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 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. This poignant family saga about love, choices, mistakes and forgiveness grabs the reader by the heart and spotlights what is truly important in life. I love to weave the historical events, social issues and cultural changes of the 1900s into a story that will remain imprinted in the reader’s mind long after the last page is read. 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!
Do you like to write? What’s your story? How are you pursuing your dream?
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Brian R.
October 6, 2017 at 7:39 pmI love hearing about the process of you becoming a writer. Your above entry makes me want to hear more. What and who inspired your characters? How did you come to decision to have “Cobwebs Of Time” published? By the way I love both of your books very much!
Tesa Jones
October 6, 2017 at 8:08 pmThank you for your positive response. To answer your questions — although the outline for both novels was created at the same time — I chose to complete Cobwebs of Time FIRST because I was the most comfortable with those “Baby Boomer” decades. There was no Internet when I wrote the first draft; as a result, I did all of my research via the Encyclopedia — and specifically used the “Year in Review” books that I had — starting with 1961. Needless to say, when I wrote Reflection of Memories, researching with Google and the Internet made it much easier.
As for who inspired my characters . . . No one person fits in the mold of any of my characters. They are all blends of people in my life and a LOT of imagination. Thank you for your support . . . you inspire me to start working on #3.
Ali
October 6, 2017 at 7:58 pmSo—I love writing and have always been a reader and wanted to write a book. Always. I have tried a few times (one time being when I was teaching and dying to be pregnant and wasn’t so I needed more things to fill my time and brain with other than wanting a baby) and every other time I try to think of an idea for a novel, I am stumped. So— nada.
But am I a writer? Yes. I love to write. It helps me process things. I keep journals and follow a “5 year journal” which I write in every day. And I often use a “thankful journal” where I right about the good things from my day when I am struggling to find positivity.
Hearing how long it took you to write your novels makes it even more inspiring. It IS possible ……
Tesa Jones
October 6, 2017 at 8:23 pmYour story about wanting to write a book sounds a little like mine. Great passion and desire.
For me — when my characters take shape, they literally start dancing around inside of my head, and the story unfolds before I ever write a word. For some odd reason, when I sat down to write . . . the words, the dialogue, the description all came pouring through my fingers onto the keys of the typewriter. I didn’t try to make it grammatically perfect the first time around. I just let the story come out of me.
I, too, write habitually in a journal. I can vent and hash out my emotions without actually sharing my feelings with anyone. To me, it is extremely therapeutic, and cheaper than a therapist!
Keep those journals. One day, those words you write down MIGHT inspire a story.
Jani
October 6, 2017 at 8:44 pmI would like to know just a little bit about how you got published. Where did you start? How long did it take?
When I build my characters in graphic design, it is such fun. I am sure you had just as much fun writing about yours. I loved both books, and immersed myself into the storylines. You’ve put all your zip and love-of-life energy into these stories.
Tesa Jones
October 6, 2017 at 9:36 pmTo be honest, in my opinion . . . publishing a book and promoting that book are a great deal more difficult than writing the novel. Writing comes naturally to me. Getting it published takes determination and “thick skin”. The first — and most important thing to do is make sure you have a completed and well edited manuscript. Not an idea or a “solid draft”. No matter how good of a writer we think we are . . . a professional editor will polish and perfect it. That’s the first step — even before you think about publishing! Then tenacity becomes your best friend. Just keep plugging, writing query letters to agents and publishing companies and don’t give up. As for me — promoting my novels is a little intimidating. I am a gregarious person by nature, but I do not feel comfortable in the spotlight. I’ve been told numerous times by my publicist that I need to talk up my novels — I am trying to learn how to do that without being pushy. If you have any suggestions . . . I’m a great listener!
Barbara Preston
October 7, 2017 at 2:54 ambapreston918@aol.com
Your writing style is absorbing, as I read each page in both novels, I was able to feel the emotions of your characters. Enjoyably the timeline in Reflection of Memories was a wonderful way to share historical information while the characters lived the story. Currently my concern is that I would like to read the next book in the sequel, but not not wait ten years. I guess I will have to follow your blog until the next publication.
Barbara
Tesa Jones
October 7, 2017 at 10:31 amGood news! You do not have to wait 10 years for the next book in The Malone Family Saga. Reflection of Memories is the first . . . Cobwebs of Time is the second. It is available now. As you may or may not be aware, Cobwebs of Time — although the second in the series — was actually published first. (confusing???) Cobwebs of Time was published in 2002 — it is currently out of print; however, there are still copies floating around online. Please do not pay a high price for it — if you want to read it and can’t find it in your local library — please contact me. I still have a few new copies available and I will gladly sell and ship one to you at the original cover price of $26.99.
As for book #3 in the series . . . I’m working on it. I promise…. I won’t take 10 years to finish this one
Ellen Phillips
October 8, 2017 at 12:44 amSo happy for your second (or is it the first?!?) book in the Malone series. I know some of what went down with “Cobwebs,” and personally know with my own writing experiences just how difficult – and rewarding – the journey is. Glad you’re blogging, too. This will give your fans the chance to keep up with that journey and its progression.
And, yes, “A Writer’s Dream CAN Come True!”
Tesa Jones
October 8, 2017 at 10:23 amI am honored that a fellow author has joined my blog. Both of your novels, Shocked, Appalled, and Dismayed plus Fight Back and Win are on my bookshelf for easy access when I have questions regarding consumer problems.
I look forward to your opinion on Reflection of Memories.
Kelly St.Clair
October 9, 2017 at 9:25 pmI create pictures with actual paint (Im an artist) but your ability to create imagery and characters through words is something that I admire very much! I too have constant ideas and visual imagery rattling around in my head all the time. Sometimes my art flows off my fingertips and other times it gets “stuck”! (this usually happens when I get busy or under stress with other things in my life)
Do you ever have periods of “creative block”? If so, do you have strategies to deal with it?
I love your books…I’m going to re-read “Cobwebs” now that I have read “Reflections”.
Tesa Jones
October 9, 2017 at 10:25 pmI love the way you describe your talent as an artist . . . “rattling around in my head all the time.” And YES . . . like you . . . sometimes it flows off of my fingertips — and YES . . . sometimes, as you called it, I have periods of “creative block.”
To answer your question, when I was halfway through the first draft of Reflection of Memories, I hit a wall. There was too much going on in my life and there wasn’t enough time to dedicate to my “imaginary friends.” The words just stopped flowing out of me. I had to put the manuscript away and focus on what mattered at the time. It’s the only case of “writer’s block” I have ever had, and it took a couple of years to get over it.
I’ve found that aerobic exercise helps with my stress and music is very therapeutic when the words won’t come voluntarily. My best advice to writers and artists when they feel a “creative block” is — don’t push it. Just sit back and breathe. The “creative rush” will return.
Sue Rose
October 10, 2017 at 1:16 amI’ve enjoyed both of your books. Let me know if you are coming to Cincinnati on your book tour.
Tesa Jones
October 10, 2017 at 9:24 amThank you. As for Cincinnati, I have not seen that city on my book tour schedule as of yet. However, I will gladly make the suggestion to my publicist and let you know when and where if I see it pop up. Even though touring is exhilarating and also exhausting, I do enjoy the travel, the pace and connecting with my fans.
Sharon Maranich
October 10, 2017 at 1:43 pmTruthfully I don’t know when you have time to write!! Maybe in the middle of the night when sleep escapes you? I’m proud to say this published author is my friend. Keep living your dream.
Tesa Jones
October 10, 2017 at 3:30 pmThanks for joining the conversation, Sharon. More importantly, thanks for your friendship and your support.
Karen
October 10, 2017 at 5:11 pmI’m particularly interested in the process of getting a story on paper. Do you write in sequence of events or do you know the ending and fill in the storyline?
I’m in the process of reading Reflection of Memories and love your characters. I read Cobwebs in 2002 and remember hoping that you would follow with another book.
Tesa Jones
October 10, 2017 at 9:21 pmI think all writers address their stories a little differently. I, personally, write a detailed outline — start to finish. I already know everything that is going to happen in the story before I write the first sentence of the draft. In addition, I have a page of descriptive characteristics (i.e, eye and hair color, height, body type, etc) and personality traits or habits of each of my protagonists before I start the book. This keeps me from being confused when I move back-and-forth between the characters. Also in my outline I put detailed information about historical events, music, sporting events, politics and the like so that I do not find myself tripping over the wrong information in a particular chapter. Having all of this information written on paper helps me stay organized.
Hope this helps
Kim R
October 20, 2017 at 3:46 amThank you for sharing a bit about your process and for being so open about those early years when you were juggling the busyness of parenthood and writing. It struck me that the characters were always with you — even when you weren’t working on a draft — which might be why they are so developed and relatable. I can’t wait to read book #3!
Tesa Jones
October 20, 2017 at 1:01 pmI have been thinking about what you wrote regarding “why they [the characters] were always with you . . . so developed and relatable]” Perhaps those years it took me to complete my novels did give me more insight and did help me create a “stronger-better” story.
Carolyn DeLuca Hughes
October 11, 2017 at 12:23 pmHaven’t read “Reflection of Memories”. It’s on my Christmas Wish List! I’m sure it will be just as good as “Cobwebs of Time”.
Tesa Jones
October 11, 2017 at 12:29 pmLove hearing fans have included Reflection of Memories on their Christmas wish list. The holiday season is a great time to curl up with a blanket, a cup of coffee and this book. I hope Santa grants your wish; if so, let me know what you think.