Jaye Marie's Blog, page 7

A Lesson Learned

I love to read… everything…

I have the compulsion to read. It can be a short story I come across, a news item, or the words on that packet of cornflakes that someone forgot to put back in the cupboard.

I am also addicted to all those “How to be a Better Writer” books, and I must have read dozens of them in my time. All that self-doubt, I suppose.

My current read is The Anatomy of Story by John Truby.

This book may have changed the way I write forever. Every single chapter has highlighted either something I have been doing wrong, or worse still, not been doing at all.

I was getting in a pickle with the current WIP (I am hoping this is due to my present circumstances) so picking up this book was probably one of the better things I’ve done lately.

One of John Truby’s pearls of wisdom for the secret of an excellent book is that ‘your characters must be real people, extraordinarily real.’ 

One glance at mine stopped me in my tracks.

Never mind the characters, my story didn’t feel real either. The magic just wasn’t there. I had been hoping it would grow if I persevered, but every time I picked it up, I was disappointed.

There are three main characters in my story. Three very different men. Any one of them could turn out to be the villain or the hero. And that’s the premise of the story right there: keep the reader guessing until the end.

But I knew these men very well, having created them in my mind. Unfortunately, much of this knowledge has not found its way to the paper. The story will have to be rewritten, and most of all, these men need work….

Sink or swim?

Review for The Convict and the Rose #Fiction #True Story Series @JanSikes3

Love knows no boundaries.
This heart-wrenching, award-winning Biographical/Fiction sequel to Flowers and Stone shows how love can triumph over the toughest of odds. Join Luke and Darlina as they fight for freedom and battle to keep the flame of their love alive, even when separated by bars and distance. After Luke is sentenced to a seventy-five-year prison sentence, he and Darlina must rely on their undying love and courage to keep them going.

– Enjoy a riveting story of love, courage, and resilience that will restore your faith in the power of love
– Experience an emotional journey of the human spirit that will keep you captivated from start to finish
– Learn how to turn a negative dark situation into a positive one and be inspired to reach for your dreams

Be forever changed by Luke and Darlina’s epic journey of love, faith, and hope.

Meet the Author

Following

Jan Sikes

I’ve been an avid reader all my life. There’s nothing I love more than losing myself in a story.

Oddly enough, I had no ambition to be a writer. But I wound up in mid-life with a story that begged to be told. Not just any story, but a true story that rivaled any fiction creation. Through fictitious characters, the tale came to life in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books. Not satisfied to stop with the books, I released music CDs of original music matching the time period of each story segment. In conclusion, to bring the story full circle, I published a book of poetry and art. I was done.

Wrong!

The story ideas keep coming, and I don’t intend to turn off the creative fountain.

I love all things metaphysical and often include those aspects in my stories.

I am a member of the Author’s Marketing Guild, The Writer’s League of Texas, Story Empire, and the Paranormal Writer’s Guild. I am an avid fan of Texas music and grandmother of five beautiful souls. I reside in North Texas.

Our Review

The Convict and the Rose is the true story of one man’s determination to believe that, whatever else happens, one day he will be free to be with the love of his life.

Sentenced to 75 years in prison, I wondered how determined he would have to be to maintain his faith and endurance in the face of such hardship, as it seemed impossible.

I was expecting a difficult, harrowing story, full of the harshness and brutality of prison life. But Luke Stone, the hero of this story, is a very special man. When life throws rocks at him, his first reaction is to find a way around them.

On the outside, Darlene’s life wasn’t easy either. Their struggles mirrored each others, as they slowly moved through the years.

Despite the main subject, which could have been traumatic for the reader, there is so much love in this story.

A love that survives… and finally blossoms…

Macro Monday…

Sometimes, leaves are lovelier than flowers…

Silent Sunday…

This meme is perfect for me at the moment, as I can only cope with one day at a time…

My progress couldn’t be any slower if it tried, but luckily, the writing is going faster!

Best wishes for a wonderful week…

from Jaye and Anita

Inspiration Day…

I read this quote yesterday and it quite literally sent an electric charge through my brain, waking up so many long dormant feelings and ideas.

I have also been reading John Truby’s amazing The Anatomy of Story. I haven’t read much of it yet, but enough to know that it will reintroduce me to the writer I once was.

I have been working like crazy on the new book, looking at it with what feels like a new set of eyes and incredible excitement. I already know that I won’t be worrying about anything else until I have finished writing this story…

Magic Monday…

I chose this image on purpose, as I am going to try to conquer one or two of my fears this week…

I will also try to resolve the issues with the new book, thanks to all your helpful advice and comments. Hopefully, it will be a brilliant week…

This is another memory, as I sadly missed seeing my favourite cherry tree flower this year…

A Hitch in the Scheme of things…

A Swan Song

I heard this phrase a long time ago, and it has stuck with me. A while ago, I thought it could be a good title for the new outing of my Detective David Snow.

So I went ahead and started the outline for SwanSong. I even made a working cover.

The expression Swan Song, usually means someone’s last effort, or or a final act before death, or retirement.

And as this could be Snow’s last opus, and I didn’t know this at the time, but could be mine too, it seemed to fit.

The more I work on this story, the more uneasy I become. Was it right to possibly kill off my favourite character? And then my thoughts turned to me. I was still struggling to regain my strength so I could re join the human race, but should I be contemplating that my end could be near?

An atmosphere of doom has been slowly suffocating me for weeks, and I have come to the conclusion that I need a new title, possibly a new concept, and a new cover for the book.

Could I be right, or am I being stupid?

There is an ancient Greek legend that tells of a certain breed of swan that sings the most beautiful song as it is dying.

I did wonder if there was any truth to this legend, for all of the swans I knew of were mute.

When I researched this, I discovered that there is a swan that can sing. It’s called a Whooper swan.

I have always loved swans, but lately, they have become almost an obsession.

I have no idea why, or is there a connection to my state of affairs?

My Favourite Places Remembered… Buriton Pond

Not far from where I live is a lovely rural village called Buriton. When we first moved to Hampshire, we discovered the place by accident and fell in love with it and their beautiful pond.

It is always peaceful there, something to do with its location, I’m sure, as it nestles in a lush green valley quite close to the South Downs. Unfortunately, it is quite a popular spot and you have to take your chances, but it is always worth a visit. Always something going on, from ducklings in the spring to the changing of the seasons.

We have gone there in the summer, winter, sunshine and showers, (and the ice and snow) Spectacular at any time of the year, and always conjures up a deep spiritual peace.

Yesterday, I played hooky from all the writing, blogging and all the millions of other jobs that nag to be done. Telling myself it was probably a good opportunity for a blog post at the very least, I was determined to enjoy both the warm weather and the time off.

The first thing I noticed when I stepped out of the car was a grey crane, wading through the shallow water. We ended up following him all around the pond, as he obviously didn’t like the look of us at all.

We like to walk around the edge, seeing the pond from every angle, and as we passed a tall clump of yellow iris, we saw something small and brown busily chewing on a stalk at the water’s edge. We crept towards it, fully expecting it to scurry away, but it did not. It seemed to be just as curious about us, peering up at us with its little beady eyes. I went closer and closer, camera at the ready and ended up incredibly close.

Not sure what it was, but it studied us with great interest. We offered some of the wholemeal bread we had brought for the ducks, and he nibbled away, keeping an eye on us.
Just then, a couple with a dog came along. Quick as a flash, we surrounded the creature to keep the dog away. When we turned back, he had gone and we knew we could stop worrying.

If there is one thing I am grateful for in this digital age, is that you no longer have to have a several rolls of film in your pocket. I can take as many photographs as I like, and by heck, I do!

[image error]

When I posted this yesterday, I forgot to mention it was a memory, a virtual walk remembered. I am so sorry for the confusion…

Apologies… Jaye

My Favourite Places… Buriton Pond

Not far from where I live is a lovely rural village called Buriton. When we first moved to Hampshire, we discovered the place by accident and fell in love with it and their beautiful pond.

It is always peaceful there, something to do with its location, I’m sure, as it nestles in a lush green valley quite close to the South Downs. Unfortunately, it is quite a popular spot and you have to take your chances, but it is always worth a visit. Always something going on, from ducklings in the spring to the changing of the seasons.

We have gone there in the summer, winter, sunshine and showers, (and the ice and snow) Spectacular at any time of the year, and always conjures up a deep spiritual peace.

Yesterday, I played hooky from all the writing, blogging and all the millions of other jobs that nag to be done. Telling myself it was probably a good opportunity for a blog post at the very least, I was determined to enjoy both the warm weather and the time off.

The first thing I noticed when I stepped out of the car was a grey crane, wading through the shallow water. We ended up following him all around the pond, as he obviously didn’t like the look of us at all.

We like to walk around the edge, seeing the pond from every angle, and as we passed a tall clump of yellow iris, we saw something small and brown busily chewing on a stalk at the water’s edge. We crept towards it, fully expecting it to scurry away, but it did not. It seemed to be just as curious about us, peering up at us with its little beady eyes. I went closer and closer, camera at the ready and ended up incredibly close.

Not sure what it was, but it studied us with great interest. We offered some of the wholemeal bread we had brought for the ducks, and he nibbled away, keeping an eye on us.
Just then, a couple with a dog came along. Quick as a flash, we surrounded the creature to keep the dog away. When we turned back, he had gone and we knew we could stop worrying.

If there is one thing I am grateful for in this digital age, is that you no longer have to have a several rolls of film in your pocket. I can take as many photographs as I like, and by heck, I do!

[image error]

#Throwback Thursday ~ God’s Fingers # Poetry

I was feeling wistful this morning, needing something lovely (as it’s raining cats and dogs outside. Lovely turned out to include a poem from Anita, a double blessing…

Image credit; James Wheeler @ UnsplashThis is not my usual walk
through the woods with my daughter
Today I am alone,
walking through God’s Fingers
A warm touch of heaven, I tell myself
My feet leave the ground
My body lifted to the top of the canopy
I hover there like some high wire act
From a forgotten circus
My heart in my mouth
The land lies before me
A giant monopoly board
With houses, hotels,
a patchwork quilt of adventure
From here I cannot see people
I assume them to be Tom Thumb sized
While I am Gulliver, overlooking Lilliput
For a moment,
my mind wonders how I will get down
Am I expected to climb?
A firm swift movement
lowered my feet to the ground
I found my daughters hand in mine
It’s twelve o clock and all’s well…

© Anita Dawes 2021

The garden welcomes the rain, and they say it will continue all week.

I hope you are enjoying whatever weather you have today…

Best wishes… Jaye