About J.Q. Rose
Whether the story is fiction or non-fiction, J.Q. Rose is “focused on story.” She offers readers chills, giggles and quirky characters woven within the pages of her mystery novels. Her published mysteries are Deadly Undertaking, Terror on Sunshine Boulevard and Dangerous Sanctuary released by Books We Love Publishing. Using her storytelling skills, she provides entertainment and information with articles featured in books, magazines, newspapers, and online magazines.
J.Q. taught elementary school for several years and never lost the love for teaching passed down from her teacher grandmother and mother. She satisfies that aspect of her character by presenting workshops on Writing Your Life Story.
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I have written mysteries to entertain readers and myself. Making up a story is so much fun. The writer can write about alien worlds, fantasy, zombies, contemporary romance and no one cares if it's true. Readers are willing to dispel their disbelief and step into the world of make-believe.
A memoir, also known as creative non-fiction, is so different from writing fiction. The story tells the truth about real life. That is difficult for a fiction writer! A memoir only covers a slice of life, not the entire person's life from beginning to present.
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| New release from JQ Rose, get it HERE |
I wrote my memoir about the year we moved to Michigan in December 1975 to purchase a flower shop and greenhouse operation. I thought this would be for my kids and grandkids to satisfy their curiosity. Not only to let them know about the "good ole days," but I also wanted to encourage our kids to dream big for their lives. To be entrepreneurs in the greenhouse business was our dream.
We fell in love with a greenhouse operation in West Michigan, but it was attached to a flower shop. We knew nothing about operating a flower shop, and to be honest, my husband, Ted, had only worked in his little hobby greenhouse. Never in a commercial greenhouse business. We had lots to learn.
The memoir includes elements of fiction such as character, conflict and setting. The main character in the story is me. The situation provided plenty of conflict with the previous owner. Not knowing a thing about business or floral design created anxiety about whether we could run a successful business. I was also a new mom who was insecure about taking care of a baby and filled with guilt choosing to go to work rather than staying at home with her. The setting was a small town, exactly like the ones in my mysteries, Deadly Undertaking and Dangerous Sanctuary.
I have penned two novels based on my life story. Arranging a Dream: A Memoir is my true story. I interacted with real people in a real town, but I changed some of their names to protect their privacy.
Deadly Undertaking is based on my life experience. The setting of this romantic suspense is a funeral home. My dad was a funeral director. Many of the jobs I mentioned in the story are ones I did for my dad, such as dusting caskets, running errands and helping my mom set up flowers for visitations and church services. ( a foreshadowing of my future in the flower business??) But there was no murder or Henry the Shadow Man in my real life!
I enjoyed writing both books, but the deep dive into looking back at my real life through the perspective of time proved to identify truths that I had never realized until I completed the book. The journey of writing a life story may be a difficult one, but a better understanding of one’s life brings satisfaction and a sense of wrapping up the loose ends in that period of life, similar to the satisfaction when reading the closing pages of a captivating fictional book.
If you would like to write or record your life story/memoir, check out the Facebook Group, Telling Your Life Story and Memoirs Circle for encouragement and ways to spark memories.
Hello and Happy New Year! Thanks so much for hosting me.
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