THE BACK STORY on PHOTOS

When I was younger and looked at family photo albums with my mom or grandma, I couldn't get past the old-fashioned styles worn by the people staring back at me. I'd laugh until my sides hurt! These poses in sepia were pictures of strangers that couldn't possibly know anything about life, according to the mind of a thirteen year old. They lived in the past. What did they know about anything?

By the time I was twenty, we had lost all but a few of these keepsakes. The ones I had, I treasured. As my parents and grandparents passed away, I began to appreciate even more the memories these faded images recalled for me. I also began to recognize certain family resemblances, such as: my crooked smile from my father's side of the family; and the straight, blond hair of my grandfather in his younger days. But it still sends shivers down my spine when I look at my great, great grandmother with her slickered-down hair and frozen scowl and wonder if her looks are my impending doom?

It wasn't until I began working on our family's genealogy that I really began to understand the back story of photos. This was a lip smacking morsel of cake set before me. A pound of research and an ounce of creativity stirred into the fertile mind of a writer and BOOM! Thirty years later, the book, "Begotten With Love" became a reality.

Now, when I look at these pictures, they shape a glimpse into history which is both personal and worldly. So, you see, there is a lot to learn from photos: history, style, geography, relationships . . . but the one thing that doesn't change through the generations is the temperament of man. Each of us, as individuals (no matter which generation), struggles with temptation and sorrow, lust and greed. We cling to faith and hope and love and if we live long enough our courage and strength will be tested.  That's why I chose to write "Begotten" in story form, so the reader could share the experiences as the plots unfold.

Following are my observations of the pictures adorning my FaceBook page that you see at the top of this post. Studying pictures like these helped me to develop the personalities of the families in my book (along with documents and personal stories told and retold around the dining room table).

YOUNG WOMAN WITH BURRO (Grand Junction, CO) - I see a beautiful, young woman dressed for a special occasion (the style suggests 1890-1900). I've not been able to verify my supposition, yet, but it looks to me as though the baby is dressed in a Christening Gown. This is also around the time open hearth cooking was becoming a thing of the past and kitchens were being outfitted with wood/coal burning ranges. A blessing because many women were maimed or killed by embers falling from the hearth and catching these long skirts on fire.

FORGEMEN (Prattvile, AL) - This picture was a gift to me from the historical files of Daniel Pratt's Manufactory in Prattville, Alabama.  The company had changed owners (and names) over the years but had been continuously operational since the mid 1850s until 2013. To walk the halls of these massive buildings and hear the history of Daniel Pratt and what he accomplished . . . his innovations and generosity, was a profound moment in my life. If you'd like to learn more about one of America's first entrepreneurs, Google the "Honorable Daniel Pratt, A Biography, Eulogies on His Life and Character" by M.S. Tarrant.  To look at this picture and realize 3 generations of my family was a part of this amazing time in history is both inspirational and humbling.

IN THE GARDEN (Anacortes, WA) - John (in his mid eighties) tended to his garden; not as a hobby or for organic produce but for survival. His family had fallen on difficult economic times in the 1950s and could not survive without his hard labor. Behind him is the orchard where blackberry brambles grew wild. The abstract tee-pee structures (made from strips of cloth from an old sheet) gave structure for pole beans and a hiding place for a young girl who did not want to eat liver for dinner.

CHANGING TRANSPORTATION (Chicago, IL) - The history of this picture is still a work in progress. What I do know is that it was taken on Clark Street in Chicago (near north side) possibly next to the building where the St. Valentine's Day massacre (mob hit) occurred. I don't know what kind of car it was but the man standing along side is the driver and probably its machinist. It was a well-respected and exciting form of employment to be a machinist. Many of these men came from the ranks of blacksmith. This was a major transportation transition in our country and the world. Machinists in the early 1900s made as major a contribution to the world as Microsoft, Apple, and IT specialists everywhere do for us today.
What makes me laugh about this picture is the trail of manure alongside the car. Both forms of transportation shared the roads in Chicago in the 1920s and '30s.

Well . . . I'll bet somewhere in your home is a faded and dusty album filled with pictures similar to the ones I chose to display on my Facebook cover page.  Did you ever wonder whose faces were silently starring at you as you turned the pages? I encourage you to find out more. Tracing their history may uncover your richest legacy of all. Good luck!

Jo Ann V. Glim is a 40 year veteran of freelance writing and author of "Begotten With Love."

To learn more:

FOLLOW/Like on Facebook or

VISIT www.BEGOTTENtheBook.com

NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon.com/author/joannglim

The MAKING of a VIDEO TRAILER

To celebrate the launch of BEGOTTEN With Love on Amazon.com, we wanted to share more about the book with you . . . to make the pictures come alive! Our bright idea? A video trailer. Mariana Llanos, our dear friend and fellow author, made it look so easy when she did one for the Tristan Wolfe series. It's charming and creative and we were hooked. This would be the perfect way to present "Begotten With Love" to the world. Even though I wrote a book on video production . . . no, seriously, I did! A lot has changed since then. Here I am with another straight-lined learning curve, trying to avoid cyber gaffs and pull together a cohesive product. We hope to have the finished video functional in the next few days. If you have received more than one version, of anything, our apologies.

I thought you might like to see three of the four pictures we chose for the video and give you a little back story on them. None of the pictures in the video (with the exception of one) appear in the book or on the Begotten web site but each one was pivotal in researching the history of the story.



The first picture was taken at Ahlestatorp (which means Ashe Grove Farm in Swedish). It's where John lived as a young boy in the late 1800s. This peaceful family picture doesn't begin to tell the tale of the field hospital set up (where they now pose) last winter during the blizzard. Chapter 11, "Amerika"





The second picture was taken at a dinner party in John's apartment in Chicago around 1910. John and Hedvig (seated to the right/front) are entertaining visitors from Sweden (including Sven and Carolina). This picture was the inspiration for Chapter 15, "The Parcel."



The picture of the woman with the burro is my grandfather's sister (on my father's side) and taken in Grand Junction, Colorado at the home of her parents, Adam and Sannie Weir. Their house on Pitkin was torn down a number of years ago, so, memories such as these now live only in these faded photos. After looking at her holding a baby on the back of a donkey, I silently ask myself, how on earth will I ever complain, again, about driving to the store to pick up a few items?
I hope you have boxes of old photos to sort through. They can teach us so much about living and life. So much for which to be grateful!

Jo Ann V. Glim is a 40 year veteran of  freelance writing and author of Begotten With Love. To learn more:

FOLLOW/Like on Facebook or

VISIT www.BEGOTTENtheBook.com

NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon.com/author/joannglim

FINAL DAYS BEFORE LAUNCH!

I invited all of you to take this crazy publishing journey with me and I can't imagine being on this wild and wacky ride without you. Thank you for standing by me! Your encouragement, humor and support has meant more than words can convey.

There have been weeks when I questioned if this loop of proofing would ever end. If the goal to publish would ever be met. Well, it did and it will be. There were weeks of slogging back and forth to the store because of an ailing computer that's now been replaced. There were missed deadlines for a number of legitimate reasons (all of them good) but the best excuse was the birth of a beautiful baby boy (to our designer and his wife). Noah decided to be born 3 months early. Of course, medical complications ensued and put the book's publication date behind by months (a chance indie authors take when relying on the talents of independent contractors). However, those who have worked with me in the past know that as far as priorities go, it's always family first. Everything else will fall into place.

There were weeks spent in classes trying to grasp the concept of social media and hours of conversation with author friends about marketing ideas. It took time to design a web site and begin a blog. There were conferences, events, and Author Review book signings and besides all that, there were administrative and financial obligations to fulfill if we wanted to be taken seriously and that we do.

I've had a chance to view the book on a Kindle, I-Pad and I-Phone. I love the printed word and the feel of a book in my hands but this new technology? All I can say is, WOW what a concept!

So, here we are . . . standing on the edge of the publishing diving board with toes curled and heart racing, scared to look to see if there's water in the pool before jumping in but smart enough to know that not looking would hurt . . . a lot! I can guarantee that when I press the PUBLISH button on Amazon, BEGOTTEN With Love will be at the very bottom of the list with thousands of titles above it. The only way things will change is if you help me spread the word. Visit the BEGOTTEN With Love Fan Page to find out how.

We are counting down to the eBook's debut next week but . . .

I CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER to start the celebration. Even though it's not launch day, there's no reason why it can't be . . . giddy time!  YIPEE!  YAHOO!  HOOORAY!  Okay . . . Alright . . . Breathing deep . . . Better now . . . I'm soooooo dizzy! 

It's been a long time coming and now that it's almost here I can say, it's been so worth the wait.

A special thank you to A&A Printing for selecting BEGOTTEN With Love to be the Spotlight of the Month highlight on your website. It's truly an honor. Your timing could not have been more perfect.
                                                                            # # #    

Jo Ann V. Glim is a 40 year veteran of  freelance writing and author of Begotten With Love. To learn more:
FOLLOW/Like on Facebook or
visit www.BEGOTTENtheBook.com
NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon.com/author/joannglim

HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY FACEBOOK!

"I'm not doing that!" I'd say with great indignation as friends tried to encourage  me to sign up for Facebook. "I have precious little time to spare as it is now," I'd reason.

As BEGOTTEN With Love came closer to a launch date and on the advice of my author friends, I began to realize the benefits of reaching out to more and more people through Facebook but what I didn't expect were the real benefits of this concept.

Renewed Friendships - This has been the number one blessing to me. Over the years, I've wondered and prayed for people who have drifted in and out of my life since grade school. We are an odd mix of humanity with differing views on so many topics and yet there is such a deep bond of love, admiration, and respect. Through Facebook, many of us have reconnected and it's brought immeasurable joy.

New Friendships - I've met so many new and beautiful people! I can't imagine life without them, now. It's been a great swap of stories, a smattering of recipes, some funny videos, and words of support and encouragement when needed.

Closer Family Ties - With the generational gap, it's hard to see beyond the age difference but through Facebook stronger bonds are formed, especially if you're shy. I love the fact that I can now smile at my nieces when we're together and know that we have something unique in common. Interests are learned and the beauty of the individual shines forth. Shared pictures of events, parties and favorite things from all my friends bring a smile to what may have been a less than stellar day.

I think this form of Social Media is amazing! Facebook for me is the best way to stay in touch.

Thank you, Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook employees and Happy Anniversary!

Surviving the 30-Second "Elevator" Pitch

Acquaintance:  "I hear you wrote a book," says the acquaintance more to fill time than out of interest.

You: smile in anticipation of a positive response, a meeting of minds - author and reader locked in mutual admiration for the written word . . . your word!

"I did," you say and think (as your stomach does a roll), well, isn't that a dynamic opening!

Acquaintance: "What's it about?" asked with mild curiosity.

You: "Well, uh. There's a family . . ." And this is where it falls apart!

Writing a two hundred, eighty-six  paged book is easy compared to pitching a condensed 30-second "elevator" message. Most authors are tossed into panic; myself included. The defining moment for a beautifully written and well thought out plot begins with a throat clearing, a shuffle, and a stammer in a high pitched squeak. What would the hero or heroine in the book do? Not this, obviously.

With a little practice and forethought, the right words form through the sputters before the lone reader imparts and before the fight/flight response becomes palpable in the room and the acquaintance bulls his or her way into the crowd and vanishes.

For myself . . . if I think of telling the story as relaying a family classic (about the time Dad set fire to the . . .) then key words and phrases become natural and usually elicits a favorable response or chuckle from the person who naively asked, "So, what's it about."

There are three key elements to think about when preparing:

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE - You may start by asking the interested reader if they enjoy (whatever the topic or genre is). If you engage them first and learn a little about their interests, you may be able to refer to a page or chapter in the book that will hit a personal note with them. Find five adjectives that best describes your story and use them or cite excerpts from one or two of your best quotes or reviews.

KNOW YOURSELF - Hand them a card. Invite them to visit your website and FaceBook Fan Page. If they exchange cards with you, ask if they'd like to be notified of upcoming events or blogs. Make them feel a part of the experience, because they are.

KNOW YOUR BOOK - Where is it available? Do you have any special events coming up? Offer to autograph their copy. Give them a snippet of back story that not many people know. Most people love trivia. Do you have tie-in sales items, such as: bookmarks, pens, etc.? We all love gifts.

It's amazing how much information you can fit into 30 seconds. Is it possible for you to "brand" yourself in that little time? You betcha! With a little practice, and trial and error, you'll find yourself, your style and your audience.

I'd love to hear your success stories.

Teachable Moments

There are so many reasons why people write and the reasons are as varied as the noses on each face. With that being said, there are common denominators: the author has a message to share, a story to tell, a point to make, a yearning to entertain.

If we follow the most popular genres at the moment: paranormal, romance, murder/mysteries, and memoirs, it begs me to wonder out loud where do authors find real heroes to write about? 

It used to be a family could look up to professional athletes, actors/singers/artists, and politicians, and point with pride at what they'd accomplished. They were the emissaries from small town America, the embodiment of making it against all odds. Now, because of an entitlement mindset, these same "heroes" would rather sue than admit their failings (and feet of clay) which  leaves us weeding through the cheats, and swindlers, and murderers, to explain to our kids, "Why the fall from grace?" These may be the most teachable moments of all but my question to authors still remains . . . where do we find real heroes to write about? Everyday heroes for our children to emulate?

According to Webster's Collegiate Dictionary: acts of heroism are accomplished by those who show extreme self-sacrificing courage in fulfilling a high purpose or attaining a noble end. Maybe we need to reflect on the deeds of  the heroes first, then search for the common in the life of the hero with which our young can identify. There are excellent fantasy heroes (such as those in the Hunger Games or The Justice League) but where are the real life, flesh and blood, "just like me" heroes?

#Brad_Meltzer, Author and Comic Book Writer brought the answer in his new series of children's books Ordinary People Save the World. The first two books in the series, "#Amelia_Earhart" and "#Abraham_Lincoln" became available this week; there are more to come, including "Rosa Parks."

His premise is to instill in the young reader that even though these people are famous, now, they're still ordinary people. He relates stories of their childhoods when they took a stand or did something brave way before they became famous. Young readers can dream and realize that these famous people are just like you and me. We can all wear a cloak of bravery and save the world. Yay, Brad . . . you are on to something!

You'll find more about Brad Meltzer and his books on www.FaceBook.com or at www.BradMeltzer.com


Jo Ann V. Glim is a 40 veteran of freelance writing and author of the book BEGOTTEN: With Love

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Indie Authors Are Here to Stay

There were 391,000 self published titles introduced into the marketplace in 2012 according to Bowker's Self Publishing Report: 2012 by Laura Dawson (reported in November 2013). That's an impressive increase of fifty-nine percent compared to new titles in 2011.

For a newbie writer/author this news may be staggering. How do you get noticed in a pool of literally thousands?  It's not done through karma, crystals, or a friend of a friend who knows this guy . . . The most successful authors I know have a business plan and author's platform in place.

Business Plan
It's important to set goals and budgets for everyday living. The same is true for publishing a book. The following suggestions may help you organize and focus your thoughts and needs:

• Set a realistic budget: 1) everyday expenses; 2) publishing and; 3) publicity. 
• Choose a support team of professionals to assist you in presenting the best product possible. 
• Continue to educate yourself to keep fresh on new trends and equipment. 
• Network with like-minded, goal oriented, positive individuals. 

Author's Platform
Publishers, agents, and readers want to know who you are and what your book is all about. Practice a 30-second encapsulation of the story that can be voiced in any given situation. Difficult to do if you don't first know who you are and more importantly who your audience is. My suggestions are to:

• Select the top two niches in which your book will draw the most attention.
• Identify those audiences according to age and interests. 
• Build you publicity and marketing around those findings  
• Study the competition: What do you have in common? What sets you apart? 

The good news is, indie authors are here to stay. The market place supports their work. Readers vote for favorite authors and titles with their kindles and androids. Recommendations spread in nano-seconds through social media. With forethought and planning, a new author may gain confidence in presentations and develop a loyal following.

Jo Ann V. Glim is a 40-year veteran of freelance writing and author of "Begotten: With Love"  available in print and soon to be available in eBook format. To learn more . . .
visit: www.BEGOTTENtheBook.com
LIKE on FaceBook.com/JVGlim.author
Follow on Twitter.com/JVGlim_author