Ask the Author: Joy Neal Kidney
Answered Questions (7)
Joy Neal Kidney
joynealkidney@gmail.com (Would be easier)
I thought Susan Sheehan had died, but I can't find anything on the internet about it. I finally wrote the story of the central Iowa family who lost three of five sons who served in WWII, including the one whose remains have never been found off New Guinea: "Leora's Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II." Finally published when I was 75! Since then I've published her Depression Era and early years stories. Now I'm finally getting around to sharing the research from the 1990s, probably will get published next year. The most interesting to you would be this blog post: https://joynealkidney.com/2022/06/24/...
I thought Susan Sheehan had died, but I can't find anything on the internet about it. I finally wrote the story of the central Iowa family who lost three of five sons who served in WWII, including the one whose remains have never been found off New Guinea: "Leora's Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II." Finally published when I was 75! Since then I've published her Depression Era and early years stories. Now I'm finally getting around to sharing the research from the 1990s, probably will get published next year. The most interesting to you would be this blog post: https://joynealkidney.com/2022/06/24/...
Joy Neal Kidney
Doesn't happen much now that the brain fog of 19 years of fibromyalgia has pretty well lifted, but it doesn't hurt to take a day off, go do something else. Things look fresh again after a breather.
Joy Neal Kidney
The third draft! That's when you pretty well know what stays, what goes. Now it's time to sculpt what's left and add color.
I also really enjoy feedback, both on Amazon, etc., but also on my website.
I also really enjoy feedback, both on Amazon, etc., but also on my website.
Joy Neal Kidney
Write everyday, even if it's just journaling. Get involved in a writers group, even an online one, and learn as much as you can. Get acquainted with social media and how it can enhance what you're writing. I thoroughly enjoy sharing stories on my website.
Joy Neal Kidney
Leora's Dexter Stories: The Scarcity Years of the Great Depression. They are based on my grandmother's stories, as she raised seven children (losing three more as infants). She so wanted a home of her own, children healthy and thriving, and--since she wasn't allowed to go to high school--diplomas for them all. But the cow went dry, and jobs dried up, and times were tough.
Joy Neal Kidney
Leora's stories seem ripe for sharing! They've been a joy to work on, the fun ones and even the very difficult. We must not forget what it was like to live through those bittersweet times.
Joy Neal Kidney
It's the middle (Depression Era) years of Leora's story. Leora was my grandmother and left a hand-written memoir (I'd asked if she'd write one). I've included my mother's stories, information from newspaper clippings, and photos, and will be giving a program based on Leora's Depression Era stories.
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