June Ahern's Blog - Posts Tagged "family"
She Said, So Then She Said
Writing the words of my characters became more than looking for ways to move the story along or give readers important information. It became a special time to spend with my The Skye in June family. Listening, not disturbing the rumbling of family discord or sisters hashing out problems. I voiced my concerns: How would Mary, express her anger at her father for teasing and labeling her as a boy? Could Annie find the words, smiling through her tears, to keep encouraging her little sisters to be happy and safe? Back and forth I spoke their words, Mary to Annie, Annie to Maggie and all to June, the youngest. Jimmy, the father bellowed at his kids and fearful Cathy, the mother, guilty for not speaking up for her children to her abusive husband. I had to know how Cathy felt so I rummaged through my life experiences and observations - delving into Cathy's psyche to express her, once upon a time hopes and dreams soured with life's disappointments. No matter what, the MacDonalds were a loyal Scottish family. But would my readers believe that through all their anger, secrets, tears and lies? At least they'd get a good laugh, I giggled, tapping away at the keys, sharing the girls' sassy comments and exposing their crazy plan - "We could kill him," one sister says of Jimmy. But which would say that?
Give-away of Two Books by June Ahern
I love give-aways books. Entering for sure, but also, my books offered. When the winners' names are sent, I happily package up The Skye in June and The Timeless Counselor. Like sending a birthday gift off!
Here's the latest give-away.
http://fullmoonbites.wordpress.com/20...
For either paperback or ebook - check it out!
Here's the latest give-away.
http://fullmoonbites.wordpress.com/20...
For either paperback or ebook - check it out!
Give-away of Novel by June Ahern
These dark, cold and rainy times are one of my favorite, jump into bed early with a book and a cuppa. How about you, is this also a favorite time of year to snuggle up with a book and keep warm?
I've once again, entered "The Skye in June" my novel as a give-away in the US and GB, which seems appropriate since it is about a Scottish immigrant family living in San Francisco, California - a great historical city. Please read more about the story at juneahern.com.
And Good Luck! Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again.
I've once again, entered "The Skye in June" my novel as a give-away in the US and GB, which seems appropriate since it is about a Scottish immigrant family living in San Francisco, California - a great historical city. Please read more about the story at juneahern.com.
And Good Luck! Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again.
What a Character!
I'm often asked how I create my fictional characters and although I can't speak for all writers, I can for myself say––you and you and you!
I am a people person or should say, a people magnet really. My "other" job is all about people, which gives me plenty of fodder in my larder when writing.
In my first book, "The Timeless Counselor" –– a non-fiction –– I wrote about clients' sessions, but changed the names of course. If you've read that, you see how their stories could actually become a fictional tale or two.
In my novel, oh yum, yum! How fun picking bits and pieces of personalities and situations from a host of characters I've encountered in life.
Even my own family says, 'hey! is that me?' I say of 'course not!'
In truth bits and pieces are my parents, sisters and even my brothers. And then there were others life neighborhood friends. One friend, upon reading the book, called me and said 'loved reading about myself in your book'.
My brothers moaned 'You only used sisters where's the brothers?' Maybe a part of the sisters is the brothers, I told them.
In one chapter of the novel, "The Skye in June - fictional (but of course!)I used a crime committed in the early 1960's in my neighborhood to create fiction between the MacDonald family and more so for the main character, June.
Although I remember the story, research was still necessary to stir real and imaginary pictures to put into enticing words.
One of the people involved in this serious crime (all teen boys) read my book then remarked, "I see I made your story." He wasn't angry or upset. Names had been changed, it was an old crime but still part of the changing environs in "the Castro" of San Francisco and only a few would recognize the old story.
Readers from my 'old hood' during the story's era in San Francisco, contact me all the time to share their own experiences of growing up in what became a world famous neighborhood, "the Castro". Those who went to Catholic school also have much to say about their experience with nuns. Readers who went to the same parochial school I did and wrote about in the book, recognize the nuns by their real names and not the ones I gave them. That is fun! Of course the names have been changed to protect the innocent and the guilty.
As I work on my new novel the characters are created more so by me, but still I reflect back on the later 1960 days in San Francisco and have many characters to draw from.
What about the characters in your life? Will they end up in a story?
Please read more about me and my books at http://www.juneahern.com
The Skye in June
The Timeless Counselor/A Complete Consumer's Guide to a Psychic Reading
I am a people person or should say, a people magnet really. My "other" job is all about people, which gives me plenty of fodder in my larder when writing.
In my first book, "The Timeless Counselor" –– a non-fiction –– I wrote about clients' sessions, but changed the names of course. If you've read that, you see how their stories could actually become a fictional tale or two.
In my novel, oh yum, yum! How fun picking bits and pieces of personalities and situations from a host of characters I've encountered in life.
Even my own family says, 'hey! is that me?' I say of 'course not!'
In truth bits and pieces are my parents, sisters and even my brothers. And then there were others life neighborhood friends. One friend, upon reading the book, called me and said 'loved reading about myself in your book'.
My brothers moaned 'You only used sisters where's the brothers?' Maybe a part of the sisters is the brothers, I told them.
In one chapter of the novel, "The Skye in June - fictional (but of course!)I used a crime committed in the early 1960's in my neighborhood to create fiction between the MacDonald family and more so for the main character, June.
Although I remember the story, research was still necessary to stir real and imaginary pictures to put into enticing words.
One of the people involved in this serious crime (all teen boys) read my book then remarked, "I see I made your story." He wasn't angry or upset. Names had been changed, it was an old crime but still part of the changing environs in "the Castro" of San Francisco and only a few would recognize the old story.
Readers from my 'old hood' during the story's era in San Francisco, contact me all the time to share their own experiences of growing up in what became a world famous neighborhood, "the Castro". Those who went to Catholic school also have much to say about their experience with nuns. Readers who went to the same parochial school I did and wrote about in the book, recognize the nuns by their real names and not the ones I gave them. That is fun! Of course the names have been changed to protect the innocent and the guilty.
As I work on my new novel the characters are created more so by me, but still I reflect back on the later 1960 days in San Francisco and have many characters to draw from.
What about the characters in your life? Will they end up in a story?
Please read more about me and my books at http://www.juneahern.com
The Skye in June
The Timeless Counselor/A Complete Consumer's Guide to a Psychic Reading
What a Character!
I'm often asked how I create my fictional characters and although I can't speak for all writers, I can for myself say––you and you and you!
I am a people person or should say, a people magnet really. My "other" job is all about people, which gives me plenty of fodder in my larder when writing.
In my first book, "The Timeless Counselor" –– a non-fiction –– I wrote about clients' sessions, but changed the names of course. If you've read that, you see how their stories could actually become a fictional tale or two.
In my novel, oh yum, yum! How fun picking bits and pieces of personalities and situations from a host of characters I've encountered in life.
Even my own family says, 'hey! is that me?' I say of 'course not!'
In truth bits and pieces are my parents, sisters and even my brothers. And then there were others life neighborhood friends. One friend, upon reading the book, called me and said 'loved reading about myself in your book'.
My brothers moaned 'You only used sisters where's the brothers?' Maybe a part of the sisters is the brothers, I told them.
In one chapter of the novel, "The Skye in June - fictional (but of course!)I used a crime committed in the early 1960's in my neighborhood to create fiction between the MacDonald family and more so for the main character, June.
Although I remember the story, research was still necessary to stir real and imaginary pictures to put into enticing words.
One of the people involved in this serious crime (all teen boys) read my book then remarked, "I see I made your story." He wasn't angry or upset. Names had been changed, it was an old crime but still part of the changing environs in "the Castro" of San Francisco and only a few would recognize the old story.
Readers from my 'old hood' during the story's era in San Francisco, contact me all the time to share their own experiences of growing up in what became a world famous neighborhood, "the Castro". Those who went to Catholic school also have much to say about their experience with nuns. Readers who went to the same parochial school I did and wrote about in the book, recognize the nuns by their real names and not the ones I gave them. That is fun! Of course the names have been changed to protect the innocent and the guilty.
As I work on my new novel the characters are created more so by me, but still I reflect back on the later 1960 days in San Francisco and have many characters to draw from.
What about the characters in your life? Will they end up in a story?
Please read more about me and my books at http://www.juneahern.com
The Skye in June
The Timeless Counselor/A Complete Consumer's Guide to a Psychic Reading
I am a people person or should say, a people magnet really. My "other" job is all about people, which gives me plenty of fodder in my larder when writing.
In my first book, "The Timeless Counselor" –– a non-fiction –– I wrote about clients' sessions, but changed the names of course. If you've read that, you see how their stories could actually become a fictional tale or two.
In my novel, oh yum, yum! How fun picking bits and pieces of personalities and situations from a host of characters I've encountered in life.
Even my own family says, 'hey! is that me?' I say of 'course not!'
In truth bits and pieces are my parents, sisters and even my brothers. And then there were others life neighborhood friends. One friend, upon reading the book, called me and said 'loved reading about myself in your book'.
My brothers moaned 'You only used sisters where's the brothers?' Maybe a part of the sisters is the brothers, I told them.
In one chapter of the novel, "The Skye in June - fictional (but of course!)I used a crime committed in the early 1960's in my neighborhood to create fiction between the MacDonald family and more so for the main character, June.
Although I remember the story, research was still necessary to stir real and imaginary pictures to put into enticing words.
One of the people involved in this serious crime (all teen boys) read my book then remarked, "I see I made your story." He wasn't angry or upset. Names had been changed, it was an old crime but still part of the changing environs in "the Castro" of San Francisco and only a few would recognize the old story.
Readers from my 'old hood' during the story's era in San Francisco, contact me all the time to share their own experiences of growing up in what became a world famous neighborhood, "the Castro". Those who went to Catholic school also have much to say about their experience with nuns. Readers who went to the same parochial school I did and wrote about in the book, recognize the nuns by their real names and not the ones I gave them. That is fun! Of course the names have been changed to protect the innocent and the guilty.
As I work on my new novel the characters are created more so by me, but still I reflect back on the later 1960 days in San Francisco and have many characters to draw from.
What about the characters in your life? Will they end up in a story?
Please read more about me and my books at http://www.juneahern.com
The Skye in June
The Timeless Counselor/A Complete Consumer's Guide to a Psychic Reading
TOUGH TIMES. TOUGH PEOPLE. TOUGH STORIES
The themes in my novels have personally touched readers (per reviews and feedback.) Readers related to the tough challenges and situations.
I've been viewed as tough tuff- "Why are you so tough?" - "You're a tough chick."
Can I say, I was born in a town where tough was a way of life?
My father encouraged his children to be tough. He was an amateur boxer in Glasgow and taught his six daughters how to box. Being brave and standing up for yourself was honorable.
Age and my spiritual quest and teachings have mellowed me. Nice to be more peaceful.
My novels, "The Skye in June" and "City of Redemption" are about tough times, tough situations and tough people.
FROM SCOTLAND TO SAN FRANCISCO: Both novels give readers a history of tougher times and are set in two different cities and countries: Glasgow, Scotland and San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
In "Skye" the main characters are from 1950's Glasgow, a tough town to thrive in the immediate postwar times and for a long time thereafter - poverty continued as read in my novel "City" the setting of 1966.
The Skye in JuneCity of Redemption
I've been viewed as tough tuff- "Why are you so tough?" - "You're a tough chick."
Can I say, I was born in a town where tough was a way of life?
My father encouraged his children to be tough. He was an amateur boxer in Glasgow and taught his six daughters how to box. Being brave and standing up for yourself was honorable.
Age and my spiritual quest and teachings have mellowed me. Nice to be more peaceful.
My novels, "The Skye in June" and "City of Redemption" are about tough times, tough situations and tough people.
FROM SCOTLAND TO SAN FRANCISCO: Both novels give readers a history of tougher times and are set in two different cities and countries: Glasgow, Scotland and San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
In "Skye" the main characters are from 1950's Glasgow, a tough town to thrive in the immediate postwar times and for a long time thereafter - poverty continued as read in my novel "City" the setting of 1966.
The Skye in JuneCity of Redemption
FREE eBOOK READ ALL ABOUT IT! Scotland to San Francisco
THE SKYE IN JUNE -An Immigrant Story
"The Skye in June" is different than any book I have read before, which is such a plus in this day of cookie cutter market paperbacks. - Jessica, Goodreads Review
Free eBOOK UNTIL 12/31/16
KINDLE. AMAZON
Overwhelmingly good reviews from the 500 on Amazon, U.S.; U.K., France, Japan, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, june ahern dot com, and more book reading sites.
The book has sold every month since released 4/08!
Set in Glasgow, Scotland, and San Francisco during the mid-fifties to early days of the 1960's.
"The Skye in June" - Not since author Amy Tan's early writings has a woman's voice so strongly resonated from one of San Francisco's most famous neighborhoods. Ahern's powerful coming of age tale is a must read for anyone interested in the drama and complexities of what it might be like growing up psychic. - Jim Toland, Author of "Fire and Fog"
The MacDonald's emigrate to San Francisco after a family tragedy. They arrive in one of San Francisco's best known neighborhoods known now to many as "The Castro. The girls come of age during the early days of the colorful circa 1960's. This story reaches over three generations of the family and the challenges they encounter as immigrants in San Francisco and their bond and how it changes over the years. It is a story of acceptance and reconciliation, and the world of mysticism. A book for the young and older reader this story is a slightly veiled autobiography written in a fictional framework.
June MacDonald, the red-hired youngest child of the Scottish family, has a uniqueness that attracts unusual people. Jimmy, the father, is overbearing, and often cruel to his wife and children. Cathy, the mother, is lost in her unhappiness and memories of a past sins she cannot reconcile. June along with her three sisters are lively, funny, and rebellious as they find ways to deter their father's control over them. The family implodes when June is drawn into the world of mysticism. Each girl struggles to rise above Jimmy's abusiveness, while Cathy wavers at protecting her children or staying under Jimmy's thumb. Ultimately it is June and Cathy who must resolve the sins of the past and move forward for the family to heal.
READ AND PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW ON YOUR FAVORITE BOOK SELLING WEBSITE.Thank you, The Author.
"The Skye in June" is different than any book I have read before, which is such a plus in this day of cookie cutter market paperbacks. - Jessica, Goodreads Review
Free eBOOK UNTIL 12/31/16
KINDLE. AMAZON
Overwhelmingly good reviews from the 500 on Amazon, U.S.; U.K., France, Japan, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, june ahern dot com, and more book reading sites.
The book has sold every month since released 4/08!
Set in Glasgow, Scotland, and San Francisco during the mid-fifties to early days of the 1960's.
"The Skye in June" - Not since author Amy Tan's early writings has a woman's voice so strongly resonated from one of San Francisco's most famous neighborhoods. Ahern's powerful coming of age tale is a must read for anyone interested in the drama and complexities of what it might be like growing up psychic. - Jim Toland, Author of "Fire and Fog"
The MacDonald's emigrate to San Francisco after a family tragedy. They arrive in one of San Francisco's best known neighborhoods known now to many as "The Castro. The girls come of age during the early days of the colorful circa 1960's. This story reaches over three generations of the family and the challenges they encounter as immigrants in San Francisco and their bond and how it changes over the years. It is a story of acceptance and reconciliation, and the world of mysticism. A book for the young and older reader this story is a slightly veiled autobiography written in a fictional framework.
June MacDonald, the red-hired youngest child of the Scottish family, has a uniqueness that attracts unusual people. Jimmy, the father, is overbearing, and often cruel to his wife and children. Cathy, the mother, is lost in her unhappiness and memories of a past sins she cannot reconcile. June along with her three sisters are lively, funny, and rebellious as they find ways to deter their father's control over them. The family implodes when June is drawn into the world of mysticism. Each girl struggles to rise above Jimmy's abusiveness, while Cathy wavers at protecting her children or staying under Jimmy's thumb. Ultimately it is June and Cathy who must resolve the sins of the past and move forward for the family to heal.
READ AND PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW ON YOUR FAVORITE BOOK SELLING WEBSITE.Thank you, The Author.
FREE - GIVE-AWAY eBook
onlinebookclub.org is offering a give-away for my first novel The Skye in June. See link to at bottom of blog- has 344 ratings on Goodreads.
It's a historical novel - a story with laughs, sorrow, adventure, anger, the usual family drama. Has a mystery, with the answer to be found in the Isle of Skye.
Learn some Scottish sayings and customs, walk the streets of one of San Francisco's well-known neighborhoods back in the day, watch the family change over the years.
The MacDonalds are a Scottish immigrant family who emigrated to San Francisco, California in the mid 1950s after a family tragedy.
The four girls come of age during the changing environs of the 1960s - a wild and crazy time.
They live in a most well-known neighborhood of the city that most now know of as The Castro, but is actually named Eureka Valley.
Eureka Valley or "The Valley" has old time residents called it, is the heart of the city - sitting almost right dab in the center of it of San Francisco if you will.
It's a historical novel as the story takes you up and down Castro Street and you can stop at one of the most historical businesses which continues to thrive today - Cliff's Department store.Take in a movie at The Castro Theatre, which was a hubbub for the neighborhood kids who clamored to it, waiting in long lines every Saturday.
Read more about the story at june ahern.com and enter to win a kindle copy. Ready, go..
Good Luck!. Here is the link to the giveaway: https://www.amazon.com/ga/p/63ab229e65d26c28
