Interview: Jeff Turner, Author of Notes to Stephanie

Today please help me welcome to Martha's Bookshelf interview spot:
Jeff Turner author of  Notes To Stephanie: Middle Aged Love Letters And Life Stories

Q1.  Notes to Stephanie is obviously compiled from very personal writings and feelings. What made you decide to publish the love letters and notes?

Jeff:  One day I realized I had enough of the Notes to write a book.  People had always said I could write fairly well, so I decided to make the compilation of Notes into the book you now see.

M: I do agree that your writing style is nicely fluid.

Q2.  What do you hope your readers get out of your books?
Jeff:  The Notes simply paint a real picture of life.  It is not a fantasy nor are the events exaggerated or changed from what really happened.  I think overall thing to take away from the book is that most people have a "real life"; it is filled with ups and downs, happiness, joy, and sometimes sadness and disappointment too.  But also there is the wonder of simply looking around one's self and seeing the totality of existence in our big, wide universe that we are but one small part of.
M: Yes. Your Notes definitely have a sense of wonder and a picture of all aspects of life.

Q3.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating or promoting your book?    Writing is the easy part of being an author.

Jeff:  Marketing is the hard part when you are doing it yourself.  Both aspects take discipline and hard work of course but selling yourself and your work is something that one must learn to do.  Certainly I am learning as I go.

M:  I think that is something new authors don't realize at first. Writing the book is one thing, but they have to be prepared to market it too.

Q4.  Did you have any qualms about publishing and sharing these personal notes?

Jeff:  Not really, since they are all true.  Some male friends who read it were not totally surprised since they knew I have a thoughtful side that goes with the cowboy boot part of me.

M:  There is definitely a thoughtful side and I found it interesting to share such a personal (in emotions if not details) view of your life.

Q5. Would you say that your photography gallery reflects the same contemplative tone of your letter?

Jeff:  Yes indeed, the photos do try to capture the idea there is something bigger than we are as individually and that time flows on around us always.

M:  I sensed that in the open and expansive nature of some of the photos. 

Q6.  If you could trade places with anyone, real or imagined, in any time, who would it be and why?

Jeff:  Being a history buff, I think I would like to be one of our great generals or admirals in World War II.  Being part of some huge event in history is something few people get to directly be part of. So being in the shoes of Nimitz, Patton, or Bradley would be that for me.

M:  Now that seems an ambitious answer but suitable for you.

Because your works are compilations of notes and letters and not really fiction, I am going to ask several questions that will let the readers know a little more about you as a person.

The first book I ever read was ...

Not sure, I always liked to read.  I do remember one time in the local public library I headed to the grown up book section.  The librarian told me my mom that the kid’s books were the other way.  My mom said he doesn’t read kid’s books”.  One example of this was reading Herman Kahn’s “On Thermonuclear War” when I was in sixth grade or so.

My passion is ...

I would have to say outside of my family it would be history.  This sort of shows up in my writing when I sometimes talk about generations in families and stages of life. Such things are our own  history you see.

My parents always told me ...

They always said do the right thing and tell the truth.

Why I write ...

That is a good question.  I do not write with some lofty idea to change the world by my words.  I simply want to tell stories that other people might identify with.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Oh I read some fiction, mostly techno thrillers but also history of course.  I tend to like World War II history books, but not always.  As far as music goes I now listen to Christian Alternative Rock, even though I would not call myself particularly religious.

My best moment ...

Perhaps my best moment was caring for my son who was born three months early.  That took strength and patience and made me realize that life was not always easy.  But yet if one endures it can many times have a happy ending.  My son, now 25, is an example of that.

My inspiration ...

I guess when I look outside and see the wide space above me, the clouds streaming from west to east, I feel alive and part of something,  maybe just life itself, and know that I am alive. That shows up in my words here and there.

Q.  Finally, just for fun…if you could write the “fortune” in a fortune cookie what would it be?

You will win the Lottery and be able to work full time doing what you dream of most passionately.

That is a good fortune - I think many of us would like that. 

Thank you Jeff, for sharing with us today, by interview, and for sharing a bit of your heart with readers through your Notes. Best Wishes for your additional releases.

Learn more about Jeff and his books at his website: ILYPANTS.NET (go learn what that stands for!) and at  his blog..
Check out my Review and the Giveaway for 3 copies of Notes To Stephanie: Middle Aged Love Letters And Life Stories