Thursday, July 19, 2012

Timeless Sojourn

Please Welcome Jamie Salisbury author of Timeless Sojourn


Jamie will be giving away a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Don't forget to comment and be entered to win.





Timeless Sojourn
by Jamie Salisbury



INTERVIEW

1)     What or who inspired you to start writing?
I have written as long as I can remember. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t. Perhaps though the person who most inspired me to pursue it was a teacher I had in high school who taught a creative writing class I took. She was ahead of her time, was a great inspiration and mentor. She never saw any of her students as not being good.

2)    How did you come up with the ideas for your books?
Timeless Sojourn was something that had been spinning around in my head for quite a while. One day I finally started putting thoughts on to paper and everything started to come together. Some of it is based on real life, some of it is purely from my imagination. That’s how most of my book ideas come into fruition.

3)    What expertise do you bring to your writing?
I have a background in public relations, which is a wealth of information for ideas and helps me when it comes time to publish one of my books. The other fact would be that I have a degree in professional writing now, which helped me tighten my writing up and taught me other various aspects of the writing industry, such as screenplay writing.

4)     As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?
To continue writing as I am – as an indie author/publisher.

5)     Do you belong to a critique group?
Not at the present. I was when I was in college. I find them helpful. It always helps to be able to have someone outside of yourself read your work and offer suggestions, critique, etc. I would like to find another one.

6)     What is the best and worst advice you have ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)
The best:  You can do it. Follow your heart.
The worst:  Quit while you’re ahead.

7)    Do you outline your books or just start writing?
I keep a notebook for each book. In them I outline, put info on characters, plots, etc. That doesn’t mean that I don’t just jump in and start writing however! Because I do.  I have been known to simply sit down and start writing and then outline certain aspects to the book, plot points, characters, etc. It all depends on how I’m feeling about the project.

8)    Have you started your next project? If so can you share a little bit about your book?
I have four in progress at the moment. One is the sequel to Tudor Rose, another is a historical romance based in Scotland and England. It’s set in the late 1800s. It’s about two clans and how they have to change and get along when two of their own hook up and marry. I’m hoping to make it into a series, but it isn’t far enough along. The third project is a contemporary love story – something that just popped into my head and I sat down and started writing. It’s about a unplanned, caught off guard romance and how the couple deal with not only their pasts, but how and if they can pursue their relationship. The last project is the sequel to Timeless Sojourn. I hadn’t planned on making it a sequel, but once I finished it, my editor and I kept coming up with ideas of various directions a sequel could take Anne and Geoffrey. So I guess a sequel is in the making, early stages as it is right now.

9)     What is your favorite reality show?
Big shocker – I do not watch reality shows, never have. I don’t like them and I find they are not reality shows at all. Not anymore. Perhaps in the beginning, but now everything has become scripted and too “Hollywood”.

10)  Can you tell us a little about the black moment in your book?
The main male character in Timeless Sojourn is Geoffrey Quinn. He’s an Irish-American and comes from a wealthy, upper class Irish family. Geoff has lived in the States for years and his family in Ireland don’t know everything about what he does. But his brother finds out a particular aspect of Geoff’s professional life that he keeps to himself. One that his brother thinks he can use to ruin Geoffrey.



BLURB:

Recently divorced at a time when most women are enjoying their children being grown, Anne Harrison finds her life in chaos. At the urging of her forever-friend Kat, Anne moves back to Seattle, her childhood home, to get back her former confidence and make a fresh start. 

Confident, creative, and a successful businessman, Geoffrey Quinn has depths not immediately apparent to those who come into contact with that cocky, devilishly handsome exterior.  

The last thing either is looking for is a relationship. Anne finds Geoff highly irritating (and young!) at best, while Geoffrey finds her magnetic and wise. To his amusement, she futilely attempts to dismiss him each time they cross paths, and sparks fly.

Watch as this seemingly unsuitable, disparate duo lights a fiery, compelling attraction neither sees coming. But who will get burned?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~



EXCERPTS: 


Fall in the Northwest is quite different from that in north Georgia. It gets cold soon after Labor Day and not being able to go outside and walk without freezing is a drawback.

I have extended my walking perimeter to include a park just off the public docks not far from Kat’s home. I go to sit on one of the many benches lined up along the walkway to watch the boats and goings on.

“Beautiful afternoon, isn’t it?” An Irish brogue behind me inquires.

Without moving to try and see who I’m talking to I merely nod my head. I know who is addressing me.

“May I?” He asked, sitting beside me.

 “It’s a free country last time I heard,” I answered regretting my cockiness immediately.

“So, Ms. Harrison, what brings you to Seattle?”

I sit up and look at him. He is extremely good looking I think. “I went through a bad divorce and my girlfriend Kat convinced me I needed a fresh start. So here I am.”

“Kat? Kat Brown?”

“Yes. That’s right, I forgot. You know her beau, Tom Delany, don’t you?”

“Yes, I know Tom quite well. And I’ve met Kat as well.” he replied putting his sunglasses on top of his head. His hair is thick, cut and kept in the fashionable tousled look.

“Do you live around here Geoff?” I inquired noting to myself that if he doesn’t he’s come out of his way.

“No, I live over on Lake Union. I have a houseboat there. I keep my sailboat moored here.” He points out toward the end of the docks where sailboats stay moored, their masts bobbing up and down in the water.

“Hmmm… a houseboat, huh? That fits you, Geoff.”

“I love it, no yard to keep up,” he replied. “It’s centrally located and ideal for a bachelor like me.”

“I’ll have to remember that when it comes time for me to buy.” Ha, I think to myself. It’ll be a cold day in you-know-where before I can buy myself anything, let alone a house.

“Do you sail?”

I nod my head. “Yes, although I have to admit it’s been years.”

“Good. Perhaps you’ll join me sometime.”

Looking down at my watch I note it’s later than I thought. “I’d like that.” I replied. “I hate to rush off, but Kat is preparing for a function and I promised her I’d help her out after I took my walk.”

He stands with me and takes my hand. “I enjoyed your company. Until next time, Ms. Anne Harrison.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Jamie Salisbury cannot imagine a time when she did not write. A skill that has served her well throughout her professional career. Public relations in and around the entertainment industry, photography, editing, and special event planning all elevated her passion for writing.

An avid reader of histories, biographies, and romance, it's only natural that part of the products of her pen are historical romances featuring characters so authentic they spring forth from the page and shake the reader's hand. Many of her teen years were spent in Chile, but she and her family were forced out of the country when the political climate demanded it.

Taking the plunge to take her writing professional came as a result of a series of foot surgeries that left her with a lot of time on her hands. Unable to walk great distances at the time, she started writing as a way to pass the time. Her experiences of how dramatically her life had changed at first. Then the new world of e-publishing inspired her to digitally publish her first novel, Perpetual Love, rather than relegate it to the dreaded drawer. She couldn't be happier with her decision to grab the publishing industry by the shoulders and force it to pay attention to all she has to offer.

Two more novels have followed: Blood Lust and Tudor Rose, with more to follow soon.
Jamie now lives outside of Atlanta, but the love for travel has never abandoned her. Adventure, exploration, and intrigue permeate her prose to the core.

In those few moments of the day when she's not writing or thinking about writing, she finds knitting a way to relax and unwind. Other interests include photography, equestrianism, reading, and of course traveling.

Jamie hopes her writing will entertain, enlighten, and inspire others to pick up the pen and pursue their own dreams. She loves to be contacted by readers, writers, and history buffs. 

Website:  http://www.jamiesalisbury.webs.com
Blog:  http://www.jamiesalisburyauthor.blogspot.com
Twitter:  @JamieRSalisbury
FaceBook:   http://www.facebook.com/JamieRSalisburyAuthor

Jamie will be giving away a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Don't forget to comment and be entered to win.

12 comments:

Mary Preston said...

I can imagine a background in public relations being invaluable.

Reality TV certainly does not shine bright.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Goddess Fish Promotions said...

Thank you for hosting Jamie today.

J R Salisbury said...

Thanks for hosting me today Christine. I'll check in off and on today to answer questions.

J R Salisbury said...

Marybelle, thanks for your comments! Yes, having a background in public relations has helped me quite a bit in promoting my own books. Plus I love doing it!

Natalie said...

Hey there!
I'm like you, I don't want reality shows either. I find them boring.
I have my notebook under my pillow xD That way if an idea comes while I'm sleeping and I wake up, I can write it down so I don't forget :P
Hugs

Natalie said...

Ooh watch, not want xD Stupid keyboard :P

Christine Young said...

Welcome to my blog. Hope you have a great tour.

Anonymous said...

I've always hated reality TV, too...I feel it shows disrespect to writers in particular.

vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

Karen H said...

I like the fact your heroine is older than those we normally read about and that she falls for a younger man. I don't think there are enough books on the market dealing with this scenario.

As I read your post today, I was struck by the fact there is a lot more to the writing process itself than just sitting down and writing a book. In your opinion, what percentage of 1) book-learning including but not limited to, college courses, reading how-to books); 2) seminars, workshops, association membership; 3) talent/imagination/life experiences; and 4) actual writing of a story is really involved in getting a finished published book?

J R Salisbury said...

Hi Natalie!
I keep notebooks everywhere! In the car, in my pocketbook. . .all over the house. And yes I've woke up with an idea and if I don't write it down right then I won't remember it.

J R Salisbury said...

Anonymous -
Yep - reality shows does disrespect writers I suppose. If they were like they started out and not so scripted. Oh well, Hollywood, right?

J R Salisbury said...

Hi Karen -
I'm glad you like the story line of an older woman/younger man. Because I don't think there are a lot of these types of books out there. Not one with substance. The one's I find our too "cutsie" and don't deal with any real issues like Timeless Sojourn does (and yes there will be a sequel(s)).
As to your other - I don't know that I can put it into percentages, but talent, real life experiences are important. If you don't like to write you'll never turn out anything of substance. College courses can definitely help, as can writing/critiquing groups. I think the best thing to do is to sit down and write and write and write. It's like fine wine. . .it'll only get better with age.
If you want to know more, email me at TudorRose829@gmail.com - I'd be happy to converse on the matter further.