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The Eternal Curse Series Blog Presents an interview with author: Kathryn Jones.

So tell me, who is Kathryn Jones?

I am not only a writer; I’m a reader, gardener, and decorator. I tell people that if I couldn’t be a writer I’d be a decorator or a photographer. I also own a business, Idea Creations Press, which helps writers to improve their writing and get their books published. You can expect round two of my, Marketing Your Book on a Budget, to be released around January 2014 for wonderful and inexpensive marketing ideas.

Sounds like you do it all: writer of fiction and reference materials, a business owner, and a decorating hobbyist. This is bound to be a riveting interview.own a business, Idea Creations Press, which helps writers to improve their writing and get their books published. You can expect round two of my, Marketing Your Book on a Budget, to be released around January 2014 for wonderful and inexpensive marketing ideas.

So whacha got for me today?

David gathered 5 smooth stones to meet and defeat Goliath. What did these stones represent and how can you use them to conquer Goliaths in your own personal quests? Ms. Virginia Bean will show you how.

Travel with her on her own personal journey. See what she does. Learn how she grows. Discover what she becomes.

“Conquering your Goliaths—A Parable of the Five Stones” is for anyone desiring to travel beyond mediocrity, pain and fear. Learn of the great power within you, a power given to you from God, a power that must ultimately be unleashed to conquer the Goliaths in your own life. Come to an even deeper understanding of God and what he wants for you. (See a review of this book by Joan A. Adamak)

I’ve always had a liking to parables and fables. I like to be taught a lesson without someone just telling what to do. I guess you write modern-day parables…That’s pretty cool.

So who’s starring is this 2 dimensional script read of Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones?

Ms. Virginia Bean is a single woman who has never married. She loses her job and finds herself struggling to find a new one. At a job interview, as she sits across the desk waiting to hear the questions of the business owner, she discovers she is sitting face to face with God. But not only that (as if sitting across from God isn’t enough), she is given knowledge of the five stones once gathered by David of old. Virginia is a regular girl, with regular thoughts and fears, and she struggles to understand the stones of listening, trust, optimism, tenacity and constancy that the stones represent. She struggles to hear and she struggles to follow through. But most of all, she struggles to allow God to help her change her life.

As if job interviews weren’t intimidating enough…I like the premise of this story, but I wonder how it all works out. How does she know she’s sitting in front of God? How does she know about the five stones? Does she actually have physical stones in her procession that manifests these virtues…No, don’t tell me! Let me read the book.

Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?

In the past I sat alone with a pen and paper; today I use music, silence, whatever prompts me to get going, as I sit at a desk in my office. I have recently moved into a new home so the office is not (yet) quite what I want, but I envision the potential. New floors and paint, and something besides a collapsible table for my desk. I have great windows already that let in tons of light, fish swimming in a large fish tank to look at, and ceiling fans to keep me cool during the summer months. I am currently working on a Christian fiction novel entitled The Feast: A Parable of the Ring. The story takes off where Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones, left off. I am also gathering in ideas for the January 2014 edition of Marketing Your Book on a Budget.

It sounds like you have your hands full with renovations, I’m pressed you are able to focus enough to get any writing done. Really, I understand your new approach of letting whatever prompt you and get you going. Sometimes I have to break my routine to refresh my creativity.

What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?

I do a lot of reading when it comes to inspirational works. C.S. Lewis is my favorite, but there are others like Max Lucado, which I also enjoy.

These are two dynamic writers with as many similarities as differences. If these are your influences, as a Christian writer, you are sure to be well-rounded. I’m surely not speaking just for myself when I say that the works of C.S. Lewis captured and overtook my imagination and helped set in me the desire to write.

Whose brain are you just itching to scratch?

That would have to be C.S. Lewis. He was such a deep thinker, and his ideas made you stop and think about your own life and what you were doing with it. C.S. didn’t start out as a Christian. I would like to ask him about his change of heart. I’ve read some about this, but I would like to know more. I would also like to ask him about his characters in the Narnia books. It is interesting that each of his characters take on a double identity. For example, the Lion is Jesus Christ, and the White Witch is Satan. I would also like to ask him how his ideas came to him, and when he struggled, what would he do to overcome that thing called ‘writer’s block.’

I see that you wouldn’t hold anything back if given the chance. You’d jump right in and cover every subject from technique, to inspiration, to personal matter, and spirituality. It seems like it would be a conversation worth eavesdropping on.

Who is so you and why?

This is a tough one. I had to get up from the computer and think about it for a few minutes. A few years ago I was taking an art class. My teacher started calling me Catherine Zeta Jones. Granted, I look nothing like the actress, but he thought it was funny that my name was so close to hers: Kathryn Elizabeth Jones.

J Haha, I love it. That’s typical. It seems that lots of people somehow end up with these silly nick names or pet names that are really no reflection of them as a people, but somehow they stick.

I am sitting at my computer desk. I’ve just finished a cupcake; sugar always gets my mind going when I’m stumped. The fans are blowing in the office and my grand-daughter is singing in the kitchen some sort of ‘woo-ooh’ song. She’s 4. I am excited because my new book, Marketing Your Book on a Budget 2013, is getting out there both in paperback and eBook. I wasn’t sure about the eBook at first (enjoying the smell of the pages in its natural variety) but find myself feeling grateful that the book is available with options. Every time I read the pages I am reminded of something new I can do to promote my books. And the ideas don’t end, because the next year I know the updated version will be up, ready for me to read and act upon. I am currently reading and reviewing Memory Lake, by Nancy S. Kyme. It won the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. It’s a great memoir that takes the reader back to the days of girls’ camp.

Sounds like you’re able to read in the midst of multiple stimulants. I can pull this off at times, but if I had to choose, I’d choose silence (maybe some soft music in the background). Memory Lane sounds interesting.

Nancy Drew Mysteries were my favorite. When I couldn’t make friends or get anyone to like me, I could always pick up a mystery and have an instant friend named Nancy.

I think I read one Nancy Drew story in school. I knew lots of girls who loved her, but I never got into her. Before that, I did spend a lot of time with Beverly Cleary’s Ramona…

To see more of this interview and have a chance to win a FREE copy of Conquering Your Goliaths, visit the Eternal Curse Series Blog. For more information about this author, Kathryn Jones, please visit the links below.

Website & Blog: Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

GoodReads: Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

Facebook: Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

Twitter: @Kakido

LinkedIn: Kathryn Jones

Purchase links for Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

The Eternal Curse Series Blog Presents an interview with author: Tina Frisco.

So tell me, who is Tina Frisco?

I’m an author, singer-songwriter-performer, RN, shaman apprentice, and activist. I was born in the USA in Pennsylvania, attended nursing school in New York, and live in California. I began writing as a child and received my first guitar at age 14, which launched my passion for music and song-writing. I’ve performed publicly in many local venues. My publishing history includes book reviews, essays, articles in the field of medicine, and my début novel – Plateau: Beyond the Trees, Beyond 2012 – published in July 2012. Included in my pursuits are writing, reading, music, and exploring nature.

Well you sound like quite the Renaissance woman. I can tell already, that this is going to be a fun interview.

The underlying message in Plateau: Beyond the Trees, Beyond 2012 is that we must keep our hearts open and act from love instead of react from fear, and we must practice gratitude and compassion within every moment and with every breath. In so doing, we’ll help elevate the human species to a higher consciousness, facilitating both personal and global peace. And above all, we must harm none and walk in beauty. During this time of great change, the question millions are asking across the globe is “Will love prevail over fear?” Plateau proffers a dash of insight and a bounty of hope. (See a 5 star review of this book by Nancy E. Robertson)

I really like the message of this book. It sounds very inspirational. I too like to envelop my books with a sense of hope. I really like the cover of this book. It has such a wonderful use of colors.

So who’s starring is this 2 dimensional script read of Plateau?

W’Hyani, the protagonist in Plateau, is a 15-year-old tribal female who discovers her strengths and destiny by overcoming adversity while honoring the wisdom of her elders. Her will, fortitude, and ingenuity are tested relentlessly. She must learn to trust blindly and overcome fear exhaustively, without fully knowing why she was born the Keeper of the Crystal Heart, the requisite key to the Great Mosaic of Life. She ultimately comes face-to-face with herself in a battle that would shrink the will of the most intrepid warrior, unaware that realizing her destiny will irrevocably impact all beings on earth and beyond. The Great Mosaic of Life holds a message of hope that would allow us to see and live beyond the year 2012. W’Hyani’s people inject humor and wisdom throughout this tale of adventure and mystery.

Wow, I was not expecting this character description after seeing the cover, but it really seems to fit. I like that your heroine is a tribal girl. I think it sounds very exotic, but have a feeling that it will be pleasantly down to earth.

Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?

I’ve written many songs and performed in many local venues. When writing my books, I work at my computer and allow my thoughts to flow. I don’t create a story outline beforehand, but jot down ideas for future chapters that occur to me while I’m writing. I’m totally focused on writing and allow no distractions. The dictionary, thesaurus, and Gregg Reference Manual are my constant companions during this process. I’m currently working on a sequel to Plateau, as well as a series of children’s books.

I admire your talents and the determination in which you pursue them. You seem to be very focused and organized. I admire the fact that you use a reference manual, they are so helpful; everyone needs a little help with their writing sometimes.

What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?

Lynn Andrews has inspired me the most. Her willingness to write about her spiritual growth in a detailed and personal way profoundly encouraged my writing. (See a review of Andrews’s Coming Full Circle by Tina Frisco)

I must admit that I’m not very familiar with Lynn Andrew’s work, though I have heard of her book Medicine Woman before. She seems like a very dynamic personality. If she has the insight and experience to help you on your writing journey, I’m glad you were able to find her work and connect with it.

Whose brain are you just itching to scratch?

I’d love to interview Albert Einstein. Not only was he a brilliant scientist, but he was also an inspiring philosopher with a wonderful sense of humor!

I agree. A man who was told he was dumb as child and then grows up to show the world something it had never seen before, definitely sounds like he’d have something interesting say.

I would say I relate to Lonesome Star, the protagonist in Woman Chief, by Benjamin Capps. I find her to be particularly inspiring. The novel is based on the true story of a Crow woman who rose to the rank of Chief despite her gender. She was unrivaled as a hunter-warrior within her tribe, rejecting the traditional duties of women. Females – especially girls – in our modern society could learn a lot from her.

How very empowering she sounds and so does the book. This is one I’m adding to me TBR list right now.

What’s your ideal reading spot for your next highly anticipated read?

My ideal reading spot is my rocker chair with footstool, within a quiet environment and a cup of tea at my side. I’m about to read the paperback book, Adela, by Mary Nicol Jones. I’m eager to read Mary’s book for two reasons: 1) she’s a neighbor, and 2) it encompasses the theme of overcoming adversity with a tenacious and determined spirit.

That’s cool that you live close to another author and that you guys are friends. I’ve seen the cover of her book. It looks quite peaceful, but I guess that’s why they say don’t judge a book by its cover. An overcoming adversity story has to stir you up a little bit…Oh, and your reading spot sounds cozy.

The Last of the Mohicans was my favorite book in elementary school. I love reading fiction about indigenous peoples that contains historical references.

I can see you have a great love for the life, history, and ways of indigenous peoples. I can understand why you like this book and can understand it leaving a lasting impression on you…

To see more of this interview, visit the Eternal Curse Series Blog. For more information about this author, Tina Frisco, please visit the links below.

Today, Tina has been so gracious as to offer Plateau for FREE on Smashwords.com. Please stop by and download your free copy.

Website & Blog: Tina Frisco: Writing With Hope and Gratitude

GoodReads: Tina Frisco

Facebook: Plateau – A Novel of Adventure and Hope Beyond 2012

LinkedIn: Tina Frisco

Purchase links for Plateau: Smashwords, Amazon, Barnes & Noble & Nook

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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