Meet The Author S. Jackson with A. Raymond
"When Angels Fly"
http://smarturl.it/AngelsFly99
I grew up in a small Kansas (USA) town and I lived in more than one state since then. At this time, my husband and I split our time between Kansas and Colorado (we love the mountains and off road 4-wheeling). Traveling is one of our most favorite things to do and I always have a book or even three books that I read, in the same week. Books were really my thing. It seemed like every time I turned around I was obtaining a new library card due to the current one being stamped complete. Diving into a good book made any day perfect and you would be surprised at the number of books I read over and over. I drew paper dolls and clothes for them, and using watercolor as my medium when painting scenes, especially flowers. I continued with art in high school exploring a wide variety of arts and I loved it! The creative side of me loves to be an amateur "shutter-bug" and we actually have an online art gallery. In college I went into the sciences of all things and received a Bachelor's degree in the Science of Nursing. My nursing career was highly successful and I hung up my nursing hat in December 2012.
S. Jackson is a retired registered nurse; a member of the Catholic Church, and has taught kindergarten Catechism; she has worked in various capacities for The American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Cub and Boy Scouts, (son, Noah, is an Eagle Scout), and sponsored trips for high school children music. She loves all forms of art but mostly focuses on the visual arts; such as amateur photography, traditional, and graphic art as her health allows.
A. Raymond is a member of the Catholic Church, and has helped his wife with The American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Cub and Boy Scouts, and sponsored children alongside his wife on music trips. He devotes his spare time to fishing, reading, playing poker, Jeeping, and travel adventures with his wife. Both love spending time with their grandson, Austin.
S. Jackson is a retired registered nurse; a member of the Catholic Church, and has taught kindergarten Catechism; she has worked in various capacities for The American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Cub and Boy Scouts, (son, Noah, is an Eagle Scout), and sponsored trips for high school children music. She loves all forms of art but mostly focuses on the visual arts; such as amateur photography, traditional, and graphic art as her health allows.
A. Raymond is a member of the Catholic Church, and has helped his wife with The American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Cub and Boy Scouts, and sponsored children alongside his wife on music trips. He devotes his spare time to fishing, reading, playing poker, Jeeping, and travel adventures with his wife. Both love spending time with their grandson, Austin.
Let's Meet S. Jackson during our In Depth Interview with her!
What were you like at school?
I had many friends at school and school was fun. I read all the time, and I read many books more than once! I loved school so much and it was like a fantasy in some ways; it was an escape from issues at home, and having friends made me feel blessed.
Were you good at English?
I was pretty good, and in the sixth grade my class was put into groups via our teacher. Each group was to come up with a skit/tiny sized play, and then we were to act it out. Blindly, I told my group I would write the script, and type it up (laughing).This was the late 60s and I had not learned how to type as yet. So, here I was, at a very old manual typewriter, old carbon sheets between pages, and each mistake/correction made it that much harder to read, to say the least. I felt humiliated at the disaster I had created! Back at school the next day, I showed my group the top page actually typed on, and they looked at it and then at their carbon copies and then we decided to just wing it for the most part. I was humiliated at first, but then my group got into the project and we turned a disaster into a comedy!
What was your childhood like?
I vividly remember my childhood. As a little girl, my mother would force feed me foods I hated, such as peas, until I threw up. She did this to me often and she seemed to enjoy the abuse she inflicted upon me. I had six siblings and none of them remember my mother doing the force feedings except for my older brother who was eight years older than me. Abuse affected him, too, and to this day he stays away from any kind of contention. I wish I could say that the abuse abated as I got older, but it didn’t. I was always a kicking and punching bag and she would drag me around by my hair. No one could please her and my father never saw the treatment she doled out to me as he was always working. I had absolutely no self-esteem and I would retreat into a fantasy world where I was a princess and loved by all. I would curl up in my bed and thrust that fantasy into my child’s brain as a form of escape. I liked reading and as soon as I could read well enough, I started reading the Nancy Drew series, Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames, and Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I would escape into a world of my own through books. I could stay in my little room, in my bed, and read. Sometimes I would make paper dolls and dress them up with paper dresses. I remember how I would oftentimes try to draw younger siblings into a hug as none of us received hugs from her and I tried to show them how to love each other.“ (I have pictures)
"Starting around age eight, I tried to please her in other ways by doing work around the house. I would vacuum without being told to do so, and I washed dishes. I started doing the entire households laundry from washing to hanging on the line, and then take down and fold. I delivered the clean wash to the respective recipient’s bedroom and it didn’t make my mother proud. In fact, she simply expected me to continue with these chores. She left my father after 21 years if marriage and I chose to live with my father as I was 14 at the time and could choose. Then she forced him to sell the house and he was forced into a tiny apartment, after which I had to move in with her again. In high school, she was relentless in her treatment of me, and she never bothered to show her anger to the world. To this very day, I don’t understand why this was allowed to go on. The only thing I can think of is the fact that our neighbors were just as scared of her and she kept her punches to areas that were covered by clothing. In looking back post high school, I could see that some teachers knew that my home life was rough but that was as far as it went. My only escapes were school and work. I was so tired of her beatings, and the emotional and mental abuse she inflicted.
Almost anyone would be excited to leave all that behind and strike out on her own. Is that what you did?
"Before I was age 18, I was looking for an escape ~ ANY escape. Working as a waitress left me with little money. I dated a few guys, and then my mother said to me one time, with a sneer, that I was only a “sperm receptacle” and that no one would want me. I wasn’t having sex. Eventually I found a guy I liked, and we dated for a few months and then we simply started living together. I had thought this was my escape into happiness and that he was my prince. He drank alcohol almost daily, and he invited me to move in with him. I thought that this was my chance! My chance to get away from my mother and the abuse she inflicted. I thought I could change this man into drinking less alcohol, I was in love and we married."
Did you love him? So many women go down this path, and they always think they love him. Is it because you've never known true love?
In hindsight, I never loved this man. I was in love with the idea of being in love, and I thought I could make this relationship grow into true love. That never happened and then the abuse began – the vicious cycle of abuse. Complete physical, emotional, mental, and sexual abuse – unending – even when pregnant. I sometimes wonder if the stress of this relationship was too stressful on my oldest son. Joshua was a perfect baby, and he died inside me. Labor was induced, and I shed tears for my unborn baby. I named him Joshua and he was perfect. He died when he became tangled in his umbilical cord and strangled to death. I was bereft, and I had a simple funeral for Joshua – only one sibling and myself. His father didn’t attend as he was drunk in a bar. Joshua’s eyes, the nurse from the hospital told me, were blue like mine. My baby had no hair. Tears rolled down my cheeks upon realizing that I would never get to know if his hair would be brown like Henry’s or blond like mine. His tiny hands would never get the chance to hold a basketball, or a football. His feet would never be able to pedal on a bike. His mouth would never open to utter that he loved me. I could though, so I did. “I love you, Joshua,” I told him. I loved him so much.
On December 12, 1983, I gave birth to Noah. My baby was seven pounds and fourteen ounces, twenty inches long — a healthy boy. After my son was cleaned up and breathing normally, the nurse laid him on my right breast. I cuddled him wrapped in baby blankets as my bed was wheeled out into the hall towards the mother – baby unit down the hall. I looked at the face of my son and tears started rolling down my cheeks. It was a different feeling, a delicious mix of sorts. On the one hand, I was bursting with pride — this beautiful boy was mine. I would nurse him and care for him and love him dearly. On the other hand, there was a tinge of sadness because somehow, a part of me was telling me that this baby would have loved to play with Joshua. “Noah,” I whispered to my boy before kissing him on the forehead. Then I froze when realization hit me that it was the only time I spoke that name with such reverence and love. Just thinking about Noah makes me smile. I am so proud of him. He came into the world and into a broken home, yet he persevered and became an Eagle Scout. Noah is strong in spirit, and he is a caring young man. When I think my love for him cannot expand, I find myself wrong and my heart swells with loving pride. I made sure he always had hugs and love from me and he openly gives me hugs and love as well.
But you had another son, Eli. He had a difficult journey too, and you shared every step of that with him.
I could hardly believe it. Noah was barely seven months old; I was twenty-three years old at the time; and I was pregnant for the third time. Who would have thought that after an unsuccessful first birthing experience, God would immediately give me two babies? It didn’t make Joshua’s loss forgotten, but my being pregnant again reminded me of God’s greatness. On April 6, 1985, I gave birth to another healthy baby boy and I named him Eli. He weighed 7 pounds 6 ½ ounces and was 21 inches long. When I held Eli in my arms the first time, I felt really blessed. I had two beautiful boys in my life. Noah and Eli were best buddies and they did everything together. When Eli was age four and a half years old, he started having many sinus infections, upper respiratory issues, doctor visits, tons on medicine, scans, and X-rays. Everything came back negative except for his high white blood cell count, fevers and not being the little boy I knew. Starting in September of 1989, and on through the end of February 1990 no one could tell me why Eli was so sick all the time. Twelve doctors and specialists, and even one doctor placed tubes in his ears to help Eli. CT scans were MISREAD!!!!!
On March 4, 1990 I noticed that Eli had lost the peripheral vision in his right eye. Straight to the hospital we went and finally someone read a scan correctly that showed a mass the size of my fist – in his right neck area and extending into the brain cavity as well as metastasis into the brain cavity! He suffered horrors no child, or adult, should ever have to experience. For six months he was misdiagnosed! For seven and half months he lived in pain and horror in the hospital become passing. I can best sum up precious Eli with the letter I wrote to him about a year after he died.
October 13, 1991
My Dearest Eli,
Yet again tonight I went to bed crying for you, Eli. Heart wrenching sobs escaped from me and in between them I relived your short life with such clarity.
I knew you were very special, Eli, from the day you were born. And now, with the first anniversary of your death upon us, I realize fully just how special you really were and still are. You affected so many people in your short life, Eli.
Even now, I have moments when it is hard to believe that you are really gone. Or are you? You're in my heart now and forever Eli.
Will it ever get easier, Eli? Sometimes, I am very happy for you. Those times are when I know you are pain free and happy. Heaven must be such a wonderful place.
Then there are times when my heart aches and aches for you, Honey. Those are the times when I relive moments of your childhood before the doctor diagnosed you with cancer, and also moments after being diagnosed.
I remember vividly the day you were brought home from the hospital after your birth. Your brother, Noah, only one year old, took to you instantly. Throughout your short life, the two of you were inseparable. Best playmates you two were. But you were the most daring, Eli. You had such a zest for life.
I remember the day you and Noah were on your 3-wheelers, and racing around in and out of the garage. Noah came running into the house to tell me you had a snake cornered in the garage. Upon investigation, there you were, laughing with delight, and riding your 3-wheeler in circles, closer and closer, to a coiled king size bull snake.
Sometimes when I wake in the morning Eli, I start to think about what I'm going to make my "boys" for breakfast. And then I remember.
And sometimes in the evening, when Noah is taking his bath, I remember how it always was two boys in the bathtub and not one.
My precious Eli, oh, how I miss you. I miss your sweet smile, shining blue eyes and pale blond hair.
You had to grow up so fast, Eli. It was such a shock to learn that you had cancer, one month before your fifth birthday. In a flash, I would have traded places with you.
You went from being a happy little boy into a world of doctors and nurses, needles and IV's, catheters and spinal taps.
I was selfish, Eli. I loved you too much to let you die. And so you suffered. You went through head and neck, and open chest surgeries. How my heart ached for you, Eli, when, four hours after surgery on your lungs, I helped a nurse stand you up in bed. How you hated ICU.
Because I loved you too much to let you go, you suffered such horrible radiation burns on your sweet head and neck. The chemotherapy made you so very sick. Even under sedation, you were sick. But you knew the "good guys" were out to get the "bad guys". At four years old, you knew you would die without treatment.
It hurt me so bad that you were unable to eat for seven and a half months. Your only nutrition was IV. You always ate so well before. You had always relished the sheer taste of food. It was unfair of me to bring food into your room in the hopes that you would eat something. Sometimes you tried. I remember when you woke during the night once and asked for watermelon. I drove half of Denver to get it for you. You only ate a couple of bites, but it was worth it.
I remember the long days and nights in the hospital those seven and a half months. I was able to take you home only four different weekends. I remember the isolation in times of high fever and the ice blankets, lots of oxygen and machines everywhere.
How I cried Eli, on the morning that we woke up and found all your hair lying in your bed and not on your head. You were too proud to wear a hat.
I also remember good times, like when the group came from the Denver baseball team and you received an autographed photo of George and a Royals’ baseball. Or I would be wheeling you around, outside the medical center, and you would point out cars and ask me if they were "race cars." How we would talk about the race car we would have someday and how much it would be worth.
Having lived two hundred and thirty miles away, you were awestruck by the freeways in and out of Denver. You thought they looked like race tracks.
And how about the time I was able to take you to the Denver Zoo? You did not mind that I had to push you, a boy at five years of age, in a stroller, up and down the hills. You were so weak. You did not care; you only wanted to see the animals.
And on good days, I also remember how you would hide under a gurney in the hall and wait for a person to be passing by, only to give them a good dose of water from your squirt gun. It did not matter to you whether or not you knew the person you squirted. Sometimes you would sneak around the nurses’ station and into the medication room, fully loaded with water, and let loose. No doctor, nurse, or visitor was safe from you.
Or how about the times an IV would complete and I would unhook you. You headed straight for your three-wheeler and down the hall you zipped. Everyone stayed out of your way and laughed. Such sport you had.
Other times, when you had to stay in bed, you made me chase down a VCR so you could watch Superman or Ghostbusters. You never tired of those two movies. You knew them by heart and delighted in telling anyone who would listen what would happen next.
I remember the times when you would have to undergo yet another series of X-rays, CT scans, or MRI and I would stay by your side throughout them, telling you stories and keeping you from moving.
I'm sorry, Eli, that I was not able to make you well. I think that you went through all that you did, those seven and a half months, simply because of how much I loved you and did not want to let you go.
I remember the times that I would feel down and you would come up to me. You would put your arms around me and say, "I'm sorry, Mom."
I remember when we were together, waiting in the OR before your lung surgery. You were feeling well and you looked at me and said,
"I want to go to Heaven, Mom." I went speechless. And then I told you that sometimes we don't get what we want and that you might have to come back to me.
And yet, I remember so well how after your last chemo, you picked up yet another "bug" and ended up on a respirator; just how much you fought for life as we knew it, those last fifteen days.
Most of all, Eli, I remember how I cradled you in my arms, and whispered into your ear that soon you would not have to have any more pain and it would be okay, as your heart stopped for the third and last time, and you died in my arms.
Thank you, Eli, for going through what you did because I loved you and did not want to let you go.
I'll always love you Eli.
Mama
You've been through so much already. I don't know if it's possible to recover from all that. How do you move on after something like that kind of thing?
You don’t “move on” for this is the King of Loss. Only parents who have suffered the loss of a child will truly understand this fact. I have words to help those who have not had this kind of loss.
WORDS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT LOST A CHILD/ CHILDREN
Does it get any easier losing a child/ children? Somewhat…Is it possible for a parent to be happy their child/ children are perfect in Heaven above and feel peace with that? Sure… (It took me twenty-three years for Eli and somewhat less for Joshua) Can a parent ever “get over” losing a child/ children? No. This is the KING of loss. We can be happy that they are perfect in Heaven and sad at times when we miss them the most. Bereaved parents are continually re-writing each day as this is the new “normal.” This won’t change. We will think of our loss when other children reach milestones such as first tooth, first steps, first words, kindergarten, holidays, best friend, graduation, prom, falling in love, first kiss, learning to drive, getting married, the list is endless.
The WORST things you can ever say to a parent who has suffered the KING of loss, ever after one, ten, twenty, or more years? “You should be over it by now,” or “Move on with life.” You see we are moving on with life, we just do it one hour or day at a time, re-writing life as we go along.
~S Jackson, October 2014
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I have a twenty book Children’s book series in which thus far only five of the planned twenty have been written and published. Children’s books are my favorite right now. All of my children’s books keep children entertained and teach them at the same time. I also have two special children’s books with dealing with good touch/bad touch and the other bullying.
So, what have you written? (*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest.)
Our first book is a memoir, When Angels Fly. After I left my nursing career, I felt a need to help others in various life situations so my memoir was first. I wrote my first book, my memoir, When Angels Fly, specifically to get the word out and help others. This book won a New Apple Official Selection E-Book Award 2016 and is number one as of this moment on Kindle Free books. This book was a finalist in the McGrath House Independent Book Awards.
I also wrote a poem that won an award.
A Mother At Graduation...
Mothers and fathers everywhere,
Parents faces shining with pride and smiling from within;
The strains of "Pomp and Circumstance" fills the air,
As the senior graduation ceremony begins.
Young ladies and young men,
Standing tall and proud;
Some smiling and some nervous,
All looking above the crowd.
As I peer at all of the shining faces,
I find I'm looking for yours to come into play;
This was your class and you brother stands alone,
You were both supposed to be graduating today.
As each graduate passes by me,
Your brother comes into view;
He looks to be both happy and sad,
These feelings are not new.
God called you home when you were five years old,
But I find I cannot help looking for you;
I wonder how many people here remember,
This was to have been your graduation year.
Now I do not see you in a black graduation gown,
Nor do I see a red and black tassel hanging from atop your blond
head;
These things that others take for granted,
Cause my heart to feel made of lead.
So even though you are not here,
Sweet memories of you begin to invade my heart;
And as they do I find I can go on,
And share in your brother's graduation with my whole heart.
From me to you...
Blog: https://whenangelsfly.wordpress.com/
When Angels Fly is the inspirational story about a woman who was able to rise above an extremely abusive childhood and later marriage, to learn faith, love, and motherhood from her own son’s courageous fight with cancer. It provides an illuminating example of how women who are in physically, mentally and emotionally abusive relationships can successfully escape even in the most challenging of times. It also warns of how the actions of medical professionals can be a soothing balm or a deadly arrow. The story draws the reader into the life of a mother and her wonderful little boy who is strong beyond his years and who leaves a lasting impression on all who knew him.
In my memoir, I hope to help others in life in a variety of settings. I want to inspire battered/abused women to have the positivity, which enables them to get out of bad life situations. I want to empower parents to be advocates for their sick child. I want to help other parents who have lost a child or children that there is hope, that faith will waver, and that this kind of loss is the “King of Loss” and to take it minute by minute, day by day, as they rewrite the life they had planned when their child was alive. I want to spread what my five year old little boy knew about Jesus and Heaven! I want to help parents and educators know how to speak to a student who has experienced the loss of a sibling. Validation, encouragement, and faith are the key elements.
Abuse ~ all forms of abuse is a biggie. I want to help women, and some men, who are in an abusive relationships find the strength to get out before it is too late and something worse happens, such as being murdered. I want to get out the hotline numbers to call, and safe houses to go to. The cycle of abuse needs to stop, and it won’t without more people talking about the help that is out there.
When Angels Fly ~ “After surviving the cruel rage of tyranny from her mother and ex-husband, Sarah Jackson traveled a new path; a journey of loss, heartbreak, and ultimately strength. How do we survive the unthinkable, our child suffering from a terminal illness? Sarah Jackson's life will teach you that despite all the hardships, you will survive, even if at times it feels like you won't.” The eBook is on sale for 0.99 cents through December 31, 2016.
“I couldn’t help thinking about womanhood while reading When Angels Fly. As a man and a father, it is hard to imagine the kind of feeling my wife has for our two kids. Many times I had to stop reading, close my eyes, and ask myself: “Could this be really happening?” I couldn’t help but wonder about the stuff of which women are made, because Sarah is a tough woman, sensitive, and rich in her humanity. It is inspiring to see how she gives life and nourishes it. The experience with Eli, her son suffering from cancer, is very touching and one that will inspire many people in the way they relate with their children. S. Jackson and A. Raymond have done a wonderful job in sharing experiences that will offer hope and provoke a silent revolution in the way most of us see women and life. It’s a book that every man should read. And I mean every man!”
Suzy Has A Secret teaches children, ages four to eight years-old, about personal safety and body ownership, and explains how to identify who safe adults are in a child’s life. This book shows in positive and practical ways how parents, and educators, can talk to children about personal safety. Children learn about bad touch and good touch, and how their body belongs to them. Parents and educators can help children learn who the safe people are in their lives, and that they can always tell one of them about anything that may happen, and they aren’t comfortable about.
This children’s story focuses on educating them on self awareness and inappropriate behavior. The story is simple and easy to read to children. It’s important to allow children the opportunity to learn what should and should not be done to them by family members. Suzy did not like the game of tickling that Uncle Bob played with her when her parents weren’t around. Suzy did not want to keep the secret from her parents, but Uncle Bob made her feel that she couldn’t tell anyone about the way he touched her. Although the story is short, it has a powerful message because all children should know the importance of not allowing anyone, young or old, to touch their bodies.
Children have a right to be happy and understand what should not be happening when Mommy and Daddy aren’t around. The portion of the story designed for Parents and Educators was a good read because it reaffirmed that children have the right to know that their private areas are off limits and that when playing no one should ever touch those areas. When dealing with children, it’s important to ensure they understand at an early age that they can talk to their parents about anything and not be scared. Abusers use manipulation when abusing children to keep them from telling their parents, that’s why parents need to have a strong bond with their children to make them feel comfortable. One thing I learned is that you should not ask a lot of questions if you suspect abuse, but rather ask simple questions for the best and most reliable answers.
In The Big Cheese Festival, we meet Stubby Mouse and his family and friends. We learn that Stubby Mouse has a secret, that he is being bullied by another mouse, simply because his tail is short. Read how Stubby Mouse stood up for himself, and how he ended the bullying, in this delightful story for children. Targeted at ages 4-8, the book is easy to read and perfect for home or classroom. Children learn how bad bullying is, and what they can do to help stop bullies! Stubby Mouse encourages children to take a stand against bullies, and always be kind to each other. This story illustrates how everyone is different and unique, and it is a delightful read with cute illustrations for both children and adults. Take a stand against bullying today! The Big Cheese Festival is a children’s educational picture book written and designed by S. Jackson with A. Raymond. Stubby Mouse was happy and excited when he woke up on the morning of the Big Cheese Festival. All the mice in his neighborhood looked forward to this big event. There would be dancing and lots of cheese, and they would elect a King and Queen of the Festival. This would be Stubby’s first Big Cheese Festival, but something happened to spoil his happiness and sense of anticipation. When Cutter Mouse came to pick up Stubby’s brother, Zippy, he made fun of Stubby’s short tail. Cutter laughed and said that no girls would want to dance with him. Zippy got angry with his friend for picking on his little brother, but the damage was done. After Zippy and Cutter left, Stubby began to cry. Cindy heard him crying inside the house, and she wanted to know what was wrong. She liked Stubby just as he was, and thought Cutter was an awful bully. They would go to the festival together, and she’d love to dance with Stubby.S. Jackson and A. Raymond’s educational picture book for children, The Big Cheese Festival, addresses the problem of bullying and the pain children can experience when they’re victimized by bullies. This story shows how being different is not a bad thing or something to feel ashamed about.
Stubby may only have half a tail, but he ends up with an amazing thing happening to him. He also gets to dance with the bully’s girlfriend. The Big Cheese Festival has gorgeous graphics that bring the woodland setting and its characters to life. Jackson and Raymond address an important issue, and they do so in an enchanting tale that’s a perfect choice for story time. Adults should consider using this tale as a springboard for discussions about bullying in school and in the playground. It’s also a good starter primer for new readers as it has large print and an easy-to-follow story.
How a Dog and Two Squirrels Become Best Friends is about how one small dog, a baby squirrel and his mama squirrel become best friends. A baby squirrel is lost and found safely. This story book helps children to learn how to be safe when they are outside their home and illustrates that children always need to keep the adults in their lives aware of where they play and how to stay safe. This is the first book in our ‘Shadow and Friends’ series!
Shadow and Friends Go Camping (Shadow Series Book Two 2) is a book about one small dog and three squirrels that go camping. After obtaining permission to camp, a wise squirrel teaches the young ones how to stay safe on land and in a boat. This story book helps children learn how to be safe when they are in a new area, and illustrates that children always need to keep the adults in their lives aware of, and obtain permission for outdoor activities. Camping and water safety is explained so that children can understand the importance of what could happen if they don’t listen to parents and teachers.
Shadow and Friends Visit the Mountains (Shadow Series Book 3) is about a ground squirrel that lives in a burrow, in the mountains of Colorado. Shadow, a dog, and Uncle Stubby, a fox squirrel, and their friends go on a trip to visit Uncle Stubby’s cousin, Rocky, a ground squirrel. Cousin Rocky takes them skiing, teaches mountain safety, how to ski safely on the bunny slopes near his burrow, the difference between tree squirrels and ground squirrels, home safety, travel safety, and to watch out for cars. This story provides children with knowledge about different squirrels and their habitats, and teaches children safety when visiting a new place illustrating how important safety is, and promotes new adventures at the same time.
Shadow and Friends European Vacation (Shadow Series Book 4) In Shadow and Friends European Vacation, a small dog named Shadow wins a free trip to Europe because of all of her books that teach children safety at home, and during adventures. Shadow is allowed to take five friends with her on this fabulous trip, and she chooses to take five squirrel friends. In this delightful and funny book for children, safety is taught through the hilarious antics of her friends. Throughout this story of teaching children about historical areas and places in Europe, squirrel antics keep children entertained, and safety is learned. Targeted at ages 4-11, this book is easy to read and perfect for home or classroom. This story illustrates a few of Europe’s fascinating features with illustrations for children and adults.
Shadow and Friends Spend Christmas in New York (Shadow Series Book 5) In Shadow and Friends Spend Christmas in New York, a fox squirrel named Stubby receives an invitation from his twin, Shorty, to spend Christmas with him and his squirrel family and friends in Central Park. Stubby invites Shadow, a small dog, and his squirrel family to go with him. They board the Rodent Road Adventure Tours jet, flown by Pilot, and Shorty greets them with a hello from atop the Empire State Building as they fly past! Not only do children learn safety and are introduced to the Eastern Gray Squirrels that range on the east coast of the USA, they have many fun adventures. In this delightful and funny book for children, the squirrels and Shadow learn about the huge Central Park in the middle of New York City.
Children are entertained by the adventures of the group as they build a snowman, and Foxy goes shopping at Saks on Fifth Avenue. They decorate a Christmas tree, go ice skating at Rockefeller Center, and decorate a float for the annual Central Park Christmas Squirrel Parade! Add to this mix a few rocking horses, teddy bears, nutcrackers, candy cane castle, angels, elves, and a manger scene, and children are entertained. On Christmas Eve, all of them go to the Central Park Chapel, and celebrated the birth of baby Jesus! Targeted at ages 4-11, this book is easy to read and perfect for home or classroom. This story illustrates how beautiful Central Park is in winter, and the illustrations will fascinate children and adults.
Art Gallery Selections is a book that contains 40 works of art from the M Schmidt Photography Gallery for others to enjoy. Mediums used include photography, traditional watercolour and oil paintings, as well as series of digital selections mostly using bamboo and watercolor or ink stains. We hope you enjoy the serenity and tranquil feelings of contentment that we derive from our works. Mediums used include traditional photography, watercolor and oil paints, along with a selection of surreal works.
Rodent Road Adventures: Backyard Squirrel Antics: Series Book One – America’s National Parks - This book is a picture book showing America’s beautiful national parks through photographs and text, along with a few backyard squirrels thrown in for good measure. It has been fun and educational for both of us and we hope our book will highlight our nation’s national parks for others to enjoy and read about as well as to go and see our parks in all their beauty. This book is extremely educational for people of all ages; it showcases the beauty of our national parks in the United States while using fox squirrels to keep the attention of the younger readers. The park photos are nice to see but we really love how you have made this book much more fun for all readers by adding your squirrels to the mix!
Rodent Road Adventures: Backyard Squirrel Antics Series Book Two: Children’s Comics - Our backyard squirrels with their funny antics inspired us to create comics geared towards children. We think that our funny squirrels mixed with ‘human children toys’ and even old costumes we had at hand to ‘dress up’ our squirrels in funny ways will have children laughing and maybe many adults as well.
Rodent Road Adventures: Backyard Squirrel Antics: Series Book Three: Teenage and Adult Comics - Our backyard squirrels with their funny antics inspired us to create our comics and in this case geared towards teenagers and adults. We think that our funny squirrels mixed with old costumes and scrap art pieces will have readers laughing for a long time. Prop illustrations/graphics belong to our children and are used for educational purposes. Vintage photos used for educational purposes.
Favorite Timeless Recipes is a collection of eighteen different recipes that have withstood time, and generations of use. We hope others will use this collection of recipes in the many years to come.
Where can we buy or see them? (* include American, European and any other relevant links. Free, free promotions or prices can be included)
When Angels Fly .99Cents
https://www.amazon.com/When-Angels-Fly-S-Jackson-ebook/dp/B017UNVWDI/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479243272&sr=1-1&keywords=when+angels+fly
Suzy Has A Secret $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Suzy-Has-Secret-S-Jackson-ebook/dp/B01CRDLJB6/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
The Big Cheese Festival $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Big-Cheese-Festival-S-Jackson-ebook/dp/B01H3S381O/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
How a Dog and Two Squirrels Become Best Friends $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/How-Squirrels-Become-Best-Friends-ebook/dp/B01AAMZF2A/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Shadow and Friends Go Camping $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Friends-Camping-Book-Two-ebook/dp/B01EM5ORUM/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Shadow and Friends Visit the Mountains $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Friends-Visit-Mountains-Book-ebook/dp/B01FYLGSVY/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Shadow and Friends European Vacation $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Friends-European-Vacation-Book-ebook/dp/B01L5RLQ86/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Shadow and Friends Spend Christmas in New York Sale $1.99 through Dec 31, 2016
https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Friends-Spend-Christmas-York-ebook/dp/B01M6AVP3J/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Art Gallery Selections $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Gallery-Selections-Book-One-ebook/dp/B0169K18C8/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Rodent Road Adventures: Backyard Squirrel Antics: Series Book One – America’s National Parks $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Rodent-Road-Adventures-Backyard-Squirrel/dp/0692540318/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Rodent Road Adventures: Backyard Squirrel Antics Series Book Two: Children’s Comics
$2.99 https://www.amazon.com/Rodent-Road-Adventures-Backyard-Childrens-ebook/dp/B0165T5XM4/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Rodent Road Adventures: Backyard Squirrel Antics: Series Book Three: Teenage and Adult Comics $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Rodent-Road-Adventures-Backyard-Squirrel/dp/069255405X/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Favorite Timeless Recipes .99 cents
https://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Timeless-Recipes-Raymond-ebook/dp/B0189DKFEU/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
(I’m not sure how to get links for overseas and Nook.)
What are you working on at the minute?
Our next children’s book will feature two squirrels getting married just in time for Valentine's Day. This is looking like it will be funny as well. Kids love small animals and fun so it is a win-win. I do my own illustrations for them as well.
What genre are your books?
Memoir, Art Works, Comical Squirrels, Children’s, Educational, and one Cookbook and so I am an eclectic author for sure.
What draws you to this genre?
My love for children drew me into writing books for them. When you see a child smile and their face light up when reading or being read to, it is perfect.
Which actress would you like to see playing you in your most recent book if it was adapted for the big screen?
I have an actress friend, Andrea Dover, who I think could pull off the character of Sarah quite well. *** As for a screenplay, I have one already! I co-wrote it with Joshua Vickery. Several producers and directors are looking at it now.
How much research do you do to add depth to your memoirs?
I lived it, I kept journals, and I needed no research for writing When Angels Fly.
Have you written any other books in collaboration with other writers?
Not yet.
When did you decide to become a writer?
When health issues overtook me, and I was forced to leave my beloved nursing career, I decided to finally dig out my journals from 1989 – 1990, and put them in digital format. I wanted this traumatic portion of time to be a legacy for my only living son who misses his brother so much – something he could read and remember the good parts. Two years after working on my memoir, I decided to publish, with all the rawness and really left myself wide open to all. I withheld a lot from this book, but I found it be a release of pent up emotions for me as well.
Why do you write?
Funny that you should ask that! After writing When Angels Fly I figured that I was done. I knew I was going to be a one book author. Plans changed fast. My husband and I were watching squirrels in our backyard one afternoon and we decided to use photos of them in memes. We have over 200 memes now and some ended up going into books! Working on a series for children evolved from that point forward.
Do you write full-time or part-time?
My health keeps me on a tight leash, and so I can only write part time.
Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?
I usually write in the mornings. I just published a Christmas book for children so now I have time for promoting and making promotional graphics. I will start writing the sixth book in our Shadow and Friends Series come December. Once I have the story the way I want it, then I will design the illustrations for each page.
Do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?
I am on a month long hiatus from writing for the month of November 2016, and when I start back up it is generally Monday through Friday and mornings only.
Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?
Each book that I write for children utilizes one paragraph per page. I have from 32-40 pages in each book. I try to keep my sentences with words that do not have more than two syllables so that kids can read them easily. Novels would take much longer by far, and I am not healthy enough for that type of book.
Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?
I only use a computer. My hand tremors prevent me from writing on paper. If I get a thought, I will use my stylus and type it on a note in my phone.
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
The ideas simply pop into my head, and then hubby and I will toss it around and jot notes. Pretty soon, a new story is born!
How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
I think my books for children have become much better quality wise.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
Getting a book to sell is the hardest.
What was the hardest thing about writing your latest memoir?
Reliving the reality of all that happened was hard. Some days I wrote one sentence and then I was done for the day emotionally and stopped.
What is the easiest thing about writing it?
I had my journals and they were a detailed, tangible part that made it easier to write.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Two – three months for my children’s books. Illustrations take time.
Do you ever get writer’s Block?
Not yet.
What are your thoughts on writing a book series.
For my children’s books I think it is wonderful!
Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors.
I love reading historical fiction and historical romance fiction.
For your own reading, do you prefer eBooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
I prefer traditional paperbacks as they are easier for me to read with my eyes and sight issues.
What book/s are you reading at present?
Actually, I was just looking at my bible.
Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
I hired three editors for When Angels Fly as I felt overwhelmed, and all three had different ideas. Our books for kids are easy to edit and proof ourselves.
Did you format your own books?
Yes, I do all the formatting and it is pretty easy once you have a set template to work with.
In what formats is your book available?
Soft cover and eBook formats at this time.
Tell us about the cover/s and how it/they came about.
I created the covers for all of our books. For When Angels Fly I knew I wanted blue for the main cover color. I chose a picture I took of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park, and added a radiant looking smiling child wearing white robes, and angel wings to the front cover. The effect is Eli (real photo) is us all know he is happy in heaven.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
I am a visual artist and as such I am attracted to covers. Covers play an important role for books these days. In the 60s I read all Nancy Drew, etc, regardless of cover.
How are you publishing this book and why? e.g. Indie, traditional or both?
We publish all of ours. When Angels Fly was first published traditional, but they took away much of what we wanted to convey so we took it back. Then we republished the way we had envisioned and it is our best seller.
How do you market your books?
I have a personal assistant help me and I have created/made our brand stand out. If you type Mary L Schmidt into your search engine, and then go to images you will see that we are all over it with our images. Using Twitter boosted our brand. Many do not understand that Twitter is for PR, not to sell books. My assistant takes care of the rest but I also promote on my own via Facebook and social media.
Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books?
Be honest, be real, and just be you. Just be true to yourself and things will work out.
What do you do to get book reviews?
I have recommended books to others and I have paid literary agencies for reviews. That does get expensive, though.
How successful has your quest for reviews been so far?
When Angels Fly has received 25 reviews thus far and the others much less. For the most part, I am failing in this area. I do author interviews for others and they sometimes do one for me blog wise. The effect has not been productive yet. I am hoping this one will make our memoir stand out.
Do you have a strategy for finding reviewers?
No. Do you have ideas for me?
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
Good and bad reviews go with the territory so one must make their skin tough. My first one star review was actually from a younger sister who wrote, “Do not waste your time.”She was and still is jealous of our memoir so my reply back to her was “sorry you did not like it and I am willing to refund your money.”That review was in regards to our memoir. She never wrote anything after that. We did receive a second one star review that read “sob story.”I wrote back to that person asking why they wrote those two words, and the many replies received back were full of hate, evil, and not understanding the cycle of abuse. The two word review is still on Amazon, but Amazon did remove all of the hate filled comments that were made. This is okay with me.
What’s your view on social media for marketing?
With eBooks and all books really, so many books are indie now and social media is a must. Many people find it easier to read on their commute to work using Kindle app.
Which social network worked best for you?
Twitter – for author branding, and social connections.
Facebook – for sales and social connections.
Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work?
I did have two press releases for When Angels Fly. In a small town of 2800 population, the book signing went over well. We also held a signing 40 miles away in a city of 50,000, at the library there.
Is there any marketing technique you used that had an immediate impact on your sales figures?
Creating eye catching graphic designs with key short phrases helps. I make several each week so the same promo piece remains fresh.
Why do you think that other well written books just don’t sell?
Market saturation in specific genres is a big one. Celebrities are doing more books as well and that takes away from the mainstream indie writer.
What do you think of “trailers” for books?
I think they are useful if they are portraying the true essence of a book.
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book/s?
I have trailer for When Angels Fly. (You can view this trailer below or click this link now!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhmETPrtKdw
Do you think that giving books away free works and why?
I just did a five day free give-a-way for When Angels Fly. I had a spike in downloads and we have been number one in free Kindle for all five days thus far. As for the effect, only time will tell.
How do you relax?
When my husband is home, I relax with him. Sometimes we cook together, and that is special. We are empty nesters.
You love to travel. If you won a year-long trip around the world, but could only bring 3 things with you, what would they be? Why?
I would take my laptop, cell phone, and camera. My cell phone would keep me connected to my family and friends, my camera would capture the amazing things I would visit and see, and my laptop would serve for downloading my camera’s captures, and I could write about my adventure.
What is your favourite motivational phrase.
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” ~ Walt Disney
What is your favourite positive saying?
Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.” ~ William James
What is your favourite quote?
I have many and some are from Gandhi; they are too numerous to choose from.
Where can you see yourself in 5 years time?
I plan to do my best to relax, and enjoy time with my husband, children, and grandson.
Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
Jesus – I want the peaceful, pure, lobbing, bright light to shine throughout me, and around me. I am patient on this so that is okay since I know it will happen someday.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Stay the course, and you will succeed.
Where do you see publishing going in the future?
I see big publishing houses doing less, and laying off staff. I see indies coming to the complete forefront.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?(Include any links that we haven’t covered in the questions above)
Social Media & Website Links:
Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.)
Book Trailer for When Angels Fly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhmETPrtKdw
When Angels Fly Book: https://www.amazon.com/When-Angels-Fly-S-Jackson-ebook/dp/B017UNVWDI/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Blog: https://whenangelsfly.wordpress.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MMSchmidtAuthorGDDonley
Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.schmidt.50
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryLSchmidt
Artwork: http://mschmidtartwork.deviantart.com/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/S.-Jackson/e/B013NRRKR2
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-schmidt-a1a511101
I had many friends at school and school was fun. I read all the time, and I read many books more than once! I loved school so much and it was like a fantasy in some ways; it was an escape from issues at home, and having friends made me feel blessed.
Were you good at English?
I was pretty good, and in the sixth grade my class was put into groups via our teacher. Each group was to come up with a skit/tiny sized play, and then we were to act it out. Blindly, I told my group I would write the script, and type it up (laughing).This was the late 60s and I had not learned how to type as yet. So, here I was, at a very old manual typewriter, old carbon sheets between pages, and each mistake/correction made it that much harder to read, to say the least. I felt humiliated at the disaster I had created! Back at school the next day, I showed my group the top page actually typed on, and they looked at it and then at their carbon copies and then we decided to just wing it for the most part. I was humiliated at first, but then my group got into the project and we turned a disaster into a comedy!
What was your childhood like?
I vividly remember my childhood. As a little girl, my mother would force feed me foods I hated, such as peas, until I threw up. She did this to me often and she seemed to enjoy the abuse she inflicted upon me. I had six siblings and none of them remember my mother doing the force feedings except for my older brother who was eight years older than me. Abuse affected him, too, and to this day he stays away from any kind of contention. I wish I could say that the abuse abated as I got older, but it didn’t. I was always a kicking and punching bag and she would drag me around by my hair. No one could please her and my father never saw the treatment she doled out to me as he was always working. I had absolutely no self-esteem and I would retreat into a fantasy world where I was a princess and loved by all. I would curl up in my bed and thrust that fantasy into my child’s brain as a form of escape. I liked reading and as soon as I could read well enough, I started reading the Nancy Drew series, Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames, and Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I would escape into a world of my own through books. I could stay in my little room, in my bed, and read. Sometimes I would make paper dolls and dress them up with paper dresses. I remember how I would oftentimes try to draw younger siblings into a hug as none of us received hugs from her and I tried to show them how to love each other.“ (I have pictures)
"Starting around age eight, I tried to please her in other ways by doing work around the house. I would vacuum without being told to do so, and I washed dishes. I started doing the entire households laundry from washing to hanging on the line, and then take down and fold. I delivered the clean wash to the respective recipient’s bedroom and it didn’t make my mother proud. In fact, she simply expected me to continue with these chores. She left my father after 21 years if marriage and I chose to live with my father as I was 14 at the time and could choose. Then she forced him to sell the house and he was forced into a tiny apartment, after which I had to move in with her again. In high school, she was relentless in her treatment of me, and she never bothered to show her anger to the world. To this very day, I don’t understand why this was allowed to go on. The only thing I can think of is the fact that our neighbors were just as scared of her and she kept her punches to areas that were covered by clothing. In looking back post high school, I could see that some teachers knew that my home life was rough but that was as far as it went. My only escapes were school and work. I was so tired of her beatings, and the emotional and mental abuse she inflicted.
Almost anyone would be excited to leave all that behind and strike out on her own. Is that what you did?
"Before I was age 18, I was looking for an escape ~ ANY escape. Working as a waitress left me with little money. I dated a few guys, and then my mother said to me one time, with a sneer, that I was only a “sperm receptacle” and that no one would want me. I wasn’t having sex. Eventually I found a guy I liked, and we dated for a few months and then we simply started living together. I had thought this was my escape into happiness and that he was my prince. He drank alcohol almost daily, and he invited me to move in with him. I thought that this was my chance! My chance to get away from my mother and the abuse she inflicted. I thought I could change this man into drinking less alcohol, I was in love and we married."
Did you love him? So many women go down this path, and they always think they love him. Is it because you've never known true love?
In hindsight, I never loved this man. I was in love with the idea of being in love, and I thought I could make this relationship grow into true love. That never happened and then the abuse began – the vicious cycle of abuse. Complete physical, emotional, mental, and sexual abuse – unending – even when pregnant. I sometimes wonder if the stress of this relationship was too stressful on my oldest son. Joshua was a perfect baby, and he died inside me. Labor was induced, and I shed tears for my unborn baby. I named him Joshua and he was perfect. He died when he became tangled in his umbilical cord and strangled to death. I was bereft, and I had a simple funeral for Joshua – only one sibling and myself. His father didn’t attend as he was drunk in a bar. Joshua’s eyes, the nurse from the hospital told me, were blue like mine. My baby had no hair. Tears rolled down my cheeks upon realizing that I would never get to know if his hair would be brown like Henry’s or blond like mine. His tiny hands would never get the chance to hold a basketball, or a football. His feet would never be able to pedal on a bike. His mouth would never open to utter that he loved me. I could though, so I did. “I love you, Joshua,” I told him. I loved him so much.
On December 12, 1983, I gave birth to Noah. My baby was seven pounds and fourteen ounces, twenty inches long — a healthy boy. After my son was cleaned up and breathing normally, the nurse laid him on my right breast. I cuddled him wrapped in baby blankets as my bed was wheeled out into the hall towards the mother – baby unit down the hall. I looked at the face of my son and tears started rolling down my cheeks. It was a different feeling, a delicious mix of sorts. On the one hand, I was bursting with pride — this beautiful boy was mine. I would nurse him and care for him and love him dearly. On the other hand, there was a tinge of sadness because somehow, a part of me was telling me that this baby would have loved to play with Joshua. “Noah,” I whispered to my boy before kissing him on the forehead. Then I froze when realization hit me that it was the only time I spoke that name with such reverence and love. Just thinking about Noah makes me smile. I am so proud of him. He came into the world and into a broken home, yet he persevered and became an Eagle Scout. Noah is strong in spirit, and he is a caring young man. When I think my love for him cannot expand, I find myself wrong and my heart swells with loving pride. I made sure he always had hugs and love from me and he openly gives me hugs and love as well.
But you had another son, Eli. He had a difficult journey too, and you shared every step of that with him.
I could hardly believe it. Noah was barely seven months old; I was twenty-three years old at the time; and I was pregnant for the third time. Who would have thought that after an unsuccessful first birthing experience, God would immediately give me two babies? It didn’t make Joshua’s loss forgotten, but my being pregnant again reminded me of God’s greatness. On April 6, 1985, I gave birth to another healthy baby boy and I named him Eli. He weighed 7 pounds 6 ½ ounces and was 21 inches long. When I held Eli in my arms the first time, I felt really blessed. I had two beautiful boys in my life. Noah and Eli were best buddies and they did everything together. When Eli was age four and a half years old, he started having many sinus infections, upper respiratory issues, doctor visits, tons on medicine, scans, and X-rays. Everything came back negative except for his high white blood cell count, fevers and not being the little boy I knew. Starting in September of 1989, and on through the end of February 1990 no one could tell me why Eli was so sick all the time. Twelve doctors and specialists, and even one doctor placed tubes in his ears to help Eli. CT scans were MISREAD!!!!!
On March 4, 1990 I noticed that Eli had lost the peripheral vision in his right eye. Straight to the hospital we went and finally someone read a scan correctly that showed a mass the size of my fist – in his right neck area and extending into the brain cavity as well as metastasis into the brain cavity! He suffered horrors no child, or adult, should ever have to experience. For six months he was misdiagnosed! For seven and half months he lived in pain and horror in the hospital become passing. I can best sum up precious Eli with the letter I wrote to him about a year after he died.
October 13, 1991
My Dearest Eli,
Yet again tonight I went to bed crying for you, Eli. Heart wrenching sobs escaped from me and in between them I relived your short life with such clarity.
I knew you were very special, Eli, from the day you were born. And now, with the first anniversary of your death upon us, I realize fully just how special you really were and still are. You affected so many people in your short life, Eli.
Even now, I have moments when it is hard to believe that you are really gone. Or are you? You're in my heart now and forever Eli.
Will it ever get easier, Eli? Sometimes, I am very happy for you. Those times are when I know you are pain free and happy. Heaven must be such a wonderful place.
Then there are times when my heart aches and aches for you, Honey. Those are the times when I relive moments of your childhood before the doctor diagnosed you with cancer, and also moments after being diagnosed.
I remember vividly the day you were brought home from the hospital after your birth. Your brother, Noah, only one year old, took to you instantly. Throughout your short life, the two of you were inseparable. Best playmates you two were. But you were the most daring, Eli. You had such a zest for life.
I remember the day you and Noah were on your 3-wheelers, and racing around in and out of the garage. Noah came running into the house to tell me you had a snake cornered in the garage. Upon investigation, there you were, laughing with delight, and riding your 3-wheeler in circles, closer and closer, to a coiled king size bull snake.
Sometimes when I wake in the morning Eli, I start to think about what I'm going to make my "boys" for breakfast. And then I remember.
And sometimes in the evening, when Noah is taking his bath, I remember how it always was two boys in the bathtub and not one.
My precious Eli, oh, how I miss you. I miss your sweet smile, shining blue eyes and pale blond hair.
You had to grow up so fast, Eli. It was such a shock to learn that you had cancer, one month before your fifth birthday. In a flash, I would have traded places with you.
You went from being a happy little boy into a world of doctors and nurses, needles and IV's, catheters and spinal taps.
I was selfish, Eli. I loved you too much to let you die. And so you suffered. You went through head and neck, and open chest surgeries. How my heart ached for you, Eli, when, four hours after surgery on your lungs, I helped a nurse stand you up in bed. How you hated ICU.
Because I loved you too much to let you go, you suffered such horrible radiation burns on your sweet head and neck. The chemotherapy made you so very sick. Even under sedation, you were sick. But you knew the "good guys" were out to get the "bad guys". At four years old, you knew you would die without treatment.
It hurt me so bad that you were unable to eat for seven and a half months. Your only nutrition was IV. You always ate so well before. You had always relished the sheer taste of food. It was unfair of me to bring food into your room in the hopes that you would eat something. Sometimes you tried. I remember when you woke during the night once and asked for watermelon. I drove half of Denver to get it for you. You only ate a couple of bites, but it was worth it.
I remember the long days and nights in the hospital those seven and a half months. I was able to take you home only four different weekends. I remember the isolation in times of high fever and the ice blankets, lots of oxygen and machines everywhere.
How I cried Eli, on the morning that we woke up and found all your hair lying in your bed and not on your head. You were too proud to wear a hat.
I also remember good times, like when the group came from the Denver baseball team and you received an autographed photo of George and a Royals’ baseball. Or I would be wheeling you around, outside the medical center, and you would point out cars and ask me if they were "race cars." How we would talk about the race car we would have someday and how much it would be worth.
Having lived two hundred and thirty miles away, you were awestruck by the freeways in and out of Denver. You thought they looked like race tracks.
And how about the time I was able to take you to the Denver Zoo? You did not mind that I had to push you, a boy at five years of age, in a stroller, up and down the hills. You were so weak. You did not care; you only wanted to see the animals.
And on good days, I also remember how you would hide under a gurney in the hall and wait for a person to be passing by, only to give them a good dose of water from your squirt gun. It did not matter to you whether or not you knew the person you squirted. Sometimes you would sneak around the nurses’ station and into the medication room, fully loaded with water, and let loose. No doctor, nurse, or visitor was safe from you.
Or how about the times an IV would complete and I would unhook you. You headed straight for your three-wheeler and down the hall you zipped. Everyone stayed out of your way and laughed. Such sport you had.
Other times, when you had to stay in bed, you made me chase down a VCR so you could watch Superman or Ghostbusters. You never tired of those two movies. You knew them by heart and delighted in telling anyone who would listen what would happen next.
I remember the times when you would have to undergo yet another series of X-rays, CT scans, or MRI and I would stay by your side throughout them, telling you stories and keeping you from moving.
I'm sorry, Eli, that I was not able to make you well. I think that you went through all that you did, those seven and a half months, simply because of how much I loved you and did not want to let you go.
I remember the times that I would feel down and you would come up to me. You would put your arms around me and say, "I'm sorry, Mom."
I remember when we were together, waiting in the OR before your lung surgery. You were feeling well and you looked at me and said,
"I want to go to Heaven, Mom." I went speechless. And then I told you that sometimes we don't get what we want and that you might have to come back to me.
And yet, I remember so well how after your last chemo, you picked up yet another "bug" and ended up on a respirator; just how much you fought for life as we knew it, those last fifteen days.
Most of all, Eli, I remember how I cradled you in my arms, and whispered into your ear that soon you would not have to have any more pain and it would be okay, as your heart stopped for the third and last time, and you died in my arms.
Thank you, Eli, for going through what you did because I loved you and did not want to let you go.
I'll always love you Eli.
Mama
You've been through so much already. I don't know if it's possible to recover from all that. How do you move on after something like that kind of thing?
You don’t “move on” for this is the King of Loss. Only parents who have suffered the loss of a child will truly understand this fact. I have words to help those who have not had this kind of loss.
WORDS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT LOST A CHILD/ CHILDREN
Does it get any easier losing a child/ children? Somewhat…Is it possible for a parent to be happy their child/ children are perfect in Heaven above and feel peace with that? Sure… (It took me twenty-three years for Eli and somewhat less for Joshua) Can a parent ever “get over” losing a child/ children? No. This is the KING of loss. We can be happy that they are perfect in Heaven and sad at times when we miss them the most. Bereaved parents are continually re-writing each day as this is the new “normal.” This won’t change. We will think of our loss when other children reach milestones such as first tooth, first steps, first words, kindergarten, holidays, best friend, graduation, prom, falling in love, first kiss, learning to drive, getting married, the list is endless.
The WORST things you can ever say to a parent who has suffered the KING of loss, ever after one, ten, twenty, or more years? “You should be over it by now,” or “Move on with life.” You see we are moving on with life, we just do it one hour or day at a time, re-writing life as we go along.
~S Jackson, October 2014
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I have a twenty book Children’s book series in which thus far only five of the planned twenty have been written and published. Children’s books are my favorite right now. All of my children’s books keep children entertained and teach them at the same time. I also have two special children’s books with dealing with good touch/bad touch and the other bullying.
So, what have you written? (*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest.)
Our first book is a memoir, When Angels Fly. After I left my nursing career, I felt a need to help others in various life situations so my memoir was first. I wrote my first book, my memoir, When Angels Fly, specifically to get the word out and help others. This book won a New Apple Official Selection E-Book Award 2016 and is number one as of this moment on Kindle Free books. This book was a finalist in the McGrath House Independent Book Awards.
I also wrote a poem that won an award.
A Mother At Graduation...
Mothers and fathers everywhere,
Parents faces shining with pride and smiling from within;
The strains of "Pomp and Circumstance" fills the air,
As the senior graduation ceremony begins.
Young ladies and young men,
Standing tall and proud;
Some smiling and some nervous,
All looking above the crowd.
As I peer at all of the shining faces,
I find I'm looking for yours to come into play;
This was your class and you brother stands alone,
You were both supposed to be graduating today.
As each graduate passes by me,
Your brother comes into view;
He looks to be both happy and sad,
These feelings are not new.
God called you home when you were five years old,
But I find I cannot help looking for you;
I wonder how many people here remember,
This was to have been your graduation year.
Now I do not see you in a black graduation gown,
Nor do I see a red and black tassel hanging from atop your blond
head;
These things that others take for granted,
Cause my heart to feel made of lead.
So even though you are not here,
Sweet memories of you begin to invade my heart;
And as they do I find I can go on,
And share in your brother's graduation with my whole heart.
From me to you...
Blog: https://whenangelsfly.wordpress.com/
When Angels Fly is the inspirational story about a woman who was able to rise above an extremely abusive childhood and later marriage, to learn faith, love, and motherhood from her own son’s courageous fight with cancer. It provides an illuminating example of how women who are in physically, mentally and emotionally abusive relationships can successfully escape even in the most challenging of times. It also warns of how the actions of medical professionals can be a soothing balm or a deadly arrow. The story draws the reader into the life of a mother and her wonderful little boy who is strong beyond his years and who leaves a lasting impression on all who knew him.
In my memoir, I hope to help others in life in a variety of settings. I want to inspire battered/abused women to have the positivity, which enables them to get out of bad life situations. I want to empower parents to be advocates for their sick child. I want to help other parents who have lost a child or children that there is hope, that faith will waver, and that this kind of loss is the “King of Loss” and to take it minute by minute, day by day, as they rewrite the life they had planned when their child was alive. I want to spread what my five year old little boy knew about Jesus and Heaven! I want to help parents and educators know how to speak to a student who has experienced the loss of a sibling. Validation, encouragement, and faith are the key elements.
Abuse ~ all forms of abuse is a biggie. I want to help women, and some men, who are in an abusive relationships find the strength to get out before it is too late and something worse happens, such as being murdered. I want to get out the hotline numbers to call, and safe houses to go to. The cycle of abuse needs to stop, and it won’t without more people talking about the help that is out there.
When Angels Fly ~ “After surviving the cruel rage of tyranny from her mother and ex-husband, Sarah Jackson traveled a new path; a journey of loss, heartbreak, and ultimately strength. How do we survive the unthinkable, our child suffering from a terminal illness? Sarah Jackson's life will teach you that despite all the hardships, you will survive, even if at times it feels like you won't.” The eBook is on sale for 0.99 cents through December 31, 2016.
“I couldn’t help thinking about womanhood while reading When Angels Fly. As a man and a father, it is hard to imagine the kind of feeling my wife has for our two kids. Many times I had to stop reading, close my eyes, and ask myself: “Could this be really happening?” I couldn’t help but wonder about the stuff of which women are made, because Sarah is a tough woman, sensitive, and rich in her humanity. It is inspiring to see how she gives life and nourishes it. The experience with Eli, her son suffering from cancer, is very touching and one that will inspire many people in the way they relate with their children. S. Jackson and A. Raymond have done a wonderful job in sharing experiences that will offer hope and provoke a silent revolution in the way most of us see women and life. It’s a book that every man should read. And I mean every man!”
Suzy Has A Secret teaches children, ages four to eight years-old, about personal safety and body ownership, and explains how to identify who safe adults are in a child’s life. This book shows in positive and practical ways how parents, and educators, can talk to children about personal safety. Children learn about bad touch and good touch, and how their body belongs to them. Parents and educators can help children learn who the safe people are in their lives, and that they can always tell one of them about anything that may happen, and they aren’t comfortable about.
This children’s story focuses on educating them on self awareness and inappropriate behavior. The story is simple and easy to read to children. It’s important to allow children the opportunity to learn what should and should not be done to them by family members. Suzy did not like the game of tickling that Uncle Bob played with her when her parents weren’t around. Suzy did not want to keep the secret from her parents, but Uncle Bob made her feel that she couldn’t tell anyone about the way he touched her. Although the story is short, it has a powerful message because all children should know the importance of not allowing anyone, young or old, to touch their bodies.
Children have a right to be happy and understand what should not be happening when Mommy and Daddy aren’t around. The portion of the story designed for Parents and Educators was a good read because it reaffirmed that children have the right to know that their private areas are off limits and that when playing no one should ever touch those areas. When dealing with children, it’s important to ensure they understand at an early age that they can talk to their parents about anything and not be scared. Abusers use manipulation when abusing children to keep them from telling their parents, that’s why parents need to have a strong bond with their children to make them feel comfortable. One thing I learned is that you should not ask a lot of questions if you suspect abuse, but rather ask simple questions for the best and most reliable answers.
In The Big Cheese Festival, we meet Stubby Mouse and his family and friends. We learn that Stubby Mouse has a secret, that he is being bullied by another mouse, simply because his tail is short. Read how Stubby Mouse stood up for himself, and how he ended the bullying, in this delightful story for children. Targeted at ages 4-8, the book is easy to read and perfect for home or classroom. Children learn how bad bullying is, and what they can do to help stop bullies! Stubby Mouse encourages children to take a stand against bullies, and always be kind to each other. This story illustrates how everyone is different and unique, and it is a delightful read with cute illustrations for both children and adults. Take a stand against bullying today! The Big Cheese Festival is a children’s educational picture book written and designed by S. Jackson with A. Raymond. Stubby Mouse was happy and excited when he woke up on the morning of the Big Cheese Festival. All the mice in his neighborhood looked forward to this big event. There would be dancing and lots of cheese, and they would elect a King and Queen of the Festival. This would be Stubby’s first Big Cheese Festival, but something happened to spoil his happiness and sense of anticipation. When Cutter Mouse came to pick up Stubby’s brother, Zippy, he made fun of Stubby’s short tail. Cutter laughed and said that no girls would want to dance with him. Zippy got angry with his friend for picking on his little brother, but the damage was done. After Zippy and Cutter left, Stubby began to cry. Cindy heard him crying inside the house, and she wanted to know what was wrong. She liked Stubby just as he was, and thought Cutter was an awful bully. They would go to the festival together, and she’d love to dance with Stubby.S. Jackson and A. Raymond’s educational picture book for children, The Big Cheese Festival, addresses the problem of bullying and the pain children can experience when they’re victimized by bullies. This story shows how being different is not a bad thing or something to feel ashamed about.
Stubby may only have half a tail, but he ends up with an amazing thing happening to him. He also gets to dance with the bully’s girlfriend. The Big Cheese Festival has gorgeous graphics that bring the woodland setting and its characters to life. Jackson and Raymond address an important issue, and they do so in an enchanting tale that’s a perfect choice for story time. Adults should consider using this tale as a springboard for discussions about bullying in school and in the playground. It’s also a good starter primer for new readers as it has large print and an easy-to-follow story.
How a Dog and Two Squirrels Become Best Friends is about how one small dog, a baby squirrel and his mama squirrel become best friends. A baby squirrel is lost and found safely. This story book helps children to learn how to be safe when they are outside their home and illustrates that children always need to keep the adults in their lives aware of where they play and how to stay safe. This is the first book in our ‘Shadow and Friends’ series!
Shadow and Friends Go Camping (Shadow Series Book Two 2) is a book about one small dog and three squirrels that go camping. After obtaining permission to camp, a wise squirrel teaches the young ones how to stay safe on land and in a boat. This story book helps children learn how to be safe when they are in a new area, and illustrates that children always need to keep the adults in their lives aware of, and obtain permission for outdoor activities. Camping and water safety is explained so that children can understand the importance of what could happen if they don’t listen to parents and teachers.
Shadow and Friends Visit the Mountains (Shadow Series Book 3) is about a ground squirrel that lives in a burrow, in the mountains of Colorado. Shadow, a dog, and Uncle Stubby, a fox squirrel, and their friends go on a trip to visit Uncle Stubby’s cousin, Rocky, a ground squirrel. Cousin Rocky takes them skiing, teaches mountain safety, how to ski safely on the bunny slopes near his burrow, the difference between tree squirrels and ground squirrels, home safety, travel safety, and to watch out for cars. This story provides children with knowledge about different squirrels and their habitats, and teaches children safety when visiting a new place illustrating how important safety is, and promotes new adventures at the same time.
Shadow and Friends European Vacation (Shadow Series Book 4) In Shadow and Friends European Vacation, a small dog named Shadow wins a free trip to Europe because of all of her books that teach children safety at home, and during adventures. Shadow is allowed to take five friends with her on this fabulous trip, and she chooses to take five squirrel friends. In this delightful and funny book for children, safety is taught through the hilarious antics of her friends. Throughout this story of teaching children about historical areas and places in Europe, squirrel antics keep children entertained, and safety is learned. Targeted at ages 4-11, this book is easy to read and perfect for home or classroom. This story illustrates a few of Europe’s fascinating features with illustrations for children and adults.
Shadow and Friends Spend Christmas in New York (Shadow Series Book 5) In Shadow and Friends Spend Christmas in New York, a fox squirrel named Stubby receives an invitation from his twin, Shorty, to spend Christmas with him and his squirrel family and friends in Central Park. Stubby invites Shadow, a small dog, and his squirrel family to go with him. They board the Rodent Road Adventure Tours jet, flown by Pilot, and Shorty greets them with a hello from atop the Empire State Building as they fly past! Not only do children learn safety and are introduced to the Eastern Gray Squirrels that range on the east coast of the USA, they have many fun adventures. In this delightful and funny book for children, the squirrels and Shadow learn about the huge Central Park in the middle of New York City.
Children are entertained by the adventures of the group as they build a snowman, and Foxy goes shopping at Saks on Fifth Avenue. They decorate a Christmas tree, go ice skating at Rockefeller Center, and decorate a float for the annual Central Park Christmas Squirrel Parade! Add to this mix a few rocking horses, teddy bears, nutcrackers, candy cane castle, angels, elves, and a manger scene, and children are entertained. On Christmas Eve, all of them go to the Central Park Chapel, and celebrated the birth of baby Jesus! Targeted at ages 4-11, this book is easy to read and perfect for home or classroom. This story illustrates how beautiful Central Park is in winter, and the illustrations will fascinate children and adults.
Art Gallery Selections is a book that contains 40 works of art from the M Schmidt Photography Gallery for others to enjoy. Mediums used include photography, traditional watercolour and oil paintings, as well as series of digital selections mostly using bamboo and watercolor or ink stains. We hope you enjoy the serenity and tranquil feelings of contentment that we derive from our works. Mediums used include traditional photography, watercolor and oil paints, along with a selection of surreal works.
Rodent Road Adventures: Backyard Squirrel Antics: Series Book One – America’s National Parks - This book is a picture book showing America’s beautiful national parks through photographs and text, along with a few backyard squirrels thrown in for good measure. It has been fun and educational for both of us and we hope our book will highlight our nation’s national parks for others to enjoy and read about as well as to go and see our parks in all their beauty. This book is extremely educational for people of all ages; it showcases the beauty of our national parks in the United States while using fox squirrels to keep the attention of the younger readers. The park photos are nice to see but we really love how you have made this book much more fun for all readers by adding your squirrels to the mix!
Rodent Road Adventures: Backyard Squirrel Antics Series Book Two: Children’s Comics - Our backyard squirrels with their funny antics inspired us to create comics geared towards children. We think that our funny squirrels mixed with ‘human children toys’ and even old costumes we had at hand to ‘dress up’ our squirrels in funny ways will have children laughing and maybe many adults as well.
Rodent Road Adventures: Backyard Squirrel Antics: Series Book Three: Teenage and Adult Comics - Our backyard squirrels with their funny antics inspired us to create our comics and in this case geared towards teenagers and adults. We think that our funny squirrels mixed with old costumes and scrap art pieces will have readers laughing for a long time. Prop illustrations/graphics belong to our children and are used for educational purposes. Vintage photos used for educational purposes.
Favorite Timeless Recipes is a collection of eighteen different recipes that have withstood time, and generations of use. We hope others will use this collection of recipes in the many years to come.
Where can we buy or see them? (* include American, European and any other relevant links. Free, free promotions or prices can be included)
When Angels Fly .99Cents
https://www.amazon.com/When-Angels-Fly-S-Jackson-ebook/dp/B017UNVWDI/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479243272&sr=1-1&keywords=when+angels+fly
Suzy Has A Secret $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Suzy-Has-Secret-S-Jackson-ebook/dp/B01CRDLJB6/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
The Big Cheese Festival $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Big-Cheese-Festival-S-Jackson-ebook/dp/B01H3S381O/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
How a Dog and Two Squirrels Become Best Friends $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/How-Squirrels-Become-Best-Friends-ebook/dp/B01AAMZF2A/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Shadow and Friends Go Camping $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Friends-Camping-Book-Two-ebook/dp/B01EM5ORUM/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Shadow and Friends Visit the Mountains $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Friends-Visit-Mountains-Book-ebook/dp/B01FYLGSVY/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Shadow and Friends European Vacation $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Friends-European-Vacation-Book-ebook/dp/B01L5RLQ86/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Shadow and Friends Spend Christmas in New York Sale $1.99 through Dec 31, 2016
https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Friends-Spend-Christmas-York-ebook/dp/B01M6AVP3J/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Art Gallery Selections $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Gallery-Selections-Book-One-ebook/dp/B0169K18C8/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Rodent Road Adventures: Backyard Squirrel Antics: Series Book One – America’s National Parks $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Rodent-Road-Adventures-Backyard-Squirrel/dp/0692540318/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Rodent Road Adventures: Backyard Squirrel Antics Series Book Two: Children’s Comics
$2.99 https://www.amazon.com/Rodent-Road-Adventures-Backyard-Childrens-ebook/dp/B0165T5XM4/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Rodent Road Adventures: Backyard Squirrel Antics: Series Book Three: Teenage and Adult Comics $2.99
https://www.amazon.com/Rodent-Road-Adventures-Backyard-Squirrel/dp/069255405X/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Favorite Timeless Recipes .99 cents
https://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Timeless-Recipes-Raymond-ebook/dp/B0189DKFEU/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
(I’m not sure how to get links for overseas and Nook.)
What are you working on at the minute?
Our next children’s book will feature two squirrels getting married just in time for Valentine's Day. This is looking like it will be funny as well. Kids love small animals and fun so it is a win-win. I do my own illustrations for them as well.
What genre are your books?
Memoir, Art Works, Comical Squirrels, Children’s, Educational, and one Cookbook and so I am an eclectic author for sure.
What draws you to this genre?
My love for children drew me into writing books for them. When you see a child smile and their face light up when reading or being read to, it is perfect.
Which actress would you like to see playing you in your most recent book if it was adapted for the big screen?
I have an actress friend, Andrea Dover, who I think could pull off the character of Sarah quite well. *** As for a screenplay, I have one already! I co-wrote it with Joshua Vickery. Several producers and directors are looking at it now.
How much research do you do to add depth to your memoirs?
I lived it, I kept journals, and I needed no research for writing When Angels Fly.
Have you written any other books in collaboration with other writers?
Not yet.
When did you decide to become a writer?
When health issues overtook me, and I was forced to leave my beloved nursing career, I decided to finally dig out my journals from 1989 – 1990, and put them in digital format. I wanted this traumatic portion of time to be a legacy for my only living son who misses his brother so much – something he could read and remember the good parts. Two years after working on my memoir, I decided to publish, with all the rawness and really left myself wide open to all. I withheld a lot from this book, but I found it be a release of pent up emotions for me as well.
Why do you write?
Funny that you should ask that! After writing When Angels Fly I figured that I was done. I knew I was going to be a one book author. Plans changed fast. My husband and I were watching squirrels in our backyard one afternoon and we decided to use photos of them in memes. We have over 200 memes now and some ended up going into books! Working on a series for children evolved from that point forward.
Do you write full-time or part-time?
My health keeps me on a tight leash, and so I can only write part time.
Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?
I usually write in the mornings. I just published a Christmas book for children so now I have time for promoting and making promotional graphics. I will start writing the sixth book in our Shadow and Friends Series come December. Once I have the story the way I want it, then I will design the illustrations for each page.
Do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?
I am on a month long hiatus from writing for the month of November 2016, and when I start back up it is generally Monday through Friday and mornings only.
Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?
Each book that I write for children utilizes one paragraph per page. I have from 32-40 pages in each book. I try to keep my sentences with words that do not have more than two syllables so that kids can read them easily. Novels would take much longer by far, and I am not healthy enough for that type of book.
Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?
I only use a computer. My hand tremors prevent me from writing on paper. If I get a thought, I will use my stylus and type it on a note in my phone.
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
The ideas simply pop into my head, and then hubby and I will toss it around and jot notes. Pretty soon, a new story is born!
How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
I think my books for children have become much better quality wise.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
Getting a book to sell is the hardest.
What was the hardest thing about writing your latest memoir?
Reliving the reality of all that happened was hard. Some days I wrote one sentence and then I was done for the day emotionally and stopped.
What is the easiest thing about writing it?
I had my journals and they were a detailed, tangible part that made it easier to write.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Two – three months for my children’s books. Illustrations take time.
Do you ever get writer’s Block?
Not yet.
What are your thoughts on writing a book series.
For my children’s books I think it is wonderful!
Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors.
I love reading historical fiction and historical romance fiction.
For your own reading, do you prefer eBooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
I prefer traditional paperbacks as they are easier for me to read with my eyes and sight issues.
What book/s are you reading at present?
Actually, I was just looking at my bible.
Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
I hired three editors for When Angels Fly as I felt overwhelmed, and all three had different ideas. Our books for kids are easy to edit and proof ourselves.
Did you format your own books?
Yes, I do all the formatting and it is pretty easy once you have a set template to work with.
In what formats is your book available?
Soft cover and eBook formats at this time.
Tell us about the cover/s and how it/they came about.
I created the covers for all of our books. For When Angels Fly I knew I wanted blue for the main cover color. I chose a picture I took of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park, and added a radiant looking smiling child wearing white robes, and angel wings to the front cover. The effect is Eli (real photo) is us all know he is happy in heaven.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
I am a visual artist and as such I am attracted to covers. Covers play an important role for books these days. In the 60s I read all Nancy Drew, etc, regardless of cover.
How are you publishing this book and why? e.g. Indie, traditional or both?
We publish all of ours. When Angels Fly was first published traditional, but they took away much of what we wanted to convey so we took it back. Then we republished the way we had envisioned and it is our best seller.
How do you market your books?
I have a personal assistant help me and I have created/made our brand stand out. If you type Mary L Schmidt into your search engine, and then go to images you will see that we are all over it with our images. Using Twitter boosted our brand. Many do not understand that Twitter is for PR, not to sell books. My assistant takes care of the rest but I also promote on my own via Facebook and social media.
Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books?
Be honest, be real, and just be you. Just be true to yourself and things will work out.
What do you do to get book reviews?
I have recommended books to others and I have paid literary agencies for reviews. That does get expensive, though.
How successful has your quest for reviews been so far?
When Angels Fly has received 25 reviews thus far and the others much less. For the most part, I am failing in this area. I do author interviews for others and they sometimes do one for me blog wise. The effect has not been productive yet. I am hoping this one will make our memoir stand out.
Do you have a strategy for finding reviewers?
No. Do you have ideas for me?
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
Good and bad reviews go with the territory so one must make their skin tough. My first one star review was actually from a younger sister who wrote, “Do not waste your time.”She was and still is jealous of our memoir so my reply back to her was “sorry you did not like it and I am willing to refund your money.”That review was in regards to our memoir. She never wrote anything after that. We did receive a second one star review that read “sob story.”I wrote back to that person asking why they wrote those two words, and the many replies received back were full of hate, evil, and not understanding the cycle of abuse. The two word review is still on Amazon, but Amazon did remove all of the hate filled comments that were made. This is okay with me.
What’s your view on social media for marketing?
With eBooks and all books really, so many books are indie now and social media is a must. Many people find it easier to read on their commute to work using Kindle app.
Which social network worked best for you?
Twitter – for author branding, and social connections.
Facebook – for sales and social connections.
Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work?
I did have two press releases for When Angels Fly. In a small town of 2800 population, the book signing went over well. We also held a signing 40 miles away in a city of 50,000, at the library there.
Is there any marketing technique you used that had an immediate impact on your sales figures?
Creating eye catching graphic designs with key short phrases helps. I make several each week so the same promo piece remains fresh.
Why do you think that other well written books just don’t sell?
Market saturation in specific genres is a big one. Celebrities are doing more books as well and that takes away from the mainstream indie writer.
What do you think of “trailers” for books?
I think they are useful if they are portraying the true essence of a book.
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book/s?
I have trailer for When Angels Fly. (You can view this trailer below or click this link now!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhmETPrtKdw
Do you think that giving books away free works and why?
I just did a five day free give-a-way for When Angels Fly. I had a spike in downloads and we have been number one in free Kindle for all five days thus far. As for the effect, only time will tell.
How do you relax?
When my husband is home, I relax with him. Sometimes we cook together, and that is special. We are empty nesters.
You love to travel. If you won a year-long trip around the world, but could only bring 3 things with you, what would they be? Why?
I would take my laptop, cell phone, and camera. My cell phone would keep me connected to my family and friends, my camera would capture the amazing things I would visit and see, and my laptop would serve for downloading my camera’s captures, and I could write about my adventure.
What is your favourite motivational phrase.
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” ~ Walt Disney
What is your favourite positive saying?
Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.” ~ William James
What is your favourite quote?
I have many and some are from Gandhi; they are too numerous to choose from.
Where can you see yourself in 5 years time?
I plan to do my best to relax, and enjoy time with my husband, children, and grandson.
Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
Jesus – I want the peaceful, pure, lobbing, bright light to shine throughout me, and around me. I am patient on this so that is okay since I know it will happen someday.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Stay the course, and you will succeed.
Where do you see publishing going in the future?
I see big publishing houses doing less, and laying off staff. I see indies coming to the complete forefront.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?(Include any links that we haven’t covered in the questions above)
Social Media & Website Links:
Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.)
Book Trailer for When Angels Fly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhmETPrtKdw
When Angels Fly Book: https://www.amazon.com/When-Angels-Fly-S-Jackson-ebook/dp/B017UNVWDI/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Blog: https://whenangelsfly.wordpress.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MMSchmidtAuthorGDDonley
Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.schmidt.50
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryLSchmidt
Artwork: http://mschmidtartwork.deviantart.com/
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We often find ourselves daydreaming about what our futures will be like. This may be especially true if one lives in an environment most would consider less than desirable. Some are lucky to find their futures much like their childhood dreams. Others find the paths to their dreams strewn with hurdles.
Growing up, Sarah dodged her mother's blows. She often hid in her room crying about her life. Still, she believes in her future and the happiness it can bring. In their book, When Angels Fly, authors S. Jackson and A. Raymond tell Sarah's story - their stories. The authors use their journals to describe Sarah's experiences of family dys-
function, strength, courage, faith, abuse, grief, and so much more. You'll read how, like many, she attempts to escape from her mother's abuse through marriage. And like many, she learns it is not a viable alternative. Then Sarah experiences a parent's ultimate tragedy twice, the deaths of her sons, Joshua and Eli.
When Angels Fly is about much more than the telling of a family's tragedy. It is also the story of finding faith after it has wavered. Most of all, it's a story of love lost and found.
Right Now, you can get this memoir for the low price of $0.99 on Amazon! Just use this purchase url and order your copy today: http://smarturl.it/AngelsFly99
Outstanding Reviews!
I can honestly say that no book that I have read in recent times has had the emotional impact on me that this book has had. I rode right alongside this mother from the first diagnosis of her child's illness, right through to the conclusion. Even before her child's illness, I had to keep asking myself; are there really parents out there who treat their children as horrifically as this woman's mother and her family had treated her? She went from an abused child, to a loveless marriage filled with physical, mental and sexual abuse, to losing her first child to a stillborn birth and then finally reaping the rewards with two beautiful young boys. Life was finally looking up for her before little Eli was struck down with cancer. We follow his journey, step by step as the young mother attempts to keep her sanity, split her time between one child in the hospital and one 250 miles away. You can really feel her anguish and pain in every page. All the while, the very people who should have been helping to ease her burden; her mother, her siblings and her soon to be ex-husband were so busy plotting and planning on how they could benefit from this turn of events, she was left to struggle along with support only from some special friends.
This book is a harrowing read, make no mistake, but it is also incredibly rewarding. To anyone who has ever complained about how hard their life is - I say; read "When Angels Fly". To anyone who has ever said their life sucked - I say; read "When Angels Fly". When you have seen the courage, the fortitude and the immense challenges that this woman and her beautiful son faced you can't help but be uplifted and reminded just how much we all have to be grateful for.
This book reveals our indomitable human spirit in such a powerful and uplifting way. The book is in a large part a daily journal of Eli's time in hospital but I totally understand the need the author felt to document every day - every day with her son was so very precious. This book had a powerful impact on me as a reader. I was truly moved by and genuinely felt everything this poor woman had to endure... mostly alone. There was no way I could not give this book five stars. The memories of Sarah, Noah and Eli will live in my memory well after I've consigned this book to the "read" shelf. I feel privileged to have shared Sarah's harrowing journey. When Angels Fly does exactly what it sets out to do I believe - it reminds us that "There but for the grace of God, go I". I recommend this book to all.... it will make you cry, but it will also uplift you. Well done.
~ Grant Leishman, Author, The Second Coming
“When Angels Fly” by S. Jackson and A. Raymond is a heart-wrenching, powerful story of a woman’s suffering, pain, faith, and love, a story that will open a whole new world to most readers, especially those who have never been abused or forsaken. Reading this memoir will open the eyes of readers to the sufferings and struggles experienced by many women silently, their courage, and their silent hopes. Sarah’s suffering started early in her childhood with frequent abuse from her mother and the insensitivity of her school friends. “In fifth grade,” she writes, “a tumor was found under my left nipple.” The benign tumor could not cause so much trouble for her as it was curable. But Sarah will suffer more abuse from a husband and be driven to near insanity by the loss of her two children.
I couldn’t help thinking about womanhood while reading “When Angels Fly”. As a man and a father, it is hard to imagine the kind of feeling my wife has for our two kids. Many times I had to stop reading, close my eyes, and ask myself: “Could this be really happening?” I couldn’t help but wonder about the stuff of which women are made, because Sarah is a tough woman, sensitive, and rich in her humanity. It is inspiring to see how she gives life and nourishes it. The experience with Eli, her son suffering from cancer, is very touching and one that will inspire many people in the way they relate with their children. S. Jackson and A. Raymond have done a wonderful job in sharing experiences that will offer hope and provoke a silent revolution in the way most of us see women and life. It’s a book that every man should read. And I mean every man!
There are some of those books for which we find no words and “When Angels Fly” is one of them. In this memoir, the authors show how a woman can find meaning and survive unimaginable suffering by connecting to her motherhood. It is a story of hope and the power of love and prayer. Although it will draw tears from your eyes as you read, it will inspire hope and courage. I love this book for the deep experience of the narrators and for the powerful lessons it offers.
~Romuald Dzemo
Growing up, Sarah dodged her mother's blows. She often hid in her room crying about her life. Still, she believes in her future and the happiness it can bring. In their book, When Angels Fly, authors S. Jackson and A. Raymond tell Sarah's story - their stories. The authors use their journals to describe Sarah's experiences of family dys-
function, strength, courage, faith, abuse, grief, and so much more. You'll read how, like many, she attempts to escape from her mother's abuse through marriage. And like many, she learns it is not a viable alternative. Then Sarah experiences a parent's ultimate tragedy twice, the deaths of her sons, Joshua and Eli.
When Angels Fly is about much more than the telling of a family's tragedy. It is also the story of finding faith after it has wavered. Most of all, it's a story of love lost and found.
Right Now, you can get this memoir for the low price of $0.99 on Amazon! Just use this purchase url and order your copy today: http://smarturl.it/AngelsFly99
Outstanding Reviews!
I can honestly say that no book that I have read in recent times has had the emotional impact on me that this book has had. I rode right alongside this mother from the first diagnosis of her child's illness, right through to the conclusion. Even before her child's illness, I had to keep asking myself; are there really parents out there who treat their children as horrifically as this woman's mother and her family had treated her? She went from an abused child, to a loveless marriage filled with physical, mental and sexual abuse, to losing her first child to a stillborn birth and then finally reaping the rewards with two beautiful young boys. Life was finally looking up for her before little Eli was struck down with cancer. We follow his journey, step by step as the young mother attempts to keep her sanity, split her time between one child in the hospital and one 250 miles away. You can really feel her anguish and pain in every page. All the while, the very people who should have been helping to ease her burden; her mother, her siblings and her soon to be ex-husband were so busy plotting and planning on how they could benefit from this turn of events, she was left to struggle along with support only from some special friends.
This book is a harrowing read, make no mistake, but it is also incredibly rewarding. To anyone who has ever complained about how hard their life is - I say; read "When Angels Fly". To anyone who has ever said their life sucked - I say; read "When Angels Fly". When you have seen the courage, the fortitude and the immense challenges that this woman and her beautiful son faced you can't help but be uplifted and reminded just how much we all have to be grateful for.
This book reveals our indomitable human spirit in such a powerful and uplifting way. The book is in a large part a daily journal of Eli's time in hospital but I totally understand the need the author felt to document every day - every day with her son was so very precious. This book had a powerful impact on me as a reader. I was truly moved by and genuinely felt everything this poor woman had to endure... mostly alone. There was no way I could not give this book five stars. The memories of Sarah, Noah and Eli will live in my memory well after I've consigned this book to the "read" shelf. I feel privileged to have shared Sarah's harrowing journey. When Angels Fly does exactly what it sets out to do I believe - it reminds us that "There but for the grace of God, go I". I recommend this book to all.... it will make you cry, but it will also uplift you. Well done.
~ Grant Leishman, Author, The Second Coming
“When Angels Fly” by S. Jackson and A. Raymond is a heart-wrenching, powerful story of a woman’s suffering, pain, faith, and love, a story that will open a whole new world to most readers, especially those who have never been abused or forsaken. Reading this memoir will open the eyes of readers to the sufferings and struggles experienced by many women silently, their courage, and their silent hopes. Sarah’s suffering started early in her childhood with frequent abuse from her mother and the insensitivity of her school friends. “In fifth grade,” she writes, “a tumor was found under my left nipple.” The benign tumor could not cause so much trouble for her as it was curable. But Sarah will suffer more abuse from a husband and be driven to near insanity by the loss of her two children.
I couldn’t help thinking about womanhood while reading “When Angels Fly”. As a man and a father, it is hard to imagine the kind of feeling my wife has for our two kids. Many times I had to stop reading, close my eyes, and ask myself: “Could this be really happening?” I couldn’t help but wonder about the stuff of which women are made, because Sarah is a tough woman, sensitive, and rich in her humanity. It is inspiring to see how she gives life and nourishes it. The experience with Eli, her son suffering from cancer, is very touching and one that will inspire many people in the way they relate with their children. S. Jackson and A. Raymond have done a wonderful job in sharing experiences that will offer hope and provoke a silent revolution in the way most of us see women and life. It’s a book that every man should read. And I mean every man!
There are some of those books for which we find no words and “When Angels Fly” is one of them. In this memoir, the authors show how a woman can find meaning and survive unimaginable suffering by connecting to her motherhood. It is a story of hope and the power of love and prayer. Although it will draw tears from your eyes as you read, it will inspire hope and courage. I love this book for the deep experience of the narrators and for the powerful lessons it offers.
~Romuald Dzemo
Here's A Short Excerpt
“I want to go to Heaven, Mom” he said innocently.
Behind those blue eyes, I didn’t see a speck of fear. And for a while I wondered where he got the concept of Heaven. I wanted to cry because I didn’t want him to go just yet. Not now. Not in a few months. Certainly never before me, not if I could help it!
So I told him softly, “We don’t always get what we want in life. So you might have to stay with Mom for a while.”
I knew not what to say next so we prayed together. I kept praying as Eli was given light sedation before surgery and they finally wheeled him away to the operating room at around 2 PM. I lost my chance to ask Eli what he knew of Heaven. Why didn’t I ask Eli? Why didn’t I ask Eli what he knew of Jesus? My heart broke as I cried. Eli wanted to go to Heaven! How did my five year old little boy know of Heaven when I refused to tell him much of Heaven for had I done so, just talking about it, would make Eli dying too much of a reality? I wanted Eli to know of God and Jesus, but I was terrified of Eli dying so I said little to him about Heaven. Somehow Eli knew though, he knew of Heaven and he wanted to go there. Who was I to tell Eli, “We don’t always get what we want in life and that he might have to come back to me.” Was I selfish to not want to give Eli back to God?
Behind those blue eyes, I didn’t see a speck of fear. And for a while I wondered where he got the concept of Heaven. I wanted to cry because I didn’t want him to go just yet. Not now. Not in a few months. Certainly never before me, not if I could help it!
So I told him softly, “We don’t always get what we want in life. So you might have to stay with Mom for a while.”
I knew not what to say next so we prayed together. I kept praying as Eli was given light sedation before surgery and they finally wheeled him away to the operating room at around 2 PM. I lost my chance to ask Eli what he knew of Heaven. Why didn’t I ask Eli? Why didn’t I ask Eli what he knew of Jesus? My heart broke as I cried. Eli wanted to go to Heaven! How did my five year old little boy know of Heaven when I refused to tell him much of Heaven for had I done so, just talking about it, would make Eli dying too much of a reality? I wanted Eli to know of God and Jesus, but I was terrified of Eli dying so I said little to him about Heaven. Somehow Eli knew though, he knew of Heaven and he wanted to go there. Who was I to tell Eli, “We don’t always get what we want in life and that he might have to come back to me.” Was I selfish to not want to give Eli back to God?
