JEANNE ROGERS
- Guest Blogger and Author -
G'day guys,
Today I welcome a blogger and author who lives in the USA, but has written an amazing book featuring Aussie animals - my good friend Jeanne Rogers. And, she is currently in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, for the first time.
Welcome, to Australia and my blog, Jeanne ...
TELL
US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BLOG’S JOURNEY.
First
I want to thank Clancy for asking me here today. I consider it an honour to be
able to speak with you and your readers.
My
blog’s journey, well that is an interesting question. Mine is a very young
blog, not quite two years old, but I enjoy maintaining it and have a number of
loyal followers who enjoy looking forward to my posts. When I first started the
blog I was totally clueless. I had to learn everything, and I know that I made
many mistakes along the way, but it has certainly been a worthwhile learning
experience for me. I am certain that it will continue to be a source of fun for
me as well as a test of my writing skills. As a result of my first book
publishing, the blog will change a bit.
WHAT
IS THE AIM OF YOUR BLOG?
The
initial aim of the blog was to ‘shamelessly promote’ my first fantasy, The Sword of Demelza, which just
recently published on Amazon. That purpose quickly morphed, and although I
still use the blog to bring attention to my book, I also have been inspired in
other ways. The blog has expanded to include these inspirations. It has now
become very focused in two ways. The first is highlighting a very important
environmental issue; endangered animals. I do my best to introduce my readers
to interesting creatures that they may not know about, and may be on the IUCN
(International Union for Conservation of Nature) list. The second focus was to
review children’s and young people’s books, focusing on independent authors. My
hope is I will cast some light onto very talented people who may otherwise not
find a spotlight. Granted, being reviewed on my blog is more like being under a
flashlight, but I enjoy doing my part. There is such a buzz going on right now relating
to the pros and cons of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing. So many
questions being bandied about, questions like, how can you tell if a book is
self-published, how good are self-published books, has the e-book opportunity
made it too easy for anyone to publish, and what is the future of writers in this
new electronic book world. Someone likened the current situation to the old
west, and I think that is a very good analogy; just about anything goes right
now, and the rules are changing rapidly. It has been my experience that there
are so many good self-published authors who might otherwise never have the
opportunity to share their work. I use the blog to support the work of those
writers. It’s a little thing, but big things can result from little beginnings.
WHAT
DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
I
have to be honest. My first response to this question was, ‘the process.’
However, that just doesn’t cut it. Depending on how one writes, the process can
be a joy or overwhelming. If I really want to be honest with you, and my
readers, my real answer would be the freedom that one finds in putting words to
paper. It doesn’t matter how you do it, just doing it is a joy. I typically
don’t follow a particular method. I let the reel run in my head and try to put
the words down as the action takes place. Once those places, things and
characters come alive it’s a race to tell their story. The characters urge me
on, anxious to have their tale told. They speak to me continually and I have no
choice but to allow them to do so. J
WHAT
IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
For
me the most difficult thing has been to find balance in the regular working
world and my creative world. Most writers, I believe, keep a day job.
Unfortunately money is a necessary evil, and writers usually work somewhere
else to make ends meet. I wish there were more hours in the day.
WHAT
WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOUR BLOG?
My
past life is not completely gone yet! However, my full time job is coming to a
close, and I will have more time to devote to writing. After leaving college, I
went to work and have remained in the working world for some time. Writing and
reading have always been a great part of my life, and fantasy stories have been
my favourites. The idea for my first book has been percolating for quite a
while now, and I am thrilled to have said, ‘I did it.’ I actually wrote that
book that has been in my head, and I think it’s good; good enough to afford me
the courage to introduce it to readers.
WHAT
DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT PROMOTING OTHERS?
The
result of promoting others gives one the same feeling as when you take the time
to pick out the perfect gift and then give it to that special someone. The act
itself brings so much joy that you become addicted to it; you want to do it
again and again. I think the first time one of my Amazon reviews was reported
by someone as being helpful to them, I was taken aback and thrilled all at the
same time. What I wrote had actually inspired someone to purchase a book written
by a fellow author. Now what could be better than that?
WHAT
ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
Right
now I am working on the second book of the Australian Fantasy Adventures. It
will introduce, to middle graders, more endangered species of Australian
animals, as well as some of the wonderfully unusual places that can only be
found there. The second book will go back to before the sword of Demelza
existed and explore how it came into being. A third book is ruminating, but I
have to focus!
WHAT
INSPIRES YOU?
Inspiration
is all around us; the people we meet, the places we go, our experiences on a
daily basis. More than any of these, I am inspired by nature itself. It’s an
awesome world out there, and there is so much I would love to see and do. There
are beautiful places and amazing animals. My deep desire is to see as much as I
can. It is a privilege to be a part of it, and that privilege comes with a
responsibility to care and protect it for generations to come.
ARE
YOU A WRITER?
Wow!
Is this a trick question? (giggle) I guess anyone who writes can be considered
a writer. I would like to be considered as a weaver of tales for young people,
tales that not just entertain, but educate as well. There is so much stuff out
there that’s heavy duty; divorce, death of a loved one, suicide, VAMPIRES
ZOMBIES and WEREWOLVES, OH MY!! How about just an enchanting tale that
entertains and is just plain old ordinary fun? One that makes you want to read
another book.
DO
YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?
I
think the one thing that new writers need is tenacity. You have to keep trying.
Depending on where you are in your writing process, whether you are in the
midst of writing that book you always wanted to write, or you’re still in
school studying the craft, the best advice I can give is keep at it. It’s the
fire in the belly, the sense of urgency that will get you to where you want to
be. Lastly, I would have to add that you must write for yourself, in other
words, write about what you love and the rest will fall into place.
DO
YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?
Is
there a writer on the planet that doesn’t? I’d like to meet that person. There
have been countless times that I have sat in front of the computer screen and
stared at it. Like really, will words appear magically? It’s silly to think
that sometimes I feel as though my story’s characters have taken a powder and
left no forwarding address. I usually take a walk and hope that they will
contact me soon so that I can get back to work.
DO
YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?
Nope!
However, it does seem that I am very productive at about 5:00 in the morning.
Um...wonder why that is. Seriously, when the muse arrives I listen.
DO
YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?
Not
really. I tend to move my laptop from one place to another. Maybe there is an
unconscious hope that a change in venue will be good for me. When I find myself
sitting at my desk and looking out into the forest behind my home, I end up
watching the squirrels scampering around collecting nuts and what not, instead
of dealing with the task at hand. So, the place that I should be (my desk) ends
up being the place that I shouldn’t be.
WHO
IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?
When
I was in college, my dad would bring books home that he thought I might like.
One day he brought home a copy of the Foundation
Trilogy, by Isaac Asimov. Many readers will recognize that this is the book
that the movie I Robot starring Will
Smith, was based on. It has always been one
of my favourites. You can see how I emphasis ‘one.’ There are so many others
that I think are absolutely fantastic. How about, Tolkien, Neil Gaiman, Terry
Brooks, C.S. Lewis, Edgar Allen Poe, just to name a few. I can throw in some
really dark stuff by mentioning Kafka (poor man). Most recently I had the
privilege to read a book written by a talented young author, Stefan Bachmann’s The Peculiar. There are just too many wonderful
authors to name, but Isaac, you started it all! So, to answer your question,
‘who is your favourite author?” Dunno,
two many to count.
WHAT’S
THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER OF YOUR BLOG?
I
love your blog. Let me know when you’re published. – I’ve tucked this person’s
name aside.
WHAT
WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?
The
words used in the story were too big for middle graders. – Opinions, everyone’s
got one.
WRITERS
ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?
I
think this is true, whether we recognize it or not. I was surprised one day when
my editor said that she could see my personality shine through my writing. So,
who I am and the culmination of my experiences do have an impact and they find
their way to the written word, becoming my ‘style.’ I think that’s a good
thing. You have to be true to your own voice when you’re writing; otherwise
it’s not yours, now is it?
OTHER
THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?
I
love dogs. If you have no other friends and you have a dog, you need nothing
else. They are the epitome of unconditional love and devotion. I once read an
American Indian story about the creation. In this story, the Gods had completed
the creation of animals and introduced man. To separate man from the animals,
the Gods opened up a fissure in the earth, and before it became too wide the
dog leapt over it. The dog has stood beside man ever since. Yeah, that’s a good
story, and I believe it’s true. My standard poodle, Phoebe would agree as well.
My husband says she would follow me off a cliff. That’s true too.
Oh,
p.s., I love my three kids too! J
IF
YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE ENTIRE WORLD, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
Gee,
if I had such an opportunity I would need a lifetime to come up with the right
thing to say. I’ll take a shot at this. My comments to the world would include
a plea to recognize that we are not alone on the planet. We share it with many
other living things, and the resources we have are limited. We need to find a
way to insure that we use and share those resources while protecting the
wildlife. I find it very sad when both the lives of people and animals are
ignored in order to obtain resources. It’s just not right.
DESCRIBE
YOUR PERFECT DAY.
The
sun is shining, there’s not a cloud in the sky and a warm breeze is blowing.
The day is mine to plan and I’m going to take a nice long walk with my dog,
Phoebe. I just want to take it all in – revel in being alive. These days are
few and far between.
WHAT
ARE YOUR GREATEST ASSETS AS A WRITER?
I
think the best asset to have is an open mind. The knowledge that your imagination
is limitless can only produce wonderful results if you allow it to wander free.
IF
YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO BE?
WHY?
OK,
I’m going to be completely honest here. I’m going to tell you the first person that
came into my head. No, it’s not my husband, or one of those guys who won on the
Survivor series. Are you ready? The name is Abraham Lincoln. So I guess now you
want to know why? (clears throat). In college I studied history, loved medieval
England, Roman, and French history. Then I came back across the puddle and
studied US history. I focused on the civil war, and discovered Abraham Lincoln.
I became obsessed. I bought and read any book about the man that I could get my
hands on. Then I went nuts. I purchased a first edition of a book written by
the artist who painted the Emancipation Proclamation. Francis Carpenter, an
artist from upstate New York, spent six months in the White House with Lincoln
while painting this very famous portrait. The book, Six Months at the White House with Abraham Lincoln, is one of my
most treasured possessions. But I digress. Why Abraham Lincoln? Let’s picture
it. We’re on a desert island, we don’t know if we’ll ever get back to
civilisation, we have no ship building skills, (Did you mention pen and paper?
No don’t think you did.). We have no pens, no paper, and no books. Oh man, this
is terrible. So what’s left, what will you need? You’ll need to have a
companion that is intelligent, personable and funny (you will need your spirits
lifted). Abraham can do the job. Did you know that Lincoln is the only
president that holds a patent? And the patent has to do with water! That works
for me, since, as you guessed it, an island is surrounded by water! (P.S. I’m hoping that the island is not all desert.
A few coconut trees would be good.)
WHAT
ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
I’m
taking it a day at a time, Clancy. Would love to see my children married and
happy. I look forward to retirement, and writing full time. I look forward to
my mind continually sending me ideas that I want to share. I want to be happy.
I want to visit Australia! We’ll see, time will tell.
WHAT
FIVE BOOKS WOULD YOU TAKE TO HEAVEN?
Great
question! Ummm...let’s see now, five you say. Give me a minute, I’ll think of
five...Five, OK, I’ve come up with one; Jane Eyre. I love that book and read it
many time. I still cry at the end. I’d have to take a copy of the books I wrote
so I can edit them. J I would also need a copy of the
book mentioned above, Six Months in the
White House. Ok, I know it’s only four, but here’s the last one, The Worst Case Scenario. I shouldn’t be
negative about Heaven, but ya never know.
HAVE
YOU MADE SOME GREAT FRIENDS VIA YOUR BLOG?
I
have made some wonderful friends since blogging, LinkedIn, and FB. Kudos to
whoever it was who invented the internet. Was it Al Gore?
AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/The-Sword-Demelza-J-Rogers/dp/061570994X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365760282&sr=8-1&keywords=the+sword+of+demelza
WATCH THIS SENSATIONAL BOOK TRAILER!
BOOK TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzipgvCjJZo
Then again, maybe ya right ... maybe we are odd.
Love ya work!
I'm ...
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