John's Island Regional Library

New Blog Address in 2010

2010-01-03T20:08:00.003-05:00

It's a new year and we've made a change...follow us to our new and improved blog at www.johnsislandlibrary.wordpress.com! Don't miss out on all the news and events at the library---visit our new blog soon and often!

Jennifer Vido Interviews Author Lynne Hinton

2009-12-16T12:12:00.004-05:00

Jen’s Jewels
December 15, 2009
Lynne Hinton

We all have our talents and strengths. For some, it’s athletic prowess. Others, it’s an acute literary aptitude. For a select group, it’s a combination of culinary skills and the arts. If you’ve ever watched The Cake Boss on TLC, you know exactly what I am referring to! The designer cakes created on the show by Buddy Valastro and his teams of pastry chefs are truly works of art. I can only imagine what it would be like to taste one of them! I bet they are as yummy as they look…and then some!
This month’s Jen’s Jewels, Lynne Hinton, knows what it’s like to whip up the perfect cake. In her latest release, CHRISTMAS CAKE, our favorite church ladies are at it again as they try to spread some holiday cheer in the tiny town of Hope Springs, North Carolina. And as an added bonus, with each chapter comes a delicious cake recipe to share with family and friends! Without a doubt, it’s the perfect ingredient to add to your recipe for a happy holiday season.
As part of this interview, Avon Books has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers to try to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. Thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your 2009 reading adventure. Happy Holidays!

Jen: Your path to becoming an author has taken quite the circuitous route as you have embarked on more than one career. So that my readers may have a better understanding of the woman behind the words, please share with us your educational and professional background.
Lynne: I thought I would be a minister from the time I was fifteen. Since, however, I had never met a woman pastor; I never considered I would get that job. I thought I would be a missionary and a doctor. When I was a freshman at Wake Forest University and failing Chemistry, however, I knew the career in medicine was probably not going to happen. I studied to become a chaplain and I worked for a while as a chaplain with Hospice. It was there I learned some very important lessons for my living. In all my professional considerations I never really thought about being a writer. Again, I had no point of reference, never knew a writer. I have, however, always loved writing things down, being creative with words. When I attended seminary, Pacific School of Religion, I read literature that inspired and touched me in a way literature never had before. I was also encouraged in my writing, and it was at that time I considered being a writer.

Jen: As a pastor, your primary purpose is to shepherd your flock. As an author, your main goal is to entertain your readers. Do you view your writing career as part of your ministry, or are they merely two separate components of your life?
Lynne: I read a story once by Elie Wiesel that basically says that God loves stories. I do see my writing as a ministry, but probably not in the way some people think. For instance, my books are not available in the Christian Booksellers Market. My stories are considered a bit too raw for that market. I try to tell stories that feel truthful to me about the human situation, which means things are messy and not so tied up in the end, and my ministry in writing is trying to open people’s hearts and minds to the stories of those they are not likely to pay attention to in real life. I believe in the power of stories to change lives and I love being a vehicle of that change.

Jen: As a columnist for The Charlotte Observer, you have yet another outlet in which to share your talents. What is your main focus? And, are your columns available on-line for readers?
Lynne: I write what I call Spirituality-lite. I try not to speak using only the Christian language, choosing to speak more about issues of meaning and purpose and living authentically. I rarely quote scripture or tell church stories. This is more of a forum to speak to those who seek to find meaning in everyday occurrences. I’m considered a Guest Columnist, so I’m unsure about the on-line availability. I do have a blog where I post most of the columns. Check out my website to find the blog link.

Jen: In terms of your writing career, you have written mysteries, non-fiction, and fiction titles. Let’s start by talking about your mystery series under the pen name Jackie Lynn. Describe for us its premise. Also, what makes it unique compared to other mystery series on the market today?
Lynne: I never expected to write mysteries. The first one, DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE, came to me after the untimely death of a friend. I was devastated by his tragic passing and writing the mystery seemed to bring some level of comfort to me. I learned later that PD James was asked why she wrote mysteries and why people like to read them, she replied, “We’re all looking for order out of our chaos.” I think that was exactly my reason for this series. The premise is that the stories take place at a campground along the Mississippi River in West Memphis, Arkansas. It’s unique because there is a spiritual element to the series, a search for the characters to find “home” and family.

Jen: Your non-fiction title, MEDITATIONS FOR WALKING, seems to be the perfect book for those who want to start anew in 2010. Combining fitness and prayer is always a winning combination. How did you come up with the idea? And, what type of fitness program do you follow?
Lynne: Ah, love this question! Thank you. I was building a path in a forest of pine trees behind my house and I was pastoring my first congregation. Somehow, the two seemed to compliment each other and I found myself writing about the physical labor along with the spiritual work involved in being a pastor.

I am a runner. I’ve tried lots of fitness programs, but I have found that running with my yellow lab Carmella is the perfect fit for me.

Jen: Your latest release, CHRISTMAS CAKE, is the perfect gift for all the bakers in my audience. The fourth title in the Hope Springs Trilogy, our favorite church ladies are back in the kitchen whipping up some delectable cakes for the holidays. For those readers not familiar with it, please give us a brief overview of the series.
Lynne: The titles in the series are CHRISTMAS CAKE, FRIENDSHIP CAKE, HOPE SPRINGS, FOREVER FRIENDS, and due out in June 2010 is the fifth, WEDDING CAKE. These are the stories of women in a church who become friends when they decide to put together a cookbook for the church. The group is made up of older women and one young female pastor who journey together on this path of faith, finding friendship to be the sweetest part.

Jen: The main characters Beatrice, Louise, and Jessie embark on this new project in hopes of lifting the spirits of the dear friend, Margaret, whose cancer has returned. Quite ironically, their good will objective turns into a soul searching mission for each one of them. Let’s start with Beatrice. Why does she take the news the hardest of all?
Lynne: Beatrice speaks the truth for them all; Margaret is the glue that holds them together. She was the rock of that group of friends and of that community. Beatrice just cannot imagine her life, that community without Margaret.

Jen: Louise is quite the persnickety one always looking for argument even at the most inopportune times. Why does she wear this badge of disagreement so often? What is she hiding?
Lynne: Louise is hiding her own pain at losing the people she most loves. Deep down, I think she imagines that life is unfair, that the best people die and the worst of the humans live long years. Louise is just one of those crusty old women whose exterior you just have to overlook. Deep down, she’s a true friend to all.

Jen: Jessie seems to be the voice of reason holding the group together even in the hardest of times. With whom does she share the most in common and why?
Lynne: She and Margaret were the most alike, reasonable, sturdy, but Jessie depended quite a lot on her old friend. She is strong, but she also knows Margaret was part of the reason she had strength.

Jen: Of course, the story centers around Margaret’s coming to terms with her prognosis. Not surprisingly, it is she who teaches the group the importance of letting go. In turn, what lesson does she learn from her friends?
Lynne: She learns that friends will take you anywhere, love you through anything. She learns a final time and in a final way, the true meaning of friendship.

Jen: With each chapter, you share a scrumptious cake recipe with your readers. First of all, how did you collect the recipes? And secondly, which one is your favorite?
Lynne: Most of the recipes come from Fran’s Front Porch, the restaurant of a church member from my first parish. And as far as favorites, I like any of the ones with chocolate as a main ingredient!

Jen: What’s in store next for our favorite friends? And, when can we expect it to hit the shelves of our bookstores?
Lynne: It’s WEDDING CAKE, due out in June 2010. There are quite a number of unexpected unions in this story!

Jen: Let’s switch gears and talk about your promotional plans. Will you be going on a book tour? Do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one?
Lynne: I usually do book tours near my home. Last year I did go back to NC and enjoyed a week of visiting stores across the state. I didn’t do any tours for this book. Hopefully, I can work something out next year. I’m open to author chats. Contact me on my website and we can work something out.

Jen: Please take us on a tour of your website. Do you have promotional materials (i.e. bookmarks, bookplates) available for readers? Do you have e-mail notification of upcoming releases?
Lynne: I am happy to send holiday bookplates for any books bought as gifts. If you’ll contact me on my website, give me names and an address to send them, I’ll gladly get those to your readers by Christmas! My website has reader’s guides for book clubs, a bio about myself, a bit about each book I have published, and a means to contact me personally. I can notify readers about upcoming books if they’ll contact me and let me know.

Jen: Thank you for taking the time out of your busy holiday schedule to stop by and chat with my readers. I truly enjoyed the story, and I look forward to reading WEDDING CAKE in the spring of 2010. Merry Christmas!
Lynne: Thank you, Jen, for choosing me as a guest on your site. Thank you, also for the very thought-provoking and lovely questions. I hope you and your readers have a lovely, restful, warm holiday season!

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Lynne Hinton. If you still have some names on your list, why not pick up a few copies of CHRISTMAS CAKE today? It would most certainly make the perfect gift! Better yet, how would you like to win one instead? Okay, be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com and it’s yours! Good luck!

What is the name of Lynne’s fifth book in the Hope Springs Trilogy due out in June 2010?

To kick off the New Year, I will be bringing to you my interview with crime writer Lou Berney. You won’t want to miss it!

Happy Holidays!

Jen

Jen's Bio: When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Got a Question? Text Us!

2009-12-07T10:42:00.004-05:00

The Charleston County Public Library is now offerring free text message reference services courtesy of the Friends of the Charleston Library. Here's how to text us:
1. Text to 66746
2. Begin your question with askccpl
3. Save us in your contacts and text us questions while you're on the go.
CCPL Reference Services are free, but users may be charged a fee, depending on their calling plan.

Needlecrafts Anyone?

2009-12-01T19:26:00.004-05:00

From DianthusMoon on Flickr.com

Do you enjoy knitting, crocheting or doing needlework? Please join us for a relaxing morning of crafts and conversation. This program is open to crafters of all skill levels--beginners welcomed.

Thursdays, Dec. 3 and 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the John's Island Regional Library

Sea Islands Book Club Meets December 15!

2009-12-01T19:20:00.004-05:00

The Sea Islands Book Club will meet at the library on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 2:00 p.m. to discuss Kindred by Octavia E. Butler. Mysteriously transported back in time to the antebellum South, Dana, a modern Black woman raised in the age of Civil Rights and Black Power, must tackle the cruel realities of Black history in America. Join us for light refreshments and good conversation!

Jen Vido Interviews Author Lori Wilde

2009-12-01T19:10:00.003-05:00

Author Lori Wilde

Jen’s Jewels
December 1, 2009
Lori Wilde

I have always been fascinated with the art of knitting. As a child, I would watch in awe as my mother would create beautiful afghans and colorful scarves. She always seemed so relaxed and at ease while masterfully designing her next creation. When the time finally came for me to join in on the fun, it didn’t take long for the “ooh” and “ahh” factor to quickly fade away. Knit one. Purl two. Whatever! Let it suffice to say that it’s not as easy as it looks!
The lead character in this month’s Jen’s Jewels feature title can relate well to my knitting nightmare since she, too, is knitting-challenged! In THE SWEETHEARTS’ KNITTING CLUB, romance writer extraordinaire Lori Wilde takes the reader to the quaint, small town of Twilight, Texas in her new series sure to please her fans. Without a doubt, this delightful story is the perfect read for the holiday season.
As part of this interview, Avon Books has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to check for the trivia question at the end. And who knows? Perhaps you may be inspired to try to learn how to knit when you’re done! Better yet…maybe you could even teach me!

Jen: It’s always a treat being able to catch a glimpse into the life of a favorite author such as you. So that my readers may have a better understanding of the woman behind the words, please share with us your educational and professional background.
Lori: I went to school to become a license practical nurse the week I turned 17. At the time, I was the youngest student ever enrolled in the LVN program in the state of Texas. I didn’t want to be a nurse. I always wanted to be a writer, but my parents told me I had to get out and make my own way because they had four other kids to raise. They offered to pay for LVN school. There were one hundred students vying for 20 slots. I prayed that I wouldn’t get in, but I did. Later, I put myself through R.N. school while working full time as an LVN. I didn’t write in the six years that it took to get my bachelors degree from Texas Christian University, but the minute I graduated, I started writing short stories. I wrote sixty short stories and didn’t sell a single one. I decided I needed to take writing classes and because I’d already written so much, I was at the head of the class. The teacher told me I needed to write a book. That was scary to me, so I looked around to see what books were short and that’s when I discovered Harlequin. I’m also a library school dropout. I have 18 hours toward a master’s degree in Library Science. I was a nurse for 22 years before I was able to retire and write full time.

Jen: Describe for us your “Ah! Ha!” moment when you knew that becoming an author would be your destiny.
Lori: When my writing teacher told me I was more talented than Fern Michaels. I decided right then that no matter what it took, I was going to become a published author or die in the process.

Jen: For those readers unfamiliar with your work, let’s talk about your prior releases. You have penned over fifty books for three major publishing houses and have received numerous nominations for your work. If you had to recommend one book that best exemplifies your talent, which title would you choose and why?
Lori: Actually, I have now sold 52 books to four major publishers. I have to say my latest book best exemplifies my talent because it’s an accumulation of 20 years worth of writing practice. My personal favorite of all my books is probably Saving Allegheny Green because it’s written in first person. I love first person and the heroine is the most like me of any of my heroines. But I wrote that book in 1998, (even though it didn’t get published until 2005), and I’ve improved a great deal as a writer since then.

Jen: What is the most valuable piece of advice about the business that you have learned from working with more than one publisher?
Lori: That you’re never as good or as bad as you think you are.

Jen: In your latest release, THE SWEETHEARTS’ KNITTING CLUB, you combine, love, lust, and knitting into a delightful read filled with colorful characters and a captivating storyline. (I couldn’t put it down!) How did you arrive at the premise?
Lori: I came up with the basic romance plot—a love triangle between a good boy who’s not so good, a bad boy who’s not so bad and a woman who loves them both—while spending hours on the road driving forty miles one way to my mother-in-law’s house every day for six weeks to take her to radiation treatment for breast cancer. I plotted the whole book in my head during those drives. At the time I was with a different publisher, working on the last book in my Wedding Veil Wishes series, but I knew that THE SWEETHEARTS’ KNITTING CLUB would be my next contemporary.

Jen: A question I just have to ask, are you a knitter? Why or why not?
Lori: I am now. I wasn’t a knitter when I came up with the idea of the knitting club, and neither is my heroine. But I knew that in order to do justice to the book, I had to learn. My mother and I took knitting classes together and now I’m obsessed with knitting. I’m still a rank beginner, but I love it!

Jen: Your lead character Flynn McGregor has many crosses to bear. Flynn’s mother died during her teen years, her father is a recovering alcoholic, and her sister depends on her wisdom as the mother figure in her life. In what ways has the stress of all this responsibility at such a young age affected Flynn’s own desires for happiness?
Lori: Flynn has shuffled her own desires to the background while making sure everyone else in her life is okay. I had a lot of responsibility as a teen, both my parents worked two jobs and I was the oldest of five with my sister being twelve years younger, so it was easy to understand how Flynn puts the needs of others ahead of her own happiness. It just seemed normal to me.

Jen: Flynn’s fiancé Beau holds a tight grip on “his woman,” if you will. In his eyes, being the sheriff in town gives him the authority to throw his weight around quite easily, even with Flynn. What makes him so attractive to Flynn? And conversely, what does Beau see in her that makes him stick around for ten years despite her obvious fear of commitment?

Lori: Even though she doesn’t realize it, Beau is sort of her crutch. She knows she can count on him to be there and he does put up with a lot from Flynn. In a way, she takes advantage of his loyalty. Beau doesn’t see himself as a bad guy at all. Because of what happened to Beau’s first love, he sees himself as Flynn’s protector. That’s an important identity to him and I guess you could say Flynn makes him feel good about himself. And he does love her in his twisted fashion.

Jen: No romance novel is complete without a bad boy! Soothingly sexy Jesse Calloway strolls into town upsetting its order and civility by vying for the sheriff’s girl. Having spent the last ten years in prison for a crime he did not commit, this “hottie” has an axe to grind with the man responsible for stealing his life away. Why does he allow his ego to get the better of him as he tries to win back his former lover Flynn?
Lori: Hmm, I don’t see that Jesse did let his ego get the better of him. I saw him as being really hurt because she didn’t trust him. Maybe that is letting his ego get the better of him, but I didn’t think of it that way. He’s been hurt so much in his life that I saw it more as his vulnerability.

Jen: From the get-go, Flynn does not believe that Beau’s marriage proposal is the answer to her future. Why then does she choose to go ahead and accept it? In the back of her mind, what does she fear the most?
Lori: She sees Beau as safe. Flynn has always chosen the safe path.

Jen: Secondary characters have a way of stealing the show, and in this book Hondo is no exception. Without giving too much away, how are he and Jesse similar in their primal need to love and be loved?
Lori: They’re both proud men who were hurt deeply by the women they loved.

Jen: Would you agree that Flynn’s decision to open a knitting store is an attempt to gain a sense of acceptance from her deceased mom? Even from the grave, what influence does she have over her daughter and why?
Lori: Oh absolutely. Flynn is a people pleaser and in essences, she took over the parent role when he mother became ill. She loves her mother deeply and wants to honor her.

Jen: Let’s switch gears and talk about your promotional plan for the book. Please tell us about your website. Do you have e-mail notification of upcoming releases? Do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one?
Lori: I’m having a new website built by Wax Creative. Not sure yet when it will be up and running. I do have email notification of upcoming releases to readers on my newsletter list and through Fresh Fiction where I’m advertising. I haven’t yet participated in author phone chats. My schedule is pretty hectic. I write five books a year and teach monthly online writing classes through 1600 colleges and universities internationally.
Jen: Readers, here is a link to one of her on-line classes!
http://www.ed2go.com/cgi-bin/ed2go/newcrsdes.cgi?course=rws&title=Romance%5EWriting%5ESecrets&departmentnum=PW&path=1

Jen: Are you currently at work on your next project? If so, what can you share with us?
Lori: I’m working on the third book in the series about Twilight, Texas. This time the ladies of the knitting club are involved in a Christmas cookie swap.

Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with my readers. I absolutely loved the book! Many wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season!
Lori: Thank you so much. It was a delight to be here. Happy holidays to all the readers out there. Thank you so much for continuing to read.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Lori. Please stop by your local library branch or favorite bookstore and pick up a copy today. Better yet, how would you like to win one? Okay, be one for the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the trivia question and it’s yours!

Name the title of Lori’s personal favorite book?

Later this month, I will be bringing to you my interview with Lynne Hinton, author of the inspirational book CHRISTMAS CAKE. You won’t want to miss it!

Until next time…Jen

Jen's Bio: When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Jennifer Vido's Interview with Author Carolyn Hart

2009-11-24T17:21:00.003-05:00

Jen’s Jewels
November 20, 2009
Carolyn Hart

Every summer, my husband and I take the boys to our favorite destination, Charleston, SC. With each visit, we discover another facet of the Holy City that we never knew existed. Without a doubt, our most memorable tour was in Charleston’s Haunted Historic District. Lurking in one of the country’s oldest graveyards after dark in search of ghostly beings is an indescribable experience. Even if we hadn’t entertained the idea of them existing before, afterwards we were true believers!
This month’s Jen’s Jewels Carolyn Hart knows exactly what I am talking about. In her latest release MERRY, MERRY GHOST she continues her highly popular Bailey Ruth Series incorporating the holiday season with ghostly beings. A delightful mystery perfect for this time of year, her jolly good cheer brings much joy to her many devoted fans.
As part of this interview, William Morrow has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to check for the trivia question at the end. And without a doubt, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your holiday season!

Jen: As a child, you were nipped by the “writing bug” at the young age of eleven. Since then, you have become an award-winning mystery writer as well as a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction nominee. So that my readers may have a better understanding of the path that led to your stellar career, please tell us about your educational and professional background.
Carolyn: I was a child during WWII and I quickly realized the importance of newspapers. We received most of our news from the newspapers or radio. I decided to be a reporter when I grew up. I worked on school newspapers and majored in journalism at the University of Oklahoma. I never thought about being anything other than being a reporter, but a funny thing happened on the way to the newsroom. I married a law student. I worked on the Norman Transcript while he was in law school. After his graduation and the arrival of our children, I decided not to go back to work as a reporter. That was when I first thought about writing fiction. I saw a contest for a mystery for girls 8 to 12. I loved Nancy Drew and I decided to write a book. The Secret of the Cellars won the contest. It was my first published book. My 43rd published book is the just released MERRY, MERRY GHOST.

Jen: When you first launched your career back in 1964, you began by writing teenage and young adult mysteries. From there, you went on to write some non-series books. Describe for us what it was like for a woman in the publishing business during that time in terms of establishing a career as a mystery writer. What was the most challenging part of the process?
Carolyn: I was a writer working in isolation in Oklahoma. I had no knowledge of New York publishing. At that time, New York publishing houses believed there were two kinds of mysteries, the hard-boiled private eye books written by American men with male protagonists, and the traditional mystery written by dead English ladies. There was no room in this publishing world for mysteries by American women. In the mid 1980s, the private eye books written by Marcia Muller, Sara Paretsky, and Sue Grafton were published. New York bought the books because they fit the concept of the American mystery even though written by women with women protagonists. The success of these books persuaded New York publishers that readers were interested in books by American women with women protagonists. That opened the window of opportunity for me and many other women writers.

Jen: Now let’s fast-forward to 1987 with your first commercially successful series called DEATH ON DEMAND. How did the series evolve?
Carolyn: I was a discouraged writer. In 1985, I had written seven books in seven years and at that time none of them had sold. I decided to try one more time. I wrote the kind of book I love to read, the traditional mystery that celebrates goodness and justice. I had no hope the book would sell so I simply had fun. I created a young couple who truly loved each other. That wasn't fashionable in books then. Often a woman protagonist had no relationship with a man or she was involved in a dysfunctional relationship. I didn't think it had to be that way. I am not romantic, but I believe in love. Annie and Max understand how to love. They are young, enthusiastic, and genuine. I set Death on Demand in a mystery bookstore because I revere mysteries. I wanted through Annie to share my joy in books that celebrate goodness. I set DEATH ON DEMAND on a fictional version of Hilton Head Island. We started vacationing there in the mid 1970s. I love the South Carolina lowcountry. In my view, anything can happen in a land where Spanish moss quivers from the limbs of live oaks and alligators rest on the banks of lagoons. To my great joy, readers liked Annie and Max and their idyllic sea island. Annie and Max will embark on their 20th adventure in LAUGHED 'TIL HE DIED (April 2010).

Jen: In the early 90’s, you began your next series called HENRIE O. Please describe for us its premise as well as its unique appeal.
Carolyn: Henrietta O'Dwyer (Henrie O) Collins is a retired newspaper reporter, a smart, capable, sophisticated woman who has known joy and sorrow and roamed the world. She is my tribute to older American women who are often dismissed as negligible by our culture. Henrie O expects to be treated with respect. I have always explained that Henrie O is taller, smarter, and braver than I, but she very much reflects my attitudes and interests.

Jen: Your latest endeavor is the BAILEY RUTH RAEBURN mystery series which mixes the supernatural with murder! Quite a novel concept! This month, the second title called MERRY, MERRY GHOST hits bookstores. For those readers unfamiliar with the premise of the series, please give us some background including a description of the quirky Bailey Ruth Raeburn.
Carolyn: I grew up loving the Topper books and movies. Blithe Spirit is one of the most delightful plays ever created. I love good-humored, fun ghost stories. For many years, I toyed with the idea of a novel with a ghost. In fact, I touched a bit upon ghosts in Southern Ghost in the DEATH ON DEMAND series. A few years ago, I told my editor I wanted to do a ghost book. This was before the explosion in paranormal publishing so I wasn't trying to be part of a trend. My editor encouraged me. I started thinking about ghosts. Who was my ghost? Someone who had died. Where was she? In Heaven. I thought about Heaven and suddenly a fun, energetic, lively redhead came swinging around a cumulous cloud. She was Bailey Ruth Raeburn. The name came to me immediately. I looked at Bailey Ruth with interest. Where was she going? To The Department of Good Intentions. What was that? I followed her around a curve and up to an old-fashioned train station and I learned that the Department of Good Intentions dispatched emissaries to return to earth to help people in trouble. That was my introduction to Bailey Ruth, who never met a rule she wouldn't ignore and who has a heart as big as Texas.

Jen: In MERRY, MERRY GHOST, Bailey must find out who murdered a rich dowager. Of course, the plot thickens with the arrival of an unexpected heir. Let’s start by talking about the supporting characters. Susan, the old woman, has no family until her grandson shows up on her front porch. How does his arrival breathe new life into her soul?

Carolyn: Susan Flynn has known great heartbreak in her life, the death of a beloved daughter, a son who has been missing for some years. She is widowed. Her health is failing. She has nothing to live for. Everyone she has loved the most is gone from her. Those around her, some of whom are kind and supportive, are the relatives of her late husband. She has no family of her own. When Keith, the little four-year-old boy, is left on the front porch of her home shortly before Christmas, she discovers he is her grandson. His father, Susan's son, was killed in Iraq. Keith's mother died from pneumonia. Susan's joy in Keith makes Christmas once again a cherished holiday.

Jen: Her sister-in-law Jake stands to inherit the family estate upon Susan’s death. Their relationship seems quite strained. What is the cause behind the tension? Is it jealousy?
Carolyn: Jake is very fond of Susan and has always been kind to her. Since Susan's illness, Jake has served as mistress of Susan's stately home, Pritchard house. Susan appreciates Jake and has made it clear that Jake will inherit the house. Jake has enormous pride of possession in the house. The possibility that Susan will change her will and leave her estate to Keith shocks and upsets Jake.

Jen: Besides the obvious familial connection, how are these two women similar? Who is the stronger person and why?
Carolyn: I don't see them as very similar. Susan has always been confident, her status assured because she is a Pritchard. Jake had to scramble for security. The house matters more to her because she spent so many years beholden to Susan and her husband for support. Susan takes her wealth and position for granted. She automatically assumes leadership.

Jen: Jake’s daughter Peg is the not only the peacemaker of the family but also the strong-willed daughter who stands up for what she believes. Why then does she allow her boyfriend Dave to walk all over her?
Carolyn: Dave is one of the golden young men who have great charm. Peg was flattered that he cared for her though it becomes increasingly clear that Dave's interest depends upon whether Peg can further his career and ambitions through her connection to Susan. At first Peg is shocked when he begins to reveal his true nature. When she understands, she chooses the right path over pleasing Dave.

Jen: Police Chief Sam Cobb is the only character privy to existence of Bailey, the celestial-being, although he is not quite certain what to make of her. Why does he so readily accept her “help” along the way in the solving of the murder case? And, at some point will he choose to confide in someone as to where he receives his tips? Why or why not?
Carolyn: Sam Cobb is old enough to know that there is more to this world than we can always readily explain. He first encountered Bailey Ruth in GHOST AT WORK so her appearance in the events at Pritchard House does not come as a complete shock. He may wonder why he is visited by a helpful ghost, but he is willing to take assistance where he finds it. I don't know whether he will ever share this knowledge.

Jen: Finally, as for Bailey herself, it seems a challenge for her to remain unseen due to the fact that she is in her hometown. Do you think her being a ghost is a blessing or a hindrance, and why so?
Carolyn: Definitely, her status as a ghost is helpful. It makes it possible to employ an omniscient viewpoint. However, her unseen presence observing a character can only occur when Bailey Ruth decides on a course of action prompted by her own reasoning.

Jen: Now that the novel is complete, what’s next for Bailey? And, when can we expect to see the third installment in bookstores?
Carolyn: GHOST IN TROUBLE will be published in fall 2010. Bailey Ruth returns to earth when a woman undertakes a dangerous course of action to try and prove a murder occurred.

Jen: Let’s switch gears and talk about your promotional plan. First of all, please take us on a tour of your website.
Carolyn: It is http://www.carolynhart.com/ . The website includes information about both current and past books, recent blogs and essays, reviews and interviews.

Jen: Secondly, do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one? Also, do you have Reading Group Guides available for your books?
Carolyn: I would be delighted to take part in a phone chat. To schedule, please contact my publicist at HarperCollins (Danielle.bartlett@harpercollins.com). I don't have Reading Guides. I know they would be helpful but right now I am trying to write two books a year and I haven't found time to develop Reading Guides.

Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with my readers. I absolutely loved MERRY, MERRY GHOST! What a perfect book for the holiday season!
Carolyn: Thank you very much, Jen. I hope your wonderful readers agree. Bailey Ruth and I send our warmest Christmas greetings.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with the prolific writer Carolyn Hart. I highly recommend all of her series. Believe me, if you have never read any of her books before, you’re in for a treat! Please stop by your favorite bookstore or local library branch today and pick up a copy of MERRY, MERRY GHOST.

Then again, how would you like to win one instead? Okay, be one of the first five readers to e-mail me with the correct answer to the following trivia question and it’s yours!

What is the name of the 20TH title of the DEATH ON DEMAND series due out in April 2010?

In December, I will be bringing to you my interview with romance writer Lori Wilde. You won’t want to miss it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jen

Thanksgiving Holiday Closings and Book Drop Information

2009-11-16T17:05:00.002-05:00

The Charleston County Public Library's 16 branches will be closed on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holidays. Libraries will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25 and reopen Saturday, November 28 with regular weekend service hours.

Book drops will be unavailable from 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25 until 9 a.m. on Friday, November 27 to allow staff to spend the holiday with family. Please do not leave items outside the book drop. Items not returned in the book drop are the responsibility of the patron.

December Computer Classes--They're FREE!

2009-11-16T16:56:00.003-05:00

Take a break from holiday shopping and come to the library for a computer class! All computer classes are free and are for adults and young adults. For more information please call 559-1945 and ask for the Reference Department. Class space is available for 8 participants per session and registration is required.

Computer Basics
Tuesday, December 1 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Registration starts 11/17
This class provides a basic introduction to the personal computer and its parts. Learn how to use the mouse and navigate the computer screen. There is time for hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.

Internet Basics
Tuesday, December 15 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Registration starts 12/1
An introduction to the Internet, focusing on the World Wide Web, using Internet Explorer. Provides an overview of how the Internet is structured and introduces searching on the World Wide Web. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse will be helpful.

Keyboard Basics
Tuesday, December 8 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Registration starts 11/24
Basic orientation to using the computer keyboard. Learn to be a more efficient keyboarder. General instruction and hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.

Jennifer Vido Interview Author Kevin Michael Connolly

2009-11-16T16:43:00.002-05:00

Jen’s Jewels
November 10, 2009

Kevin Michael Connolly

Life is about choices. Whether it’s something as simple as what to make for dinner or as complex as which type of chemotherapy will work best, we all have decisions to make as well as adversities to overcome. How we choose to face them determines which path in life we take. Every road has its bumps. The trick is knowing how to successfully navigate around them.

This month’s Jen’s Jewels Kevin Michael Connolly knows all too well that life is not fair. Born without two legs, he has learned in his brief twenty-four years how to turn his unfortunate circumstances into a life lesson we all can benefit from experiencing. In his poignant memoir DOUBLE TAKE, he shares with us his inspiring journey. Truly, his story is unforgettable.

As part of this interview, Harper Studio has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: At the age of twenty-three you penned a memoir that from start to finish defies imagination and reads much wiser than your years would suggest. Your life story to date is truly remarkable. Let’s start by talking about the unique circumstances that compelled you to tell your story publicly.
Kevin: Thanks for the opportunity to do the interview. You certainly kicked it off with a big question! I really felt compelled to write this book for a couple of reasons. I’d completed the photo series discussed in the book about a year before I began pitching my idea to publishers. The reason why I wanted to write a memoir over a more traditional, coffee-table like approach was simply because I’d get more of a voice. As far as I’d known, I’d never heard of anyone at 23 who had traveled around the world on a skateboard without legs taking photos of being stared at. The more I started to think about that accomplishment, the more I realized the importance of discussing where that strength came from.

If you want me to be totally honest, writing the book was hard as hell. Trying to be emotionally honest as an athletic 23 year-old Montanan was difficult enough, but putting all of those emotions to a page you knew would someday be read was really scary. I feel like I’ve grown up a lot just by virtue of surviving the writing process. That said, I’m so glad that I did it.

Jen: At the beginning of the book, you mention briefly how your sister Meagan fought a “silent” battle as defender of her disabled brother. In your childhood days, how did your lack of legs positively affect your relationship with both your sisters?

Kevin: I think that if anything, my lack of legs possibly solidified the familial bond. Not just between my sisters, either, but the whole family. I think that in some ways, that bond was created through dealing with all of the unwanted challenges and attention together. Maybe it’s a little like the bond I hear of between men and women in the military. Once you’ve seen and been through some nasty stuff together, that bond of friendship (or family) is strengthened.

Jen: At any point did you feel a sense of guilt knowing that your disability greatly affected your family unit as a whole? And if so, how did you overcome that guilt?
Kevin: I think that one of the smartest things that my parents did was to not let my disability greatly affect the family as a whole. I still got on the bus and went to school with my sisters. Still had the same amount of homework. Still got yelled at when I whined or shirked responsibility. I think that those very ordinary demands kept me from getting all wrapped up in guilt during my younger years.

However, I would say that at a couple of points I’ve felt guilty about the impact my not-having-legs has had on my family. Most summers in Montana are spent hiking or camping, and I remember feeling bad about not being able to keep up on some of the more strenuous hiking trips. I’m damn strong, but my stride is short and a pack is more difficult to carry when you’re only using your arms to ambulate. All of those things added up to me usually being the last in the line of people on a hike. That said, as I’ve gotten older and spoken more openly with them about it, that guilt has really dissipated. Now I sound a lot like my Dad on hiking trips. “Screw ‘em, they can wait!”

Jen: Despite your limitations, you were able to find a physical outlet that allowed your innate yearning for competition to surface. I chuckled as I read your description of the dirt bags, the men on the slopes. Please share with us your introduction to skiing and how it enabled you to find your voice within.
Kevin: I was introduced to skiing at the age of ten, and my first day was spent up at Bridger Bowl in Bozeman, MT. I think my most vivid memory of that first day (and maybe my skiing experience as a whole) was of the car ride. Helena is almost two hours west of Bridger Bowl, and I remember grudgingly eating my cereal at five-thirty during that first morning while Dad ran around the house trying to scrounge up old hunting clothes and anything that would keep us warm on the hill. Most ski days, we left Helena before the sun came up, and got back well after it’d gone down. Especially during those early days of skiing when I was still trying to get in shape, I would maybe ski only four or five hours in a day. With that in mind, as much time was spent in the car as on the slopes.

Crazy road trips aside, I think that skiing really gave me a physical outlet in which to both vent and express myself. It got me in shape and gave me more confidence. In high school especially, it allowed me to create an identity for myself that extended beyond “Kevin-the-Student” or “Kevin-the-Kid-in-the-Wheelchair” and into something much more in kind with my fellow peers. “Kevin the Skier.” The book is all about identities – both those that we occupy as well as those we throw onto others – and being a skier provided a really positive, challenging identity for me.

Jen: Your relationship with your Dad in your teen years appears to be the center core of your being. In a sense, you both set out to conquer your disability from two unique angles yet ultimately united as one in its discovery. When was the defining moment in your relationship when you knew that with your skiing, you two had found a mutual respect and admiration for each other?
Kevin: I don’t know if it really happened during skiing, to be honest. Dad – while he supported my skiing with almost religious fanaticism – still stressed that my success in school was far more important than on the ski hill. So while I admired what Dad was doing for me all of those years, I don’t think that I appreciated (or fully realized) just how much he was doing for me during that time. During the writing of the book, though, I called him on more than one occasion to thank him just for putting up with a semi-ungrateful (or not grateful enough) son and some long hours on the road.

Now things are much different, of course. Pops and I definitely have the mutual respect thing going, though it stems from a more holistic, traditional place. The basic thing with my Dad is that he’ll give all of the time and money he physically can to his kids, but he expects a hell of a lot out of them in return. So I think that he’s more admiring of the fact that I’m his 24-year-old son with a college degree; a good job; a solid work ethic; and decent moral fiber.

Jen: Growing up without two legs, you know firsthand how it feels to be living as if you are always under the microscope. Rather than dwelling on the harsh reality of your circumstances, you chose to turn it into a learning experience for all of us. Please describe for us your project.
Kevin: The Rolling Exhibition involved rolling around the world on a skateboard and chronicling the reactions people had to me in all of these different countries and cultures. The bulk of the photo project was shot over the summer of 2007, between my Junior and Senior year of college. The project involved almost 33,000 photographs and really went out to prove two things: 1.) That nearly everyone - regardless of age, location, or culture - stares at the people that spark their interest or curiosity.2.) After that initial look, people sometimes create a narrative in their heads as to why that person came to be. This is where the nuance comes in, and where I would like to turn it over to an excerpt from my artist statement that's posted at http://www.therollingexhibition.com/statement.php . It says:"Whether it is a glance or a neck twisting ogle, we look at that which does not seem to fit in our day to day lives. It is that one instant of unabashed curiosity - more reflex than conscious action - that makes us who we are and has been one of my goals to capture over the past year. It is after this instant that we try to hazard a guess as to why such an anomalous person exists. Was it disease? Was it a birth defect? Was it a landmine? These narratives all come from the context in which we live our lives. Illness, drugs, calamity, war - all of these might become potential stories depending upon what we are exposed to in connection with disability."While I think that the first objective was clearly accomplished by the photo series, the second was much better articulated in the later sections of Double Take.

Jen: Your mother seems to be the constant in your life always willing to accept any decision you make as a step in the right direction. When you made the decision to travel the world, what was going on in your mind about the way this would affect her? As a mother, I can only imagine how she must have worried about your safety.
Kevin: By the time I came to her with my idea to travel, I already knew that she’d have my back. She’ll always advise us kids, but once a decision is reached, she gets behind it. So when I called her, I was kind of hoping that she’d play against type and actually try and talk me down. I knew that I was making a big commitment to the project, and that conversation was probably my last chance to back out of the whole trip. If there’s one thing Mom’s good at, though, it’s controlling her tone and emotions. She can’t play poker to save her life, but she sure is tough to read on the phone. If she sounded worried or concerned, she didn’t let on.

Jen: In order to navigate your journey, you enlisted the aid of your “custom-built” skateboard. Describe for us your mode of transportation and how you were able to use it to serve your purpose.
Kevin: My mode of transport during this journey abroad was a Sector9 longboard (basically a heavier, longer, and more stable version of a skateboard). While I did assemble the board using my own selection of parts, the reason I chose a skateboard over a wheelchair was specifically because it wasn’t truly custom built. If I shredded a wheel on glass bottle or seized up some ball bearings in a flood, I could pull a replacement out of my backpack, or find something at a skateshop if I was in a city. Those are advantages not as easily afforded to a wheelchair, and as a result, I found that traveling on a skateboard was a much more efficient (if not attention-getting) way to get around.

Jen: Throughout the book, you have peppered each anecdote with examples of your fascinating photographs. Truly, a picture says a thousand words. Which one best encapsulates your entire experience and how so?
Kevin: Boy, I don’t know if I’d be able to answer that. While I’m dearly in love with certain photographs on an aesthetic level – the Girl on the Millennium Bridge in London, or the two Romans in Split, Croatia – I don’t think that I can single one out as best encapsulating my entire experience. I think that, if anything, the photo series is meant more to explore single reaction as it appears crystallized in all these faces around the world.

When I set out to make this project, I set out to prove a fact about human nature, and so I wanted to be as deliberate as I could in terms of creating something that looked more like a data set from a scientific study than a bunch of pretty photographs. It’s why all of the photos are taken on the same lens, from the same angle, without ever once looking through the viewfinder. I was setting rules for myself. Basically creating a system of controls in which my only variable was the bipeds walking by.

So as a result, while really love my photo project, I feel like it is ultimately more a visual preface to the ideas expressed in the book rather than its own entity. We created the endpapers to the book with just that idea in mind. All of those faces on the endpapers of Double Take serve somewhat as a Cliff Notes to the photo project itself.

Jen: I read that your photographs have been on display around the world. Are they currently on exhibit? And if so, where?
Kevin: Yes they are! I have two galleries currently traveling around the continental U.S. as well as another gallery displaying in Liverpool, UK.

Jen: I was so excited when I read about your girlfriend! Every person needs to love and be loved. In what ways has your disability made you a better partner? If you don’t mind me asking, are you currently in a relationship?
Kevin: I don’t know if I can answer that fairly or responsibly. Being born without legs, I’ve never really been in someone else’s shoes, and thus can’t really speak on whether or not my not-having-legs has had any effect on my success as a partner. I would say that I’m a constantly traveling workaholic has probably more to do with my efficacy as a partner than the legs thing!

That said, I am not currently in a relationship.

Jen: One of the most moving parts in the book for me was on page 171 where you discuss the word disabled. You write, “You are only disabled if you are incapable of overcoming the challenges presented in any given situation.” What powerful words! So true! How have you been able to incorporate these words into your everyday living?
Kevin: The way I apply those words to my life is by looking at time in small chunks. I’m a big fan of “winging it” in almost any situation – whether that’s speaking in front of a crowd or trying to adapt my way out of a new situation – so viewing disability in an ephemeral light makes a lot of sense to me. Say we’re racing through an airport. I’m going to smoke you both speed and efficiency anytime we’re on flat ground in the terminal. However, you’ll be able to laugh at me later when I’m hauling my slow butt up a flight of stairs. It’s all a tradeoff. Not better, not worse, just different.

Jen: In the book you mention that you were driving with your family alongside you in the car. What specific adaptations were made in order for you to do this?
Kevin: Automotive hand controls are actually a fairly standard device that we had installed by a small business an hour outside of my hometown. It’s basically a little lever that sits underneath the blinker on the left side of the steering wheel. Pull down for gas, and push in for brake. Try not to mix the two up.

Jen: Now that your story has been put into words, what is next for you in your life’s journey?

Kevin: Another project. This one deals a bit more with tech than photos (so images are still a big component). We’re still in prototype phase, but all I can say is that I tested out one of the rigs I’ll be using on my next bout of travel and….I can jump (really high) and run (really fast).

Jen: Finally, let’s talk about your website. Please walk us through it.
Kevin: My work on the web has really been where I put most of my early efforts. The website for The Rolling Exhibition ( www.therollingexhibition.com) was built by an old high school buddy who offered to do it for super cheap. After collaborating on the design for the site, we realized that my image needed to be in some way integrated with the website in order to understand the look on each person’s face in the photos. After my appearance on ABC’s 20/20, I remember my site crashing four or five times due to the traffic load. Since then, the link has made its way around the world, and I still get hits from Iran, Russia, and Korea, to name a few.

Since the inception of that site, I’ve created another one that works somewhat as my “mothership” online. All of my photographs (including The Rolling Exhibition and extra photos from my book Double Take) are stored on the site along with my blog and book trailer. The site is called http://www.kevinmichaelconnolly.com/ and I check up on it every day. Posting a comment on my blog or sending me a line from there is definitely the best way to get a hold of me.

Jen: To thank you for stopping by would be such a trite statement. Rather, thank you for allowing my readers the chance to view the world through a beacon of hope. Your story is truly amazing. I wish you only the best in your future endeavors. I have no doubt. You will soar.
Kevin: Thanks again, Jen. I hope everyone enjoys the book!

I hope you’ve been inspired as much as I was from reading about Kevin’s miraculous journey. Please stop by your favorite bookstore, Amazon.com, or local library branch and pick up a copy of DOUBLE TAKE today.

Better yet, would you like to win one instead? Okay, be one of the first five people to send me an e-mail at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following trivia question.

What is Kevin’s “custom-built” mode of transportation?

On November 20th, I will be bringing to you my interview with the award-winning mystery novelist Carolyn Hart. You won’t want to miss it.

Until next time…

Jen

Jennifer Vido Interviews Author Fern Nichols

2009-10-29T11:28:00.006-04:00

Fern Nichols

Jen’s Jewels
November 1, 2009

I have a secret that I must share. I have rekindled an old relationship. As the saying goes…it just happened. My discreet partner is thoughtful, understanding, and at times comforting on a cold, blustery day. When I need a moment of silence on my way to carpool, I have it. When I need a friend to lean on after a long day, I have one. Quite frankly, I never realized just how in tune I have become with my long, lost friend…God.

This month’s Jen’s Jewels Fern Nichols has experienced quite the same epiphany. As a mother, she experienced firsthand the ups and downs of raising children in the crazy world in which we live. So, she turned to a higher power to help her navigate life’s journey. In her latest release, WHEN MOMS PRAY TOGETHER: True Stories of God’s Power to Transform Your Child, she calls upon the help of faithful moms to give encouragement to others facing life’s challenges.

As part of this interview, Tyndale has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: As the mother of four children as well as a grandmother, you have experienced firsthand the Herculean feat of raising healthy, happy children. So that my readers may have a better understanding of the path you took in becoming an author, please tell us about your educational and professional experience.
Fern:
My mother was an inspiration to me. She took seriously her role of mothering. She was able to be a stay-at-home mom and was very intentional about our physical, mental and spiritual development. She made nutritious meals, made sure we went to school, taught us the Word of God, modeled prayer and faithfully took us to church.
As a result of how she was raising me, I believe God set deep in my heart the importance of the godly influence of a mother. And that’s what I wanted to be. I had no intention of going to college or having a career. I wanted to be a MOM!! But God in His Sovereignty not only opened doors for me to go to college, but to major in the thing I loved most -- children. I earned my degree in education. Both my fiancé, Rle, and I graduated from college together, got married one month later and both taught school in the same district.

In our third year of marriage God blessed us with a baby boy, and I was able to become a stay-at-home mom. God gave me the desires of my heart. But did I ever learn a lot as a new mom! I needed the Lord more than ever. I was in the Word and on my knees seeking direction, wisdom and guidance for this new little life. I was intentional, just like my mom, and from birth began the life-long teaching of the Word, prayer and taking him to church. God blessed us with three more children and my desire to raise “Jesus Lovers” was heightened all the more.

Throughout those years of raising these precious “gifts” God gave us, I was very active in living out my faith. I wanted to serve the One I loved. I had many opportunities to do that through teaching Sunday School, being choir director, playing the organ and piano, and teaching neighborhood Bible studies. My husband and I were called to serve in Campus Crusade for Christ for 15 years. Rle was the coach for Athletes In Action. In my seasons of service, I purposed in my heart that my priorities would be God first, family second and ministry third. Truly my profession was Motherhood!

Jen: Your religious faith has been the cornerstone to the development of your career as an inspirational speaker and advocate for Christianity. What was the driving force that led you to pursue this vocation?
Fern:
There really was no driving force to be an inspirational speaker. As I desired to please the Lord and follow His will for my life, opportunities opened for me to speak at retreats, churches, seminars, workshops. My main topics were always centered on how to be a mature Christian, the blessings of motherhood and prayer.

On one fall day in 1984 as I kissed my two eldest sons goodbye before they left for school, I went back to the kitchen with a very heavy, burdened heart for them. I was truly fearful for their spiritual lives at that public school. So many things loomed in my mind of the incredible battles they would be facing. Would they make the right decisions in tempting situations, would they be able to recognize humanistic teachings, would they choose godly, moral friends? And on and on it went. As I was talking to the Lord about this, I prayed a desperate simple prayer, “Lord, there must be one other mom who will pray with me for our children and the school.” I had experienced the power of corporate prayer and it was time to unite.

The Lord laid upon my heart the name of another mom. I immediately called her and poured out my heart, the burden I felt, and asked if she would take time out of her busy schedule to come to my house and pray. She felt the same way and agreed to come. We thought of a few other moms we could invite. So, that very next week there were five of us in my living room praying a simple four step format of prayer that kept us praying the whole hour. We were serious. The lives of our children were at stake.

Out of one desperate mom’s burden for her boys, God birthed a prayer ministry for children and schools. You truly do not know what God has in mind when on one unassuming day you are in prayer.

Jen: Let’s talk about Moms in Touch International. Please describe for us its core purpose.
Fern: We named our group Moms in Touch -- moms in touch with God, with one another, with our children and the school through prayer. We knew we could not physically follow our children around at school, even though a lot of moms would love to. But, the one thing we did know was that when we prayed, Jesus would be there. We were experiencing so many answers to prayer that we couldn’t help but tell others. The grassroots movement began. Moms were calling me to come to their house to help form a group for their school. Then churches began inviting me to come share. God opened opportunities to share at retreats. The word about this life-changing ministry was spreading.

Jen: How did your vision become a reality? And, what part did Dr. James Dobson (Focus on the Family) play in helping you achieve your goal?
Fern:
God kept increasing my vision. At first it was prayer for my children and the school they attended. And then the vision increased for all the schools to be covered in my area. Then in 1985 God moved our family with Campus Crusade for Christ from British Columbia, Canada, to Poway near San Diego, California. I knew no one. One simple prayer emerged, “Lord, I need one other mom to pray with me.” By the end of the school year, there were 15 moms coming to my home to pray for the high school. In 1988 we had our first MITI retreat. Thirty-five women were at a retreat center together in a fire-side room thanking God for all the answers to prayer we had seen since praying in a MITI group. The Holy Spirit was moving sweetly among us. A prayer emerged, “Lord, we have been changed, our children and the school have been changed, and we now ask that all the schools in the San Diego area be covered in prayer.” The prayer grew even bigger. We then prayed for all of California schools to have a MITI group. Then our faith grew to ask for the whole Northwest. The Holy Spirit moved our prayers across the United States and then around the world. There was silence. Then one mom prayed, “Lord, who can tell the women of the world about Moms in Touch?” There was a pause. “Dobson, that’s who.” “Lord, we ask to be on his program.” I think we were all stunned at first by the request and then there was a joyous agreement.

Three months later, without anyone contacting FOF, LuAnne Crane from FOF called me, asking about MITI. She caught the vision, and said there were a lot of requests that crossed Dr. Dobson’s desk so she couldn’t promise anything.

Did we ever pray! We were so bold that not only did we ask to be on the program, but that God would give us two days, just in case a mom didn’t hear the first day. God answered above and beyond our request. He gave us three days. Twelve other moms joined Dr. Dobson and me in the studio. God knew this message of hope needed to be heard by moms. The result of the program was over 24,000 responses. Needless to say, the ministry has never been the same since that day. We are Moms In Touch International, and we are now in over 130 countries.

Jen: And initially, what affect did it have on your family? Did your children feel any pressure growing up having to live up to other’s high expectations in terms of their behavior? Their mother was (and still is!) a devoted Christian. We all know…kids will be kids no matter who their parents are.
Fern:
My family really didn’t know exactly all what was happening. By God’s grace, I was able to change hats from ministry to home easily. When my children were home I was able to have my focus on them and was involved in all their activities. I remember one time I took a red-eye flight to speak at a MITI retreat so that I wouldn’t miss my son’s football game. They realized the scope of the ministry for the first time when they attended the MITI 10th Anniversary Retreat. There were 750 women who came from many different states. My family was amazed and said, “Mom, I knew you prayed for us, but we didn’t realize what you were doing.” It was a real eye-opener, even for my husband.

Jen: With the creation of this powerful group came your writing of several books. Your latest release, WHEN MOMS PRAY TOGETHER, is a heart-warming collection of stories that would inspire even the non-believer to have faith. Describe for us its metamorphosis.
Fern:
I never set out to be a writer. In fact, I remember in my English class in high school that I had a lot of red marks on my papers. But again, God in His Sovereign plan for my life had an agent from Zondervan contact me to encourage me to tell my story. If it weren’t for Janet Kobobel Grant capturing my “voice” in the book Every Child Needs a Praying Mom, it would not have received the silver medallion award. She was a key piece in writing that book. Connie Kennemer was my co-writer for the gift book Prayers From a Mom’s Heart.

The new book WHEN MOMS PRAY TOGETHER was birthed because of my deep desire to glorify God for His faithfulness to MITI for 25 years. As our 25th anniversary was approaching, I wanted to display His glory through sharing answers to moms’ prayers. I was encouraged by Cheri Fuller to call Larry Weeden and share my vision for the book with him: 25 stories representing answers to prayer over 25 years. I wanted it to be a legacy book that I could give to my grandchildren one day and say, “Honey, the God who answered these prayers is the same God who will answer your prayers today.” This is not a “coffee table” book to just sit on the shelf. I wanted this book to strengthen the faith and prayer life of women all over the world. Larry caught the vision and the project began. Once again I needed the “body” to make this book have the impact that I wanted it to have. Thankfully, when I asked three women to come alongside me and edit the stories, they each said, “Yes.” They are Cyndie de Neve, Mary Jenson and Cheri Fuller.

When a mom wrote me after reading the book, I was so pleased. She said, “This book is all about God and His glory. It doesn’t glorify MITI at all, and yet the heart of MITI shines through, offering hope to desperate mothers who need to know that God cares, is powerful, and offers compassionate support for moms, through women who will pray without judging.” What a great joy to see that the vision was truly fulfilled.

Jen: In terms of the nuts and bolts, how were you able to collect these inspirational stories to share with your readers? And, did you make an outline of certain topics that you wanted to explore, or was it simply just finding a unique voice within each one that needed to be heard?
Fern:
We put the word out to our MITI leadership about the project and asked them to share with us a powerful answer to prayer. We gave them guidelines and suggestions of topics that we were interested in. The stories started coming in. Through prayer, my team and I came to consensus and identified the compelling stories that we felt were not uncommon and that mothers would readily identify with. Each story displays God’s glory even though some of the prayers did not turn out as expected.

Jen: The inspirational quotes and prayers peppered throughout the book are truly beautiful. Can you lend some suggestions as to how the reader may go about incorporating them into his or her spiritual journey?
Fern:
There is something about hearing truth from the heart of another saint. I chose quotes that had meant a lot to me over the years. Quotes that encouraged me, made me ponder and sometimes led me to prayer that God would strengthen me with this truth and that He would help me live it. I wanted the reader to have the opportunity to be blessed as I was and still am. I also chose Scriptures that are especially meaningful to me. I wanted a lot of Scripture in the book. There are no greater words than God’s words. It is His “now” speaking voice that pierces the soul, draws it to a greater intimacy with Him. I would suggest memorizing one quote or Scripture a week! When we hide God’s word in our hearts, at the appropriate time in whatever circumstance we may be going through, God will bring these Scriptures and quotations to mind to give us courage.

Jen: I have to admit, each story is utterly amazing in the sense that as a mom, I could totally relate no matter what the circumstances were. The one that left a lasting impression on me was chapter 13 Unlocked: Hope for Moms with Disabled Children by Thalia Henning of California. In what ways did you personally reach out to the contributors?
Fern:
Each story touched my heart. Each one drew me into the hurt and pain of her situation, and her desperateness to believe and her courage to join with others and not give up praying. I was so blessed that each story revealed a faithful, caring God who manifested Himself in precious ways. If the story needed clarification or if emotions needed to be described more clearly, the editors would get back with the story writers and ask appropriate questions to bring about a clearer, more compelling understanding. They were all wonderful to work with, even though at times it was hard for some of them to go back to a dark emotional place, but they did, for the sake of the reader.

Jen: If you had to choose, which story impacted you the most and why?
Fern:
The chapter that filled my eyes with tears each time I read it is was Connie’s Kennemer’s story, chapter 15. Connie and I go way back to 1985. She came to my home to see how a MITI group could pray a whole hour. As a result, God prompted her to start the first elementary MITI in the Poway area. She was a worship leader also and came to lead the worship at our MITI retreats. We traveled together, prayed together, laughed together, cried together, and talked about the MITI vision together. Her story did not turn out all neat and tidy. And yet, by what God taught her about who He is through MITI -- she still sings. She is an inspiration to me.

Jen: How did you personally grow as a mom after the completion of this project?
Fern:
Once again the great realization that God’s plans and purposes will not be thwarted, and the wonderful mystery, the marvel that Almighty God in His Sovereignty has chosen His bride to partner with Him in prayer to accomplish His will on earth. So, now as a grandmother, crying out with other grandmothers for the next generation, I know that my God is an unchanging faithful God. He will save, deliver and lead my grandchildren on paths of righteousness because I have seen the power of God revealed manifested by the prayer of many.

Jen: And, what was the most valuable lesson learned from this experience?
Fern:
That moms are not alone. Our hearts beat the same for our children and grandchildren all over the world. Also, that God did not intend for us to carry our burdens by ourselves. We truly do need each other. There is no better place to be than in the community of praying moms. This book is proof of that.

Jen: How would my readers go about joining (or even starting) a Moms In Touch group?
Fern:
To start or find a local Moms In Touch group to pray for your children and schools, and for resources and information, we have an excellent, user-friendly website: http://www.momsintouch.org./ We also have a number they can call: 1-800-949-MOMS. As our vision is that every school be covered in prayer we are excited to think that after moms/grandmothers read this book they will not wait, but start today. Truly, the time is urgent. As Lamentations 2:19 says, Arise cry out in the night, as the watches of the night being. Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord, lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street. Our children need Jesus NOW! We MUST pray.

Jen: Now that this project is completed, what is the next step in your journey?
Fern:
To keep on keeping on. We will not rest until the vision is realized. We will continue to sound the clarion call to “Arise! Cry Out!” through whatever means available as we seek the Lord for His continued direction, wisdom and guidance. We are being very intentional in our strategies to reach out to the moms with young children. She is the next generation of moms that we will hand the baton of this prayer movement to. May the LORD find us in prayer until the day He returns.

Jen: Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to stop by and chat with my readers. Your book is the perfect gift for any mom this holiday season. Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom with my readers. God Bless.
Fern:
What a great joy that I can share through this book the goodness of the Lord through the power of praying with others. And that you have given me this opportunity. Thank you so much. May the Lord receive all the glory.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Fern Nichols. Please stop by your local library branch or favorite bookstore today and pick up a copy of WHEN MOMS PRAY TOGETHER: True Stories of God’s Power to Transform Your Child. Better yet, how would you like to win one? Okay, be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following trivia question. Good luck! (If you would like the Charleston County Public Library to add this title to its collection, call your local branch today and make a Suggestion for Purchase!)

What is the name of the organization Fern started for praying moms?

On November 10th, I will be bringing to you my interview with an extraordinary young autobiographer, Kevin Michael Connolly. You won’t want to miss it.

Until next time…

Jen

THAT Big Book Sale Happening NOW!

2009-10-09T14:54:00.004-04:00

It's here again!

THAT Big Book Sale
October 9 - 11
Friends of the Charleston County Library
Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun Street
Over 60,000 items, including books, DVDs and CDs,at prices starting at just $1! Bring your own bag.Cash, credit and checks accepted.

Public Sale - Free Admission
Friday, October 9 from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 10 from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday, October 11 from 10 - 3 p.m.
All items half priced on Sunday!

Free Computer Classes in November

2009-10-09T13:33:00.002-04:00

We have computer classes for adults and young adults and they're FREE! For more information, please call 559-1945 and ask for the Reference Department. Class space is available for 8 participants per session.

Computer Basics
Monday, November 2 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Registration starts 10/19
This class provides a basic introduction to the personal computer and its parts. Learn how to use the mouse and navigate the computer screen. There is time for hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.

Word Basics
Tuesday, November 3 from 10:00 a.m.–12 Noon
Registration starts 10/20
Introduction to the basic tools of Microsoft Word. Learn how to enter and format text, change margins and line spacing, and copy and paste text. Saving and printing tips will also be discussed. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse will be helpful.

Keyboard Basics
Monday, November 9 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Registration starts 10/26
Basic orientation to using the computer keyboard. Learn to be a more efficient keyboarder. General instruction and hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.

Excel Basics
Tuesday, November 10 from 10:00 a.m.–12 Noon
Registration starts 10/27
An introduction to spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. This session provides a basic overview and common uses for spreadsheets. Learn basic Excel functions and build a simple budget spreadsheet. Prerequisite: Word Basics or some experience using MS Word will be helpful.

Files and Folders: File Organization and Management
Monday, November 16 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Registration starts 11/2
Learn how to organize your computer files more effectively. Basic concepts include: creating a file or document, creating folders, naming folders and saving document in a folder and deleting files. Prerequisite: Computer Basics will be helpful.

Excel: Beyond the Basics
Tuesday, November 17 from 10:00 a.m.–12 Noon
Registration starts 11/3
A follow-up session to Excel Basics. Learn some additional features of the program, such as sorting and filtering. Learn how to use additional types of formulas. Prerequisite: Excel Basics or some experience using MS Excel will be helpful.

Internet Basics
Monday, November 30 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Registration starts 11/16
An introduction to the Internet, focusing on the World Wide Web, using Internet Explorer. Provides an overview of how the Internet is structured and introduces searching on the World Wide Web. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse will be helpful.

Jennifer Vido Interviews Author Julie Buxbaum

2009-10-05T11:43:00.006-04:00

Indy Flore

Jen’s Jewels
October 1, 2009

Julie Buxbaum

My friends are my lifeline. Let’s be honest, who else can you commiserate with when you’re having a bad hair day? Husbands just don’t get it. Not to mention, most of them are losing their hair anyway. All kidding aside, the special moments shared with friends are what get us through the most difficult times in life. Without them, we’d be lost.
Imagine then what it would be like if your best friend was murdered and you were left to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. This month’s Jen’s Jewels Julie Buxbaum does just that in her compelling new release AFTER YOU. Masterfully written, she makes the reader stop and think… how well do you really know the ones you love?

As part of this interview The Dial Press, a division of Random House, has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the interview. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: Some of my readers may recognize your name as the author of THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE which has been translated into eighteen languages and opted to film by Twentieth Century Fox. Quite impressive for a first-time novelist! For those readers unfamiliar with your work, please tell us about your educational and professional background prior to becoming a novelist.
Julie: I sort of backed into my career as a novelist. I was a litigator before becoming a writer, but found myself completely unfulfilled. As part of a New Year’s Resolution, I finally got up the courage to quit my job and to start writing that novel I had always talked about. As for educational background, I went to the University of Pennsylvania, where I studied Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics, and then later graduated from Harvard Law School. Sadly, I never took advantage of the opportunity to study literature, which is something I have to confess I deeply regret. That said, I do think law school and practicing law has really informed my writing, both in good ways and in bad.

Jen: In your second release entitled AFTER YOU, you tackle the complexity of friendship, marriage, love, and the healing nature of literature. First of all, how did you arrive at the premise?
Julie: I was really interested in looking at the question of how well we actually know the people we love. I think my choosing the topic had a lot to do with where I was in my life at the time; I had just gotten engaged to my now-husband, and it suddenly occurred to me that a basic tenet of human relationships is the fact that we can never really know what goes on in other people’s heads. AFTER YOU provided the perfect opportunity for me to create a situation where one character—in this case Ellie—gets the unique opportunity to step into the life of her best friend, and see behind that opaque curtain.

Jen: Your main character, Ellie Lerner, is a typical thirty-something woman struggling to balance her marriage and professional career. Yet the unthinkable happens when her best friend Lucy, who is living in London, is murdered. Lucy’s husband Greg and her eight year old daughter Sophie are left behind to share their grief with Ellie. How is Lucy’s death a direct hit to Ellie’s fragility in her own perception of self-worth?
Julie: I think Lucy’s death is direct hit to Ellie’s identity. For better or worse, a lot of women find their self-worth and identity through their various relationships: mother, daughter, wife, sister, and best friend, whatever the case may be. As the novel progresses we learn that Ellie is in fact suffering a double loss, as she has lost a baby two years before the opening of the book. She doesn’t think of herself as a mother, feels her role as a wife is slipping, and now finds that she is completely lost without her best friend.

Jen: As the story unfolds, Ellie chooses to stay in London to help Sophie adjust to the cruel reality that her mother is gone forever. On the flipside, Ellie’s husband Phillip is left behind in the U.S. pining away for his wife. Why does she choose to box her husband out? Would it be fair to say that this decision is a deliberate move to run away from her life?
Julie: Absolutely. At first the reader is led to believe that Ellie is this incredible martyr, giving up everything to help the fragile and adorable Sophie. But as time goes on, the reader begins to suspect that the reality is much more complex than that. No doubt Ellie loves Sophie, and feels a real responsibility as her godmother, but there is also no doubt that Ellie is a woman on the run from her own demons.

Jen: As part of the healing process, Ellie chooses to read to Sophie her favorite childhood book, THE SECRET GARDEN. On a personal level, what significance does it have in your life?
Julie: THE SECRET GARDEN is by far my favorite book of all time. I must have read it at least two hundred times at this point. It’s the one book I turn to purely for therapeutic reasons. When I’m going through a rough time, its exploration of redemption and self-healing and magic always manages to restore me. In AFTER YOU, the book serves as a literary vehicle—Ellie and Sophie’s story very much mirrors the experiences of Mary in THE SECRET GARDEN—but it was also a great excuse to give readers the opportunity to revisit that great book.

Jen: In terms of the characters, what particular aspect of the book becomes the common bond that links these two wounded souls, Ellie and Sophie, together?
Julie: I think Ellie and Sophie both relate to Mary, the main character of THE SECRET GARDEN. She’s lost in very much way the two of them are. The book opens with Mary’s orphaning, and suddenly she feels unmoored and without a single friend in the world. I think this essential loneliness is something we all experience and some point or another.

Jen: Sadly, Ellie comes to learn that her best friend Lucy was not the person she thought her to be. Isn’t it so true that oftentimes, we put our dearest friends up on a pedestal only choosing to see their strengths and turning a blind eye to their faults? How was Lucy’s death an unforeseen opportunity for Ellie to take a step back and evaluate the authenticity of her personal relationships?
Julie: Ellie is given this extreme opportunity to actually get to know the deepest secrets (and insecurities too) of her closest friend. Although it is frightening to not be able to ever truly know those we love, I sometimes wonder if this is a blessing. Maybe it’s better to turn that blind eye as you say, or to put it more positively to allow for that added bit of mystery. We don’t like to be reminded that we all are, at the end of the day, flawed human beings. That being said, I don’t think Ellie’s relationship with Lucy was any less authentic despite Lucy’s secrets.

Jen: Tacking onto the last question, what was the most life-changing discovery she was forced to confront?
Julie: By seeing behind Lucy’s curtain, I think Ellie is forced to confront her own demons as well, and to own up to her own fears and inadequacies.

Jen: Without a doubt, Lucy’s husband Greg mourns not only the loss of his wife, but also the absence of his daughter’s mother. Why does he welcome Ellie into his home? Is she just a buffer due to his lack of parental know-how, or does he see her as an extension of Lucy?
Julie: What a good question. I don’t think he necessarily sees Ellie as an extension of Lucy; I think he is simply a man in over his head. He recognizes that he needs all the help he can get.

Jen: The subplot of Ellie’s parents and their marital woes lends to the issue of lack of stability in her core familial unit. What vulnerabilities are commonplace in all of their lives? Who is the strongest family member and why?
Julie: Certainly, Ellie has inherited the running gene from her mother. As for who is the strongest family member, I don’t know. They are each strong in their unique ways. It seems to me all families are their own bizarrely balanced ecosystems.

Jen: Without giving too much away, how does Ellie finally come to terms with the woman she has become?
Julie: This is a question that haunted me throughout the writing of AFTER YOU: what happens when we meet our adult selves and they don’t necessarily match our expectations. For Ellie, she no doubt experiences a sort of reckoning by the end of the novel, and a desire to do better, but whether she comes to fully accept the woman she has become is something I don’t really know. I am not sure how any of us ever gets there.

Jen: Let’s talk about your promotional plans. Do you have a website? Will there be a Reading Group Guide available for book clubs? Do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one?
Julie: I do have a website: http://www.juliebuxbaum.com/ so please come visit. You can download a Reading Group Guide for book clubs for both AFTER YOU and THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE. And I love to do author phone chats with reading groups! It’s such a fun way to connect directly with readers. I can be contacted via a form on my website or just by clicking the contact me link on the site—if you are in a book club, email me and we’ll set up a time to chat!

Jen: Are you currently at work on your next novel? And if so, what can you share with us?
Julie: I am at work on my next novel, but I am way too superstitious to talk about it this early. I always feel like discussing a work, particularly when it’s still in its infancy, can somehow jinx it. Completely irrational, I know.

Jen: Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with my readers. I absolutely loved AFTER YOU. What a fabulous read! Best of luck with the book tour! And, please stop by again soon.
Julie: Thank you so much for having me!

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Julie Buxbaum. Please stop by your favorite bookstore or local library branch and pick up a copy of AFTER YOU today. Better yet, how would you like to win one?

Be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following trivia question and you’ll win!

Name the title of Julie’s first book.

Later this month, I will be bringing to you my interview with Fern Nichols, founder of Moms in Touch International. You won’t want to miss it.

Until next time…Jen

Free Legal Clinic: Wills, Estates & Probate

2009-09-16T11:47:00.002-04:00

Bring your questions concerning wills, estates & probate to the free legal clinic at our library on Thursday, September 24 at 6:00 p.m. Local attorney, Charles S. Goldberg, Esq., will provide a 30-45 minute lecture on wills, estates and probate issues followed by an open question and answer session. For more information, call the SC Bar Pro Bono Program, 1-800-395-3425, ext. 158, or log on to www.scbar.org/clinics.

Free Legal Clinic: Wills, Estates & Probate

Thursday, September 24 at 6:00 p.m.

John's Island Regional Library

October Computer Classes

2009-09-16T11:20:00.003-04:00

Want to learn a new computer skill or brush up on your current skills? Come to the library for free computer classes! Classes are designed for adults and young adults. For more information please call 559-1945 and ask for the Reference Department. Class space is available for 8 participants per session and registration is required.

Word Basics
Monday, October 5 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Registration starts 9/21
Introduction to the basic tools of Microsoft Word. Learn how to enter and format text, change margins and line spacing, and copy and paste text. Saving and printing tips will also be discussed. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse will be helpful.

Computer Basics
Tuesday, October 6 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 9/22
This class provides a basic introduction to the personal computer and its parts. Learn how to use the mouse and navigate the computer screen. There is time for hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.

Word: Beyond the Basics
Monday, October 12 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Registration starts 9/28
In this follow-up to Word Basics learn how to set tabs, create columns, paste text from the Internet, insert page numbers, add ClipArt and photographs, and format text as you design a simple newsletter. Prerequisite: Word Basics or some experience with MS Word will be helpful.

Keyboard Basics
Tuesday, October 13 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 9/29
Basic orientation to using the computer keyboard. Learn to be a more efficient keyboarder. General instruction and hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.

Excel Basics
Monday, October 19 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Registration starts 10/5
An introduction to spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. This session provides a basic overview and common uses for spreadsheets. Learn basic Excel functions and build a simple budget spreadsheet. Prerequisite: Word Basics or some experience using MS Word will be helpful.

Files and Folders: File Organization and Management
Tuesday, October 20 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 10/6
Learn how to organize your computer files more effectively. Basic concepts include: creating a file or document, creating folders, naming folders and saving document in a folder and deleting files. Prerequisite: Computer Basics will be helpful.

Access Basics
Monday, October 26 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Registration starts 10/12
An introduction to databases using Microsoft Access. A database is a collection of information related to a particular topic. This workshop introduces the basic MS Access Tools and Wizards used to build a simple database. Prerequisite: Word Basics and/or Excel Basics class (or familiarity with those programs) is strongly urged. Please note earlier start and the longer class time.

Internet Basics
Tuesday, October 27 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 10/13
An introduction to the Internet, focusing on the World Wide Web, using Internet Explorer. Provides an overview of how the Internet is structured and introduces searching on the World Wide Web. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse will be helpful.

Jennifer Vido Interviews Author Cathy Marie Buchanan

2009-09-14T15:18:00.002-04:00

Photo by Nigel Dickson

Jen’s Jewels
September 15, 2009

Cathy Marie Buchanan

If you’ve never taken the family on a trip to Niagara Falls, you’re really missing out. The sights and sounds of the roaring water majestically flowing over the falls are like none other. Not to mention, crossing over the Canadian Border is an adventure all in itself. We tend to forget about this natural wonder which lies well within our reach.

This month’s Jen’s Jewels Cathy Marie Buchanan takes us back to 1915 in her beautifully written debut novel THE DAY THE FALLS STOOD STILL. With the Niagara Falls as her backdrop, she creates the perfect love story filled with tragedy, redemption, and pure delight.

As part of this interview, Hyperion Books has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question after the interview. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: As a Canadian, your life experiences attribute greatly to the unique voice in your writing. So that my readers may have a better understanding of the woman behind the words, please share with us your educational and professional background prior to becoming a novelist.
Cathy: I spent my teenage years disgracing myself in English, often getting upwards of 20 percent deducted for spelling mistakes on high school English exams. When it came time to head off to university, I picked my courses using the criteria that I wouldn’t have to write−that is spell−a single thing. I ended up at University of Western Ontario and graduated with a BSC in biochemistry and then an MBA. I spent the bulk of my non-writing work life at IBM at first in finance and then in sales, selling to the banks. By then spell-check had been invented, and I started noticing that I could write pretty well. On a whim, really, I took a night school creative writing course at Ryerson University, and I was hooked.

Jen: Describe for us the defining moment when you finally decided to take a leap of faith and follow your dream of becoming a writer.
Cathy: With my husband, Larry, and me both from families of seven, the original plan was to have a brood of five. By the time we got around to talking about a fourth child, I’d kept up the regime of demanding full time work by day and a bit of crammed in writing in the evenings for four years. And I was still astonished on a daily basis by the wildness, loudness, and messiness of the three boys we already had. That conversation went something like this:
Me: “I’ll go insane.”
Larry: “Quit your job. Slow down. Write.”
Me: “Really.”
Larry: “Yes.”
I quit my job, and I’ve have been writing five days a week when my boys are at school ever since.

Jen: In your debut novel entitled THE DAY THE FALLS STOOD STILL, you chose to base your fictional story on a true historical event. How did you arrive at the premise?
Cathy: When I set out to write my first novel, setting is where I started. Not character. Not plot. I do think starting with setting was the result of me being born and bred in Niagara Falls with its staggering beauty and storied past. To begin, I turned to books surveying Niagara’s history. What I was seeking, as I read, was the time period and narrative that best showcased Niagara’s wondrous and quirky history. The story of William “Red” Hill, Niagara’s most famous riverman, came up time and again. I’d grown up seeing the rusted-out hull of the old barge that’s still lodged in the rapids a short ways back from the falls and knew he rescued the men marooned there in 1918. I’d been told stories about the ice bridge tragedy that took place in the winter of 1912 when people were crossing the river and the ice suddenly gave away, and I knew Red Hill saved a teenage boy that day. As I read, those bits of lore ignited, and I became more and more certain my main male character would be loosely based on Red Hill. He lived at a time when massive amounts of water were first being diverted away from Niagara Falls to fuel the powerhouses generating hydroelectricity on the river. I could see the potential for conflict between a riverman, deeply reverent of the river, and the power companies harnessing the river’s power.

Jen: In terms of historical information, approximately how much research was needed in order to create an accurate backdrop for your novel? And, what was the most fascinating tidbit you learned along the way?
Cathy: Before I put pen to paper, I spent four months researching The Day the Falls Stood Still, a wonderful experience for me, and then throughout the writing and the rewriting, I was continually turning back to the history books. I was fascinated, daily, but doubly so by the story of Charles Stephens, who went over the falls in a barrel with an anvil as ballast in 1920. To minimize the thrashing he would surely take inside the barrel, he tied his feet to the anvil and strapped his arms to the sides of the barrel. After his disastrous plunge, only his severed arm was recovered, tattooed with the words “Forget me not, Annie.” I couldn’t resist including this bit of lore in The Day the Falls Stood Still.

Jen: I was truly fascinated by the original photos used throughout the novel. Why did you choose to incorporate them into the book? And, which one is your favorite and why?
Cathy: While I was researching, I kept coming across extraordinary pictures. I sent a handful to my agent, thinking she would get a kick out of them. When she sent the manuscript out, looking for a publisher, she had the foresight to include the pictures. It was a great pleasure for me to learn that the publishers, who bought the manuscript, wanted to include the pictures in the book.

Jen: The main character in the novel is Bess Heath, a student at the Loretto Academy for girls. What can you tell us about this school? Is it still in existence today?
Cathy: Archbishop John Lynch deeded the Loretto Sisters six acres of land overlooking Niagara Falls for a new convent and school. As a boy, he had seen a picture of the falls and thought it would make an idyllic place to adore the Creator of heaven and earth. His notion of the mist rising above the plunge pool shepherding prayers along resulted in the traditional perpetual adoration. Always, a sister or one of the girls was in the academy chapel, folded hands tucked beneath her chin, offering up a continual stream of prayer. The north wing was built in 1870, with additions made in 1890, 1925, and 1926. In 1938, a fire destroyed the cupola and fourth floor. The academy flourished for over a century with students coming from all over the world. In 1969 the boarding school closed but the day school continued, becoming a coed school in 1975 and most recently, a retreat centre for youths and adults. In 2006 it was sold to a Niagara hotelier. In 2009, the Niagara Falls City Council voted in favour of an amendment to the city’s official plan, a first step in permitting the construction of three high-rises flanking the academy.

Jen: Let’s talk about Bess. From the get-go, the reader quickly learns that she is a strong young woman overshadowed by her beautiful, older sister Isabel. How does their relationship affect Bess’s view of her own self-esteem?
Cathy: At one point in the story, we hear from Bess, who has just watched Isabel brazenly flirt with a boy.

“I envy Isabel. I envy her nerve, her get-up-and-go, her readiness to shape her world.
I only watch for Tom. For over a week. From the veranda, from the yard, from the window of the sewing room.”

Bess longs to be more like Isabel and is critical of her own lack of pluck. Later in the story, Bess’s best friend tells her she is getting more and more like Isabel and it’s true. Bess does develop a resolve in keeping with Isabel’s.

Jen: On her way home from school, Bess meets Tom Cole, a simple river man as well as her future love interest. Despite being from different social classes, Bess senses a strong, physical connection with this young man. In what way is Bess’s choice to openly defy her parents by pursuing a relationship with him a cry for independence? In what way is she is striking back at her sister as well?
Cathy: Until the summer of 1915, Bess had lived a sheltered life, mostly between the walls of a prestigious convent school. That summer, her world turned on its ear, she grows up more quickly than she would like. I see the independence that gave her the courage to defy her parents as being born of necessity rather than rebellion. In a way that she had never before experienced, she was suddenly making all sorts of decisions for herself. Was she striking back at her sister? I don’t think so. By the time Bess turns to Tom, she has seen her sister’s good match fail and knew all too well the wreck her life had become. I do think those experiences would have added to the courage that choosing Tom demanded of Bess.

Jen: In order to make ends meet, Bess’s mother becomes a seamstress and shortly after, so does Bess. How does their sewing business become a source of comfort for these two women in times of trouble?
Cathy: On the surface, the sewing business allows Bess and her mother to make money and keep their families afloat, which would surely be comforting. I think the sewing would have brought them serenity in their newly out-of-kilter world on another level, too. Contributing to the putting right of a situation, even in some small way, can brings us a measure of comfort, particularly in situations we have little power over. I think it’s partly why we recycle and bring meals to friends who are suffering.

Jen: One could say that the river (or falls) is truly the main character in this book. Tom Cole has lived his life as one with nature. In what ways does the water’s ebb and flow accurately portray the misfortunes in his life as well as the tranquility in his relationship with Bess?
Cathy: The river is turbulent and unpredictable, and I suppose the same could be said of the misfortunes in Tom’s life. At one point in the book, he describes the river as “something that would cause a man walking by to stop, and maybe fill with wonder for a bit and be lifted up from the drudgery of his day.” The river and his reverence for it are the constants in his life. The ease and comfort he experiences on the river does mirror his relationship with Bess.

Jen: Politics play a huge role in the future of the falls as Tom and Bess quickly come to learn. How does Bess’s decision not to tell Tom her involvement in the process test the strength of their marriage? At what point does she realize that her husband’s happiness is worth more than his monetary gains?
Cathy: Tom could have interpreted Bess going behind his back as a betrayal, but, because of the trust in the marriage, he is able to accept her actions as a heartfelt effort to put his life back in order. A few days before Bess goes public with the information about the havoc the power companies are wreaking on the river, Bess’s best friend confirms that the power company had been concerned with Tom keeping his mouth shut about their negligence in the scow becoming marooned. Bess chides herself for not piecing together the facts about the severity of Isabel’s situation and intervening. She draws a parallel between her culpability in that situation and the one at hand, and resolves to take action.

Jen: There is so much we can’t talk about without giving the plot away, but I do have to briefly touch upon the ending. It’s not what I expected. (Bravo!) Was the ending firmly planted in your mind from the novel’s conception or did it slowly evolve along the way?
Cathy: The ending evolved as I wrote. Initially I thought the story would more closely parallel that of Red Hill and his family. In additional being a hero, Red Hill was a daredevil, a trait handed down to his sons. He shot the Whirlpool Rapids in a barrel as did two of his sons, Red Junior and Major. Both attempted “the big drop” as well. Major’s trip was cut short when his barrel was tossed ashore in the rapids above the falls. Red Junior was not so lucky. In 1951 he plunged to his death in a barrel constructed of inflated rubber tubes, canvas and fish nets. Corky, another of the Hill brothers, died in an accident while working in a hydro-electric diversion tunnel. Once I made the decision not to incorporate the daredevil side of Red Hill into Tom Cole, the story I was telling changed dramatically.

Jen: Let’s switch gears and talk about your promotional plans. Do you have a website? E-mail notification of upcoming appearances? Will a reading group guide be available for book clubs? Will you be participating in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one?
Cathy: My website is http://cathymariebuchanan.com. It’s a robust website with lots of features that will give readers insight into The Day the Falls Stood Still. For instance there is an interactive map with landmarks from the book that users can click on to read a relevant excerpt or history or see historical pictures. Upcoming events are listed through fall 2009. As for a reading group guide, a Q&A with me appears and a list of discussion questions. I am also offering author phone chats for book clubs and can be contacted on Facebook and twitter http://twitter.com/CathyMBuchanan.

Jen: Are you currently at work on your next novel? If so, what can you tell us about it?
Cathy: I am working on another historical fiction novel. This time it is set in and around the Paris Opera in 1880.

Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with my readers. Your debut novel is like a breath of fresh air. Not only is it a good old-fashioned love story, but also it takes the reader back in time to an era filled with hope and love. I wish you only the best!
Cathy: My pleasure, Jen. And thank you to all Jen’s Jewels readers for their interest.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Cathy. Please stop by your local library branch or favorite book store and pick up a copy today! Better yet, how would you like to win one? Just be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com and you‘ll win! Good luck!

What is the name of the lead character in THE DAY THE FALLS STOOD STILL?

In October, I will be bringing to you my interview with Julie Buxbaum, the author of the sensational story AFTER YOU. You won’t want to miss it.

Until next time…Jen
Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

West Ashley Branch Closed September 14-20 for Repairs

2009-09-11T10:50:00.005-04:00

Charleston County Public Library's West Ashley Branch in South Windermere will be closed next week so the branch's heating and air conditioning system can be replaced. The branch will be closed Monday, September 14 and reopen at 10 a.m. Monday, September 21. To help accommodate patrons, an additional book drop will be added in front of the library and late fees for overdue items at this branch will be waived for the days closed. Patrons receiving notification of an item on hold during this time will have until September 26 for pick up. We apologize for any inconvenience and welcome West Ashley residents to visit our branch or other nearby branches of the Charleston County Public Library system:

St. Andrews Regional, 1735 North Woodmere, Charleston 843-766-2546
James Island Branch, 1248 Camp Road, James Island 843-795-6679
Main Library, 68 Calhoun Street, Charleston 843-805-6930
For questions or more information, call 843-805-6930.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

2009-09-08T12:16:00.005-04:00

Don't have a Charleston County Public Library card? Lost your library card? Now is the time to join the two-thirds of Americans who already have library cards. With your CCPL library card, you'll have access to more that just books...DVDs, audiobooks, electronic databases, and more! Click here to learn all about CCPL's Library Card Sign-Up Month!

We're Unplugged!

2009-09-05T16:29:00.004-04:00

The John's Island Regional Library is the latest branch in the Charleston County Public Library system to add free wireless access for our patrons! Other CCPL branches with free wireless access include the Main Library, St. Andrews Regional Library, Mt. Pleasant Regional Library, Otranto Road Regional Library, and Dorchester Road Regional Library. For the phone number, address, and hours of operation of any of our branches, please click here.

Jennifer Vido Interviews Author Kaylie Jones

2009-09-01T18:29:00.004-04:00

Photo by Scott Christian Anderson

Jen’s Jewels
September 1, 2009

Kaylie Jones

Alcoholism is a disease that affects people from all walks of life. It’s hard not to turn on the television these days without hearing about some celebrity on his or her way to rehab. Even the radio plays its fair share of songs lamenting the hardship of this addictive drug.
This month’s Jen’s Jewels knows firsthand how destructive alcohol can be. Kaylie Jones is no stranger to the publishing business having lived a life surrounded by many literary giants including her own father, James Jones. In her latest release, LIES MY MOTHER NEVER TOLD ME, she beautifully puts into words her own family’s struggle with alcohol and shares the hard life lessons she’s learned along the way.

As part of this interview, William Morrow has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: As the daughter of the award-winning novelist James Jones, you lived a privileged life surrounded by numerous literary giants such as Truman Capote and Irwin Shaw. In your latest release, LIES MY MOTHER NEVER TOLD ME, you take on your biggest challenge to date…your relationship with your mother, in an unforgettable memoir filled with brutal honesty and raw emotion. First, let’s talk about your childhood. As an American living in Paris, what aspects of the French culture most positively affected your family life?

Kaylie: I loved being bilingual. I loved French culture and manners. I felt very much at home in France and still do. The one aspect of French life that I didn’t love was school! I didn’t do well with the kind of authoritative nastiness the teachers dished out on small children.

Jen: At the beginning of the book, you address the adoption of your brother Jamie in great detail. Looking back, what impact did it have on your relationship with your mother? Throughout your childhood, did you embrace his presence or were there feelings of resentment?
Kaylie: Jamie and I argued a lot as kids. My mother always took his side. But I understand why she did. She felt he was much more vulnerable than I. There wasn’t much of my mother to share in the first place, and now there were two of us. Yes, we fought a lot. But we grew up, and now we don’t fight at all.

Jen: And, what is your relationship like today?

Kaylie: Jamie is one of the best people I know. I trust him completely and believe he will always have my back, as I’ll have his. He is intelligent, sensitive, loyal, and decent. All the things I love in human beings.

Jen: Your exposure to alcohol at a young age led to your own struggles with alcoholism later in life. As a child, how did you feel about your parents’ drinking? Was it acceptable behavior in your eyes?

Kaylie: To me, their drinking seemed perfectly normal. I thought everyone in the world drank that way, and that it was part of life. “I’m so hung over” was a sentence that I thought everyone said, and that it was very amusing.

Jen: How did the loss of your father when you were sixteen years old change your relationship with your mother?

Kaylie: My father’s death certainly didn’t help my relationship with my mother. She completely collapsed. If she was unavailable before, now she was completely shut down. It took her years to pull herself out of that depression, and I don’t believe she ever fully recovered. My relationship with my brother, however, improved a great deal. We began to talk. We began to rely on each other for advice and help. He was a pillar against which I leaned and still lean.

Jen: On his deathbed, your father asked you, not Jamie, to promise to stop your mother from drinking. Why do you think he chose to rest the burden upon your shoulders and not his?

Kaylie: Our father put a different burden on Jamie. He told Jamie, “Take care of the house. If you take care of the house, everything else will be all right.” That 16 year old boy broke his back trying to keep the house together. He thought it was his mission in life. Letting go of his responsibility toward the house was the hardest thing he probably ever had to do.

Jen: Soon after his demise, your mother’s reckless behavior quickly encroached upon your world as she drew you into her life of drunkenness. For many years, it was the norm for you. At what point did you realize that your life was spinning out of control?

Kaylie: When I was diagnosed as having an ulcer at the age of 28. That was the beginning of the end for me. But it took me another three years and a disastrous marriage to realize I was an alcoholic and that I was in serious trouble.

Jen: Facing sobriety took a toll on many of your relationships including the one with your mother. Throughout your memoir, you address your feelings of guilt of not being able to help her battle her own demons. How have you turned this experience into a positive learning tool for your daughter, Eyrna?

Kaylie: I never hid from Eyrna that I was an alcoholic who no longer drank. She has known that since she was able to talk and understand. I never hid it and I never acted as if it were a bad thing, or a secret. This enabled her to have no feelings of guilt or shame associated with the word “alcoholic.” I am probably more proud of this than any other single element of her upbringing.

Jen: I have to admit, I was so happy for you when I read about your marriage to Kevin. You portray him as being your Rock of Gibraltar which you so needed in your life at the time. Describe for us his relationship with your mother. In what ways, if at all, was he able to bridge the gap for you two?

Kaylie: My mother was so angry at Kevin that she actually said, in front of Eyrna when she was around five years old, “If he were my husband, I’d kill him.” Eyrna repeated this to me, worried that her grandmother was actually going to try to kill her father. My mother had no understanding at all of the effect her words might have on a child. The reason my mother did not like Kevin was that he stood up to her. Never once did he let her get away with pushing him around, or me, or Eyrna.

Jen: Let’s talk a minute about Mr. Bill, your Taekwondo instructor as well as mentor. He, too, played a key role in your battle to take control of your life. What was the greatest lesson he taught you? In the book, you mention his illness. Is he still alive?

Kaylie: Mr. Bill is very ill and is not able to do much. I go visit him and call him as often as possible. He is one of the strongest men I’ve ever known. He is so brave in the face of this devastating cancer. What he taught me is that you show up, no matter what. He taught me self-discipline, but also to stop thinking so much, and judging myself so harshly. He always said, “You can’t fight angry. You have to fight calm and clear-headed.”

Jen: Of course, we can’t talk about the ending of the book without giving too much away; however, how did the volatility of your relationship with your mother open your eyes to the fragility of human life?

Kaylie: I think rather the contrary. Our relationship taught me about the strength of human life, and what humans are capable of, both in the good sense and in the bad. When I wanted to shrink into bed and never come out again, I got dressed and took my daughter to school. I made dinner. I went to tae kwon do. I learned that one goes on, no matter what.

Jen: Which character traits did you inherit from each of your parents of which you are most proud?

Kaylie: They were both very stubborn. They were both more angry than afraid. I think these traits have helped me to survive and be single-minded in my pursuits.

Jen: Upon completion of this memoir, what valuable life lessons did you take away from the whole experience of putting your life into words?

Kaylie: I really felt, after this whole experience with my mother, that nothing much worse in terms of humiliation and horror could happen to me. So I decided that I would not feel ashamed or guilty ever again, for things that “happen” to me, or, things that I might have done in the past that I used to feel ashamed about.

Jen: Finally, let’s talk about the title, LIES MY MOTHER NEVER TOLD ME. Please explain to us its significance.

Kaylie: I was raised with the belief that my mother was the most honest person in the world. I was told this repeatedly by both my parents. It’s a simple mathematical proof: if my mother was the most honest person in the world, and she believed she was not an alcoholic, then the problem must have been within me. My mother never told lies; therefore, she never told me lies. These are the lies she never told me. When I discovered that we were all alcoholics, the entire foundation upon which we stood was shattered.

Jen: Are you currently at work on your next project? And if so, what can you tell us about it?

Kaylie: I am thinking about, and taking notes for, two projects, one a novel with an unreliable first person narrator who lies to the reader all the time; the other is a memoir about my teaching experience, and how that shaped my life. I wasn’t able to put much of that in this book. It is a completely different, yet just as important subject for me.

Jen: Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by and chat with my readers. Your life story is a true testament to the strong woman you have become. I so appreciate you sharing it with my readers.

Kaylie: Thank you for your thoughtful and heartfelt questions.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Kaylie. If you would like to learn more about LIES MY MOTHER NEVER TOLD ME, please click on this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCZ7lx9W-LI

Okay, it’s time for the trivia contest! Be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following trivia question and you’ll win your very own copy of LIES MY MOTHER NEVER TOLD ME.

What is the name of Kaylie’s Taekwondo instructor?

Later this month, I will be bringing to you my interview with Cathy Marie Buchanan, author of the phenomenal love story THE DAY THE FALLS STOOD STILL. You won’t want to miss it!

Until next time…Jen

Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Author Kris Radish's Interview with Jennifer Vido

2009-08-14T16:11:00.003-04:00

Jen’s Jewels
August 15, 2009

Kris Radish

Family reunions can be exciting, stressful, and perhaps even life-changing depending on the individual dynamics of your family. From the initial planning stages to the execution of the big day, many factors contribute to its success. Needless to say, some people wind up doing more than others, but the end result is almost always worth the effort.

This month’s Jen’s Jewels Kris Radish had her fair share of experience orchestrating her own family reunions. You may recognize her name as the author of the bestselling books THE SUNDAY LIST OF DREAMS or SEARCHING FOR PARADISE IN PARKER, PA, both fabulous reads. In her latest release THE SHORTEST DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO WOMEN, she creates the ultimate family reunion while incorporating the struggles of a woman in search of herself. Laugh out-loud funny, her new book is sure to be winner.

As part of this interview, Bantam Dell has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. And, please stop by my website, www.jennifervido.com, where you can find all of my interviews, reviews, and so much more. Thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: As an author of six best-selling books in addition to being a journalist, your career has run the gamut. For those readers unfamiliar with your work, let’s start at the beginning. Please describe for us your educational and professional background prior to becoming a novelist.
Kris: I have a degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin and I am not sure we have enough time to discuss every job I have ever had! I was a working journalist for thirty-five years-that sounds old- and have written about everything from natural disasters and murders to bake sales and city council meetings. And oh yes, I loved every minute of it. I was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, flew to Bosnia when the war started, had a stalker for almost a year, was a nationally syndicated columnist, a professional Girl Scout, worm harvester, bartender, lifeguard, return specialist at a major warehouse….well, really – Kris has been around the block baby.

Jen: Becoming a successful author requires talent as well as support from loved ones. You’ve said on your website that your parents believed in you. Ultimately, their encouragement led to the pursuit of your dream of becoming an author. How did their nod of approval attribute to your decision to write books based upon empowered women such as yourself?
Kris: I was raised to believe in dreams and that even if we didn’t have money – we could take on the world. My parents laughed a lot when I talked about my dreams – laughed in a way that was half-holy cow she is going to do this and half-what have we created. They never tried to stop me and even when I took off for parts unknown – they never said, “No.”.

Jen: Your latest endeavor, THE SHORTEST DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO WOMEN, incorporates the best and the worst when it comes to family. Funny yet at times poignant, I was so impressed with your ability to reach within the depths of your characters’ souls. Truly, I felt as if these women were a part of my life. (I was secretly wishing I could become a Gilford!) How did you arrive at the premise?
Kris: I usually start out by looking into the mirror and dissecting my own life. Family is all over the place. I have three siblings and I have some friends who told me a story about their holiday conflicts. These are grown women! One holiday is here – one is there and I said to them, “When can you start your own traditions”? They looked at me as if I had just stripped naked. Thus – a book was born.

Jen: The story focuses on Emma Gilford, the only unmarried daughter in the family, who struggles with the idea of self-fulfillment. Concerned with her sisters, mother, and past romances, she always puts her own needs last. In what ways has her birth order affected this decision? Of her three sisters, Erika, Joy, and Debra, who depends on her the most and why?
Kris: Well, here is Emma who is unmarried. That means, to the married sisters, that she has tons of free time to be their unpaid helper. Really, all three sisters depend on her. They take her for granted also because she lets them. In families it is VERY hard to draw lines and isn’t it the “girls” who usually take up the slack? She’s also the baby and I‘m not sure you ever get over that. At some point the baby and the baby’s siblings have to stop and address each other as adults…most of the time.

Jen: The most colorful character in the story is Emma’s mother, Marty. A flamboyant widow who is in search of the next phase in her life, she has a take-no-prisoners attitude when it comes to dealing with her children and even the neighbors. How does her metamorphosis affect Emma’s own view of herself? In what ways is she envious and perhaps a bit jealous of her mother’s new-found freedom?
Kris: Don’t you just love Marty? I want to be just like her when I am a grandma….not for years I hope. (Hear that kids?) Marty’s transformation was a long time coming and startles the living hell out of Emma. It gives her one more reason to examine her life and get a grip. And doesn’t change always prod us? Doesn’t it make us look at our own self and life? It’s just one more gift that Marty gives, not just to Emma, but to all of her daughters. “Listen to me – it is never too late.”

Jen: It could be said the Gilford Family Reunion is the main character in this book. I would have to assume that your knowledge of the topic comes from personal experience. Is that true? And if so, are you the queen of the Radish Family Reunion? Are your get-togethers similar to that described in the book?
Kris: You caught me! Radish Family Reunions have been a part of my life for 55 years. And yes, there is an auction. I am far from the queen and actually have been unable to attend for the past several years but the reunions are a very important part of my life and memory and I was just back home in Wisconsin and will be posting some REALLY old reunion photos on my website, www.krisradish.com, very soon! Prepare to laugh.

Jen: Emma’s love interest is what I would call a forbidden fruit. A sister’s ex-boyfriend! How could that be? How does Sam’s “appearance” affect Emma’s view of her relationship with her family? Despite obvious reasons, why has she chosen to keep it a secret?
Kris: You know when you are ready to change it is almost like a chain reaction and finally there is just one last thing that pushes you forward. For Emma it was the phone calls from her lost love. The calls pushed her right over the edge and forced her to face her choices. She was afraid to live and afraid to be judged and afraid of living…so she was existing like so many of us. And the secret was the one thing she had that no one else in her family had.

Jen: Emma’s saving grace, if you will, is her garden. Her nurturing of Mother Earth brings forth a certain tranquility that she lacks in her personal life. In what ways do the plants cultivate her gentle, loving spirit?
Kris: Emma is never judged in her garden. No one expects anything but water and maybe a little plant food. And her gardens are hers and hers only…sacred ground, her haven, the one place where she can be herself and not rise to what she perceives are so many expectations. It is also a beautiful place to be. It’s very hard to be anything but loving and kind and true when a daisy is walking itself across your forehead.

Jen: Emma’s bond with her niece Stephie fills an obvious void in both of their lives. How does it positively affect Emma’s troubled relationship with her sister Joy?
Kris: Joy’s cup runneth over. She knows she’s in trouble and once she finally can let go, which is a pretty huge thing to do, she realizes what a gift Emma is and has been for her and her daughter. Who does not need a cool auntie? I had one and my Auntie Barbara was a live and wonderful force in my life.

Jen: Of all the sisters, Emma has the closest relationship with their mother Marty. What makes these two kindred spirits?
Kris: When Marty’s husband and Emma’s father died both of them filled their life’s void with each other. Emma was the baby and think of it as a wild storm where they could both cling to each other. They are both also caretakers and have hearts that were spun from the same fabric. It’s so hard to know when to let go and when to hold on. I’m a mother and believe me – I know. Well, most of the time I know – the rest I am clueless and groping in the dark!

Jen: A common thread throughout the story is the undeniable need for each woman to love and be loved. What important life lesson will Emma have to learn in order to achieve true happiness?
Kris: Emma, like all of us, needs to conquer her fear and to simply let go. Sometimes the fear of change can cripple us. It seems as if staying where we are is the best because it’s comfortable but if we take a really close look we will see that our socks no longer fit, the shoes are too small, and we have outgrown our own lives. It is time to move on.

Jen: The beauty pageant was an unexpected twist to the plot. Why did you choose to incorporate it into the story?
Kris: I loved this part of the book! It came as a surprise to me – believe me. I love addressing the idea of beauty and expectations and I love breaking down stereotypes. Stephie is standing on the edge of her future as well and this was a step out of her box, a way for her to move forward in her life in spite of all the chaos in her own life. Besides that it is funny as hell! I so wanted to be on that bus and could see the other people in the audience looking at all of them. Sometimes you just really need to be yourself – well, you always need to be yourself, you know?

Jen: Will there be a sequel? (I hope so!)I felt as if some questions were left unanswered. Was this on purpose?
Kris: Oh sure! Some days, when I am drinking wine (mostly every day by the way); I think how cool it would be to put all of the characters from my novels into one book. Can you just see it? Then we could turn it into a musical. I’m going to start it right now…!

Jen: Let’s talk about your website. (I just love the term Radishland! It made me chuckle!) Do you have a mailing list? E-mail notification of upcoming releases? Do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one? Do you blog?
Kris: The only I do not do on my website is give away free beer….my readers have to come to an event for that. I blog a lot and I love it. I do tons of book club chats and there is a link on my website for that and I LOVE to do them – it’s like having a Radish in your living room. I do giveaways and I have a cool section for readers to send in their own stuff and I give away a prize. I also answer all my own emails and I do have a very cool newsletter…! Come take a peek.

Jen: Are you currently at work on your next novel? If so, what can you tell us about it?
Kris: Of course I am …not write? I would die. My next novel Hearts on a String will REALLY surprise my readers. Hang on is what I have to say. I am stretching myself with each novel and this one makes me REALLY tall.

Jen: Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and chat with my readers. I look forward to seeing THE SHORTEST DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO WOMEN at the top of the bestseller’s list. Best of luck!
Kris: Jen…you are aces, baby! Thank you for this opportunity and for allowing me into your world. Keep the door open…please!

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Kris. Please stop by your local library or favorite bookstore like Indigo Books on John's Island in South Carolina today and pick up a copy! Better yet, how would you like to win one instead? Okay, be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the answer to the following trivia question and THE SHORTEST DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO WOMEN is yours!
What is the nickname of Kris Radish’s website?
In September, I will be bringing to you my interview with Kaylie Jones, daughter of prize winning novelist James Jones. You won’t want to miss it.
Until next time…Jen

Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Computer Classes Resume on Monday Nights in September!

2009-08-05T16:45:00.003-04:00

Back by popular demand, we will be offering computer classes on Monday nights during September along with our regularly scheduled Tuesday morning offerings. As always, our computer classes are free and are designed for adults and young adults. For more information please call 559-1945 and ask for the Reference Department. Class space is available for 8 participants per session.

Word Basics
Tuesday, September 1 from 10:00 a.m.–12 Noon
Registration starts 8/18
Introduction to the basic tools of Microsoft Word. Learn how to enter and format text, change margins and line spacing, and copy and paste text. Saving and printing tips will also be discussed. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse will be helpful.

Excel Basics
Tuesday, September 8 from 10:00 a.m.–12 Noon
Registration starts 8/25
An introduction to spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. This session provides a basic overview and common uses for spreadsheets. Learn basic Excel functions and build a simple budget spreadsheet. Prerequisite: Word Basics or some experience using MS Word will be helpful.

Computer Basics
Monday, September 14 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Registration starts 8/31
This class provides a basic introduction to the personal computer and its parts. Learn how to use the mouse and navigate the computer screen. There is time for hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.

Mail Merge Magic
Tuesday, September 15 from 10:00 a.m.–12 Noon
Registration starts 9/1
Follow-up to Word Basics and Excel Basics. Create an address mailing list in Excel and a form letter in Word. Learn how to merge the two together. This is a great project to get ready for holiday mailings! Learn how to create mailing labels, print envelopes or multiple copies of letters. Prerequisite: Word Basics and Excel Basics or some experience with MS Word and MS Excel will be helpful.

Keyboard Basics
Monday, September 21 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Registration starts 9/5
Basic orientation to using the computer keyboard. Learn to be a more efficient keyboarder. General instruction and hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.

PowerPoint Basics
Tuesday, September 22 from 10:00 a.m.–12 Noon
Registration starts 9/8
Overview of Microsoft PowerPoint, a software program for designing creative presentations and slideshows. Create a simple presentation and learn how to use this program to produce effective printed materials. Prerequisite: Word Basics or some experience using MS Word will be helpful.

Internet Basics
Monday, September 28 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Registration starts 9/14
An introduction to the Internet, focusing on the World Wide Web, using Internet Explorer. Provides an overview of how the Internet is structured and introduces searching on the World Wide Web. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse will be helpful.

Publisher: Create a Calendar for the School Year
Tuesday, September 29 from 10:00 a.m –12 Noon
Registration starts 9/15
Create a calendar for the new school year! Learn the basics of this desktop publishing program. MS Publisher is designed for creating greeting cards, flyers, signs, brochures, calendars, and much more. Prerequisite: Word Basics or some experience using MS Word will be helpful.

Jennifer Vido Interviews Author Awista Ayub

2009-08-05T14:30:00.004-04:00

(Photo by Scott Duncan)

Jen’s Jewels
August 1, 2009

Awista Ayub

This time last month, we all were celebrating our country’s birthday. It’s amazing how far we have come. From the Civil War to civil rights, we have made great strides in history. Nowadays, our freedom seems to have become commonplace. Quite frankly, it’s something we expect and rightfully so. Our forefathers fought long and hard to make our nation what it is today. Yet many countries around the globe do not have such liberties. It’s hard for us to imagine what life for them is like.
This month’s Jen’s Jewels has experienced life in both circumstances. Awista Ayub fled her homeland of Afghanistan as a child only to return as an Afghan-American adult. In her inspirational book HOWEVER TALL THE MOUNTAIN, she shares her story of how the game of soccer changed her life and the lives of Afghan girls forever.
As part of this interview, Hyperion Books has generously donated five books for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. Also, please stop by my website, http://www.jennifervido.com/, where you can find all of my past interviews, reviews, and so much more. Thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: As an Afghanistan- American, your cultural heritage played an instrumental role as the inspiration for your book, HOWEVER TALL THE MOUNTAIN. Let’s start by taking a step back, and talk about your journey to America. Please describe for us the circumstances that led to your fleeing of Afghanistan back in 1981. Was anyone in your immediate family left behind?
Awista:
When leaving Afghanistan in 1981 I was only two years old, so I have no memory of the journey itself, but the circumstances surrounding our exit from Afghanistan were tied directly to the war taking place in the country. In 1978 Russian forces entered Afghanistan and, as a result, life changed for many families including my own. My parents never thought of leaving their homeland until 1981 but staying for them, they felt, was also no longer an option as was the sentiment for the millions of other Afghan refugees that fled the country since the late 1970s.

Certainly my family was fortunate enough to be in a position to leave – but this was not an option for all Afghans. Some of our immediate family was left behind either because they chose to stay or they were unable to leave. For those families that remained in Afghanistan, they thought it best to weather out the storm thinking it might only last for a short period of time. There was still so much uncertainty in regards to where the country was going, and I’m sure, no one could have predicted that 30 years later the country would still be in a tumultuous position. For those Afghans that did decide to stay after the initial Russian invasion, I think that they thought the war and violence would only last a short period of time, and that the country might still have a chance to return to normalcy. My parents did have that same hope, but what was a temporary move to the States had eventually become a permanent one, as their home country was still not stable enough to return to.

Jen: In terms of your family life, what steps did your parents take in order to keep your country’s customs and beliefs a part of your daily life?
Awista:
Growing up with a hyphenated identity wasn’t always easy, but my parents always kept the culture strong at home, and from that, my siblings and I have kept the culture alive in our own lives. At home my parents would speak to my siblings and I in our native tongue, Pashto, they taught us the nuances of the culture, taught us how to read and write in Arabic so that we could read the Qur’an, and my mother taught my sister and me the hand embroidery that is endemic to the Kandari culture. I must say though that as a young girl, at times, I might not have always appreciated the extra efforts that my parents went through to ensure that the culture was alive in our home, but it is something that I am even more thankful and grateful for now.

Jen: Having arrived in the States at the age of two, I would think that you would have few, if any, memories of life from your homeland. Growing up, did you feel as if you belonged here, or was there always a sense that a part of yourself was missing?
Awista:
Growing up as a first generation immigrant certainly had its benefits and challenges. One benefit was that we always had unique stories from our parents’ lives to listen to, but a challenge was that we couldn’t experience it ourselves. There were many times as a young girl where I would feel a bit out of place – certainly having a unique name made me stand out, but even more than that, I did feel as though I couldn’t always identify with American culture. I remember my first trip to Afghanistan as an adult and finally feeling at “home” – I looked like everyone else, was able to speak Pashto every day. That sense of belonging was a new and welcoming feeling to me – which is not to say though that I don’t feel welcomed in the States, but to connect again with one’s native country is a unique and life-changing experience. Although I felt at “home” there, I still faced some difficulties in adjusting to life in Afghanistan having never experienced the culture as strongly as I did during my time there.

Jen: Since the passing of Title IX in 1972, the opportunity to play sports has greatly attributed to the overall development of young women. As a child in the early eighties, please tell us how your involvement in soccer began, and how it made a mark on your future.
Awista:
Interestingly enough, I wasn’t involved with organized athletics until later in life, and was never a soccer player. With being such a young immigrant family, the priority for my parents was to provide the essentials for the family, and so signing us up for a youth sports program wasn’t a top priority. My first real introduction to sports was through television – ESPN – and I remember watching SportsCenter weekday and weekend mornings. I would also watch tennis and ice hockey matches frequently on TV and always wanted to play – but didn’t have a chance to at the time. Once I began my freshman year in high school I decided that I would play tennis and joined the team that spring season. I immediately fell in love with playing and would spend hours on the court even after practice was over. There began my first introduction to organized sports. In the classroom and on the court, I felt, was where I was the most confident as a young girl. I continued to participate in sports from that point forward and I now recognize that this had an extremely positive impact on my own life. I learned key lessons in life from my experience playing sports – learned how to work towards a goal, understood the power of teamwork, gained strength in my own self-confidence, and learned how to handle losses with grace and tenacity. While these lessons can be learned outside of the sports arena, I do think that the platform of sports reinforces it more strongly.

Jen: How did your love for soccer transcend into a personal journey of hope for eight young girls? And, please describe the mission of the Afghan Youth Sports Exchange.
Awista: The Afghan Youth Sports Exchange (AYSE) is an organization I founded in late 2003 dedicated to equipping Afghanistan’s youth with the leadership skills required to promote athletics in their communities. Bringing a group of female soccer players to the States for training, I thought, would provide them an opportunity to experience another culture and gain leadership skills while also learning the fundamentals of the sport.

I chose soccer not because of my love for the sport per se, but because of my impression of the global nature of the sport itself. Also, soccer is easy, since all you really need to play is a ball. The goal was that the girls, upon their return to Afghanistan, would help teach soccer to other young children in Afghanistan. What I would come to understand later, though, was that by choosing soccer, a male-dominated sport in Afghanistan, the girls would be pushing the boundaries of the sports culture and would be thrust into a position that would challenge the gender barriers of the culture both on and off the field.

Jen: How did HOWEVER TALL THE MOUNTAIN come to fruition? I have to admit, I was quite touched by the title you chose for your book. As you shared with your readers, it comes from an Afghan proverb…However tall the mountain, there’s always a road. Without a doubt, it beautifully depicts your story.
Awista:
The title of the book, However Tall the Mountain, came to fruition as a result of poet/writer/editor Veronica Golos who worked with me on the book. Veronica stumbled upon the proverb while we were working on the book, and as we discussed title ideas she proposed However Tall the Mountain. The publisher and I felt that it was a very fitting title for the book as the book shares with the reader both stories of struggle, and also of courage and hope as these young Afghan girls overcome tremendous obstacles in their own pursuit in fighting for the right to play.

Jen: As I read the book, I couldn’t help but wonder… how you were able to convince these families (the men, of course, who are the heads of the households) to allow their daughters, not sons, to play soccer? Here you are, a foreigner, an American none-the-less, trying to break cultural restrictions enforced by the former Taliban. How did you do it? And at the time, did you fear your own safety?
Awista: A colleague on the ground in Kabul found the first group of girls that traveled to the States in 2004. Since girls weren’t playing soccer at the time that we were recruiting, the decision in choosing each girl was based on their own level of maturity in being able to handle a trip to the States. We also based it on their leadership potential as we hoped the girls would help teach peers the sport upon their return to Afghanistan.

Getting permission from the parents was not actually too difficult. I strongly believe that parents all over the world want to provide what is best for their children, regardless if it’s their daughters or sons and regardless of what country they live in. By the time of the program, Afghanistan had faced over 25 years of war and violence dating back to 1978. The girls were born into this world of brutality. When a chance came for them to participate in the exchange trip to the States, their parents were more than happy to allow their daughters to see the world beyond their troubled region.

Jen: Tacking onto that last question, what was the reaction from the families when you told them that the girls would be wearing uniforms and not traditional garb? Did the girls wear burqas while playing? Why or why not?
Awista:
When the girls were in the States in 2004, I gave them the option to choose what they were most comfortable wearing as it wouldn’t be my place to dictate to them what they should or shouldn’t wear. While they chose to cover their bodies with long and loose t-shirts, long and loose shorts and long socks, they didn’t wear a headscarf as they did back in Kabul – but this was their choice. None of the girls wore burqas while in Kabul at the time of the trip, so not wearing one while in the States was not an issue. In my trips to Kabul in working with the local girl’s sports teams I would also never interfere with what any girl would want to wear while playing sports. With that said though, the girls locally wear what they are most comfortable playing in – which doesn’t include shorts – there is variation in how they dress. All of the girls wear pants, and loose fitting t-shirts – oftentimes long-sleeve, many also cover their heads but while some wear the head scarf, others might wear a baseball cap, or cover their hair with a bandana. So they use their personal preference and judgment to decide what is best for them – as should be the case. The playing field is also a “safe space” in that there are no men around watching the girls play, so this provides them an environment where they can make these choices for themselves.

Jen: Throughout the book, when the girls are speaking, they end their phrase with “jan”. What does that mean? Is it a word of respect in the Afghan culture? Also, please describe in further detail the typical Afghan breakfast. The tidbits of Afghan cultural you shared with the reader were very interesting.
Awista:
The term “jan” in Afghan culture is a term of respect and endearment and translates to mean “dear”. So out of respect it is a phrase used frequently after someone’s name.

The typical Afghan breakfast is very tasty and savory. It oftentimes includes eggs which are cooked over sautéed tomatoes and onions, fresh homemade bread, and with warm milk, tea, or a tea with milk. My favorite is the tea with milk!

Jen: In what ways was the language barrier an issue for you in terms of implementing your program? How much English did the girls learn?
Awista:
The language barrier, particularly when the girls were in the States, was definitely a major obstacle to me personally. All of the girls spoke Dari, and I grew up speaking Pashto, and while some words are similar, the two languages are vastly different from one another. Although the language barrier didn’t hinder my ability to implement the program, it did make it difficult to pick up on the dynamics of the team and allow me to follow a conversation between them in real time. I oftentimes had to ask for a translation of the conversation from one of the girls who spoke Pashto. But while the language barrier might have left me out of the live conversation at times, it interestingly provided the girls an opportunity to handle their own issues and problems, and so when they returned back to Kabul they were used to each others’ personalities and how to handle their own issues without the interference of an adult. So I do feel that they returned as a stronger team and were capable of managing their own team issues. In regards to English, the girls picked up a few phrases and words, but because Dari was the common language among all of the girls they didn’t need to learn too much English – although some girls did understand and spoke basic English from learning the language in Afghanistan.

Jen: The impact of your program on the lives of these girls is immeasurable. Simply, their overall sense of self-worth is priceless. Let’s turn the tables. How have you grown as an individual from this experience?
Awista:
In many ways, my work with the program helped me find a part of myself – a part I didn’t know was missing at the time. While I always had dreams of returning to Afghanistan one day, the circumstance of where the country was throughout its tumultuous history caused me to let go of that dream over time. Now, having worked with the girls and traveled to Afghanistan I’ve gained an even deeper appreciation and respect for the culture, and also for those Afghans that have endured so much pain and suffering. I had no choice really but to change and grow on a personal level. And while I was always grateful for the courage and initiative it took for my parents to come to the States back in 1981, I’ve now come to appreciate it even more as I know that my life experience could have been drastically different from the life I live. So it has increased my own sense of responsibility and my own desire to help others as well, not only in Afghanistan but Muslim female athletes in other countries.

Jen: Will the girls have the opportunity to read this book? Why or why not?
Awista:
Yes, they will certainly receive copies of the book once it is published. Their stories are truly inspiring and for them to have some of their life stories written will be something that they can have for years to come.

Jen: Describe for us your vision for the Afghan Youth Sports Exchange’s future. Is there an opportunity for Americans to contribute their time, talent, and monetary support to this cause? If so, how would my readers be able to reach out to your organization?
Awista:
In regards to the Afghan Youth Sports Exchange (AYSE) and its future, our last in-country program took place during the summer of 2007 where we sent a delegation of Afghan-American coaches to Afghanistan to organize a number of sports clinics in Kabul. As security has increasingly become an issue, I couldn’t guarantee the safety of those coaches that traveled with the program to Kabul, and we have not sent a delegation of coaches since then. While my work, up to now, has focused solely on Afghanistan, I’ve also come to understand that more funding and support also needs to be provided for more Muslim women sports programs. With this in mind, I’ve partnered with the Dutch NGO Women Win in starting the “However Tall the Mountain Fund” in which funds will be used to support programs for Muslim women in sports. Readers can log onto my website at http://www.awistaayub.com/ to find out how they can help.

Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with my readers. HOWEVER TALL THE MOUNTAIN is a truly inspirational book. I wish you all the best with your program. Thanks for making the world a better place for all girls around the globe.
Awista:
Thank you. I enjoyed answering the questions and look forward to hearing the feedback from your readers.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Awista Ayub. Please stop by your favorite bookstore or local library branch and pick up a copy of HOWEVER TALL THE MOUNTAIN today.

Better yet, how would you like to win one? Okay, be one of the first five people to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following question.

From where does the title of Awista’s book originate?

Later this month, I will be bringing to you my interview with bestselling author Kris Radish. You won’t want to miss it.

Until next time…Jen

Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Recession Resources

2009-07-21T12:23:00.003-04:00

Need help with improving your job skills, finding a new career or job, resume and interview skills, money management, etc.? Visit the library's Recession Resources webpage and find helpful links for today's problems.

August Computer Classes

2009-07-14T15:58:00.002-04:00

All computer classes are free and are for adults. For more information please call 559-1945 and ask for the Reference Department. Class space is available for 8 participants per session.

Computer Basics
Tuesday, August 4 from 10:00 a.m.–12 Noon
Registration starts 7/21
This class provides a basic introduction to the personal computer and its parts. Learn how to use the mouse and navigate the computer screen. There is time for hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.

Keyboard Basics
Tuesday, August 11 from 10:00 a.m.–12 Noon
Registration starts 7/28
Basic orientation to using the computer keyboard. Learn to be a more efficient keyboarder. General instruction and hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.

Internet Basics
Tuesday, August 25 from 10:00 a.m.–12 Noon
Registration starts 8/4
An introduction to the Internet, focusing on the World Wide Web, using Internet Explorer. Provides an overview of how the Internet is structured and introduces searching on the World Wide Web. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse will be helpful.

Author Quinn Cummings Talks With Jennifer Vido

2009-07-14T15:44:00.004-04:00

Photo by D. DiPietro

Jen’s Jewels
July 15, 2009

Quinn Cummings

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like growing up as a famous child star? Take Miley Cyrus for instance. Thirty years from now, will she still be remembered as the hit singing sensation and television personality Hannah Montana? Or, will her greatest life achievement to date simply be the role of a loving mother to her precious children?
This month’s Jen’s Jewels has experienced that very dilemma. Quinn Cummings lit up the big screen as a child star and continues to do so today in the eyes of her daughter and loving husband. In her new book, NOTES FROM THE UNDERWIRE Adventures from My Awkward and Lovely Life, she tackles her toughest role yet as a mom, wife, and forty-something business woman. From camps to crafts, Quinn takes us on a hilarious journey as she chronicles the adventures of her everyday life.
As part of this interview, Hyperion Books has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. And, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: My readers recognize your name as being the famous childhood actor from the movie The Goodbye Girl as well as the television series Family. Since, then, you have taken on numerous roles in life as an agent, an inventor, and even a writer. First, let’s talk about your acting career. In what ways did your entry into the business at an early age influence your decision to make an exit? What was the best part of being a childhood star? The worst?
Quinn: I loved the bit between “Action” and “Cut.” I hated everything else. I didn’t like being a public figure when I just wanted to be a kid; I certainly didn’t like having to wait for someone else to give me a job doing what I loved to do. Sadly, statistically, the bit between “Action” and “Cut” was the smallest part of my life and it’s hard to keep loving something which shows up so rarely.

Jen: It came as no surprise to me (having read your book) that after the birth of your daughter Alice, you embarked on a new entrepreneurial adventure. (Your personal drive for success really shines through in your humorous anecdotes.) Please tell us about it.
Quinn: It began because I developed Carpal-Tunnel Syndrome when I was pregnant. It leaves the minute you give birth, but I ended up with some nerve-damage to my hands and wrist, which would be exacerbated by the exact bend in the wrist it took to hold my daughter on my hip. A friend of mine and I started creating a baby-carrier for older babies and toddlers which would displace the weight across your upper body and not just rely on your arm. It took us nine months to create it the perfect shape but it’s a whole new design. We have a patent and everything! You can find it at http://www.thehiphugger.com/; it’s not my first priority any more, but we’re still selling the ones we have made.

Jen: Not only did you start your own business, but in February of 2005 you began to put your writing talents to good use in The QC Report. For those readers unfamiliar with your blog, please share with us its conception, purpose, and significance in relation to modern life.
Quinn: The blog began because I was writing to multiple friends at once, filling them in on the details of my life and I noticed I was cutting-and-pasting freely. It was starting to feel as if I was re-gifting my emails. So as not to feel re-gifty, I decided to write a single blog, tell my friends about it and let them get caught up with us as they were inclined. Two months later, a friend suggested it to Newsweek "Blog of the Week" column and they included it. It was, and I hope continues to be, a fearless examination of how I’m an idiot. I’m loathing putting the word “Significance” to any writing exercise which has included me accidentally insulting a little person. Correction; repeatedly accidentally insulting a little person.

Jen: Your latest undertaking is a hilarious account of your life experiences in NOTES FROM THE UNDERWIRE Adventures from my Awkward and Lovely Life. What was the driving force behind your decision to put your life into words?
Quinn: First of all, thank you so much for your kind words. Why do I write? Because of this equation: PP+ 20m= PH(e)2.That is, any Private Pride I feel about my ability to run my life, take care of my child, attend to my business or behave in a way that could be described as competent will be followed, in less than twenty minutes, by a Public Humiliation that is equal to the Private Pride squared. If I So, Quinn logic concludes, if people are going to catch me being an idiot, I might as well tell the story before they do.

Jen: I just had to laugh when I read your story about the “good soap.” As moms, everything we have is common property. Being able to claim something as our own is unheard of! In your opinion, what makes mom’s stuff so attractive?
Quinn: Oh, I wish I knew. If we could discern that special mom-pheromone, scientists could create an anti-version which mothers could spray all over their clothing and their objects. In the meanwhile, my kid is in my party-heels more often than I am.

Jen: Your chapter called Through the Great Room, Past the Gym hits the nail on the head in terms of the present state of our society. We all wanted bigger and better, yet look at where we are now as a nation. How do you think the American household’s need to cut back will positively affect the familial unit as a whole?
Quinn: I’d like to think there will be benefits, but I don’t know anyone who is saying things like “Gosh kids, let’s avoid the crowds in the Hamptons this summer. Let’s cancel the $100,000 a month rental house and just sit around enjoying our backyard and having Game Night!” I know people who are acutely aware of how much longer they have on COBRA and how many people have been laid off from their spouse’s company this year. A friend of mine, her husband having been laid off two years ago, describes herself as an early adopter of the new poverty. We’re all more awake to the things which really matter and what doesn’t (Hi, new car! See you in about five years!), but it’s hard to imagine how living in constant dread positively affects anyone.

Jen: Your story about summer camps in And the Livin’ is Easy was so true. There seems to be a summer camp for everything no matter what the cost or purpose. Not to mention the pressure involved in getting your child in the “right” one. If you could wave a magic wand and create the ultimate camp for your daughter, what would it be and why?
Quinn: She would come back at the end of every day having been encouraged to try something new, make a friend, work through a problem and eat a cruciferous vegetable without sobbing. Mostly, she’d be very, very tired.

Jen: The title of your book is quite catchy. Why did you choose it? And in what way does it best describe the chronicles of your life?
Quinn: Glad you like it. It was the title I came up with that made the marketing department happy, which was only slightly less difficult than writing the actual book. There were a few months there where if I was staring off into space it was safe to assume I was trying to come up with a title which made the marketing department think "Funny!" and "Wildly successful!" We finally came back around to the subtitle of the blog, which I thought up years ago while sitting at a stoplight. It's kind of "Notes from Underground," only girly. It was offered to the marketing department and, thankfully, they gave their big marketing-department collective nod of approval, and we were in the title business. Their only request was that the phrase be in the book, so I spent a taxing but ultimately pleasing week or so trying to crowbar it into the book. It's there, and I like to think it's not blatantly after-the-fact. And what does it mean? Oh, not a thing. But I bless the fortunes for giving me Brenda Copeland as an editor, who heard the title and remembered this bra ad. She felt the visual had the right combination of poor decision-making and potential harm (You will notice the car is off the tracks) and surreal good cheer; those traits say "Quinn Cummings" to me.

Jen: A question I just have to ask…what is the origin of your husband’s name, Consort? Is it a family name? (I like it! My husband’s name is Durbin!)
Quinn: Actually, when I first started writing the blog, I wanted to come up with a name for him which wasn’t actually his name. Consort is the official title for a man who has married a queen but isn’t actually royal himself. Since I am possibly the least regal person ever, I thought it had a certain subtle humor. Now I’m thinking perhaps it was subtle to the point of non-existent, which is where I fear a lot of my humor goes unless I monitor it closely. Although I’m loving your husband’s name and will start bothering friends who are pregnant with putting Durbin on their boy-name list.

Jen: What are your promotional plans for NOTES FROM THE UNDERWIRE? Will be you be participating in a book tour? Will you be scheduling Author Phone Chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one? Do you have a mailing list?
Quinn: For the moment, my author tour is small and modest, as befits 2009. I am, however, available for blog book tour events and would love to do Author Phone Chats. Follow me through Twitter (I’m Quinncy), get in touch with me and we’ll make it work.

Jen: Are you currently at work on your next project? Or, are you taking a break for the summer?
Quinn: I have an idea, and am currently in the “Actively avoiding writing it” stage of writing. I’m very good at that stage; it’s when I get everything dreary done in the house. Those copper-bottomed pans are going to sparkle, let me tell you.

Jen: Thank you so much for taking time to stop by and chat with my readers about your new release, NOTES FROM THE UNDERWIRE. I wish you all the best.
Quinn: Thank you so much for inviting me. I am very grateful to my blog and book-readers for their support and good wishes.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Quinn. Please stop by your favorite bookstore or local library branch and pick up a copy of NOTES FROM THE UNDERWIRE Adventures from My Awkward and Lovely Life today!

Better yet, how would you like to win one instead? Okay, be one of the first five people to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following trivia question and you’ll win!

What is Quinn’s name on Twitter?
Next month, I will be bringing to you my interview with Awista Ayub, author of the inspirational story HOWEVER TALL THE MOUNTAIN. You won’t want to miss it.

Until next month…Jen

Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Jennifer Vido Interviews Author Julie Metz

2009-07-06T13:07:00.003-04:00

Author Julie Metz

Jen’s Jewels
July 1, 2009

Julie Metz

Appearances can be deceiving. Just ask anyone like me who parks in a handicapped spot. Sure, I may not look as if the space is warranted. The doubtful glances make this apparent. But, the titanium parts along with the aches and pains earn me the right to take a few less steps.
This month’s Jen’s Jewels can relate to my situation. From the outside, it appeared as if Julie Metz was living a good life. A loving husband and happy home. It seemed as if she had it all. Then one day, her husband suddenly dies, and what’s left shatters the very existence of her core. In her painfully honest yet uplifting memoir entitled PERFECTION, Julie takes a look back at her life as she comes to terms with reality of her future.
As part of this interview, Hyperion Books has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. Thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: Your experience as a graphic artist plays an essential role in the development of your memoir, PERFECTION. So that my readers may have a better understanding of the path that led you to becoming an author, please tell us a little bit about your educational and professional background.
Julie: I grew up in a house that was filled with books and art. My parents both worked as art directors at Simon and Schuster Publishers and my father is a landscape artist. When I was young I attended a Waldorf school and this provided a creative learning environment—lots of handmade cloth and wooden toys, lots of drawing and music. Later I attended more traditional schools where the focus was on writing and study skills. I attended Smith College where I majored in fine art but also took many English Literature classes. This was an exciting time on campus, with lots of discussion about the political topics of the day. After college I returned to my home in New York City and began working in the design field. My last staff job was at Harper & Row Publishers (now HarperCollins). From there I began a freelance life.

Jen: Being a freelance designer and now writer provided you the means in which to explore various aspects of the publishing business. Did you concentrate on a specific area of expertise, or did you branch out and take on unfamiliar topics in hopes of opening new doors of opportunity?
Julie: Before I began writing I was a freelance graphic designer. I have designed book covers for various publishers for about twenty years, and I grew up with parents who worked in the publishing industry. I have seen many changes in the book world since I was a kid hanging around my mom and dad’s offices back in the days before computers. In my design life I try to maintain creativity within the vertical rectangle of a book cover. My writing life started with the memoir PERFECTION, but now that I am working on fiction I am more open to letting my imagination take me to new places.

Jen: Embarking on a career as an author is a grand undertaking due to the complexity of creating a book that will grab the attention of agents, publishers, and of course readers. Your new release, PERFECTION, takes that one step further because it’s the story of your life. First of all, what was the driving force behind putting your life experiences in print?
Julie: After my husband died, I began keeping a journal. I was also writing letters to friends—I have always been a letter writer. The journal and letters helped me stay sane during a crazy time and later became the raw material for my book. At the time of his death my husband was under contract to write a book and at first I thought I’d try to finish that for him. After the revelations of his affairs I abandoned that idea. A few friends had suggested I write about my experiences and I began to think about that. I began working on the book as a kind of personal therapy. A friend who was an editor at Glamour magazine asked me about writing a feature piece. This was my first experience as a professional writer. From there I began working on a formal book proposal and on what would become the first chapters. At this point I didn’t really know what would come of it all, but I knew that I had to see it through and finish the book, whether or not it ever got published.

Jen: As for the nuts and bolts of the project, approximately how long did it take for you to complete this book? And, what was the most challenging part of the process?
Julie: The writing and publication process took about five years. The hardest part for me, without a doubt, were the many times I revisited the middle section of the book, the most raw and painful chapters after I discovered my husband’s affairs. Sometimes I really had to force myself to the desk. But by then I had a strong sense that many other women had been in this situation and that they might get something out of my story.

Jen: In my opinion, PERFECTION is a brutally honest narrative of a marriage gone awry as told through the eyes of a scorned spouse. Ironically, I did not feel as if you were playing the role of the victim. Your tone throughout the book is more of a “this is what happened and look how far I have come” approach. How did you keep it so objective so as not to tarnish the memory of your husband, Henry? (He was highly regarded by his peer group.) I give you much credit for taking the high road. Not too many people in your shoes would have done that.
Julie: I had the benefit of some years that passed after the events I write about in the book. I wanted to take the reader on the emotional journey, through grief and anger, all the way to acceptance. So I would say that time helped give me perspective and made the book more balanced in tone. The book shows one version of the complications of adult relationships, and the consequences of poor choices—Henry’s and mine. We all make mistakes in our lives. Henry made some huge ones. But in the end I feel genuine sorrow for what he lost—the chance to live a full life.

Jen: Besides filling in the missing pieces, how did contacting your husband’s mistresses after his DEATH help you achieve a sense of closure and acceptance for the man he truly was?
Julie: I contacted the other women to get a sense of what other life my husband had been living in the last year of his life. After talking to them I did feel that I knew more but I also saw that there were aspects of the story I’d never be able to find out and that I would have to live with that. So some questions remain unanswered but I was able to begin to think about moving on to a new life on my own.

Jen: As we all know, marriage takes work… a lot of work. You mention in the book that the trouble signs were there had you been looking for them. Do you think Henry was trying to reach out to you but was lacking in the emotional fortitude to make that connection? Why or why not?
Julie: It’s really hard to look back at the situation we were in and imagine what he was thinking at the time, how he rationalized his choices. I feel very changed from the woman who was Henry’s wife. I would behave differently now. I think I would be more willing to see the signs of trouble. What I can be certain of is that while his behavior was damaging to me and our child Henry was suffering as well.

Jen: As is with everything these days, it all comes down to sex. Either it’s too little or too much. It’s difficult for many to achieve the perfect balance. I found it interesting that you reached out to Don Symons at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Please share with us your conversation and how it helped you come to grips with your husband’s betrayal.
Julie: The evolutionary argument suggests that men and women are “hard-wired” for certain behavior: men to seek out as many partners as possible and women to seek out a mate to help raise children. The main question I wanted to ask Don was whether he felt that we were prisoners of our biology or whether we could exert free will in our decision-making. What I took away from our conversations is that the conflict is something we have to live with as modern humans in a culture that changes more rapidly than we evolve, but using the excuse “my genes made me do it” won’t cut it.

Jen: After reading your bio blurb with the mention of your “partner”, I thought you had chosen to seek female companionship. Not so. Will you ever marry again? Why or why not?
Julie: It’s always hard to know what to call your significant other these days! Sometimes I call him my boyfriend, but that sounds like I am eighteen…oh well, we’ll use “boyfriend” today. He and I have been a couple for five years. We are domestically partnered now and our lives are very much that of any longtime couple. We work hard, we divide house chores, we plan vacations when we have extra money, and we discuss our IRA’s. Some of our roles are very traditional: I do laundry and he takes care of our car. I had been wary of remarrying because I feared that it would end badly again and because I wanted my daughter to feel completely comfortable with our new family before I made any more big changes. At this point I can imagine marrying again but we aren’t in any particular rush. It’s not like when you are young and you can’t wait for your big wedding day. If it happens it will be something small for our family and friends, just to celebrate the life we’ve made together. Mostly I care about the happiness of our day-to-day lives.

Jen: The innocent victim in all of this is your lovely daughter, Liza. How will this memoir help her understand the dissolution of her idyllic family life as she once knew it?
Julie: She is now almost thirteen years old. She lost her father when she was six and a half and has now spent five years with my boyfriend as a second parent. Our life looks pretty traditional from the outside and we have worked hard to create a new family. I think she has benefited from the fact that my new relationship is healthier and more stable than the one I had with Henry. She saw lots of fighting during the last years of my marriage. She is a wise child—she would not have described our marriage as idyllic. I do hope that my story will serve as a cautionary tale for younger women like my daughter as they begin to seek out partners. Relationships are work, marriage is work. It’s important to choose wisely and not to be swayed by what’s on the surface.

Jen: Looking back, how has the completion of a memoir changed your perception of your marriage? Yourself?
Julie: I began wiring the book as a kind of personal therapy to help me understand what had happened to my marriage. I try to look back at myself in my marriage with compassion. I was young when I met Henry and in spite of everything I was naïve. The experiences I lived through changed me. One thing that hasn’t changed: I never wanted to be in a relationship where I was constantly jealous and suspicious, and I don’t want to live like that now. The difference is that I am able to be honest with myself about whether I am happy or not.

Jen: If you could turn back the clock, what one thing would you do differently and why?
Julie: I wish I hadn’t been so afraid to look at the reality of my life. When I was married I was a more fearful person and, like many women, I had a lot invested in my identity as a wife and mother. I couldn’t imagine being on my own and I couldn’t imagine myself really taking charge of my life. But I don’t regret being in the relationship because I have my daughter. She is the most important part of my life and I would go through everything again to have her in my life.

Jen: In terms of promotion, will you be participating in a book tour? Will you be scheduling Author Phone Chats? Do you have a website?
Julie: For now the promotional focus is here in New York City. I have been doing newspaper and radio interviews. I have done three readings in Brooklyn. I do have a website where I post news and events, information regarding book clubs, and keep a blog: http://www.perfectionbook.com/ or you can reach the same site at: www.juliemetz.com

Jen: I want to thank you for taking the time to stop by and chat with my readers. I was truly impressed with your honest and open approach to facing adversity in such a public forum as the media. It must have been a cathartic experience for you, and will hopefully lead to bright, new beginnings. Best of luck with the book! It’s a sparkling jewel.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Julie. Please stop by your favorite book store or local library and pick up a copy today. Better yet, how would you like to win one? Be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com and you’ll win your very own copy of PERFECTION.

What is the name of Julie’s website?

Next month, I will be bringing to you my interview with childhood television star, Quinn Cummings. You won’t want to miss it.

Until next time…Jen

Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Valuable Information

2009-06-26T16:16:00.002-04:00

You can participate in a summer reading program?

You can check out a pass to the Fire Museum?

You can get library notices by email?

You can apply for a library card online?

You can get excerpts and reading suggestions electronically?

Jennifer Vido Interviews Author Katherine Howe

2009-06-16T13:14:00.004-04:00

Photo by Brian Pellinen

Jen’s Jewels
June 15, 2009

Katherine Howe

Imagine if you were related to some fascinating person in American history? How cool would that be? If I were able to choose, I’d like to be related to Ben Franklin or maybe even Thomas Jefferson. These scholarly men shaped the future of our nation with their innovative ways of thinking. Then again, I wouldn’t mind being a part of Martha Washington’s family either. So many excellent choices!
This month’s Jen’s Jewels, Katherine Howe, has the distinction of being in this elite category. Remarkably, she is related to both Katherine Howe and Elizabeth Proctor, two women accused of being witches back in the 1690’s in Salem, Massachusetts. In her debut novel, THE PHYSICK BOOK OF DELIVERANCE DANE, she blends history with fiction. The end result is a captivating page-turner just waiting for you to discover!
As part of this interview, Hyperion Books has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question. And, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your summer reading.

Jen: Your path to becoming an author actually evolved as a side-step along your journey of academia pursuits. Please share with us your educational and professional background and how it has prepared you for a career in publishing.
Katherine: My husband and I moved to Marblehead from Cambridge in summer of 2005, and that November I was scheduled to take my PhD oral exam in the American and New England Studies Program at Boston University. “American studies” is the interdisciplinary study of American culture, and so I had spent the last several years studying American history and art history. The interesting thing about Marblehead, for those who haven't been there, is that it has one of the most complete collections of extant eighteenth century architecture in the country. It's the kind of place where only a little bit of imagination allows you to erase the power lines overhead, block out the cars parked along the street, and start to imagine what life might have looked like at a different moment in time.
Grad students get notoriously nervous leading into their oral exams, and I was no exception. If I went walking and didn't occupy my mind with something else, I would just turn back to worrying. So I distracted myself with thought experiments. Since Marblehead is only one town over from Salem, we see a lot of the more commercial interpretations of the Salem witchcraft episode. As a historian, however, I knew that the reality of Salem looked very different from the fairy tale version. So I asked myself: if witchcraft were real the way the colonists understood it to be, rather than in our fairy tale sense, what would it look like? How would it work? What would it be capable of, and not capable of? The story for Physick Book really grew out of that idea.

Jen: Your debut novel, THE PHYSICK BOOK OF DELIVERANCE DANE, is a spell-binding tale incorporating two time periods, the 1690’s and the 1990’s, into one powerful and truly unforgettable story. I was hooked from page one! How did you arrive at the premise?
Katherine: Thanks, Jen! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it. I was attracted to a dual time period story for a few reasons. First, I am always keenly aware of the mundane details about people in the past that we can never know. So many of the little personality quirks that make up the bulk of our everyday experience – what we like and dislike, our senses of humor, our nicknames, our inside jokes – can never be known just from the records we leave behind. So I wanted Connie, the main character, to be conducting research on women in the past, but I wanted the story to tell us more about these women than Connie would be able to learn; for that we needed to see into the past for ourselves. I also thought that the 1690s is a remote enough time from our own experience that spending the entire span of the story there would be potentially exhausting. We need Connie's point of view to help us work through the historical narrative. So each half of the story, the 1990s and the 1690s, depends on the other.

Jen: Quite interestingly, you are a descendant of both Elizabeth Howe and Elizabeth Proctor, two Salem women accused of witchcraft back in the 1690’s. How did this connection influence the tone of the novel? Was it difficult keeping your biases in check?
Katherine: I first learned about Elizabeth Proctor and Elizabeth Howe from my aunt, who was doing some family research when I was about fifteen years old. And of course I responded like a fifteen year old girl would – I thought it was the coolest thing ever!
For a lot of people, uncovering a family connection is a way to personalize a period of history that otherwise feels too remote to be really relatable. For my own part, I have been more interested in learning about what daily life was like in the colonial period. How did it feel to live in that world? What was it like to think like a Puritan? How itchy were the clothes? How dark was the meeting house? I don't think that any personal biases came into play, particularly since I chose not to write about my own witches. I think the Salem episode belongs to all of us; we all have something to learn from it.

Jen: From the get-go, did you have a vision as to how the story would unfold? Did you stick to the plan? Why or why not?
Katherine: A lot of people have a secret affinity for the Salem trials, which is one reason we keep seeing so many accounts of them, both historical and fictional. The Salem episode is so anomalous, so different from what we expect when we think about colonial history or American culture more generally, that we are never fully satisfied about it. I have also been struck by how much lionization of the New England colonists takes place. We ask them to bear so much symbolic weight that we forget that these were individual people, with strengths and flaws like anyone else. So in a sense I was attracted to writing Physick Book because it gave me a chance to explore, albeit fictionally, these lost individual people.
I mulled over the structure of the story for quite some time, and wrote a detailed outline before I started writing the actual body of the book. I knew that Physick Book's approach to magic would be different from what we are accustomed to seeing: it would be small, personal, and closely tied to the body and to spiritual life. I did have a few plot elements in mind that didn't make their way into the book. But I have a secret plan for a Physick Book sequel, so who knows? They may sneak into the Dane family story yet.

Jen: In terms of background information, approximately how much research went into the writing of the book? Is it historically accurate? And if not, what liberties did you incorporate into the plot?
Katherine: I relied on some of the excellent secondary sources about Salem specifically, and about early modern popular magic more generally. Historians such as Paul Boyer, Stephen Nissenbaum, John Demos, Mary Beth Norton, Carol Karlsen, Keith Thomas, Owen Davies, David Hall, and Richard Godbeer have all done incredibly detailed work on this period, and I would point anyone curious about the real story of colonial witchcraft to their books. I also tried to train myself in everyday speech of the period by reading a few linguistics articles, since so much historical fiction is written like an episode of “Masterpiece Theater,” as though everyone in the past had perfect diction and no one used slang. For furnishings and details of daily life I used a wonderful exhibition catalogue of early New England material culture that was published by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, called “New England Begins.”
One of my goals with Physick Book was to inspire curiosity about the actual history of the Salem period. It's interesting to me how blurred our understanding of the Salem episode is; for instance, many people take “The Crucible” to be a historically accurate portrayal of events at the trials, without considering that Arthur Miller took broad liberties with character's ages and relationships in order to craft a more coherent story. (Of course, I took some liberties too – I moved Deliverance's trial up by a few months so that she could be tried with an earlier group of women, and I made it sound like Sarah Good did not have a husband, though in real life she did.) But I wanted to illustrate the fact that the historical truth of witchcraft is very different from the popular, fairy tale notion. I wanted to investigate how the colonists might have felt about witchcraft in their own terms. The witchcraft in Physick Book is based on how the colonists actually believed magic to be.
The research took about a year and a half of reading and stewing, and then another year and a half was spent in the outlining and writing of the story. The hardest part was forcing myself to stop researching. There is always more to be learned.

Jen: The novel centers around Connie, a graduate student at Harvard, who is working on her doctoral dissertation quite like yourself. In what not-so-obvious ways are you two alike? Different?
Katherine: Connie and I have a few things in common, but I think that in most respects we are very different people. She is a better student than I am, for one thing! I was dithering on my dissertation and writing a novel instead, while she is hard at work on her research at all times. We are different ages – Connie is about ten years older, and so today would be a young professor, newly tenured, with grad students of her own. We had entirely dissimilar upbringings, went to different schools. She is a sloppier dresser than I am (but not by much).
A few details overlap. We have the same color hair, and we both drink peppermint tea. But Connie has a number of secret talents that are unique. Physick Book is really about Connie coming into herself.

Jen: While preparing her grandmother’s house for sale, Connie finds a key with the name Deliverance Dane secretly tucked inside. First of all, did this person ever truly exist? And secondly, what keeps Connie from initially sharing this discovery with her mother?
Katherine: I was first drawn to Deliverance Dane, who was indeed a real person, because her name is so wonderfully evocative. It seemed dramatic to me, and a little foreboding. I also wanted to write about her because the vagueness of the details about her actual life left me lots of room to fill in a story. If I had written about one of the better known Salem witches, like Rebecca Nurse or Giles Corey, the story would have been less persuasive since we already know so much about them.
The real Deliverance Dane was accused near the end of the trials, when the panic spread north from Salem into Andover. She did have a husband named Nathaniel, and she was imprisoned for a short time. However, there is no evidence that she was an actual cunning woman, and she survived the trials relatively unscathed.
As for why Connie doesn't initially share her discovery with Grace, I would guess that up to this point Connie isn't accustomed to talking about the minutiae of her work with her mother. Grace has clearly indicated that she's not very interested in what Connie does, and Connie does not yet know that this discovery is going to have a broader meaning for her.

Jen: Their mother-daughter relationship is strained, yet at times there are obvious signs of mutual respect. How is Connie’s quest for the truth in terms of Deliverance Dane’s existence linked to her own desire to make a connection with her mother?
Katherine: One theme that I wanted to explore in Physick Book was the idea of talking at cross-purposes, or rather, of only being able to talk about things in language specific to our personalities and places in time. Connie and Grace grate against each other in part because they are cut from the same cloth. They have difficulty understanding each other at first because each views the world in her own particular idiom; the language that Grace might use to address a particular idea is different from the language that Connie would use. Part of their challenge lies in learning how to communicate effectively with one another. This theme echoes in all of the mother/daughter pairs in Physick Book.

Jen: Sam, Connie’s love interest, brings out the softer side of her due to his carefree persona. In a way, he’s kind of like the forbidden fruit since they are such total opposites. What is the common thread that binds them together?
Katherine: Connie and Sam strike me as complementary, two different halves that make up a better whole. Sam is sillier than Connie is, more willing to goof around, and as such he is able to push her out of her reserve, to help her live a fuller life. Whereas Connie is a historian, who studies the past from a critical standpoint, Sam is a preservationist – a steeplejack, no less! - who believes in working to preserve what remains of the past for its own sake. But their interests are very much aligned; Sam becomes caught up in Connie's adventure. Of course, we learn that there is danger involved in that adventure.

Jen: Of course, witchcraft plays an essential role in the plot as Connie comes face to face with its effects. Being such an analytical person, one would think that Connie would immediately have her doubts, but not so. I had the feeling she wanted to believe it was possible, and was searching for proof no matter how inconsequential in order to validate her family’s history. Would you agree with my observation? Why or why not?
Katherine: Well, I think different readers are going to view Connie's reactions differently. Connie has plenty of doubts at first. She is not able to cast aside her worldview at the drop of a hat. After all, who is? She is more willing to doubt her own interpretation of the facts than she is to change her mind abruptly about how the world works. Physick Book is about Connie's expanding belief in what is possible as much as it is about the search for what is true.

Jen: Throughout the story, you touch upon the use of herbal plants in respect to witchcraft. Would you be able to recommend to my readers some historically accurate books that explore this topic in more detail?
Katherine: I would suggest that readers look at two great books that discuss the history of cunning folk in England in the early modern period, “Religion and the Decline of Magic” by Keith Thomas, and “Cunning Folk: Popular Magic in English History” by Owen Davies. A “cunning person” was someone who offered small-scale occult services for a fee. These services might include location of lost property, water dowsing, basic charms or herbs in case of sickness, and unbewitching. It is thought that the cunning folk tradition did not necessarily travel to the New World with the colonists, but historians differ in their opinions on that. Anyone who is curious about the real history of folk magic practices should definitely check these books out! Owen Davies also just published a history of grimoires, or magic books, which I would also recommend.

Jen: Without giving too much away (plot spoilers!), Connie’s advisor, Professor Chilton, plays a vital role in bringing Deliverance Dane to life, so to speak. Why does Connie choose to put her faith in a man who has questionable intentions?
Katherine: Well, it can be hard to read people's intentions sometimes, can't it? The academic world is still structured a bit like a medieval apprenticeship (even the robes that you wear at commencement are medieval in design). Connie must place her trust in her advisor because that is what she has been trained to do, and because the system demands that she do so. If she wants her career to be successful, she has very little choice but to place her faith in her mentor. Of course, Manning Chilton is a person too, which is something Connie doesn't really think about. He has his own goals, problems, anxieties, and plans. Part of Connie's task in Physick Book is to learn to trust herself and her own instincts, and in some instances she learns that lesson only with difficulty.

Jen: One character who may be easily overlooked in this story is Connie’s faithful companion, Arlo, the dog. Not only does he provide comfort when needed, but he leads her to the answers through his keen sixth sense. Is he somewhat of a messenger from the past? Why or why not?
Katherine: I think there are a number of different ways that one could think about Arlo. Any of us who have spent time with animals know that they have a take on the world that is different from our own, and that is the case with Arlo, too. This is a question I would like to turn to your readers, actually. What does Arlo have to do with the other dogs in the past part of the story? Does Arlo even exist? I'm not sure I know the answer. What do you think?

Jen: In terms of promotion for the book, do you have a website? Will you be participating in a book tour?
Katherine: The book has a wonderful website, http://www.physickbook.com/, which contains all information about signings, media appearances, and other Physick Book news. I also can be found on Facebook, with lots of news and updates, at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katherine-Howe/47456997235
And I have a Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/katherinebhowe

Jen: Will there be a Reading Group Guide available for book clubs? Will you be participating in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one?
Katherine: A reading group guide will be available on the Physick Book website. I am definitely planning to participate in phone chats or Skype chats with interested reading groups. Appointments may be arranged either through the website, or via the book's email address at connieandarlo@gmail.com

Jen: Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by and chat with my readers. Your novel is the perfect blend of history and intrigue. I loved it!! Best of luck! I wish you much success.
Katherine: Thank you so much for having me, Jen! I really appreciate your inviting me to join you and your readers here. Connecting with readers has been by far the best part of this whole process.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Katherine Howe. Please stop by your favorite bookstore or local library branch and pick up a copy of THE PHYSICK BOOK OF DELIVERANCE DANE today. Better yet, how would you like to win one? Be one of the first five people to e-mail at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following question and you’ll win! Good luck!

What is a grimoire?

Next month, I will be chatting with Julie Metz, author of this summer’s most talked about memoir called PERFECTION. You won’t want to miss it!

Welcome to summer!

Jen
Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

18+ Years Old? Reading Wave is for YOU!

2009-06-01T15:42:00.004-04:00

Reading Wave, our summer reading program for adults, runs from June 1-July 31!

Official Rules:
Entry forms will be available at any of the Charleston County Public Library branches or online beginning June 1st.
Complete an entry form for a book that you have read. Leave the form at the branch or submit it online to be eligible for the weekly drawing. You may fill out multiple forms weekly.
Weekly drawings will be held on Fridays beginning June 12, with the final drawing on July 31. A grand prize winner will be selected in August.
Must be 18 or older to enter.
Contestants need not be present to win.
Employees of the Charleston County Public Library are not eligible.

Weekly Prizes:
Each week one lucky winner will be drawn at each branch to win one of the following prizes.One free admission to the Gibbes Museum of Art$10 gift certificate to Blockbuster Video$10 gift certificate to Sticky Fingers Restaurants$10 gift certificate to the Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale$10 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble$10 gift certificate to Books-A-Million$10 gift certificate to Starbucks Coffee$10 gift certificate to Target

Grand Prize Package:
Win a basket of culinary delights from Maverick Southern Kitchens, which includesa $75 gift certificate, cookbooks and more! Also included in the Grand Prize Package: a gift card for $50 of gasoline and a family membership to the Gibbes Museum of Art.

Five Second Place Prizes:
Win a gift card for $50 of gasoline!

Just enter @ the library or online.

Read-A-Palooza is this Saturday!

2009-06-01T15:35:00.002-04:00

Help us celebrate the beginning of summer and summer reading at our 3rd annual festival, Read-a-Palooza, from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, June 6. We'll have games, crafts and a jump castle, and of course, sign-up for our summer reading programs!

Free Computer Classes in July

2009-06-01T14:55:00.002-04:00

All computer classes are designed for adults and young adults. For more information please call (843) 559-1945 and ask for the Reference Department. Class space is available for 8 participants per session.

Word Basics
Tuesday, July 7 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 6/23
Introduction to the basic tools of Microsoft Word. Learn how to enter and format text, change margins and line spacing, and copy and paste text. Saving and printing tips will also be discussed. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse will be helpful.

Word: Beyond the Basics
Tuesday, July 14 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 6/30
In this follow-up to Word Basics learn how to set tabs, create columns, paste text from the Internet, insert page numbers, add ClipArt and photographs, and format text as you design a simple newsletter. Prerequisite: Word Basics or some experience with MS Word will be helpful.

Excel Basics
Tuesday, July 21 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 7/7
An introduction to spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. This session provides a basic overview and common uses for spreadsheets. Learn basic Excel functions and build a simple budget spreadsheet. Prerequisite: Word Basics or some experience using MS Word will be helpful.

Excel: Beyond the Basics
Tuesday, July 28 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 7/14
A follow-up session to Excel Basics. Learn some additional features of the program, such as sorting and filtering. Learn how to use additional types of formulas. Prerequisite: Excel Basics or some experience using MS Excel will be helpful.

Jennifer Vido Interviews Bethenny Frankel

2009-06-01T14:35:00.004-04:00

Jen’s Jewels
June 1, 2009

Bethenny Frankel
Summertime is just about here. Warm weather filled with lazy days just hanging out by the pool! And yes, in order to partake in all that fun a bathing suit is most likely required! Quite frankly, that’s the one rite of summer most women dread…trying to squeeze into a tiny bikini without spilling over.
Have no fear! This month’s Jen’s Jewels is here to help. Bethenny Frankel, author of the New York Times Bestselling Book NATURALLY THIN, dishes up the do’s and don’ts for living a guilt-free, healthy lifestyle. With ten simple rules, she empowers women (and men) everywhere to take control of their diet without any gimmicks or unrealistic expectations.
As part of this interview, Simon and Schuster has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your day!

Jen: My readers recognize your name from the Bravo hit reality show The Real Housewives of New York City. Now, you have donned yet another hat with the release of your first book, NATURALLY THIN. Let’s take a moment and talk about your background. Which life experiences significantly contributed to your ardent desire to achieve success in the business world?
Bethenny: A checkered childhood and lack of parents made me a survivor, made me do everything for myself and created a drive and strength that is unstoppable.

Jen: As you mentioned in your book, you are a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Cooking School. Describe for us the program.
Bethenny: Natural gourmet is a unique school in that it focuses on food and healing: from the benefits of a plant-based diet to healing foods for allergies, illnesses and the emphasis on overall health.

Jen: Being a runner-up on Martha Stewart Apprentice opened many doors for you. In terms of personal insight, what was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself in the process?
Bethenny: Martha Stewart Apprentice didn't do well. It was a flop; however, I used that experience like a damp sponge struggling to get any moisture out of it. That was the most challenging experience of my life. It was a horse race in that nothing really matters or affects the end result except who crosses that finish line. Ironically, my horse racing background taught me that second is losing.

Jen: Your appearance on The Real Housewives of New York City was instrumental in catapulting you into the public eye. What was the criterion for being selected for the show? And, did you have a previous relationship with the women before you began filming?
Bethenny: Personality is the criteria to get on a reality show. My desire to be married with children was a different take that Bravo decided to explore. Originally, they wanted me to be married with children.

Jen: What has surprised you most about filming a reality series?
Bethenny: It never ceases to amaze me how toxic the whole process can be. It is exhausting yet incredibly fruitful.

Jen: During both seasons, you’ve touched upon your not-so-picture-perfect childhood. Despite being dealt a bad hand, you have turned your passion for life into a thriving business of which any parent would be proud. What’s your secret?
Bethenny: Don't cry over spilled families. In other words, don't wear your story.

Jen: NATURALLY THIN is a no-nonsense approach to what I would call good living. How did you arrive at the premise?
Bethenny: I hit the wall with a lifetime of obsessing dieting and food noise. When I unlocked the door to thinness for life with no compromise, I had to tell the world. It is literally drastically changing people's lives.

Jen: As for the manuscript, you teamed up with Eve Adamson on this project. What was that experience like? And, how did the day-to-day writing actually take place?
Bethenny: I wrote the whole book and then it was like a giant mess on the floor. Eve came in to structure my words and thoughts. We've never even met. I send her bulk writing, she turns it into structured chapters and I edit and we go through once all together. With all of my upcoming books, Eve will never have to work with anyoneagain. We are a spectacular team. When I get to number one on the New York Times list, it’s time for us to meet. My gut is she'll be my life writing partner.

Jen: Throughout the book, I like how you stressed that there is no right or wrong way to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Instead, you suggest guidelines to help the reader make better choices. Your chatty banter made me feel as if I were like Jill Zarin hanging out with you in the Hamptons! How did you come up with the ten rules?
Bethenny: The ten rules are exactly what goes into my mind on a daily basis keeping me naturally thin in any circumstance. They are the commandments which are often broken which is okay.

Jen: Which of the ten is the most challenging for you to follow? How so?
Bethenny: None of it is challenging which is why it has been no 3 on the NY Times Bestseller List for 10 weeks. It is revolutionary because it is so stupid it's smart.

Jen: Let’s talk about the Skinnygirl Margarita. Please share with my readers its origin. And, will it be available to purchase sometime soon?
Bethenny: I created the Skinnygirl Margarita because everyone wants a margarita but no one wants 700 calories. Skinnygirl Margarita is the margarita you can trust. It will be in stores in June in a single 4 serving bottle including the alcohol: open and serve and only 96 calories a serving. www.skinnygirlcocktails.com

Jen: The recipes are a lucky strike extra in this book! Will you be writing a cookbook to complement the Naturally Thin Program?
Bethenny: Skinnylicious will be released in June which will be a cookbook/weight loss book giving all the decadent foods we want with healthy recipes and tools to stay naturally thin.

Jen: BethennyBakes is your line of all natural baked goods. Where can we buy your products?
Bethenny: BethennyBakes are low fat wheat, egg and dairy free cookies available at www.bethenny.com.

Jen: As if you were not busy enough, you also write a monthly column for Health Magazine. (I’m a subscriber!!) What are the latest trends in cooking? How do you incorporate them into your own lifestyle?
Bethenny: I don't believe in trendy cooking. People want to eat what they're craving. What I do is renovate fattening recipes so everyone can enjoy them with no sacrifice in taste. Similarly, I'm a fixologist making fattening cocktails light.

Jen: What’s next for you? Book tour? Any upcoming appearances? Will there be a season three for The Real Housewives of NYC? (I hope so!)
Bethenny: I'm doing a nationwide book tour. Upcoming cities are Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, PA, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orange County, Charlotte, Miami and the list goes on and on. They're in my email signature, on my website and on Facebook.

Jen: Any upcoming appearances?
Bethenny: Las Vegas, Atlantic City, the Hamptons, Charlotte and the list continues.

Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with my readers. You are such an inspiration to many! Keep those Skinnygirl Margaritas coming!! I wish you all the best!
Bethenny: Thank you!

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Bethenny. Please stop by your favorite bookstore or local library today and pick up a copy of NATURALLY THIN. Better yet, how would you like to win one instead?

Okay, be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com and you’ll win your very own copy of NATURALLY THIN.

What is the name of Bethenny’s line of baked goods?

Later this month, I will be bringing to you my interview with the talented debut novelist Katherine Howe. You won’t want to miss it!

Until next time…Jen

Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Come to the Art Show and Poetry Reading on Saturday!

2009-05-27T12:01:00.002-04:00

Don't miss the St. John's High School Art Show and Poetry Reading this Saturday, May 30! The show will begin in our auditorium at 10:00 a.m. and the poetry reading starts at 11:00 a.m. The St. John's High School Art Department, under the guidance of art teacher, Dona Dowling, has some wonderful art in their annual spring show and sale. Proceeds support art students and the Arts at St. John's High School. Students will be reading selections from the school's art and literary magazine, Islander Lines. The art show will end at 3:00 p.m. See you @ the library!

New Books Now On Order in Our Catalog!

2009-05-20T16:19:00.007-04:00

These books are now on order in our catalog. What does that mean? Now is the time to place a hold on your library card account for any titles that you would like to read. Click here to go to our catalog and begin placing holds today, or call any library location with your library card number and ask to be placed on the hold list.

The Scarecrow by Michael Connolly

I'm Down: A Memoir by Mishna Wolff

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

Skin Trade (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series #17) by Laurell K. Hamilton

Fugitive by Phillip Margolin

The Lovers by John Connolly

Martha Stewart's Cupcakes: 175 Inspired Ideas for Everyone's Favorite Treat by Martha Stewart Living Magazine

Matters of the Heart by Danielle Steel

Medusa by Clive Cussler

My Father's Tears and Other Stories by John Updike

The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman
The Strain: Book One of the Strain Trilogy by Guillermo del Toro

Undead and Unwelcome by Mary Janice Davidson

Roadside Crosses (Kathryn Dance Series #2) by Jeffery Deaver

Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale

American Passage: The History of Ellis Island by Vincent J. Cannato

Apocalypse 2012 by Gary Jennings

Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Deception by Eric Van Lustbader

Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford's Forgotten Jungle City by Greg Grandin

Relentless by Dean Koontz

The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

Swimsuit by James Patterson

The Apostle by Brad Thor

Killer Summer by Ridley Pearson

Return to Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank
The Devil's Punchbowl by Greg Iles

South of Broad by Pat Conroy

Meet Author Katy Kelly!

2009-05-20T09:38:00.004-04:00

Photo by Matt Mendelshon

Jennifer Vido has interviewed children's author, Katy Kelly. Keep reading to learn more about Katy Kelly and Adam Melon, the ten-year-old star of her funny new book, Melonhead.

Jen’s Jewels
May 20, 2009

Katy Kelly

Being the mother of two boys keeps me on my toes. From bullfrogs to mud pies, there is never a dull moment. Despite the gender difference, we’ve come to an understanding. Dirty socks, loud music, and sporting events are par for the course. Neat rooms, manners, and a mutual respect for family members are non-negotiable expectations in our home. Together, we have created a harmonious family life.

This month’s Jen’s Jewels touches upon the hilarious adventures of boyhood, a topic which my husband and I know all too well! In her latest release, MELONHEAD, Katy Kelly chronicles the daily mischief and mayhem of a delightful ten-year-old boy named Adam Melon and his comical group of friends in the Nation’s Capitol. Laugh-out-loud funny, this book is sure to be a big hit among young readers everywhere!

As part of this interview, Delacorte Press has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win! So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: Since you belong to a family of prolific writers, I guess you could say writing is a part of your genetic make-up! So that my readers may have a better insight into the path that led to your career, please tell us about your educational and professional background.
Katy: I learned to tell stories at our family dinner table—four kids, two parents, all talkers—but I went to college to become an artist. A summer internship at People magazine showed me how much fun writing is once you get past the term paper stage of life. A few years later, when I was working as an illustrator, People offered me a job. I stayed for six years before leaving to become a feature writer for the Life section of USA Today. Almost a decade later I left to be a senior editor at U.S. News & World Report.

Jen: As you mentioned, your career began as a journalist. What then was the driving force behind your decision to switch gears and become a children’s author?
Katy: As a reporter I got to do incredible things, go amazing places and meet extraordinary people. After I’d written well over a thousand stories, I wanted to see what I could create in my own head. I wrote fact by day and fiction by night until 2006. Now I write at home.

Jen: Many of my readers identify your name as being the author of the highly popular Lucy Rose series. To date, you have written four Lucy Rose books. How did you arrive at the premise? And, what makes Lucy Rose such a lovable character? (I think she’s one in a million!)
Katy: Thank you! I grew up on Capitol Hill- a place many people assume is made up entirely of government buildings. I wanted to introduce readers to the real neighborhood.

I gave Lucy Rose the characteristics that I was raised to think were important-- being an original thinker, a storyteller and a problem solver, having a love of words, a curious mind and a kind heart. She’s also outspoken, can be bossy and not inclined to consider consequences.

Jen: Your latest endeavor is a spin-off called MELONHEAD, a hilarious tale of a ten-year-old boy named Adam Melon. I understand that your nephews have provided much fodder for Melonhead’s mischievous adventures. Isn’t it wonderful to have such fresh material at your fingertips? Is Melonhead an agglomeration of the group or is he more of a product of your imagination?
Katy: Two days ago I looked up and saw one nephew standing on the carriage house roof, about to jump down onto the top of our neighbor’s garden shed. ‘What are you doing?’ I yelled. “What?” he said. “Nobody told me I couldn’t jump off the roof.” My nephews are great people and provide fodder, and then I stretch it as far as it will go. How lucky can I get?

Jen: In technical terms, what was the most challenging aspect of developing a storyline, which would appeal to boys?
Katy: It was hard to think like a boy. I would ask myself W.W.M.D.? What would Michael do? My brother, Mike, was 16 months younger than me. We spent a lot of rowdy times together. Well, he was rowdy. I felt my job was to be the one who said, “If you don’t get out of that bell tower right now, I’m telling Mom and Dad.” Today, if I’m unsure of how Melonhead would react, it’s back to the nephews.

Jen: The setting of the story is Washington, DC, which is also your residence. Since the inauguration of President Barack Obama, what changes have you personally experienced on a day to day basis in relation to the city’s new energy?
Katy: It’s amazing. The city feels fresh and exciting. There is a sense that the Obamas are accessible. Mrs. Obama is all over the place, dropping into public schools, dropping Sasha and her friends (and the Secret Service) off at the movie theater near our house. My Louisiana cousins recently took a White House tour. The First Lady was on the lawn, training their puppy, Bo. The girls take turns walking the dog on the grounds.

Jen: Let’s talk about the book’s secondary characters. First of all, Lucy Rose does make an appearance (for all her fans!), but the book really centers on the escapades of Melonhead and his best friend, Sam. At times, I felt as if these two were like Zack and Cody from The Suite Life. What makes them such a comical yet compatible pair?
Katy: Lucy Rose’s best friend, Jonique, is, loosely speaking, the voice of reason. Sam and Melonhead are both go-go-go boys, full of ideas and quick to try them out. There is no voice of reason. I love that about them.

Jen: Without giving too much away, the snake episode is my favorite part of the book for a couple of reasons. First of all, Melonhead’s scheme is brought to fruition due to the collaborative efforts of his friends. Quite simply, it shows kids the importance of teamwork even if its outcome is not so favorable. Secondly, it demonstrates for us parents how easy it is to miss what’s happening right under our noses. Is our society creating a family environment similar to two ships passing in the night? Why or why not?
Katy: I think we should all be doing less. Families need hanging out time more than the kids need another activity. You can strengthen family connections fairly easily. Eat the same meal at the same table. Don’t make kids’ bedrooms more fun than the common areas. If they have a computer or TV in their room, that is where they will spend their time.

Jen: I have to admit, after reading MELONHEAD; I went to the grocery store and bought a box of Cap’n Crunch! Your mentioning of it brought back fond childhood memories. I thought it was interesting how Melonhead always kept his pocket full of it. Would you say that he used it as a sort of security blanket? Why or why not?
Katy: Like many boys Melonhead is rarely full. Cereal is his snack between snacks. Having a pocketful is a comfort. Allowing sugar-laden, marshmallow filled, magically delicious cereal is one of the few areas in which Mrs. Melon is more relaxed than Sam’s parents.

Jen: What has been the most rewarding part of embarking on this new series? What has surprised you the most?
Katy: The first time I read Melonhead to a roomful of fourth graders, a boy sitting on the floor at my feet looked up and, in an awed voice, whispered, “I am a Melonhead.” I have been delighted at how many boys—and some girls—claim the honor. Today’s kids live in a structured, monitored world. I think they like picturing themselves as brave independent and funny. Teachers tell me that their most reluctant-to-read boys have tuned into Melonhead. That thrills me.

Jen: What does the future hold for Melonhead? And, when can we expect to read about his next adventures?
Katy: I just finished Melonhead and the Big Stink. It comes out in May 2010.

Jen: Please tell us about your website. Do you have e-mail notification of upcoming releases? Do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about arranging it?
Katy: I am in the throes of creating a new website. You’ll be the first to know when it’s up. For now I can be found at www.randomhouse.com/kids/lucyrose/author.html .
I send out Breaking Book News when I have a book on the way. Readers who would like a heads up, can message me at AskKatyKelly@gmail.com. That’s also the place to send questions and to request an author phone chat for your book club or class.

Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with my readers. This fabulous new series is a must-read for all boys and girls! I wish you only the best.
Katy: Thanks!

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Katy. Please stop by your favorite bookstore or local library branch and pick up a copy of MELONHEAD today!

Better yet, would you like to win one? Be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following trivia question and it’s yours!

Name the title of the sequel to MELONHEAD.

In June, I will be bringing to you some fabulous interviews including Bethenny Frankel of The Real Housewives of New York City! You won’t want to miss it!

Until next month…Jen

Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

June Computer Classes

2009-05-11T11:21:00.003-04:00

Computer classes are free and for adults and young adults. For more information, please call 559-1945 and ask for the Reference Department. Class space is available for 8 participants per session. Registration is required.

Computer Basics
Tuesday, June 2 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 5/19
This class provides a basic introduction to the personal computer and its parts. Learn how to use the mouse and navigate the computer screen. There is time for hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.

Keyboard Basics
Tuesday, June 9 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 5/26
Basic orientation to using the computer keyboard. Learn to be a more efficient keyboarder. General instruction and hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.

Files and Folders: File Organization and Management
Tuesday, June 16 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 6/2
Learn how to organize your computer files more effectively. Basic concepts include: creating a file or document, creating folders, naming folders and saving document in a folder and deleting files. Prerequisite: Computer Basics will be helpful.

Internet Basics
Tuesday, June 23 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 6/9
An introduction to the Internet, focusing on the World Wide Web, using Internet Explorer. Provides an overview of how the Internet is structured and introduces searching on the World Wide Web. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse will be helpful.

Jennifer Vido Interviews Nicole Seitz

2009-05-11T10:46:00.004-04:00

Local Author Nicole Seitz

Jen’s Jewels
May 11, 2009

Nicole Seitz
Have you ever given any thought as to how well you know your parents? Sure, you probably can name their alma maters, birth places, and the top three crazy relatives on each side, but how about their innermost feelings of joy or deepest, darkest fears? It seems as if life is like a merry-go-round. We just keep spinning round and round rather than taking the time to experience the simple pleasures of being with the ones we love.
This month’s Jen’s Jewels, Nicole Seitz, explores the unchartered waters of familial issues in her latest release A HUNDRED YEARS OF HAPPINESS. It’s the story of a family from South Carolina’s low country, forced to come to terms with ghosts from the past. Beautifully written with an unforeseen ending, this book will leave its imprint on your heart and soul. Without a doubt, it is a must-read novel for May.
As part of this interview, Thomas Nelson has generously donated five copies for you to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: Being an artist as well as an author enables you to creatively blend the many facets of your personality. Please paint for us a picture of your educational and professional background that led to your career in publishing.
Nicole: Originally I wanted to be in television. I thought 60 Minutes was my ultimate career path. So I went to school for Broadcast Journalism at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. My senior year, I interned at a medium-sized market station in Raleigh, NC, and realized that television was not quite for me. Not yet, anyway.

I was bummed and baffled, but wound up going to Savannah College of Art & Design for another degree in Illustration. I could envision using my writing and art to do freelance articles and illustration for magazines like Gourmet and Conde Nast Traveler. But I never did. Instead, to help pay for SCAD, I wrote freelance articles for The Bluffton Packet and The Island Packet newspapers in Hilton Head Island, SC. I especially loved personality profiles and painting pictures of my subjects with words.

After SCAD, I went into graphic design and then web design. I worked for several large corporations as a web designer until I married and started my own web/graphic business. It had been many years, but I was feeling the urge to write again. I wrote two articles, one on three Lowcountry artists and their studios and another on a local sweetgrass basket maker for SouthCarolina Magazine. I was getting back in the swing of things. Working from home allowed me the flexibility to work at all hours of the day, which, with my background in journalism, all came together when I got the idea for my first novel about five years ago.

Jen: Having experience as a freelance writer and illustrator allows you to dabble in various areas of the business. What was the driving force behind your decision to become a novelist? And did you intend to write for the Christian market from the get-go or do you believe God steered you His way?
Nicole: I don’t feel I really decided to become a novelist—instead, it feels as if my first book simply wrote itself. I was pregnant with my second child when I woke up with my character, Essie Mae, telling her story about family, sweetgrass, and heaven. After bed rest and an emergency early birth for my son (he’s fine, by the way), I would wake at all hours of the night, having to tell that story. My mother convinced me to try and sell it, so I got an agent and within the year, it sold in a two-book deal. As for the Christian market, I really knew nothing about it. I am a Christian and my character was African-American, loved Jesus, and explored heaven. I believe the Christian publisher who bought the book simply saw the faith of my character and thought it fit the market. I went under contract for four more books with Thomas Nelson, so I definitely think God steered me this way. Fortunately I landed with a publisher who allows me to write mainstream novels from a Christian worldview.

Jen: Before we talk about your book, let’s chat about your artwork. Each cover of your three published novels portrays your original works. Are the paintings completed before, during, or after the writing of the books and why so? And, do you paint more than one piece for each novel? Also, are they available for purchase?
Nicole: My first painting, the one on the cover of The Spirit of Sweetgrass, was painted after the book was written and sold. I didn’t realize it would one day be on the cover at the time, I was just moved to paint it. With each novel, I wait until the book is written and well underway before I begin painting for the cover because I want to make sure I really know what the book is about—that it’s not going to change. And yes, I do paint more than one painting for each book. The publisher and I decide which one will work best. Sometimes I have to tweak it to get it write. The cover of my latest, A Hundred Years of Happiness, is actually a composite of two paintings and one of my photographs. All of my paintings are available for purchase and listed on my web site.

Jen: Your latest release, A HUNDRED YEARS OF HAPPINESS, is such a powerful novel on so many levels. Not only could I not put it down, but also I did not see that ending coming. Truly, this book is phenomenal. How did you arrive at the premise?
Nicole: A couple years ago, my husband and I took my parents out for their anniversary, when my stepfather opened up about his time in Vietnam forty years ago. It was an earth-shaking, eye-opening evening for me, so I went home and wrote the scene. I wrote what my stepfather had told us about a recent terrifying experience he’d had confronting “the enemy” from so long ago. My husband loved it, but my mother, my reader, said, “Oh, don’t write about this.” I knew in that moment I needed to write about those things that we’ve been silent about my whole life—the lingering effects of war on families and next generations.

Jen: In my opinion, there are four central characters in the story. So, let’s talk a little bit about each one and how he/she contributes to the overall fluidity to the plot.
First of all, Katherine Ann is your typical career woman turned stay-at-home mom with a Southern twist. She has some self-esteem issues (don’t we all?), but generally I find her to be a solid woman with a level head on her shoulders. Why then has she chosen to dig up skeletons from her father’s past despite her fear of discovering some dark, hidden truth?
Nicole: I’m glad you see Katherine Ann as a fairly solid woman because she’s VERY loosely based on me J She chooses to dig up her father’s skeletons because she has a greater fear of what may be happening to her and to her own kids. She starts experiencing unraveling and tension and anger in her own life, and it looks a whole lot like her father. Isn’t it easier to “fix” someone other than ourselves? Katherine Ann simply talks herself into believing that her father is at the root of her pending demise.

Jen: Throughout the novel, I feel as if Katherine Ann treads lightly when it comes to being around her mother, Betty Jo. Why does she keep her mother at arm’s length? What is she afraid of uncovering? And, why does Betty Jo accept their somewhat disjointed relationship?
Nicole: Wow, good questions. Katherine Ann is very connected to her mother, yet from a distance. In fact, she spends every morning at her mother’s house, with her friends, the Water Lilies. I think she wants to be close to her mother, but as Betty Jo is a bit private and stand-offish, Katherine Ann chooses to simply be present for her. I don’t think it’s so much that Katherine Ann is keeping her mother at arm’s length, but rather the other way around. Betty Jo has some things that she is hiding that she’s never shared with anyone. Yet she keeps the persona of being perfectly coifed and put together. There comes a point in all mother-daughter relationships when you don’t try to change the way things are, but rather to work on accepting each party for who she is. Accepting those things you cannot change. I think this is where Katherine Ann and Betty Jo find themselves.

Jen: Secondly, John Porter, Katherine Ann’s father, is a Vietnam veteran trying hard to make peace with his past. His relationship with his daughter is undeniably a strong bond that holds them, as well as his family, together. How does this father/daughter relationship affect John’s marriage to Betty Jo? How does it impact Katherine Ann and RC’s marriage?
Nicole: John is a hard man to be around at times. Katherine Ann is not close, per se, with her father. She simply wants to be. So when John opens up about the war, Katherine Ann feels connected for a moment, and convicted, of never having known or cared to know these things about him before. Thus, her quest to help her father—and ultimately herself—becomes a way for floundering Katherine Ann to feel rooted and connected. Betty Jo acts much more put together than she actually is, so at times, Katherine Ann can pick up on twinges of jealousy when her father spends time with her. When we’re silent about things, it can separate us from our spouse or our child, or our God. There is a lot of silence between John, Betty Jo and Katherine Ann.
RC, on the other hand, is the opposite of John Porter. He is a rock, a good balance for Katherine Ann. I think the relationship Katherine Ann has with her father, one of unpredictability, only strengthens her view of her own stable husband.

Jen: Thirdly, Lisa the illegitimate daughter of a Vietnamese woman and an American soldier, has lived her life with many unanswered questions as to her origins. Now she is faced with the cold, hard truth which ultimately will impinge on her future. What aspect of her personality contributes to her ability to boldly face adversity despite the emotional warfare it may potentially unleash?
Nicole: Lisa has lived a dual life. She has had a Vietnamese upbringing in the home and an American life on the outside. Growing up in Georgetown, SC she’s always been different. By now, with Uncle dead and her mother mute for six months, Lisa has been extremely alone, more than any time in her life. She has run the restaurant on her own and had no “parents” to talk to for months. I think she’s been forced to see what she’s really made of. Forced to analyze her life or lack thereof. It is this priming that allows her to boldly move forward in an effort to dispel the lies and get to the truth. When you’re grieving over the loss of a loved one (and she’s grieving her mother as well), you think that perhaps you’ve dealt with the worst there is.

Jen: Lisa’s mother consciously chooses to become mute upon the death of the uncle. Is this a cry for help or perhaps is it a way of punishing herself for past transgressions?
Nicole: I think it’s a bit of both. Uncle was the one person who knew Doan Vien in Vietnam and in America, her life before and after. She had no secrets from him. Yet she does with Lisa. I think Doan Vien not only grieves the loss of her brother, but allows this sadness to take her back to when she felt destitute as a young woman. What is there left for her to say now? In essence, she has given up.

Jen: The fourth and what I believe to be the most powerful character in the novel is Ernest, John Porter’s comrade from Vietnam. There is so much I would like to ask you, but for obvious reasons (plot spoilers), I can not. Let’s stick to what we can talk about! What makes him put all his trust into John’s judgment? Is he gullible or simply a man fearful for his life?
Nicole: Ernest is a gentle soul. He grew up on a farm, a simple life, loving parents. War, to him, is a shock. He finds himself far from home, terrified, with no way out. John, on the other hand, has had a rough life. He enlisted in the Army to get away from it all. He has also developed a persona that is rough and tough out of necessity. But he is loyal. Ernest and John have a true brotherly bond. It is John’s willingness to protect and Ernest’s need to be protected that makes this bond so strong.

Jen: How would each of the four main characters (Katherine Ann, John, Lisa, and Ernest) describe their definition of love in respect to their faith? Would you say it’s the driving force behind their actions? Why or why not?
Nicole: Part of the reason each of these characters is tossed by the wind and waves is that they do not have a strong faith in God. They choose to put their faith in one another, in circumstance, in themselves. When those things fail, the impending crisis brings out this crisis of faith. Ernest’s journey exemplifies best the growth of faith in each of these lives. Love has a tendency to be limited or one-sided when it emanates only from ourselves and not from something larger than us.

Jen: When the ink was finally dry and it was time to say good-bye to these characters, how did it make you feel? Why so?
Nicole: Oh, many things. I was happy to be done with it. It was a hard book to write at times. I had to delve into war which was emotionally trying. Yet when it was done and my vision had come full circle, I was so pleased it had worked. I was amazed it worked. I cried as my characters’ journeys ended, but was left hopeful and pleased. Writing this book, as with all, was cathartic. I was ready to let them go and move on.

Jen: Please tell us about your website. Are there Reading Group Guides available for your novels? Do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one?
Nicole: I have a web site, www. Nicolseseitz.com, where readers can contact me, join my mailing list, read about my books, see my paintings, and more. You can find excerpts and reviews of my books as well as reading group guides and questions there. I love to meet with book clubs and can always arrange a telephone or video chat. If you would like to schedule a book club chat, just contact me on my web site and we’ll set it up!

Jen: Are you currently at work on your next project? If so, what can you share with us?
Nicole: My next book, Saving Cicadas, will be released December 1 of this year. Like my other books, this one takes place in the South, in a small fictitious town called Cypresswood, SC. It is narrated by an eight-and-a-half year old girl named Janie, who tells about the summer her single mother got pregnant again unexpectedly, and how she hauled the whole family in the car to escape including Rainey Dae, her 17-year-old sister with special needs, and Poppy and Grandma Mona. It would be the last family vacation they would ever take. It’s a tender and sometimes shocking look at the difficult choices grown-ups make and the secrets and ghosts that remain in every family.

Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your book with my readers. I was so moved by your work. Best of luck with A HUNDRED YEARS OF HAPPINESS.
Nicole: Thank you! I loved this interview, Jen. Your questions were thoughtful and probing. It was a true pleasure, and I’m so glad you enjoyed my novel. Hope you look for the next one.

I hope you, my readers, have enjoyed my interview with Nicole. Please stop by your local bookstore or local library branch and pick up a copy today! Better yet, would you like to win one? Okay, be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following trivia question and it’s yours!

Name the title of Nicole’s upcoming December 2009 release.

Later this month, I will be bringing to you my interview with children’s author, Katy Kelly. You won’t want to miss it.

Until next time…Jen

Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Jennifer Vido Interviews Gayden Metcalfe & Charlotte Hays

2009-05-01T16:03:00.006-04:00

Jennifer Vido interviews authors Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays who have written SOME DAY YOU'LL THANK ME FOR THIS...The Official Southern Ladies' Guide to Being a "Perfect" Mother.

Gayden Metcalfe(Meeks Photograhy)

Charlotte Hays(Lisa Helfert)

Jen’s Jewels
May 1, 2009

Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays

It’s hard to believe that Mother’s Day is just around the corner. I know this because my sons have been conspiring not-so-secretly as to the perfect gift. Jewelry? (Dad says she has too much.) A new CD? (Think she’ll like my favorite rapper?) Maybe dinner at her favorite restaurant? (Doesn’t she always say pancakes are just fine?)
Little do they know that my favorite gifts from years past are hidden in a secret drawer which I visit from time to time. Truly, it’s the macaroni necklace that brings tears of joy to my eyes. And don’t forget the love note with lots of misspellings which often makes my heart skip a beat. These are the gifts I will always treasure. Don’t we all know…life goes by way too fast.
It only seems fitting that Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays stop by and chat with us this month. Their latest release, SOME DAY YOU’LL THANK ME FOR THIS…The Official Southern Ladies’ Guide to Being a “Perfect” Mother is full of hilarious anecdotes every mother must read. Whether you live north or south of the Mason Dixon Line, it doesn’t matter. This book is for everyone.
As part of the column, Hyperion Books has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: I think it would be fair to say that you two talented ladies epitomize the true meaning of the term “Southern belles”. So that my readers may get a better understanding of the women behind these delightful books, please, as Southerners would say, “tell us where you’re from and who your people are.”
Gayden: I’m not sure I qualify for a belle at this tender age. But, I am alive and well as something here in the Mississippi Delta (with my people). At best, we’re elder belles—bellelders!
Charlotte: Gayden epitomizes the belle. I’d love to be one, but I’m just not. My wonderful mother was (as was Gayden’s very dear mother). I think Mama’s last words on her death bed may have been, “And my stag line stretched around the ballroom floor.” That is the belle.

Jen: As far as your educational and professional background, how did it prepare each of you for a career in publishing?
Gayden: My Mama and my life in the Delta prepared me as much as anything…besides alcohol.
Charlotte: I like to describe myself as a recovering gossip columnist. Gossip is a trade I learned at my mother’s knee. Also, Greenville has a literary history, and I think we all grew up with the notion that you could become a writer. Gayden and I were good friends of Kate Keating, a talented contemporary who died very young. Her father was Bern Keating, and we knew that Bern—or Mr. Keating, as we then said—earned his living by writing. I always loved to read and wanted to be a writer.

Jen: In terms of collaboration, how did the idea of teaming up to write these delightful books come to fruition? (I’ve read all three and love them!)
Gayden: I could never have done these books without Charlotte. I might remember a story or two that she doesn’t but as far as the writing is concerned…it’s all Charlotte.
Charlotte: It was totally Gayden’s idea. She called me with the idea for Being Dead. I knew it was a brilliant idea, but I felt I had a plate full. Fortunately, I mentioned Gayden’s idea to a friend of mine, Sandra McElwaine, who currently writes for The Daily Beast and other outlets, and she mentioned it to Susan Mercandeti, who was then at Miramax. To make a long story short, Gayden and I went to New York and pitched the idea at Miramax. They bought it. We couldn’t believe it. We worked with
E-mail. We could never have done our books if there were no such thing as e-mail.

Jen: Your latest release, which is a lovely gift for Mother’s Day, is entitled SOME DAY YOU’LL THANK ME FOR THIS The official Southern Ladies’ Guide to Being a “Perfect” Mother. How did you arrive at the premise?
Gayden: My Mother constantly reminded me, “You’ll thank me for this.” Yes, when she was switching the backs of my legs. And another, “You’ll miss me when I’m gone.” She was right one more time!
Charlotte: Lordy, I also heard, “You’ll thank me for this” from my mother. Odd, I never expected to find out how right she was.

Jen: Since you do not live in the same part of the country, how does the actual writing process take place?
Gayden: Well, these books jerked us right into the twenty-first century. We learned a lot quickly about the computer world as opposed to Ma’Bell. We e-mail constantly.
Charlotte: Yes, the wonders of modern technology!

Jen: The book is divided into seven chapters. Although in my opinion, it feels more like seven hysterical vignettes woven together by one common thread…motherhood. A question I just have to ask. Are the women you depict in these tales actually real people? And if so, how did they feel about being mentioned in the book? (Most of these stories are absolutely laugh-out-loud funny! Others are very endearing.)
Gayden: Thank the Lord, we altered most of the names…just enough. But they know who they are! It’s the people we left out that really complain.
Charlotte: When the first book came out, Gayden sent an advance reading copy to Shelby Foote. He asked why we changed some names and not others. We explained that, if you’d given us a recipe, we didn’t change your name. But, if you’d done something socially awkward, such as hacking your mother to death with the garden shears, we did. Yes, these people are all real. We often have people tell us they know them—if not the very same people, the very same types.

Jen: At times, I found myself underlining some very useful etiquette tips. (My own mother will be so proud.) Let’s take one example from the book. Why should one never reply to a formal invitation in blue ink?
Gayden: Blue ink. Why in the world would you not use black?
Charlotte: Blue ink on a formal invitation! It just isn’t right. My mother talked about an otherwise perfect cousin who did this for years on end. You can use blue ink for many things, but not a formal reply. The rule is “reply in kind.” I suppose if—God forbid!—you received a formal invitation with blue ink, you should reply in blue ink. Please, I hope I don’t live long enough to see this!

Jen: I especially liked the comments by Gayden’s nephew, Hugh Dickson Gayden Miller, peppered throughout the book. I had to chuckle when he mentioned the one about having to clean up before the housekeeper’s arrival lest she would quit if it were known how messy things could be! How did Dickson become involved with this project?
Gayden: He offered and of course, I remember my Mother saying, “Ask a lazy person to do something and they will find an easy way. I was lucky that my nephew expressed an interest. He has the gift of gab. I think he is very talented…and funny!
Charlotte: Dickson became involved because he is brilliant—and we adore him. And, as Gayden says….

Jen: Besides the wonderful stories throughout the book, each chapter contains to-die-for Southern recipes. Have you tested each one? And if so, which is your personal favorite and why?
Gayden: Being a Delta person, I must say the tomato aspic is absolutely to die for (don’t forget BEING DEAD IS NO EXCUSE)
Charlotte: Gayden’s husband, Harley, deserves a medal for all the pimiento cheese he ate when Gayden was testing recipes. She tested them, I don’t cook.

Jen: In fifteen words or less, what’s your definition of the perfect Southern mother?
Gayden: The perfect southern mother worships kindness and good manners and is determined to hand on her religion. (Also, if you ask her to say something in 15 words, she takes 17, if not a book!)
Charlotte: She loves you dearly and devotes her life to ensuring that you never sit on a strange commode seat.

Jen: What’s next on your agenda? Are you at work on your fourth guide? And if so, what can you share about it with my readers?
Gayden: A brief rest.
Charlotte: Ditto.

Jen: Well deserved! Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy touring schedule to stop by and chat with my readers. It has been such a pleasure getting to know both of you! Best of luck with your book!
Gayden and Charlotte: Thank you!

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with the ladies. Please stop by your favorite bookstore or library branch (CCPL Catalog and Branches) and pick up a copy of SOME DAY YOU’LL THANK ME FOR THIS The official Southern Ladies’ Guide to Being a “Perfect” Mother today. Better yet, would you like to win one? Be one of the first five readers to e-mail at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following trivia question and it’s yours!

Who is Harley?

Next time, I will be bringing to you my interview with Nicole Seitz, South Carolinian low-country author and artist. You won’t want to miss it.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Jen

Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Coming in May!

2009-04-18T10:19:00.003-04:00

Computer classes are for adults and young adults. For more information, please call 559-1945 and ask for the Reference Department. Class space is available for 8 participants per session.

Word Basics
Tuesday, May 5 from 10 a.m. – 12 noon
Registration starts 4/21
Introduction to the basic tools of Microsoft Word. Learn how to enter and format text, change margins and line spacing, and copy and paste text. Saving and printing tips will also be discussed. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse will be helpful.

Excel Basics
Tuesday, May 12 from 10 a.m. – 12 noon
Registration starts 4/28
An introduction to spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. This session provides a basic overview and common uses for spreadsheets. Learn basic Excel functions and build a simple budget spreadsheet. Prerequisite: Word Basics or some experience using MS Word will be helpful.

PowerPoint Basics
Tuesday, May 19 from 10 a.m. – 12 noon
Registration starts 5/5
Overview of Microsoft PowerPoint, a software program for designing creative presentations and slideshows. Create a simple presentation and learn how to use this program to produce effective printed materials. Prerequisite: Word Basics or some experience using MS Word will be helpful.

Access Basics
Tuesday, May 26 from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Registration starts 5/12
Databases store large amounts of related data, like inventory and address lists. Discover the basic tools used to create and modify related tables, forms, queries, and reports in a database. Completion of Excel Basics (or previous experience) is expected. Please note longer class time.

2009-04-18T09:37:00.005-04:00

Join Jen as she interviews author John Pipkin. Want to learn more about Jen? See her bio at the end of her column!

Jen’s Jewels
April 20, 2009

John Pipkin

It’s no secret that I have a penchant for history. Whether it is learning about the trials and tribulations of Louis XIV or the brave soldiers from the American Civil War, there’s something quite fascinating about discovering little-known facts from the past. Take Henry David Thoreau, for example. Did you know that he accidentally set fire to three hundred acres of woods before building his cabin on the nearby Walden Pond? No, I didn’t either! But this month’s Jen’s Jewels, John Pipkin, most certainly did!

In his debut novel entitled WOODSBURNER, he takes this real-life incident and spins it into a gripping tale of four extraordinary men whose lives are forever changed by this catastrophic event. Through his vivid depiction of these mystifying characters, he takes the reader on a riveting journey with many surprising twist and turns. Without a doubt, this novel raises historical fiction to an all new level.

As part of this interview, Doubleday Books has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of reading adventure.

Jen: It’s quite refreshing to speak with a debut novelist because you are somewhat of a mystery to us. Quite often, an author’s background helps fill in the gaps in terms of why you chose to pursue a certain genre. So, please share with us a brief overview of your educational and professional background prior to becoming a novelist.

John: Since the summer of 2000, my wife and I have called Austin, Texas “home,” but I am originally from back east—born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. As an undergraduate, I attended Washington and Lee University in Virginia and then went to UNC-Chapel Hill for my M.A. in English, before moving out to Houston to earn my Ph.D. in British Literature from Rice University. (For some reason I gradually migrated southward during my college years.) My first job after graduate school was teaching English at Saint Louis University. Later I worked for several years as an assistant professor of Rhetoric and Humanities at Boston University, before moving back to Texas, where I worked for a time as a freelance editor for Holt, Rinehart & Winston, and then as a standardized test developer for Pearson Educational Measurement, and most recently as the Executive Director of the Writers’ League of Texas, which is a non-profit, literary arts organization. I have been writing fiction steadily since 1995, but WOODSBURNER is my first novel and my first published piece of fiction. All of my jobs have been related in some way to education, publishing, and the literary arts, so I think they all contributed in their own way to my writing career.

Jen: What was the driving force that led you to a career in publishing? And also, how would you best describe yourself as a writer?

John: You know, I have always wanted to be a writer, but I guess I took a fairly circuitous route to get to where I am now. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment or motive in my childhood that led me to pursue writing, but I can identify the main reason that I returned to the idea of being a writer as an adult. In my academic career I did a great deal of archival research, and what I often found most intriguing were the coincidences and historical concurrences that seemed somehow connected in ways that are not empirically verifiable. Fiction, especially historical fiction, gave me the opportunity to speculate, to make intuitive leaps between events and people. How would I describe myself as a writer? I guess I would say that I am drawn first to idea. Different writers begin at different places. I know some writers who first begin with a character, or a particular point of conflict, or a setting, or a historical event. I think I tend to be drawn toward ideas first: a message or theme or tone that I want to convey to the reader. The writing process is largely the development of all of the other elements necessary to communicate the larger idea to the reader. I’m a pretty disciplined writer; in fact, I often feel more like a mechanic or an engineer than an “artist.” I take writing very seriously (even if what I am writing at the time happens to be comic) and I trust in the transformative power in words. I truly believe that people are rendered better versions of themselves through the act of reading.

Jen: As my readers know, my column welcomes most genres, however, this month’s selection took me way out of my comfort zone. (I’m happy to report that it was a fascinating educational journey for me. I highly recommend the book!) In your first release, WOODSBURNER, you masterfully take a real- life historical incident and turn it into a fictional story. Please describe its metamorphosis. How did you arrive at the premise? And, why did choose to write about Henry David Thoreau?

John: In the summer of 2003, I had no intention of writing a novel about Henry David Thoreau. But around that time that I picked up the July 2003 issue of Harper’s and came across a brief line in the Harper’s Index:
Estimated acres of forest Henry David Thoreau burned down in 1844 trying to cook fish he had caught for dinner: 300.
I have always been interested in Thoreau, and in early-nineteenth-century American literature and philosophy in general, but I was not aware of this incident. The fire is not a secret, and it is mentioned in all of the major Thoreau biographies, but no one, as far as I can tell, has ever really considered what impact this fire had on Thoreau’s development as a philosopher and a naturalist. At first, I was simply attracted by the irony that one of America’s iconic environmentalists might have been driven—at least in part—by his remorse over having caused the destruction of the very thing he so loved. But the details surrounding the event are even more intriguing. The forest fire takes place at a time in Thoreau’s life when his own future was uncertain: he had not yet written any of the great works for which he would be remembered; his various attempts at teaching and tutoring had ended in disappointment, and he had not yet built his famous cabin at Walden Pond. In 1844, Thoreau was a relatively unknown pencil maker with great intellectual promise (according to his close friends) but little to show for it. Could it be possible that an accidental forest fire—one that burned for only a single day—may have helped changed the landscape of American literary history?
The more I researched, the more I began to feel that America was also at a crossroads in the period between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. America was still searching for its identity and had not yet developed its own literature or art or philosophy. It is a fertile, exciting, and transformative period in American history, and I eventually decided that I wanted WOODSBURNER to deal with the promises of the New World, the seemingly unlimited resources of early America, and the sense of possibility and uncertainty present in a young country that—for all its potential—could not yet lay claim to a cultural or intellectual tradition of its own.

Jen: Please walk us through the writing process. Did you outline first? Did you have a vision as to where you wanted the story to lead you or did it take on a life of its own?

John: I always outline, repeatedly and obsessively. I don’t always stick to the outline, but it’s there for reference if I start to wander too far off track. There are four interwoven plots in WOODSBURNER, as well as a good deal of back-story, so I had to keep the plot lines organized. Each character has his or her own history and his or her own story of what happens on the day of the fire. I wrote each of the four stories individually, from start to finish. Then I went back and broke the stories apart and wove them together. I originally kept all of the chapters relatively short so that I could link events in each character’s story to the overall structure of the novel. I kept track of the various stories on a chart and on index cards, so that I could make sure the timelines matched properly. My office at home was not pretty sight.

Jen: Approximately how much research went into the writing of this book? Besides Henry, did any of the other characters you mention in the novel truly exist?

John: I did quite a bit of research into Thoreau’s life, and, of course, I researched life in 19th-century America. For the most part, I tried to rely on Thoreau’s own writings for the main source of information about his life and the world of 1844. But, to be honest, I also tried very hard to limit my research, because WOODSBURNER is—first and foremost—a work of fiction, not a biography or a history of the period. I didn’t want to fall into the trap of including historical facts for their own sake. I only allowed myself enough research to support the fictional stories I created. I wanted to make sure, to the best of my ability, that every action and thought and spoken word in WOODSBURNER is historically plausible. There is little documentation of what exactly happened on the day of the fire, so I felt relatively unconstrained as far as what I could imagine actually happened. But I made sure that nothing I imagined in the book contradicts known facts.

Thoreau is the only real-life character in WOODSBURNER, and I limited my research to what happened up until 1844, because I wanted to avoid attributing thoughts or details from his later life to his earlier period. The other main characters of the novel are completely fictional, although there are a few references to other historical figures (such as Emerson, and the landowners Thoreau encounters in the woods). The other main characters are not based on any real people and they are not composites of historical figures. I wanted to create characters representative of different aspects of American society at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Jen: Roughly how long did it take to complete WOODSBURNER? What was the most challenging part of the entire process? The most rewarding?

John: I began writing the book in November 2003, one week before my son was born. In terms of the process itself, one of the most challenging parts of the project was simply finding time to write with a full-time job and a newborn. I woke at 5:00am every morning and wrote until 8:00am before heading off to work. I did this for three years, and I completely re-wrote the manuscript three times. As far as the content is concerned, the most challenging part was keeping myself focused on the story when there was always a temptation to digress into quirky anecdotes about little historical oddities of the time. After I had rewritten the book a second time, I put it aside for three months and then came back to it. When I reread it, I found passages that I had completely forgotten I had written—when I read them they felt like been written by someone else—and that was probably the most satisfying experience of the whole process.

Jen: In the novel, you chose to highlight four very different men. Let’s talk about each one and how his persona contributed to the execution of the plot. As you mentioned, the catalyst of the story is the fire accidentally set by Henry. I was surprised as to Henry’s blasé attitude towards the impact of his actions. Would you agree with my observation? And if so, why did you choose to portray him in this way? And if not, what were your intentions?

John: Thoreau’s character is based very closely upon the content and tone of his journal entries for 1837 to 1844 (including his sole account of the fire in 1850). I tried to avoid including any information or interpretations that applied to Henry’s life post-1884, which was difficult, since most of the what he is remembered for are writings and events that came after the fire. I don’t think that Thoreau’s attitude toward the fire is blasé, but I definitely tried to make his perspective appear vexed and ambivalent. I truly believe that Thoreau felt guilty and that the defensive (sometimes indignant) tone in his journal entry for 1850, in which he tries to rationalize away his guilt, is indicative of how deeply he felt responsible for what he had done. At the same time, I felt that it would be inaccurate to depict him as overtly penitent since this would contradict the way he presents himself through his own writings. My intention was to portray Thoreau’s character with a certain ambiguity so that readers can draw their own conclusions as to whether or not the impact of the fire was significant enough to alter the course of his life. Despite all of the writings that Thoreau has left us, Thoreau the man is still somewhat enigmatic, the subject of much debate and speculation, and I didn’t want to do anything to alter that character.

Jen: On page 173 you write, “After twenty-six years, Henry has accomplished little, and the burden of his empty history weighs heavily on him.” Is this a true portrayal of Henry David Thoreau? Did he spend the first part of his life in state of purposelessness?

John: Well, yes, I believe that this is an accurate portrayal of Thoreau’s indecisiveness and his frustrated ambitions in the spring of 1844. But I probably wouldn’t go so far as to say that Thoreau spent the first part of his life in a state of purposelessness. By 1844, he had already been writing for several years. He had already begun his journal and was recording observations about nature that would figure centrally in his later works. He had already run his own school with his brother John for three years, and for a time he had helped edit the Transcendentalist magazine, The Dial. He had also lived in New York for several months in 1843, trying to break into the publishing world, but he could not find anyone willing to publish his writings. At the time of the fire, Thoreau he had not yet succeeded at any of the ambitions for which he is now well known. In fact, at this time Thoreau himself had begun to worry if he was ever to achieve any of his literary goals. Ironically, in the spring of 1844, the one thing at which Thoreau appears to have worked the hardest and enjoyed the greatest success is something that has been forgotten altogether: he helped his father make what were then regarded as the best pencils in America. Thoreau invented and refined several devices for manufacturing of pencils and his innovations contributed substantially to the financial success of the family business. I can’t help but wonder: if it weren’t for the fire, would Thoreau be known today as a pencil maker instead of our first great environmentalist?

Jen: The second man in the story is Oddmund Hus. What an interesting character! First of all, what is the significance of his dead infant tooth? Does its existence have some deeper meaning? Or does it simply personify his infantile demeanor?

John: Thanks. I have been simply overwhelmed by the powerful way that readers have responded to Oddmund’s character. The dead tooth! Many readers have asked about that. It does hold an important significance in the story, but I’d rather not assign it a specific symbolic meaning, since I want to give readers the freedom to consider the meaning for themselves. But I will confess that I am fairly obsessed with teeth and, for that matter, all things dental. In the 21st century, in America especially, we place such a high emphasis on perfect, straight, unnaturally white teeth, and yet, even today, teeth can still be a source of great pain. In no other time in human history have smiles looked anything like what we regularly see today on television and in the movies. But when we’re trying to picture what people looked like in the nineteenth century, I think we seldom consider what people’s teeth looked like, or at least we don’t think about it until after we’ve thought about dress, hairstyles, etc. Even less consideration is given to the discomfort that people must have regularly experienced a few generations ago. Many people in Thoreau’s time lost teeth at an early age. Thoreau himself needed to have all of his teeth pulled at thirty-four! Much has been said about the eyes being windows to the soul, but I think that the way a person smiles is just as revealing. Even today, the appearance of a person’s teeth often subtly influences the way they are judged by others.

Jen: Secondly, his attraction to Emma Woburn is painstakingly sorrowful. What makes Emma such a femme fatale in his eyes?

John: The love story between Oddmund and Emma really occupies the heart of the novel. I wanted to create a hero who was filled with self-doubt and wholly unaware of his own strength. Oddmund is a man who is frightened by his own urges and spends much of his life denying and ignoring his desires. But for Emma overpowers his own resistance to himself. I think Odd sees a kindred spirit in Emma, someone who, like him, arrived in the New World alone, forced to find her own way. Odd admires her for this strength.

Jen: In the book you write, “Odd had sought only to remove himself from the paths of other people, but he had not expected that he would find in the woods companionship of a different sort.”(pg.138)
In what way has society scorn him so deeply that he feels that his only saving grace is a life of solitude? Is this a self-imposed sentence?

John: Yes, his solitude is self-imposed, and, in fact, I think that most of the scorn he feels is actually the product of his own imagination. He views himself much more harshly than do any of the other characters. He is left abandoned and alone in the New World, and he carries with him a terrible family secret, but it is his own diminished sense of self-worth that leads him to believe that the world has rejected him. In America, after all, he is free to remake himself into anything he wants, but he has to realize this potential for himself first, and then, of course, he needs to finds the motivation to transform himself.

Jen: Let’s move on to the ambitious bookseller named Eliot Calvert. Why is he so quick to give up his freedom and marry Margaret Mary Mahoney even though her father comes along with the package? Has he taken on more than he bargained for? Why or why not?

John: Eliot is not only an ambitious artist; he is socially and financially ambitious as well. These conflicting desires play themselves out internally, and though Eliot tends to blames others for his lack of artistic success or his overwhelming financial responsibilities, he alone is responsible for the man he has become. He gives up his freedom and marries Margaret Mahoney because, although he clings to romantic notions of art, he cannot ignore his own hunger for material success.

Jen: Without giving too much away, the sale of some rather unconventional items in his store seemed to illicit a much deeper meaning. Yes, the extra income was needed, but also I felt as if he were striking back at Margaret’s father. Would it be fair to say that his resentment towards both of them played a role in the way he conducted his entire life?

John: Eliot, I think, is essentially striking back at himself throughout the book. To cite a cliché, he is his own worst enemy, though he probably doesn’t see it this way. Although he resents Margaret and her father for distracting him from his art and burdening him with the responsibilities of maintaining a business and a big house, the truth is that he actually resents himself for embracing the world that he wants to think he is somehow above. Eliot’s thwarted ambitions are his own fault, although he tries repeatedly to blame them on others.

Jen: Finally, the villain of the story, if you will, is Caleb Ephraim Dowdy. In my opinion, he is the minister without faith. What has driven this lost soul to such a self-destructive journey of being?

John: The doubts that Caleb Dowdy feels are really some of the most basic human doubts and fears. But because he refuses to face them directly, openly and honestly, they fester within him. He is so desperate to believe that his religious views are correct, that he is willing to do some truly terrible things, just to prove himself right. He clings so tightly to dogma to help him resolve the contradictions that he sees in the world, that his beliefs ultimately push him away from the world.

Jen: The scene with the man on the verge of being hung was chilling. Without giving too much away, do you think Caleb came to regret his decision? Why or why not?

John: That’s a great question. Here again, I don’t want to preclude readers from drawing their own conclusions, but I do think that it is important to consider whether Caleb regrets his decision because he realizes it was morally wrong, or because he realizes that the consequences of his decision, once he learns the truth, undermine his rigid system of beliefs.

Jen: Looking back on the entire process, how have you grown as a writer?

John: I think the most important thing that I have learned about writing is actually something incredibly obvious that I probably should have known before I started, and that is that the most important elements of any story are the characters. Of course, it is important that all elements of a story be well-constructed, but characters are what really draw a reader in, elicit sympathy and understanding, and it is through the characters that readers truly connect to the themes and ideas in the book.

Jen: Please tell us about your promotional plans for WOODSBURNER. Do you have a website? Will you be participating in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about arranging one? Will you be on a book signing tour?

John: I will be on tour in May and June, and all of those dates will be posted on my website: www.johnpipkin.com. Some highlights: the official book launch will be at BookPeople in Austin on May 7, and I will also be at the Concord Bookshop in Concord, MA on May 17, and at the Ivy Bookshop in Baltimore on June 29. I will be scheduling phone chats with book clubs during the summer, and the best way for a book club to schedule one would be to contact me via my website.

Jen: Thank you so much for sharing WOODSBURNER with my readers. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with you and wish only the best in your career.

John: Thank you for your insightful questions. I’ve really enjoyed discussing them.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with John. Please stop by your favorite bookstore or local library branch and pick up a copy today. (Click here to check for the book in the Charleston County Public Library catalog; if not listed, you may call a branch and suggest the library adds the book to its collection.) Better yet, would you like to win one? Be one of the first five people to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following trivia question and you’ll win.

Name the villain in WOODSBURNER.

Next month, I will be bringing to you my interview with the authors of SOMEDAY YOU’LL THANK ME FOR THIS…The Official Southern Ladies’ Guide to Being a ‘Perfect” Mother. You won’t want to miss it.

Until next time…Jen

Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

Why I Love My Library

2009-04-06T13:39:00.003-04:00

Do you love the Charleston County Public Library? Just like you, thousands of people all over South Carolina use their public libraries to access the information they need to improve their lives, find jobs and to help their children learn and stretch their imaginations.

In honor of National Library Week April 12-18, take a moment to share how you have benefited from using the library. Your story can make a difference in funding for public libraries statewide and ensuring that every citizen has access to quality resources and information.

Simply click on the “Why I Love My Library” logo above or stop by the library and share your story with library staff! This initiative is brought to you by the South Carolina State Library and the Association of Public Library Administrators.

Click here to share why you love your library!

Jennifer Vido Interviews Dan Yaccarino

2009-04-06T11:16:00.008-04:00

Jen’s Jewels
April 6, 2009

Dan Yaccarino

During this past school year, I have been taking a couple of classes to renew my teaching license. Although I am already a certified French instructor, my state requires that every teacher take two reading classes which actually have proven to be quite useful. For example, who would have thought that reading picture books to high school seniors would be an effective way to introduce common themes and ideas? Well, I am here to tell you that not only does it capture their interest, but also it’s a much needed reprieve from the hectic school day.

It just so happens that this month’s Jen’s Jewels fits perfectly into my French curriculum… THE FANTASTIC UNDERSEA LIFE OF JACQUES COUSTEAU. You may recognize the name Dan Yaccarino as the creator of such popular children’s television shows as The Backyardigans and Oswald. In his latest release, he ventures into the deep, dark sea to explore the world according to Jacques Cousteau. From the vivid illustrations to the fascinating facts about Cousteau’s explorations, this book is truly magnifique!

As part of this column, Alfred A.Knopf, a division of Random House, has generously donated five copies for you my lucky readers to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. Bonne chance! And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: It’s always so fascinating to hear about the “before publication” story of an author because it gives the reader some insight as to the driving force that led him to where he is today. Please tell us a little bit about your educational and professional background. And, in what way did it prepare you for a career in publishing?
Dan: Looking back, I realize that the one thing I really enjoyed doing was telling stories. I made comic books, wrote short stories and scripts, made super 8 movies, etc. I majored in illustration at Parsons School of Design and very soon after graduating I began illustrating for magazines. After a few years, I showed a children’s book editor my portfolio thinking I’d get a manuscript to illustrate, but he instead asked if I had any picture book manuscripts I’d written, which I didn’t, so I said yes and went home and wrote my first book, Big Brother Mike. Through that experience, I learned how to put together a children’s book and I really enjoyed it!

Jen: I think your story is unique in its own right because you wear more than one hat. You’re an author and an illustrator. Let’s start by talking about your artwork. First of all, you have worked with many prestigious authors such as Kevin Henkes and Margaret Wise Brown. How did that facet of your career evolve?
Dan: Like I said, I illustrated for magazines, which meant that I was visually depicting someone else’s ideas, but in my own way. Illustrating a book is just a more elaborate version of that. I love to work with other author’s stories and enjoy the challenge. I’ve illustrated books written by Jack Perlutsky and Naomi Shabib Nye as well.

Jen: Not only have you collaborated on many books, but also you are the creator and producer of the animated series Oswald. In addition, you designed the characters for The Backyardigans on Nickelodeon and created Willa’s Wild Life. Approximately how much of your time is spent working in television? And specifically, what aspect of your involvement in TV is most fulfilling from an artist’s perspective?
Dan: The most important thing I learned from working freelance was how to organize my time. I’m able to balance books, TV, and film work because I know how and when I work best. I usually write in the morning, my afternoons are spent working on TV projects, making phone calls, having meetings and a variety of other things and in the evening I paint.
During the early stages of a TV series, I tend to spend the majority of my workday on it in order to get everyone on board with a singular vision. Once that’s established and I’ve assembled the right team, then my role becomes more of an overseer to make sure the show stays true to the creative vision, which requires less of my time.
I look at a TV series as a different way to tell stories. It’s remarkably fulfilling, but in a different way from books. With books, it’s mostly just myself, the editor and designer putting it together, but with a series, it’ll take dozens of people, each responsible for a small aspect of the whole, to put it together. I think of it as the difference between playing a musical instrument solo and conducting an orchestra. I really enjoy doing both.

Jen: You also have been involved with corporate projects and advertising campaigns. Whew! I don’t know how you do it all! Which of these put your artistic expertise to the test and how so? Did it meet or exceed your expectations? Why or why not?
Dan: About 10 years ago, I did a print campaign for a product called Garden Burger, which ran in magazines and on billboards. Then the ad agency told me they wanted to do a series of animated TV spots and asked if I would co-direct and produce them, so of course I said yes, but I really had no idea what I was doing. However by the time they were finished, I knew how animation worked, which was good because a few months later, I made a deal with Nickelodeon to produce my first series, Oswald.
The Gardenburger spots were a sort of a revelation to me because up until then, my images were static. Animation is a different way to tell stories and the spots far exceeded my expectations.

Jen: Currently, you reside in the Big Apple. Do you display your work in any galleries? Are any of your paintings available for purchase? And, what piece of artwork are you most proud of and why?
Dan: Over the years, I’ve shown my work in galleries in New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Rome. At the moment, I have paintings available for purchase at Storyopolis in Los Angeles.
It would be pretty impossible for me to choose one image or book that I’m most proud of. I guess I’m proud of the fact that the books exist at all because it means that there are people out there who enjoy my work so much that they want to buy my books. I really try to do my best with everything I do and it makes me feel good when it’s appreciated.

Jen: Okay, let’s switch gears and talk about your latest project… THE FANTASTIC UNDERSEA LIFE OF JACQUES COUSTEAU. I have to let you in on a little secret. Besides being a writer, I also teach French part-time at our local high school. So, as soon as your book arrived, I took it right into school and read it to all my classes. Despite being a picture book, my teenagers were truly taken aback by the depth of your story as well as the colorful illustrations. As one student said, “it truly is a work of art.” How did you arrive at the premise?
Dan: Wow! That’s wonderful to hear.
I grew up watching Cousteau’s TV series and found it fascinating. As an adult, I read quite a bit about him and found him fascinating as well. Cousteau was a visionary and way ahead of his time and I thought a new generation should know about him.

Jen: The factual information is just as the title suggests...fantastic! Approximately how much research went into the writing of this book? And, what was the most fascinating tidbit you learned along the way?
Dan: I watched most of his films that were available and read about his life as well as books that he’d written himself. I never knew he wrote so many books and was such a stalwart conservationist back when it wasn’t at all popular, but in the end, we’ve all benefitted from his hard work and faith in his vision.

Jen: In terms of the illustrations, please describe your creative process. Do you use computer graphics of any kind?
Dan: It’s funny you should ask me about that. I work traditionally, gouache on watercolor paper, and have done so for over 20 years, but recently I’ve been trying to learn how to work digitally. It’s been quite a challenge.
I usually start off with dozens of rough ideas and organize them into book form. Then I write the text and sketch out a dummy and my editor and I whip it into shape for me to start illustrating. Once the text is finished and illustrations are complete, the designer puts the book together and we tinker with it until we’re all happy.

Jen: How did you go about putting it all together…the text and the illustrations? (I love the additional informational included at the end.)
Dan: Some of my books come to me visually and some literary. I will occasionally get an idea for a book from an image I created. Other times, I’ll come up with a story and will write it out and not draw a single thing until I’m happy with the text. It’s different every time.

Jen: About how long did it take for you to complete this project? What was the most challenging part of the task?
Dan: That’s hard to say for any of my books. I could walk around with an idea in my head for years before I even jot it down. Other times, I’ll get an idea and within a month or two, I’ve completed the dummy and signed the contract.
I guess I’d been thinking about doing a Cousteau bio for at least 2 or 3 years before getting the story right. The big challenge for me was how to tell the story of his life. Chronologically? Hit all the points that I thought were important and organize it in my own way? I ended up doing a bit of both.

Jen: How will you be promoting this outstanding book? Will you be participating in a book tour? Do you participate in author phone chats? If so, how would my readers go about scheduling one?
Dan: Well, I’m doing this interview, for one. I’m also doing signings at bookstores and appearing at conferences which I announce on my website yaccarinostudio.com. Yes, I’d love to do author phone chats. They can be arranged by e-mailing me from my website.

Jen: Are you currently at work on your next project? And if so, what can you tell us about it?
Dan: I’ve been looking at designs for my next picture book, Lawn to Lawn, due out next spring and I’m about to start work on a new picture book, this one about my great grandfather coming to America, which I’m very excited about. Of course, I’m writing a few more picture books as well as developing a chapter book series.
I’m also producing my new TV animated TV series, Willa’s Wild Life and developing Unlovable and Go Go America as animated TV series, which are both based on books of mine.

Jen: Merci beaucoup for taking the time out of your very busy schedule to stop by and chat with my readers. I wish you the best of luck with this book. Bravo! Well done, indeed!
Dan: Thanks! It was my pleasure.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Dan. Please stop by your local bookstore or favorite library branch and pick up a copy today. THE FANTASTIC UNDERSEA LIFE OF JACQUES COUSTEAU would also make a perfect gift from the Easter Bunny! (Click here to check for the book in the Charleston County Public Library catalog; if not listed, you may call a branch and suggest the library adds the book to its collection.)

Would you like to try to win one instead? Okay, be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following trivia question and you’ll win!

Name one of the authors Dan has collaborated with on a children’s book.

Next time, I will be bringing to you my interview with John Pipkin, author of the #1 pick on my Top Five List for April from my website. You won’t want to miss it.

Until next time…Jen

Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com.

What Are Library Services Worth to You?

2009-04-03T10:19:00.005-04:00

Have you ever wondered what you would pay out-of-pocket for your library services? The South Carolina State Library has posted a Library Use Calculator to help you figure out the value:

LIBRARY USE CALCULATOR

Free Legal Clinics @ the Library

2009-03-23T15:07:00.004-04:00

The South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Program will present four legal clinics at our library. Each clinic will consist of a 30-45 minute lecture followed by an open question and answer session. The clinics are to be held on the following topics on these Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the library's auditorium:

March 24
Wills, Estate & Probate

April 7
Family Law Issues

April 21
Consumer Law Issues

May 5
Bankruptcy Law

No reservations are necessary, so come and join us and ask your legal questions to a member of the South Carolina Bar Association. For more information, call the South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Program at 1-800-395-3425, ext. 158.

Sea Islands Book Club Reads The Enemy by Lee Child

2009-03-23T15:01:00.003-04:00

The Sea Islands Book Club is reading The Enemy by Lee Child and will meet to discuss the book on Tuesday, April 21 at 2:00 p.m. It’s the eve of 1990 and Jack Reacher, a military police officer, reports to his new post. He is immediately thrown into investigating the death of a two-star general at a seedy motel near Fort Bird, NC, the bludgeoning death of the general’s wife at home, and the murder of a gay Delta Force soldier. And just where is the general's briefcase containing sensitive information? Copies of the book may be obtained from the Reference Desk for check out while supplies last.

Learn Computer Skills @ the Library!

2009-03-18T11:21:00.003-04:00

All computer classes are free and are designed for adults and young adults. For more information please call 559-1945 and ask for the Reference Department. Class space is available for 8 participants per session.

Computer Basics
Tuesday, April 7 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 3/24
This class provides a basic introduction to the personal computer and its parts. Learn how to use the mouse and navigate the computer screen. There is time for hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.

Keyboard Basics
Tuesday, April 14 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 3/31
Basic orientation to using the computer keyboard. Learn to be a more efficient keyboarder. General instruction and hands-on practice. No computer experience is necessary.

Internet Basics
Tuesday, April 21 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 4/7
An introduction to the Internet, focusing on the World Wide Web, using Internet Explorer. Provides an overview of how the Internet is structured and introduces searching on the World Wide Web. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse will be helpful.

Email Basics
Tuesday, April 28 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Registration starts 4/14
The library does not provide individual email accounts. However, there are many Internet sites that provide free email. This class presents the basics of registering for a free email account, composing messages, sending and opening email. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse and the Internet will be helpful. Please note longer class time.

Jennifer Vido Interviews Cara Black

2009-03-12T14:38:00.006-04:00

Jennifer Vido once again shares her column, Jen's Jewels, with our blog readers. Here's her interview with author, Cara Black. Black's new book, Murder in the Latin Quarter, is available at the Charleston County Public Library.

Jen’s Jewels
March 15, 2009

Cara Black

One of the most tantalizing lures of a vacation is the complete escape from daily reality. No one in the unfamiliar locale knows who you are, nor do they care. Fortunately, this fleeting chance at anonymity opens the door for a wealth of possibilities. All that’s needed are a few bucks in your pocket and an appetite for adventure. Who knows what secret “gem” is lurking in the shadows just waiting to be discovered?

This month’s Jen’s Jewels, Cara Black, has spent many days doing just that….exploring the backstreets of Paris with no limitations and only time on her hands. With nine fabulous novels filled with her discoveries, I think it would be safe to say that Cara has most certainly found what she was looking for. In her latest Aimée Leduc Investigation novel entitled MURDER IN THE LATIN QUARTER, Cara takes her readers back to the ominous streets of Paris to solve her heroine’s most personal case to date.

As part of this interview, Soho Press, Inc. has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. Bonne Chance! And as always, merci beaucoup for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.

Jen: Oftentimes, the before publication story that led to an author’s career is just as fascinating as the afterwards. So that my readers may have a better understand of the path that led to where you are today, please tell us a little bit about your educational and professional background.

Cara: I attended a Catholic elementary school with French nuns who wore habits (ancient history now!), lived in Europe, studied at Sophia University in Tokyo for a year then completed a BA, MA at SF State University and received a teaching credential. I taught preschool and was a preschool director for ten years in San Francisco.

Jen: Describe for us the defining moment when you chose to pursue a career in publishing.

Cara: After my son was born, I stayed home but when he started preschool my husband said “You’ve been talking about writing for years. Now that you’ve got all this free time (2 mornings a week!) why don’t you take a writing class?” So I did. Taking a class forced me to get serious.

Jen: For my readers who are unfamiliar with your work, you are best-known for the Aimée Leduc Investigation series set in none other than Paris, France. To date, there are nine titles in publication. First of all, how did you arrive at the overall premise for the series?

Cara: I wish I could say there was a big plan, but I never thought I'd write a book set in Paris, let alone a series. I’d lived in Europe in the 70’s. But it goes back to the 80's when, while I visited Paris, my friend took the afternoon off from work and said, "I want to show you a part of Paris you've never seen before!" We rode the bus and ended up in a narrow cobbled street of ancient crumbling townhouses. The air felt different; there was a smell of old stone and decay; the sun didn't penetrate this narrow passage. And then the street opened up and we were in the Place des Vosges, the 17th century square, surrounded by arcades, in the old Marais section. The sun revealed the old pockmarked stone, the fountain gurgled, and I felt somehow I was "home." I don't know how else to describe it.My friend kept walking and now we were on another narrow street in the Marais and here the shop signs were in Hebrew, and people were speaking Yiddish. She stopped on the pavement and pointed to window of an apartment where her mother had lived during the Second World War. My friend's mother had been 14 years old and worn a yellow star during the German Occupation. One day in 1943, she returned home from school to find her family gone, the apartment empty. She lived in that apartment alone for a year, going to school, hoping they would return. The concierge of the building helped to hide her and gave her food ration coupons. In 1944, at Liberation, she searched for her family at the train stations among the returning deportees and discovered by word of mouth that they had perished at Auschwitz.This story touched me, I never forgot it. Years later, in the mid 1990's, when I returned to Paris the story came back to me even more strongly. It was fifty years after the war. I saw plaques all over Paris commemorating Resistants and ordinary people who'd fought against the Germans in their own ways and lost their lives. They were remembered. I wanted to explore the past, that lingering sense of history, and how war still touched every generation. I'd graduated from reading Nancy Drew mysteries to P.D. James and loved the latter's combination of psychological depth and social comment and setting in a mystery. I yearned to find a voice in which to tell the story of my friend's mother, this young Jewish girl hidden in Paris, relating the story to modern day. It came to me that a detective novel would be a great framework, a structure on which to build the story. A "what if?" surfaced: What if these old cobblestones could talk? What would they say? That became my first book Murder in the Marais.

Jen: Secondly, approximately how much research goes into the writing of each novel? And, as an American writing a series that takes place in France, does it require spending much time in Paris in order for the authenticity of the story to ring true with your readers? Parlez-vous français?

Cara: Oui! Research is the best part of what I do. I interview cafe owners, shopkeepers and people who live in the area I'm interested in, study the street, learn about the architecture and history of the district, crawl in the sewers, and explore the tunnels of old quarries underground. I consult police records, the National Archives and photo libraries in Paris, go to the flea markets and visit the bouquinistes--those book stalls with old books and magazines lining the Seine. Over the years, I've gotten to know several female detectives, police officers in different branches and even have a friend who works in the Ministry of Interior. I take them out to dinner, ply them with wine, and ask them about their work, their cases, and law enforcement procedures. I know a retired Commissaire from the Brigade Criminelle who was in charge of the Princess Diana investigation and run ideas by him, i.e., would you do this, is this credible? He's kind and helpful and tells me he wants me to "get it right." I've hung out in a smoke-filled police station radio room, gone to target practice with flics at their police firing range in Paris, toured the Prefecture--the central Police HQ, seen jail cells, the courts, consulted with lawyers, air traffic controllers at Charles de Gaulle airport, and the corner kiosk news vendor. I'm a member of two neighborhood historic associations, one on the Canal Ste Martin and the other in the Marais. I travel to Paris twice a year, sleep on my friend's couch in Montmartre, and take to the streets. Even getting lost in Paris is wonderful because I discover new neighborhoods, a "new" old shop, or meet the local wine merchant, always a great font of information. Researching and writing an Aimée Leduc Investigation takes a little more than a year.

Jen: Your main character, Aimée Leduc is a half-French and half-American. Please share with us her background and what makes her stand out as a très chic private investigator. (I love her wardrobe!)

Cara: I can't write as a French woman, I can't even tie my scarf the right way because, let's face it, French women have that scarf-tying gene. It's important to me that Aimée be a young, contemporary woman like the Parisian women I know, have a strong fashion sense and be fierce in her pursuit of justice, the justice that often eludes people in daily life. And that she knows much more about computers than I do. I want to paint the off-the-beaten-track Paris that I've discovered, with its history, to show a vibrant, living darker side of the City of Light.

Jen: In your latest release, MURDER IN THE LATIN QUARTER, Aimée faces quite the formidable opponent, human traffickers. Why did you choose to write about such a disturbing subject? (I applaud you for taking that risk.)

Cara: It’s a disturbing fact everywhere in the world, poor desperate people being taken advantage of and used. I’ve witnessed this a lot in Europe with Eastern European women and in Paris, young Gypsy boys who are roped into gangs who steal on the streets. It’s a sad fact of today’s world and I think it would be dishonest to ignore this issue.

Jen: Why did you choose the Latin Quarter as the locale for this installment?

Cara: I was hesitant at first. But my editor kept asking why Aimée hadn’t gone to the Left Bank. Since I start from the sense of place, the distinct quartier, the neighborhood, a particular part of Paris needs to speak to me. Maybe it's a quartier I don't know, a place I want to learn about or whose history intrigues me. Once I find the district, I have to find the inhabitants who live there, work there, study there and figure out why a murder would happen here. In the case of MURDER IN THE LATIN QUARTER, my friend took me to the mosque in the Latin Quarter for a steam in the hammam (Turkish bath). After our skin was scrubbed raw, we drank mint tea in the tiled courtyard and smoked hookahs. This was an enchanting quiet corner, another world in the center of Paris. Later my friend, a documentary film maker, told me about a film he'd worked on, near the Natural History Museum, in an old laboratory. And this laboratory hadn't changed since the 1890's...it was something out of Jules Verne. Bleached prehistoric bones hung from the ceilings, high walls were lined to the ceiling with drawers with labels in Latin. The scientist he filmed was a world authority on pigs. The documentary dealt with third world countries, and this scientist was vehement about the scandals involving Haiti. I felt the stirring and knew I had to see this place. And when I found the laboratory and met one of the scientists, I knew this had to go into a book. I didn't know how until I met some Haitians in Paris who spoke about Baby Doc Duvalier's millions stolen from Haiti and secreted in a Swiss Bank account. Often serendipity plays a factor and in this case, the mosque and hammam were around the corner from this laboratory. As I learned about the area, I realized the famous Grands Écoles, where the elite studied, were up the hill and the Sorbonne nearby. I felt drawn to this place; I could hear the echoes of the past.

Jen: As part of the plot, the reader is introduced to Mireille who has a mysterious connection to Aimée’s past. Without giving too much away, why is Aimée so willing to go out on a limb and take this stranger’s word at face value? She even goes as far as putting her relationship with her business partner, René, at risk. Why so?

Cara: Jen, I can’t reveal too much here but Aimée is desperate for family. Her American mother left her and her father when she was eight years old. Her father raised her as best as he could but she’s wanted to have family all her life. I won’t say weakness but maybe she’s vulnerable in this part of her life. It’s who she is. A woman I know answered the door one day to find a stranger, a man, who after hemming and hawing finally said, “I’m sorry I don’t know how to do this any other way but I found out we have the same father. I’m your half-brother.” Now that’s shocking in of itself and no matter, the outcome or reality, it changed her and it changes Aimée...there’s always that ‘what if’ especially for someone like Aimée who has only a dog, a gruff god-father, her partner René and Martine, her best friend from the lycée who has tons of sisters.

Jen: Was I reading too much between the lines, or is René silently pining away for Aimée? Do they have a romantic past or will they have a future together?

Cara: Ah yes, René’s got it bad. Aimée regards René as her best friend, confidant and shoulder to lean on. I just don’t know what will happen between them in the future.

Jen: Speaking of romance, what makes Edouard, the clandestine figure who plays a vital role in the plot, so irresistible for Aimée? How are these two characters alike in terms of their pursuit of the truth?

Cara: Aimée finds it hard to resist ‘bad boys’ and Edouard is that in spades with a tousled couture side. That’s a great observation - Edouard pursues the ‘truth’ he perceives and for the benefit of a larger group and so does Aimée. But still it can’t work out.

Jen: In my opinion, one of the most fascinating characters in the storyline is Léonie. Not only is she hiding numerous secrets that ultimately affect Aimée’s course of action, but also she is a firm believer in voodoo. Please tell us why you chose to address this topic within the confines of the story.

Cara: Thank you, Jen. My son was going to college in Florida and when I visited him I discovered this area called ‘Little Haiti’ outside Miami. I spent a lot of time in candle shops with voodoo beads, cards of the saints, figurines and herbal packets of potions. And almost got my hand read. I met Haitians in Paris, too. But in researching about Haiti, in France, in ‘Little Haiti’ and among the Haitian community in the SF Bay Area, I was struck by how the people I met regarded themselves as Christian yet in their homes were voodoo objects. To them Christianity meant reverence for African gods, too. I found it fascinating.

Jen: Professor Benoît is the central figure caught in the middle of an evil plot to destroy the future of Haiti. I liked how you touched upon the discoveries made by Marie Curie and her contribution to science towards the end of the book. I think it would be fair to say that MURDER IN THE LATIN QUARTER is written with a scientific slant in mind. Is this a hobby or passion of yours? What specifically piques your interest?

Cara: I know very little about science but I love to know about scientists and what it is that they do. It’s like a foreign language but I’m as interested in knowing how things work, evolve, their structures as the next person. I’d read a biography of Marie Curie, an amazing woman who surmounted so many obstacles i.e.; being Polish in France, a woman pooh-poohed by French Academicians and scientists as an amateur, the prejudice against her since she hadn’t attended a Grand École. When she first came to France, she lived in a garret, worked as a nanny, and studied at night. But it was her single-mindedness, her drive despite all the challenges she had to just keep going and do the research she wanted to do. They only supplied her and her husband a small disused shed in a courtyard and that’s where she pioneered her research in radium. The woman won the Nobel Prize twice and even so, it took sixty years after her death to be re-buried in the Pantheon with the ‘Great’ of France.

Jen: Tacking onto that last question, why does Professor Benoît research pigs? Is this truly an issue in society today?

Cara: Professor Benoît researches pigs because, in a sense, it’s part of his commitment to his country Haiti. A rural, once highly agricultural country, Haiti’s fertile farming and grazing lands have suffered from soil erosion, deforestation, lack of water and corruption in the government infrastructure. Pigs, the domestic Haitian variety, were a source of income, a staple for even the poorest families who could raise them cheaply and survive on them economically. Papa Doc Duvalier ordered the pigs slaughtered and brought in American pigs which cost more, needed special feed and bankrupted farmers and destroyed a system in place for hundreds of years.

Jen: What do you have in store for Aimée’s future? Where will her next adventure take her? Cara: Aimée’s next investigation takes place in the first arrondissement. Not far from her office at Leduc Detective. It’s titled MURDER IN THE PALAIS ROYAL and comes out March 2010. Jen: Please tell us about your website. Do you have a mailing list? Do you have e-mail notification of upcoming releases?

Cara: My website is http://www.carablack.com. Feel free to visit and sign up for my newsletter. I post recent photos of Paris, have a blog for readers to comment and yes, you can sign up for my mailing list on it and get notification of upcoming books.

Jen: Do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about scheduling one? Also, do you have Reading Group Discussion Guides available on your site?

Cara: Author phone chats are great. Just send me an e-mail via the website and we’ll find a mutually agreeable time. I’ve got Skype and that makes it easy and reasonable to talk to a group across the country. Sorry, I’m still working on a reading group discussion guide. Soon.

Jen: Merci beaucoup for taking the time out of your busy schedule to stop by and chat with my readers. I highly recommend your series, especially to all of the Francophiles out there like me! Please check back in when your next release hits the stores! Bonne chance et à bientôt!

Cara: Avec plaisir, Jen et merci!

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Cara Black. Please stop by your favorite bookstore today and pick up a copy of MURDER IN THE LATIN QUARTER. Better yet, would you like to win one? Okay, be one of the first five readers to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following question. Bonne chance!

What is the name of the main character in MURDER IN THE LATIN QUARTER?

Next month, I will be bringing to you my interview with Britain’s Gillian McKeith, author of the international bestseller YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT. You won’t want to miss it!

Until next time…Jen

Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com

Library Increases Some Fines/Fees to Offset Reduced Budget

2009-03-09T11:10:00.003-04:00

To help offset recent budget cuts, Charleston County Public Library is increasing some fines and fees beginning April 1, 2009.

The daily fine for overdue books will increase from 10 cents per day to 15 cents per day, and the charge for replacing a lost library card will change from $1 to $2. Also, patrons must pay any fines or lost item charges on their account to renew a library card (every three years for county residents and every year for non-residents). There still is no fee to county residents for an initial Library Card or to renew, but the account must be up-to-date to renew.

With the increase in overdue charges for books, Charleston County’s fines will be more in line with similar library systems in the region. For instance, Richland County’s overdue book fine is 20 cents per day, Spartanburg County’s is 15 cents per day and Charlotte-Mecklenburg County’s is 20 cents per day.

Also, a new fee is being added for Interlibrary Loan services, when patrons request special items to be borrowed from other systems outside of Charleston County Public Library. To defray postage costs, patrons will be charged $2 per item when it is received.

As a cost saving measure, the library is reducing the number of postcards it sends to patrons with past due materials, mailing a single notice when an item becomes two weeks late. This will reduce the amount of printing required and greatly save on postage charges. A postcard notice still will be mailed when a requested book or DVD becomes available and is on hold.

E-mail notification is a money-saving alternative for patrons, cutting the library’s cost of mailing postcards and providing patrons with faster notices when an item is overdue or when a requested item is available for pick up. More environmentally friendly, e-mail notification also allows the library to send patrons a reminder three days before a due date to help borrowers avoid late fines.

For added convenience and to help avoid late fines, patrons can return items at any of CCPL’s 16 branch locations or can renew items once online or by calling the library.To sign up for e-mail notification or for renewals, visit the library’s Web site at http://www.ccpl.org/ or call 805-6930.

The Library Board of Trustees approved these changes in an effort to partially offset increasing costs and reduced budget revenues.

Photography Exhibit

2009-03-05T10:13:00.004-05:00

Barbara Radin Fox, a member of the Seabrook Island Art Guild, Folly Beach Art Guild, and Seabrook Island Camera Club, will exhibit her photographs during the month of March at our library. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, Philadelphia Magazine, and many other publications. Her gallery/office is located at Body and Soul Therapy, 2045 Maybank Highway, Charleston, SC. You can contact her at foxb@bodyandsoultherapy.com.

Jewelry Display

2009-03-05T09:12:00.004-05:00

Drawing inspiration from everyday life--the shape of a leaf, the twisting of a vine, the ocean, architectural details--Deanne Pace designs and hand crafts each piece of jewelry in her John's Island studio. Using wire-wrapping and silversmithing techniques, she incorporates sterling wire and sheet metal along with gemstones, to create unique and often one-of-a-kind pieces. Come see Deanne's wonderful creations during the month of March at our library.

Have You Signed Up for E-mail Notification Yet?

2009-02-24T12:17:00.003-05:00

What is e-mail notification?
E-mail notification means that we'll send you notices about your library account via e-mail instead of U.S. mail.

Due Dates: courtesy reminders sent three days before an item becomes overdue

Overdue Notices: sent when a current item becomes overdue

Holds/Reserve Notices: sent when a requested item is available for pickup

Why should I sign up for e-mail notification?
Because notices are sent via e-mail instead of U.S. mail, you'll receive them faster and save money on any accumulated overdue fines. Also, e-mail notification is better use of your tax dollars! Help us be "green" and reduce the number of postcards printed and save on postage costs so that we can use your tax dollars more efficiently.

How do I sign up?
Sign up for e-mail notification at the Circulation Desk of any CCPL branch, the bookmobile or online.

General Information:
E-mail addresses are not shared or disclosed to any person or business outside the Charleston County Public Library.

Please notify the library of any e-mail address changes.

You may have an e-mail address added to each family members' accounts in order to receive notification of all your family's library materials.

You may renew materials online after obtaining a PIN (personal identification number). You may receive your PIN at the Circulation desk or by calling your branch library. One renewal per item is possible if there are no reserves on the item.

We ask our patrons to help us by being responsible. Please remember that failure to receive an e-mail notice does not waive a patron’s responsibility for the timely return of materials or fines incurred.

Computer Classes

2009-02-20T14:03:00.003-05:00

Join us for free computer classes @ the John's Island Regional Library!

All computer classes are for adults and young adults. For more information please call 559-1945 and ask for the Reference Department. Class space is available for 8 participants per session.

Word Basics
Tuesday, March 3 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 2/17
Introduction to the basic tools of Microsoft Word. Learn how to enter and format text, change margins and line spacing, and copy and paste text. Saving and printing tips will also be discussed. Prerequisite: Some experience using a mouse will be helpful.

Word: Beyond the Basics
Tuesday, March 10 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 2/24
In this follow-up to Word Basics learn how to set tabs, create columns, paste text from the Internet, insert page numbers, add ClipArt and photographs, and format text as you design a simple newsletter. Prerequisite: Word Basics or some experience with MS Word will be helpful.

Excel Basics
Tuesday, March 24 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 3/10
An introduction to spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. This session provides a basic overview and common uses for spreadsheets. Learn basic Excel functions and build a simple budget spreadsheet. Prerequisite: Word Basics or some experience using MS Word will be helpful.

Excel: Beyond the Basics
Tuesday, March 31 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Registration starts 3/17
A follow-up session to Excel Basics. Learn some additional features of the program, such as sorting and filtering. Learn how to use additional types of formulas. Prerequisite: Excel Basics or some experience using MS Excel will be helpful.