|
|
Writing more than hobby for Hyde woman
Saturday, September 22, 2012
By Wendy Lynn Brion Staff Writer
Perhaps it's cliché to talk about writing the "great American novel" but at some point most of us have thought, even briefly, of taking some time to sit down and write a short story or even a full-length book. A few have even tried their hand at it and fewer still have taken the steps to get that story published. Clearfield County has its share of published authors of all stripes, from novels to stories of county history and beyond.
A local woman didn't expect to ever become a published writer but one day, things seemed to just fall into place for her.
Jamie Wilsoncroft of Hyde said about six and a half years ago, she woke up one day and had a story in her head. As the day progressed she daydreamed about it more and more and finally sat down and started writing it out by hand. She filled two tablets, then decided to move to the computer. This story became "Roller Coaster Love."
"As a first story, it was a mess," Wilsoncroft said. She said she looks back on it now and sees all the work it needs. At the time, she looked at writing as a hobby.
But from there, her writing took off. She started taking her "hobby" seriously and now has three books for sale in paperback and e-book on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com and has more on the way.
Wilsoncroft said she has always read romance stories and it's easy to write what she reads. She also likes reading thrillers by such authors as Stephen King. One of her upcoming books is a paranormal romance entitled, "My Haunting Love." It is planned for release on Nov. 16. It is about a girl who falls in love with a ghost. Wilsoncroft said it might be more for young adults and was inspired by telling her kids a story.
The writing process is a learning process, Wilsoncroft said, adding there is a lot more to it than people realize. She said the publisher has worked with her and is open and honest about the process, but much of it is confusing.
"I just keep busy writing," she said. The publisher sets up the book for a paperback edition first, but the e-book comes out first with the paperback following soon after.
Writers often say their ideas come from everyday things. Wilsoncroft said her ideas usually come while she's working at her primary job, dog grooming. She said the ideas get stuck in her head and she has to get it out. Often she'll stop what she's doing and write down what's in her mind at the time.
She also doesn't use outlines, she just sits down with whatever idea is in her head and writes from there. Each book is different too. Her book "Remember Zane" took about a week and a half to write, while "The Unfaithful Widow" took about six months. The third book currently available is entitled "Fat Chances."
According to her website, other writings include "Stupid Love," "Forever Sixteen" and "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree," as well several short stories published in collections.
The response, she said, has been wonderful and her friends and family are excited for her.
"I've been very fortunate," she said, noting people are always asking her when the next book is coming out. She has since started a website, which she constructed herself. She said it was difficult to pull together but it's something she's "pretty proud of."
The site is www.jswilsoncroft.com, or you can find her on Facebook by searching J.S. Wilsoncroft or going straight to www.facebook.com/loveisdeaf72.
"Facebook is awesome," she said. It allows her to connect with fans around the world, including England, Australia and Zimbabwe. She recently sent a book to a fan in Sri Lanka.
She is also revising her first book, "Roller Coaster Love," for publication and it will be published in July with a sequel, "Roller Coaster Love Continues."
The most difficult thing, she said, is coming up with names for her characters and sometimes she enlists the help of her family for that.
Wilsoncroft has some fan events coming up where she will be signing books. The first is today at Starr Hill Winery. The next ones are the Downtown Clearfield Fall Festival on Oct. 13, Joseph and Elizabeth Shaw Public Library Oct. 25, Barnes and Noble in Altoona on Oct. 27 and Bouquets by Jill on Nov. 10.
|  |
|
|
|
