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Thursday, July 12, 2012

This Makes Me Uncomfortable by Guest Author Suzanne Jenkins & Kindle Giveaway!

Pam of Babylon banner

As I began writing in earnest two years ago, the inspiration to tell a story about an older woman whodiscovered her beloved husband’s infidelity after he died came from out of nowhere. Pam of Babylon simply appeared in my consciousness and I wrote it as I thought of it. Later, a quote by E.L. Doctorow would confirm my writing style was not unusual. He said, “Writing is like driving a car in the dark. You only see as far as the headlights go, but you can make the whole trip that way.” Those words validated me. An encounter with an editor who did not like my story line made me doubt the wisdom of spending another second writing. She asked me to do an outline before I began to write,which I found nearly impossible to do because of the way the book was coming to me as I went along. She referred to the story as triple-x rated because it contained a depiction of child abuse. Child abuse transcends the rating system.

Later, I learned from a fellow author that sometimes a writer/editor relationship may not be a good fit and it is acceptable to move elsewhere. Once I found the courage to move on, I found a new editor. She was a barracuda who demanded revisions and rewrites, but she also loved the story and wanted it to be the best I could make it. I felt totally comfortable deferring to all of her suggestions and to this day wish I had used her from the onset. However, once the story was published, I would encounter readers who felt the same way my former editor did. My books are not for everyone. I can’t say I enjoy writing about topics that many people find repugnant and some that are downright disgusting like the child abuse and marital infidelity. But it’s something that I find compelling for whatever reason and the stories wind through the tragedy and horror that normal people sometimes encounter.

After a book is finished, I suffer from insomnia for months. I’m in that mode right now. The Greeks of Beaubien Street will be released this summer, and although I love the story, there is a portion of the book that worries me because it depicts the seamier side of life in a most grotesque way. Even the perpetrator is disgusted with the crime. I know there will be those readers who are offended by it in spite of a warning. I almost didn’t write the book until my son, a filmmaker and writer told me not to censor myself. I have tried censoring in the past and once I began, I found I was putting up so many parameters I could no longer write. The question I had to ask myself over and over confirmed that the story line was important. What is my purpose in writing about this topic? It isn’t to titillate, or to be sensational. In The Greeks, the horror story is in contrast to the gentle Greek father who prepares his homicide detective daughter’s breakfast every morning.

Regarding Pam of Babylon’s adult content, I tried to write so that it would be the least offensive as possible. If a writer is going to have child abuse as a topic, there is little that can be done to clean it up. It’s deplorable, and the consequences are usually tragic. The Kirkus Review said about the third book in the series, Dream Lover; “A gritty, realistic portrait of the aftermath of deceit.” In order for the resolutions to take place, I must first describe the conflict.

My friend Dan Georgakas, author of My Detroit, Growing up Greek and American in Motor City (Pella Publishing Company, NY, NY, 2006) wrote when I confided my concerns, “….people are embarrassed by this [content] and want to project a perfect family image: a stereotype no one is going to believe anyway. I have always believed in showing warts whenever possible.” Some of character’s warts are painful to look at, but exist in real life. The final book in the series may be finished this fall and has some of the characters achieving positive resolutions. Fans of Pamwill be relieved that she is triumphant in the end.

Suzanne JenkinsABOUT SUZANNE JENKINS


Suzanne Jenkins lives at the west Michigan lakeshore with her husband, two dogs and two sheep. Her latest books are Pam of Babylon, Don’t You Forget About Me and Dream Lover.
To get your copy of PAM OF BABYLON by Suzanne Jenkins at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pam-Babylon-Suzanne-Jenkins/dp/1461135923/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310645577&sr=1-1
To get your copy of DON’T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME by Suzanne Jenkins at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Forget-About-Book-Babylon/dp/1466219009/ref=pd_sim_b_2
To get your copy of DREAM LOVER by Suzanne Jenkins at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Lover-Book-Three-Babylon/dp/1468126237/ref=pd_sim_b_1
Pick up your copy of PAM OF BABYLON by Suzanne Jenkins at Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pam-of-babylon-suzanne-jenkins/1104205831?ean=2940013633056
Pick up your copy of DON’T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME by Suzanne Jenkins at Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-you-forget-about-me-suzanne-jenkins/1108113721?ean=2940014047722
To learn more about Suzanne Jenkins, visit her website: http://suzannejenkins.net/
Drop in at Suzanne Jenkins’ blog: http://2sheepinthecity.com
Visit Suzanne Jenkins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/suzannejenkins3
Like Suzanne Jenkins on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzannejenkinswriter


About Pam of Babylon:
Pam Smith lives a charmed life as a well-to-do Babylon, N.Y., homemaker in a large house by the water. In her 50s with her children grown, Pam is happy with her exemplary husband Jack. After he has a heart attack on the subway, however, she finds out more than she ever wanted to know about Jack. Pam must confront a series of revelations that unmask a life she realizes she only thought she knew, and the losses and disappointments she discovers give color and understanding to a man markedly different than he appeared. Uncovering secrets and betrayals far worse than her most vivid nightmare, Pam retreats to their meticulous Babylon beach house, the one refuge she has to put the pieces of her life together and move toward ultimate forgiveness.

About Don’t you Forget About Me:
When charming, seemingly devoted Jack Smith dies, his wife and his two girlfriends are astonished to learn that they were not the only love of his life, and that, in fact, Jack was a rogue who was carrying on secret affairs with other women. Shattered by grief and stunned by Jack’s betrayals, these three women, Pam Smith, Marie Fabian, and Sandra Benson, find themselves suddenly thrown together. They could have despised one another, jealously guarding their private memories of their time with Jack and hating those they perceived to be their rivals, but instead, the women begin to realize there might be strength in numbers and in shared pain. Slowly, they begin to open their hearts to one another. They bind together to try to make sense of their lives and to try to heal the terrible shock.

About Dream Lover:
The third book in the Pam of Babylon series, Dream Lover is a compilation of character studies of the women and one man who Jack Smith left behind. Slowly, they make their way to the Long Island village of Babylon for an audience with his widow. No longer in denial and stronger than she thought possible, Pam Smith is able to confront the horror of her marriage in its totality as she draws a new picture of the man she was married to. The new discoveries she makes empowers her and she is able to maintain her strength and the grace and compassion she’s known for. Truly a formidable woman, Pam conquers her worst demons in Dream Lover.

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34 comments:

Anonymous said...

WHY WOULDNT I WANT TO WIN A KINDLE FIRE?! Its a Kindle Fine, and its awesome. I'd die if I won this, not literally because I have to use it.

:D

Texas Book Lover said...

I'd love to be able to read blogs, books, and watch videos, etc. all from one convient tablet and Amazon is my favorite!

Thanks so much!

engelsigh said...

Amazon is pretty awesome. Good luck ladies.

carol said...

I'd love a Kindle Fire. They do so much more that my keyboard Kindle.

Juana said...

I would love a Kindle Fire so that I would be able to carry my favorite books with me at all times.

jmesparza821(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Trinklein said...

Would LOVE an e-reader.. dont have to leave the light on when I stay up late to read ;)

Holly said...

I would love a kindle fire!!

Unknown said...

I don't have an e-book reader and could really use one for reading e-books I already own.

Unknown said...

i would love a kindle fire for my neighbor!

Unknown said...

Because I have a new baby coming and it is easier to feed her and read with a kindle than a paper book!

Unknown said...

I'm working on Christmas Gifts. If I win I'll have 29 more gifts to go..

Alexandra said...

I want to win because I'd LOVE a Kindle and it would make books SO much easier to read, plus I'd save a lot of money because I'm currently buying at least three full-price paperbacks a week.

cstafford said...

I'd love a Kindle Fire - much more convenient than hauling all my books to the beach!

cstafford said...

I'd love a Kindle Fire - much more convenient than hauling my books to the beach! :)

cstafford said...

I'd love a Kindle Fire - much more convenient than hauling my books to the beach! :)

Pixel Berry Pie Designs said...

Ah! I'd love a Kindle Fire! I have collected several ebooks that I'd like to read, but it's so hard on the computer. Thanks!

Sherry Compton said...

My daughter-in-law is really wanting one, and I would love to give it to her for Christmas.

savewish@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Because I still don't have an ereader. :( Thanks!

mysons said...

Because I love to read.
Kathy Ross
kathyross75@yahoo.com

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

How awesome....My granddaughter would love to have on.

Unknown said...

It would make for a great gift!

Candy said...

To read, to watch videos, to read, to listen to music, to read, to access internet anywhere I go, to read, to upload all the kindle books I have been reading on my computer for lack of owning a kindle...oh and finally to read lol

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

I love to read.

danw78704 said...

twitted this today, 05/9
http://www.twitter.com/myspotme

Unknown said...

i have been treying to win one for my husband for awhile now he has really wanted one!

Unknown said...

I would love to win one for my mother. Her eyes make it hard for her to read regular books, this would be perfect for her!

Rebecca Williams said...

Between my husband and I, we read at least four to five books a month. It would be awesome to win a kindle fire to read on!

Juana said...

im gettin married in a few weeks and this would be perfect for my soon to be husband!

Nuzaifa said...

I don't have an e-reader right now.If I get this I'd be able to read at anyplace and any time! :D

Robert Pyszk said...

i would like to read books on it

Unknown said...

I would love to have a kindle fire. I think they would be easy to use and I have so many books I need to catch up on.

Sara B said...

Because then I can put my textbooks on it and make my backpack like 10 times lighter!

Anonymous said...

I want to win because I love to read and could easily carry this around with me.

C0cainegurl said...

i really would love3 to win this because i adore the idea of being able to carry ll my books around in my bag but my ipod just won't hold enough plus music and i have bills :( so i couldn't afford one myself so to win would be awesome.

 
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