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| Author Rachel Wardip Jones |
Tell us a little about who you are. How would you
define yourself?
I am a wife and
mother. I’ve been married to my wonderful husband for thirty-eight years. We
have three adult children and a black lab that has us wrapped around her paws. I’m a registered
nurse and for the past twenty-five years have worked on high-risk OB and
labor/delivery units. For ten years (before my nursing career), I taught music
in the public and private school settings while teaching many children in my
home studio during evenings and summers.
I am sixty-one
years old, and nursing is a physically demanding job so, I’m looking forward to
retirement from my present job in a few years. In 2012, I began thinking about
what I would do after my retirement from the hospital. It was at that point I
decided I wanted to attempt to write a novel.
I see myself as:
Artistic - have performed as a soloist and in
many musical groups over the course of thirty years.
Brave - during my nursing career I have
delivered many babies who didn’t wait for the doctor or midwife. I have cared for critically
ill patients that came close to death. My chosen
profession is not for the faint-hearted.
Compassionate - essential to my makeup as a nurse.
Creative - tactilely I love to sew and
cross-stitch and now I know I also love taking creations from my mind and
putting them on paper.
What do you hope readers will take away from this book?
I hope this
story inspires some to see that even at a breaking point it is possible to come
back from tragedy and have a happy life. For some readers, I hope it sparks a
desire to explore the art form of ballet, either as a spectator or on a more
personal level as a student, no matter their age.
Is this book’s setting based on a real
place?
Yes,
the story is set in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Is the book completely fictional, and how would you rate this book:G, PG, or
PG 13? And tell us why.
Yes,
it is fictional. PG13
– Alan and Jillian share some kisses that cannot be considered chaste.
Why is To Dance One More Day dear to your heart?
My love affair with ballet was the inspiration for writing this book. At age three, my daughter began ballet lessons and studied for eight years. During that time, I fell in love with this art form. When I decided to write a book with emphasis on the performing arts, I knew I wanted my heroine to be a ballerina.
Why is To Dance One More Day dear to your heart?
My love affair with ballet was the inspiration for writing this book. At age three, my daughter began ballet lessons and studied for eight years. During that time, I fell in love with this art form. When I decided to write a book with emphasis on the performing arts, I knew I wanted my heroine to be a ballerina.
Would you give us the jacket blurb on the book?
From her early teens, ballet
has been an integral part of Jillian Russell’s life. One by one, she loses her
parents, grandparent, husband and child. If being alone in the world wasn’t bad
enough, a medical diagnosis takes away her chance to become a prima ballerina.
This endeavor takes all her resources and leaves no time to build new
relationships outside her world of dance. Jillian rationalizes if she doesn’t
build relationships, she won’t be deserted. And she’s not sure she would
survive another loss.
Handsome trauma surgeon, Alan
Armstrong has relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina for a fresh start. Until a
few years ago, he had always envisioned his future to include a wife and
children. But after his father died in a plane crash from lack of medical
attention, his focus for the future has shifted to equip himself professionally
to set up a rural clinic. A supporter of the arts, Alan finds himself on the
board of the North Carolina Ballet Company. He has always had a penchant for
fixing things. Realizing Jillian’s professional life could use some help, it is
not long before he realizes he is drawn to her romantically as well. They fall
in love, and when Alan discovers Jillian has been misdiagnosed, he tells her
she must decide between their love and her performance career in ballet.
What keeps you the most humble as a writer?
Rejections from
publishers, agents and contests remind me of how much I have to learn and grow
as a writer.
Is your writing journey as you envisioned it? If
not, how is it different?
Yes and no. I
expected to encounter lows as well as the highs; that’s the way of life. I have
learned to persevere – to use the difficult moments as a tool to gain more
experience and acquire the highs – positive remarks of a critique, a request to
autograph a copy of my book or an offer to collaborate on a workshop topic. My journey began as a challenge to myself to
write one novel. But the support from family, friends, and strangers has been
overwhelming – my reason for writing my second book and now working on my third
manuscript.
What does "networking" mean to you?
The word networking immediately brings to my mind
the words ‘social media.’ It is necessary for the promotion and marketing of my
books. I much prefer the connections I make and the interactions I am fortunate
to have with authors and readers on a personal basis.
Where can readers find you online?
What do you do to rest, but still be creative?
I like my
cross-stitch time. I love to see a holiday-themed depiction or a pattern of
colors blossom from a blank piece of cloth. I also like to scrapbook. The
activity of using pictures of my family and friends or mementos of special
times and turning them into a keepsake is valuable to me.
What motivates you to get out of bed and head to
your keyboard?
The opportunity
of another day to try to put the thoughts I have onto paper gets me up and
moving. Also, I’m more productive in the morning hours.
What have you learned recently about yourself, and
how has it affected your writing?
I write better
when I’m rested. At my age, after a twelve-hour shift, even though I may have
ideas about my story that make me want to go directly to my computer after my
drive home, I need my rest. I take the time to jot down a few thoughts, and I
go to bed knowing when I wake up I’ll do a better job of putting my thoughts on
paper.
What gives you the most satisfaction in your
writing—besides "The End," that is?
Rereading a
passage and thinking Wow, I wrote that!
Where can readers get your book?
If you weren't a writer, what would you most likely be doing instead?
For several
years, I’ve had this idea in my head to start a community wind ensemble. Since
I am no longer able to play my clarinet, I would like to conduct a group of
musicians.
What sparks your creativity when feeling drained?
Reading
different genres from what I write.
Do you write in one place, or switch off to
different locations? Describe your favorite writing area.
I don’t always
write in the same place, but I spend the majority of my writing time in my home
office. I have a large window to my right so I can gauge the time of day and
weather. My desk is clear only biweekly after my housekeeper has been here. I
tend to surround myself with references and piles of research while I write so
my desk can get pretty messy, but it doesn’t have an impact on my creativity.
Maybe I need a larger desk.
What is your favorite dessert and least favorite?
I love coconut cake or pie. My least favorite
dessert is banana pudding.
What types of books do you like to read?
I am drawn to
mysteries and historical romance.
Tell us a few things about yourself some folks may
not know.
I’ve played
clarinet for about forty-five years. Pulmonary and vocal cord issues have taken
away my ability to play or sing as I once did. I made my wedding dress and all my sisters and mother's dresses for my wedding. I’ve never been
on a cruise – it’s on my bucket list.
Who was the greatest influence for you as a writer?
Unlike a lot of
writers who knew from an early age they wanted to write, the idea of me
becoming a writer was never in my orbit before age fifty-seven. I’ve had no
formal training and can’t even admit to a particular author being my
inspiration. My writing journey started out as a self-challenge. My husband has
always been and continues to be my most enthusiastic and vocal supporter, so
I’d have to say he has had the greatest influence on me as a writer because he
believes in me.
How did your writing career begin and how long did it take to
publish your first book?
In
March of 2012, I was contemplating what I would do after retirement and
challenged myself to write a novel. Fifteen months later, my first book was
published. I now know what my next full-time career will be after I leave
healthcare.
What other writing have you done?
In
addition to my second novel which released this past October and my manuscript
in progress, I am becoming more comfortable with writing posts for my blog. A
fellow author/nurse and I are developing a workshop script to present later
this year at a writers conference in Georgia.
What parting wisdom do you wish to give
those of us not book published?
For
those of you seeking publication, I encourage you to persevere, set goals, and
seek out new opportunities that might very well hold that last piece of the
puzzle to make your journey to publication complete.
More About Rachel's Book:
TO DANCE ONE MORE DAY
Excerpt:
Jillian lingered behind,
thinking about her students. This was the best group of
seven-year-olds she had
taught since opening the school. She enjoyed teaching all
ages but this group was the
highlight of her week. Sighing, she wondered if maybe it had something to do
with the fact Lily would have been seven this year. Brushing the thought away,
she moved to the piano and focused her attention on arranging the music for the
dance company’s rehearsal the next night.
Her school of ballet was
impressive but her dance company was her crowning glory. Expanding her lungs to
their fullest she exhaled, feeling a sense of pride and
accomplishment. The North
Carolina Ballet Company, now in its fifth year of
existence, continued to
experience growing pains and would for several years to
come. As they grew in number
they also grew in depth and dimension, becoming a
cohesive group of artists
excited to tell many stories through dance. Their progress
was measured by the
reputation they enjoyed for offering professional performances to the
surrounding communities.
“You have a good looking
group of ballerinas, Jilly,” remarked David as he crossed
the studio floor, followed by
Alan.
The familiar voice brought a
smile to her face. She had met David soon after moving to Charlotte when she was searching for a
financial advisor. They had spent a lot of time together working on the
financial end of setting up her school. When she took the plunge a year later,
with David’s encouragement, and started the North Carolina Ballet Company, he
was her biggest fan. Feeling she could trust him with her life, she was
grateful he had accepted her invitation to be a part of the company’s initial
board of directors.
Turning around at the sound
of the tenor voice her eyes darted from her friend to the familiar form
standing beside him. Her smile disappeared. “You!” Jillian took a step back.
“What are you doing here?”
“What’s wrong?” David’s gaze
bounced back and forth between his friends. “Do you two know each other?”
Her eyes remained fixed on
the doctor as if she were seeing him for the first time. He was tall, about six
feet she estimated, with thick brown hair and he had the most gorgeous, deep
set brown eyes. It was like looking into pools of chocolate and she was finding
it hard not to stare. She shifted her gaze to her friend. “I recall seeing him
at the hospital, after the explosion.”
“Oh, come on, Ms. Russell. I
performed the surgery on your shoulder and I was your doctor for two days—until
you fired me. And all you have to say is, ‘I recall seeing you’?”
“If memory serves it was a
day and a half. And I’d prefer not talking about anything having to do with the
explosion, if you don’t mind.”
“I see. Well, I hope your
recovery is going well.”
“Yes it is thank you.”
More About Rachel:
While she continued to work
her full- time hospital job, it was thoughts of what she would do after
retirement from her career in healthcare that spurred Rachel to begin writing
her first manuscript in March of 2012. Needing guidance and support with her
new endeavor, she joined local and national writing groups.
Release day for Rachel’s
debut novel, To Dance One More Day, occurred in June 2014. Her second book,
Taking A Chance On Love, released in October 2015. She is working on her third
manuscript and is planning her first series. Rachel’s books reflect her love of
the performing arts. Working as a registered nurse for twenty-five-plus years
has influenced the threads of medical drama woven into her storylines. A music
enthusiast for decades, Rachel resides in Kennesaw, Georgia with her husband of
thirty-seven years and their spoiled Labrador retriever. She is a member of
Georgia Writes Association, Georgia Romance Writers and is a PRO member of
Romance Writers of America.
Thank you for coming, Rachel, and would you like to say some parting words?
I would like to offer one paperback copy of To
Dance One More Day, one e-copy of To Dance One More Day and one e-copy of
Taking A Chance On Love as giveaways.
Okay, folks, in order to enter the drawing, please leave a comment with your email address. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, February 2nd.
Until next time . . . please return to read more about authors I'll be featuring.
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