tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post178195499244154429..comments2023-10-07T06:40:54.482-07:00Comments on The Romance Room: GAIL L. JENNER INTERVIEWCheri Valmonthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01012627956684091778noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-58008869827703850942014-06-27T08:43:39.743-07:002014-06-27T08:43:39.743-07:00Gail! I finally made it! LOL Loved to learn more a...Gail! I finally made it! LOL Loved to learn more about you and your life. You are so busy, I don't know how you fit it all in--or where you boundless energy comes from! <br /><br />My hubby doesn't read my books, either. <br /><br />The Patriot is one of my favorite movies, too, but oh, sometimes I just can't think of watching it because it IS so sad. But the first time I watched it, it made a huge impression on me, and I bought it...will pull it out from time to time. <br /><br />I like to write out in our Florida room--looks out on to the backyard/ pool, but sometimes I get really, really distracted. LOL<br /><br />This was a wonderful interview--I'm sorry to be late to the party, but I wanted you to know, I sure did enjoy learning more about you. And I'm so glad you've thrown in your hat with us at PRP. Across the Sweet Grass Hills was such a good read. <br /><br />CherylCheryl Piersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116526340220274282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-34302478514517057322014-06-26T16:03:56.682-07:002014-06-26T16:03:56.682-07:00Gail, As I was reading your interview, I again was...Gail, As I was reading your interview, I again was reminded about why we have always gotten on so well. The answers you gave for your favorite films and writers mirrored what I would have answered! And thank you for including me as one if your favorite writers. What a compliment! I have often wondered how you find the time to write on your ranch with everything else you do. Your answer resonated with me. I too am always mulling about my story, or research, or character, even when I am doing something else. Like you! A little plug: Gail's novel Across the Sweet Grass Hills is a great read!Cynthia Leal Masseyhttp://www.cynthialealmassey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-49485379298467314272014-06-25T06:09:01.306-07:002014-06-25T06:09:01.306-07:00Okay, after tossing the names around, it comes up ...Okay, after tossing the names around, it comes up as CELIA YEARY as the WINNER of a free download of ACROSS THE SWEET GRASS HILLS! CONGRATULATIONS, CELIA! <br /><br />I hope you enjoy the story and the characters, their struggle to find love pitted against the backdrop of the infamous Marias Massacre in MT. It's a story about love of many kinds....and what happens when a people are betrayed, as well. <br /><br />Thanks for stopping by everyone! I also love getting to know so many awesome women --- and look forward to getting through MY list of TBR!!gail jennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03191744315185086499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-52662989960257256542014-06-24T19:07:34.893-07:002014-06-24T19:07:34.893-07:00Hi Kristy!
I agree that the romance genre holds ...Hi Kristy!<br /> <br />I agree that the romance genre holds a special power for people, even a few men I think it does speak to our hearts, in those places where we long to connect and be loved. I love a good romance and can get lost in it very quickly. Here's to continuing the tradition!gail jennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03191744315185086499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-59098195221734200722014-06-24T19:04:53.249-07:002014-06-24T19:04:53.249-07:00Hi Kaye:
I think it would be so hard to leave the ...Hi Kaye:<br />I think it would be so hard to leave the ranch at this point in my life! I know so many women who have had to move into urban areas, but their hearts remain attached to the land! I just leave the peace that is attached to this lifestyle -- in spite of long hours or conditions. Truly, most people work very hard at whatever job they have and we'd certainly not want to commute and spend hours on freeways, etc. THAT, to me, would be HARD work :-0 Of course, like on the prairie holds a very different energy, I imagine! We are pretty insulated and "protected" by the mountains that surround us!<br />gail jennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03191744315185086499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-35055861326334177142014-06-24T19:01:33.027-07:002014-06-24T19:01:33.027-07:00Hi Kathleen:
Thanks for your note. Actually, if I...Hi Kathleen:<br /><br />Thanks for your note. Actually, if I could correct one idea (that is so popular these days???) -- there are NO factory cattle farms. ALL cattle are raised for the first 12-15 months of life on pasture and farms. The ONLY time they are penned is at a feedlot and it is for a short time. Of course, many may find that not to their liking, but in contrast to other kinds of livestock, cattle live a wide open existence. They are fed hay, grass, and some grain and more and more cattlemen are choosing natural over anything else. We have raised 100% natural, with no antibiotics or hormones, for years (you can check out our 'retail' end, www.jennerfamilybeef.com for more about us....we are the woman-end of the cattle business!). Contrary to what the media and many anti-livestock people would have you believe, beef is one of the cleanest and purest forms of protein there is, esp. if you are natural or organic. There are more than 900 byproducts that come from a single cow and cattle are effective and awesome fire retardants, converting dry fuel (like grass and dry tinder) into a healthy and powerful protein source. Cattle co-exist beautifully with wildlife; in fact, 75% of all wild waterfowl are protected by ranches and farms, NOT by federal lands. Having cattle preserves open space, even more than crops, etc.. But enough of my soap box :-) I get pretty excited about our cows ....cheers!<br />gail jennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03191744315185086499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-69920726818384943572014-06-24T15:08:56.565-07:002014-06-24T15:08:56.565-07:00Gail,
I could picture exactly you sitting by your ...Gail,<br />I could picture exactly you sitting by your window writing, with a view of the mountains and cattle. Lovely!<br /><br />I agree about that storytelling is a necessary part of being human, and that this medium has been used for eons to teach, to share, and to heal. I think that's why romances are so popular, alongside sweeping sagas featuring strong women. It's in these stories that we find pieces of ourselves we may have lost.<br /><br />Have a great day!Kristy McCaffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17363740420272046549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-40372402123928007792014-06-24T14:44:08.810-07:002014-06-24T14:44:08.810-07:00Gail,
From your vivid description of your ranch ...Gail, <br /><br />From your vivid description of your ranch and the view you have from your writing window, I pictured it so clearly in my mind. I grew up on a ranch, and though I left it many, many years ago, I can still 'see' our cattle and horses grazing on the rolling prairie hills. *sigh* Thank you for the little trip down memory lane. ;-)<br /><br />I also like your advice, "The real difference between a published author and an aspiring author is a completed manuscript!" This is also a reminder to me that if I want to keep my published author status fresh and vibrant for my readers, I have to let go of the manuscripts I have filed away (for various reasons), spruce them up, and set them free. lol Thanks for the nudge. Kaye Spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13530735658588595790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-40239241820522729922014-06-24T10:23:26.440-07:002014-06-24T10:23:26.440-07:00Gail, have I mentioned how much I envy you that ca...Gail, have I mentioned how much I envy you that cattle ranch? What a great view you must have, and ranching is a tradition that seems to be disappearing as more "factory farms" take over. Y'all keep up the family business out there!<br /><br />I keep meaning to read ACROSS THE SWEET GRASS HILLS, but I haven't burrowed down through the TBR pile far enough to find it yet. GAH! Can't wait to dive into it, though. :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05740371055384281988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-26286286743754572142014-06-24T09:34:42.026-07:002014-06-24T09:34:42.026-07:00Hi JoAnne -
Thanks for stopping by! I have been bl...Hi JoAnne -<br />Thanks for stopping by! I have been blessed to have a hubby who truly supports my desire to write -- although he hasn't read any of my novels ;-) He loves my nonfiction histories because they feature local history and his family is such a part of the heritage here....we are now a five generation ranch. And I do tend to carve out time where I can, including burning the candle into the night... but writing is my addiction, but ranching and family are my first responsibility, and I cook for 4-6 guys several days each week (all year 'round!) and I love to garden and I often help out with the grandkids (now up to 7 with one more on the way!)...so my plate is full. I also work as a volunteer librarian and museum curator and do substitute during the school year....hmmmm, sounds like a crazy person some days!! Oh, and I work part-time at my b-i-l's law office at least one day a week ;-0 But life is to BE LIVED!! <br />gail jennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03191744315185086499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-16892282942988307612014-06-24T09:29:42.260-07:002014-06-24T09:29:42.260-07:00Hi Celia: I enjoyed your interview! I guess I do ...Hi Celia: I enjoyed your interview! I guess I do really enjoy the simple things in life the most. My kids used to laugh at me; I put on an apron first thing in the morning and I even go into town with it on... it's so handy :-) I can't maintain my garden or my kitchen without one! And Doug IS the epitome of an All - American cowboy. Quiet, reserved, but gutsy (rode bulls -- never ever got thrown!!) and gritty. I've seen him dive into the cold slough in winter to rescue a calf that wandered too close and give it mouth to mouth...and yes, I loved O Pioneers and My Antonia. Taught them in soph. and junior English courses...another reason why I was so thrilled to win the WILLA Award from Women Writing the West.gail jennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03191744315185086499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-61356413509842277442014-06-24T09:16:40.899-07:002014-06-24T09:16:40.899-07:00Sarah: Thank you for this opportunity to "ta...Sarah: Thank you for this opportunity to "talk" -- I think this is a great venue. And thank you for your kind remarks about the excerpt. That ACROSS THE SWEET GRASS HILLS won a WILLA Award meant a great deal -- Willa Cather has been an inspiration to me and I can't recall how many revisions the story went through before I sold it! It actually took me a number of years... And yes, being married to a man who knows how to make or engineer most anything, I've also come to value the very practical response to issues! And agriculture is so close to my heart these days, it feels tragic to me that more and more people have lost that connection. We even have people who now view ranchers and farmers as almost "criminal" or radical! REALLY??? We recycle and reuse everything -- we invented it .... I mean my practical hubby (before we did any remodeling) used to NAIL the Christmas tree to the old linoleum floor!!! And baling wire and twine have held a lot of things together over the years :-) Doug even repaired a broken car window, that wouldn't go up or down, using JUST the spring out of old pen!!!gail jennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03191744315185086499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-7438363941842793932014-06-24T09:11:01.057-07:002014-06-24T09:11:01.057-07:00Hi Tracy: Thankfully no one said I was too young ...Hi Tracy: Thankfully no one said I was too young to really know what love could be at 20 (almost 21~) because I wouldn't have listened anyway! But I wasn't rational, to be sure, and I've often felt that God had a hand in our selection. We've had some rough times, like many couples, BUT leaving was not a choice for me. Toughing it out and finding answers was our choice. My heart breaks for anyone who cannot find answers....and sometimes, that is the only choice :-( I feel blessed I made the RIGHT choice for me, in spite of my crazy streak! gail jennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03191744315185086499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-70283997248264271772014-06-24T07:56:27.534-07:002014-06-24T07:56:27.534-07:00Ranching is hard work. Its nice you found time to ...Ranching is hard work. Its nice you found time to write. Your book sounds wonderful. Good luck with sales. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05981543474791174293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-88700048911791264922014-06-24T07:36:35.617-07:002014-06-24T07:36:35.617-07:00Great excerpt Gail. You have a beautiful way with ...Great excerpt Gail. You have a beautiful way with words. Good luckAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05981543474791174293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-43499862834260252002014-06-24T07:09:42.944-07:002014-06-24T07:09:42.944-07:00Hi, Gail--I've seen your name often but this i...Hi, Gail--I've seen your name often but this is the first time I feel as though I'm talking with you. <br />I believe you are an All-American Girl/woman....who loves the simple things in life and cherishes the older things in life.<br />If you though living in an 1860s farmhouse that hadn't be updated since 1920, you must have been madly, blindly in love. But of course--you would fall in love with a true blue American cowboy!<br />Funny, I mentioned Willa Cather this morning on FB in answer to the question about what is a "strong woman" in fiction. To me, it was Alexandra in "O Pioneers."<br />We must be somewhat kindred souls.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-18644444373181176942014-06-24T06:44:47.264-07:002014-06-24T06:44:47.264-07:00Gail, I really enjoyed this excerpt. Parts of it r...Gail, I really enjoyed this excerpt. Parts of it read like poetry. <br />I'm an HGTV fanatic. I love the romance stories and the seasonal series they produce. I have tried to get into Downton Abby on PBS, but I just can't--love Sherlock Holmes though. Tombstone and Pride and Prejudice are both movies I could watch over and over again.<br />I liked your answer to the charity question. Sometimes we forget about the practical things that improve all our lives like water systems and agriculture.<br />Thank you so much for allowing me to interview you. It's been a pleasure. I wish you continued success and happiness.<br />Sarah J. McNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17749991094677728042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705664943368006907.post-36577069573916037612014-06-24T05:49:03.383-07:002014-06-24T05:49:03.383-07:00Good morning, Gail. I'm really enjoying these ...Good morning, Gail. I'm really enjoying these interviews - I'm "meeting" my fellow PRP authors all over again.<br /><br />My 20 year old heart was lost in the romance, too. Except we packed a U-Haul and moved from Illinois to Texas to begin graduate school. lol TracyGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03432297803219920111noreply@blogger.com