Month: March 2020

Author Interview with Jessica Marinos

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Jessica Marinos 3-7-2020

I am excited to share this interview with Jessica Marinos today. She is a fairly new author who has just released the second book in her Trimont Trilogy.

Jessica, thank you so much for taking the time and allowing me to interview you for this blog post.

Q: You became a writer at a fairly young age. When did you first know you wanted to become a writer?

A: When I was 22, I began seriously writing Traiven’s Pass, thinking that it would be one book which may be the only book I ever write. Strangely, I never grew up thinking that I wanted to be an author, though I always enjoyed writing throughout school and possessed a natural knack for it. Once it was evident to me that Traiven’s Pass would be a trilogy, I knew for certain I would at least see the trilogy through to completion. Now that I am on the final book, other story ideas are seeping in, and I know that I want and am called to be a writer.

Q: Did you take college level classes for writing? If so, did you attend college or do online classes, and what types of classes did you take?

A: Besides other college classes, I did take online college writing classes such as: English 1 & 2, Literature, History of Theatre, which had me reading lots of plays. I also widely read how to write good fiction books.

Q: I read your first book, Traiven’s Pass, and enjoyed it immensely. I was extremely impressed with the quality of your writing–your descriptions and character development, your ability to draw me into the story and keep me turning page after page. I always say that the best books make me laugh and cry, and Traiven’s Pass did both. Therefore, I have been excitedly awaiting the second book in this trilogy, King’s City, which you have recently released. However, you had some trouble getting this book out to your readers. It was delayed for quite some time. Will you share a bit about that journey and how your readers reacted to the extended wait?

A: I do not think I will ever predict when a book is going to be released again. King’s City was delayed for several reasons: 1) Our family had an unexpected gargantuan move from Tennessee to Pennsylvania. We moved our entire auto restoration business and a house from Arizona to Tennessee all to Pennsylvania. With everything that goes on with such huge transitions, I set aside my writing for nearly a year. 2) I have learned that excellent writing takes time because it takes much thought. My writing does not come out perfect my first draft. It is worked and reworked many times over to achieve just the right flow of plot, character, description, and prose. 3) The most recent setback was with the printing company we chose to print King’s City. The quality we received did not meet the quality we had been led to believe that we would receive. We, therefore. had to find another printing company, which we now have, and things are back on track after the upheaval.

My readers responded to the delay of King’s City most graciously–with much understanding and encouragement. I never want to take their kindness and patience for granted.

Q: Has your first book, Traiven’s Pass, been a success in your eyes?

A: Yes, I view Traiven’s Pass as a success. I cannot say financially, but from those who read it, they love it–all ages, men and women, boys and girls. Families have also highly enjoyed it as a read aloud.

Q: You have one book remaining to complete and release in the Trimont Trilogy and I know you’ve already begun work on it. Do you think this book will see better progress and a quicker release than King’s City?

A: I am not going to attempt a prediction, but I do think that the third book will be completed and released faster than book 2, King’s City. I have discovered the right method of writing for me, which is writing really sloppy drafts and running them by mom sooner, rather than later, so that the content kinks can be worked out before my good writing comes. So far, progress has been faster than anticipated on the third book. There are no foreseeable big events to take me away from writing. As of now, the runway is clear.

Q: Every writer dreams of being able to make a living from their writing, but few accomplish that goal. Is that your dream? Do you see a possibility of accomplishing that dream? Do you have other work that you currently do in addition to your writing?

A: I hope I can make a living through writing; however, my original aim was never to seek after a career. If I could get books out faster, which I am going to try, I do see the potential, in the future, of making a profit. But like you said, it is a very tall, expensive ladder to climb.

In addition to writing, I am the assistant office manager of our family auto restoration business.

Q: Do you have a favorite writer whose books inspired you?

A: George MacDonald is my favorite writer. I am constantly in the middle of one of his English or Scottish novels (Edited by Michael Phillips). Like C.S. Lewis considered MacDonald his literary master, so do I. George MacDonald’s description is breathtaking. His characters are so true, deep, and good role models. His spiritual insight is unparalleled in fiction. I’ve learned so much for my own soul through his stories. It is my desire that my books could also have such a lasting heavenly fragrance upon the heart.

Q: What is your writing routine like?

A: I get up at 6 a.m. and spend an hour alone with Jesus and His word and then I work on my book for another hour. After breakfast, I begin writing again, but I also shift between writing and my accounting work throughout the day.

When I get writer’s block, I switch from writing on my laptop to writing in a notebook. And when I feel stuck in writing in a notebook, I move back to a laptop. I’ve noticed that going back and forth helps loosen my mind so that I can progress forward. The notebook is my free flow, and I then use the laptop to clean up my mess, keep what I want and leave out what I didn’t like so much.

Q: After the Trimont Trilogy is completed, do you have more stories waiting to be written?

A: Yes, indeed! I’m pondering writing more books based off the Trimont Trilogy. Also, I am amped up to write a historical fiction which takes place during the Revolutionary War. As far as non-fiction, I’d like to write a fun how to write creative fiction book, as well as a Biblical Christian book based on Romans chapters 6-8.

Q: Where can people purchase your books? Do you do book signings and if so, can you give us some dates and locations of any upcoming signings?

A: My books are available on Amazon. I will be at the Great Homeschool Convention in Greenville, SC, March 19-21; the Great Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati, OH, April 16-18; NCHE Thrive Convention in NC, May 28-30; and CHAP Homeschool Convention in Lancaster, PA, June 11-12.

   

Jessica, it has been a pleasure getting to know more about you and your writing. I wish you the very best. I have my copy of King’s City and cannot wait to dig into it! I will also look forward to seeing you at the CHAP Convention in Lancaster in June.

Readers, if you haven’t read either Traiven’s Pass (read my review here), or the recently released King’s City, I highly recommend that you do.

 

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Photo by Heather Barnes on Unsplash

Honey Lavender
by Kelly F. Barr

Elaina sat at a small corner table in the ice cream parlor eating her honey lavender ice cream.

“A pink shirt isn’t too bad, but I wouldn’t be wearing pink shoes to go with my pink shirt.” A young man’s voice drifted to her from a nearby table.

“Well, the way he’s showering affection on that woman leaves no question as to his masculinity.” A young woman’s voice responded, drawing Elaina’s attention to the line of customers at the counter. As she scanned the line of customers, her eyes landed on a tall, muscular, good-looking man with caramel colored skin who had his arms around a short woman with ash blond hair. He bent to place a kiss on the top of her head, but the woman paid no attention to him.

Elaina couldn’t take her eyes off the pair. How could that woman ignore the gentle, loving attention that handsome man was showering on her? Elaina’s gaze remained upon them until they received their ice cream and moved out of her line of sight.

Elaina sighed, her thoughts turning to her desire to find someone who would pay her such sweet attention. She certainly wouldn’t be so apathetic toward a man like that. Instead, she’d be basking in his attention and showing her appreciation by giving him her full attention.

She finished her ice cream, tossed the napkins in the trash and walked toward the door. As she neared the exit, her gaze swept toward tables to her right, and there, at a small table for two, sat the couple she’d been watching in the ice cream line. The woman was looking at her cell phone while the caramel skinned man ate his ice cream. His eyes met Elaina’s and she  averted her gaze and stepped through the doorway to the outside.

* * * *

The following week, Elaina turned a corner in the bookstore and collided with a tall, muscular man. She gasped and raised her eyes to the man’s face. “I’m so sorry.”

“It was completely my fault. I wasn’t watching where I was going.” A smooth as velvet voice spoke and dark brown eyes met hers. It was him–the same man she’d seen with that woman at the ice cream parlor. Then he turned the corner and was gone.

Elaina picked up the latest book by J.P. Robinson and headed for the checkout line. As she approached the line, the same man stepped from an aisle and moved in front of her. She looked around but didn’t see the short woman, who’d been with him at the ice cream parlor, anywhere. She stood staring at the cover of the book she planned to purchase.

“I see you’ve picked up In the Midst of the Flames. Have you read In the Shadow of Your Wings?” The smooth as velvet voice addressed her.

She looked into his dark brown eyes. “Yes. It kept me turning pages from the beginning to the end, and I stayed up quite late one night to finish it.”

“Then I’m sure you’ll enjoy In the Midst of the Flames. I just finished reading that one two nights ago. That’s why I’m here. I needed something else to read.” He held up a copy of Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. Then stepped to the cashiers’ desk to make his purchase.

* * * * *

Three days later Elaina took a walk in the park, then sat on a bench to watch the children playing on the playground, when a shadow fell across her face.

“Mind if I sit here?”

Elaina looked up into the caramel colored face and dark brown eyes of the same man. He held out a small dish of ice cream. “Honey lavender, right?”

Elaina’s lower jaw dropped but she realized it in a fraction of a second and asked, “How did you know that?” She took the dish from him with one hand and motioned for him to have a seat on the bench with the other.

“I saw you watching me at the ice cream parlor about a week and a half ago and, even though it was at a distance, I thought it looked like you were enjoying a cone of honey lavender ice cream. Today is a bit warm so I thought you might prefer it in a dish.” He smiled and his eyes sparkled as he lifted a spoonful of honey lavender ice cream from his own dish.

“I see. Well, thank you.” She made a quick scan of the area.

“She’s not here. As a matter of fact, she’s not a part of my life anymore.”

A mild flush heated Elaina’s face as she realized he had noticed her looking for the woman who had been with him at the ice cream parlor. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Your expression, when you spotted us at the table on your way out of the parlor that evening, opened my eyes. I saw compassion in your eyes when our eyes met and realized you understood there was a problem between Jill and me. That made me realize something needed to change.” He slipped another spoonful of ice cream into his mouth and swallowed. “I tried talking to Jill about it after you walked out, but she was too busy on her phone to pay attention. That night was the last time I saw her. She never even texted me when I didn’t call to see her again.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Again, don’t be. I’m glad I came to my senses before my relationship with Jill got too serious.” He ate a couple more spoonfuls of ice cream. “So what about you? Every time I see you, you’re alone.”

She raised her last spoonful of ice cream to her mouth and took her time savoring it as she considered her words. “I guess I just haven’t met the right guy yet.”

He held her gaze for several moments. “Would you be willing to give me a chance?”

“Yes.”

Tea and Poetry Tuesday

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Today’s Tea Quote:

“Tea, though ridiculed by those who are naturally coarse in their sensibilities will always be the favorite beverage of the intellectual.”  — Thomas de Quincey

Melancholy Lady
by Kelly F. Barr

When her heart breaks
and her soul aches
and the loneliness sets in,
she longs for a tender touch,
a warm embrace,
and a passionate kiss.
An inviting smile
is all it would take
to make her feel alive again.
But none can be found
and she cries alone,
longing for home and rest.

The Difference Between Editors and Beta Readers

/ kellyfbarr / 2 Comments

I’m not sure why, but lately it seems there is confusion in regard to editors and Beta Readers. I have been an editor for about two years now and have been a Beta Reader longer than that.

Therefore, I’ll talk about Beta Readers first. Whenever I’ve been asked to Beta Read a book, I have always been given a polished manuscript, meaning it has been through a thorough edit and has been revised by the writer and is now close to publication quality. What the writer wants to know from Beta Readers are the answers to questions like:

  • Did the first sentence/paragraph grab your attention/interest and make you want to keep reading?
  • Are the characters realistic? Can you relate to them?
  • Are the characters emotions and reactions believable?
  • Do the minor characters add to and/or support the story line?
  • Does the story have conflict and tension?
  • Does the story move at a consistent pace?
  • Is there anything that slows the story down?
  • Is there anything that seems too rushed?
  • Do you find anything that seems unnecessary or unrelated to the story?
  • Is there anything you find confusing?
  • Do setting descriptions give you a clear picture of the story’s world and is it realistic?
  • Is the dialogue natural?
  • Is each character’s voice distinct?
  • Is there a good mix of narrative and dialogue?
  • Does the writing “show” and not “tell”?
  • Are the changes of point of view clear and handled well, with page breaks or chapter changes, consistently?
  • Is the writing good quality, allowing you to focus on the story and not be distracted by writing errors?
  • Is the story unique and interesting?
  • Does the story deliver on its premise?
  • Does the story fit the genre?
  • Did you enjoy the story?
  • Are there any scenes you think should be shortened or cut?
  • Who is your favorite character and why?
  • Who is your least favorite character and why?

As you read over the above questions, you should get an understanding that a Beta Reader’s job is to focus on the story and the characters. It is not a Beta Reader’s job to find grammatical, spelling, or other technical writing errors and point them out. They should only be giving feedback on what they liked and didn’t like about the story and why — the types of things they would discuss with other readers when discussing books both have read or suggesting the book to a friend.

Now, the editor’s job is very different from the Beta Reader’s job. A good editor will be looking for and pointing out ALL of the writing errors — wrong word usage, spelling, grammatical, punctuation, passive vs. active voice, better and/or stronger word choices, etc. In addition to all of this, the editor will also be looking for weak spots in the story — areas that need to be shortened or lengthened, more intense or less intense, the pace of the story, how well the characters are developed, do setting descriptions appeal to the senses, is the time line accurate, is the order of the story correct; is the language in the dialogue appropriate for the ages of the characters, for the setting, and for the time period of the story, and so much more.

As you can see the editor’s job includes some of the same aspects of the Beta Reader’s job, but it’s very important that the editor’s job come first because the editor is the one to help the writer produce their best possible work.

The Beta Reader is like a “test reader”. Their job is to read the manuscript before it is published, as a reader, in order to offer feedback on what they think of the story, setting, and characters from a reader’s perspective without having to be bogged down by lots of writing mistakes.

When the writer gets the Beta Readers’ responses, they can run through the manuscript one more time to fine tune it and be sure it will now be published in the best possible quality it can be. It should be ready for a multitude of readers before it is published and released to the world.