How Insomnia Spawned a Series: Guest Post by Darlene Jones

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Author Darlene Jones is here today to talk about an unlikely benefit of insomnia:

How Insomnia Spawned a Series
by Darlene Jones

I’m a retired educator — teacher and principal at the junior high level. In Canada that’s grades 7 to 9 so 12 to 15 year-olds. I loved working with that age group, but most of my teacher friends from elementary thought I was crazy. And yes, the heroines of my books are teachers in their real lives or have strong connections to teachers.

A long time ago I lived in Mali. That experience, along with subsequent travels, has certainly shaped my thinking and that too is reflected in my writing. I’d love to wave a magic wand and make life better, especially in third world countries.

Could insomnia benefit writers?
(image source: Free Digital Photos)

I first played with the story line for my Em and Yves novels when I suffered from insomnia. I thought it would help me sleep. It didn’t. Instead, in the dark, I scribbled notes on yellow post-it pads — notes that I mostly couldn’t read in the morning.

The story soon took over my life. I’d make notes while I waited at red lights, in line at the grocery store, in the middle of dinner. I simply had to start writing. As wrote, revised and rewrote, the story line took on elements that I hadn’t originally intended. I wanted a love story, an adventure and I got it, but with the added dimension of sci-fi magic that allowed for the magical things the heroine could do.

My intent was to write one book, but the ending surprised me and forced me to write another. Three are published and the fourth, which I’m working on now, may or may not be the last.

I’m proud of what I’ve written — magical realism — and hope that readers will enjoy the unique blend of real world and characters that I have created with the sci-fi magic. Of course there’s a love triangle too.

About the Author

Darlene Jones

A long time ago, Darlene Jones lived in Mali. Every single day, she wished I could wave a magic wand to relieve the heart-wrenching poverty. The storyline of her books reflects her desire to wave that wand and make the world a better place.

Contact: Website | Blog | Facebook

Darlene currently 3 novels in her Em and Yves series published, with a fourth in the pipeline. Empowered is book 1, Embraced is book 2, and the latest book is Embattled.

Below is the blurb and an excerpt from book 2:

Embraced

Embraced

When Principal, Abby Davies, shows Curtis a page of scribbles and asks him to try to figure it out, Curtis isn’t sure what to think. He likes Miss D and all. She isn’t too bad for a school teacher. You can talk to her and she doesn’t make fun. But, sheesh, a secret code from aliens? That’s just too sci-fi for him. To keep her happy, he says he’ll help. Thing is, once he starts studying the scribbles, he can see messages. Coder Guy, as Abby calls whoever is sending the messages, wants her to fix things. What things? Abby and Curtis find the answer when letters with Abby’s signature appear in newspaper offices. The things asked for come true. But, who’s writing the letters? Coder Guy? Or Abby?

Then the reporter shows up. What is a war correspondent doing in their little town? He says he loves Abby, but he sells her story to the world; her face splashed over every television and computer screen. The next day Miss D and Curtis are the only ones who remember the reports. That’s when real fear sets in.

Meanwhile, Yves, who fell in love with Em, has loved her through her life as Jasmine, still loves her in this life as Abby. He fumes as one of the rookie gods fumbles communication with her. Once again, Yves breaks the rules to help Abby, but with deadly results.

Excerpt

“More drawings?” Curtis gestured at the papers she held.

Abby looked down at the pages and willed her hand to stop trembling. The three pages of code drawings seemed to shimmer and shiver with a life of their own. “Yes. Three pages. From Friday, Saturday, and last night. They’re pretty … they’re … pretty well done, I’d say.”

But Curtis was no longer listening. He waved the papers she’d just handed him and almost shouted with excitement. “These are amazing. Way better than the first drawing you brought us.”

Abby stifled a small grin, but she had to agree. The drawings outclassed her scratches a million times over. “My friend developed instant artistic talent.”

“I’ll say.” Curtis shuffled the pages back and forth. He shook his head slowly and muttered “wow” over and over. Finally he looked up at her. “Miss D, thanks for getting so many. Now we have four to compare. We’ll see if there are any repeated patterns or sequences of symbols. Your friend is great to share these with us.”

“No problem.” Oh God, I’m such a liar. Of course there was a problem, and not just because she was lying to Curtis. My friend. How lame was that? The mere existence of the pages was the real problem. Some nights the clickings chattered incessantly in her fillings, almost driving her crazy. Those were the nights of very little sleep. The weekend had been eerily silent. That was a new phenomenon since Friday, no clickings, instead Coder Guy had begun leaving the pages filled with drawings. Either way — no escaping the code.

A while back, she’d grown tired of sharpening the pencil she used each night and replaced it with a pen, which was now almost out of ink. She’d have to remember to get out a new one tonight. Or maybe not? What would happen if there was no writing utensil?

“What’s so funny?” Curtis asked. Abby hadn’t realized she’d laughed out loud. The lack of pen wouldn’t stop her night visitor. She stifled another burst of laughter she knew bordered on hysteria. Truth was, much as the pages of code scared her, she’d be devastated if no more came. The person — being, alien, Coder Guy — was an integral part of her life now; his existence had established a rhythm that kept her balanced. Or so she thought. Maybe she was completely off her rocker.

Whatever the case, she didn’t want to lose that contact. Coder Guy’s presence warmed her, kept her from feeling alone and lonely. Oh, man, I am losing it here. Really losing it.

Click here for the Amazon purchase links for all of Darlene’s books.

Source: J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer