June Ahern's Blog, page 27
May 28, 2013
GREAT CITY FOR BOOK LOCATION
San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen coined the term Baghdad-by-the-Bay for San Francisco's exotic multicultural, multicrazy citizens -- my city. I hear some natives who have long moved it say, it's not like it used to be! True, because it, like the waters surrounding it, is in constant change -- people sail in, sail out and the beat goes on.
How could I not develop a story around San Francisco?
My novels, "The Skye in June" and "City of Redemption", set in this interesting place tell of times gone past. What hasn't changed are the hills the characters climb up and down, in and out of shops nestled the valleys as fog lingers nearby. A visit to Playland to listen to the hysterical Laughing Sal is a reminder of an amusement park that remains in many memories. A writer can't tell a story about San Francisco without taking readers on a cable car ride with a clang, clang of bells and end at Woolworth's store on Market.
The City is full of history of unsavory characters and wild happenings. When the Bloom of Summer of Love 1967 in the Haight Ashbury paled, the squalor was left for those who called San Francisco home. We went on, more to talk about - then dam hippies! - and then those strange ones came; The Castro grew new life, people, ones like the home-grown city people never saw. Did the world end? Did the City crumble? No. Baghdad stories flew far and wide. The beat went on. And will.
Memories continue to be made, changes never cease. Like it or not. My stories, my bookswill be around for a long, long time, long after I pass on to the big party in the sky. Readers will know what life was like back in the day - they will will know a bit more about my city - my Baghad-by-the-Bay.
Books at Amazon.com, Createspace.com and for personally autographed copies juneahern.com
City of Redemption
The Skye in June
The Timeless Counselor/A Complete Consumer's Guide to a Psychic Reading
January 24, 2012
NEW NOVEL COMPLETE!
Time Has Come by June Ahern
Sixteen years after the Summer of Love, Liz MacKay appears before a parole board. Do you understand the gravity of your actions? Yes. Are you deeply sorry for the grief they have caused others? Yes. Sorry, but not for killing Ricky Martinez. He hadn’t cared who he hurt. Liz, too, had once been arrogant and self-centered. It toppled her from a good life into a dark hole. Now she does penance for the great misery she caused. Her attorney and friend, Toni, disagrees: When did penance become self-punishment?
A self-professed bad girl Liz marries her Highlander sweetheart at sixteen. They live happily in Scotland until their young son is kidnapped. The boy dies as a result of her lies. Newspaper headlines scream Mom Guilty As Sin! Liz’s husband abandons her and she is a pariah in her hometown. Lonely and grief stricken, she heeds an Irish soothsayer’s prophesy and moves to San Francisco to redeem herself.
Life in San Francisco in 1967 is beyond all of Liz’s experience. She moves into a Castro Street commune, joining Black Panthers Toni and Bobby, the homosexual Mason, Sam, who keeps a watchful eye on the family, and Ricky the drug dealer who has one girlfriend after another. His current girlfriend, Cat, reveals too much about his dealings. And Toni, suspicious of Liz’s insistence that she’s only there to have a jolly good time, seeks the truth.
As the commune unravels and her own drug use escalates, Liz’s guilt about her son worsens. Embroiled in a plot against Toni and Bobby and desperate for redemption and desperate for redemption, she wants to save everyone. Liz must decide. Warn Toni or heed Sam’s threats. Keep quiet. Let what is going happen, happen.
December 3, 2011
What a Character!
I am a people person or should say, a people magnet really. My "other" job is all about people, which gives me plenty of fodder in my larder when writing.
In my first book, "The Timeless Counselor" –– a non-fiction –– I wrote about clients' sessions, but changed the names of course. If you've read that, you see how their stories could actually become a fictional tale or two.
In my novel, oh yum, yum! How fun picking bits and pieces of personalities and situations from a host of characters I've encountered in life.
Even my own family says, 'hey! is that me?' I say of 'course not!'
In truth bits and pieces are my parents, sisters and even my brothers. And then there were others life neighborhood friends. One friend, upon reading the book, called me and said 'loved reading about myself in your book'.
My brothers moaned 'You only used sisters where's the brothers?' Maybe a part of the sisters is the brothers, I told them.
In one chapter of the novel, "The Skye in June - fictional (but of course!)I used a crime committed in the early 1960's in my neighborhood to create fiction between the MacDonald family and more so for the main character, June.
Although I remember the story, research was still necessary to stir real and imaginary pictures to put into enticing words.
One of the people involved in this serious crime (all teen boys) read my book then remarked, "I see I made your story." He wasn't angry or upset. Names had been changed, it was an old crime but still part of the changing environs in "the Castro" of San Francisco and only a few would recognize the old story.
Readers from my 'old hood' during the story's era in San Francisco, contact me all the time to share their own experiences of growing up in what became a world famous neighborhood, "the Castro". Those who went to Catholic school also have much to say about their experience with nuns. Readers who went to the same parochial school I did and wrote about in the book, recognize the nuns by their real names and not the ones I gave them. That is fun! Of course the names have been changed to protect the innocent and the guilty.
As I work on my new novel the characters are created more so by me, but still I reflect back on the later 1960 days in San Francisco and have many characters to draw from.
What about the characters in your life? Will they end up in a story?
Please read more about me and my books at http://www.juneahern.com
The Skye in June
The Timeless Counselor/A Complete Consumer's Guide to a Psychic Reading
What a Character!
I am a people person or should say, a people magnet really. My "other" job is all about people, which gives me plenty of fodder in my larder when writing.
In my first book, "The Timeless Counselor" –– a non-fiction –– I wrote about clients' sessions, but changed the names of course. If you've read that, you see how their stories could actually become a fictional tale or two.
In my novel, oh yum, yum! How fun picking bits and pieces of personalities and situations from a host of characters I've encountered in life.
Even my own family says, 'hey! is that me?' I say of 'course not!'
In truth bits and pieces are my parents, sisters and even my brothers. And then there were others life neighborhood friends. One friend, upon reading the book, called me and said 'loved reading about myself in your book'.
My brothers moaned 'You only used sisters where's the brothers?' Maybe a part of the sisters is the brothers, I told them.
In one chapter of the novel, "The Skye in June - fictional (but of course!)I used a crime committed in the early 1960's in my neighborhood to create fiction between the MacDonald family and more so for the main character, June.
Although I remember the story, research was still necessary to stir real and imaginary pictures to put into enticing words.
One of the people involved in this serious crime (all teen boys) read my book then remarked, "I see I made your story." He wasn't angry or upset. Names had been changed, it was an old crime but still part of the changing environs in "the Castro" of San Francisco and only a few would recognize the old story.
Readers from my 'old hood' during the story's era in San Francisco, contact me all the time to share their own experiences of growing up in what became a world famous neighborhood, "the Castro". Those who went to Catholic school also have much to say about their experience with nuns. Readers who went to the same parochial school I did and wrote about in the book, recognize the nuns by their real names and not the ones I gave them. That is fun! Of course the names have been changed to protect the innocent and the guilty.
As I work on my new novel the characters are created more so by me, but still I reflect back on the later 1960 days in San Francisco and have many characters to draw from.
What about the characters in your life? Will they end up in a story?
Please read more about me and my books at http://www.juneahern.com
The Skye in June
The Timeless Counselor/A Complete Consumer's Guide to a Psychic Reading
October 6, 2011
Give-away of Novel by June Ahern
I've once again, entered "The Skye in June" my novel as a give-away in the US and GB, which seems appropriate since it is about a Scottish immigrant family living in San Francisco, California - a great historical city. Please read more about the story at juneahern.com.
And Good Luck! Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again.
September 23, 2011
BOOK GIVE- AWAY CONTEST
I love to read and have done so since I was a little girl. My own books continue to give pleasure to many readers. Both receiving overwhelmingly five star reviews on goodreads.com & Amazon and on my website, juneahern.com where you can learn more of what my novel "The Skye in June" and how-to book< "The Timeless Counselor:The Best Guide to a Psychic Reading" and about me at Full Moon Bites - read in an interview PLUS join in for the book give-away before 10/4. Good Luck! I hope you win.
My first book reading for my novel, The Skye in June, on Friday the 13th.Much fun was had! Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again.
September 20, 2011
Give-away of Two Books by June Ahern
Here's the latest give-away.
http://fullmoonbites.wordpress.com/20...
For either paperback or ebook - check it out!
August 19, 2011
PSYCHIC READER NEEDS GUIDANCE
I felt a great need for a psychic reading because like many others are experiencing at this time of history, parts of my life are changing rapidly. Who to turn to? I'm particular when it comes to having a spiritual psychic reading.
Yes, psychic readers like myself do find readings from another like-minded professional most helpful for insights and spiritual guidance. Litany Burns came to my mind as a reader I wanted to read me. The decision proved positive. In the first five minutes she spoke about my most important issue and that's before I asked her. In that regards she and I are alike as readers, talk about the person's energy without first hearing a question from her or him.
Litany's reading did exactly for me what I say in my book, The Timeless Counselor: The Best Guide to a Psychic Reading –– it validated much of what I already knew, but had some doubts about, and also gave me another ways of seeing my situations.
As I suggest to all my clients, I recorded the session for later re-listening and perhaps hear more than during the reading.
Litany Burns has several books I have found most helpful, not only on a personal level, but as an ESP teacher. After reading and experimenting with the excercises suggested by Ms. Burns, I can comfortably recommend to students––Develop Your Psychic Abilities (And Get Them to Work for You in Your Life) and later The Sixth Sense of Children.
Many parents have asked me about their children's unusual experiences and behavior, the children saying they pick things up or are seeing non-physical beings. Of course, I always tell parents to also check with their professional such as the child's physician, psychologist and the likes, while contributing what I know about psychic children. Besides that I recommend Litany's book since she herself was aware at a young age she had strong psychic abilities. As children with these abilities experience and as I wrote in my novel, The Skye in June, this can be seen as gift, at times, a curse.
I recently interviewed Litany. Enjoy!
When did you realize that you had strong psychic abilities? I don't know if there was one amazing 'Aha' moment when I realized I had psychic abilities. I feel, like most children, that I had these abilities all the time within me without thinking. Even when I began talking to a spirit guide at age 11- I had no idea at the time what that even was- I didn't think in terms of psychic or intuitive talents. The spirit was just a friend. As I learned more about these abilities, I realized they were more than just good advice, insights, etc. I shared with friends. They were predictions that came true, feelings that were right, and knowledge that had wisdom. I believe, as with all talents, developing your intuition is a process, a great one that can change your life in many good ways.
Was it difficult for you and for those close to you, to accept? Being a sensitive, a medium, without being aware of it as a talent was painful. As a child, I was ridiculed for being so sensitive. At age four, I remember wondering why everyone just didn't listen to their wisdom. I had trouble following and conforming to the norm, whatever that is/was, but desperately tried to fit in. Now, I celebrate the differences. In my family, there was no knowledge of anything psychic or intuitive. Even though my father was incredibly psychic and knew when things would happen, my mother had recurring dreams of dead relatives, my brother had an imaginary friend, and my sister saw auras- no one ever thought of these experiences as anything incredible. They were mostly treated as problems or disregarded, as most people do. Everyone in my family was extremely intuitively talented. No one knew or spoke of these abilities as talents at all. I did my best to fit in, was popular with friends, but felt everything and had no idea what to do with all those feelings at the time.
How, if in anyway, are your readings different from when you first began to give psychic readings? I remember my first reading. The person had many readings before me. I think I was most afraid of the tape recorder taping the reading. I just said whatever information came into my head and then when the reading was over, I apologized, thinking what I said was what anyone would say. The person told me it was the best reading she ever had. I always remembered that. Now, after so many years of experience and my own growing as a person and psychic, I practice what I teach. My readings have more dimension and depth, I have more respect and confidence and gain more information from the other side, but I still maintain humility, honestly and integrity during a reading. I believe those three things are tantamount. I also feel it is important to get out the way, let the reading stand on its own merit, and check your ego at the door. Not to say I am perfect or ego-less, far from it, but I'm not into New Age jargon or giving information if I am not receiving it.
What inspired you to write your books? For both my books, Develop Your Psychic Abilities (And Get Them to Work for You in Your Life) and The Sixth Sense of Children, as well as my 30 minutes documentary on intuitive children, Children Among Us - I wanted to get the information I knew out to the greatest amount of people. I found, from giving workshops and readings, the information worked for everyone, so I wanted to share it with as many people as possible to make their lives better. It was that simple. 
What was the hardest part to write in the books? Being a professional writer, just facing a blank page or screen is always difficult as well as formulating words people understand for concepts people don't usually understand is often magical and frustrating at the same time. I usually laugh when people say they're going to write a book, because everyone is taught to write on some level in school. I say, "Go ahead. Then rewrite it at least ten times, and see if you really want to write the book." It's work, but for me it was a calling to be a writer since I was six years old.
What is the most important message you wish for you books to convey? That everyone has intuitive talents. We come here with them to better our lives and, hopefully, the lives of others. They are natural and can be developed easily with awareness and a little psychic muscle, like most talents.
I see you have videos on youtube.com - Why did you make videos? I write for film as well, so it's a natural place for me to work. I know we're a visual society and again, wanted to get the information out to people in as many formats as possible. I love film and writing for it- I AM a clairvoyant... so it's an easy medium, pardon the pun, for me to use for my work. Not all my films are 'psychically oriented', but some are.
What was your life like before becoming an author? It was always my life, regardless of publishing a book. I do remember when I published Develop Your Psychic Abilities, my first book with a major publisher. I drove home with the first copies, the author's copies sitting in the passenger seat of my car. Remember, I wanted to be a writer all my life. Though I published my poetry and some short stories, this was my first published book! I sat there, glancing over at it, thinking I'd be elated! Now I could answer all those people that continually asked me what I've published, something tangible. I felt nothing. How could that be? It was only in that moment, that I finally realized it wasn't ever about the book that I'd been longing to publish to validate myself. It was the journey, the whole process. It sounds a bit New Agey, but it was really profound for me. I still have the same life after publishing both books a few times, actually better, and the books are another part of it that I'm very proud of creating.
What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer? Writing is an art and takes a lot of hard work as with any creative talent. If you don't feel a fire burning inside you to be a writer and deal with all the rejections of the marketplace, you might re-think your direction. If you still want to write, keep writing. The more you write, the more you'll learn about your craft. Writing is the goal and publishing comes after that.
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? I always felt I'd like to meet with Nelson Mandela. I got to hear him speak in Yankee Stadium years ago. Maybe because our birth signs are both Cancer, but really because he has vision, integrity, and relied on his wisdom to get him through such difficult times for the greater good. I've also felt a strong draw to South Africa as well, past life.
Anything else you would like people to know? Don't be afraid of your intuitive talents. They are there to help you in this intellectually focused world, to make you whole, more empathetic, wiser, and to feel excited when they happen. And when people tell me "I don't want you reading my mind," I answer, "I could read your mind if you were continents away, but why would I want to?" Being a psychic, you have to have a sense of humor about, and a great respect for, your talents. Discovering that, they could, and have helped thousands of people over the years is a humbling experience.
Both my five star reveiws books are also ebooks at smashwords.com and amazon.com. For an personally autographed paperback please contact me at www.juneahern.com Support INDIE authors!
PSCHIC READER NEEDS GUIDANCE
I felt a great need for a psychic reading because like many others are experiencing at this time of history, parts of my life are changing rapidly. Who to turn to? I'm particular when it comes to having a spiritual psychic reading.
Yes, psychic readers like myself do find readings from another like-minded professional most helpful for insights and spiritual guidance. Litany Burns came to my mind as a reader I wanted to read me. The decision proved positive. In the first five minutes she spoke about my most important issue and that's before I asked her. In that regards she and I are alike as readers, talk about the person's energy without first hearing a question from her or him.
Litany's reading did exactly for me what I say in my book, The Timeless Counselor: The Best Guide to a Psychic Reading –– it validated much of what I already knew, but had some doubts about, and also gave me another ways of seeing my situations.
As I suggest to all my clients, I recorded the session for later re-listening and perhaps hear more than during the reading.
Litany Burns has several books I have found most helpful, not only on a personal level, but as an ESP teacher. After reading and experimenting with the excercises suggested by Ms. Burns, I can comfortably recommend to students––Develop Your Psychic Abilities (And Get Them to Work for You in Your Life) and later The Sixth Sense of Children.
Many parents have asked me about their children's unusual experiences and behavior, the children saying they pick things up or are seeing non-physical beings. Of course, I always tell parents to also check with their professional such as the child's physician, psychologist and the likes, while contributing what I know about psychic children. Besides that I recommend Litany's book since she herself was aware at a young age she had strong psychic abilities. As children with these abilities experience and as I wrote in my novel, The Skye in June, this can be seen as gift, at times, a curse.
I recently interviewed Litany. Enjoy!
When did you realize that you had strong psychic abilities? I don't know if there was one amazing 'Aha' moment when I realized I had psychic abilities. I feel, like most children, that I had these abilities all the time within me without thinking. Even when I began talking to a spirit guide at age 11- I had no idea at the time what that even was- I didn't think in terms of psychic or intuitive talents. The spirit was just a friend. As I learned more about these abilities, I realized they were more than just good advice, insights, etc. I shared with friends. They were predictions that came true, feelings that were right, and knowledge that had wisdom. I believe, as with all talents, developing your intuition is a process, a great one that can change your life in many good ways.
Was it difficult for you and for those close to you, to accept? Being a sensitive, a medium, without being aware of it as a talent was painful. As a child, I was ridiculed for being so sensitive. At age four, I remember wondering why everyone just didn't listen to their wisdom. I had trouble following and conforming to the norm, whatever that is/was, but desperately tried to fit in. Now, I celebrate the differences. In my family, there was no knowledge of anything psychic or intuitive. Even though my father was incredibly psychic and knew when things would happen, my mother had recurring dreams of dead relatives, my brother had an imaginary friend, and my sister saw auras- no one ever thought of these experiences as anything incredible. They were mostly treated as problems or disregarded, as most people do. Everyone in my family was extremely intuitively talented. No one knew or spoke of these abilities as talents at all. I did my best to fit in, was popular with friends, but felt everything and had no idea what to do with all those feelings at the time.
How, if in anyway, are your readings different from when you first began to give psychic readings? I remember my first reading. The person had many readings before me. I think I was most afraid of the tape recorder taping the reading. I just said whatever information came into my head and then when the reading was over, I apologized, thinking what I said was what anyone would say. The person told me it was the best reading she ever had. I always remembered that. Now, after so many years of experience and my own growing as a person and psychic, I practice what I teach. My readings have more dimension and depth, I have more respect and confidence and gain more information from the other side, but I still maintain humility, honestly and integrity during a reading. I believe those three things are tantamount. I also feel it is important to get out the way, let the reading stand on its own merit, and check your ego at the door. Not to say I am perfect or ego-less, far from it, but I'm not into New Age jargon or giving information if I am not receiving it.
What inspired you to write your books? For both my books, Develop Your Psychic Abilities (And Get Them to Work for You in Your Life) and The Sixth Sense of Children, as well as my 30 minutes documentary on intuitive children, Children Among Us - I wanted to get the information I knew out to the greatest amount of people. I found, from giving workshops and readings, the information worked for everyone, so I wanted to share it with as many people as possible to make their lives better. It was that simple.
What was the hardest part to write in the books? Being a professional writer, just facing a blank page or screen is always difficult as well as formulating words people understand for concepts people don't usually understand is often magical and frustrating at the same time. I usually laugh when people say they're going to write a book, because everyone is taught to write on some level in school. I say, "Go ahead. Then rewrite it at least ten times, and see if you really want to write the book." It's work, but for me it was a calling to be a writer since I was six years old.
What is the most important message you wish for you books to convey? That everyone has intuitive talents. We come here with them to better our lives and, hopefully, the lives of others. They are natural and can be developed easily with awareness and a little psychic muscle, like most talents.
I see you have videos on youtube.com - Why did you make videos? I write for film as well, so it's a natural place for me to work. I know we're a visual society and again, wanted to get the information out to people in as many formats as possible. I love film and writing for it- I AM a clairvoyant... so it's an easy medium, pardon the pun, for me to use for my work. Not all my films are 'psychically oriented', but some are.
What was your life like before becoming an author? It was always my life, regardless of publishing a book. I do remember when I published Develop Your Psychic Abilities, my first book with a major publisher. I drove home with the first copies, the author's copies sitting in the passenger seat of my car. Remember, I wanted to be a writer all my life. Though I published my poetry and some short stories, this was my first published book! I sat there, glancing over at it, thinking I'd be elated! Now I could answer all those people that continually asked me what I've published, something tangible. I felt nothing. How could that be? It was only in that moment, that I finally realized it wasn't ever about the book that I'd been longing to publish to validate myself. It was the journey, the whole process. It sounds a bit New Agey, but it was really profound for me. I still have the same life after publishing both books a few times, actually better, and the books are another part of it that I'm very proud of creating.
What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer? Writing is an art and takes a lot of hard work as with any creative talent. If you don't feel a fire burning inside you to be a writer and deal with all the rejections of the marketplace, you might re-think your direction. If you still want to write, keep writing. The more you write, the more you'll learn about your craft. Writing is the goal and publishing comes after that.
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? I always felt I'd like to meet with Nelson Mandela. I got to hear him speak in Yankee Stadium years ago. Maybe because our birth signs are both Cancer, but really because he has vision, integrity, and relied on his wisdom to get him through such difficult times for the greater good. I've also felt a strong draw to South Africa as well, past life.
Anything else you would like people to know? Don't be afraid of your intuitive talents. They are there to help you in this intellectually focused world, to make you whole, more empathetic, wiser, and to feel excited when they happen. And when people tell me "I don't want you reading my mind," I answer, "I could read your mind if you were continents away, but why would I want to?" Being a psychic, you have to have a sense of humor about, and a great respect for, your talents. Discovering that, they could, and have helped thousands of people over the years is a humbling experience.
Both my five star reveiws books are also ebooks at smashwords.com and amazon.com. For an personally autographed paperback please contact me at www.juneahern.com Support INDIE authors!
August 12, 2011
Had a Revelation
I had decided this year that I would read books of different genre than my usual picks and with that declaration (to self) I offered to review a book by author, Jeff Horton of biblical magnitude. After all the Bible is the most read book on planet earth and I was ready for an update on my knowledge of it.
Our genres are quite different in most ways. My book, The Skye in June, is about a girl with visions, this book also is about a boy that has visions but we follow him into adulthood. This is where our characters' similarity begins and ends.
When I first received the book I contacted Jeff and said, 'do you realize that my site is of more interest to pagans, Wiccans and witches than bible thumpers (okay, Christians I said,)'. He kindly replied, "Oh I see what you mean. Well, you do what is right for you and your blog readers." I continued to read it.
I learned our spiritual thoughts are not so different,the presentation might be, but the faith in a Higher Being(s) is there, the observation that Mother Earth is unnder serious attack, and the bad characters in politics destroying human rights, as well as believing in certain people have true and useful visions are some of what I found similar.Because of that and because of Mr. Horton's positive reply (too many Christians have lambasted me and my kind for my spiritual choice) I continued with his book and more than that, I wanted to interview him as an author.
The Last Prophet by Jeff Horton 
Jonah (Jon) Elijah March is born to ordinary parents in an ordinary town in the United States. But he is no ordinary child. He is one of the last of two prophets mentioned in the Bible's Book of Revelations.
He has dreams that in time prove to manifest as actual events that become stronger when he is a teen. These visions, like the one about Lara literally a girl of his dreams, are involved with an accident as he visioned. He worries about his gift or curse, and not is all as he interprets it to be, but actually what he sees comes true in time. This is the way of a prophetic vision. In time Jon and Lara marry. That is only one of the visionary dreams Jon (as he's later called in the book) experiences. Even when another tells Jon he is slated for great things because of his visions and that God has chosen him to be a prophet, he doesn't believe it.
And then an angel appears to Jon and follows it up with a miraculous sign he accepts his fate, a ominous message that comes along with his position as one of the world's best known prophet from the Bible and that is, along with the glory comes imminent death.
Along the way such people as Pastor Weathersby guide Jon with his gift and later he even meets the Pope along with other spiritual world leaders who believe in his prophesy.
As Jon begins his mission by proclaiming God's message spreading the news that "The End of Days is at hand," the reader can find comfort in what Horton reminds us, "The world is a very transient place…. And warns people that the Beast (the Bible Beast who's not a very nice chap) is gaining power and influencing all the weak greedy, needy humans and they will "worship him" thus forsaking all reason. Sounds familiar. I believe there's a lot of that going on now, don't you? Jon then reassures all that will listen that "Jesus Christ will once again come to enlighten (or save) them." The Beast is in the image of a charismatic politician, Abe Addon who scams the people into trusting him.
Jon, his now wife, Lara and son Samuel travel to Israel as the end comes closer and Jon continues to meet his Maker (and as all of us will.) In time Jon meets the other prophet Moe Princeton. I liked this character. There was something very earthly about him. Jon at times seemed so intense, even in his loving and insightful ways. Moe, seemed more of a regular kind of guy.
Horton tells his readers that "Life is a only a brief stop on the road to eternity." And I find that reassuring while reading about the disasters spreading worldwide––including a worldwide drought, floods massive earthquakes, and finally, a devastating asteroid alerting us that the end of the world is at hand.
I'm not crazy for "Hey, guys! You screwed up big time and now it's a done deal," kind of books, but the journey with Jon is an interesting one. I had to agree that the world is in a very precarious position and too many leaders (corporations) have sold out the health of our planet for their greed and ego. All in all, if you want to acquaint yourself with the Bible prophecies and/or be aware that life is fragile and fleeting, this book could be of interest to you.
Interview with author Jeff W. Horton on his latest novel, The Last Prophet
• When did you start writing?
I started writing four or five years ago. I wanted to try and find something that I would enjoy doing, something I might one day be able to make a living doing. After several false starts, I sat down and began work on The Dark Age. Though it was the second novel to be published, it was the first one I started on first. The Great Collapse, the prequel to The Dark Age came out first, followed by The Dark Age and then The Last Prophet, which by the way is not part of the Survivors of the Pulse series.
• How personal is your writing?
I imagine that most authors draw a lot from their own life experiences, beliefs, worldviews, etc. Again, many authors write about subjects that they know a lot about or that they are interested in. These certainly apply to me as well. I write about subjects, situations, etc. that I feel are important, or that I find interesting. I enjoy watching and learning from stories that are transporting, giving us a break from the stress and pressures of life, so I attempt to write stories like that myself.
• What was your life like before becoming an author?
Not a lot different really, though I probably got more sleep and looked more rested. Perhaps that will change if one or more of my novels make the bestsellers list!
• What inspired you to write the book(s)? What sparked the idea for your novel?
I started writing the Dark Age because I thought it would be interesting to write a post-apocalyptic novel, where swords, bows, and arrows were once more the norm of the day. The Great Collapse was the prequel to The Dark Age, and sets the stage for the post-apocalyptic world that follows.
I have always wanted to see more written around the book of Revelation in the Bible, and was excited about the opportunity to write a story about it myself in, The Last Prophet. To make it even more interesting and to change things up a bit, I also decided to write The Last Prophet in the first person, from the perspective of the prophet, John March.
• When did you decide to publish?
It was always my intent and my hope to get published. I was very grateful to my two publishers, Tate Publishing, who published The Great Collapse, and World Castle Publications, who published The Dark Age and The Last Prophet, for taking a chance on me. Hopefully, the novels will do well and we all will reap the benefits.
• What is your favorite part of the book(s)?
For The Dark Age, the favorite part of the story for me is at the climax, where the antagonist and the protagonist meet for the second time towards the end of the novel.
One of my favorite parts of The Last Prophet is when God raises the two prophets, John March and Moe Princeton. I thought it was a pivotal, and touching scene.
• What was the hardest part to write in the book(s)?
Believe it or not I had the most difficult time with the epilogue for The Dark Age. I had already finished most of the rewrites of the novel when I got around to the epilogue. After several revisions, I ended up discarding all of it and replacing it with a completely different epilogue. I feel the new one was far better than the original, however, and well worth the effort.
I suppose the hardest part to write in The Last Prophet was the ending. After several rewrites, I still felt I had included far too many quotes from scripture. I ended up paraphrasing a number of the quotes at the end, which helped the story flow much better.
•How do you begin to set about writing your story (stories)
I am an organic writer. Once I have a core idea, I just sit down and start writing. The story soon takes on a life of its own, and I end up doing nothing more than recording what I see played out in my mind's eye. Once I have written a few chapters, I start to flesh out a rough outline for the remainder of the novel, which helps ensure a firm foundation for the entire novel. Like they say, writing a novel is a marathon, not a sprint.
•Which comes first? The character's story or the idea for the novel?
For me it's been both. The Great Collapse and The Last Prophet began with the idea. The Dark Age began with the protagonist, Ferrell Young, and flowed from there.
•What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
That is a tough question to answer. I believe it probably helps to know someone already well established in the business such as an agent or editor, or an established author, but most writers probably do not have that luxury. I believe that the biggest hurdle for an unknown author, after writing a great story of course, is to get above the noise level, to get the attention of publishers and most importantly, the reading public. Social networking sites are helpful in this regard, as are book blog websites and book reader sites like Goodreads. I suppose the most important thing I can say to an aspiring author is this; never give up, and always believe in your self.
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