Marsha: Tonight I'm interviewing Kathryn Elizabeth Jones, a novelist and writer who lives in Utah. Kathy has published the novel, A River of Stones. Welcome Kathy.

Kathy: Glad to be here.

Marsha: Thanks. Your novel is aimed at the young adult population, am I right?

Kathy: Yes. But adult readers will enjoy it too.

Marsha: Great! Before I ask you more about your novel, let's explore your beginnings as a writer. When did you begin writing?

Kathy: I have loved reading for as long as I can remember but writing really began for me when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter. I was nineteen then, and sicker than my dog would have been if I'd had one. The only thing I could do without feeling sick was write.

Marsha: What did you write back then?

Kathy: Essays mostly. And a little poetry.

Marsha: When did you first know you were a writer?

Kathy: After eight years of writing and receiving rejection after rejection, I finally received a yes and a check for $40.00.

Marsha: That's terrific! Were you still writing poetry and essays by then?

Kathy: Yes. And a few articles too.

Marsha: Who first published you for that $40 check?

Kathy: "The Ensign" [the official magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]. I was so excited, I screamed at the mailbox.

Marsha: Wow! That's awesome! What was the piece about?

Kathy: It was on anniversaries—home style.

Marsha: Your website lists an impressive array of publication credits, a lot of them articles. When did you decide to try a novel?

Kathy: About five years ago I felt ready to undertake the overwhelming responsibility. My first three novels were terrible but I kept on writing.

Marsha: Will you ever attempt to rescue those first three?

Kathy: I still have them, but I don't think I will ever look at them again...But who knows?

Marsha: Okay. Tell us about your novel, A River of Stones. That is an unusual title.Where does it come from?

Kathy: I didn't have a title at first. One day I was watching Oprah and they had all of these writers on. Suddenly, the idea for the book was right there. I got up and wrote it down. The title is symbolic.

Marsha: Were you already writing the book by then?

Kathy: The book was almost written before the title came. Samantha's life is like a river. And in the river are many stones, or problems that she must work through. Like all of us.

Marsha: That is symbolic…and appropriate. Samantha is your protagonist. How old is she?

Kathy: Samantha is eleven years old.

Marsha: What is her main problem?

Kathy: Her father has left without a word to her and she feels abandoned.

Marsha: That's pretty heart-wrenching. How does she express her feelings? Does she act out, withdraw?

Kathy: Samantha holds much of the pain in, but a couple of times she gets really angry at her mother.

Marsha: Does she manage to work through that pain? Tell us about her journey.

Kathy: Samatha has some great friends—Bruce and June. She also has a vivid imagination to take her mind off her real problems. When her mother remarries, and a stepfather and stepbrother come in to the picture, Samantha is able to work through most of the rest.

Marsha: It sounds kind of like a quiet, but agonizing story. Introspective. Is it autobiographical in any way? You don't have to answer that if you don't want to, but tell us if there is action to draw teens to read this book.

Kathy: Some of the story comes from my childhood. My father left when I was seven and my mother re-married a few years later. The story also holds some humor and a lot of action to keep teen readers interested.

Marsha: I love the picture of you on the swing that's on your website. You look very happy these days. Now that divorce is so prevalent in today's culture, are children still experiencing the same trauma that you went through?

Kathy: Yes! I don't think enough is written about how teens feel about divorce. Much is said about how parents should help their children, but not much is written about how teens can get through the trauma.

Marsha: Do you feel this book helps with that issue? Even though it's a novel (but isn't that one reasons we write, to help people?).

Kathy: I do. Not only that, I feel like it teaches teens where their greatest help comes from. God.

Marsha: That is good. Who published your book, and how can our audience buy it?

Kathy: American Book Publishing. My book can be purchased through either of these websites: www.pdbookstore.com/InspirationalN.htm or Amazon.com. It will be at Barnes & Noble soon.

Marsha: Please make a note that on the pdbookstore page, Kathy's book is at the bottom of the page, so scroll down to reach the info about it. You have your own website, Kathy. What is the address?

Kathy: It's www.ariverofstones.com. Please drop by and leave me a note. I'd love to hear what you think.

Marsha: That's a great idea, folks. Do you have anything else you want to tell us, Kathy, before we open to questions and answers?

Kathy: When you go to the website, read the prologue and first chapter of the book.

Marsha: Great! I love excerpts! Thank you, Kathy Jones, for being my guest tonight.

Kathy: You're welcome.

Marsha: Scherosa has a question. What is your question, scherosa?

scherosa: Did you write all chapters in sequence,or like isolated stories that you gave chronology to, afterwards?

Kathy: Good question. I wrote the chapters in sequence but I have heard that some authors get the stories out first and then put them together chapter by chapter.

Marsha: Scherosa has a comment. Go ahead.

scherosa: I really like what you said about nobody wrinting a guide to help teenagers go through divorce pains! Especially about how the help comes from God. Great.

Kathy: Thanks. By writing the book in fiction, I hope more teenagers will want to read the book.

Marsha: I wonder if children who experience the loss of a parent to death have some of the same feelings?

Kathy: I think so. My second book, The Color of Rain, deals with that very issue.

scherosa: It's the whole "separation issue" that hurts.

Marsha: Kathy, shall we open the chat up to everyone?

Kathy: Sure!

Marsha: I think the death of a spouse or child is devastating to an adult, but hits children harder.

Kathy: Children don't often understand the depth of the problem. They often think it's their fault.

Marsha: I agree, Kathy. Scherosa, go ahead with your comment.

scherosa: I think that the more books are written about this subject, the better chance for the teenagers to realize where the real help comes from. God.

Kathy: Thank you, Scherosa.

scherosa: Your second book, does it "carry over" from the first one? You know, plots and such?

Kathy: The second book is about a boy named Danny of about the same age as Samantha. His story is separate from Samatha's. In book three, Where the Wind Blows, Danny and Samantha meet.

Marsha: A love story? Or just young friends?

Kathy: Hmmmm. A little of both.

Marsha: It sounds like your fans have much to look forward to. When will The Color of Rain come out?

Kathy: My publisher has agreed to publish it, but the book will probably not be out until next year.

Marsha: 2004? Why so long?

Kathy: It usually takes over a year to even get the book printed. You've got the editing, the cover, etc. etc. The publisher wants to market my first book a little more too before the second one comes out.

Marsha: I see. What format will it be in? hardcover, soft?

Kathy: Same as the first--soft. There is a possiblility, however, that it will be in hardcover.

Marsha: Do you have any book signings scheduled?

Kathy: I will be at Barnes & Noble soon. Nothing is scheduled yet because the book has just recently been ordered. Kings English will also be having me soon. When it happens, I will have the information posted on my website.

Marsha: That's something to look forward to. I have some appearances coming up in April, myself.

Kathy: Great!

Marsha: I want to thank my guest tonight, Kathryn Elizabeth Jones. Everyone should go explore her awesome website (you'll love the stones) at www.ariverofstones.com. Remember to return for updates.

Kathy: Thanks again for having me.

Marsha: This chat will show up at http://marshaward.com in a few days. I edit the chat so no one looks foolish, (especially the hostess, LOL). It will be linked to my website and be on my Yahoo group in three or four days. Thank you, Kathy, for coming, and thank you all for being here tonight.

Marsha: My guest next month is mystery and thriller writer Tim Miller, both of whose books have been nominated for awards. We'll see you back here on March 21, same time, same chat room. Thanks so much for coming! Goodbye, everyone. Have a lovely night!