ShadowsForge is back on the road!!!

ShadowsForge 4: The Long Way Home is the story of Brian Cummings, percussionist. Find out what has made him the man that he is, and join the tour as ShadowsForge takes THE LONG WAY HOME

BLURB:

Brian Cummings has come a long way from Leicestershire, England. Miles of hard road lay between then and now—hard road he’s kept hidden—until the nightmares begin again.

Diane Starling loves Brian. If she were not carrying his child, she’d still do anything to make him happy—even letting him go to someone else. Who is the woman in his nightly dreams? Why does she make him scream?

Valerie Leonard, journalist, dredges up history that should remain buried; history that could ruin Brian and hurt the people he loves most. Should Val keep his dangerous past to herself? Doesn’t Diane have the right to know the truth about the father of her child?

Brian and Diane fight to overcome the past, embrace the present, and build a future as they travel with ShadowsForge on “THE LONG WAY HOME.”

Available NOW at Whiskey Creek Press

Interview with Jagger Cook - Singer

You know that I write a series of books about a British rock band called ShadowsForge. Over the course of promoting my books, I've had the pleasure of coming into contact with some amazing real-life bands and singers. One such performer is Jagger Cook.

Jagger Cook has a unique sound that is soothing to the soul as well as exciting. I wanted to share his talent with the people around me, so with the help of author and friend Brenna Lyons (http://www.brennalyons.com http://www.myspace.com/brennalyons), I've compiled a list of questions to put to Jagger. He was gracious enough to take time from his busy schedule to grant me an interview. Here's what I learned.

Jena: You know I need to ask the usual questions: What is your full name? What is your birthday? Your favorite color? Your idea of a perfect night out? Hair color? Eye color? Height?

Jagger: Jagger Cook (that's the name I officially go by now) Birthday - Jan 4, 19?? (lol A gentlemen never tells his age) My fav color is hard to say. I love colors in general. One of my fav's is indigo. I like non-colors, too, like white and black, a lot. LOL A perfect night out is being with great company, enjoying great food and drinks and having thought-provoking conversation! Hair color is different shades of earthy browns and blonds. Eye color is greenish with some slight brown. Height - 5'7

Jena: When did you discover that you wanted to go into music as a career?

Jagger: In my late teens. I always loved music and when it was time to pick something to do for college I just naturally chose music to study! I had been playing and singing music since I was 8 years old, so it was just as if I felt I needed to pursue it!

Jena: How do you get psyched up...or calmed down… before going on stage? After coming off stage?

Jagger: Going on stage - I focus and remind myself of what my true purpose of going out and performing is: to be a reflection of love and light, and to share my spirit with the audience. Coming off stage, I usually need to unwind a bit, have something to eat and kind of kick back a little, decompress at little, I guess. LOL

Jena: What is the most distressing thing about being recognized as a performer? What is the best thing about it?

Jagger: The most distressing part about being recognized as a performer is being "ON" even when you're sometimes feeling "OFF"...LOL... The best thing is being able to share my spirit with people and to create a space for love to come in.

Jena: You should be able to have an off day, no matter how popular you are. How do you classify your music?

Jagger: My music is Rock/POP with some new country crossover.

Jena: What's the funniest thing/mishap that's ever happened to you on stage and how did you handle it?

Jagger: Playing a show at a fair in Southern California. Just as the first song started my in-ear monitors went out and I couldn't hear the band, just the local radio station and a muffled version of my song in the background. LOL (The in-ear monitors seal your ears to outside noise including the band.) So I started singing but the band and I weren't in sync. Luckily Adam (bass player) came over to me right away and started tapping me in time with the song until I could yank the damned in-ear monitors out of my ears. No one even noticed. They just thought Adam and I were fooling around. LOL!!!!

Jena: I see your style as comparable to some of the 80s rock. Was that your intent?

Jagger: I don't think we intentionally planned on this record to sound like any one or anything but some of my favorite music was from the 80's (ok, am I dating myself now? LOL) so I think indirectly my music has been influenced by that era.

Jena: What's your favorite song to perform?

Jagger: Afraid like Me, and the acoustic version of Snowed Under.

Jena: What was the first song you ever performed before an audience? What were the circumstances? Was it planned or spontaneous?

Jagger: Rock You Like a Hurricane by the Scorpions (We changed it to Rock You like a Candy Cane...LOL) for my high school Christmas pageant.

Jena: Where do you get your inspiration to write songs? Do you collaborate with others when you write? If so, whom do you most enjoy working with and why?

Jagger: My inspiration for writing songs comes from the real life experiences of myself and of others. I like talking about issues that affect us all and to ask questions that cause people to stop and think.

Jena: Do you write both lyrics and music?

Jagger: I'm capable of doing both. On this record I co-wrote all the songs with my producers Frank Gryner and Karen Stever.

Jena: You are hanging out around the house. What are you most likely wearing? (This is one of Brenna's questions.)

Jagger: LOL...hmmmm....shorts and a t-shirt...sometimes just shorts...LOL...sometimes just...LOL

Jena: Did it just get a little warm in here? lol What would be the ultimate gig for you to perform? Whom would you like to have watching you perform?

Jagger: The ultimate gig would be for me to perform "The Light of Mississippi" on the Oprah Show...for Oprah, of course!!!!

Jena: If you could perform a charity gala and choose the bands you get to perform with, which ones would you put on the schedule and what would be the charity?

Jagger: I would choose to perform with Bon Jovi and James Taylor for any type of children's causes...child abuse, cancer, homeless...etc.

Jena: What's the weirdest/funniest question a fan has ever asked?

Jagger: What kind of underwear do I wear...boxers or briefs...LOL

Jena: You've worked with Frank Gryner (Bon Jovi, Rob Zombie), artist Karen Stever, guitar legend Waddy Wachtel (Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Don Henley, etc.), Craig Macintyre (Josh Groban) and Scotty Kormos (Four Star Mary), Emm Gryner, Steven Memel (Maroon 5), Lis Lewis (Gwen Stefani, Linkin Park, etc.), Adam Kury (LA Guns, Legs Diamond) and Jason Orme (Alanis Morissette). How did you come into contact with so many who were so well established in the music industry?

Jagger: Very, very, very fortunate and blessed to have met all of these people and to have had their expertise and talent on my record. I went to college with Frank and just kept in contact with him over the years. Everyone else has come into my life as a complete blessing, not planned but very much appreciated!!!

Jena: How did you hook up with your band members, Scotty Kormos, Adam Kury, and Jason Orme? Do they comprise the entire stage band, or did I miss someone?

Jagger: Scotty played drums on my record and I was extremely impressed with him. When I was looking to form a band Scotty was available and interested in being my Music Director and helping put together my live show. Scotty was responsible for getting Adam and Jason on board to play with me live. I'm very fortunate to be in such great company and talent. Scotty really out did himself when he put my band together!!!!

Jena: How did you hook up with your label, Souls In Progress Productions Inc?

Jagger: Souls in Progress is a company I put together to represent all of my business interests. I called it Souls in Progress because that's exactly what I believe, that we are all Souls in Progress, ever changing, ever growing!!!!

Jena: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Jagger: Actually, I'm pretty happy and comfortable with myself. I don't thing I 'd change anything about myself.

Jena: You sound very contented with who you are. Is there any meaning behind the awesome tat you have on your left shoulder? Do you have any other tats?

Jagger: The tattoo is very meaningful. I could speak for days on it but basically the snake is in the shape of infinity, biting its tail meaning the never-ending circle of life, the shedding of stories and the renewal of self. On the snake's back are the 22 Hebrew letters that correspond to the 22 cards of the major arcana of the tarot, which is the soul's journey from start to finish. The 3rd eye is our intuition. The Ohm symbol at the top is the sound of creation. The alpha and omega signs on either side of the snake represent the beginning and the end and the eternal flow of our spirit. The star - which is really two triangles - means fire pointing up, and water pointing down, action and inaction, both required for creation! I have a tattoo on my right arm of the tree of life as it relates to my life and beliefs!

Jena: Wow. A lot of thought went into that tat. Where do you want to be in 5 years? In 10 years?

Jagger: In 5 years I'd like to be a well-established World Class Rock Artist with Jagger Cook being a household name in every country around the world. 10 years, hmmmm -- perhaps the south of France, sipping fine wine, and being Nostalgic. LOL

Jena: Nostalgia – What is the story behind the song? (My personal favorite!)

Jagger: This song is a series of examples of what it means to get back to basics and a reminder to keep our feet firmly planted in our roots. It really is a song about what feeds our spirit!!!

Jena: How does it feel when you are on stage?

Jagger: Exhilarating. It's where I'm most comfortable actually. It's like being at home!!!

Jena: How do you feel about your successes to date?

Jagger: I feel very fortunate and blessed about my successes to date and look forward to even bigger and better successes in the future!!!

Jena: Is there anything I didn't ask that you'd like to tell your fans?

Jagger: Just that I'm very honored and humbled by all of the love and support that my fans give to me on a day-to-day basis. It really does mean the world to me!!!!

Jena: How do you feel about these questions? Did I do okay for my first interview of a major music industry star?

Jagger: LOL You did great, darlin'. Your questions were very cool and appropriate to what I think my fans would like to know about me. Thank-you so much for this opportunity to share a little about myself!!!!

Jena: Thank you for taking time to share so much about yourself. Your fans appreciate it and you know I appreciate it, too.

So now we know a bit more about Jagger Cook. Check out his MySpace here: http://www.myspace.com/jaggercook Listen to his tunes and get yourself out there and purchase the CD All Our Hands Are Dirty here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/jaggercook

That's it for now. Check back for more interviews from new talent as I come across those who will be willing to give me an interview. You may find yourself with a new favorite band! I know I have with Jagger!

Cheers,
Jena'
Believe in Dreams!
http://jenagalifany.bravehost.com

Her Perfect Man (An Historical Novel)

At the suggestion of a good author friend, I have reworked the Her Perfect Man trailer and it is now posted on youtube. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Cheers,
Jena

More Flashbacks - Snippet 3 June 2004

I have just spent some time having Woodrow read Snippet 1 and Snippet 2 to me. I laughed at the amusing things that I wrote about 3 years ago. Since then, much has happened.

I went ahead in July of 2002 and wrote that romance based on that certain bass player. I fell and totaled my arm and was unable to work for most of July 2002 so I spent the time writing. It went from the line, (which I actually heard that certain bass player say) “I wrote it” to over 56,000 words. The title started out “The Night Has It’s Heroes” by Marge Conrad. It ended up “ShadowsForge I: Three Times a Hero” written by Jena’ Galifany (that’s me!) and is self-published through Authorhouse.com. (Side note: I wouldn’t suggest using them to publish a grocery list. Too bloody expensive and they don’t help you market unless you pay them a LOT!) The book went live December 29^th of 2003. I have sold about eight copies so far. Not rolling in the dough but I need to market it more.

I have gone on to write four more ShadowsForge books. I came across a site called KeepItComing.com that publishes stories online. These stories are to be ongoing, continuous, like a soap opera. I submitted ShadowsForge II: Trials on Tour and it was accepted. I left it online for about four months with no buyers. (Shrug). During this time, three people at Deluxe read the first book. Joyce, Brandi and Samantha. I dedicated it to them for giving me the courage to publish it. Other readers were Stephanie, Mike, Blanca, my Mother!!! (yeah), Patrick, and Tam (Patrick’s fiance’). All gave me kudos on the story.

As I continued to write the SF series, Joyce, Brandi and Sam were my beta readers. They really enjoyed reading about my band of British Bad Boys. Sam left Deluxe so I recruited Jennifer. She is the best of all my readers. She is so into the story, you’d think she lived next door to the band. She is good for my ego. Each of them enjoy different characters in the story and they argue about it as if it were real life. I like to sit back and listen.

I have written 19 issues of “ShadowsForge II: Trials on Tour”. I wrote 33 issues of “ShadowsForge III: Retaking America”. I reworked an old fan-fiction that couldn’t ever be published into “ShadowsForge V: Sharon’s Song”. I am currently working on “ShadowsForge IV: Something About Brian and Something About Jon That is Yet to be Named that Will Fill In The Gap Between SFIII:RA and SFV:SS.” I have since removed the series from KIC as Patrick wants to start up a publishing company and wants to publish my works. I pray this pans out. If I have to pay someone for publishing or if someone has to make money off of my work, I’d rather it be family. (Which reminds me, I have to send him some teasers.)

I rewrote SFI:TTAH so that it is 1) new and improved and, 2) can be published by Patrick without Authorhouse having a cow. I can’t take their format elsewhere but now it’s a new story that I can take anywhere.

On other fronts: I have had “Why Can’t I Be Me?” a children’s story, published by The Writers Room Magazine online in January 2004. I have been an editorial reviewer for TWRM for almost a year. I have also been one of the Poetry and Flash Fiction Editors for TWRM for almost a year. I recently (June 2004) had two articles published on WebGuru.com. One on Repairing Antique Clocks that Daddy helped me write and another on Finding Missing Relatives that I wrote alone. I sold another article on how to build an LED flashlight written with the help of Steve but it has not been published yet. I have taken an online course in editing AP style through Suite101.com and have a certificate having tested 100% on the final. I am taking a long distance learning course in Writing Children’s Books.

I should be writing a review on One Pink Rose, the book I read last night. It is part of my audition for doing reviews for a new site, RomanticInterludes.com. It was a great story, laugh out loud funny in some places. I have the sequel that I will be reading as soon as I finish the review of the first one.

I think I have procrastinated enough for now. I hope to keep up the Snippets from now on. I think it may turn into a Blog. That would probably be a good idea as I can keep people interested in the SF series and get more sales. Of course, I think SF should have their own blog or newsletter. I should do a survey and find out how many people would subscribe to a newsletter about a mythical rock band. Could you just imagine them having a fan club? That would be Great!!!

JG

Snippets from my past... Part 2

Snippet 2

Circa 2002

Writers are a strange breed of human. They are so diverse and varied. What they write about, how they write it, how they come up with the idea in the first place. Personally, I get ideas from one phrase or line in a song, from a particular picture... like the fifteen year old picture of a bass player I have sitting next to Sonny as I type this. I have a story brewing in my head at this moment based on that picture, but I like to wait until it solidifies a bit before I start typing. I don't know how it is going to begin but I have a good idea of where it will go and how it will end. And, no, it isn't what you think! I think of him as more than just a body to be used in a story. He is a warm, living human being who has a life somewhere in Ireland, I think. He will never see my story, I am pretty sure. But he is the inspiration for it. I want it to be something he would be pleased to read.

Fan-fiction. Wonderful venue for the writer. Brain bubblegum. Take a movie, story, tv series, whatever and write your own ending, your own version, your own episodes. Which one of us has never done that in their head? Even create your own characters. Put yourself in the action? Star Trek actually used episodes written by fans for their series. How very kind of them to do so. I sincerely mean that, no sarcasm here.

Unfortunately, except for the Star Trek episodes, you can not possibly hope to sell fan-fiction unless you get the written permission of the original author, the movie people, the actor/actress, and anyone else that may hold any obscure rights to the story, character, etc., that you chose to write about. That can be very difficult, or more likely, impossible. But in my opinion, there is a lot of money being lost by the prohibiting of fan-fiction in the market. I have read a great deal of it. Some is really terrific and some is really bad. There is a lot of talent out there that is going to waste.

You can take a character or even an actor/actress and write a part for them, the one part that you absolutely know they would be perfect for, that you would love to see them do and you know that between you two, you could make it happen. Once you got past the Screen Actors Guild.

Then there is always the possibility that the part that you wrote strictly for Kiefer Sutherland ends up in the hands of Sean Penn. Eeeww. Not that I have anything against Sean. He just isn't the romantic figure that Kiefer is, in my opinion. He might be the man of your dreams but, um, not in my romance. I am sure that Sean will be crushed to know that.

Right. Moving on...

So, here we go with my ideas. We are all going to start out together and if any of you get lost, we'll all meet back in my kitchen, which is my favorite place to be. No, not for the food. That is where my desk and the coffee maker are. Trust me on this one. It is far enough from the bedrooms so that my typing at night doesn't wake anyone up.

OKAY Roll Opening Credits...

MY COLUMN

WRITTEN BY um…ME

ONGOING MATERIAL USED IN THIS COLUMN BY... THIS UNFORTUNATE WRITER THAT NEEDS A PLACE TO GET HER WORKS NOTICED BECAUSE SO MUCH WONDERFUL WORK IS BEING IGNORED BECAUSE I'D HAVE TO BE PUBLISHED TO GET PUBLISHED IN THIS WORLD, WHICH IS A CATCH-22, WHICH WAS A GOOD MOVIE...

Ahem...

Sorry...

Snippets from my past...

Some years ago, I started rattling on at the keyboard. It was nothing I could make a living at, but it was writing. I don't know if it is good, bad or indifferent, but I've decided to share a bit of who I was then, so hopefully, you can appreciate who I am today! Enjoy!

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Snippet 1

Circa 2002

Okay. So writing has its drawbacks. Like... not getting published... like not getting a story finished because your brain shuts down... like... like... not getting your family to take your writing seriously enough for your own mother to read it. But that's okay. I just keep plugging along. Beating my head on the keyboard of my nearly obsolete best friend, Sonny. Well, it's actually a Sony but that was too obvious, so I lovingly call him Sonny.

He is a really great friend when he decides to work and he holds my greatest desires, my aspirations, my dreams, all tucked neatly away in his word processor files, ready to be retrieved when I happen to have an inspired moment and need to add to the multitude of works that I have going at any given time. And since I work nights, and my family happens to sleep at night, I have my nights off to sit with Sonny for hours, trying to come up with the "Great American Novel", as they say. The one novel that will capture the hearts of thousands! Millions! That will whisk me up into the big time of writers, that will have producers and directors pounding on my door, begging to pay me the BIG BUCKS to make the TV movie, theatrical masterpiece, Broadway play! Okay, how about the 24 hour mini series... kind of like "North And South" that, in it's entirety was 24 hours long, part one 12 hours and part 2 another 12 hours. And how about that young Patrick Swayze. Ooh.

All right. Back to reality. This is supposed to be my introduction. I must not get off on rabbit trails, which is my habit to do. But that is what makes a great writer, being able to just let your thoughts wander and come up with an article, column, or manuscript that publishers would love to read, people would want to spend their hard earned nickels to buy... yeah, that's what I would like. To actually get paid, just once, for the hours that I have spent putting my ideas on paper, so to speak. Who uses paper anymore to write? Oh, yeah, the nineth grade class at my daughter’s school still uses paper. I know because my daughter seems to be the only one in class that actually has paper and likes to share it with everyone. Consequently, she is usually out of paper when she comes home and I have to go buy her more. But that's cool.

Well, I'm sitting here listening to the birds chirping outside, the dog was barking at my cat that was stuck in the gate and I just got clawed up getting him out. It is already about 85 degrees at 8am. It's going to be another wonderful day. I can just see it coming! But there is nothing that a good cup of coffee and some time with friends can't fix. Especially a friend like Joyce. She's a very young 60-something that has a knack for enjoying life no matter what happens and getting into the most amazing situations. They follow her like a well-trained puppy. And her famous line is..."That reminds me of a story!" Another writer in the making!

To be continued…

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I'll post the next piece after you've had some time to digest this one