Spread the Word

That has to be the best way to give a book steam once it's released.  A publisher can send a truckload of novels to Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com and give it the best marketing blurb in the world.  But, unless the reader picks up the book and is moved enough to suggest it to a friend or acquaintance, that book will more than likely sit on the proverbial shelf and collect dust.

That's one of the reasons I have sounded like a broken record recently, requesting that readers post a review on the Amazon site.  I don't know about you, but as a reader myself, I am more inclined to purchase a book when I read reviews that are heartfelt and genuine. Heck, sometimes I've read reviews that were less than kind and because of the topic or the buttons the writer pushed in order to get that person to read the book in the first place, I'll read it based on that bad review.  It just depends.  

I know that it takes time and effort to write a review so I genuinely appreciate any comments posted on behalf of my book.  Even if they are less than kind.  The fact that someone posts their thoughts means the book warranted some kind of attention, whether good or bad.  

I believe in my book and I hope those who have read it believe in it's message too.  And, I've been fortunate that some are willing to spread the word on my behalf.  I continue to ask for reviews because I just can't stand the thought of Nicholas's journey collecting dust on a bookshelf. 

JRS

Interview with a Recluse by Linda Della Donna

I'm not much on interviews but when the lovely Ms. Linda Della Donna asked if she could interview me, I couldn't resist.  She is everything her readers would imagine she is; kind, funny, thoughtful and talented.  And, she lives in my favorite city in the whole world:  New York.  I've been following her writing for awhile now and I never tire of her written word.  Ever.

So, without further adieu, here is the long awaited interview.  Click HERE

Have a question that Linda didn't cover?  Go ahead...ask me.  I dare you.

JRS

I'm Breaking My Own Rule

Yep, I agreed to be interviewed by Linda Della Donna, blogger of Book or Bust.  I've long been an admirer of Ms. Della Donna and since she has graciously agreed to interview me and was so kind to offer to do so, I decided to break my own rule and talk at length about the writing of "The Long Road from Perdition".

I hope you will visit her site and leave some comments.  Of course, I'll post the interview here as well...Be watching for it, the interview should be up in the next few days or so:  http://bookorbust.blogspot.com/2012/06/coming-soonmy-interview-with-author-jr.html

JRS

How Young is Too Young?

There are several topics in my novel, "The Long Road from Perdition" that are considered controversial.  One of those topics is the debate of how old should you be when you have your first sexual experience? Does it matter? And, why is achieving that first experience the proof that a boy has become a man?

In the novel, the main character, Nicholas has a sexual encounter at the age of 15 years.  One could argue that 15 is a bit young for sex, however, in his case, I imagine he felt very much an adult at that age.  The encounter wasn't a moment of tenderness or even puppy love.  It was the allure of physical excitement and transitioning from a boy's pleasure to a man's pleasure in every way.

If I were mentoring Nicholas, I would most likely remind him of the dangers of casual sex.  Unwanted pregnancy, disease, confused feelings, encountering emotions that one is not ready to experience at this time. All the wisdom that adults can offer at that clumsy, exciting time in a teenager's life.  But, in the story, I think his clumsy, yet exciting moments venturing into adulthood reflected his difficult journey he had experienced since his own birth.  His bumbling birth into adulthood captured the boyhood trauma and heartbreak he was leaving behind, if only geographically.

The true migration into his manhood occurred at the same age, with a different partner later in the story.  One of his choosing who had captured his heart, scars and all.  The mechanics of making love were of major concern until he discovers the moments of intimacy answered all of the unknowns for him.  To find a soul mate who reciprocates love and tenderness at that awkward moment in time is more than anyone can ask for in a "first time."

Nicholas was lucky to experience those moments as a clumsy teenager in a chance moment in time.  He was fortunate to experience love with the tenderness and patience with a partner of his choosing to enter manhood.

15 might be too young for most, but I think it was old enough for Nicholas.  Pick up a copy of The Long Road from Perdition and let me know what you think.

JRS

Fact or Fiction?

It's no secret that I've written a novel entitled "The Long Road from Perdition".  When I asked writers to read the book and offer some constructive criticism, I was a little taken aback that they thought the book was factual. Some even believed that I was Nicholas and was narrating my life through his character.

Since then, I have had others read the book and wonder the same thing.  I don't want to give away the plot, but there are some absolutely heartbreaking moments that are intertwined throughout the book.   I feel that it is much like life really is; heartbreak, anguish, joy, happiness and back to heartbreak again. I want to emphasize that the book is not factual.  I did write about certain events that are known to me and used certain characteristics from a variety of people I've known throughout my life to create characters.  I believe every fiction writer does this.

The fact that people are wondering about this book tells me I've accomplished what I set out to do.  I want readers to think about Nicholas and his struggles long after the last page is turned.  I have to admit, he almost seems real to me as well.  And, at times, during the writing of this book, I felt I was typing as fast as I could to get the plot, emotion and dialogue down as I was seeing and hearing it in my head.  It's almost as if I was watching a movie playing of it in my head.  Perhaps it was watching Adrien Grenier on an episode of Entourage that encouraged Nicholas's physical features...or maybe the plot developed after hearing Jonny Lang's anguished Wander this World.

All I know is that it all came together and became a novel that I'm very proud to have written.  Thank you readers for your comments...I'm grateful.

JRS

Sometimes being Bellied Up to a Bar brings Inspiration

Sometimes when I'm seated at a bar and get an idea for a character, I wonder to myself, "Is this how Ernest Hemingway started in Key West?"  I would then imagine a bunch of six-toed cats running freely throughout a home on the edge of lapping waves where sunrises and sunsets are celebrated daily by the locals.

While Hemingway wrote classics while he lived in his tropical paradise, he certainly is THE master of the written word and I am just another wordsmith.  But, I do think we share the propensity for observing others at any cost.  It is this quality that brought to me some of the characters in "The Long Road from Perdition".  I remember I was seated at a bar in New York where a couple of gals were tending bar.  Both were older than the average barkeep and that much more interesting to watch in action.

One of the ladies was dressed a bit too young for her age and had a pair of eyes that she used to stare down an unruly customer or to flirt shamelessly with a new face sitting across from her.  I watched with interest as she mixed drinks, slammed them down and put the gents in their place. I swore if I ever had a book where I could fit in these bar lovelies, that I would.  Voila!, she became 'Bug-eyed Sue.'  The other woman was older than her counterpart but oozed a sensuality that left every man vying for her attention.

I was fascinated. These women had every customer whether male or female, wrapped around their french manicured fingers. The sultry one gave me a look and actually made me blush.  "Oh look, the quiet one is shy..." I was hooked, I grinned like an idiot turning more crimson by the second.

Everytime I go back to New York, I make a point of seeing the gals.  Funny, the bar is not in the best area of town, but these gals are woman enough to keep their customers firmly under their spell.  I always look forward to gazing at the sultry one and her friend with the eyes.  It makes the scotch I'm drinking go down that much smoother under the slow moving fans which conjure memories of Key West.

JRS

Buddy, Can You Spare a Book Review?

It's true, I've been hounding people to post reviews of my new novel onto Amazon.com, Good Reads.com, Facebook, Twitter, anywhere there is a connection between the written word and people.

So, imagine the smile on my face when I logged into my blog to see a comment from a new friend, Linda Della Donna, author of "Book or Bust" blog and Griefcase.com:

"I have read this book and it is a riveting read.  Couldn't put it down." Linda Della Donna - author of Griefcase.net and Bookorbust.blogspot.com 


She wrote me in between chapters with updates such as, "This Nicholas fellow is really worrying me," and I smiled thinking she would become more than worried in a few more chapters.  I wanted her to "get it" and that she did.  She offered some constructive criticism and glowing compliments and encouragement.  What else could you want from a fellow author?



Ms. Della Donna and I have yet to meet since she lives in the New York City area, but hope our paths will indeed cross one day.  The woman with the lyrical name even twitters on my behalf...God bless her.


I've also met another author who I've dubbed as my "brother from another mother".  He too, is a recluse who only wants his book to get the attention it deserves.  His name is Brandon Shire and his novels prove to be dark, contemplative and rich with plot line and dilemma.  We've become Goodreads buddies and virtual friends.  A comfortable distance for two recluses who only want their books to do well.

Wordsmithing and finding like-minded scribes such as myself in the virtual beyond is one of the best things ever.  Go ahead, check out their writing, you'll be glad you did.  Thank you Ms. Della Donna and Brandon Shire.

JR Stone