lot of it in this new business venture. Their hope is that this business will offer the launch for the change each person wishes for in their personal life.
One wants to leave a relationship – one wants to desperately hold onto a relationship – one wants to realize a life long dream – while another wants to prove their self-worth. All want change, and all get change; however, little did they know what lay ahead for them in the process. Horrific consequences of this venture soon occur and bring about dark changes full of conflict, struggle, danger, and loss. Yet, in the end, a lost relationship from the past resurfaces to see them through those dark unsettled times into a very different future.
Linda...
How long had you had the idea for your book before you began to write the story?
Jetta...
Silver Moon is a modern western romance. My husband owned a Rodeo Company for several years, and during that time I worked for the company. I fell in love with that Old West Culture – Rodeo is a New Twist of the Old West. The story started coming to me, piece by piece at first, then in a deluge that I couldn't keep up with. I had to pull over to the side of the road and write, I'd keep a pen & pad by my bed at night – I think I literally wrote in my sleep to keep up with the story and characters flooded my brain.
Linda...
Could you tell a bit more about how the love of the Old West culture and Rodeo helped to inspire you? Many of us may have been to see a rodeo but there is always so much that goes on behind the scenes in any show, production or presentation.
Jetta...
As I stated, I love the rugged, untamed nature of the Old West Culture. Every generation has its heroes. Superman is one such character. Superman was a fictitious character, yet he was embraced for his bravery and moral values, which are the common threads which tie all heroes together. The American Cowboy is a real life hero whose memory has crossed generations. His courage and patriotism has been kept alive through music and the written word, and rodeo. The horses, those Stetsons and Boots, the competition to tame the wild beast are all captivating and perhaps a bit hypnotic. There is an intensity and vibrant life you can feel in rodeo and the people there.
Linda...
I would love to hear about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?
Jetta...
Well, I love the female heroine in the story, Jessica Warnick, and I do classify her as a hero. What is a hero? A hero is someone who takes the appropriate action at the appropriate time regardless of personal risks. Sometimes that hero saves others, or saves the situation, sometimes the hero saves themselves.
Linda...
Who is your most unusual or most likeable character?
Jetta...
Oh, this one is easy. This character, Jake Warnick, is a person whom the reader will immediately develop a love/hate relationship with. They will root for him to overcome his demons, for he really wants to. They will get angry with him for his bad behavior and what it will cost him. They will be intrigued by his playfulness and women will lust after him even though he is a bad boy. Well, maybe that "is why" they will lust after him! Ha.
Linda...
How long did it take you to write your book?
Jetta...
Let's just say "too long". The book was in constant flux for a lengthy period of time until I finally had added enough variety of characters and venue to complete the fleshing out of the story to a point where I was satisfied that no more could be done to it. I wanted it to be more than just a story well told. I wanted it to be a story with characters that the reader could actually get to know and a story they would not forget.
Linda...
How do you develop and differentiate your characters?
Jetta...
A good story is based upon a good plot. After that, developing the personalities and actions of the characters to fit the plot is what makes for a good story.
What works for you to develop the plot and stay on track? Do you have specific techniques or customs that assist you in this process?
Jetta...
Using a well planned out plot is the framework on which the activities and personalities of the characters and situations is built. Adhering to this framework keeps my mind from straying too far into useless material.
Linda...
How and when do you decide that you are finished writing a story? What do you consider being finished writing with the story?
Jetta...
The story is finished when no more can be done to achieve the ending of the story. There are many other things to consider before the word finished can properly be used. Editing of the story reveals issues to work and revise and at times even rewrite. I am not sure that any author is ever really at peace to say it is finished as there is nothing in this life that is perfect and we strive to create the best that it can possibly be. I gues there is a difference between writing the story and finishing the book. In the story achieving the end of a well written and fully develped story would be an end to the beginning of what the author envisions for the book.
Linda...
What is your goal for the book? what do you want people to take get and remember after they finish reading the story?
Jetta:
I would hope that the reader would realize that all people have flaws in their character and behavior, even heroes have flaws. Sheer physical strength and bravery do not necessarily make someone a hero. Standing on one's values, not giving in to the moral decay in society could be considered being heroic. Or, giving others the maximum time and effort to change, then having the courage to walk away when they do not change could be considered to be heroic.
I want each reader to get to know these characters and maybe find a way to look at things in a deep and understanding way.
Linda...
Could you tell a bit more about any message in your writing you want readers to grasp?
Jetta...
I would be happy to. Be fair to others, but, be true to your beliefs. This might be the idea I would like for people to be left with as they close the back cover on the book.
Linda...
What things have changed for you personally since you wrote your first book?
Jetta...
It has been delightful to get to know a whole new group of friends, who are writers themselves. Writers support each other and are very sharing with their knowledge of the field of writing. Hearing from all of the people who have read and are reading the book has been a pure delight. I feel as if I am watching a dream become a reality and I can hold it in my hand. I see the chance to share something I am passionate about with others and hope I can help them along the way too.
Linda...
What has been the thing that you found most surprising about being a writer?
Jetta...
Learning to think of myself as a writer. I have always loved to write but never thought of myself in that way. I worked to write a well crafted book that has more than a simple story. I wanted Silver Moon to be special and leave the reader with more than just the story but also an understanding of the characters and their way of life.
Linda....
We have discussed many things in our local writer's group and the group on line. I would like to thank you for all of your participation and the time you devote helping and reaching out to others. I want to thank you for taking this time to reveal things allowing us to better know you and the story of the story. I also want to say I can hardly wait to read more. I know this will be only the beginning of many new things to come.
I have heard news that you will soon be offering a special event sharing this wonderful novel in ebook for Kindle for free. Could you tell us about that?
Jetta...
I am so excited for this opportunity to give Silver Moon as a gift and share with others. The time is soon approaching and will be announced officially very soon.... but I will tell you what I have planned.
July 19, 20 and 21st anyone can download the ebook of Silver Moon. This is a 494 page novel that seems to appeal to men and women alike.
Linda...
Could you share some of the links where we can find more about you and the things you are doing and have done?
Jetta...
My facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/JettaStone
and https://www.facebook.com/Stone2.J
That Ain't No Bull Blog http://jettastone1.blogspot.com/
jettastone1(Twitter)
Amazon Author Central Page http://www.amazon.com/Jetta-Stone/e/B005UNPFU2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
I retired from a 20 year career in the field of Health and Nutrition and I have worked as a Realtor for several years. I also worked with my husband in his Rodeo Company. It was the latter experience that led me to write my latest novel, Silver Moon. I loved the culture of the old west that has been preserved throughout the years in the sport of Rodeo. I gathered ideas from many places to write Silver Moon and my current novel project. Environment, people, places, experiences, movies, history books all give some inspiration toward any book idea in a writer's mind and these all play a part in the formation of the stories I write.
I try to learn from life and all that it has to offer. I'm currently finishing up another novel - Lake of the Dead - that goes off in a totally different direction of thought than the contemporary western romance - Silver Moon. Lake of the Dead is a suspense thriller and I hope everyone will enjoy the read as much as I've enjoyed writing both of these novels.
Jetta Stone is an amazingly talented author that does more than put words on a page. Jetta takes you to a world and people you can know and enjoy. She reaches out to others with hope, help, inspiration and helping in any way that she can.