Saturday, May 7, 2016

Remnants of Life Series by Georgia L. Jones Interview

Georgia L. Jones' Remnants of Life Series Virtual Tour!
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GeorgiaJones

About the author: Georgia L. Jones was born in Columbia, Missouri on September 21st, 1968. In 1992 she settled in the beautiful Ozarks town of Lebanon, Missouri, where she has lived since. At a young age Georgia learned the value of getting lost in a good book. She has always enjoyed reading and letting her imagination run wild. In her early teenage years she began to put her own stories down on paper as she plunked out the words Over the years Georgia has harbored the dream of being a published author and written many short stories. On January 10, 2010 she embarked on the dream as she began to bring the characters from her first novel, “Legends of Darkness”, to life. Upon completion in June 2010 she realized that it was not a single book but a series and created the concept of the series “Remnants of Life”. On September 5, 2010 the “Remnants of Life” series was contracted through a small press publishing house out of Louisville, KY., and so her career began. Through that press, Blackwyrm Publishing, Georgia L. Jones published the first two books in the series, Legends of Darkness and Witches, took part in several anthology works both as an author and editor, and created a new character to add to her own multi-faceted personality, Smarty Mic Smartypants who endeavors into the more cynical and snarky side of life. In September of 2015 she became part of the Seventh Star Press Family which is based out of Lexington, KY. The second edition of the first two books in the “Remnants of Life” series as well as the third book in the series are currently contracted through them. When her muse isn’t dragging her to lands unknown, you will find her hanging out with her family and friends in the Novalunium Paranormal Mansion, the 1840 farmhouse that she calls home as well as home base for the small Paranormal Research Group that her and a couple of friends have founded. -

  LegendsofDarkness

Book Synopsis for Legends of Darkness: Dangerous Saviors...what would you do if your life rested in the hands of something that really wanted to EAT YOU... Come journey through the realms of the next world where everything you know about Good and Evil are put to the test. Samantha Garrett lives and dies a good life in the human world. She awakens a new creature, Samoda, a vampire-like warrior in the army of Nuem. She is forced to realize that she has become a part of a world that humans believe to be only “Legends of Darkness”. Samoda finds her new life is entwined with the age old story of Greed, Love, Betrayal, and Vengeance. Join our Heroine as she battle’s not just for her own existence, but for entire human race’s future.

  WitchesCover

Book Synopsis for Witches: The second book in the Remnants of Life Series follows the story of the Warriors in their age old battle against evil that constantly fights to take over the human world. In “Witches” meet Kali and Seline, a set of seemingly human twins who discover their heritage, which is rich in the blood of the Strega. Learn about the Strega and the role they have played throughout history. Follow our hero’s through Southwest Missouri and beyond as they pursue the demons and unravel the puzzle that has Kali and Seline right in the middle of it.  

Interview

1.          When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a writer of some type. There was a year or so in high school when I wanted to become a journalist. Other than that short stint, I’ve always written stories.  Once I learned to read I found an escape…a vacation anytime I chose, just by picking up a book.  I wanted to create my own vacations and had a fairly wild imagination, so it just always worked for me. However, writing as a career didn’t come until much later, as a matter of fact, the first novel that I ever submitted for publishing was Legends of Darkness, the first book in the Remnants of Life Series. I began seeking publishing in September of 2010 and was picked up by a small press out of Louisville KY in September of 2011. I was with them until September of 2015 when I was picked up by Seventh Star Press out of Lexington KY.
2.          What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Oh Gosh!!! Every writer has something interesting associated with their writing technique. I guess one of my most interesting quirks is that I’m very protective of a project while writing it. I seldom let anyone read my actual work until it’s done, or at the very least a section polished then only that section is offered. I always write with my back to the wall. I cannot write with anyone looking over my shoulder, so to speak.
3.          When did you write your first story and how old were you?
It’s odd because I truly do not remember exactly. When I was in 1st grade I didn’t want to learn to read. After some persuasion (I should add that I was a stubborn child and it took most of the school year to convince me of the necessity of learning to read), I decided that I would sit more comfortably if I would conform…so I did. By the end of 2nd grade I was reading everything that I could and was writing above grade level.  I remember not wanting to go outside to play during that summer because I was in the middle of a book. I took a hold of it and wouldn’t let go. It was that summer that I wanted to write my own things and expand on the stories that I was reading. I wrote all the time and had some weird attraction to paper and pencils. It wasn’t until the 6th grade that I actually had a story submitted to a local essay contest by one of my teachers. She was very supportive. In the 7th grade I submitted a story to a creative writing contest and won 1st place at the regional level.
4.          What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
The most surprising thing during the actual process of writing this trilogy was to learn how the pressure of knowing it would be read by others. I’ve always written for myself prior to this series.  It started as the same kind of project. It wasn’t until the first book was written that I decide to seek publishing. Therefore, for me, the first book came easy…no pressure at all.  I didn’t make all that many changes once I decided to publish, but I was quite surprised to learn that when writing for others, there is a lot more to take into consideration. About the content of the novels, my research led me into some odd finds. I learned about the Carpathian Mountain Region, Caves, did some Medical research, as well as did hair at a funeral home for several people, (my day job I’m a salon owner and cosmetologist). It was all interesting and I’m always surprised when I learn something. Learning is exciting business.
5.          Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
My best advice is to never give up. Write…write…write. I read a blog one time by a famous author and he said he had thrown away more words than he would ever published. I believe that. I write something nearly every day, and I scrap ideas, words, paragraphs, and even whole stories. For me listening is a key tool, now. When I get reviews, or just ideas from my beta readers, I listen to them. I believe that anyone who will take the time to read my book and give me input, whether good or bad, I should hear them out and weigh what they say with an open mind. Most often I can find value in what they say, that doesn’t mean that I change everything people want or use every idea…but I always listen and try to think of how I can use their ideas in the future, whether technically or creatively.  I always appreciate a reader.
6.          What do you think makes a good story?
That’s a tough question for me because I’m a very diverse reader. I’ve enjoyed everything from Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat to Rene Descartes’ Discourse on Method. If I were talking purely fiction, I would probably have to say an overtly strong protagonist that has to overcome adversity, mental or physical, the more adversity the better.  
7.          Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Everything I see is a story waiting to be written and always has been. I have more ideas than I will ever have the time to pen. I currently have nine projects that I’m actively working on. I just pick the ones that seem to stand out to me and work with those.  The internet has made information and research much easier, however, I do have quite a library of research books that I refer to frequently.
8.          What would you like my readers to know about you and your work?
I love to write and feel quite blessed that people take time to read my material. I like to write fiction but have been branching out into some other arenas. I have written a short story in the Political Humor Genre as well as some anthologies which fall in the Fantasy and Horror Genre’s.  Stephen King was my favorite author even before I found out that we share the same birthday, (my vanity forces me to add…September 21, but not the same year. He’s a bit older than I am.)  As for me, I was a Psychology Major who found a fiery passion for Greek Mythology and Philosophy, went on to become a successful business owner in the Cosmetology field, yet the whole time I was writing because that’s what I love.
www.wordsmithgljones.com for more information

  Author Links:
  Website: http://www.wordsmithgljones.com/
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author-Georgia-L-Jones-153669898006729/
  Twitter: @georgiagljones  

  Tour Schedule and Activities
 5/2/2016 SwillBlog Review
 5/3/2016 Cover2Cover Interview
 5/4/2016 The Word Nerds Guest Post
 5/4/2016 Sheila's Guests and Reviews Guest Post
 5/4/2016 Shells Interviews Guest Post
 5/7/2016 Novel-ties Top Ten List
 5/7/2016 Deal Sharing Aunt Interview
 5/8/2016 Scarlet Letters from the Literary Underworld Guest Post  

  Amazon Link for Legends of Darkness Kindle Version http://www.amazon.com/Legends-Darkness-Remnants-Life-Book-ebook/dp/B01DVM6ACU
  Barnes and Noble Link for Legends of Darkness http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/legends-of-darkness-georgia-l-jones/1107823255?ean=2940158031977
  Amazon Link for Witches Kindle Version http://www.amazon.com/Witches-Remnants-Life-Book-2-ebook/dp/B01DWG80Q4
  Barnes and Noble Link for Witches http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witches-georgia-jones/1113525534?ean=2940158032011

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