JARM DEL BOCCIO, AUTHOR
  • HOME
  • About Jarm
    • Children's Author
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • My Books
  • Author Engagements
    • Author Events
    • TEACHER'S GUIDE & HEART RESOURCES
  • My Blog

A Writerly Blog

A COVID Q&A — An Interview With My Writer Self

5/13/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
I began this post a few years ago, and decided now was the time to share it. I wasn't keen to blog about covid-19 again, so it seemed like the perfect time for a Q&A. Some of these answers you may be aware of, and others, not.

​Here goes — enjoy!
1. Book or movie and why?

Although my desire is to read the original (and unabridged, for that matter), time does not allow me to read classics or other literature as I would wish. So, to avoid being totally ignorant of the works, I will watch an "original movie version" of a book, hoping it's as close to the intent of the author as possible. There will be a time in my life where I will inhale all the books I have put aside as I have home educated our children. And the time is NOW! One benefit of this sheltering-in-place is more time to read. Yay!

2. Real book or e-book?
​

Both. Less than half are real books — dozens of them piled under a table, all categorized, waiting to be read. Since I am a minimalist now, and may have to move in the next year or two, I have been purchasing e-books on all topics and genres. I like them for convenience, and the sake of my budget, and because I can carry my iPad everywhere. But the real books have my vote for the many-faceted experiences of reading that folks have enjoyed through the ages!

Regardless of which I choose to read at the time, I ALWAYS write a review — at minimum, on Goodreads and Amazon. They are the mainstay of an author’s career, and it is a gift I can give to my fellow creatives.

Picture
​3. Funniest thing you've done in the last 5 years?

Well, maybe not the funniest, but funny. One spring, I accompanied my husband on business trip to Florida. Unfortunately, our flight was delayed, and by the time we arrived at the airport late in the evening, I was slap-happy. My husband, a night-owl, was his usual silly self. We got onto the tram to take us to our rental car, and somehow, we decided to take a selfie (always my doing). It wasn't until I was adjusting the view before clicking, that I noticed the dolphin behind us. When I pointed it out to Dan, he posed as if it were kissing him, and thus the silly pic.
Jane Eyre 2006 DVD
My hubby and me in Florida
​
4. How would your best friend describe you?

Excited about everything in life, especially when we were younger. I was always trying something new — sometimes a fad that lasted a few months, like permed hair and wigs, and sometimes it stuck, as in my love of exploring new places. I love variety. Back in the day, Becky would order a vanilla ice cream cone, and I would choose what she would call a 'peanut butter-pistachio-bubblegum' concoction!
My best friend and me
Becky & Me!
​5. Do you put yourself into the books you read/write or the movies you watch?
​

Come to think of it, subconsciously I do. I'd love to be the heroine, if her life is lived well. Or sometimes, I wish to be another character who could warn the heroine, "Wait — don't do that! Be patient. It will all turn out okay." Any character that could change the course of history in context of the story is whom I would like to be.

As far as my writing goes, I'm aware of only one middle-grade novel I wrote that, in retrospect, had two main characters whose personalities matched my husband’s and mine. All the rest have bits of people I know, but I don't set out to write a story with my friends and family members written in. There's an author quote going around that says something like this, ”Don’t get me angry, otherwise I may write you into my story and kill you off.” FYI — that is not me!
My bookshelf
​6. Favorite kind of car and why?

I am attracted to the unusual, so, the Nissan cube (in moss green 2010), a Mini Cooper in reef blue, or VW pea (I found on Pinterest) is my kind of vehicle. Of course, it would only fit me and one other person, so I will wait until the "empty nest" stage to consider one! And now that I'm a minimalist, I'm looking for my ideal tiny house. But shhhhhh. . . don't tell my husband. ☺️

7. Would your choice of party be a catered meal or barbecue out back?

That's a hard one. Of course, it would depend on the season here in the Midwest. I love steak, so let's just say the BBQ. Since I have food intolerances, my diet is limited. But if I could eat anything, it would be catered — probably be an Italian meal full of diary and gluten!

8. What's your favorite season and why?

My favorite time of year is Spring. My name "Jarmila" is Slavic, and means 'lover of Spring'. Yaro, the masculine form of Jarmila was my father's name, so I am left with pleasant memories of him as well as owning his name! My birth flower, incidently, is the Lily of the Valley. I was thrilled to find a pink variety for my garden!

It's the fresh warmer air after winter that I love, along with the promise of new life. The budding of flowers and leaves, and the birth of insects, birds and mammals are part of the scene. It's Creation coming to life anew every year! And lately, green is my favorite color.
Pink Lily of the Valley from my garden!
My pink lilies-of-the-valley!
​9. What specific lesson have you learned - Spiritual, educational, occupational?

I'm always learning, but, I think in the context of writing, it's the idea that "my time will come." I need to be faithful in reading and writing what God has ordained for me each day, and He will work out the timing. My books and articles will be published when it will benefit me, and most importantly, others, the most. I must be patient!
​
Spiritually, I am learing to TRUST and LEAN on Jesus for my CONTENTMENT, even as I wait out the coronavirus crisis. My times are in His hands, and nothing can bring on or prevent my death until it's time for me to go home to Heaven.

10. Besides writing, what's your favorite thing to do when you get some extra time?
​

I love to travel and visit new places. It could be a new store or museum; it doesn't need to be exotic. I also enjoy wandering through boutiques or museum shops, admiring new products and clothing. Stopping in at our local resale shop is also a relaxing and enjoyable diversion. But, I'll need to wait a while before I can go out and explore again!
Never stop exploring!
​11. What's one place you can be found at least one time every week?

Definitely at church. I would miss worshipping God and fellowshipping with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Meeting on Zoom each week during the Covid Crisis is not the same! I look forward to the day I can finally give hugs again.

Second would be our local library — can't imagine a life without books! And they've been extremely helpful in finding information, whether I am doing research for my next novel, or need another historical fiction fix!

Picture

If you are curious about my unique childhood, check out this blogpost. Was anything surprising to you? Do we have anything in common? Let me know below!
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Good News!

    My MG Biblical fiction "The Heart Changer" debuted in 2019 with Ambassador International.
    ​
    May I inspire you?
    ​ 
    If so, sign up HERE! 


    You’ll receive news of my latest blogpost and inspiration from life and literature to bring focus into your own journey. 

    ​I love to share the quirky things I see in the world. Sometimes, it's for a laugh; at other times, to teach a lesson. Or, just maybe, it will encourage you!

    Archives

    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    August 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    Categories

    All
    Adoption
    Aging
    Amazon
    Author
    Author Endorsements
    Author Historical Sites
    Author Interviews
    Basque Country
    Book Cover Reveal
    Book Endorsements
    Bookish Things
    Book Launch
    Book Trailer
    Bucket Lists
    Charleston
    Children's Book Week
    Christmas
    Crisis
    Debut Book
    Disability
    Emotional Thesaurus
    English Authors
    Faith Insights
    Fantasy Novels
    Film Insights
    Good Reads
    Gratitude
    History
    Insights
    Inspirational
    Jarm Del Boccio
    Julie Hedlund’s 12x12
    Legacy Of Mercy
    Literary Insights
    Lynn Austin
    Media
    Memories
    Mesu Andrews
    Middle-grade Novels
    Minimalism
    Mr. Roger's Neighborhood
    National Reading Month
    North Korea
    Picture Books
    Portugal
    Rice From Heaven
    Sailing
    SC
    SCBWI
    Social Media
    Spain
    Technology
    Tessa Afshar
    The Desert
    The Heart Changer
    The Liebster Award
    The Way Home
    Tina Cho
    Travel
    Travel Writing
    Word Of The Year
    World Events
    Writer’s Block
    Writer's Conference
    Writer's Craft
    Writer’s Journey
    Writer's Retreat

    RSS Feed

  • HOME
  • About Jarm
    • Children's Author
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • My Books
  • Author Engagements
    • Author Events
    • TEACHER'S GUIDE & HEART RESOURCES
  • My Blog