Author Jennifer M. Eaton is a member
of the South Jersey Writers’ Group and besides being part of the Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey Anthology, she also has other works published. Why don't I let her tell you herself. Presenting Jennifer M. Eaton
Story: Hold on 'Til the End
Tell us a little about yourself?
I’ve lived in the Garden State
since I was about a week old. I transplanted from North Jersey when I was ten,
to the Central Jersey Shore until I was in my early twenties, and now I hobble
around in parts unknown. I love all sorts of out-doorsy things, like hiking,
bicycling, and snorkeling. I’ve never met a fish I didn’t like. In fact, I have
gills and a tail, but I try to hide it in specially made jeans. Don’t tell
anyone, okay?
What got you interested in
writing and when did you start?
I started writing in High School.
I’ve always had an over-active imagination…you know, daydreaming and all. One
day, I decided to start writing those daydreams down. I ended writing one
chapter a night and having my friends read it every day of school. I loved how
excited they were to get new chapters. I was hooked, and it helped me forget
that I was the only kid in school with fins.
What type of stories do you enjoy
writing?
Writing is an adventure for me. I
like writing things that are far removed from anything I would call reality.
Call it escapism. It’s my version of fun. I enjoy creating new worlds from scratch,
so if I am on earth, it is usually dystopian. Otherwise, we travel off to far
away planets where the sky’s the limit. Ahhh great fun. And I get to create
people with fins there, so I don’t feel like such an outcast.
Where did you get your
inspiration for your stories?
Ummmm. Dementia? I honestly don’t know. Freaky things
pop into my head, and I spit them out onto the paper. Go with the flow, you
know what I mean?
Why did you pick this particular
story for our anthology?
Most of my stuff is very long and
not suitable to an anthology. I like creating big, epic worlds that take
high-page count to create. As a writing exercise, I frequently write five
minute flash fiction. Once in a while I shoot out something that surprises me. “Hold
on Til the End” was one of those little surprises. It’s more of a poem than a
story (at least from my perspective). I always go back and look at it, and such
a wonderful image comes to mind. I was happy there was somewhere that I could
show off this little gem.
What advice can you give to our
readers who are interested in writing and getting their book published?
Work and work hard. Figure out
what you don’t know, or what you do poorly and make friends who are good at it.
Don’t be afraid to admit that you stink, but once you do, dive in with all your
heart to make yourself better. It is great and sometimes easy to come up with
the perfect idea, but the craft of expressing that idea in a way to captivate
someone else is an art form. It talks time and effort…and most of all,
dedication and belief in yourself. You need to believe that you can overcome
any obstacle…even having finsJ
Is it important for new writers
to join a writer’s group and why?
Yeah, I think it is. For me, it
was great to get out there and meet others…partially to convince myself that I
wasn’t a freak, because there are no creative people in my life. Normally
introverted, it helped me to build some confidence, and helped me to learn
about opportunities to meet published authors. South Jersey Writer’s Group was
my stepping stone to “getting out there”. Honestly, I was terrified when I
walked into my first session…but I loved it and they accepted me, despite of my
gills and quirky sense of humor.
Jennifer lives on the East Coast
USA with her husband, three boys, and a pepped up poodle. She hosts an
interactive website www.jennifermeaton.com
aimed at making all writers the best they can be.
Her Dystopian novelette “Last
Winter Red” is available as part of the “Make Believe” Anthology from J. Taylor
Publishing. Her Christmas Romance “Connect the Dots” is available as part of
Still Moments publishing’s “For the Love of Christmas” Anthology. Both are available
in ebook format from Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com
Last Winter Red: In search of a
husband, Emily leaves the safety of the city and risks her life stepping into
the outside world. What she finds there will question the foundation of
everything she believes in.
Connect the Dots: Jill has no
idea what she wants for Christmas, but when it looks like her best friend Jack
is going to get exactly what he asks for, Jill makes a Christmas wish that will
change both of their lives forever.
Hold on Til the End: is a poetic
short story with a symbolic depiction of one holding on to the past during the
inevitable change of future.
Twitter @jennifermeaton
