Once upon a moonbeam...: Guest Blogger, Janie Reinart, author of Love You More Than You Know

Beloved Readers,

I am honored to have as my first "Guest Blogger," my dear friend, Janie Reinart, author of Love You More Than You Know: Mothers’ Stories About Sending Their Sons and Daughters to War, a book which has been a such a gift of comfort for those of us mothers who have children in the military. Janie is also the author of children's books, books of curriculum and instruction, and children's workbooks. She regularly serves as Poet in Residence for local schools, both public and private, inspiring young writers to discover their "poets within." I have invited Janie to my blog in honor of Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11. When Janie and I met at her book signing at the Hudson Library, we discovered that we had much more in common than having children serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Both of us sang, danced, and acted our way across the same high school stage in musicals just a few years apart. We both graduated from the National Writing Project Summery Institutes (again, different years). Last but not least, we both are passionate about writing and inspiring others to write!

Click here to enter free giveaways of Love You More than You Know eBooks in honor of our Veterans and their families.

When did you realize that you had a love for writing? When did you discover you had a real talent?

Thank you, Katherine, for such a warm welcome and for having me on your blog today!

In the early 1960’s, my first memory of writing has to do with running to the mailbox and looking for letters. I had pen pals, most of them from 4-H camp, who lived around the state of Ohio. With a precious letter in hand, I would run to the back yard and climb my favorite red maple tree and read the words from a friend. That tree was also the perfect spot to climb up high and be hidden by leaves, so that no one could bother me while I read books from the library.

I also remember writing plays and having my sisters and brother help me act them out for the neighborhood kids. We had Kool-Aid and popcorn for refreshments. I didn’t know then that the reading writing connection go hand in hand.

My first inkling that I might be good at writing came from my high school English teacher, Mr. David Shaner. He changed my life and was the reason I became a teacher. (Katherine’s note: David W. Shaner was also my inspiration!) Shy and quiet, I began to write speeches and present them to an audience. Mr. Shaner’s encouragement prompted me to enter the VFW Speech Contest my senior year in high school. The speech addressed the question of what we wanted to do in the future. I won first prize and a $25 savings bond. I still have the pin that went along with the prize.

I have coached high school students for the VFW Speech Contest and know how rigorous that competition is! I remember as a 6^th grader winning a patriotic essay contest at Madison Avenue Elementary School. I wish I still had a copy of it—I remember that it seemed easy to write it because I was inspired—I’ve always been nuts about my country! When the feelings are there, the passion pours out on the paper.

Having a loved one overseas serving their country is extremely stressful. Most parents, however, don't think to publish a book about the experience. Tell us how the book came about and how you compiled it.

I was numb. In December 2003, my thoughts wandered to the first line of the song, “Night of Silence” by Daniel Kantor. Cold are the people, winter of life, we tremble in shadows this cold endless night…My father, a WWII veteran, had recently passed away and my son was being deployed to Iraq. I was in darkness.

Not knowing what else to do, I started to write about my deepest fears and my greatest hopes. Words came pouring out. I wrote until 4 a.m. in the morning. I wrote until there were no words left to write. After realizing how therapeutic it was to get my thoughts down on paper, the idea for a book was born.

The book took three years to write. My first query was sent to a large publishing house interested in war memoirs. My query was rejected. I sent a second query letter with three requested chapters and book outline to a regional press. I approached Gray & Company, Publishers, because they had published a book similar in format to what I envisioned for Love You More Than You Know. After two weeks, I received a call from the publisher. He was interested, but he wanted more stories than I currently had.

I contacted Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist, Regina Brett. She graciously featured us in her column and on her radio show on WCPN FM, our local NPR affiliate calling for submissions. The response was tremendous: for months after the show, stories continued to arrive in my email box.

I had to be very organized and kept digital file folders for each person with their photos. Creating a manuscript and editing 70,000 words takes time. My friends would call me and could always tell from my voice when I was editing stories. These amazing stories often brought me to tears. At the book launch, I was able to meet for the very first time, 37 out of the 45 moms that have stories in our book.

I am a big fan of Regina Brett and had no idea that she was involved in spreading the word about this project!

I'm sure you've had many readers come back to thank you for this book. Tell us about any of those who stand out.

It always takes my breath away when a complete stranger leaves a message. This was posted on my blog www.loveyoumorethanyouknow.com a few months ago. And as a side note, her son made it home!

Just a short note to let you know how very touched I am by not only your book, but by the recent post you shared about your son getting married. I am sending along prayers for a lifetime of abundant blessings for the happy couple…and for you, who has been a great comfort to me during our boy’s deployment. Thank you and may God continue to bless you.

You have been an incredible support to so many military Moms and Dads (including Steven and me) both as a connection to resources and support groups but also as a prayer warrior! How might my readers who have loved ones in the military get in touch with you or get ahold of your book?

The best way to contact me and get a copy of the book is through my blog

www.loveyoumorethanyouknow.com

I am committed to continue bringing you true stories of our heroes in uniform, sharing with you the bravery and sacrifices that our troops and their families make everyday for all of us. You are invited to share your story about your soldier here at www.loveyoumorethanyouknow.com as a guest blogger. Send stories to storiesfrommoms@gmail.com

I know your publisher, Gray Publishing, is releasing your book in electronic format as opposed to doing another printing. What do you think about e-books? How do you feel about the next "printing" of your book going into electronic format?

I do love holding a paper back copy of our book! However, I am excited for the eBook format because the book will not go out of print and the pictures are in color.

Can you give us a sneak peak of your next project? Tell us how the idea came about.

I am working on a children’s book about a recently canonized saint, St. Jeanne Jugan. This saint is the foundress of the Little Sisters of The Poor. Their mission is to take care of the elderly poor.

I was singing with the choir from my church, Holy Angels, on a tour through France the day St. Jeanne Jugan was canonized in Rome last year. When we returned from that trip abroad, our choir sang for the Mass of Thanksgiving for the Little Sisters of the Poor in Cleveland. While singing at that mass, I was inspired to write about St. Jeanne Jugan for children.

My husband had enough frequent flyer miles and we were able to return to France the next year. I walked in the footsteps of this saint and had many adventures with my husband while researching this project.

Both of us have lost parents in the past year--you lost your mother and I lost my dad. We both found tremendous healing in writing about the loss and solace in sharing our writing with each other. Would you mind sharing the poem you wrote about your mother?

Katherine, your beautiful poem about your Dad helped me write the poem about my Mom.

She Loved Flowers by Janie Reinart

My Mom told me

To water the flowers

Today

She’s eighty-four

And asked

“Is this my end time?”

I tried to make

An indoor garden

With small pots

In her hospital room

Amaryllis, paper whites, hyacinths

And her favorite yellow roses

I held her small hand

With deep purple veins

Blown out by IV’s

On her paper white skin

Like the Japanese Irises

From my yard

She’s eighty-four

And asked

“Is this my end time?”

I held on

Through the dark nights

When she stopped talking

Until like a dry stalk

She rose up

And I had to let go of her hand

I love the shape of this piece, Janie. The images.

Several of my readers and visitors love to write or are interested in learning how to write better. Can you share some of your wisdom as a published author?

The best thing to do is sit in the chair and write! Writers are re-writers. It also helps to have a fabulous writing partner. (Hello Katherine! I always learn so much from you!) Read as much as you can. There’s that reading--writing connection again. Check out www.loveyoumorethanyouknow.com under writing tips for more ideas.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to charities benefiting wounded veterans:

ReMIND.org, a Bob Woodruff Foundation initiative for injured service members and their families.

The Semper Fi Fund will also receive donations.