Just in case it isn’t perfectly obvious, I am a complete novice at this blogging thing. However, I have a book coming out in June called “WE ARE DIFFERENT NOW” and my publisher recommends that their authors blog. So, here I am trying to get started and just flying by the seat of my pants, so to speak.
I hope you will bear with me as I learn to do these things and, as they say, practice makes perfect, so I will certainly be spending some time doing this for the next few weeks.
I hope you’ll leave a comment, so I’ll know that you have been here.
About jtzortman
Author of "WE ARE DIFFERENT NOW" - A Grandparent's Journey Through Grief, first place award winning novel "FOOTPRINTS IN THE FROST", award-winning novel "SNOW ANGEL", and the three novellas in her The Drifter Series called JAKE - Whiskey, Water & Wildfire; JAKE-Winds of Change and JAKE-Echoes of Silence. The fourth book in the JAKE series is titled GHOSTED. Contributing author to anthologies "Felons, Flames & Ambulance Rides", "American Blue", "Recipes by the Book: Oak Tree Authors Cook" and "The Centennial Book of The National Society of Daughters of the Union 1861-1865". Numerous articles, poems and short stories published since 1990. Charter Member of the Public Safety Writers Association and member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Winner of ten writing awards. I live in a quaint Colorado mountain tourist town. When deep snows blanket the terrain and there are spectacular views from my windows, it becomes the perfect spot in which to write.
Jackie's Mountain Memos 
I know you have worked so hard on this book and can not wait to read it.
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Thank you, Pam. Glad you left a note.
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Jackie, Having already read WE ARE DIFFERENT NOW I can tell your blog readers this is a must have book. You did an excellent job conveying your message to the readers. I know it will be a great success, as it should be.
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Oh, thank you, Keith. I especially love having your endorsement or approval since you have so many years experience as a grief counselor.
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You are going to great at this, Jackie. Congratulations.
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You’ve been a rock through all of this, Carol, and I appreciate it. Hugs!
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I don’t know too much about blogging, but your start looks about right. Good luck with the book, and the blog.
Brenda
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Obviously, I don’t know too much about blogging yet, either, Brenda. Thanks for the good wishes and I hope you’ll keep following my blog.
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I will be keeping up with your blogs..Thanks for letting us know
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I am honored to have you follow my blogs, Ann. Thank you!
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Good luke Jackie looking forward to reading your book. Wince/Melissa
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Thank you both for leaving a note on here. Hope you’ll keep following my blog.
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Hi Jackie ❤ Congrats on your wonderful book! I cant wait to read it Little did i know that you were so talented. I cant imaginr how nervous and excited you must be for all the grammas to read it. Good luck and talk to you soon ❤ Patty ❤
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Nervous, excited and exhausted, Patty. We have several “big” things on our plate at once right now. Two down, the book to go.
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Congratulations, Jackie! Can’t wait to read the book! You are one special lady and I’m very proud to call you my friend. Too bad we had to meet under such terrible circumstances, but I believe God has brought us and all the Grammas Angels together to gain strength from one another. I am SO proud of you! Elaine
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That is so sweet, Elaine. Thank you. I’m proud to have you as my friend, too. I think my angel, Pete, helped me do this because, as you know, the book needs to be out there.
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Jackie, I can’t wait to read your book. Having you for a friend is great!! Love ya!!
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That friendship comment is mutual, Jeanette. Thanks for leaving a note for me. I hope you’ll keep following my blog.
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Great start!
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It “only” took me two hours after you left just to get this far.
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Hi Jackie,
Looks like you’re off to a great start! I’m so excited to read your book–after writing a whole BOOK, blogging should be a breeze!
Best of luck 😉
Tamra
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Actually, Tamra, writing the book was the easy part, except for the subject I was writing about. I am astonished at how much work is involved in having a book published. On the other hand, I’ve learned a lot, so a second book shouldn’t be as difficult.
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I started off blogging…before FB…..but now I do not know if I could get to my Blog site…anyway Great Job…Jackie, you are doing a good job …….I am excited for you ….I look so forward to reading the book…..Oh and I hope that your steak was good….Love you Debbie
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Debbie – What did you blog about? You need to teach me how to do this. My steak was absolutely delicious and we got out the BIG wine glasses that night because I was so tense and tired. 🙂
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Jackie, I was blogging about family tree stories…I was also keeping updated with family….I was on blogspot.com…..I need to check it back out…I keep forgetting about blogging….less drama then FB I think….I was having fun doing it…but then everyone went yo FB…………Still excite for you !!!!
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Looking forward to read your book
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Thanks for posting, Aunt Irene. I hope you’ll keep doing that by following my blogs.
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Wow…..knowing we have an Author in the family!!!! What a privilege! I’ve never known any one who is an Author….let alone have one for a family member! Can’t wait to order the book!
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Aw, Lisa, you make me blush. I hope you keep following my blogs and continue to post.
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well, you can never know too many authors
congratulations
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I know you are busy, Bruce, so thanks for taking the time to post.
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I am SO very proud of you!!! Can’t wait to read….. I know this has been a very difficult journey for you, but also know that the writing of the book was a healing process, not just for you but for all the grammas out there who have taken this same heart breaking journey. God does work through us all and what a wonderful instrument He has in you!!! Love you sister!
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Your post is very dear to me, since we have been “Twisters” (as C.J. would say) for 25 years, come July. Keep on reading and posting, sign up to follow me and we’ll talk soon. I love you, too!
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Way to go, Jackie. I’ll be sure to purchase & read yoyr book. Fred Lee
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Thanks for the post, Fred. Hope you’ll keep updated on my book by following my blogs and leaving a post when you have the time.
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I’m so proud of you, Jackie! You recognized a need and fulfilled that need and that makes you a very special person. I can’t wait to get and read your book. I know Pete is smiling down on you, so very proud of his grandmother! Love and miss you, cuz.
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That’s very sweet, Barb. Thank you. Yes, Pete and I wrote the book together. I love and miss you, too…a lot!
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Never Blogged either, but one important thing I know is that what ever you put your mind too you make happen. I know this was not easy but you have the resolve to become and do whatever you want.
You are quite an amazing lady. I also am looking forward to reading your book.
I hope a good and long time friend
Dave
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Thanks for taking the time to leave a message for me. This book has been a long process, but I think it will be worth it in the end. That’s what Barb keeps telling me, anyway, on those days when I am so tired from working on all of this. There is a chapter in my book about Teddy and your Mom, though I didn’t mention anyone’s name, except Pete’s. I hope you enjoy the book. It is both exciting and scary to have the release getting so close.
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Jackie, eager to read your book. I enjoyed reading about your career start with law enforcement articles. Hope all goes well with the book sales…keep us posted on the actual release date…can’t wait!
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Thanks for visiting my blog, Myra, and thank you for the nice words. This book has been a huge learning experience for me in so many different ways, including what it takes for a publisher to get the book out and the biggest challenge, marketing. Coupled with a few other major things going on in our lives, it has kept me hopping. Rest assured that I’ll let everyone know as soon as the book is available.
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Jackie…..I think your book and mine, also @ OTPress, are in a veritable horse race to see which comes out first. You’re ahead @ milepost 9, since I don’t have a cover for the book, and have yet to see it on the editing blog. But, I’m guessing Billie is working on it now. Good for you for starting a blog. I’m clueless, but you’ll be my inspiration. See you @ the PSWA in July?
Pete Klismet
FBI (Retired)
Author: FBI Diary: Profiles of Evil
Due out “Any Moment!!”
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Hi Pete – I remember that you know my hubby, Richard, from when you were the director of the FBI in Durango and he was chief of police here. It’s good to hear from you again. I don’t know that I am ahead of you in this horse race because my book is due out in June. I’ve not seen my cover yet, either. Since your book is due out “any minute”, I’d say you’ll win this race. Hey, if I can get a blog even up and running, so you can you. Our computer tech was here and he just got WordPress up and got me started and then left me sitting here taking shots in the dark. It took me three hours longer to get it even presentable enough to post. It’s still not the way I want it to be and have no clue how to get it there. I’ll keep looking for your book. I love the title. I think I did see your name, along with my own, on the latest OTP blog list. I write it on June 2nd. No, we won’t make the PSWA convention this July, which makes me sad, but plan to be there next year.
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Hi Jackie…..I knew I knew you, but wasn’t sure. If you have a cover and a text block, and have reviewed it, you’re way ahead of us. I thought we were going to have that stuff a couple weeks ago, but Billie has lots of irons in the fire I suspect. We’re coming up on a personal deadline, we only have 8 days until we leave for a trip to England, Scotland and Wales. I certainly don’t want to do any editing then. So I just eMailed Billie to let her know that. Which I’d done previously, but I’m sure she can’t remember from all the eMails she must get.
Good to re-connect with you. I don’t remember how we connected originally. I was actually the Agent in charge of the office in Grand Junction. Montrose, Ouray, etc., was part of my territory. Somehow, I bumped into you and/or your hubby. Long time ago!! Getting old and can’t remember stuff.
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Hi Pete – You and Richard worked together during the big drug bust in Ouray years ago, which is where you later told me you met him. I think that you met me via the PSWA and told me that you knew him. As you said, I’m getting old and can’t remember stuff, but I do know how you met Richard. I don’t yet have a cover, either, but I do have a text block, but just my first draft. I hope that you hear back from Billie quickly because I don’t blame you for not wanting to edit on such a wonderful trip. I think she stays inundated with e-mails or something. Hopefully, you will hear back from her. Is there a phone number where you can call her? I haven’t been able to find one.
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From the first time I contacted OTP, they have been very guarded about giving out or posting a phone number on their website. Top Secret. Frankly, I can’t blame ’em. As inundated with eMails as they are, certainly some of mine, they’d never be off the phone.
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I’ve had the same experience, Pete. Have never seen a phone number except on the retailer’s information paper. Yeah, I’ve sent my share of e-mails to OTP, too, especially in the beginning.
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Jackie::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::can you send an eMail to me crimeprof@yahoo.com
There are a few things I want to run by you ‘off blog.’
BTW………..the blog is doing quite well. Lotsa nice comments. You’re my role model and I will get to work on mine. Or have Miss Nancy do it. She’s MUCH more patient than me.
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Hi Jackie, I’ve enjoyed the newsletters and I think the blog looks great! I signed up to follow via email. We’re excited and so proud of you!
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Thank you, Amy. I truly appreciate your input on all of this. Just got three book covers to consider, so things are moving.
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Way to go Jackie- knowing there is a book coming out that has been written by someone who knows how terrible grief can be will be a best seller – Grammas Angels brought me much peace and I can hardly wait to read your book so I will never feel alone again…way to go
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Thanks, Darlene. It won’t be long now. Time is flying past, at this point.
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Best of luck in your writing journey. I’ll be following.
John
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Thanks, John. I became hooked on your books via The Nightstand Collection. I’ve been writing since 1990 and have been in several anthologies, written lots of short stories and magazine articles, but this is my first “stand alone” book attempt. I’m with Oak Tree Press.
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Jackie finished reading your book you did a great job sharing how you felt each day.you allowed people to see and feel the swings of emotions that comes with loosing someone that is so close to you.There are some many people out there that this book will help them realize that griet is a natural process and it is ok to be mad at times and also to pass from that into remembering something about that love one and it will bring a smile to your face.This book to me should help others to walk through this difficult door that you and your family have walked through.I am trying to get Melissa and her mom and dad to read your i think it would open up some doors greaving that after all the years that have passed sents the death of brother—son.My 11 year old son Willian Braydon O-Bradley Lee is gone to read your book.He is and amazing young man ever sents he was 2 years old he would hold dads your grandpa Lees picture when dad was around 18-20 years old he would say he new him.Jackie i will get off here and stop yaking.Again thank you for writing WE ARE DIFFERANT NOW.Love you Uncle Wince
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Thank you for the wonderful comments, Uncle Wince. Wow, that’s amazing about Braydon saying that he knew Grandpa. I’ve read so much about things like that and believe it’s possible. We’ll have to talk more about that and those two visits that you’ve had. Love you, too. I do hope Melissa and her parents read my book. It might help with their grief. As you know, I also lost my brother, Tommy, when he was 45 and that’s very painful. Hugs!
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Loved the book as you know. It is an intense feeling of loss and sadness to loose someone you love dearly and so quickly that would just be so very heartbreaking. I cannot understand the book store you mentiion with the cool attitude regarding carrying your book. Must be a personal problem with the owner for some unknown reason you may never understand or know. After reading it I cannot image the reason they say having any bearing on the contents of your great and deep loss. Best wishes and keep the good work coming.
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Thanks for commenting, Terry. In the future, you should know you can leave the comment right at the end of the article instead of having to go all the way down to the beginning of my blog. The person who was cold to me is the owner of the bookstore and new to this area and so there should be no problems between us since we know nothing about one another. Maybe he just didn’t like my looks or something. Like you said, I’ll probably never know.
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Checking out your blog hope everything is going well.I enjoy reading all the commits that all the people have left on your blog.Hope you and your family are doing well.
LOVE
UNCLE WINCE
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Thanks for posting a comment, Uncle Wince. In the future, you can post right beneath the latest thing I’ve written. At the bottom of it, you will always see “Leave a Comment”. Just click on that and a box will open for you to leave your comment in. That way, you don’t have to scroll all the way to the bottom of my blog.
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