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.
   

Why Do I Write?

There are many reasons we write.  There are times for a job or some special occasion that we have to write something.  There may be a class assignment.  There are times we want to share a special thought or message to a friend.  There are also times we write because we have to.  We feel a need that is more than a desire and the words scream to be freed.

There may be a story that takes shape or even the wisp of an idea of a story that can not be ignored….  And the story or book begins. 

When I wrote the first novel it started with the idea of helping my daughter to find a way to write a short story.  She and my husband became so excited exclaiming that I should write my own short story….so I did but it did not stop until it was over 550 pages.  After much work and editing and many other things it finally became Journey Home.

When I wrote my second novel I had been thinking about how difficult it is at this time with so many out of work, high prices and all there is to contend with to survive.  Gas prices go up and more and more we hear of people even loosing their homes.  What happens to them?  Where do they go?  What do they do?  What if it was me, or you, or…..  What if? 

I thought of the problems we have as we grow up.  There are problems in relationships.  There are difficulties when we try to determine what is best with our children.  Changes in life can be so difficult no matter who we are or what the age.

That is when I knew I wanted to write a story that would have all of that and more.  I wanted it to be so interesting you might want to know what happened then.  I have been so delighted when so many people that have read the book want to know ….what next?  What happened to them then?  I will write more.  Now that we know them we can share their lives and adventures.  Life Goes On is the name of the book and it will go on…soon.

When I wrote the children’s book I have to say that it was near and dear to my heart and so many others through the years.  It started as a poem.  I believe that we should teach and learn all through our lives to the best of our abilities.  Our boys came in one day from school and told me that poetry is awful.  I had to laugh.  They were at that age.  I explained that poetry could tell a story.

“Sure, a love story…yuck.”

Most children love a spooky story so I decide to write a poem…that tells a story…of a haunted pumpkin field.  We have had so much fun with it through the years with…our children, grandchildren, neighboring children, friends, relatives, nieces and nephews, cousins, children in local schools and even at one of the state parks.

 Many adults find more meaning to the little book than the children.  One even told me it was like a secret code that each understood in their own way and own age.  I wanted it to me more than just a story in a book. 

When you talk about the dark of night you can help a child overcome their fear of the dark by showing that even in darkness there is light as you point out the beauty of a full moon or stars above.  You can help them to realize that in the darkness there are the same things as in the light.  We have to look and try to see good things and overcome the fear to succeed.

As an adult or young adult reads the same thing they may come to share thoughts of how dark there are in some times of their life.  How difficult in those dark times it is to find the light or know what way to turn.  There are times they feel lost.

I wanted the whole book to be one that can do more than tell a story.

I made posters to help the characters come to life.  They showed that and even wrote about it in one of the newspapers.  When I decided to make it into a book there was so much more to it.  I wanted each and every page to be one of my art works and that is what I did.  I wanted to bring the characters to life in word and sight.

A Tale To Tell is a collection of my short stories that I hope are very entertaining but more too.  In these little stories there are many things.  As we grow older we may forget what peer pressure is like in school.  In the story The Midnight Hour one boy learns that and that you might want to think about doing something you know is wrong especially in a haunted cemetery at …the midnight hour.  There are other things that might come to mind as we contemplate things such as the pressure a person might feel trying to do a be more in life.  I tried to do many things but above all I hope to have written stories you will enjoy and want to share with others.

That brings me to the book that is going to be free for three days.  I would love to promote the book.  I would love to be able to tell the world about this little book.  I want more than that.  I am not sure there are words for what is in my heart.  I thought it impossible to find words to share the things that I did in the book….but I did my best.

I did not write it to entertain.  I wrote it to share...something more than the words you read.  I wrote this to share me with others and the hope that no matter what...we do not give up...not today. I wrote this and want to give it freely wishing you find meaning and hope.

I had never intended to write any nonfiction let alone about me.  I felt the desire to write and share this not for me but to reach out….to?...who ever I can.  I tried to find words that could actually share these moments, feelings, and emotions and as I did there were times that I cried.  It was not that I could not remember.  I remember all too well.  It was real and as I tried to find words it was real again….and I cried.

Now I do not cry with tears or regret or sorrow.  I am filled with emotion and know as difficult and painful as life can be there are so many wonderful things we could miss if we give up or forget to look for the beauty and life.

My Easter gift is to offer this part of my heart and life for free for three days and hope that it might reach beyond the pages with the thoughts and details described to help others.  I hope that as each person reads the words they too feel they will not give up…not today… and that they have a wonderful journey in their own lives ahead. I hope they feel the wonder of a new day and hope for the future.   

I Will Not Give Up…Not Today…Life Is A Journey

                                    Ebook  US  http://amzn.to/yf1tdZ     

                                    Ebook  UK   http://amzn.to/xcWxDd

When I worked to make what I had written into books I continued with the idea of watching and working to make my dreams come true.  I wanted even the covers to be something special from me.  I did my own covers.  I can share my love of art too.  I used one of my photos and one pastel art work.  The others are my paintings.  I can share my paintings with my books and hope you enjoy.

Why do I write?  I guess it is my voice and I want to sing out another story, book, something special…..I write because it is me.  I write because I could not do otherwise. 

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