First, my IWSG post in conjunction with the culmination of my Beast World campaign.
The writing/blogging community is the best group of people out there! I've said it before, but they are so supportive! Today, I'm handing out some awards to recognize my helpers who gave me their most valuable asset--their TIME!
Based on the number, here are the top awards:
And here are the stats of all my wonderful volunteers and how much they helped!I made new connections, found volunteers to review the Beast World series, was blessed with a wonderful new piece of art, and received offers to guest post at other blogs. And I re-pubbed the ebooks!
Never be afraid to ask the writing community for help--they come through!
* * * * *
I'm also more than happy to return the favor!
Today I'm very happy to share my time and blog space with one of my awesome writer friends to celebrate the release of her incredible book, which I absolutely adored!
DANCING WITH DEMENTIA
Recognizing and Coping with the Early Stages of Dementia
by Jemi Fraser
Let's take a little more in-depth look into Jemi's life and her book. Her mom is the star, and with the recent restrictions at nursing homes, Jemi had to find a new way to see her--online!
Jemi: Thanks so much for doing this :) Mom is doing great despite the lockdown. Seeing her and chatting, with the help of the staff, makes everything so much easier for us. So thankful for those great people!
TT: Your book was so real. Though dementia is no laughing matter, it was pretty funny at times. Do you ever insert comedy in your fiction?
Jemi: Thanks!! I’m glad our crazy reality comes across. A strong sense of humour really gets us through!
My upcoming romantic-suspense series definitely has humour in it. My characters often have a sarcastic edge to them and that’s so much fun to write! I also think our family’s gallows humour comes through in several of my characters and the situations they get themselves into!
TT: I had to look up gallows humor--thanks for the new word!
I think you and your sister are saints the way you take care of your “mum” through so many trials and still kept working! Do you think you might write a book about her? or your own life someday?
Jemi: Wow - thank you! Definitely not saints, but we do love our mum! I don’t know if my heart is up to another true-to-life book at this point, but you never know. Mom’s had a fascinating life and I’ve thought about a YA historical romance set in the post WWII era based on it. Maybe one day!
TT: A YA historical in that era sounds fantastic!
The way your mother treated people, especially her second husband, reminded me of my grandmother, bossing folks around and doing as she pleased. It made me wonder if I’ll be that way when I’m older (have a lot of that in me now!) Do you ever wonder or worry how you will be later in life?
Jemi: Love it! Mom definitely enjoys being in charge and she believes she is ALWAYS the most qualified person in the room for any task or opinion. I have a wide and strong independent streak in me but I’ve always been quieter and more private than Mom. However, I suspect more of “Mom” will show up in me as I get older! My kids have been warned!
TT: Now for a couple of easy ones...
How do you like living in Canada?
Jemi: I wouldn’t live anywhere else!! Northern Ontario is beautiful and the people are awesome. Our fall leaves are spectacular. Our biggest con is probably how long the snow sticks around. While it is melting, we still have 2 to 3 foot snowbanks. In late March/early April that’s a definite con!
TT: Yes, you kept saying how wonderful the staff of most places was--I had to remind myself you were in Canada. I was jealous until I kept reading about the snow! haha
And lastly, What writing are you working on now?
Jemi: I’m planning to publish my Bloo Moose small-town romantic suspense series in the fall. Book 1 is ready to go, Book 2 is on the spit-and-polish round, Book 3 is in the final revision round. Book 5’s first draft is done, and Book 4 is still wandering around in my head (it’s the stubborn one). Ideas for Books 6-8 are there but need to be fleshed out. I’m hoping to publish at least 3 of them at the same time. Lots of fun ahead!
Holy Bullwinkle! That's a ton of stories! Congrats! I'll be around to read and help.
DANCING WITH DEMENTIA,
Recognizing and Coping with the Early Stages of Dementia
by Jemi Fraser
◊ Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir
◊ Publisher: Just Jemi Books
◊ eBooks
◊ ISBN-13: 978-1-9991258-1-3
Dementia and Alzheimer’s touch the lives of millions around the
world, but so much is still unknown.
As first-generation Canadians, we didn’t recognize
the early warning signs. We didn’t know the differences between regular aging
and the early stages of dementia. We’ve made mistakes but we’ve learned a lot.
DANCING
WITH DEMENTIA will help you:
•Identify those early warning signs
•Use visuals to improve communication
•Choose your words wisely
•Redirect and reassure
•Stay calm and cope with your own emotions
•Consider nursing home options
•Improve caregiver self-care
•Identify those early warning signs
•Use visuals to improve communication
•Choose your words wisely
•Redirect and reassure
•Stay calm and cope with your own emotions
•Consider nursing home options
•Improve caregiver self-care
We’ve learned to dance the early steps of the
disease with our love and laughter intact. If you are looking for help
recognizing early signposts along with practical ways to cope with early
Dementia and Alzheimer’s, this book is for you.
About the Author
Jemi Fraser
writes both fiction and nonfiction. Her nonfiction work focuses on the ways
that dementia has impacted her family. Her fiction work varies from
contemporary romance to suspense and flash fiction. Years as a teacher have
taught Jemi that life is short and that happy endings are a must.
She lives
in Northern Ontario, Canada where snow is always a topic of conversation and
the autumn leaves make everything better.
For more on
Jemi and her writing, visit her following sites:
Finally, Enter this giveaway is for a $20 Amazon Gift Card. (open internationally)
Congratulations to the award winners and to Jemi on her release!
ReplyDeleteAmazing you have so much of your next series ready.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind seeing snow that long.
Big congratulations, Jemi!
Jemi, your book shows us that despite all the sorrow and unknowing that comes with this terrible disease, there can be a new normal and some laughs.
ReplyDeleteTara, bloggers are amazing and that includes you. Congrats to the award winners. Thanks for being a part of Jemi's tour.
Tara - thanks so much for hosting my book here today and asking such great questions!
ReplyDeleteDeniz - thanks so much!
Alex - I've been working on the series for a long time! :) We've still got lots of snow to share :)
Mason - Yes! Our new normal includes lots of laughs and fun!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThe love that you have for your mom and had for your step-father came through the book splendidly.
An outstanding job, Lady.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
You should write that YA historical. After you finish that series, of course. Congrats, Jemi.
ReplyDeletePat - I'm so gad to hear that! It's hard to know what/how other people are feeling as they read!
ReplyDeleteDiane - I just might! It would be a fun write!!
Congrats on your new book, Jemi! And your new series in the fall looks really interesting. I love suspense, thrillers, and mysteries these days.
ReplyDeletePatricia - thanks - you're awesome!
ReplyDeleteNatalie - thanks!! I think my upcoming ones have a good mix of mystery, suspense, and romance!
How wonderful! Congratulations to the Winners.
ReplyDeleteand you're so right, it's a very supportive community!
Can't wait for your next release, Jemi!
I'm so glad the writing community came through for you, Tara!
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats on your new release, Jemi! Best of luck with it, as well as all your upcoming projects!
Always happy to help you out, Tara!
ReplyDeleteAnd great interview with Jemi! Her latest release is clearly so meaningful and impactful. And I adore gallows humor, so her fiction sounds great, too!
Thank you so much, Tara!! I will help anytime I can!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Jemi!
Happy April!
Heather
Yes, this community is amazing, glad your campaign was a success.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Jemi's new book! Sell many and stay safe! :)
I'm glad your campaign was successful. :)
ReplyDeleteWishing Jemi all the best.
Yolanda, MJ, Heather H, Heather G, David & Chrys - thanks so much!!
ReplyDeleteHi Tara – good for you re your Beast Worlds Campaign – sounds as though it was a great success. Interesting to see the pie chart.
ReplyDeleteJemi’s book will be so helpful to those who would like to learn more about coping with Dementia and being around loved ones with the disease. Good for her … all the best and stay safe to the two of you - Hilary
Jemi's books sounds very interesting. My mom's Alzheimers is still too fresh in my mind to read on that subject right now. I'm sure it will help many who haven't lived through it. At the beginning there were so many funny things she would say and I thought I'd write about it. Too soon, it wasn't funny anymore but heartbreaking. Congrats on sharing the journey.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hilary - I hope it can help people!
ReplyDeleteDiane - thank you.I know exactly what you mean - the disease is hideous and heart-breaking. We're a few years in now, and the changes are so difficult! Sending hugs your way!
Congratulations on your award. I have read a number of books and memoirs on Alzheimer's since my mom's diagnoses in 2005. Fraser's book sounds good.
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
Thanks Jeff - as you know it's a hideous disease. Hope my book can help a few people out!
ReplyDeleteCongrats award winners and Jemi on the new release.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Juneta!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to acknowledge people who've helped you, I love that.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Jemi's mum is doing okay. I'm looking forward to reading Dancing with Dementia.
Thanks, Anstice! I'm so relieved the staff in her nursing home is so caring!
ReplyDeleteYay for Jemi! So happy to see her here today. I am glad her mom is doing well and that the staff is so great. I love a lot of things about Canada- but I don't think I could handle the snow for so long- and the cold. I live in CT and there is already a little too much cold and snow for me here. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!
I love that you gave out awards!
ReplyDeleteWishing you much success, Jemi. It sounds like a book that many of us can relate too.
Happy Easter;)