The Promise of Change

Rebecca Heflin

Sarah likes her life organized, compartmentalized and adheres to a perfectly created daily schedule. Married and divorced, hoping to seek her father’s approval every step of the way she can’t seem to divorce herself from analyzing and scrutinizing her decisions and life every step of the way. When offered a great promotion at work she had to think and rethink over the offer before agreeing to an interview. Sarah hates change. But, with change sometimes-great things happen and with rigidity and the same old same old come boredom, complacency and no real challenges that life affords you. When Sarah finally appears in front of the committee for the interview although her performance is sterling she does not get the job. Wanting someone with litigation experience to handle the more difficult areas of the law firm they hire a barracuda and Sarah’s own nemesis from law school, which turns out to anything but wonderful for those in the company. Patricia seems on the outside to have it all together but in reality the only way she makes her mark is by destroying the confidence and self-esteem of others. Becca is Sarah’s sister and Ann her best friend are there every step of the way to guide and support her decisions. When going out with them she was approached by a young man to go for a drink but refused. Her not wanting to date strangers is really not a bad rule. However, she was reluctant to give anyone a real chance after her divorce and her desire to win her father’s approval hanging over her head at all times.

A trip to England and the classes she was taking would change everything. Bored with her life and quitting her job when an ultimatum forced her to make a snap decision, she enters an entire new world in England. Sitting in class she is invited to tea by what one might call the Matriarch of Oxford whose real motive has yet to come out. Uniformity, consistency and no changes are what Sarah is about. Offered a job as an assistant literary agent and hoping to have her first novel published seems to be not what she wants and put on the back burner. Lady Clara appears to have her own agenda for Sarah. Enter Alex Fraser into the pub where she was with several of her classmates. Not realizing who he was or his title Sarah does what would do in America refuse to date a stranger or even have a drink with him. Little did she know he would reenter her life, as he is the Earl of Rutherford and Lady Clara’s grandson? As the relationship blooms she learns more about Alex and soon comes face to face with his brother Robert whose opinion of Alex is anything but sterling. Alex is an actor by profession and although he cares about Sarah his duties to his family and the tabloids stalking him overtake what could be a great relationship. Learning Alex was dating the Prime Minister’s daughter, seeing pictures of her ex-husband in the paper and learning about his impending marriage and honeymoon on a yacht seemed to shake Sarah’s inner core. Despite her friendship with Lady Clara and Alex’s definitely honest affection for her the brief encounter with his brother, the rudeness that ensues and the end result sends her back to the states and back to square one. Not only does she lose Alex but also now she still has to decide on a job. After a whirlwind courtship, plays, dinners and much more Sarah feels deflated even with the support of her sister and her best friend Ann. Trying to find his place as an actor and not looked at only as the Earl of Rutherford, he learns more than he wants when his brother insists he give up his career to tend to family business and concern about the estate. Learning about Emma, his mother, her yen for travel and how she handles being a countess, give Sarah much pause for thought. Change is not something she can readily handle and surprises, although he gave her many were at times not really welcome. Reality sets back in and she returns to the states and one year later she finds herself with Alex back in her life.

Sarah finally learns the truth behind her father’s actions and what is more important is his definition of what he hopes and wants for her. Sometimes semantics or just one word can change everything. Parents need to communicate their thoughts in a way that is understood as Sarah learns that she no longer has to vie for her father’s approval she always had it. When Sarah faces a major change in her life as she is offered the job that she was turned down for. What happened to Patricia was you have to read it for yourself as sometimes what goes around definitely comes around and in this case she definitely got just about what she deserved and hopefully more. But, Sarah decides to finally take a different route and polish that manuscript and hope for the best. When she learns that not only is the novel being published but made into a movie she leaves for England and is thrilled to reunite with Lady Clara. But, when casting the movies she is surprised as to the actor playing the lead. Will she allow herself to deal with Alex? How will she feel when she sees him again? Walking into an elegant Georgian townhouse along with director Michael Williams she meets Alex. Meeting with him and the lead actress difficult and yet cause for a “flash of distain” from Alex. Why? His actions were so distant and angry? What was the reason? Reason: One director and his jealousy. The rest still remains to be seen as misunderstandings and misconceptions seem to go a long way in this novel. Learning more about the director and handling his advances in a professional light, did not help how Alex reacted to her or her to him. But, when a scene goes wrong and she interjects her opinion upon his request what happens next will definitely change the complexion of their fragile relationship and hopefully spark some mutual interest.

Sarah finally realizes that change might not be a bad way to go and explains her feeling to Alex but what comes next is surprising even to her as she learns more about her inner most thoughts observing the lead actress and Alex. But, there were many similarities and definite parallels between the relationship of the leads in the movie and their real life relationship. Just what they were and how they would play out in their real life still has many more scenes to go. Watching the ones between Amelia and Christian did not do much for Sarah, as she felt tense and uneasy watching them act. But, what happens next will enlighten the reader to perhaps the final scene in his or her own special movie. But, the leading lady would produce a special scene and script of her own. What would Sarah’s next move be when she learns the truth behind how and why the movie was being produced and made? Would she do what she normally does? Run or would she listen and realize the truth? As Sarah decides to take ride in the tube something happens and her life is in jeopardy and the reunion in the hospital might change it all as an accident caused by an explosion would bring more than the flames to light. The tabloids enjoy writing about Alex but when it includes them both things need to change and will the person causing the notoriety pay?

A visit from the past brings her perspective back to the present and teaches her that some things never do change and that some men will always be who they are. As Sarah finally have the last word or final say in a scene that was over long before it started. If you want to know who the leading man was in this one you need to read Chapter fourteen in part three of this novel for yourself before the director says the final cut and print. What Alex does will definitely endear you to him and where he winds up and what happens will make you laugh and definitely smile to what lengths some men will go to curb their jealousies. But when the truth behind what Adrian thought comes out you almost wish it wasn’t. Will she embrace change and find a life that will embrace excitement, love and unpredictability or will she decide that the promise of change is not certain and too unpredictable?

Author Rebecca Heflin gives the reader much pause for thought as betrayals come full circle, misunderstandings come to light, promises are broken and others are made proving that The Promise of Change is the promise of excitement, great things to come and what’s more a great novel that promises to keep the reader riveted to the printed page until the final scene is played or in this case written.

Fran Lewis: reviewer

 

I am having trouble deleting a post that was placed on my blog. I never charge for reviews or posting anything. I never charge for reviews. For some reason I cannot access the right dashboard to delete what someone placed as review packages and review postings. Fran I repeat I never charge for reviews or posting or anything else. fran

The Princess reviewed by fran lewis

Faces Behind The Stones by Fran Lewis World Castle Publishing, 2012 Faces Behind The Stones is a unique collection of seven short vignettes, based on true stories, narrated from the afterlife. Each character speaks from the grave; some to justify themselves and their deaths, some to send a message to help the living, and others to confess their own shortcomings past and present. MJ believes she has a happy marriage and a good life, until reality rears its snake-head and the past rushes in to join in the final blow that places her under the headstone marking her existence. Ms. Lewis presents a terrifying picture of a marriage gone wrong, deception, and the price a person may pay for long-forgotten past deeds. She also speaks to the very real abuse people can experience in nursing homes, a current topic of today. Virginia, a naïve, honest teacher experiences an all too common abuse of power that destroys her career and her life. Railroaded by a cruel, power-mad administrator, Virginia learns too late that the good don’t always win. The most tragic death of all is probably the suicide of a child that could have been prevented. The first story belongs to Belinda, a teen with a poor self-image, bullied by the popular girls, lacking a social life, and with no one to turn to for help. The second story is John’s, a teen neglected all his short life by his wealthy, hedonistic parents, who have mapped out his life and care nothing for the person they bully to conform to their image of a son. These tales are stark reminders of disservice done to the children left to founder on their own, as they fall deeper and deeper in depression until they lie beneath the stone. Tom’s story is a murder mystery of identical twins, and the lucrative business of selling body parts. Who actually lies beneath the stone is the twist to this unusual tale of good and evil in the medical profession. In another murder mystery we meet Katie, a woman who thought she had it all, a good marriage, a devoted husband, and a trusted best friend, until a double twist of fate sends her to the grave, but not alone. The last voice from the grave cries out. When Don finally realizes why no one will listen, why they think he’s paranoid, and what is really happening, it is too late. The past catches up with Don in a conspiracy that winds and twists like the coils of a snake until it crushes him. The fact that these seven stories are based on truth, this novella presents a stark and disturbing reality that could happen to people we know and to us. Reviewed by Dr. Fran Orenstein, author and poet, Tampa Bay, Florida.

Faces Behind the Stones a Five Star Review by Dr. Fran Orenstein

Faces Behind The Stones by Fran Lewis World Castle Publishing, 2012 Faces Behind The Stones is a unique collection of seven short vignettes, based on true stories, narrated from the afterlife. Each character speaks from the grave; some to justify themselves and their deaths, some to send a message to help the living, and others to confess their own shortcomings past and present. MJ believes she has a happy marriage and a good life, until reality rears its snake-head and the past rushes in to join in the final blow that places her under the headstone marking her existence. Ms. Lewis presents a terrifying picture of a marriage gone wrong, deception, and the price a person may pay for long-forgotten past deeds. She also speaks to the very real abuse people can experience in nursing homes, a current topic of today. Virginia, a naïve, honest teacher experiences an all too common abuse of power that destroys her career and her life. Railroaded by a cruel, power-mad administrator, Virginia learns too late that the good don’t always win. The most tragic death of all is probably the suicide of a child that could have been prevented. The first story belongs to Belinda, a teen with a poor self-image, bullied by the popular girls, lacking a social life, and with no one to turn to for help. The second story is John’s, a teen neglected all his short life by his wealthy, hedonistic parents, who have mapped out his life and care nothing for the person they bully to conform to their image of a son. These tales are stark reminders of disservice done to the children left to founder on their own, as they fall deeper and deeper in depression until they lie beneath the stone. Tom’s story is a murder mystery of identical twins, and the lucrative business of selling body parts. Who actually lies beneath the stone is the twist to this unusual tale of good and evil in the medical profession. In another murder mystery we meet Katie, a woman who thought she had it all, a good marriage, a devoted husband, and a trusted best friend, until a double twist of fate sends her to the grave, but not alone. The last voice from the grave cries out. When Don finally realizes why no one will listen, why they think he’s paranoid, and what is really happening, it is too late. The past catches up with Don in a conspiracy that winds and twists like the coils of a snake until it crushes him. The fact that these seven stories are based on truth, this novella presents a stark and disturbing reality that could happen to people we know and to us. Reviewed by Dr. Fran Orenstein, author and poet, Tampa Bay, Florida.

THE BIG BANG THEORY

How To Make A Big Bang Authors: Andrew Flambaum and Victor Flambaum One young girl named Amunet is about to set a chain of events that will rock the world and the fate of those on Earth. Creating a flower, a blue flower, called Ossumia, she hopes to create a new Universe billions of years from now better than ours. As she names the pyramid within it Chaos and the second Divinity, Amunet explains to the reader the meaning of each and how it will impact humanity. Fast forward 14 billion years and meet Alice K. Alice has been chosen to leave her world and join another. She is to live with an alien group and teach them about our world and hopefully us about their world. But, as the imperfections in the blue flower are needed to help create the world Amunet wanted, Alice is about to go on a journey that would end the world, fall down a black hole and hopefully save herself, the cat and one strange parrot her only companions on this journey. Imagine winning a contest and being selected for this special voyage along with a ship that can verbally guide her, named Joe, Alice sets forth, against the advice of many, on this journey. As she realizes the gravity of what happens and the end result she wishes and asks the ship to take her back to see the devastation that occurred when Earth disappears and the sun’s light goes out forever. Can one young human create a new Universe and world better than the one that no longer exists? Will she survive? How to Make Big Bang? You are about to find out what that means and much more. Learning more about Alice and voyage learn about the fall of the solar system, the planets surrendering and Alice finding a new home on a planet called Utopia. Sounds perfect doesn’t it. But, when you learn more about the inhabitants and their life you just might not think that perfect is the real way to go and living in a carbon copy society where everyone and everything looks and does the same thing really the perfect life. Alice and her group encounter Anushol and learn more about Utopia and the lives of those there. Artificial perfection is how they perceive their society and what happens to them and their collapse is no surprise when an inner revolt changes everything and their perfect world crumbles. Moving the story ahead ten more years. Utopia no longer exists and Alice and her travelers wind up on another planet to be attacked by robots. These robots were placed there in order to create the proper habitat for future civilizations. An inner revolt and a social disturbance added to the fact they wanted to create a perfect human specimen with no imperfections gave way to the end of the Utopians except for one last person in a lone cell. Alice and her group wind up on another constellation filled with strange inhabitants namely robots. These robots are supposed to create an environment for humans to come. The life chain described is really quite unique and the end result remains to be seen. Technology is quite different. Travel not the way we know it and Alice is about to enter what the authors call Dark Matter which according them is hypothetical. Defined in their glossary as 25 percent of the universe’s content with properties of invisibility and transparency including gravity. Dark Matter exists because its gravitational attraction changes the movement or motion of stars and galaxies as Alice learns more about her new world and the mysteries surrounding it. Hence they describe and define the Big Bang Theory, which according to the dictionary means that the universe originated sometime between 10 and 20 billion years ago from a cataclysmic explosion of a small volume of matter at very high density and temperature. This theory is the prevailing cosmological model that explains the early development of the Universe according to Wikipedia. 1] According to the Big Bang theory, the Universe was once in an extremely hot and dense state, which expanded rapidly. This rapid expansion caused the young Universe to cool and resulted in its present continuously expanding state. According to the most recent measurements and observations, this original state existed approximately 13.7 billion years ago, [2][3] which is considered the age of the Universe and the time the Big Bang occurred. (Wikipedia). How does this relate to Alice and her voyagers well now things begin to change for them as their ship takes on another form, namely human, they meet those behind this confusion and change called the Djinns who take on any form they choose and Saifan seems to be their guide. Now, you should know that Djinns enjoy playing the piano and watching the erasures of the world as a hobby. But, there is much more. Would you believe it if I told you there are millions of these Djinns and they are heading off to war. Dark Matter Saifan tells Alice protects her world from their world. He goes on to explain even more. But, think about this. What would you do if you had all the time in the world to do whatever you wanted? What would you do if your life was or seemed endless? Their weapons are cosmic and their standards are bigger than ours. Boundless ability and infinite time! What do you think? So, what happens when Alice challenges the leader? You guessed it they wind up back on their ship at what you might say square one. So, we begin to think that maybe we think too much, ponder the wrong thoughts and never think out of the box. Alice carried with her a photograph from the previous year and saw herself before all of this changed her life and her as well. Sometimes one glance in a picture is all you need to make you realize you are not the same person. Poor Alice and her travelers are now trapped on the rim of a black hole with no sun and no solar system in sight. Alice is no longer part of the human world. How would you feel if you were now considered an Alien with no real home or place to go. Amunet and Keku warned her. The Djinns ejected them. Where would they go next and what will happen when the cosmic journey filled with scientific facts and a glossary of terms at the end of the book takes this group on an adventure of more than a lifetime. Using the right words is not always easy and as Alice learns she needs to learn more than just about the cosmos and the universe as she meets Sytus a captain in the titan army and embarks on another journey. Learning what they do and how they materialize is quite fascinating. Trying to explain her plight and the part she played in the extinction of earth and the solar system more complicated. From the cosmos, to neutrons to the planets and the way the world and universe work this book gives the reader more than just a unique plot and novel but a total cosmic journey too. So who will prevail: the titans or the djinns? So, how does a universe get destroy? What happens to the djinns? What finally is the fate of the Titans and what do you rule? Absolutely nothing: Just one book cosmic graveyard: That is the end of the Big Bang at least for now as the travelers need to find yet another place to live. Poor Alice finds herself in a cemetery and realizes the headstone is hers. A news article in a planetary paper tells of her untimely death. A dream that she has would connect all of the stars you might say as Alice takes trip back to her classroom, learns more about the past and they find themselves in a prison in Xakoxe with a jailer named Zyxler. Alice, Mara and Meowhugs meet many along the way in many different universes, wars fought, some won and the end result will find them not where they expected to be. No giant planet but in a field of asteroids. As Keku and Amunet come back into the picture we find out he has to go to their version of summer school for doing a project that did not come out the right way. Amunet has a more pressing problem, as she now has to take a class in Manipulation the one word that applies to all that happens in this novel. Poor Amunet who started the entire chain reaction at the beginning finds herself front and center facing a difficult situation. As Alice learns and so does she it is not your career, your job performance or confidence that matters or will get you ahead in life. You need to be deceitful, manipulative and everything she is not. Liars win according to do this teacher and Amunet is going to pay the price for defying her as she pits her against her best friend Keku in a mind game. The price is too high for her as she chooses her own fate. Will someone come to her aide? Examining her own Universe she finds a note form someone that might explain it all. But what happens in class the next day will definitely give you pause for thought. What does happen in class? Find out when you read it for yourself. Just where do Alice and the travelers wind up you won’t believe it? Will Amunet figure out a way to save her and her friends? This book brings to light what happens when different worlds collide, different groups of people cannot get along and the Universes as we know them collide and only some will survive. Alice retraces her past, sees the future and understands the present but what will happen to her? Who are the creators and what does she learn when she meets Amunet? Manipulation: Deceit, Truths, friendship and fear! Which wins out? You decide after reading this book and the starling ending. One thought provoking book. One Alice! Two authors that bring to light so many issues about life, the Universe, the cosmos and survival of the fittest and true friendship. A cosmic journey in print better than Star Wars, Star Trek and Babylon 5 that will send the reader wanting more and hoping the authors will continue the journey. Fran Lewis: reviewer

SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR FRAN ORENSTEIN

SPOTLIGHT: FRAN ORENSTEIN:
PLEASE WELCOME FRAN ORENSTEIN: FRAN is the author of Gaia’s Gift her latest release. I would like to spotlight this novel and her career as a writer.
Please join in the discussion and leave some questions for Fran and some comments. I am your host for this interview: Fran Lewis
Title of your novel and a short summary
My newest novel is Gaia’s Gift, a contemporary novel: Rachel Wells loses everything she cherishes in a brief summer storm off the coast of Florida. Haunted by the ghosts of her past, driven to the point of insanity by survivor’s guilt, Rachel turns her back on the world and retreats to a deserted island with her cat. Here she plans to live out her life in isolation, frozen behind an impenetrable veil of pain. That is, until she receives a gift from the sea that opens a slit in the veil and allows the world to intrude. Ignoring her conscience, Rachel learns too late that some gifts are not meant to be kept forever, and that forgiveness and redemption sometimes require sacrifice. The gods and spirits watch as the many layers of love unfold to reveal a complex finale.

How did you choose the main topic or theme for your book?
Four years ago, when my granddaughter, Rachel was nine, she called with an idea for a children’s book, which was the age group I wrote for at the time. I loved her idea, but then realized that it would work better from the perspective of the woman as the main character. I incorporated most of Rachel’s ideas and added some more paranormal and metaphysical overtones and the result is Gaia’s Gift, a contemporary novel, written especially for women.

Which character do you love the most? Which one would you like to kill off or change something about?
I love all my characters, but probably Abigail, the child whose story spans 11 years in the book. I have some ethical problems with the choices made by the protagonist, Rachel, but I understand her and why she did what she did. I’m non-violent, so there is no character I would kill off, even those whom Rachel perceived as betraying her.

Where does your story take place and why?
The story takes place off the Southwest Coast of Florida in an unnamed, fictitious location. I live in the area and wanted to write a book that took place in my adopted place of residence.
What makes your book stand out above the rest? Why is your story unique?
It’s a story that reveals the strengths and weaknesses of us all and the choices we make every day to survive. It’s about a woman with different ideas in a metaphysical and environmental sense, and who maintains those beliefs despite the world around her. She creates an environment conducive to these beliefs and raises the child in that world. The paranormal aspects of the book add an element of the supernatural. The essence is still a love story on many levels and the sacrifices one woman makes for love.
What has been the most surprising part of your journey as a writer?
The evolving nature of my books from ‘tween to YA to adult and the different genres I’ve chosen. It’s an exciting journey that leaves me open to diversity in the subject matter and for the age group. I also write poetry for adults and children, as well as short stories.
How many new ideas do you have? Do you keep a list or are your thoughts on your computer?
I have enough ideas, beginnings, and plots to write for the next ten years without stopping. I have a file on my computer, where I keep a list of storylines, plot ideas, and just general notes. I also have scraps of paper all over the office, which turn up every so often, crying to be computerized.
What are the main or essential qualities of a good novel? How do you keep the reader pinned to the printed page throughout the novel?
The writer has to keep the novel moving with action, sub plots that move it forward, tension, and evolving characters. I don’t use fillers, such as pages of description. My books are concise, because I believe that less is more and keeps the reader involved. As a reader, I will often skip technical parts and descriptions because I want to read a story not a manual or travel brochure.
How do you create an ending that no one will get?
When I was in my teens, one of my favorite authors was O’Henry, who always left the reader wondering and imagining at the end of his stories. That’s what I try to do. I want readers to ask me if there will be a sequel so they can find what else is going to happen. That to me is the best review I can get. It meant they got involved enough to care about the characters. I leave the book open-ended to trigger the reader’s imagination and desire for more.
How have you marketed your books? Which strategies have worked and which have not?
Marketing is every author’s nightmare. It takes up so much time that it’s hard to find time to write. Just answering questionnaires like this one, and I have done a number of these, takes time away from writing. However, if the book is ever going to be read and succeed, people have to know about it. The follow list seems to work: make contacts by joining organizations, professional societies, giving out pr material like bookmarks, doing book sales and signings, sending email announcements, creating and maintaining a website, Facebook and other on-line sites, having a marketing-savvy publisher, and developing helpful friends who will exchange publicity events. Everything works in its own way, but if you can afford it, hire a publicist to do some of the marketing.
During long road to publishing your novel what obstacles did you face?
Over the past 20 or so years, I’ve had unscrupulous publishers, agents who did nothing for me, and two file drawers of rejection slips that I finally shredded this past year. I finally decided that publishing with small, POD publishers was the route to go if I ever wanted to see my writing in print and read.
What made you decide to become a writer?
My mother was a story-teller from the time I was very little. I grew up in libraries because she was an inveterate reader. My initial foray into writing was around age eight, when I wrote my first poem after reading Bambi, which moved me very much. I’ve always wanted to write, sending out my first submission of a short story to a magazine when I was twelve. I worked on school newspapers, worked for a national magazine as an editor/writer, and wrote speeches, brochures, newsletters, and presentations for the State of NJ.
When you write do you outline each chapter or do you just write and see where the character takes you?
I need to let my imagination take me where it will. I use a story board for reference to define the characters and the general scope of the story, then I go where my mind leads me.
What are three things your character would like to tell you if he/she could speak to you in person?
Thank you for telling my story. Thank you for bringing me to life. Thank you for giving me Abigail and Ben.
Where can we find your book, your blogs, websites and what are all of your titles?
Gaia’s Gift is published by World Castle Publishing and is currently on Amazon.com and Kindle until the middle of April, when it will be on all ebook readers and other on-line publishers. It can be ordered from the publisher, through my website and on order from bookstores. Please join me in Fran’s World at www.franorenstein.weebly.com. You can read my bio and all about the eight published books I have written, my award-winning poetry and short stories, blogs by me and other authors, events I am attending, and where my books can be found. Stop by and visit.

SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR FRAN ORENSTEIN

SPOTLIGHT: FRAN ORENSTEIN:
PLEASE WELCOME FRAN ORENSTEIN: FRAN is the author of Gaia’s Gift her latest release. I would like to spotlight this novel and her career as a writer.
Please join in the discussion and leave some questions for Fran and some comments. I am your host for this interview: Fran Lewis
Title of your novel and a short summary
My newest novel is Gaia’s Gift, a contemporary novel: Rachel Wells loses everything she cherishes in a brief summer storm off the coast of Florida. Haunted by the ghosts of her past, driven to the point of insanity by survivor’s guilt, Rachel turns her back on the world and retreats to a deserted island with her cat. Here she plans to live out her life in isolation, frozen behind an impenetrable veil of pain. That is, until she receives a gift from the sea that opens a slit in the veil and allows the world to intrude. Ignoring her conscience, Rachel learns too late that some gifts are not meant to be kept forever, and that forgiveness and redemption sometimes require sacrifice. The gods and spirits watch as the many layers of love unfold to reveal a complex finale.

How did you choose the main topic or theme for your book?
Four years ago, when my granddaughter, Rachel was nine, she called with an idea for a children’s book, which was the age group I wrote for at the time. I loved her idea, but then realized that it would work better from the perspective of the woman as the main character. I incorporated most of Rachel’s ideas and added some more paranormal and metaphysical overtones and the result is Gaia’s Gift, a contemporary novel, written especially for women.

Which character do you love the most? Which one would you like to kill off or change something about?
I love all my characters, but probably Abigail, the child whose story spans 11 years in the book. I have some ethical problems with the choices made by the protagonist, Rachel, but I understand her and why she did what she did. I’m non-violent, so there is no character I would kill off, even those whom Rachel perceived as betraying her.

Where does your story take place and why?
The story takes place off the Southwest Coast of Florida in an unnamed, fictitious location. I live in the area and wanted to write a book that took place in my adopted place of residence.
What makes your book stand out above the rest? Why is your story unique?
It’s a story that reveals the strengths and weaknesses of us all and the choices we make every day to survive. It’s about a woman with different ideas in a metaphysical and environmental sense, and who maintains those beliefs despite the world around her. She creates an environment conducive to these beliefs and raises the child in that world. The paranormal aspects of the book add an element of the supernatural. The essence is still a love story on many levels and the sacrifices one woman makes for love.
What has been the most surprising part of your journey as a writer?
The evolving nature of my books from ‘tween to YA to adult and the different genres I’ve chosen. It’s an exciting journey that leaves me open to diversity in the subject matter and for the age group. I also write poetry for adults and children, as well as short stories.
How many new ideas do you have? Do you keep a list or are your thoughts on your computer?
I have enough ideas, beginnings, and plots to write for the next ten years without stopping. I have a file on my computer, where I keep a list of storylines, plot ideas, and just general notes. I also have scraps of paper all over the office, which turn up every so often, crying to be computerized.
What are the main or essential qualities of a good novel? How do you keep the reader pinned to the printed page throughout the novel?
The writer has to keep the novel moving with action, sub plots that move it forward, tension, and evolving characters. I don’t use fillers, such as pages of description. My books are concise, because I believe that less is more and keeps the reader involved. As a reader, I will often skip technical parts and descriptions because I want to read a story not a manual or travel brochure.
How do you create an ending that no one will get?
When I was in my teens, one of my favorite authors was O’Henry, who always left the reader wondering and imagining at the end of his stories. That’s what I try to do. I want readers to ask me if there will be a sequel so they can find what else is going to happen. That to me is the best review I can get. It meant they got involved enough to care about the characters. I leave the book open-ended to trigger the reader’s imagination and desire for more.
How have you marketed your books? Which strategies have worked and which have not?
Marketing is every author’s nightmare. It takes up so much time that it’s hard to find time to write. Just answering questionnaires like this one, and I have done a number of these, takes time away from writing. However, if the book is ever going to be read and succeed, people have to know about it. The follow list seems to work: make contacts by joining organizations, professional societies, giving out pr material like bookmarks, doing book sales and signings, sending email announcements, creating and maintaining a website, Facebook and other on-line sites, having a marketing-savvy publisher, and developing helpful friends who will exchange publicity events. Everything works in its own way, but if you can afford it, hire a publicist to do some of the marketing.
During long road to publishing your novel what obstacles did you face?
Over the past 20 or so years, I’ve had unscrupulous publishers, agents who did nothing for me, and two file drawers of rejection slips that I finally shredded this past year. I finally decided that publishing with small, POD publishers was the route to go if I ever wanted to see my writing in print and read.
What made you decide to become a writer?
My mother was a story-teller from the time I was very little. I grew up in libraries because she was an inveterate reader. My initial foray into writing was around age eight, when I wrote my first poem after reading Bambi, which moved me very much. I’ve always wanted to write, sending out my first submission of a short story to a magazine when I was twelve. I worked on school newspapers, worked for a national magazine as an editor/writer, and wrote speeches, brochures, newsletters, and presentations for the State of NJ.
When you write do you outline each chapter or do you just write and see where the character takes you?
I need to let my imagination take me where it will. I use a story board for reference to define the characters and the general scope of the story, then I go where my mind leads me.
What are three things your character would like to tell you if he/she could speak to you in person?
Thank you for telling my story. Thank you for bringing me to life. Thank you for giving me Abigail and Ben.
Where can we find your book, your blogs, websites and what are all of your titles?
Gaia’s Gift is published by World Castle Publishing and is currently on Amazon.com and Kindle until the middle of April, when it will be on all ebook readers and other on-line publishers. It can be ordered from the publisher, through my website and on order from bookstores. Please join me in Fran’s World at www.franorenstein.weebly.com. You can read my bio and all about the eight published books I have written, my award-winning poetry and short stories, blogs by me and other authors, events I am attending, and where my books can be found. Stop by and visit.