Welcome to the Polebarn, Jamieson Wolf!!

Ok, everyone. Grab a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate and get cozy. Jamieson Wolf is here at the Polebarn to answer questions, comments and to promote his new book, "Garden City" a collection of fiction stories. Jamieson, so glad to have you and welcome!! But first, I have a few questions of my own.

In your bio, it says that you started out writing poetry. Do you think that learning to write poetry first has had an influence on writing fiction? Do you find the rhythm, the cadence, the descriptions more lively, colorful, in your fiction writing?

Indeed I do think that writing poetry has an influence on whatever else I write. I'm more conscious of the flow of words, how the words sound, where the words are placed. This doesn't have much effect on dialogue, but it does come in handy when I'm trying to describe something. Words have a rhythm all their own and, with learning how to be poetic, I find I have a better understanding of how to use them.

You also held a variety of corporate and office jobs before you discovered you wanted to be a writer. What was the worst job you ever held and why was it so bad? Let me guess, it had nothing to do with money! Even if you never make a dime as a writer, do you feel you are pursuing your life's work? That this is your purpose?

The worst office job I ever had? I was working at a call centre and it was awful. I can't even describe the stress, the unhappiness. I hated almost every moment of it. In the company I worked for, you were just a number. You weren't a person and were expected to do as you were told. There was no union, so employees had little to no rights. It was also shift work which made it hard to have a life outside of he office. I was being paid $18 an hour after five years and I had had enough. I decided to leave because I realized that money isn't everything. Mental health is.

I know for a fact that writing is what I was put on this Earth to do. Even if I never make a dime, I am always happiest when I write. Now, I couldn't not write. Writing is my passion, one of my reasons for living and I'm thankful to the Muses for giving me a kick in the butt when I needed it. :)

In "Garden City" the first story was about Time and her Sisters and trying to keep Time from aging. What was the inspiration for this story?

To be honest, Times Malaise was going to be a romance novel with a supernatural twist. It was going to be the novels prologue. The problem was, when I went to write the rest of the novel, I found I didn't want to write that story, I wanted to write Time's.

So I went back and fleshed out the story from a two page prologue into the story that it is now. I may eventually go back and write out that romance novel, but that may be a while in coming.

The inspiration came from one of my friends complaining that she was growing old and calling Time a bitch. Well, I thought, what if she really was? And thus Time's Malaise was born...


The second story was "Magic Man" and you had a line in there that says, "Life itself feeds the imagination". I just love that! Where did that line come from and do you believe that is true?


I do indeed believe it's true. It's what my course, The Muse for the Long Story Short School of Writing, is based around. The conversation at the beginning of the story actually took place. Owen is me in that story; in fact, every time I have a story that is loosely based around real life, Owen seems to be my mouthpiece. It's what makes Garden City so autobiographical; Owen's in a lot of the stories.

Life is the greatest inspiration there is; think about it. In life we have food, love, music, passion, friendships, marriage, birth, death. Is not every great story that has been told not about one of these things? Laura Esquivel wrote Like Water For Chocolate based around her love for food; she went on to write The Law of Love based around music.

Inspiration is all around us, if we take the time to open our eyes to it.


What has inspired you to keep writing everyday? You post on your blog daily almost, and you have a lot of fun things to learn about, interesting articles, etc., do you feel like the blog is almost a full time job in itself?

It's funny really. I started my blog in October of 2006 to see if I could do it. I had tried in the past to write in journals, diaries and online postings but it never really clicked with me. Now my blog has become a part of my life and, in some strange way, a reflection of my thoughts at the time of the postings.

I post daily because I made a promise to myself to keep writing every day. Whether I write a poem, a chapter of a story, a poem, a scene from a novel; it doesn't matter. As long as I write something every day, it makes that day worthwhile.

The blog is becoming a job in itself, but I'm enjoying every moment of it. People who don't check my web site DO check out my blog on a regular basis. To each their own I guess.


If you could write your life story for the next 2 years (I would ask for 5 years, but that's too predictable and too much time to try and think about, in my opinion), where would you like to see yourself in your personal and professional life?


Personal life? I'm already married to the most wonderful man in the world and we have been talking of adoption, so that's something. I'd like to mend bridges and have a relationship again with my estranged brother. I'd like to have a few more quality friends.

Professional life? I want to see Hope Falls published. I'd love to go on a physical book tour, publish my book of essays on Stephen Kings Dark Tower Books, publish one of my children's books.

I'd love to write full time, but I know that, until I hit the big break (if I ever do), I need a full time job to pay the bills. The job I work at now is wonderful and hopefully I'll still be here in two years time learning and growing.

It's all about learning, really. About myself and what I can do. Without learning, there is no life. :)


You live in Ontario, Canada, do you find inspiration in your current environment, and do you notice any differences in writing for a Canadian audience vs. an American audience, or do you just write for your reader, no matter where they come from?

I just write for the reader, no matter where they're from. Actually, that's not true; I write for me, for myself. If someone reads my work, I'm just tickled pink.

I don't think writing should have anything to do with where your from. It should have more to do with the words inside you. Now, don't get me wrong, I get a lot of inspiration from the environment I live in. I see things, hear conversations, and I get ideas for stories or novels.

I think that would happen where ever I was though. I can never stop being a writer.

You also will be teaching an online class called "The Muse". Is this the first class you will be teaching and what events brought you to teaching? What is your Muse?

Yes, this is the first class I have taught. I had the pleasure of taking a course through The Long Story Short School of Writing called The Reel Deel-How to Write Movie Reviews with Betty Jo Tucker. I had SUCH a great time working on assignments that I wanted to teach my own course.

I did a workshop of the course for The Muse Online Writers Conference as a test run and it was a huge success, so now I'm teaching the actual course at The Long Story Short. I'll also be teaching another workshop at The Muse Online Writers Conference this year on how to write serial novels. It should be great fun!

Thank you Jamieson, and good luck and best wishes on your writing career. What I have read of your work, you have a bright future as a writer! Thank you so much for stopping by the Polebarn!

You're making me blush. Thank you so much for having me here, Larua and thank you for the bright blessings for my writing career!

If you have comments or questions for Jamieson, you may post them here. Jamieson will be available today to answer them. If you would like to know more about Jamieson Wolf and his work, please visit him at these locations:

JAMIESON WOLF
Weaver of Words, Teller of Taleshttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/Jamieson_Wolf/
CHECK OUT MY BLOG http://www.jamiesonwolf.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!!

Jamieson Wolf is Visiting the Polebarn!

Hi, everyone, and welcome to a New Year! What better way to kick things off than to have a visit to the Polebarn by an author on a virtual blog tour? Tomorrow our guest will be Jamieson Wolf, the author of "Garden City" an anthology of stories with a magical element to them. What I have read of it is fabulous! So, grab something warm and soothing to drink, and stop by to say hello or ask questions! We'd love to have you!

Welcome Dorothy Thompson to the Polebarn!!

Today we have a special guest in the Polebarn! Dorothy Thompson, the Soul Mate Queen, is here on a virtual blog tour for her latest book, “A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your eBook”. Dorothy, Welcome!!

1. How long did “A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published e-Book” take for you to research and write?

Hi Laura, and thanks for having me! "A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published eBook" actually was a result of five years of research. The actual ebook was an accumulation of notes I had kept in folders--promotional outlets that I had used in the past or had heard about during the five years. It took maybe about six months to sift through it all, and explore new promotional venues. The Internet is a wonderful place for research; but, unfortunately, links become outdated, so it's ever-changing.

2. What did you learn while writing this e-book that you found surprising? What did you learn while writing this e-book that was frustrating?

The one thing I found surprising was the fact that the key to promoting eBooks was right under my nose. As I was exploring different venues to add to the eBook, it dawned on me that it took more than I thought to promote an eBook right, much less a self-published eBook. Just putting the cover up on your website and in a few online stores wasn't going to cut it. As I was putting it to the test with my writing group's free eBooks to see how well this system worked, it dawned on me that it was an accumulation of things such as making sure your selling page was search engine friendly and using key search words or phrases in every single piece of promotional literature I sent out.
The most frustrating thing? Gosh. I don't think there were any. It was a ball to put together. Every time I would find a neat new way to promote a self-published eBook, it was like I had hit a gold mine.

3. If there is one piece of advice you can give aspiring writers, what would that be?

To all aspiring writers, I would like to say that in order to reach whatever goal you have, you have to remember that you will not get there by being passive. You need to be driven. You can't say, "Oh, I've worked hard today; I don't have time to write." A true writer writes. Every single day. And if your goal is to be published, make it happen. Don't say, "I don't know how." Find out how. The Internet has made it possible for anyone to be published. Years ago, we didn't have the Internet. We didn't have all that research at our fingertips. Use this wonderful opportunity, and reach your goals.

4. Will there be a sequel to “A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published e-Book” or a revised edition in the near future?

LOL, you're reading my mind, Laura. There will be a revised edition in a year. Because it is filled with hundreds of links, the possibility of some of those links not working is almost a given thing. But, that's okay, because every single day I find another promotional outlet to make up for it. So, yes, you will see a revised edition around this time next year. ;o)

5. Did you find that the information you found was limited or that you had to cut it off someplace because there was too much out there?

Oh no, the information is there. You just have to know how to sift it all out. I stopped at the point where I just could not find another one. And, it's funny...just as soon as I stopped, I found more. So, that's the reason for the revised edition next year!
However, for anyone buying the eBook now, they will get the new revised edition absolutely free as soon as it comes out.
Also, Laura, I would like to mention that I am offering a free eBook cover to anyone buying this eBook between now and March 31, 2007. All you have to do is email me with your purchase order information and put "free eBook cover" in the subject line, or somewhere in the body of the email. Tell me the name of your eBook, your full name for the cover, and what your eBook is about to give me an idea of how to design your cover.
Thank you, Laura, for having me, and happy promoting to you and your readers!

Everyone feel free to leave comments and if you are interested in obtaining a copy of Dorothy's eBook, please click on the link below: http://www.dorothythompson.net

Dorothy will only be in here today to answer or respond to your comments. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit!!

52,050 Words-A NaNoWriMo Victory!

On November 20, 2006, at 2:33 a.m., I realized my goal. I hit 52,050 words on my novel I was writing for the National Novel Writing Month competition. I still have to get it verified through their website, but I am still in shock that I actually made it!

I feel in some ways like I climbed Mount Everest or ran the New York City Marathon! In short, I'm pooped! My dear BF (boyfriend), asked me if I was all done staying up all night writing. I replied, "For a little while!"

I am so thankful for the love and support of my son, my BF, my parents and my sister and brother and all of my friends and my friends at the Writers Life known as the Writersville Gang. They kept me going and made me feel like a winner when I finally realized my goal, and it is fitting that this is also Thanksgiving week. I am so thankful to all of you.

Now, I'm going to get some sleep!

Welcome to the Polebarn, Dorothy Thompson, the Soulmate Queen!

Coming soon this blog will be having our first guest, Ms. Dorothy Thompson, author and relationship expert, here at the Polebarn! I am so excited to have her as my first guest!

I came to know Dorothy through my online writing group, The Writers Life. We call ourselves the Writersville Gang. Dorothy is on a virtual blog tour promoting her newest e-book, A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published eBook. Once I have a set date I will post it here, and I can hardly wait!

If you would like to know more about Dorothy, please visit her website at dorothythompson.net or thewriterslife.net. Feel free to visit her blog at overthehillchick.blogspot.com.

Thoughts on Voting and the Taxman

Tomorrow is Election Day. I am going to vote early in the morning so I can get it done and over with. I am so happy this campaign season is going to be over! The campaigns are not about the issues anymore, they are about how horrible the other guy or gal is, and all the stuff they did in the past that makes them a horrible choice for the office they are running for. I wonder who decides that dirty campaigning is a good idea and when to start running these ads that make me sick? How are you supposed to make an informed choice with all of the gossip and the mudslinging and the backstabbing? What are we, in fourth grade?? I do want the campaign managers out there to know that part of my decision on who to vote for has to do with who ran the most negative campaign as well as the issues they stand for and the party they represent. I can't say that I will vote down the party lines because I feel you should know who your candidates are and what they stand for, not just how they appear on TV. I hope everyone goes out and votes and if you don't vote, then you have no right to complain!!

Another issue that came up this week for me has to do with the Taxman. I was hit this week with a bill for about $800.00 for an overpayment by the State of Minnesota Department of Revenue for my 2003 Renter's Credit. Yes, you read that right, 2003!! I called them and asked the obvious question, if you overpaid me then, why on Earth are you asking for it back now three years later!! I got the stock answer which was an audit was done in June 2006, and there was an error and now I have to pay this back. Thanks a bunch, guys!! Like I can just materialize that out of thin air! I said I wanted to see a copy of the audit and the man on the other end of the phone sounded like that was going to be such a big hassle. I explained to him that before I send them a dime I want to know what the error was, to which he promptly informed/threatened me that I had to pay this before November 30th or make some payment arrangements with them or they would garnish my wages, put a lien on my property (I rent, remember? I don't own any property you numbskull!), or any number of tactics the government can apply to get blood out of a turnip.

I explained to him that I was not trying to get out of paying this bill, I just felt it was my right as a U.S. citizen and a citizen of the great state of Minnesota that I find out what the hell I owe this for before I start counting out the pennies in my piggy bank to send to him. He didn't laugh at that. I'm not surprised. In the meantime, I am working tirelessly on getting my little home based writing business off the ground so I can be free of this. Anyone need a to hire a writer??

Eesha Baby Girl

It's been almost 2 months, and I still catch myself looking at the spot between the refrigerator and the kitchen table to see if she has food or water. Or, I will move the computer chair in front of the garbage can so she won't be tempted to get into it and make a mess. Old habits are hard to break when your heart is already broken. I sometimes don't even realize I do these things, but when a dog as special as she was is in your life for 12 years, well, it's just hard.

I have had a hard time coming to grips with what happened in the days leading up to August 31, 2006. It started with my BF telling me that Eesha was thin, and that her ribs were showing. She was already showing signs of aging in her hips. She had problems getting up off the linoleum floor and we had rugs all over so she wouldn't slip, fall and hurt herself. But thin? Eesha was lab/husky/German Shepard mix. Large black dog, white spot on her chest and thick husky fur that if you caught her in the right light you could see the "saddle bag" so distinct in shepards, just an outline of it. She had been overweight (much like her family), and I had changed her food and tried to make sure she didn't overeat. Each visit to the vet brought news of "more exercise, only feed her once a day..." I realized that I had to bring her in, it could be worms, because she was eating and drinking regularly. I didn't think there was a problem, or if there was, it was fixable.

In to the vet we went on a Monday. They did an exam, drew some blood, gave her treats and we both waited in the exam room while they did the tests. I remember there was a cat growling somewhere in that office and he/she didn't sound happy! We waited, I petted her to keep her calm. Then the vet came in with a look on her face and I just knew before she spoke. "The results show she is anemic, and the blood cells are attacking each other. It's probably leukemia..." I think all the blood ran out of my face and I felt sick. "Are you ok?" she asked concerned.

"What...What can you do?" I tried to say, but it came out shaky and in a whisper.

"We can do more tests to be sure, but she may only last two weeks...a month at most. She will be in a lot of pain.." and her voice faded off. I knew this was the day I had been dreading since Dad and I picked her out at the Humane Society.

I had other dogs in my life, but they either were hit by cars, ran off or died of natural causes. I loved her and I didn't want to let her go, but I knew that I couldn't put her through all of that suffering. She would have hung on forever for me, if she could have, I know she loved me that much. But I loved her enough to stop the pain. So, I brought her home, and I let everyone say goodbye. She ate all the things she wanted to eat and then my sister Kelley and I went to the vet that morning of August 31, 2006. I can honestly say, it was quick. I felt her spirit leave and when I looked into her eyes I saw a look of thanks, not betrayal or confusion or fear. In a small way that was comforting. She is now buried under the willow tree, where she played as a puppy.

I have had people say that I should get another dog, that it will help me "get over" her death. I'm just not ready, and I'm not sure I ever will be ready. All I know is there will never be another dog like her and I miss her terribly.