Writing Coach Elaine Ash Helps Writers Rewrite Until It's Right.

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of hearing Los Angeles writing coach, Elaine Ash, speak on the topic of "Self- Editing for Authors" at the monthly Sisters in Crime meeting. If you've never been to a Sisters in Crime meeting, and you're an aspiring crime writer living in the vicinity of their meeting place, the South Pasadena Library, I urge you to attend their free meetings, which always feature a riveting speaker.

Elaine Ash is an engaging speaker who shows up with a well organized and entertaining presentation that included a handout with insightful tips guaranteed to get any writer's motor running. The headings included:

• "Develop First - Everything Else Can Wait"

• "Get The Most Out of Your Writers' Group"

• "Too Many Characters"

• "Deconstructing Successful Novels for Structure"
• "The Feather Edit"

As a publicist and book reviewer, the "too many characters" totally resonated. For me, few things are more frustrating than settling down to read a newly published indie novel, only to find a few pages in that I need to write down the 10 characters who were introduced before I got to page 4 (and draw a map of the tangled backstory while I'm at it). As readers, we wish someone had tipped off the writer that confusion overload can lead to a reader closing the cover, never to open it again--unless it's for love or money.

Interview with Author Jennifer K. Jordan: “I wanted to give a snapshot of fathers’ wisdom from across the world.”

 Published in Broadway World Book News

Book Title: 
DADLY Wisdom: Untold Stories That Represent the True Faces of Fatherhood
Author: Jennifer Karin Jordan
Publisher: Motivational Press (March 10, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1628652691
Paperback: 232 pages
Genre: Family Relationships
Brand: Hogan Hilling's DADLY Series
Available at Amazon
Author Website: Jennifer Karin Jordan Website
Facebook: DADLY Wisdom Facebook Page 
Media Kit: DADLY Wisdom Media Kit
Author Contact: 
(562) 208-4869 / jenniferkj@charter.net
Interviewer: Marlan Warren (323) 347-6762 / memoircity@gmail.com 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
Interview with Author Jennifer K. Jordan: “I wanted to give a snapshot of fathers’ wisdom from across the world.” 

What began as a simple tribute to honor the wisdom and love of her father became a life-altering journey for Jennifer K. Jordan, author of DADLY Wisdom. Recently Jordan sat down with journalist/blogger Marlan Warren to reveal her 14-year process to gather insights from fathers she believes (according to the book’s back cover) “represent humanity at its best.”

Q: Did any of the interviews surprise you?

A: All of the interviews did that. Every time I interviewed a father, I was so impressed and moved that I thought I could never meet another such fine human being. I was in awe of all the fathers and their love for their children, and their dedication to helping their families no matter what.

I was surprised when Cain Credicott spoke to me for two hours for his interview. He is extremely busy as the Editor-in-Chief of Paleo Magazine, so I didn’t think his interview would be so long.

When I listened to Bernard Sayone and Tomas Kovar talk about their experiences in the Holocaust, I was constantly amazed. I learned more about the Holocaust from interviewing them than I had in any school, book or film. Bernie and Tomas also inspired me because they now work to promote peace in the world instead of being victims of such a difficult past.

Q: How did you select the fathers?

A: I interviewed over 100 fathers, but I included 52 in the book because some of the stories were too similar. Also, I interviewed some fathers back in 2000-2002, and when I started working on the project again in 2013, I was not able to contact them. Each father had to sign a release form so that I could use his story in the book.

I looked for fathers who had a reputation for being wise, successful professionally and with their families. I also looked for people who had a service ethic for contributing to their community in addition to their family.

I asked people for referrals of wise fathers from local areas, other states and other countries. Sometimes a father whom I interviewed then referred me to other wise fathers whom he knew. I also looked for fathers who represented different professions, ethnicities, religions, races, geographic locations and family structures. Thus, I interviewed a couple of single fathers and a gay father in order to honor all voices of fatherhood. I wanted to give a snapshot of fathers’ wisdom from across the world.

Q: Are you still in touch with any of the fathers?

A: I am still in contact with some of the fathers from the book, and I’m sure that many of the fathers interviewed would come to an event featuring DADLY Wisdom.

Q: What was the most challenging aspect in putting this book together?

A: The hardest part of doing the book was getting release forms and essay reviews back from fathers. Many of the fathers are extremely busy and didn't have time to get things back to me right away. For instance, Congressman Alan Lowenthal would often be in Washington, D.C., so I had to wait awhile to interview him and get his release form.