More Than Just A Story In A Book: discussion

Showing posts with label discussion. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND THE WRITERS WE LOVE

I am starting another page and I will call it FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND THE WRITERS WE LOVE. https://www.facebook.com/LindaNancesFamilyAndFriendsAndTheWritersWeLove?skip_nax_wizard=true The twitter one is @FriendOfWriters. I have to laugh as I think of it as a writers family and friends support group. My poor husband listens patiently about my books...the books...the books...the characters...the editing...the covers....the illustrations....the....and so on and so on. He has to drive me and go to all of the meetings. He lives with a writer. My daughter and grandson and all who know me accept me but understand I may see something that is common or everyday and an idea for a story pops in. When we are passionate about something it feeds into our lives and those around us. These are places where they can share their thoughts and what it is like to live or love or know a crazy writer like me.....

I want a better understanding or just a way for us to share with others our passion and views of the world as they can share how they understand or do not understand us and all that we are working to do. See it from their point of view, but we have a voice to breach the gap that may exist even if we do not know it. We may have others who like our books...have read our books and they want or might like to ask the author or share what they thought about the book. It would be great if they would write a review but most do not. Many think.... I am not a reviewer. I thought the same thing, but a review is an opinion and we all have one of those.

This site is a place where people can ask questions about the writers as well as the books but also share. They can share things about the writers they know or like. They can ask others about living with a writer or things that relate in their lives.

Some people see a beautiful sunset and just enjoy the moment. An artist can picture how they could attempt to create the image in a painting or other art form. A photographer might try to capture the moment of ever changing colors as the sun sets in a photo. A writer might have a flood of words fill their mind describing the sight and feeling it gives. Some people just see a sunset and puzzle over the complex reaction of someone wanting it to be more or trying to capture the moment.

I used one of my photos for the book cover of my first novel published. The site of it had remained in memory and I knew it was something that would be special for the story. See ... There I go again with the books....the books....the books.....

In the Fall I can get so excited if we go up into the hills seeing the colors and mountains folding one into the other. A certain tree blazes out with color almost glowing. I get excited. "Look, Look at that. Look at that beautiful tree. It is so bright it almost seems to glow. The colors are so beautiful. Look at the tree."

My daughter often teases me but at times does view things differently. "Look at what? We are in a forest and as far as the eye can see there are trees."

"That tree right there. It almost glows it is so bright. Look at all of them all around. The colors are so intense you can feel them."

The answer I got was.... "Mom, it is a tree. There are millions of trees. We are surrounded by trees." It was special. She was not being mean. It was a tree. There were a lot of trees. We all see things differently. She patiently smiled as she teased in the way we have with one another. I want to bridge the gap and let them know it was not just a tree. It was the tree and the moment. It was the feeling the sight gave me and it makes me smile.... I write about it's beauty, it's color, it's majestic stance silhouetted against the sky filling with turbulent clouds that foretell of a stormy night ahead. But she was right. It is a tree.

Why do I write? It is natural and my way. Words flow like breath as we inhale. Are we different? I think that each and every person is different and special. The really special thing, is trying and being able to understand and accept differences.

Even with understanding there are times that I am tedious to others. I have so much enthusiasm about what I am working on and ideas for other projects and books, that I can tend to ramble on. I read and try to learn as much as I can and often share this and that and more and more about writing, publishing and other related things.

I often need to remind myself that not all people think alike and what is so interesting to me may have no relevance to others. I need to take the time to smell the flowers.

Writers often discuss the difficulties and challenges they face in writing and publishing what they write. Here will be a place that others can share their view points about and to us. The photo I chose is one with a bridge. This might become a bridge of understanding. A grandfather holds his granddaughter's hand crossing the bridge together sharing a special time together. Hand in hand we can go through this life.

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.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

IT WAS THE DARK OF THE NIGHT…

It was the dark of the night, but the moon shone bright

Casting shadows on things below

What was the cause, the reason for it all?

Even with time, we may never know.

I have talked before about when I first wrote this little poem that is now a book I hope will reach out and touch others. I explained how we had two little boys who came home from school one day complaining that all poetry was awful.

I tried to tell them that that was not true. Poetry could do wonderful things. It was so much more than simply some words that rhymed. They laughed and said, “sure…love poetry…yuck.” They were young enough they had not discovered girls were anything more than irritating.

I could see that they had already made up their minds about all poetry. I told them it could be like a secrete code. A secrete code is something that tells more than it appears and only certain people could figure it out to understand all that it said. What if poetry could be like that? What if it could tell more than just what the words said?

They gave me one of their special looks that says, “Sure Mom….” Without words. I told them that I was going to write them a poem myself.

The Pumpkin Field is what I wrote so many years ago. I wanted to write something that could do as I had promised and be like a code they could work to figure out. I wanted to be able to write something they would like when they first heard it but also every time there after. I wanted something they could see more and be inspired to think about as the years passed. I wanted it to have a long reach through all of the years and to all who read it.

One thing that many people seem to enjoy is a scary story. It may be about a ghost or a haunted place. It may be about a time or certain person but many people love a scary story or one with the unknown factor. I did not want it to cause nightmares in the young or increase fears they may have but to still be interesting. I wanted it to be one that held the interest but also might make them think or share their thoughts and feelings.

The Pumpkin Field is a magic place where anyone can go. It is a place of mystery and adventure and finding some things that are special.

It was the dark of the night, but the moon shone bright casting shadows on things below. What was the cause, the reason for it all?

Even with time, we may never know.

Many children fear the dark, the unknown, things that are different, dreams, and many more things they do not always have the words to communicate. I we ask if it is dark at night the answer will be yes. How dark is dark? If there is fear of the dark, we may need to take a closer look and discover what it is that we are afraid of.

There have been many times I have gone outside when there was a full beautiful moon and shown those same children the dark of night. We talked about how the heavens were filled with the beautiful light of the night in the moon and stars that sparkled like diamonds in the night sky. I showed them their own shadows and that it was nothing to fear.

Older people often realized more from the same phrase or found other thoughts that came to mind. I believe by using this brief tale it allows us to open countless avenues encouraging discussions, thoughts, teaching new things, observing, and sharing.

Every time I have read it, the kids love it and never seem to tire of it…but no matter how many times we read it there is always more for them to talk about and share that it instigates. It starts out with “It was the dark of night but the moon shone bright, casting shadows on things below…..That sounds ominous but allows us to share later with the child.

I can remember going outside at night with a clear sky and full moon many times. When I ask them if it is dark at night their eyes get big and the answer is immediately,,,,YES. What is dark? We gaze up at the beautiful night sky lit by the soft moon light and sparkling stars across the heavens. We could talk for hours, right there and then. I show them how the moon shines enough light to make shadows and they realize no matter how dark we think it is, there are different lights. It can be related in so many ways depending on the age of the person involved in the discussion or their own needs. You would not believe how many adults have talked for hours about these things. A child filled with fear of the dark often finds a new understanding and release from such fear.

There have been a few occasions when we had gathered with family or friends that I had conversations with adults who had overheard the viewing of the night with the children. The same simple statement brought other emotions and thoughts to mind and offered a way to find expression. There are as many thoughts, feelings fears and emotions as there are individuals, but it is often hard to find ways to recognize things that are deep with in and even harder to find a way to deal with them or express them. It is amazing how often this little poem opens doors.

More than once “the dark of night” has been related to a person’s life. The voice was soft but the words were from the heart. “It is odd, but when you said the dark of night, I thought of how dark it sometimes feels in my life. I have actually felt as if there was no light left….kind of lost… But there are stars and light..I guess? ..even if it is still far away and not that bright.”

Another individual related to the darkness instead of the light. “It makes you realize there really are shadows in the darkness. You may have some light but who knows what all there might be out there in the night in the shadows?”

There have been so many reactions from the one simple line. I would like to tell you exactly what it does mean but I do not have all of the answers to life’s questions. There are times that we can only discover the answers for ourselves…not what someone else tells you they are. This little story can not tell all of the answers to life but it can be something enjoyed and shared.

I think that one of the greatest fears in life is the unknown. We often have great fear and apprehension of the unknown. If we are afraid of snakes we may be very afraid but we might avoid them, or run away from them or not go in areas where they might be found. It is a fear but one that we understand. If we are afraid of high places we might not climb to the top of a ladder or choose rock climbing as our favorite sport. If there are things in our lives that we do not understand or that are hidden from us through any number of things such as lies, deception, or even evil intent….we have no defense from what we do not understand. The unknown might be the shadows the light has not yet lit…but there is light. Even in our darkest hours we are not alone. I believe…I really believe there is light to show us the way in our lives. Our paths may not be easy and the way may be filled with detours but we can not give up. Even in the darkest hours….the moon shone bright and we can walk with our shadows until the dawn.