Ask the Author: Tesa Jones
Answered Questions (6)
Tesa Jones
No lengthy answer here . . . The Malone Family Saga is a series.
Reflection of Memories might be the second novel I published; however, it is the FIRST in the series. Reflection of Memories spotlights what history is now calling "The Greatest Generation." I am inspired by those I interviewed who lived during that era. They may be aging, wrinkled and limping along as they walk; however, they definitely have a story to tell, and we can ALL learn from them.
Reflection of Memories might be the second novel I published; however, it is the FIRST in the series. Reflection of Memories spotlights what history is now calling "The Greatest Generation." I am inspired by those I interviewed who lived during that era. They may be aging, wrinkled and limping along as they walk; however, they definitely have a story to tell, and we can ALL learn from them.
Tesa Jones
The best thing about being a writer is having the ability to give my imaginary characters a life of their own and sharing their story with fans. My greatest reward is knowing that I touched a reader's heart, and that person is compelled to write to me in order to share his or her personal story.
Tesa Jones
From the moment my timeline and drafts are written, my beloved characters "dance inside my head". They literally live in me. I know that sounds weird -- but they do. When the entire story has worked it's magic on my mind, I simply sit at the keyboard -- the words pour out of my head --- run through my fingers and onto the keys. I don't really have to think about it -- like magic -- it just happens.
As a result, writer's block makes it impossible to produce even one paragraph worthy of sharing. To be honest, I have only had writer's block once . . . and it was very painful . . . for both my mind and my body. I found the remedy . . . push myself away from the computer and exercise.
My one case of writer's block last FIVE years. (Needless to say, that is another story for another time.) Then -- one day -- the block was over -- the characters returned -- dancing in my head -- and the words poured out of me again.
As a result, writer's block makes it impossible to produce even one paragraph worthy of sharing. To be honest, I have only had writer's block once . . . and it was very painful . . . for both my mind and my body. I found the remedy . . . push myself away from the computer and exercise.
My one case of writer's block last FIVE years. (Needless to say, that is another story for another time.) Then -- one day -- the block was over -- the characters returned -- dancing in my head -- and the words poured out of me again.
Tesa Jones
When I first wrote the timeline of The Malone Family Saga, it was 1980. Consequently, I did not have the "future" mapped out in my plan at that time. Although my novels are a series, each book can stand alone. Reflection of Memories covers the decades in the middle of the 1900s and the "roots" of the Malone family. Cobwebs of Time spotlights 1969 to 1986 with an epilogue in 1998 to please the fans.
Currently, I am working on the third novel -- still untitled -- which continues the family saga -- focusing on Generation X -- which is the third generation in this family. As my fans know, my characters are well defined. In addition, I enjoy incorporating history and evolving social issues into my plot. I do a great deal of research because I am a detailed oriented writer.
Even though my first two novels took a decade a piece to complete, I have promised my fans -- they will not have to wait as long for this one.
Currently, I am working on the third novel -- still untitled -- which continues the family saga -- focusing on Generation X -- which is the third generation in this family. As my fans know, my characters are well defined. In addition, I enjoy incorporating history and evolving social issues into my plot. I do a great deal of research because I am a detailed oriented writer.
Even though my first two novels took a decade a piece to complete, I have promised my fans -- they will not have to wait as long for this one.
Tesa Jones
My answer to aspiring writers is a quote I have taped to my wall next to my computer . . . "It's hard to beat a person who never gives up." -- Babe Ruth
I, personally, faced many obstacles in my journey as an author. However, I truly believe in my stories and the life messages written between the pages of my books. Even though decades have passed since I first wrote the draft -- I was never willing to give up!!! Finally -- I am reaping the fruits of my labor.
I, personally, faced many obstacles in my journey as an author. However, I truly believe in my stories and the life messages written between the pages of my books. Even though decades have passed since I first wrote the draft -- I was never willing to give up!!! Finally -- I am reaping the fruits of my labor.
Tesa Jones
Fans often ask me . . . “When did you start writing?”
The answer . . . I was 10-years-old. For Christmas that year, my grandmother gave me a diary with a lock and key. When I opened the gift, she whispered in my ear, “Write what you feel.” To my surprise, words poured out of me and landed on the pages of that little red book.
At 15, I wrote the first story I was willing to share with my peers. The positive feedback from my teenage friends and my teachers was just enough encouragement for me to continue on my literary journey. Years passed. During my twenties, college and career got in the way of my dreams. When I hit 30, I was an at-home mother of a toddler. With all of my attention directed to my child and my husband, I felt a loss of identity and my self-confidence was waning; as a result, I decided to carve out some personal time for writing. With a detailed outline and my beloved characters constantly dancing inside of my head, I wrote the the timelines for my famliy saga and the first draft of Cobwebs of Time.
There were very few home computers in those days; therefore, the first draft was written on an IBM Selectric typewriter. At that time, a ream of bond paper was $24.99 — half of my weekly grocery allowance. To save money, I typed on both sides of the paper.
When I wrote the last word of that first manuscript, I felt a surge of pride for my accomplishment. However, it was short lived. I was pregnant with my second child and I knew my priority was — to be a mother first — plus — I had a home in need of my undivided attention. Consequently, I boxed up my manuscript and put it on the top shelf of my closet.
I do not regret one minute of those precious years I spent focusing on my family and our hectic, crazy schedules: the t-ball games, the bedtime stories, the Girl Scout Cookie sales, the soccer practices, the school plays, the homework, the softball games, the hours dedicated to “Hooked on Phonics”, the swim meets, the band concerts, the BLAST tournaments, the track meets, the constant carpool, the mess all over the house, the ‘what’s for dinner?’ when I hadn’t even thought about food until I heard the question, the award ceremonies, the proms and finally the graduations! As I lived those years, I felt as if our lives were wrapped up in a cyclone and often spinning out of control; however, as I reflect upon those active times, I realize — those might be — the best years of my life. I have no regrets.
When my last child graduated from high school and left “the nest”, I looked around my empty home and asked . . . what now? The house was clean and quiet. My calendar had very few events scheduled on it. I was proud and happy that my children were successfully transitioning into adults, but — at the same time — I felt a hole in my heart. My role as a mom would never be over; however, my “job” as a mother was completed. I had launched my kids into the world!
I needed to reinvent myself and find a new purpose. After dusting off my manuscript, typing it into a computer, polishing the grammar, elongating the plot and adding an epilogue, I pursued my dream of being a published author. Although Cobwebs of Time is the second book in The Malone Family Saga, it is the first book that was published. For a year and a half, my husband and I toured the country. He managed to get me to book signings, countless radio and television interviews and a different motel room in a variety of cities during the book tour frenzy. In an odd and wonderful way, it felt like a second honeymoon.
The fans enjoyed Cobwebs of Time so much, I was inspired to finish the prequel: Reflection of Memories. When a person looks at the timeline of how long it took me to complete my novels, one can see — I am a detailed oriented writer. Between occasional “writer’s block” and a busy life, it took me a decade to finish each book.
However, the result is . . . yes . . . my writer’s dream CAN and DID come true!
excerpt from my BLOG tab in web site www.booksbytesajones.com
The answer . . . I was 10-years-old. For Christmas that year, my grandmother gave me a diary with a lock and key. When I opened the gift, she whispered in my ear, “Write what you feel.” To my surprise, words poured out of me and landed on the pages of that little red book.
At 15, I wrote the first story I was willing to share with my peers. The positive feedback from my teenage friends and my teachers was just enough encouragement for me to continue on my literary journey. Years passed. During my twenties, college and career got in the way of my dreams. When I hit 30, I was an at-home mother of a toddler. With all of my attention directed to my child and my husband, I felt a loss of identity and my self-confidence was waning; as a result, I decided to carve out some personal time for writing. With a detailed outline and my beloved characters constantly dancing inside of my head, I wrote the the timelines for my famliy saga and the first draft of Cobwebs of Time.
There were very few home computers in those days; therefore, the first draft was written on an IBM Selectric typewriter. At that time, a ream of bond paper was $24.99 — half of my weekly grocery allowance. To save money, I typed on both sides of the paper.
When I wrote the last word of that first manuscript, I felt a surge of pride for my accomplishment. However, it was short lived. I was pregnant with my second child and I knew my priority was — to be a mother first — plus — I had a home in need of my undivided attention. Consequently, I boxed up my manuscript and put it on the top shelf of my closet.
I do not regret one minute of those precious years I spent focusing on my family and our hectic, crazy schedules: the t-ball games, the bedtime stories, the Girl Scout Cookie sales, the soccer practices, the school plays, the homework, the softball games, the hours dedicated to “Hooked on Phonics”, the swim meets, the band concerts, the BLAST tournaments, the track meets, the constant carpool, the mess all over the house, the ‘what’s for dinner?’ when I hadn’t even thought about food until I heard the question, the award ceremonies, the proms and finally the graduations! As I lived those years, I felt as if our lives were wrapped up in a cyclone and often spinning out of control; however, as I reflect upon those active times, I realize — those might be — the best years of my life. I have no regrets.
When my last child graduated from high school and left “the nest”, I looked around my empty home and asked . . . what now? The house was clean and quiet. My calendar had very few events scheduled on it. I was proud and happy that my children were successfully transitioning into adults, but — at the same time — I felt a hole in my heart. My role as a mom would never be over; however, my “job” as a mother was completed. I had launched my kids into the world!
I needed to reinvent myself and find a new purpose. After dusting off my manuscript, typing it into a computer, polishing the grammar, elongating the plot and adding an epilogue, I pursued my dream of being a published author. Although Cobwebs of Time is the second book in The Malone Family Saga, it is the first book that was published. For a year and a half, my husband and I toured the country. He managed to get me to book signings, countless radio and television interviews and a different motel room in a variety of cities during the book tour frenzy. In an odd and wonderful way, it felt like a second honeymoon.
The fans enjoyed Cobwebs of Time so much, I was inspired to finish the prequel: Reflection of Memories. When a person looks at the timeline of how long it took me to complete my novels, one can see — I am a detailed oriented writer. Between occasional “writer’s block” and a busy life, it took me a decade to finish each book.
However, the result is . . . yes . . . my writer’s dream CAN and DID come true!
excerpt from my BLOG tab in web site www.booksbytesajones.com
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