Thursday, January 16, 2020

GEORGIA STORIES ON MY MIND


WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR

Don't miss the giveaway at the end of the post!



Georgia Stories on My Mind
By
Jackie Rod

Tour Begins January 13th




Come visit Georgia within these pages as you read heartwarming stories shaped by local traditions and legends. The characters live life to the fullest through joys and hardships. Inhale the essence of Georgia’s revitalized small town squares while eating hand- scooped ice cream on a park bench. Each town has its own magic. Sometimes the most real things in life are things we cannot see but those that deeply touch us, as the folks in these tales learn. Share smiles and shed tears as you travel the curving road of life with these Georgia characters. Are you ready for an unforgettable experience of hope, faith, trust, reconciliation, and love?

Print Length: 259 Pages
Genre: Short Story Anthologies
Publisher: Touch Not the Cat Books
ASIN: B07FXVRZGG

Georgia Stories on My Mind
 is available to purchase on 
Amazon.com.



Jackie Rod, Author

“A good book transports me to another time and place. It lets me feel the sensation of heroes and heroines— dark loneliness, deep passion, a father’s pride and a mother’s grief.” Jackie Rod is a fiction writer, loving wife of a legal beagle, and mother of three children who has blessed her with seven fantastic grandchildren. After Jackie retired from teaching, her love of words and stories led her to begin writing fiction. Reading and traveling enrich her life and she jumps at the opportunity to teach a workshop or attend a writing conference. She belongs to five writing chapters/groups. Jackie’s work can be found in twelve published books on Amazon, in several Metro Atlanta libraries, and independent bookstores.

You can find Jackie at: 




Interview With Jackie Rod

Tell us about Jackie growing up:

I wasn’t shy as a child. I still talk to people in the grocery line and speak to folks on an elevator. I always woke up happy and still do. Each day is filled with joy. 

When I was little I liked to sing in the morning but was discouraged from doing so before breakfast. My neighbors and school friends called me “goody-two-shoes,” because I wanted to do the right thing. My brother is older than I am. 

Once Mother had him helping her weed the garden. I kept pestering him to play with me or to get attention. He swung around and hit me in the head with the hoe. Blood gushed and Mom screamed for him to run get a neighbor. He dashed like his feet were wings. They got me to the doctor who took care of the wound and took a few stitches. When painted Pet Rocks became popular I gave him one with a kid in overalls standing in the garden with a hoe in his hands. He has kept the painted rock on an easel on his desk for half a century.

Anthology in which
Jackie Rod's story appears


Tell readers about your family:

My prince is my greatest fan, and I would marry him again today. I have three adult children and seven grandchildren. They are my legacy. The word pride is inadequate to describe my feelings about my family. They are good, kind people. Kindness is always in season.

What are your hobbies?

My favorite way to relax is reading, inside in the winter and summer and outside on the covered patio in the spring and fall. My favorite authors are Anna Quindlen, Lisa Wingate, and Laura Drake. My other hobbies are traveling and antiquing. We have traveled out of the country almost every year we’ve been married. I prefer formal antiques rather than rustic primitives.

Tell us about your writing space:

I like to write essays or poems at the kitchen table. Writing long-hand is good therapy for me. I write lengthy stories and novels in my office on a large screen PC. Some people like to listen to music while they write. My preference is peace and quiet when I write. I can concentrate better.

Are you a Pantser or Plotter?

I’m a cross between a pantser and plotter. I like to outline a story to determine the goal and flesh out my hero and heroine. However, I don’t create a story board or roll out a long paper to chart events.

What is your writing schedule?

My writing schedule is flexible, because I’m involved in many activities. Some weeks I write over an hour a day for three or four days. Other weeks I may have only two days to work on a project. I rarely write every day. I set goals if there is an absolute timeline for the completion of a project.

Tell us something that would surprise readers:

Something that may surprise readers is that I never thought about writing, until I retired from teaching. My husband’s job took us out of state for four years. I didn’t know anyone in Louisiana and didn’t want to be bored. I entered LSUS and took fiction writing from Sarah Hamer. After two classes, I was hooked. She became my best friend and often comes to visit us in Georgia.

What is your advice to unpublished writers?

You are unique and have a story in you that only you can tell. Join a writing group. I belong to five writing groups: RWA, Atlanta Writers Club, Georgia Romance Writers, Walton Writers, and NOLASTARS in LA. There are advantages and drawbacks to large and small writing groups. You will quickly become friends with a small group, but you may find more advanced writers in a large group. Learn the writing craft—take classes, attend workshops, and go to conferences. Take advantage of the free videos and seminars online. Invest in quality online classes. You can never learn enough about writing.

Jackie Rod and an
author friend at
her booksigning


Who are your greatest supporters of your writing?

My family and friends have encouraged me each step on this journey. They are my cheerleaders. My critique members have been kind enough to read my work and show me where it can be improved. I have three special cheerleaders who read everything I write. Early in my writing years, I was invited by a fledgling publishing company to write with newly published authors. We put together six anthologies. Then other groups asked me to write stories for anthologies. I wrote lengthy short stories for three other groups before I decided to publish a book of short stories about small towns in Georgia.

What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

My wish is that my readers will find a thread of connection to the wonderful characters inhabiting the pages in my stories. These are heartwarming stories of relationships: mother-daughter, father-daughter, grandmother-granddaughter, twin sisters, and lovers. In the end, love is the glue that holds them together, heart to heart. Love is the glue that holds all of us together.




Blog Tour Dates

January 13th @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Grab your coffee and join us as we celebrate the launch of Jackie Rod's blog tour of her book Georgia Stories on My Mind. You can read an interview with the author and win a copy of the book.

January 14th @ Lori's Reading Corner
Visit Lori's blog today and read author Jackie Rod's guest post about editing. You can also enter to win a copy of her book Georgia Stories on My Mind.

January 15th @ Cathy C. Hall's Blog
Visit Cathy C. Hall's blog today and read her review of Jackie Rod's book Georgia Stories on My Mind.

January 16th @ Caroline Clemmons Blog
Stop by Caroline's blog today and you can see a spotlight of the book and an interview with author Jackie Rod. Also win a copy of the book!

January 18th @ A Day in the Life of Mom
Visit Ashley's blog today and you can read Jackie Rod's guest post about how time is limited and precious. Plus, you can enter to win a copy of the book!

January 20th @ Memoir Writer's Journey
Make sure you stop by Kathleen's blog today and read her review of Jackie Rod's book Georgia Stories on My Mind. You can also win a copy of the book!

January 21st @ Amanda Diaries
Visit Amanda's blog today and you can read her review of Jackie Rod's book Georgia Stories on My Mind.

January 22nd @ Look to the Western Sky
Stop by Margo's blog where you can read Jackie Rod's guest post about being a cheerleader for others. You can also win a copy of the book Georgia Stories on My Mind. Don't miss it!

January 22nd @ Cathy C. Hall's Blog
Visit Cathy's blog today and reading Jackie Rod's guest post about being a homegrown Georgia peach.

January 23rd @ And So She Thinks
Visit Francesca's blog today where you can read Jackie Rod's guest post about the value of critique groups and writing groups.

January 24th @ Coffee with Lacey
Come by Lacey's blog today and read her review of Jackie Rod's book Georgia Stories on My Mind.

January 25th @ Bookworm Blog
Stop by Anjanette's blog today and you can read her review of Jackie Rod's book Georgia Stories on My Mind. Enter to win a copy of the book as well!

January 26th @ The Frugalista Mom
Visit Rozelyn's blog today and read Jackie Rod's guest post about precious moments.

January 27th @ 12 Books
Visit Louise's blog and read her review of Jackie Rod's book Georgia Stories on My Mind.

January 28th @ A Storybook World
Join Deirdra at her blog today where you can read Jackie Rod's guest post about the importance of conferences.

January 30th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Visit Anthony's blog today where he will be spotlighting Jackie Rod's book Georgia Stories On My Mind.

January 31st @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Visit Anthony's blog again where you can read his review of the book Georgia Stories On My Mind and you can win a copy of the book!

February 1st @ Ali's Bookshelf Reviews
Come by Ali's blog today and you can read her review of Jackie Rod's book Georgia Stories on My Mind. Plus you can win a copy of the book!

February 3rd @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Visit Anthony's blog where you can read an interview with author Jackie Rod and read her guest post about family and friends.

February 4th @ Ali's Bookshelf Reviews
Visit Ali's blog today and read author Jackie Rod's guest post about how reading changes your life.

February 6th @ Memoir Writer's Journey
Stop by Kathleen's blog today and read Jackie Rod's guest post about the joys of life. Don't miss this one!

February 7th @ The Frugalista Mom
Stop by Rozelyn's blog today and you can read her review of Jackie Rod's book Georgia Stories on My Mind. You can also enter to win a copy of the book!

February 8th @ Bookworm Blog
Stop by Anjanette's blog again and you can read an interview with author Jackie Rod and read the author's guest post featuring writing tips. Don't miss!

February 9th @ Leonard Tillman's Blog
Visit Leonard's blog and read his review of Jackie Rod's book Georgia Stories on My Mind.

February 10th @ Madeline Sharples Blog
Visit Madeline's blog and read Jackie Rod's guest post about marketing on social media.

February 11th @ 12 Books
Visit Louise's blog again and you can read Jackie Rod's touching guest post about wisdom. Don't miss it!

February 12th @ It's Alanna Jean
Visit Alanna's blog where you can read a guest post by the author about faith, hope, and love.

February 16th @ Joyful Antidotes
Visit Joy's blog today and you can read her review of Jackie Rod's book Georgia Stories on My Mind.



Jackie Rod will award a book to one person who leaves a comment today!


6 comments:

Barbara Barth said...

Love this interview with Jackie. She always surprises and while we're great friends I've learned a few things about her I didn't know! Her writing advice is always excellent and she is a member of our Walton Writers. Her stories always warm the heart!

Jackie Rod said...

Barbara, Thanks for the kind words. You are a great cheerleader for other writers. Your book, the Unfaithful Widow: Ten Years Later, is delightful. Every time I sit down and read a section, it leaves me smiling. I'm glad you enjoyed my heartwarming stories. I like characters who walk off the page and touch my soul.

Connie Thompson said...

Hi Jackie, I loved reading your interview. I am so glad I was able to meet you last year. I loved your book Georgia Stories on my Mind. Looking forward to seeing you and talking with again.
Connie Thompson

Sarah (Sally) Hamer said...

It was a wonderful day when you walked into my classroom. I made a best friend forever that day!
I'm so proud of you, your writing, and all you do!

Love you!

Jackie Rod said...

Connie and Sally, I am soooo glad we are friends.
Connie, you are a keeper. I've registered to be one of the authors for the Sweet As A Peach Conference. I'll see you there, if not before.
Sarah, you're forever and always. You are my fiction teacher, mentor, and role model. We were meant to be in each others' lives.

Jackie Rod said...

Caroline, I'm delighted with the post. Your interview questions were so thoughtful. You can definitely add me to your list of blog fans. I looked at your books on Amazon, and the Lydia cover blew me away. Her eyes are all knowing and hauntingly beautiful. Thanks again for having me on your blog. You rock!