Kristen L. Jackson's Blog, page 3

Happy Mother's Day!

What does Mother's Day mean to you?To me, it is a day to celebrate everything about the wonderful person I call MOM, as well as celebrating the honor of being called 'Mom' by two sons who I'm very proud of. And I mean everything.Moms aren't perfect. I know I'm not. We make mistakes, just like everyone else. But when we do, we learn from those failings and keep moving forward. With determination and grace, we keep daily life running as smoothly as possible. Today is a day to celebrate both our successes and, yes, our failures as a parent. Because without an occasional fall, we'd never learn how to get back up. Often putting others before themselves, it is a mother's nature to take care of her family. I had a good example. Growing up, my Mom always put my sisters and I first. She often did without so we didn't have to.When you're a child, you are oblivious to just how much your Mom sacrifices every day.It wasn't until I was older and became a Mom myself that I truly understood how lucky I was, and still am. So I want to thank my Mom for all she's done, and continues to do for me and my family. I've been lucky to have her guidance and love through all the ups and downs in my life, and I know with 100% clarity that I will continue to have her unconditional love for the rest of my life. She's both my strongest supporter and my fiercest defender. I love you, Mom!I am thankful that my 90-year-old grandmother is here to celebrate this Mother's Day with us. Though she has changed in many ways from the person I remember as a young girl, we are lucky to celebrate another Mother's day with her. And I want her to know that I remember even if she forgets.I am thankful for a strong and faithful mother-in-law, who has been unwaveringly supportive and loving to her children and grandchildren through the years, and has always provided a good example for her family.I am thankful for my Godmother, who has been a loving (and always fun!) presence my entire life. Though I don't see her often, I know she is always in my corner cheering me on.Moms come in all shapes and sizes. Mothers, Grandmothers, Mothers-In-Law, Godmothers, Aunts, Sisters, Cousins, Step-Moms, Pet-Moms.Thank you.This is your day.To all the mothers who give of themselves every day without expecting any form of repayment:Your love is enough to fuel us through all of life's challenges.I hope you all have a wonderful day celebrating all the moms in your life. Happy Mother's Day!KristenHaven't read KEEPER OF THE WATCH yet?Check out the first 3 chapters below. It is my hope you'll fall in love and want to continue reading! Thanks so much for giving my little book a chance!CLICK HERE TO READ THE FIRST 3 CHAPTERSAvailable Now:Black Rose WritingAmazonBarnes & NobleFind Me On:Facebook: @kristenjacksonauthorAmazon: Kristen L. JacksonTwitter: @KLJacksonAuthorTumblr: https://kristenjacksonauthor.tumblr.comGood Reads: Kristen L. JacksonPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AuthorKristenLJacksonInstagram: @krisjack504Yahoo: kristenjacksonauthor@yahoo.comWebsite: https://kristenljackson.wixsite.com/kristenjacksonauthor

Eight Easy Things To Do When Your Impatience Threatens To Drive You Crazy...

Patience is required of me on a daily basis.In my job as a preschool teacher, having patience is about 90% of the job. I've had people say to me, "You're so patient with the kids. I don't know how you do it."My husband frequently acknowledges, "I could never do your job."But it's just a part of me. I wouldn't be a successful teacher without a mountain of patience.In that area of my life, finding patience comes easy ... most days!But what would probably shock a lot of people that know me is that finding patience in other areas of my life is very difficult for me. Waiting can be torture, for me and the people around me, because when I'm focused on something I have a hard time letting it go. There are different forms of waiting. We wait in line at the store, wait for the end of the work day, wait for dinner in the oven, wait for the doctor, the postal carrier, the traffic light. Waiting is just a part of life. According to an article written by Tom Englehoff, the average person spends about "38 hours/year waiting in traffic, and 13 hours on hold waiting for customer service."With my writing, I have a drive to finish the story. When immersed in a work in progress, it becomes the focus of almost all of my free time. That feeling of typing the last word in a novel is more satisfying than ordering pizza on a Friday night. It's that drive that won't let me stop. But in the writing profession, a good percentage of my time is spent waiting. Once the story is done and sent off to agents or publishers, the process is out of my hands and all that's left to do is wait. And wait.And wait. Many agents say they'll respond in 8-12 weeks if they are interested. Some say they'll only respond if they're interested within 3-6 months. Let me tell you, the waiting is torturous for me. I count the days, checking email a hundred times each day, like a dog waiting for a treat after performing a trick.Growing up, my mom's favorite saying was: "Patience is a virtue." But for some of us, it's not so simple.So, here are my suggestions for helping to pass the time without losing your sanity!Eight Easy Things To Do When You're Impatience Threatens to Drive You Crazy:1. Take Deep Breaths.Purposeful breathing helps prevent a panic attack and hyperventilation. 2. Find A Distraction.Find another focus. For me, that's starting another writing project or working on promotions for KEEPER OF THE WATCH. (Social media also offers a time-consuming distraction, as you know!) Start a journal ... or write a blog!3. Binge-Watch.I highly recommend 'Stranger Things' and 'The Crossing'.And have you started watching 'The Walking Dead' yet? Now's a good time to start!4. Read A Book.A really great book can take your mind off waiting and transport you into someone else's world!5. Carpe-Diem!Seize the day, and try living in the moment. Focus on what's happening around you, instead of whatever you're waiting for. Your family will benefit, too!6. Put Things Into Proper Perspective.How dire is the 'thing' you're waiting for? Is it life or death? I'm currently reading 'The Last Lecture' by Randy Pausch. It's a story about his final months of life after finding out he had pancreatic cancer. Along with the inspirational value, it really has opened my eyes to the importance--or lack of importance--of the things that I worry about on a daily basis.7. Try Something New.Open yourself to the possibility of discovering a new thing. It can be as simple as searching for new recipes to try, and can even help cross off an item on your bucket-list.8. Connect With Nature.Even if your not a nature-buff, there's a real calming factor involved in communing with nature. You don't have to join an outdoor yoga class! This can be as simple as watching the sunrise/sunset, or bird-watching in your own backyard. Nature is all around us, and we often don't even see what's right in front of us. "Stop and smell the roses." I wish you inner-peace during all of your future hours of waiting. Waiting is a part of life that we have to accept. There really is no way around it.The next time you're waiting, try something on this list. And if you're looking for a good book to read, I recommend trying KEEPER OF THE WATCH!Click here to read the first three chapters!It is my hope that you'll want to keep reading! Have a great weekend everyone!KristenKristen L. Jackson, Author of KEEPER OF THE WATCHAvailable Now:Black Rose WritingAmazonBarnes & NobleFind Me On:Facebook: @kristenjacksonauthorAmazon: Kristen L. JacksonTwitter: @KLJacksonAuthorTumblr: https://kristenjacksonauthor.tumblr.comGood Reads: Kristen L. JacksonPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AuthorKristenLJacksonInstagram: @krisjack504Yahoo: kristenjacksonauthor@yahoo.comWebsite: https://kristenljackson.wixsite.com/kristenjacksonauthor

What's YOUR Happy Place?

What is a 'Happy Place'?For me, it's a place I can escape to be myself. To just be.An introspective place to commune with nature and my inner thoughts. A place I can be my most creative-self. A place to truly relax and let my guard down with the people (and animals) I love.For most of my life, if asked where my happy place is, I would surely have answered, "The beach." I've always been drawn to the ocean. The sand, the sun warming my face, the waves. Everything about it speaks to me. (Yes, even those pesky seagulls!) I can hear the sing-song voice of the icecream man yelling "Fudg-o, get your Fudg-o!" while small planes buzz by, white rectangular signs flapping along behind them advertising special discounts and sales. Toes buried in the cool, gritty sand, sea breeze blowing my hair. A book in my hands. (Always!)As a teenager, I was a strong swimmer and a lifeguard at my local pool. And trips to the Jersey shore were magical.I was never one of those girls to just sit on the beach worrying about my hair and makeup. (But, yes. I did worry about that after the beach!)The water calls to me.I love to dive into the waves and swim out past the breakers to simply float on the swells. (Now Everclear is playing in my head...how about you?)Nothing seems very important in that weightless moment when you let the waves wash your worries away. Literally. Like nature's massage.I've spent countless hours staring out over the water where it disappears into the horizon, contemplating life and wondering just what really is out there living beneath the waves. (Ahem--Inspiration for my latest book...!)And I'll never, never, never forget seeing my very first dolphin pod swimming parallel to the shoreline, frolicking with each other in the waves, oblivious to the people watching from the beach. That day, if possible, I fell even more in love with the ocean. I still love the beach. That's not something that will ever change. It's like a connection from within, and if I hadn't chosen to become a teacher (and writer!) all those years ago, my second choice at a career would have been marine biologist. The ocean, and all of its abounding life, fascinates me on a deeper level. (Sound familiar? If you've read KEEPER, then you know who I passed that love on to! If you haven't, what are you waiting for? Wink-wink.)So for me, it's safe to say that the beach is one of my happiest places on earth. But, I've discovered another love.Bursts of jade and emerald. Deep, verdant greens living high and low, climbing up every uneven surface.The beauty of nature in its truest form.Shaded, windy roads with spears of sunbeams breaking through in patches.The Mountains.Growing up with two sisters, we weren't very interested in 'roughing it'. I mean...bugs.No running water.Bugs.Primitive toileting situations.Did I mention bugs?And back then, swimming in the lake seemed dirty compared to the ocean. (I see the irony now, don't worry, but we're talking about a teenager's thoughts here!)No, I wasn't interested in the least.Then...I got married and we had two sons. Sons who loved the outdoors so much, that I allowed my husband to talk me into going camping. (With the condition that we'd stay in state parks within walking distance to the bathroom and running water, of course. That point was non-negotiable.) Bonus Points: My husband offered to do all the set-up and cooking, so how could I refuse?We went on a huge shopping spree to buy everything we'd need. And wow, did we need a lot. ($$$)Tent and tarp...check.Sleeping bags...check.Air beds...check. (It's still 'roughing it' if the air mattress is on the ground, right?)Flashlights, mini-grill, water jug, sling-shots, lantern...check. We set off on a grand adventure.No one was more surprised than I was to find out that I enjoyed camping.I fell in love, and discovered that it's not just the beach, but nature of any kind that calls to me. It's a place where you can go and you're forced to relax. What a unique concept. I'd go into the tent and lay down, open a book and just read. In the middle of the afternoon! (Wow!)Oh, we hiked, went swimming, boating, and fishing. Roasted all kinds of food over the campfire. Observed birds, frogs and salamanders. And read, read, read. Wildlife is everywhere, both hidden and right in front of you at all times. (Did I mention I'm an animal-lover? I even had a frog collection in my youth.) Another plus. Fast forward several years and two grown-up sons.We were comtemplating finally upgrading to that bigger house, when a little over three years ago my husband saw a small three-season cabin advertised for sale in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, only 90 minutes from home.We came to see it, talked and agonized over it, put an offer in, and now...it's ours. (Who needs a bigger house, anyway?) This cabin is my very special Happy Place.Our Happy Place.A place to escape together. Home away from home.We spend most weekends in spring, summer, and fall here.The best part, it has a shower and kitchen.A toilet that flushes!Real beds.And our dogs can come with us on vacation. (No more kenneling for them!)A creek runs through the backyard, and the sound of the gurgling water rushing over the rocks is the most relaxing sound in the world. I do a lot of writing at our cabin in the woods.I'm happy here deep in the forest with the wildlife and towering hemlocks gently swaying in the breeze, surrounded by the people I love most.(And we keep lots of bug-spray around!)Though I've been focusing on physical 'places', it's worth mentioning that books have always been a Happy Place for me, too.A good story has the ability transport you to another time or place. Another world. Anywhere you want to go (or the characters take you.) A Happy Place.I've always loved escaping into a riveting tale where magic exists, true love has power, and the unbelievable becomes reality. Everyone needs a Happy Place to escape to. Whether its your house or apartment, the beach, the mountains, or your front porch step. I hope you have somewhere to escape to.Where is your Happy Place?Happy EARTH DAY!!!KristenKristen L. Jackson, Author of KEEPER OF THE WATCHAvailable for Purchase at:Black Rose WritingAmazonBarnes & NobleFind Me On:Facebook: @kristenjacksonauthorAmazon: Kristen L. JacksonTwitter: @KLJacksonAuthorTumblr: https://kristenjacksonauthor.tumblr.comGood Reads: Kristen L. JacksonPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AuthorKristenLJacksonInstagram: @krisjack504Yahoo: kristenjacksonauthor@yahoo.comWebsite: https://kristenljackson.wixsite.com/kristenjacksonauthor

Chewy, My Guardian Angel

Today's the day I'm discharged from the hospital. Home sweet home!Here's the story of how I got there:I was in my backyard doing 'yard-work', and a strange feeling came over me. It's hard to describe. A sort of dizzy/out of control feeling blinked before my eyes. The next thing I remember, I was in the back of an ambulance...but even that part is foggy.Long story short, I had a seizure. After falling face-down in the decorative stones, I lost concsiousness as my body convulsed. While this was happening, I was alone outside.Except for my three dogs. My husband; still at work. My sons; upstairs completely unaware anything was wrong. Who knows how long I would have remained unhelped in the yard while all the humans in my life were elsewhere in the house completely unaware of a problem. (We'd just finished dinner, so no one had any reason to worry. We were together just minutes prior to this episode.)Chewy to the rescue! My son heard a strange, incessant, barking. Not the normal sound our dogs make while playing outside, or greeting bark to a passer-by. As my son describes it, this bark was different. So he came downstairs to investigate.He found me lying prone in the dirt and stones, with Chewy standing over me signaling a warning, not leaving my side. My savior.My sons jumped into action, and took over the 'rescue-mission.'My second saviors.They called 911, alerted the rest of my family, and stayed with me until paramedics came to take over. My team of saviors. Through all of it, I don't remember anything except the moment right before the seizure, and then arriving at the hospital. Everything in between is black and confused. If I'm honest, even afterward is a gray area.But without Chewy alerting everyone that there was a problem, it could possibly have taken hours until anyone found me. A scary thought, to say the least. I'd heard of dogs that are trained to detect medical conditons. So I decided to do some research to find out more. An organization called Paws With A Cause trains dogs for exactly this purpose. "PAWS Seizure Response Dogs are custom-trained to assist people who have epilepsy or other seizure disorders with tasks such as activating a life-alert system, finding someone to help, retrieving a phone or stimulating a person during a seizure. As a person recovers from a seizure, a PAWS Dog can retrieve medications or food, act as a brace to help them up and provide comfort."Chewy did much of that without any training. My mixed-breed Saint Bernese (half Bernese Mountain Dog, half Saint Bernard), silly, lovable puppy named Chewbacca sensed the problem on his own. Pretty amazing, right?Dogs are amazing. They're more than pets. They are members of your family. And they feel the same about you. You're not their owners, you are important members of their pack. Pack animals protect each other.I'm just so thankful for my family. Both human and canine.I'm a pretty lucky girl...except for having my driver's license taken away by the doctors for 6 months.I'm not happy about that. But, that's a blog for another day!Kristen L. Jackson, Author of KEEPER OF THE WATCHAvailable Now:Black Rose WritingAmazonBarnes & NobleFind Me On:Facebook: @kristenjacksonauthorAmazon: Kristen L. JacksonTwitter: @KLJacksonAuthorTumblr: https://kristenjacksonauthor.tumblr.comGood Reads: Kristen L. JacksonPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AuthorKristenLJacksonInstagram: @krisjack504Yahoo: kristenjacksonauthor@yahoo.comWebsite: https://kristenljackson.wixsite.com/kristenjacksonauthor

Smile!

"A smile is happiness you'll find right under your nose." --Tom WilsonWhat's In a Smile?Lately, my days seem like a blur.Sometimes it feels like I'm being pulled in ten different directions at once, and can't seem to keep up with any of it. I know there are others out there who feel the same.At the end of the day I'm exhausted. Mentally, and physically. Not unhappy. Just tired.Yesterday, I realized how little energy is sometimes left for the people I love the most. I doesn't seem fair, especially to them. Why is it the most important people in our lives always seem to get the least of us?I have smiles all day for the people around me. At work, at the grocery store, strangers I meet. Then I get home and there's so much to do. When I finally sit down, my laptop comes out and I get to work on writing. Before long I fall asleep.I realized lying in bed last night, that my husband deserved a better and more enthusiastic greeting than he received last night when he arrived home from work. It's not that I wasn't happy to see him. He's the most important person in the world to me. And I'm almost certain he smiled at me when he came in the door. His smile immediately brings me up an notch. And I can't remember. Did I smile back? Does he know that even if it was only on the inside, that his smile literally brightens my day? Way back, I remember it was his smile I noticed first when I met him. (Well, that and he did look awfully cute in that baseball uniform...)Smiles have the power to do that."If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love." -- Maya AngelouHow To Turn That Frown Upside DownThis morning at work, one of my students came into the building with a frown. I smiled at him, a big silly, goofy, light-up your face smile. And he smiled through his frown. Oh, he fought it, valiantly trying to hold onto his frown. But the smile eventually won, and as it bloomed it transformed his entire face. All it took was one smile to turn his emotions around. This revelation made me stop and take a deeper look at how we see others."A warm smile is the universal language of kindness." -- William Arthur WardPass It OnThink of those unknown people out there, who most likely have lives every bit as busy and ours. It's a rushy-rush world we live in. And we're all in it together. Busy, busy, busy. Go here. Stop in there. Drop off this. Pick up that. Dinner, laundry, cleaning, work, kids, pets, homework...The list goes on and on. Though it varies from person to person, we all live a bustling, often overwhelming life. Remember that the next time you see a person with a haggard face pushing her cart at the grocery store. Or a driver who slams on his breaks. A grandparent frowning while waiting to pick up her grandchild in the pick-up line at school.Try giving them a smile. See if it really is contagious. Courtesy is usually repaid in kind.Kindness begets kindness.You really do get back what you give.And you know what? Maybe someone will do the same for you when you need it most! "A smile is a curve that sets everything straight." --Phyllis DillerKristen L. Jackson, Author of KEEPER OF THE WATCHAvailable Now:Black Rose WritingAmazonBarnes & NobleClick the Link to Find Me On:Facebook: @kristenjacksonauthorAmazon: Kristen L. JacksonTwitter: @KLJacksonAuthorTumblr: https://kristenjacksonauthor.tumblr.comGood Reads: Kristen L. JacksonPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AuthorKristenLJacksonInstagram: @krisjack504Yahoo: kristenjacksonauthor@yahoo.comWebsite: https://kristenljackson.wixsite.com/kristenjacksonauthor

Snow Day Do's and Don'ts

"Everyone begins as a child by liking Weather. You learn the art of disliking it as you grow up. Noticed it on a snowy day? The grown-ups are all going about with long faces, but look at the children – and the dogs? They know what snow’s made for.Who doesn't love a snow day?" --C.S. LewisIn Pennsylvania, public schools have had their fair share of school cancellations this year. I'm a preschool teacher working in a child-care center, which means my school rarely, if ever, closes due to the weather. Because of that, when I do get a day off because of snow, I've learned to savor every minute. In honor of the one and only snow day of the 2017/2018 winter, I've made a list to help you make the most of your day, too!Snow Day Do's:DO go back to bed after you get the news. (Nighty-night...)DO stay in your pajamas (or at least sweatpants) all day long. DO drink lots of hot cocoa. (Everbody knows that snow and hot chocolate go hand-in-hand.)DO build a snowman. (Fun for all ages!)DO eat cookies. (Calories don't count on this magical day!)DO let your family shovel all the snow. (They offered, right?)DO cuddle with your dogs on the couch. (This is a special day for them, too. They don't usually get to see you on a 'workday'.) DO get in some writing time (or reading time!)DO take an afternoon nap. (It's tiring doing nothing all day!) DO spend time with your family, binge-watching the lastest show on Netflix. (Stranger Things? Counterpart?)Snow Day Don'ts:DON'T leave the house. (This is mandatory.)DON'T take a shower. Or wear make-up. (Who cares?) DON'T feel compelled to clean the entire house. (You won't have any visitors today.)DON'T wear shoes. Slippers only. Or fuzzy socks. (Unless you're shoveling, in which case boots are acceptable)DON'T worry about how much water you drink. You can go to the bathroom anytime you want! (Teachers, you feel me, right?)DON'T feel guilty for having an unexpected day off. (You deserve it!)DON'T mourn the 8 hours of PTO you're using. (This is what you have it for!)DON'T pay any attention to the leak in the ceiling above your bed. (You can't do anything about it right now, anyway. Think about it tomorrow.)DON'T forget to brush you teeth. (I mean, that's gross even when you're home all day!)DON'T worry about tomorrow. (Live for today!)So, there you have it. My absolute Do's and Don'ts in honor of today's snow day. Remember, above all else, enjoy your day. This may not happen for another 10 years!Oh, and one more very important DO to add to the list...DO say a prayer for anyone who couldn't stay home today. Not everyone has that choice. Be safe everyone!Happy Snow Day, Pennsylvania!Kristen L. Jackson, Author of KEEPER OF THE WATCHAvailable Now:Black Rose WritingAmazonBarnes & NobleFind Me On:Facebook: @kristenjacksonauthorAmazon: Kristen L. JacksonTwitter: @KLJacksonAuthorTumblr: https://kristenjacksonauthor.tumblr.comGood Reads: Kristen L. JacksonPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AuthorKristenLJacksonInstagram: @krisjack504Yahoo: kristenjacksonauthor@yahoo.comWebsite: https://kristenljackson.wixsite.com/kristenjacksonauthor

Release Party Speech

For those of you who couldn't make it to the party, I'd like to share the short speech I gave that night:People ask me two questions more than any others, so I thought I’d address those tonight.Why science fiction? and Where did the idea for KEEPER OF THE WATCH come from? But to do that we’ll have to travel back in time...When I was a little girl, I can remember watching Disney’s Escape to Witch Mountain. The children in the story have special powers and can move things with telekinesis. The idea fascinated me. I spent countless hours staring at things, trying to discover my own powers. Trying to move things with my mind alone. Small things, like pencils. Bigger things, like my toys. Even my sisters. As far as I know I was unsuccessful…A few years later, my parents took my sisters and I to see a movie that changed my life. I was probably 10 or 11 at the time. That movie was E.T. And that’s when my love of science fiction truly grew. I went back to see the movie two more times in the theater. Other girls my age carried around dolls. I carried my faux leather ET doll around until the leather rubbed off. He was right up there with my talking stuffed Daggit from Battlestar Galactica. Yep. More sci-fi.I was lucky enough to grow up with the original Star Wars. A New Hope. The Empire Strikes Back. Return of the Jedi. I think it’s fate that I was born on the officially declared Star Wars day… May the 4th be with you.And through it all, I’ve always loved reading. If you think about it, lots of children’s books can fit into the science fiction/fantasy genre. Talking animals? Inanimate objects showing emotions? Imagination. A key component of science fiction.As a teenager, my favorite author was Dean Koontz. If you’re not familiar with his writing, and you love science fiction like me, I highly recommend Watchers, Strangers, Lightning, Phantoms…I could go on. Another huge influence on my writing.So I think that answers the question why science fiction. Now back to KEEPER OF THE WATCH. What gave you the idea to write it?I have a driving need to know the time every minute of the day. It’s rare to find me not wearing a watch. I love time. And so did my dad who we lost 3 years ago. After he passed, I asked my mom for one thing. All I wanted was to have one of his watches.And I started thinking. Wouldn’t a story about a watch that had some kind of special power be cool?I thought about it for about a week, running different ideas through my head, and then I started writing.Now I should back-track again.I’d already tried my hand at writing in my thirties. I wrote a children’s book about my dogs. It didn’t get published, but my mom still has it in a drawer somewhere. It was my first attempt. At that time, all I wrote were children’s books. It makes sense, right? Preschool teacher. Children’s books. I love reading to my students. It’s my favorite time of the day.After lots of research about what to do, I sent out this first book, and all I got were rejections. And it’s a lot of work. More work than most people realize to even get the book to the right people to consider it.So I gave up. “I guess I’m not meant to be a writer.” A few years passed. And the driving desire to write started calling again.So I sat down and wrote JOCELYN’S BOX OF SOCKS and a few others. All children’s picture books.Then I had an idea to write a story called SNOW DOG, and it seemed too in depth to be a children’s picture book. So it became my first chapter book. A middle-grade fiction novel.Sent it out, rejected.Then something amazing happened. I found a publisher who offered a contract for one of my children's picture books. JOCELYN’S BOX OF SOCKS is under construction right now. I saw the finished sketches 2 weeks ago, and the storyboard is getting ready to go to color. Very exciting. I can’t wait to meet Jocelyn in color very soon. And I can’t wait to share her with you.In the midst of that, I focused on writing that story about a watch with powers.The power to send the wearer to other places, or dimensions.The power to connect with the watch so completely that your heart beats in rhythm with the clock.A watch that becomes such a part of you that your blood pumping through it is the power source.And here we are.It’s taken years to get here, and I’m still learning more about this business of writing every day.But I want all of you to know that if I can do it, then you can too. I’m no different than anyone here. I’m a wife, mother, daughter, sister. A teacher. Dog-mom. And I just happen to be a writer, too.Your dream, whatever it is, is within reach. All you have to do is stretch to reach for it. And don’t give up. It won't be easy, and you'll have to work. Hard. But don't let giving up be an option. Take any rejection as a learning curve, and grow from it. I’m wearing my dad’s watch tonight, and I’d like to think he’s here with me now. He and his watch were the true inspiration for this story.So, I think I've answered those two questions rather thoroughly. Now I'd like to share just a few 'Little-Known Facts' about the book.*The town in the story is a fictional place called Dune Harbor. It's a small coastal town with a military base. Much like Cape May, NJ. That's the real-life place the town of Dune Harbor is (loosely) based on.*As a young girl during vacation we would always eat at the same place for breakfast in Cape May. The restaurant had an ocean view, and I remember the first time we saw dolphins swimming parallel to the beach. It sparked a life-long love of dolphins. We've seen them lots of times since, and so I put the dolphins in the book in a key scene of the story since I associate them to that area.*Chase was always intended to be the main character and hero of the book, and he is that. The character of Alyx emerged in the writing process, and I'm finding out that she has stolen the hearts of most of the people who I've talked to after reading the story. It's amazing how characters truly emerge and grow in the writing process. That's the beauty of writing fiction. Go Alyx! *Chase was a name we talked about naming my youngest son, Jeremy. Since we didn't use it then and I like the name, it was a logical choice for my character. I guess maybe Chase is like my third son...So that's it! I’ll conclude with reading a small passage from KEEPER OF THE WATCH. This is Chapter 1.I hope you enjoy it.Chapter One:The first time Chase saw the watch, he thought it was junk. Just an old, broken thing to be tossed aside. With all the recent advances in technology, he had no need for an outdated watch like this one. As he continued sorting through his recently departed Uncle Charlie’s belongings he dismissed the wristwatch, having every intention of throwing it away.While preparing to leave, Chase reached a hand toward the old timepiece and a sudden electrical charge filled the air. The entire room seemed to sizzle and shake as if an earthquake had struck, and he grabbed onto his uncle’s desk chair as the air around him hummed with an unknown power. When his fingers made contact with the watch, a jolt traveled from his fingertips to his toes, making the hair on his arms and legs stand on end. His blood came alive inside his body; pulsing, writhing, wanting ... and he felt a powerful magnetic pull toward the watch.What the...? He jerked back abruptly, sucking his injured fingers, little pinpricks still racing inside their tips where they had touched the watch.Stupid watch. Why had Uncle Charlie kept this old thing? In all the years of living with his uncle, Chase couldn’t recall ever seeing him wear it. And why had he kept it in the safe locked away with all of his valuables? It can’t be worth anything. It doesn’t even work.It must have some sentimental value only known to Charlie. Chase would probably never know what made this watch special in the eyes of his crazy old uncle. But for some reason, unknown even to him, when he reached for the watch again, he found himself placing it safely inside his pocket instead of tossing it into the junk pile as he had intended. No magical or mysterious electricity filled the air on the second contact with the thing.Must’ve been a static shock, probably caused by friction. With one decisive headshake, he flipped the lightswitch and turned to leave. His imagination was running away with him.Again.Kristen L. Jackson, Author of KEEPER OF THE WATCHAvailable Now:Black Rose WritingAmazonBarnes & NobleFind Me On:Facebook: @kristenjacksonauthorAmazon: Kristen L. JacksonTwitter: @KLJacksonAuthorTumblr: https://kristenjacksonauthor.tumblr.comGood Reads: Kristen L. JacksonPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AuthorKristenLJacksonInstagram: @krisjack504Yahoo: kristenjacksonauthor@yahoo.comWebsite: https://kristenljackson.wixsite.com/kristenjacksonauthor

Little Free Library: Take A Book, Leave A Book

The Little Free Library organization promotes getting books into readers hands...for free! The idea is to place these inviting (and cute!) decorated boxes in locations that people will be able to easily access them, and fill them with books. The concept is simple. Take a book, leave a book. Everyone is invited to participate. There are no restrictions, hidden by-lines, or disclaimers. If you like to read, stop by and share. What a brilliantly profound concept. While researching for a book last summer in Cape Cod, I discovered several of these treasures scattered about and instantly fell in love.After posting my photos on social media upon my return home, I was pleasantly surprised to discover some of these treasures located near home in Pennsylvania that I never knew about. My publisher, Black Rose Writing, recently sponsored a Little Free Library at a coffee shop near their home base in Texas, donating a wide variety of books to the cause.I applaud the creator of these wonderful additions to society, and the people who sponsor them. As an avid reader and writer, I know the importance of getting reading material into the hands of readers. Libraries have been providing this free resource for a long time, but it's great to have members of the community actively involved in this important cause. I'm proud to say that the school I work for is in the process of sponsoring one right in my building. The exchange box was donated to us by a student's family. Children at the local career center are sanding it and painting it for us. This is truly a group effort to provide this wonderful addition to our local community. Students and their families will have books available (for free!) all the time. That alone makes me smile. And I can't wait to see the smiles on the faces of countless readers and future-readers as they enjoy the books provided.Bet you can guess what the first donated book will be! You got it! KEEPER OF THE WATCH will have a permanent home for people to borrow, as well as any future books of mine. I'm proud to be a part of this great accomplishment, no matter how small the role I played in its placement.Thank you, Little Free Library. And thank you to all the sponsors and people who make it possible.Keep on reading! Kristen"You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book." -- Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss)Kristen L. Jackson, Author of KEEPER OF THE WATCHAvailable Now:Black Rose WritingAmazonBarnes & NobleFind Me On:Facebook: @kristenjacksonauthorAmazon: Kristen L. JacksonTwitter: @KLJacksonAuthorTumblr: https://kristenjacksonauthor.tumblr.comGood Reads: Kristen L. JacksonPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AuthorKristenLJacksonInstagram: @krisjack504Yahoo: kristenjacksonauthor@yahoo.comWebsite: https://kristenljackson.wixsite.com/kristenjacksonauthor

Why Do People Love to Love Sports?

What does winning mean to you?For the Philadelphia Eagles, it means so much more than a trophy.It is the connection with their teammates and their fans.Their faith in God and each other. Coming out on top, despite the doubt of sports reporters and analysts everywhere. Disproving the 'underdog' label. It means their first time hoisting the Lombardi trophy. First victory parade. First time accomplishing the ultimate goal of the sport they play. Champions. It's no secret that I love and support my Philadelphia Eagles. Growing up 90 minutes from Philly, home team loyatly is strong.I haven't always been the fan I am today. As a young girl, I can remember my Dad wildly cheering for 'The Birds', and if anyone would have asked who my team is, I would have unquestioningly replied the Eagles.But it wasn't until I met my husband (28 years ago) that I actually began watching, and understanding, the game of football. And somehow over the years, I morphed into a true fan.I am proud to say that my family 'bleeds green'. Each Sunday, we plan our entire day around the Eagles schedule. And we love it that way. We watch at the edge of our seats, cheer for the good plays, and more often than not yell at the ref's decisions on the field. My husband recorded us watching the last play of the super bowl, and in it you can see the intensity with which we love our team. In good times, and in bad. (Though we are thoroughly enjoying the good right now!)So, why do people love to love sports?Here is a list of reasons I think sports are so important in today's society.1. Purpose.Supporting your team gives you something to look forward to at the end of a long week. 2. Loyalty. No matter the outcome of the game, fans learn what it means to stay loyal to their team through both wins and losses. 3. It Satifies Our Need For An Epic Battle.The basic desire to root for good over evil is met. (Good = Your Team; Evil = The Opposing Team)4. Comraderie.Bonding with others over your teams successes and failures keeps us coming back for more.5. Entertainment.Like movies, video games, and books, people have a need to be entertained. Sports provide a live 'story' with a surprise ending.6. Provides a 'Reality Check'. In sports, one team wins and the other loses. That's the way it is. Someone has to lose. It prepares us to learn to accept failures in our lives. Life isn't full of victories. There will be times that things don't go your way. Watching sports prepares us for that.Whatever your team and whichever sport you choose, sports can provide all of that, and more. As we prepare to watch the Olympics this week, I'll be cheering on the USA along with the rest of you.But right now, I'd like to continue to savor this epic win the Philadelphia Eagles have given me, and all of my brothers and sisters who bleed green right along with them. The players practice a family mentality. All of us fans feel like we're part of that family, too.Thank you, Eagles, each and every one of you, for the part you all played in bringing the trophy home to Philly. We love you. Fly Eagles Fly. Woohoo!"We're not done yet!" -- Doug PetersonKristen L. Jackson, Author of KEEPER OF THE WATCHAvailable Now:Black Rose WritingAmazonBarnes & NobleFind Me On:Facebook: @kristenjacksonauthorAmazon: Kristen L. JacksonTwitter: @KLJacksonAuthorTumblr: https://kristenjacksonauthor.tumblr.comGood Reads: Kristen L. JacksonPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AuthorKristenLJacksonInstagram: @krisjack504Yahoo: kristenjacksonauthor@yahoo.comWebsite: https://kristenljackson.wixsite.com/kristenjacksonauthor

Release Week Thanks!

Dear Readers & Friends,Release week has been a whirlwind of emotions. Now that it's over, I'm exhausted, hungry, and overwhelmed.And I've never been happier.I published a blog on release day thanking my family. Now I'd like to thank...everyone else.I've been blown-away by the show of support from people all around me.Friends (old and new), co-workers, friends of friends. Families of students. Neighbors. The list could go on and on.The people in my life, and even the people on the outskirts of my life, have amazed me. However you chose to show your support, I want you to know I am touched beyond measure. Whether you stopped by to offer congratulations, gifted me with a hug or smile, or bought (or even thought about buying) my book, you all had an equal impact on my life. If you took even a minute of time out of your day to like, share, or comment on a post, I thank you for stopping to think of me.Thank you for making a new author, in a sea of so many more-experienced authors, feel special. Because of you, I didn't feel like one of many. I felt loved.Watching the news these days, it's easy to lose hope in humanity. Please, don't lose hope.People have good hearts, kind souls, and a generous nature. I saw evidence of that in each and every one of you, in both large and small acts of kindness that you bestowed upon me as I embark on this new venture in my life. I can't thank you enough for all of the love you've shown me over the past week. I felt your support deep down inside of me. I still do. It's not something I will forget.Thank you, thank you, thank you.Much love,KristenKristen L. Jackson, Author of KEEPER OF THE WATCH Available Now:Black Rose WritingAmazonBarnes & NobleFind Me On:Facebook: @kristenjacksonauthorAmazon: Kristen L. JacksonTwitter: @KLJacksonAuthorTumblr: https://kristenjacksonauthor.tumblr.comGood Reads: Kristen L. JacksonPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AuthorKristenLJacksonInstagram: @krisjack504Yahoo: kristenjacksonauthor@yahoo.comWebsite: https://kristenljackson.wixsite.com/kristenjacksonauthor