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When I learned my story, The Little Girl in the Bayou, had been accepted for publication in
the IWSG Anthology, I was sitting in a hospital bed awaiting heart surgery. For
an instant, it seemed like a cruel joke—after all, how would I do the edits or
meet any other publishing or marketing requirements? As you can see, all worked
out. I’m alive, doing well, and to the best of my ability I’m meeting my
obligations. I’m thrilled to be a part of this collection.
About
my hero:
Construction worker Joe Mack Crawford (known as Mack
in this story) came into my life in the mid-eighties. He’s a composite of all
the heroes I’ve ever known: my quiet introspective dad along with his own hero
Matt Dillon of Gunsmoke; the neighbor across the street who lifted me high over
his head, muscles bulging; the pastor who baptized me in our little country
church, and my grandpa who always knelt beside the pew to pray. No way can I
forget my handsome 6th grade Texas history teacher—even if he did
accuse me of tracing that buffalo! And of course, my husband who introduced me
to Joe Mack, and did a lot of brainstorming and plotting.
Joe Mack Crawford is the type of guy who will right
wrongs or die trying. So when he found a picture of a child wrapped in fish
net, looking fearful, no way would he ignore it.
EXCERPT:
He
wouldn’t be able to sleep or focus on his job until he found her. The terror in
her eyes screamed at him to do something. She couldn't be more than nine or
ten. He wondered if she would ever smile again or if they’d already pushed her
too far. He wondered if she was still alive.
Life has a way of teaching hard lessons, and Mack knew
if the kid was still alive she’d already learned the hardest at a very young
age. She might never get over it.
EXCERPT:
He got up, paced the floor, and watched
the bayou meander behind his apartment. He couldn’t get the little girl’s face
out of his mind. Was she asleep now? Having a nightmare? Crying for her mama
and daddy? He didn’t know whether to pray for her to be alive or pray that God
had saved her by taking her home.
Mack lives in three manuscripts: two short stories
and an incomplete novel, but to me he’s out there somewhere—alive and well—much
more than a fictional character. He’s all the good men in my life—men who were (and are) heroes.
Where do your heroes come from? A memory? A dream? Pure
fiction?
I’m anxious for you to read The Little Girl in the
Bayou and meet Joe Mack Crawford. And I hope you'll like him as much as I do.
You
can purchase Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime from
Most of our characters are a composite of so many people we know, although we can't always pick out those people.
ReplyDeleteJessica, I'm so glad you made it through surgery and that it all worked out.
Thanks Diane! I'm so glad to be here--in the book and on this earth! :)
DeleteIt's great to create a character who shows up in many stories. You have an excellent story in the anthology. I'm thrilled and honored to share the pages with you!
ReplyDeleteAwww, thanks so much, Mary!
DeleteHe sounds like a great hero, Jess!
ReplyDeleteThanks Robin! I think so! I've lived with him a good number of years. :)
DeleteGood morning, Jess! Congratulations on your new book. I love that your hero shows up elsewhere. He sounds like a great guy.
ReplyDeleteI'd say my heroes are purely fiction but I'm sure subconsciously they are composites.
So thankful you're doing so well.
Thanks for popping over, Terri. :) Each hero I write evolves in a different way. I think the story dictates how they are created and where they come from. Maybe because J. Mack is a good old Texas boy, he's a composite of all my Texas memories.
DeleteI know a lot of writers who say they take inspiration for characters from people they know, but many times, they say it in a bad way. xD I love all your inspirations for Mack! I love that you've used the character in multiple stories, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sammie. When we first created Joe Mack and wrote his series of stories, we had a plan but over the years... well, we got old and Joe Mack didn't. :)
DeleteI like your hero, but something tells me he's more of you than anyone else. So glad you are doing well! GREAT STORY!
ReplyDeleteThanks Yolanda! I'm always surprised at who pops into my head when I'm creating. I have a Pinterest board called Heroes and Heroines I think of When I'm Writing. :)
DeleteYou have a lot of role models to pull from! Mack’s a great character and we all need a Mack in our lives. Such a great story, too. I’m so glad you’re recovering nicely, Jessica!
ReplyDeleteLots of role models but lots of guys in black hats too! And thanks! It's good to be back among the living. :(
DeleteMack sounds like an awesome hero! So happy to hear you're feeling well! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine.
DeleteI really enjoyed your story in the anthology!!!
ReplyDeleteMack is a great character - and no wonder! He's an amalgamation of so many great men!
Thanks so much, Jemi. I can't wait to see the story in print! :)
DeleteGreat post, and a great story!
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you were able to recover from that surgery and take part in the launch of the anthology. I loved your story and I really cared about the man who wouldn't forget about the child. Thanks for writing it and subbing it.
ReplyDelete