Fiction and life . . . from the desk of Gwen M. Plano
  • Home
  • Blog Reflections
  • REDEMPTION THRILLER
  • THE CONTRACT Series
  • My Memoir
  • Poetry
  • About

Author Joan Hall has a #NewRelease...

1/30/2023

49 Comments

 
Picture
Hello blog friends.
 
I'm elated to showcase friend and author Joan Hall today. She's just published a collection of thirteen short stories entitled Menagerie. The assortment spans eras and genres, and the characters include the old and young. Truly, there's a story for everyone. 

If your life is like mine, time is elusive. Reading a complete story in one setting isn't possible, unless it's a short story. It's been a pleasure to pick up Hall's book, and read a story to its end before turning off the lights. 

My 5-Star review is posted on Amazon, where you'll find many other 5-Star comments. Menagerie is a winner, and I think you'll discover it to be as well.

Congratulations, Joan!


Picture
Gwen, thank you so much for hosting me today. I’m excited to be here and to tell you and your readers 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. Today’s feature is Hot August Night, a contemporary/family fiction/coming of age story.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the years I’ve been writing, it’s to always keep notes of story ideas. They often come at the oddest times and in the most unusual ways. Such was the case with the idea behind Hot August Night.

When I still held a public job, my drive home went through a tiny town with a population of around 500 people. As you can imagine, there wasn’t much there, but railroad tracks ran alongside  the state highway that passed through the town.

I’ve always had a fascination with trains, and it was probably a hot August afternoon, when inspiration struck. I imagined a couple of people sitting on a porch on a hot summer night when a train passed through town. The noise of the engines and sound of the train cars along the track drowned out other night sounds. Something happened in those few minutes, but what was it?

Once I got home, I made notes, not knowing what I wanted to do with the story or when I would use it. When I decided to scrap another story originally intended for this collection, I looked over my list of potential stories and Hot August Night was born.

Written in first person, the story follows a young woman, Amy Beth, who has returned to her hometown for her grandmother’s funeral. While there, she remembers another hot August night when she was thirteen years old. A teenage girl disappeared, right about the time a freight train passed through town. Amy Beth has reason to believe her older brother, Denny, was involved.

This leads to a strained relationship between the two of them. Their grandmother was the glue that held the family together. Now she passed away, Amy Beth is uncertain what will happen with her brother.

Like some of the other stories in this collection, Hot August Night takes place in the twentieth century. It begins in 1980, then flashes back to 1968. Somehow, I couldn’t see setting it in modern times. By the way, Amy Beth often sneaks into her brothers room to play his records. I used to do the same thing with my brother’s collection.

Picture

Excerpt:
I went inside the house, wishing I had something to do. If my friend Becky had been in town, I would have called to see if she wanted to go to the park. Since my brother was home, I couldn’t listen to his records, and I’d outgrown Saturday morning cartoons.

Denny was on the phone. “Hey man, about that thing last night. If anyone asks, I was at your house around 9: 00. Just say I stopped by to pick up my ring from Debbie and was there twenty minutes at the most. Don’t be too precise. If you do, that might raise suspicion.”

I stifled a gasp.

“That nosy old biddy Millie Shaw saw me talking to Sharon. She told McDowell, and he came over this morning to question me about it… No, of course not. I’m not crazy. Sorry I brought your name into it, but my grandmother knows I wasn’t at Bobby’s all evening. I had to come up with an excuse… No, I don’t want any of us to get into trouble. It’ll be all right as long as our stories match. Yes, I talked to Bobby… Okay. Talk to you later.”

My blood froze. Did something happen to Sharon? If so, how was Denny involved?

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 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  

Social Media Links
Website   |   Blog   |   BookBub   |   Goodreads
Picture
49 Comments
CS Boyack
1/31/2023 05:04:26

I keep mountains of notes. Some of them fit into stories I never thought they would. Others manage to become their own stories. I even have character sheets for several unused characters. This is great advice.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 05:45:59

So true, Craig. It's great advice. Thank you for stopping by and supporting Joan. I'm so happy for her.

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 06:30:31

Always a good idea to jot things down. I've had the opening lines of stories come to me while driving and at other times. It's amazing what some of these ideas turn into.

Reply
JILL A WEATHERHOLT link
1/31/2023 05:16:56

Thanks for hosting Joan today, Gwen. I enjoyed the excerpt! Like Joan, I have journals and file folders full of story ideas.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 05:48:33

It's a pleasure hosting Joan. I'm so happy for her. And thank you, Jill, for sharing your process. No wonder you have such beautiful stories to share. ❤️

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 06:36:10

My mother advised me to always jot down my ideas. It was good advice. Some I'll probably never use but who knows when the right time and story will come along. Thanks, Jill.

Reply
Priscilla Bettis link
1/31/2023 05:35:00

It's cool to hear the origins of "Hot August Night." I enjoyed Menagerie. Congratulations to Joan on a fantastic collection!

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 05:53:09

I enjoyed the backstory as well, Priscilla. It's fascinating to learn what inspires writers. Thank you for adding to Joan's celebration. She's a great storyteller. 😊

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 06:38:17

I'm so glad you enjoyed Menagerie, Priscilla. I had fun writing the stories and also telling about their origins.

Reply
Yvette M Calliero link
1/31/2023 06:41:50

I'm hearing great things about Joan's newest book. Thanks for sharing your review of it, Gwen! Congratulations, Joan!

Yvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 06:43:47

Thank you so much, Yvette!

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 06:54:19

I thoroughly enjoyed Menagerie, Yvette. Thank you for joining in the celebration. Hugs... 🤗

Reply
Marcia Meara link
1/31/2023 06:45:34

Great to see Joan visiting here today, Gwen, and though I've not finished Menagerie yet, I've really enjoyed the stories I've read so far. I'm especially happy to have shorter tales to read right now, too, while my time is so limited. PERFECT book for that, and a super job, Joan! 😊❤️

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 06:58:31

It's amazing how busy our lives have become, right? Time is so elusive, and we're retired?? I'm with you, Marcia, short stories are perfect. Thank you for joining in Joan's celebration. 🤗

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 10:32:14

I'm so glad you're enjoying this collection, Marcia. I've become fond of reading short stories and shorter words as well. And even though I'm now retired, there are still so many hours in the day.

Reply
Staci Troilo link
1/31/2023 07:21:46

I'm really enjoying the "story behind the story" tour. And I really loved your collection, Joan. Best wishes.

Gwen, thanks for hosting.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 07:58:37

It's a pleasure, Staci, and like you, I really like the backstory. It makes her collection even more impactful.

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 10:33:48

The inspiration behind the stories are just as varied as the stories themselves. Thanks so much, Staci.

Reply
D. Wallace Peach link
1/31/2023 07:48:12

It's great to see Joan over here for her tour, Gwen. I enjoyed the book and this was a memorable story. I like Joan's advice to jot down story ideas as they come. I don't do that, and of course, 5 minutes later, the idea is gone as if it never existed! Fun post, ladies. Thank you.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 08:01:51

I'm similar to you, Diana, in terms of needing to jot down my story ideas before they evaporate into the cosmos. Thank you for adding to Joan's Tour. 😊

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 10:36:04

I learned to do that the hard way a long time ago. I woke up during the night with what I thought was a brilliant idea. Didn't write it down.(I was a teenager then and thought I'd remember.) When I woke up, I'd forgotten everything. My mother encouraged me to keep a pen and paper beside my bed. To this day, I don't know what the idea was. Who knows? Maybe it came to me again and I've used it. :)

Reply
John Howell link
1/31/2023 07:58:20

I can't wait to dig into these stories, Joan. Hot August Night sounds like it could be a whole novel. Best wishes on your tour. Thanks, Gwen for hosting Joan today.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 08:23:29

You'll enjoy the stories, John. Thank you for adding to the excitement of Joan's collection. 😊

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 11:17:13

Thanks, John. I ended up setting aside a couple of stories I intended to include in this collection, but I soon realized they were at least novella length if not longer. That list of story ideas grows longer.

Reply
Pete Springer link
1/31/2023 08:43:00

Thanks for the great introduction of Menagerie. (I've always liked that word,) Like Joan, I've always had a fascination with trains—not to mention small towns. It's a wonder how any business survives in that setting, yet amazingly, some do.

Who knows when lightning will strike when it comes to story ideas? Thanks for sharing the birth of one of those inspirations, Joan.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 09:09:56

I hope lightning strikes you soon, Pete. 😊 I loved "They Call Me Mom." Thank you for adding to the fun of Joan's new release.

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 11:18:41

Having grown up in a small town, I can't imagine living in a big city. I'm not sure when my fascination with trains began. Maybe because my older brother had a model train. I probably played with it as often as he did. Thanks for stopping by, Pete.

Reply
Jan Sikes
1/31/2023 09:19:43

This is another wonderful stop on Joan's tour! Thank you, Gwen, for hosting her today. This story was so good and Joan did a great job of showing the strained relationship between these siblings. I was relieved to learn the real answer. Such a great collection of stories. I highly recommend them. Congratulations to you, Joan!

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 10:15:33

Thank you, Jan, for adding to the excitement over Joan's latest. It was a fantastic read. 😊

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 11:19:52

I'm a pantser, Jan, so I was also relieved to know the answer. Although I had a pretty good idea of how it was going to go.

Reply
Harmony Kent link
1/31/2023 09:25:10

I’m about 3/4 of the way through Menagerie and am enjoying it! Great post, Joan and Gwen. Wishing Joan every success with her new book! Gwen, thanks for sharing. Hugs 💕🙂

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 10:16:20

Thank you, Harmony, for sharing in the Tour. I'm so happy for Joan. ❤️

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 11:20:31

I'm glad you're enjoying the stories, Harmony. I sure had fun writing them.

Reply
Dan Antion link
1/31/2023 09:51:06

I love the transition from observation to note in the drawer to story in a collection.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 10:17:14

It's a great transition. I wish I could claim such discipline. Thank you for joining the Tour, Dan. 😊

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 11:21:25

Thanks, Dan. When I jotted down that idea, I had no idea I would use it so soon. I'm glad I remembered to write it down!

Reply
Darlene Dale Foster link
1/31/2023 10:56:00

I just finished this book and loved it! I enjoy reading about how Joan got her ideas for the stories. I especially loved Hot August Night. We lived by a railway track in the 1950s and our house had a porch we would sit on and watch the train go by. The story brought back some memories.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 11:17:33

What sweet memories, Darlene. Thank you for sharing and for endorsing Joan's book as you have. I loved it as well. ❤️

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 11:29:20

I'm so glad you loved the book, Darlene. My husband grew up living near a railroad track. He said at times they could see hobos sleeping in open freight cars. One time the Ringling Brothers Circus train passed through town. That was a big treat for him to see.

Reply
D. L. Finn
1/31/2023 11:02:25

I love how ideas come for stories and always good when they can be written down for later.

Thanks for hosting, Gwen!

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 11:18:24

It's always a pleasure to host writer friends. Thank you, Denise. 🤗

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 11:30:09

I have an ever growing list of ideas, Denise. More ideas than time to write. :)

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 11:31:47

Thank you so much for hosting me today, Gwen. I'm enjoying connecting with your readers. And I love the graphics you made of my books. You are very talented! <3

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 12:56:50

It's my pleasure, Joan. I loved Menagerie, and I'm so happy to see that I'm not alone in my praise. ❤️

Reply
Liz Gauffreau link
1/31/2023 16:02:51

Fascinating background story to Hot August Night. I'm greatly looking forward to reading the collection.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
1/31/2023 16:29:58

I can vouch for the collection. I enjoyed it very much, Liz. Thank you for the visit and comment. 😊

Reply
Joan Hall link
1/31/2023 16:47:56

Thank you, Liz. I do hope you'll enjoy the stories.

Reply
Mae Clair link
2/1/2023 04:26:28

I'm late to the party but had to visit to say how much I loved this collection of short stories. Joan outdid herself with Menagerie, and Hot August Night is my personal favorite in the book. She really captured small town life.

Congrats to Joan, and thanks for hosting, Gwen!

Reply
Joan Hall link
2/1/2023 06:20:12

Thanks for stopping by today, Mae. I'm delighted you enjoyed the stories, especially Hot August Night.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    For blog updates, please subscribe below. 
    * indicates required

    RSS Feed


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 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
    June 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


Plano Enterprises, LLC
Photos used under Creative Commons from Kevin M. Gill, Joel Bedford, qthomasbower, crosescribe, Juho Holmi, diana_robinson, W Presley & B Kunce Photography......WI. USA, U.S. Geological Survey, Ian Sane, florianric, NikoMC, van Van Es, Yen Chao 趙彥, MissMessie, Yuriy Kuzin, Ben Zvan, Bichuas (E. Carton), Nina Matthews Photography, hehaden, alexdecarvalho, Tim RT, Kurdistan Photo كوردستان, Candida.Performa, peddhapati (Thanks for 1M Views!!!), Jhong Dizon | Photography, Waheed Akhtar Photography, lawmurray, USFWS Pacific, JalilArfaoui, SurFeRGiRL30, Lauren Finkel Photography, maf04, SantaRosa OLD SKOOL, Dakiny, vauvau, Zanastardust, Monica's Dad, timpeartrice, marumeganechan, Rafael Acorsi, seyed mostafa zamani, Jorge Franganillo, Irene Grassi (sun sand & sea), The National Guard, D.Fletcher, nada abdalla, Ted LaBar, alison.mckellar, Infomastern, Elvert Barnes, m01229, theglobalpanorama