Crafting Poetry One Syllable at a Time
Posted on September 6, 2018 by Colleen M. Chesebro
I’ve started a new feature on my blog as another way to support my fellow authors. Conversations with Colleen will introduce you to authors from around the world. You can check out their books and visit their Amazon Author Pages to see if you find anything that tweaks your reading fancy!
This is also a way for my readers to get to know some different authors. You never know what secrets I might be able to coax out of them! Enjoy!
My first author interview is with Jan Spina. You might know her as a children’s author but recently she has stepped into the adult mystery writing genre. Please meet, Jan Spina!
Thank you, Colleen, for having me here today on your lovely blog.
I have been writing since the age of nine in the form of poetry. In my twenties, I moved to stories for children and wrote my first novels in 2009. When I was a young child I dreamt of either being an author or a singer.
I realized that singing was not in my future but writing was. I became an author at the age of 65 in 2013 after I retired a few years before from a position as an administrative secretary in a school system in Massachusetts.
I now have eleven children’s books, six middle-grade novels, three 18+ novels, and a short story collection. I am also a blogger, supporter of fellow authors, copy editor and writer of poetry.
My books have received a Silver Medal from Mom’s Choice Awards, seven Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards, a Silver Medal and an Honorable Mention from Reader’s Favorite Book Awards, A Silver Medal from Authorsdb Cover Contest and I was a Finalist in Authorsdb First Lines Contest.
My short stories have been published in others’ anthologies and in The Writer’s Newsletter, https://thewritersnewsletter.com/fiction-non-fiction-.
I live in New Hampshire with my husband, John, and two tanks of fish. My goal is to encourage children of all ages to read. My motto is Reading Gives You Wings to Fly! Soar with Jemsbooks.com!
I am currently working on Book 2 of my Abby & Holly Series for girls (adventure/mystery) and Book 6 of my Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series for boys (mystery/detectives/adventure). I plan to publish both books before the end of the year if possible. My husband is working on illustrations for a fairy tale which will be coming out before the end of this year.
My next project for 2019 will be editing Book 1 of a YA Fantasy Series. I haven’t yet decided how many books I will have in this new series but it could be up to 6.
I have ideas for another novel and more children’s books and middle-grade books. I believe 2019 will be a productive year. My goal each year is to write and publish 4-5 books.
I find that if I give myself a higher goal I will strive to achieve it rather than just mosey along at 1-2 books a year. At my age, I have so much to do and not a lot of time in which to do it. Sigh!
There really isn’t any process for me to write – all I need is time. When I find time in between family events and responsibilities, I grab my laptop and settle down to pick up where I left off on a current project.
I am more of a pantser than a planner. I begin with a title and work from there. Once I place my fingers over the keys the story opens up surprisingly, and the characters take over. Sometimes they go in a direction I do not want them to go and I have to rein them back in.
The strange thing is I don’t know how the story is going to end until my characters steer me in a direction and tell me. It is a thrilling feeling not to know how the story will end. It’s as if I am a reader instead of the creator.
All Jemsbooks children’s books are written in rhyme with life lessons that encourage good behavior in children.
Louey the Lazy Elephant
Ricky the Rambunctious Raccoon
Lamby the Lonely Lamb
Jerry the Crabby Crayfish
Jesse the Precocious Polar Bear
Broose the Moose on the Loose
Sebastian Meets Marvin the Monkey
Colby the Courageous Cat
Jeffrey, the jittery Giraffe
Clarence Henry the Hermit Crab
Lucy the Talented Toy Terrier
Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series, Book 1, The Case of the Missing Cell Phone
Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series, Book 2, The Case of the Mysterious Black Cat
Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series, Book 3, The Case of the Magical Ivory Elephant
Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series, Book 4, The Case of the Brown Scraggly Dog
Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series, Book 5, The Case of the Sad Mischievous Ghost
Abby & Holly Series, Book 1, School Dance
Abby & Holly Series, Book 2 (coming in fall of 2018)
Davey & Derek Junior Detective Series, Book 6, (coming in winter of 2018)
Hunting Mariah (Mystery/thriller/suspense/serial crime
Mariah’s Revenge (sequel to Hunting Mariah)
How Far Is Heaven (paranormal/mystery/romance)
An Angel Among Us (Short story collection)
All my books are available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Janice-Spina/e/B00HNET4HG
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Janice+spina?_requestid=16552820 and on my Website – Jemsbooks.com and on my Blog – Jemsbooks.blog.
I love to hear from readers and appreciate and happily welcome reviews.
Book trailers: https://youtu.be/pLCjyc9Q9tQ (How Far Is Heaven)
https://youtu.be/pLCjyc9Q9tQ (Hunting Mariah) (Both above trailers created by Chris Graham)
https://youtu.be/2DIawvOX9aw (Mariah’s Revenge – created by me)
Blog: http://jemsbooks.wordpress.com
Website: http://jemsbooks.com
Facebook: http://Facebook.com/janicespina7
FB: http://Facebook.com/Janice.spina.9
FB: http://facebook.com/jespina77
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/janicespina
LinkedIn: http://LinkedIn.com/janicespina
I am, most of the time, writing in some form or another but when I can, I enjoy crocheting afghans, animals, creatures, for my grandchildren, and baby blankets, sweaters, booties and such for new members of our extended families.
I would love to complete another project I have – a needlepoint craft. I did one years ago and loved it. It is hanging in my living room. Here is a photo of it. My family on my grandmother’s side were painters, needlepoint crafters. I feel an infinity toward the needlework but not the painting. I can’t even do justice to stick figures. Sigh! Even my mother and father were gifted with the ability to draw.
I also enjoy walking, exercising, hula hooping, going to the movies and dinner with my husband and spending time with my five grandchildren who are my writing inspiration.
I would recommend that all prospective authors do the following:
I would wish good health for my whole family. For without good health life is not as much fun or productive. I have seen family members sick and struggling and I have felt helpless to do anything but pray for them. I pray for all who are sick and have difficulties dealing with everyday life. May God bless you and give you good health.
Thank you, Colleen, for giving me this opportunity to share a little about myself and my books. It was fun to be on your lovely blog.
Thanks for stopping by! Until next time. ❤
Category: author interviewsTags: author interviews, Author Interviews, Jan Spina, Janice Spina
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“A good poem is a contribution to reality. The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it. A good poem helps to change the shape of the universe, helps to extend everyone’s knowledge of himself and the world around him.”
—Dylan Thomas
Click: What is a Rhyme Scheme?
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Colleen M. Chesebro is an American Poet who loves crafting paranormal fantasy and magical realism, cross-genre flash fiction, syllabic poetry, and creative nonfiction. Colleen sponsors a weekly syllabic poetry challenge, called Tanka Tuesday, on wordcraftpoetry.com where participants learn how to write traditional and current forms of haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, tanka prose, renga, solo-renga, haibun, cinquain, Etheree, nonet, and shadorma poetry. Colleen's syllabic poetry has appeared in the Auroras & Blossoms Poetry Journal, and in “Hedgerow, a journal of small poems.” She’s won numerous awards from participating in the Carrot Ranch Rodeo, a yearly flash fiction contest sponsored by carrotranch.com. In 2020, she won first place in the Carrot Ranch Folk Tale or Fable category, with her story called “Why Wolf Howls at the Moon.” Colleen is a Sister of the Fey, where she pursues a pagan path through her writing. When she is not writing, she is reading. She also loves gardening and crocheting old-fashioned doilies into works of art.
Whatcha wonderful interview with such an inspiring, prolific uthie 😍
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Awww, I’m glad you enjoyed. Jan is such a sweet lady. I love how she shared all this great information! ❤
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😍
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Great to learn more about Janice. And hoola hoping… I was never any good at it! Good luck with all her projects and excellent idea, Colleen!
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Thanks, Olga. I loved that Jan was so forthcoming in sharing her life with us. Great fun. Anytime you want a set of questions, let me know. I’ll be happy to torture you too! 😀 LOL! ❤
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Wow, all the writing, traveling, family and needlework… Janice, you are truly a woman of many talents.
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Thank you, Annette! 🤗
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I really enjoyed this interview. I’ve got to say, of all the author profiles I’ve ever read, I think this is the first that mentioned hula-hooping. I’ll never forget that. (I can see that being super useful in author branding, especially for kid lit.)
Nicely done. Best wishes, Janice.
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I was so thrilled that Jan would share the tid-bits we don’t hear about often. I got a huge grin over the hula-hoop part too. I’m enjoying these interviews for sure! I’m always ready for you Staci! 😀 ❤
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I love those unexpected bits, too.
I’ll happily take you up on your offer. Is there a form to fill out or something?
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Email me at colleenchesebro3@gmail.com and I will send you some questions tailored to you. How does that sound?
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I had a fabulous time with you, Colleen. It was a sincere pleasure to share my books and a little about myself. The post looks great! Hope the rest of your posts are coming together now. Hugs & love and thanks for a wonderful time. ❤️ 🤗
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Thank you Staci Troilo! I do feel like a kid again when I hula hoop! Some people don’t believe that 70 year olds can still shake their stuff! Haha! 🤗
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You’ve got it going on Jan! ❤
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Still kicking up my heels as far as I can get them off the floor! Haha! ❤️
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Fabulous interview girls. How did I miss this. I think WP is behaving like FB not sending all notifications, 😦 Glad I found it. ❤
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This is part of the screwed up posts. If it has no images don’t share. I’ll restate today.
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It sure does have images, even when I left the comment yesterday? That’s weird, maybe just you can’t see them. Lol what a mess! ❤
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No, I’ve spent all morning updating the posts. 😀
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Grrrrrrrrrrrrr 😦 ❤
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Thank you, Debby, for stopping by. Colleen is a fantastic hostess! Had a wonderful time! 🤗 😘 ❤️
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She sure is! Well done Janice. ❤ xx
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♥️
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So lovely to see Janice on the other side of the questions, Colleen. I’ve read and reviewed her first Davey & Derek book and loved it. It took me back to my childhood reading days.
Hugs to you both.
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Many thanks, Hugh. I’m always open for interviews. Readers love to learn about their favorite authors. ❤️
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Thank you, Hugh, for your kind comments. So happy you enjoyed DD1! You are just a kid at heart, aren’t you? Hugs xx
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This is a fantastic idea, Colleen! I enjoyed learning more about Janice and her work. Thank you! Hugs and kisses! ❤ xx
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Thanks, Vashti. Stop by my blog and click on the menu item Submit to Conversations with Colleen. There’s tons of questions. ❤️
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Sounds like a great plan, as soon as I catch up from my vacation, I’ll do that. 🙂
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Thank you, Vashti, for stopping by and for your kind comments. Hugs 😘
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Great interview, Colleen!
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Thank you. Isn’t Janice fun? Thanks for stopping by. ❤
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She is terrific! It was a pleasure, Colleen. 😍
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Thank you, Jennie! 💕
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You are welcome, Janice! ❤️
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Thank you, Colleen! You are pretty fab yourself! Hugs 😘
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Always a pleasure, Jan. Hugs back. ❤
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❤️
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A great interview with Janice. I am amazed at how much she can accomplish in a short time. I want what she is eating!! I love that you don’t know the ending and are as surprised as the readers, Janice. I am the same and always thought I was a bit strange. Good to know I’m not alone.
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Thanks, Darlene. I was thrilled to learn so much about her. Glad you enjoyed. ❤
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Haha, we are a strange duo, Darlene. Aren’t we? It is more fun not knowing what’s going to happen then whatever does happen is fun and exciting! Happy writing, my friend! ❤️
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An entertaining post, Colleen and Janice. I also used to do needle point when I was a young girl. I don’t have time for it now.
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Robbie, I used to cross stitch when I was younger, too. So much to do now, so little time. LOL! ❤
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Thank you, Robbie! Hugs 😘
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Thank you so much Colleen, for having me over at your magical blog! I had a fab time with you! Hugs & love my friend xx ❤️
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We’ll have to do this again, Jan. Hugs and love, back! ❤
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I would love too and you on my blog again too! Maybe you can share some of your magical fairy stuff. I love it all! ❤️
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I always enjoy reading Janice’s books. Now I know even more about her! Thanks for an enlightening interview.
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You’re welcome. I’m so glad you enjoyed. ❤
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Thank you, Barbara! 💕
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Wow…such a prolific writer and some…It puts me to shame..An awesome interview Colleen and it has certainly enthused moi 🙂 xxx
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Good for you, Carol! 😍❤️
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