REVIEWS on JAM SESSIONS!! Lisa Hasselton And by Literary Titan

 

I was recently interviewed by noted Book Blogger, Lisa Haselton! Read the interview here:

INTERVIEW: JAM SESSIONS

I'm also excited to release my latest review by the well respected LITERARY TITAN.

The review can be found here: 

LITERARY TITAN REVIEW

And here is the text version of the review:

Jam Sessions follows a middle school boy named Phillip who has to forge a new path for himself through a new school that he’s transferred to in the middle of the school year. Phillip struggles with bullies, but finds a creative outlet in Mr. Filter’s class where he starts the day with a writing prompt that sends Phillips imagination soaring. Now, if only he could apply that creativity and passion in his real life.

Jerry Harwood has created a cast of characters that are both easy to dislike and easy to empathize with. Chuck and his friends are easily unlikable and I loved Ashley, Daniel and Jaylan. I really liked all the teachers too, especially the language arts and P.E. teachers. I did feel like Phillips mom should have played a bigger part in the story, but it didn’t hurt the story in any way. From the first time we meet Chuck I thought that he was just a pain in the butt kid who likes to be a bully and embarrass people. Chuck and his gang of hooligans didn’t really evolve much but that honestly worked for the story because they continue to be the fundamental antagonists.

Jerry Harwood does a great job detailing what a panic/anxiety attack feels like, I could almost feel and see Phillip having his attacks. It was great that he found a way to cope with his attacks. Even at the beginning when the author is describing Phillip and his mom running away from home, everything is perfectly detailed. When Phillip is standing in the back of the room on the first day of school, you could feel him praying that he is invisible and then realizing that he really had been during that class because not one person had cared about him being there or noticed his presence. It was sort of sad.

The story flowed easily and was well written. I enjoyed the small cartoon characters at the beginning of each chapter and I liked how short the chapters were. I read the book in one sitting, because it was an enjoyable read and I loved that Phillip was able to turn things around which gave the book a feel good ending.

Pages: 214 | ASIN: B0868XNSH9

Why 2020 is pissed

 

It seems like ages ago since we saw the start of quarantine.  You probably don't recall the brush fires in Australia, the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, Prince Harry stepping down from his royal duties, an impeachment process, Kobe Bryant's death, the U.K withdrawing from the E.U., a technological disaster at the Iowa Caucus, the Boyscouts filling for bankruptcy, or Tiger King.

Okay, you probably remember Tiger King. But most everything took second fiddle to the arrival of Covid-19. A litany of tragedies followed: the Summer Olympics were cancelled, sports were cancelled, and suspiciously... the Pentagon released UFO footage.

If you don't know about that one, check it out here: UFO'S

In fact, there has been so much happening in 2020 it might be you have never asked the question, "Why?"

Well, Mr. Danderfill (or something like that) taught me in high school physics three things:

-1. Waffle House eggs get cold quicker than Waffle House coffee.

-2. It is often unwise to go on a bender during spring break. You might come back married to a lady who doesn't speak your language.

-3. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

This blog is less about marrying strange women in foreign bars or Waffles and more about the fact that something must have really pissed the year 2020 off.  But what?

If you have ever had kids, you know that when they are in the middle of a tantrum you sometimes forget what the issue even is.  All you want to do is get out of Walmart with your sanity. 

Tantrums

But then, later on that night as you watch your angels sleeping peacefully, you are reminded what the issue was that ignited the temper tantrum. I had such an aha moment today.

In December of 2019, the US government decided with very little notice that the smoking age would be raised from 18 to 21.  There would be no grandfather clause, no gradation, no gradual introduction. January 1st, 2020 anyone under the age of 21, including perhaps little baby 2020, couldn't smoke.

Remember your childhood training? Father time leaves each year in exchange for an incoming "new year."

So maybe, just maybe, little baby 2020 is just pissed he isn't 21? Now before you dismiss me with stupid comments like, "2020 isn't a real person," just remember... in our modern political climate people dress up like animals and have their owners take them to parks. 

So, it is entirely possible that 2020 is a real person, that he is perpetually 20 years old, and he is saying, "All I wanted to do was cruise through my year smoking a stogie. And since you won't let me.... WAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!"

That, or 2020 is the result of those UFO's? I hear they have lasers that make you fall in love with women in foreign bars but also heat up your eggs.

SouthSide Podcast Interview

Check out the interview here!

My first overseas interview!

Interview: Vickie McEntire

Today, we have an opportunity to talk to Vickie McEntire. 

Vickie has written the book, 

Little Bird 

& Myrtle Turtle. 

First, let me thank you for joining me. 

I appreciate you giving me your links and I want to share those with our readers.

Author Name: Vickie McEntire

Blog: aliteratelife.blogspot.com

Facebook: @booksbyvickie

Twitter: vickie_mcentire

Instagram: booksbyvickie

Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/booksbyvickie

Title of Book: Little Bird & Myrtle Turtle

Genre of Book: Children’s

That’s great. Tell us a little about yourself and what led you to start writing.

I believe in the power of the written and spoken word and live for those little moments that can change lives. 

I live in Northwest Georgia with my husband and cat. In 2014, I joined a local writing group, Calhoun Area Writers (CAW), and attended many conferences and learned so much through the connections of that group.

I write about things that are important to me—literacy, community, and family. 

I would credit much of my success to my love of reading and the support of CAW. Becoming a member of several local critique groups, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Georgia Writers Association (GWA), Rome Area Writers (RAW), and Chattanooga Writers’ Guild CWG) played a major role in my achievements. They all provided encouragement and opportunities to write.

My three children grew up and moved out, which inspired me to write my first children’s book, Baby Birds, in October 2016, about the life cycle of birds. After Cheryl Snow showed CAW members how easy it was to write and submit a story to Chicken Soup for the Soul, my story, “The Book Fair,” was accepted for Inspiration for Teachers in April 2017.

A class taught by John Mannone at a CWG conference, inspired me to publish my book of poems, Empty Nest, in May 2017. A four-year-old in foster care inspired me to publish a second children’s book in October 2017, Little Bird and Myrtle Turtle. It was chosen as a finalist in the 2018 American Book Fest International Book Awards and won the 2018 Georgia Author of the Year Award. Are you noticing a theme? I love birds!

I have had the pleasure of sitting under John Mannone as well.  He is very inspiring. What happened next?

       I started getting invitations to speak—an author event at Calhoun-Gordon County Library in April 2018 and at the Northwest Georgia Writers Conference in May 2018. I presented 5 Things Every Children’s Book Writer Needs to Know at the Red Clay Writers Conference at Kennesaw State University Center in November 2018 and participated with the SCBWI booth at the 2018 AJC Decatur Book Festival. My favorite opportunities were talking to elementary students in schools, libraries, and museums about the writing process and the importance of reading. They really respect authors! Except for one little guy in second grade who questioned my credibility, because my real face didn’t match the head shot on the back of the book. Gotta love kids.

            My story about dementia, “Love the One You’re With,” won third place in the literary non-fiction category and was published in the CWG 2019 Anthology. In July 2020 my engagement story, “A Night of Surprises in Chattanooga,” won the Chattanooga theme category of the CWG Spring Writing Contest. I have stories in two different Chicken Soup books this summer: The Magic of Cats out July 2020, and Listen to Your Dreams out August 2020. I’m having trouble setting up a book signing. May have to Zoom it!

I’ve written sixteen stories for Calhoun Magazine since 2016, with six of those issues boasting my photography on the cover. When the Sep/Oct 2020 issue is distributed, my name will be listed as editor.

Do you write full-time or around another job?

I’ve been writing full-time for about a year. Prior to that, I wrote around full-time jobs.

How do you schedule your time to write?

It’s much easier now, although focus has been an issue this year. Most of the writing that was published this year was written during better times.

It has been a crazy year for sure. I know many writers have struggled in 2020. Where do you get your inspiration, information, and ideas for books?

In brilliant moments of simplicity. Anything I witness that pulls at my heart, is a possible launching point for a story. I journal most days. My computer is organized into files for different kinds of writing, so I can find something easily when an opportunity to share is presented. I love to research, but the internet is a deep hole that can waste a lot of time.

 

What are your hobbies and do they ever play into your writing?

Reading, and yes. I was once so inspired while reading a book, that I started writing in the blank pages in the back of the book. Photography is the basis for a second novel that I started before finishing the first one.

What advice would you give someone who wants to be a writer?

Do it. If you write words onto paper or type them on a keyboard, you can claim the title of writer. If you want to claim the title of published author, it involves a few more steps. There are plenty of free digital sites to learn from. Join a writer’s group.

 Learn how to edit someone else’s writing. Read. I will quote Stephen King about reading. “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.”

Please tell us about your current release.

My story, “A Wanderer in My Dreams,” in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Listen to Your Dreams was based on a dream.

Can you provide us with a small excerpt?

While my husband parked the car and unlocked the front door, I approached the furry, coiled animal slowly. She had chosen our welcome mat for her bed, and had her back against the front door. The dog lifted its head and looked at me. She was a beautiful blonde husky. Her tail wagged. I reached out to pet her, and she tried to stand. My husband opened the door from inside, and the dog quietly limped down the brick steps and off into the darkness.

“Did she have a collar?” he asked.

“I didn’t see one,” I said. “She’s hurt, though. Should we go look for her?”

“Not at this hour of the night,” he said. “Maybe she’s going home.” I wanted to believe that, because I couldn’t stand the thought of that sweet dog suffering in pain from an injury.

“I wonder who she belongs to,” my husband said, still holding the open door with one hand.

“I don’t know,” I said, looking out into the darkness, “but I’ve seen her before.”

“Where?”

“In my dream.” I looked at him with tears beginning to pool and shivered in the cool night air. “It’s Lily.”

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’ve been working on a novel since 2014. Working title is Tucker Hollow Road. Setting, a small North Georgia town.

Who are your favorite authors?

Adult: Kahlil Gibran, Malcolm Gladwell, Helen Keller, Simon Sinek, Cassie Selleck, Sean Dietrich,

Children’s: Barbara Cooney, Matt de la Pena, Kate DiCamillo, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Leo Lionni, Jon Muth

Writing Craft: Rayne Hall, K. M. Weiland, Blake Snyder, Anne Lamott, Stephen King

Any plans for the upcoming holiday?

I was a single mom for most of my life, so any day when I’m with the ones I love is a day of celebration.

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

Every membership and registration fee to get me closer to the giants paving the way.

That is great advice. I just paid for my first conference, the Atlanta Writer's Conference. I'm excited to go be near "the giants."

Atlanta Writer's Conference

What is your writer’s kryptonite?

Not writing down what I need to accomplish each day. Without a list, I could easily spend a day scrolling or cleaning the house, but more likely scrolling.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Support other writers in whatever way you can. Buy a book, leave a review, share a post, or just be kind when delivering a critique.

One more time, where can someone go to purchase your book?

All of my books can be purchased HERE! Thank you!

Interview with William Wilfong

 

Today, we have an opportunity to talk to William Wilfong.  William has written the book, Movement.  

First, let me thank you for joining me.  I appreciate you giving me your links and I want to share those with our readers.

Author name: WilliamWilfong

On the Web: Wwilfong.com 

Facebook: Facebook.com/wwilfongauthor

Title of book we’re promoting: Movement

Genre of book: Thriller/General Fiction

That is great.  Can you tell us a little about yourself and what led you to start writing?

I grew up in Richmond, VA before moving to Chattanooga in ’97. I’d always had a love for reading and writing short stories, but some of my short stories seemed to grow and grow to the point that I thought there might be something interesting in them. Crazy dreams, spicy food, and my inability to find something good to read all led to the conclusion of Movement and a half dozen other projects in various stages of completion.

Do you write full-time or around another job? How do you schedule your time to write?

Sadly, writing is a part time gig for me at this point, but I can dream. I try to set aside the late evenings for writing as I do my best work when the house is quiet and everyone is settled in. Sometimes I will go months without touching a draft before leaping headfirst into it and spending days in front of the computer. 

Where do you get your inspiration, information, and ideas for books?

Every idea I’ve had has been the result of some crazy dream that I’ve been lucky enough to remember. I’ll wake up and scratch the idea down on a piece of paper, and then spend some time alone on the back porch of an evening fleshing it out to see if there’s a story somewhere in the sentences.

That's great! I can never remember my dreams, but I have used some of my wife's remembrances before.  What are your hobbies and do they ever play into your writing?

I’m big on spending time in the outdoors whether it be fishing, camping, or hiking. Peaceful surroundings definitely play a role in helping my mind get freed from the stress of life and help lubricate the gears of creativity.

What advice would you give someone who wants to be a writer?

Read Stephen King’s “On Writing.” There are some things in this book that I wish I had known much earlier in the journey. There’s an excellent section in it about not plotting your book from end to end, and letting it flow organically. In doing so you create a book that is predictable to the reader, and if the reader knows how the book will end from the start, then it’s not a good book.

Nice article on 12 takeaways from "On Writing"

I've read On Writing twice.  It and a great course I listened to (How to Write Best-Selling Fiction by James Scott Bell) have been the most influential to me.  King's book, in particular, is great.  Shifting gears, please tell us about your current release.

I released Movement in December of 2019 just after the birth of my first son. It’s actually the fourth book I’ve started, but the first I’ve finished. It’s on the small side at around 80,000 words, but it’s had good reception with friends and family. 

I haven’t spent nearly as much time promoting it as I had planned, so I really need to get on that.

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer? 

By far it was buying my own ISBN number. Don’t give the rights to your hard work away.  

Just for our readers, let me provide the description on the back flap:

Was it a chance meeting or was it meant to be? For Jacob Thornton things had never come easy, but meeting Sarah made for a love that transcended time and space. She saw something in him, and ability, that he didn't even know existed.

This is more than a love story though. This is a story of deceit and cover-ups; a story where finding out the truth of your past is just the prelude to outrunning it long enough to have a future.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m not sure. I have few and I can’t decide which direction I want to go in next. Having a kid put a slight hiatus on writing, but at seven months Ben is sleeping through the night and allowing some free time in the evenings. 

The two that show the most promise are Expat with a word count of around 150,000 and Hole In The Dirt (bad working title) with 40,000 words. Despite the title, I think the second will be the next to finish. Think along the lines of something ancient from below coming to the surface with a millennia of hunger, sharp claws, and the intelligence of pack hunters. It follows how several people from varied backgrounds fight to survive, fail to survive, and work to find a way to stop these creatures.  

That sounds like a fun read! I know your free time is limited with a newborn, but who are your favorite authors to read?

Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Joe Abercrombie are my all-time favorites. 

What is your writer’s kryptonite? 

I would have to say the television. Good documentaries and murder mysteries turn me into a couch potato and keep me from my work.

I think we all are susceptible to the draw of television.  It reminds me of a quote from King.

Thanks for joining me.  One more time, let our readers know where they can purchase your book?

BUY "MOVEMENT" by W. Wilfong here!

Argh! Move over Harvard! MIT is teaching real life skills.

What child ever went to their parents when they were seven and said, "Father, I hope someday to be an accountant for people in the sock industry," or "Mother, my dream is to be a engineer designing freeway bridges in large, metropolitan cities with mass transit."

Okay... maybe a few kids say that.  But most have no interest.  Rather, they want to be a superhero, a fireman, a professional athlete, a musician, an actor, or perhaps a pirate.

Yes, a pirate.  Whether it is the story of the princess bride, Robin Hood, Pirates of the Caribbean, or some other version, young people have always had a fascination with pirating.

Indeed, when I took my youngest son to DisneyWorld for the first time, becoming a pirate was his favorite activity.  The opening picture is evidence that (1) Disney does a great job turning children into pirates, (2) Disney pirated all my money, and (3) there is such a thing as a skeleton pirate.

Now all of this is interesting, until you hit your senior year in high school, which my son is entering.  As you look at colleges, there is great excitement for those still chasing their dreams.  There are science and STEM jobs where you may hopefully get to be part of an experiment and become a super mutant.  There are scholarships for actors, musicians, and even for accountants.  There are trade schools as well for firemen.  But where do you go to be a pirate?

Harvard? Nada. Yale? Nope. Vanderbilt? No.  MIT?  You bet!!

That is right,

SEE THE PROGRAM HERE!

If you are at MIT and need to fulfill your physical education requirements you can take their pirate program.  Now, for those youngsters who love to do AP work in high school, MIT makes clear that "Non-MIT courses and life experience are not counted towards completing the certificate."

And, of course, they ay, "The MIT Pirate Certificate is for entertainment purposes only and does not give the recipient license to engage in piracy or any pirate activities."

Wink, wink...

But still, a real pirate certification from an American University!  If I was their marketing director, I would put this on the front page of every brochure.

Checkout My Podcast Interview!

Spilling Ink 
Podcast Interview
Saturday, July 11th

8:00 EST

Interview Link Here!

Check Out Other Spilling Ink Podcasts Here

My friend, Katie Salidas, has invited me to be a guest 

on the acclaimed podcast, Spilling Ink.  

Check out her awesome series here!

https://www.katiesalidas.com

What I gave to Katie

Spilling Ink is a podcast that goes behind the book with authors Katie Salidas, Jason LaVelle, and David Jones.  They give an inside look at all aspects of the publishing industry. They look for authors working their way to the top of the slush piles, and see what it takes to bring a story from idea to print. (adapted from their website: Spilled Ink)

What Katie helped me create!!

I am very blessed to have met Katie, who helped me on the cover design and formatting of Jam Sessions.





Katie also helped me connect with someone on ACX, where I produced my audible version.  She was a great help navigating the indie publishing waters.  I am excited that I have been invited to interview on the podcast.  It will air live Saturday evening and can be found in archive at their site:

https://spillinginkshow.podbean.com