It gives me great pleasure to host my friend and Story Empire colleague, Joan Hall, today! She has a brand-new collection of mystery, suspense, and contemporary short stories. But I’ll let her tell you about it.
Thanks so much for hosting me today, Jan, and for sharing your space to talk about my latest release, Menagerie. It’s a mixed-genre compilation of thirteen short stories. Each tour stop features a different story where I tell what inspired me to write it.
Like me, you’re a music lover. Summerwood is a contemporary fiction story where the male lead is a guitarist in a popular rock band.
Most of the time, I don’t have a title for a book or story until I’ve completed it. This wasn’t the case for Summerwood. I had a title before I knew the first line. It came about because of the name a housing development I passed while driving to work. One morning, I knew I had to write a story with that title.
The only thing I could envision was a young woman browsing a local farmer’s market. Character names, scenes, and the genre came later. The idea of the young woman shopping in an outdoor farmer’s market was inspired by an Al Stewart song from the 1970s, “Year of the Cat.” That’s all I had.
Summerwood is one of two stories inspired by a photo prompt. Many of your readers knew the late Suzanne Burke, and some participated in her weekly flash fiction prompt. One week, she had a picture of a young man on stage. I wrote a short piece about a rock star who’d grown weary of life on the road. After a lengthy tour, he planned to go home where he could unwind.
I wanted to expand the story, and it dawned on me Summerwood was the perfect place. I made a few changes—the lead character, Dylan, became a lead guitarist instead of the lead singer. That seemed to fit better for what I had in mind.
In the story, Dylan collapses on stage and has to drop out of a lengthy tour. He goes home to the town of Summerwood, where he rekindles a relationship with his good friend, Lydia. Dylan comes to the realization that life on the road isn’t what he thought it would be, so he ponders his future.
For the answer, I turned to a real person. The late John Defoore was a music instructor who taught guitar to many popular singers, including Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, and Michelle Shocked. In the late 1990s, he bought an old hotel in the nearby town of Mineola, Texas, with the idea of hosting a music-performing venue. He ran the Piney Woods Woods Pickin’ Parlor for seventeen years.
Story ideas often come in the most unlikely places and times. I never thought I would blend the name of a housing development, a flash fiction prompt, inspiration from a song, and a real music venue into a short story, but I’m pleased with the way Summerwood came together.
Excerpt:
After Bodie’s announcement about extending the tour the prior evening, Dylan couldn’t even say his usual mantra. The additional weeks were more than he wanted to think about. All he could do was take one day at a time.
Tonight. If I can just get through tonight.
He was in the middle of a guitar solo when everything began spinning. The bright lights dimmed, and the music was barely audible. Even his instrument seemed foreign. Something wasn’t right. The last thing he remembered was Sid rushing to his side.
Blurb:
King’s. The Tower of London. Glass. What do these have in common?
Each is a famous menagerie.
While this Menagerie doesn’t focus on exotic animals, it does contain a collection of stories that explore various trials people face and how their reactions shape their worlds.
Survivors of a haunted bridge. Women who wait while their husbands fight a war. Former partners reuniting to solve a cold-case murder.
These are just three of the thirteen stories in this compendium, encompassing past and present, natural and supernatural, legend and reality. The genres and timelines are varied, but there’s a little something for everyone who enjoys reading about simpler times and small-town life.
Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/jh-menagerie
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How did I miss this post? I just finished this story a couple days ago (only 1.5 left!) and I loved it. The ending was perfect. And now I know how you came up with it.
Isn’t it so good? I loved all of the stories and it’s hard to pick a favorite. But yes, this one was awesome, especially the ending. Thanks for visiting, Teri!
Reblogged this on and commented:
Go on a blog tour with Author Joan Hall!! Shout out to her host, Jan Sikes! <3
I love how you came about this story, Joan. I’m like you and usually come up with a title after I write a story. I remember that challenge and picture well.
Thanks for hosting, Jan 🙂
On occasion, I have titles before the stories, but not often. I didn’t even have Menagerie until I was almost finished with the first draft.
Thank you for your comment, Denise. I remember the challenge from Sooz and what Joan wrote. It was so great to see it expanded to be included in this book.
I found the backstory for “Summerwood” absolutely fascinating!
Thanks, Liz. It’s probably the only story in the collection that came from four different idea sources.
You’re welcome, Joan. I do love the writing process alchemy!
Thank you, Liz, for stopping by. I found it fascinating, too. It’s amazing how the creative mind works.
You’re welcome, Jan. The creative process never ceases to amaze me.
Great introduction. This sounds excellent.
Thanks, Jacqui!
Thank you, Jacqui!
How I miss Suzanne! :'( I love that you took one of those stories from her prompts and expanded on it, Joan! Great post! Thanks for sharing Joan’s newest book, Jan! 🙂
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
I miss her as well, Yvette. She was a wonderful person.
I think about Soooz often and she is definitely missed. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, Yvette. Your support is much appreciated!
Oh, this sounds intriguing and interesting! Wishing you continued success, Joan. Must check this out! Thanks for hosting, Jan. I always know where to find a great read suggestion. 🙂
Thank you so much, Mary!
Awww, thank you for the kind words, Mary. I loved Joan’s short story collection. There is such a variety or stories. Something for everyone. Thank you for stopping by! Much appreciated!
Congratulations to, Joan. Can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for hosting, Jan.
Thank you so much, John!
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Thank you, John!
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Thanks for hosting Joan today, Jan. I always enjoy learning about the story behind the story. Summerwood is a beautiful name, I can see why it lingered in your mind, Joan. Great excerpt!
That name stuck with me, Jill. There is a little town on top of a mountain near Tucson, Arizona called Summer Haven. I think that was in the back of my mind as well when I decided to use Summerwood as a town name.
We used to go golfing in Tucson. I think I recall that town! 🙂
The change in landscape from the desert to the top of the mountain is phenomenal. It’s like going from Mexico to Canada in about 25 miles. 🙂
Thank you for stopping by to support Joan today, Jill. I agree that Summerwood is a beautiful name. It’s so interesting to know a story behind a story.
I loved this story, and the stories behind it. Heck, I loved the whole compilation. But you knew that. Best wishes, Joan.
Thanks for hosting, Jan.
I couldn’t agree more, Staci. I struggled to pick a favorite. And it’s always interesting to see the story behind the story. Thank you for stopping by.
Thank you so much, Staci. I appreciate your support.
Thank you so much for hosting me today and for your support. Sending hugs! <3
It is truly my pleasure, Joan! Loved this collection of short stories!
There’s a lot of tension in that snippet.
Yep. Dylan was really suffering.
Yes, there is. This was such a good story, as they all were. It was really hard for me to pick favorites. Thank you for stopping by to support Joan!
Congratulations, Joan. I loved Menagerie, and reading the backstories is a delight. Thank you, Jan, for spotlighting Joan and her new release. ?
I’m glad you enjoyed the book, Gwen, and also the stories behind it. It’s often fun to see where a writer gets their inspiration. As you can tell, mine comes from all sorts of places.
I love getting the backstories, too, Gwen. Thank you for stopping by to help launch Joan’s wonderful new book!
I remember “Summerwood.” Great story! (Bodie is an insensitive person!)
Thanks, Priscilla. Bodie let success go to his head. 🙂
True, Priscilla, but he had a reckoning. Sometimes we are forced to face ourselves whether we want to or not. Thank you for stopping by!
I’m loving the stories behind the stories, Joan. I’ve just finished Menagerie and need to write a review. I enjoyed it greatly. Well done, my friend. Wishing you tons of sales and success. Jan, thanks for sharing! Hugs to you both ??
Thanks, Harmony. Your comment makes me happy!
Yay! ???
I agree, Harmony. It’s always interesting to see how an author’s creative mind works. Thank you for adding your recommendation for this beautiful book!
Some short stories always seem to lack substance, so I was delighted that the collection of stories in Menagerie are full blooded and well written masterpieces…
Thank you, Jaye and Anita. I so appreciate your kind words.
I couldn’t agree more, Jaye and Anita! Thank you for stopping by to support Joan!
One of many wonderful stories in this collection. I can see how your mind works, Joan, as you piece these stories together. Amazing!
I agree, Darlene. As I read Menagerie, it was like working a beautifully crafted jigsaw puzzle. Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you, Darlene! I appreciate your kind words. Writing short stories can be a challenge, so I’m glad they all came together.
I agree. Short stories are more difficult than a novel so I applaud you for doing such a good job, Joan.
Thank you so much!