Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeanne Skartsiaris.
Jeanne, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Writing is a journey. Characters start talking in your head, a story blossoms, you begin to type. Before you know it you’ve made an embarrassing mess all over the paper. But the voices continue and the resolve to keep writing becomes a part of you. My brain sorts through scenes and dialog. I’d probably be committed if I didn’t have an outlet by storytelling.
My love of reading inspires me. I’m usually reading three books at a time. One to snuggle with at night, another I listen to, and one I take lest I have a few moments to myself while out and about.
I started “Dance Like You Mean It” more than twenty years ago. (it was released February 2017). I had no idea how to write a book. I took classes, found a wonderful critique group and kept plugging at it. There were rejections – many rejections. I shelved “Dance” and began other books. “Surviving Life” and “Snow Globe” my YA/MG novels I self-published. It helped me learn the craft. I pulled out “Dance” again and re-wrote it. It wasn’t easy. I found an agent and publisher. Baby steps, I kept moving forward not sure where I was going – still, don’t – but I’m enjoying the ride.
My day job is a sonographer. Doing sonograms is how I got through college with a visual arts degree. I interned at a malpractice/personal injury law firm who offered me a full-time job as a medical photographer when I graduated. A year, I thought, then I’d get a master’s degree in medical illustration. I never made it to graduate school. Life happened. For the next seventeen years, I worked as a photographer seeing awful, horrible photographs. Plaintiff’s work was different, each case a learning experience – plane crashes, truck wrecks, malpractice, and so many unimaginable accidents. In 2003 had an opportunity to dust off my sonographer’s license and start scanning again.
What’s funny is that I started “Dance Like You Mean It” while I worked at the law firm. The story is about a nurse following her dream of being a writer. By the time the book was published I was working in medical. My next novel, “The Magdalenes” is about a plaintiff attorney who’d been raped by a priest when she was fourteen.
“Dance Like You Mean It” was a finalist for humor in the 2017 Booklist awards. It’s been the most excited I’ve gotten for a gold sticker since kindergarten!
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Art is passion. Everyone is an artist. Writing and painting are my creative outlets. Imagine the world without color. Appreciate the beauty in a velvety rose petal, a brilliant canvas, or great music. Sometimes it’s the small wonders that are the most precious. Stop. Take time to be in the moment. Use your senses. See the colors, smell the fragrances, taste the world.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities, and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
I’ve spent more money than I’ve made as an author. At least until I become a bestselling writer – it will happen! Again, I stress, it’s the journey. There are resources to look into, a critique group, writing classes and events that celebrate writers. Believe me, I’m as cheap as they come, but I’ve still managed to get some books out. Focus on the goal and let your dreams unfold. And use coupons – lots of coupons!
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
“Dance Like You Mean It,” “Snow Globe,” and Surviving Life” are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Indie Bound, and other booksellers. Come find me on Facebook – Jeanne Skartsiaris, author or my website www.jeanneskartsiaris.com, Twitter and Instagram.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jeanneskartsiaris.com
- Email: jskartsiaris@gmail.com
- Instagram: Jeanne Skartsiaris
- Facebook: Jeanne Skartsiaris, author
- Twitter: @jskartsiaris
Image Credit:
Austin Book Festival 2018
Kelsey Kruzich Park Cities People photo
Dance Cover art: Melissa Carrigee
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