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Jessica H. Stone, Ph.D.J |
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Jessica’s 18Q |
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The Eighteen Questions |
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18Q |
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Doggy on Deck: Life at Sea with a Salty Dog – Absolutely Everything You Need to Know About Cruising with Fido Penchant Press International 2007 Cruising with Critters Bi-monthly column for Nor’westing Magazine (Pacific Northwest) and Boat Journal (British Columbia). A Secret Madness The story of one man’s struggle to face his own demons as he copes with his lover’s acute bi-polar disorder Private commission. 2005 Intimate Mergers: Using Strategic Business Planning to Create Authentic Loving Relationships Psychology/Business Private commission. 2003 Teleportation! The Journal for Metaphysical Travelers (penned as: Jessica Severn with Dr. Gwen Totterdale) Words of Wizdom International 1997 Teleportation! A Practical Guide for the Metaphysical Traveler (penned as: Jessica Severn with Dr. Gwen Totterdale) Words of Wizdom International 1996 The Fool Stories: Book Two - Dreaming of Dreams (penned as: Dr. Jessica Hart) Words of Wizdom International 1995 The Fool Stories: Book One - The Adventure Begins (penned as: Dr. Jessica Hart) Words of Wizdom International 1994 |
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1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you? It was an accident. I broke one of my father’s pens when I was about three and immediately stuck the spurting ink into my mouth. You know, once ink gets into your bloodstream, it never really leaves.
2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.) I went to school whenever it looked like I might have to get a real job and so I ended up with a bunch of degrees. But my gigs outside of school have been much more fun. I’ve done a lot of different things like; fishing in Alaska, working a rodeo in Colorado, editing a trade magazine, working as newspaper photographer and – best of all – writing private biographies on commission.
3. When did you “know” you were a writer? When I learned to print enough letters to construct my first sentence. My father sat and watched me carefully print the words, “I love you.” I don’t remember his reaction – but I was thrilled – it was the most exciting thing I’d ever done and I wanted to keep putting sentences together forever.
4. How would you describe your style of writing? Conversational - I usually write and speak in the same voice. My favorite genre is narrative non-fiction as it allows factual information to be shared in the “over a cup of coffee” voice.
5. What is your writing process? When I’m working on an assignment I get a tight routine going and stick with it. I’ll start at six in the morning and write until I complete a specific number of pages - usually six per day. Of course, they are horrible and need drastic editing - but that’s how I start on projects. When I’m not on assignment I journal and talk to myself, a lot.
6. What was your path to publication? My sister and I started our own newspaper when we were kids. I wrote it and she went around the neighborhood selling it. We sold out every issue - I believed our “publishing success” was because of my sentences (now I know it was ‘cause my sister was such a cute little kid).
7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea? I put the cover of my current book (or project) on one side of a business card and all my other information on the flip side. I print about a 1,000 at a time and hand them out shamelessly. You just never know who might want to hire a writer. It’s a cheap, portable, tax deductible way to advertise!
8. What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer? People surprise me. One time I was participating in one of those “group author” signings in a mall. There were about fifteen of us sitting at a long table in front of a bookstore. A banner over-head announced “Local Author Event - Everyone Welcome!” Our books were stacked in front of us and we were poised to meet the adoring public. A woman with a gaggle of kids trailing behind her wandered over to the table, squinted up at the sign, scratched her stomach and asked, “What’s an author?”
9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity? Other writers, artists and musicians inspire me: talking with them, reading about them, listening to their stories. Writers like Elizabeth Engstrom and Elizabeth George, artists like Nancy Ging and folks who answer this 18 Question Survey blow me away. Wow - you guys are amazing!
Nature is my sanctuary and the greatest source of my creativity.
10. What is your proudest writer moment? The first time I read at a Barnes & Noble they made one of those huge posters with my name and book cover on it. They put it in the front window and after the signing my mother climbed into the window display and “stole” the poster. It was too big to hang on her refrigerator door but she kept it in her living room for a long time. That was great.
11. What is the best advice you were given about writing? Hemingway said two things that help me when I’m facing a blank page:
12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment? I’ve been so dweeby so often it’s impossible to pick just one.
13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer? Sometimes I actually save up enough money to quit my day job for a while. When that happens I travel, write and sail. But I haven’t learned - yet - how to stretch those wonderful adventures into a full-on life style.
14. What is your writer life philosophy? Do what thou wilt and harm none.
15. When you’re not writing what do you do for fun? Mess around on boats, mess around with critters and make lists of things to write.
16. Who do you like to read? I’m usually in the middle of reading several books at once. I leave them all over the house (or boat). Right now I’m reading A Writer’s Paris by Eric Maisel, Writing to Change the World, by Mary Pipher and The Maytrees by Annie Dillard. Kat Richardson’s newest book, Poltergeist, just came out and I’m eager to dive into it.
17. What’s your advice for new writers? Write everyday - even if it’s a short paragraph. The Muse loves to be loved.
18. What are you currently working on? The second edition of Doggy on Deck: Life at Sea with a Salty Dog. The first edition sold out in the first five months! When I get that done, I have to design a new college class (the real job thing) and then I’ll start another non-fiction book about sailing.
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