Aunt Donsy’s Trunk
Aunt Donsy’s Trunk
By Elaine T. Jones Publisher iUniverseISBN 9781491724187
ANSI
Published in Non Fiction,Synopsis
The old steamer trunk that used to belong to Aunt Donsy was now a coffee table in Delores’ living room where the Searcy family gathered after Clarence’s funeral, it was one of the few family possessions left from the previous generation. The group conversation began to focus on our shared memories and questions about Aunt Donsy’s trunk. Until that conversation we each only had questions, but no complete answers . . . When did the trunk become so mysterious, and why? Where did the trunk come from, and what were the secret contents? Aunt Donsy’s trunk became a conduit as the family pieced together the fragments of information that each one knew. It was like putting a puzzle together as our history began to take shape to form a picture of one family: The righteous, and the unscrupulous; the determined and the pretenders; the strong and the fragile.
Do you write full time or part time
As a retired educator who is very active in my community, I write part time.
How do you structure your day when you write
I enjoy writing early in the morning and I spend the rest of the day with family and community affairs and events.
Why do you write? (Example; For fun, to make extra money, a personal experience you want to share with the public)
I have always "had a book in me." When I retired and became the family matriarch I realized that I knew more about our family history than anyone else in the family; therefore, I began to write for the benefit of my children. It didn't take me long to discover that others were interested in my writings... As I shared my stories, friends and neighbors told enthusiastically me. "I could tell you some stories," or, "I could write a book too." This acknowledgement lead me to create workshops, conduct classes, and make personal appearances to encourage others to write their own history and genealogy. And, I continue to research and record more in depth information for my own family... This effort is what wakes me up by 5:30 every morning - researching about my discoveries...
What are you working on right now / or your most recent work
At this moment, I am researching and recording the life stories of older Africans Americans - 80 & 90 years old. These people are only a few (one -two) generations removed from the year the Emancipation Proclamation was passed... I am interested in how their families lived and adjusted to the new found freedom, and no-one knows better that the immediate descendants.
What inspired you to create this book
The preservation of my own family history.
What genre do you write in and why did you choose it
Non-Fiction/ History is my genre because of the need to share real stories about the African American community : Our Stories - Our Truth.
How much research did you do on your book? (If it applies)
My research consisted of: my own memory and personal memories of other (friends, classmates, relatives), and history / timeline sites.
How do you think you have evolved creatively from when you first started writing until now
I have become my aware of how my work is inspirational to others; therefore, as I write and research for myself I keep that in mind and keep more information about my journey in order to share my experiences.
What was the hardest thing about writing this book for you
The hardest thing a in writing "Aunt Donsy's Trunk" was pulling on the other members of my family to confirm my memories and add their own. It took me 10 years from start to finish; older cousins passed away during that time, few replied to my requests, and getting copies of family pictures was like pulling hems teeth.
What was the most rewarding
The most rewarding for me was the actual publication of "Aunt Donsy's Trunk." It was after the book was published that my family really began to understand what I was doing; then, I heard things like.. "I could have given you a picture of her/him/that." and "Can you help me write/ find out about ____!" I feel so excited about inspiring others to fill in the gaps of our true American History.
If you had to start over, is there anything you would do different
If I had a do-over, I would have started earlier in my life... I waited until I retired because I did't think I had to time to write while I was working, running a small business, and raising four daughters. Actually, as I look back, I could have made the time if I had realized the importance of this work to others.
How have you evolved from when you first started writing until now
I had to learn how to make what I envisioned in my head become something that others could see.
Are you a planner type person, or do you prefer to dive right in when you write
I wake up early and pray - it is my way to connect to the universal; then, after breakfast. I dive right in and let my thoughts flow.
How much dialogue do you have with your readers
I love to communicate with my readers; therefore I make myself available for book clubs, and personal appearances. I enjoy the daily dialogue with the social media connections.
Do they influence your writing
My readers influence me to wanting to find and record more information about the true history that was not taught in school... I have a wide assortment of "friends" who have responded to my post that they appreciate the information I share, and how the current events can be correlated to passages in my books... I do have another book, "Price Road," which can be called "true history. "It is listed as fiction because the names of the places and characters are my creative input; the core of the book's story-lines are based on real people and events and filled with intriguing symbolism;however, because of my reader's display of interest in real truth, I am leaning toward all of my writing being absolute truth...
Do you recommend being a part of a support groups to help you with your writing
When I first started writing, I joined a support group of other writers which helpful me build my confidence... I think that was an absolutely necessary experience as I was entering into an unfamiliar area... It gave me the strength to develop my skills in an emotionally safe environment.
Do you work with an editor If so, how much input do they have
I have worked with an editor on each of my books or blogs. My editor, also an African American, keeps me focused on my target. She understands my story and what I want to convey and makes suggestions to achieve that while making sure the punctuation and grammar are correct. Often I tell my editor that I couldn't be a writer without her and spellcheck...
Was there anyone in your past that you think influenced your writing
I am the first person in my immediate family to finish college; therefore, no-one in my family even recognized my unrevealed interest in writing... Yet, I never forgot the elementary school teacher, Mrs, Elmore, who showed appreciation for a play I wrote on my own and shared with her when I was in the 5th grade. Mrs. Elmore actually had my class to put my play on for an assembly program and introduced me as the "writer" - teachers can be a great lifelong influence. Mrs Elmore was my influence although after I graduated from that school I never saw her again; however, I never forgot her.
Do you have any tips or useful resources on marketing
I do everything I can think of to get the information about my books to the public: speaking engagements, social media, and radio interviews; additionally, both books are in the Philadelphia, PA, Hampton,VA, and Eden, NC. Free Libraries...
How are you publishing this book? (Indie / self-published, traditional)
I self published my books with iUniverse. The traditional route was to long and based on personal opinions within the industry... As a retiree, I wanted to tell My Story - My Truth in my own way.
What are your thoughts on book series
I have considered writing a follow-up book because I am continuing gather more information that I would love to share.
How long do you think a book should be? (Pages or words)
I believe that we live in a microwave generation; therefore, I don't think today's reader will spend too much time with a long book. My novel, Aunt Donsy's Trunk is less than 300 pages which I think is a good quick- read length.
Do you have a strategy for finding reviewers
I don't have a strategy for finding reviewers. All of my reviews have come from enthused readers without solicitation.
What advice would you give to your younger self today
I would say to m with younger self, "You are a talented writer - develop and pursue that talent!!!"
What is your favorite book or film
Believe it or not I love "The Wiz" Diana Ross and Micheal Jackson... My family views this movie at least once a year as a group; we use it as a conduit to discuss and analyze life conditions, aspirations, and concerns.
If you don’t already have one, do you have plans to have a book trailer and what are your thoughts on them overall
I have used video's about my book. I think trailers and all forms video presentations are beneficial to the exposure about the books.
What are you working on next
My next immediate project is the script for a documentary titled "Our Stories - Our Truth." Following the information disclosed in the "Slave Narratives" this documentary explores the lives of the descendants of slaves...
When you get frustrated, how do you deal with it
I don't let much upset me because I have learned that stress will kill you, and frustration and worry will sap your energy... If either of these will stop you in your tracks - you can't accomplish your goals. I am too old to waste time with frustration and worry, I have too much to do; I need to live a long time.
What advice would you give a writer that is just starting out
I think it is important for a writer to: be consistent, stay on track, ignore the negative forces that will surround you, and don't become discouraged if things take longer to accomplish than you thought...
About the Author
