Support from My Readers

Writing Forcing the Hand of God has given me a definitive sense of accomplishment. Throughout the process, I’ve felt a lot of support from family and friends, and some folks even sent me some kind words applauding my efforts (a big thank-you to all of you!). Below are some of the amazing comments I’ve received from readers:

I have pondered many times how to express my impression of “FORCING the HAND of GOD”
From the start, one is drawn in, first to the family, then to the dilemmas, then to the feeling that I was with the pilot, in the left seat, throttles full open as the wheels broke free of the runway. Through the words and minds of these characters, I am the mother, wife and son existing each day torn apart not just by geography, but by the beating heart of each person. This book is pure pleasure and a must read!

Love ya—
Stephany

I really loved "Forcing the Hand of God." The writing was lively and created vivid pictures in my mind. I thought the interplay between the two time periods and locales was especially well handled. And, of course, as an old military airplane buff, I was delighted with your depth of information on and descriptions of the Flying Tigers at work. (For instance, I was fascinated to learn that P-38s were flown by the "Tigers." I had not known that before.) You obviously did an enormous amount of research. I have just sent copies to the St. Louis Reams and Kirsten in Santa Barbara. Lyn, who was with us last week, has one too.
—Lorna

Prepared for a sense of WWII from a pilot’s point of view, I was moved by the interspersing of life on the home front. Having recently read letters written home by my own father, this gave me a certain insight as to what loved ones went through as daily life continued. The ever present shadow of fear clouding the mundane. —Heidi Clarke

Tell Jacquie that I read her book last year and just never got around to letting her know. It was good reading and very well written.
—Jim Hodges (flight instructor at Queen City)

Are You 4 or Against It?

As a former teacher, I think education is in my blood! Educational issues are frequently on my mind. 

What do you think of the text messaging controversy? Do you agree that when kids and teens keep using extremely abridged text messaging words  it affects their ability as writers and communicators? Check out my opinion on WGN Radio’s podcast, and tell me your take on texting. (Yes, I typed the title on purpose!)

Keep it Short and Simple

Happy Spring! Here in Seattle the sunshine is peeking through the clouds and the flowers are beginning to bloom. While many people's thoughts are turning to venturing outdoors I find myself drawn back to my writing.

Have you heard about my how-to book on writing: KISS: Keep it Short and Simple? KISS is all about easy ways to write better reports, short stories, or essays. I followed my own advice and wrote it as a short and simple book anyone can pick up!

My hope is that it guides and encourages all writers, from K-12 students to continuing education students to aspiring fiction writers! All you have to do is follow the steps in KISS and you’ll take an idea and turn it into an excellent, A-worthy piece of writing!

KISS is available online (Amazon). You can also read an excerpt on my website.

Let me know how KISS: Keep it Short and Simple transforms your writing—I’d love to hear from you!

New Review for Forcing the Hand of God

Many thanks to Sherry Shadday who recently reviewed my book, Forcing the Hand of God. Sherry served in the US Air Force for 21 years.

Sherry writes:  
"This book takes you back in time to World War II from both feminine and masculine viewpoints. There are several stories threading through this book, with glimpses of the past interspersed throughout, tying the individuals together. Jacquie Ream's perceptive descriptions place you in the activity, whether it be mechanics scattering from incoming bullets, Rodger leaving for an air mission, Adele learning about her husband's past, or a simple stroll by Ada to Adele's home. 

I became entwined with the characters as I discovered a piece here and a piece there that fit together, like a puzzle unfolding before me. Experience wartime emotions, family strife, the ties that bind, and bits of history as you explore lives affected by war, distance, economical and social situations, love, and friendship. You may not be immediately pulled into Forcing the Hand of God, but Ream's characters soon grow on you, drawing you in. This is more a slice of life than a piece of fiction."

Why Write About a Flyer?

I am often asked: Why did you write about a flyer? Years ago, I stumbled across a letter in an advice column (and to my everlasting dismay I did not keep it as reference) about a nine year old boy whose mother had put him in a diaper for wetting the bed and made him play outside while still wearing it. The image of that poor child surely subjected to humiliation nagged at me. In some strange way, although I half-sympathized with his mother’s exasperation, I had a distinct impression that the boy would either grow up to be a psychopath or an aviator. 

I think it is human nature to want to be superior in some way to others; to be admired by a select group, by our peers, our family or the whole of humankind. Of course, there are many venues for this, but I thought war would be an excellent arena to show one man’s alienation, connections, and ideals. If that child did not have unconditional love from his mother, then he could certainly channel his desire for accolades from the boxing crowd or handling wild and barely manageable horses. But flying airplanes during wartime seemed so promising--excelling and being rewarded intrinsically through the promotions and admiration of others like him even, perhaps, the “enemy”.

The Characters of Forcing a Hand of God from My Perspective

Rodger, the flyer: A question posed to me after someone has read the novel is “Why didn’t Rodger stay home with his family?” Being a romantic myself, I also wanted him to decide to stay stateside. But characters, even though created by an author, have verisimilitude, and must remain true to the reality in which they exist. Rodger Brown would not choose to stay stateside and forgo the only arena where he could prove to himself that he exists as a man.

Adele, his wife: I think it is much different for a woman, particularly during the time of WWII. Not because a woman is softer or less capable, as Rodger’s wife Adele proved, but because biology defines her priorities. Pregnant women have a limited range of mobility. And I think once a woman bears a child, that sense of responsibility to make a perfect world then centers around the more personal sphere of family and home.

Ada, his neighbor: Rodger’s neighbor and mentor, Ada, is an example of a woman who defies convention on a minor scale. She’s discreet in her affairs, yet chooses to remain a widow as a protection against the prying eyes of the small town where she resides. Her love for Rodger is maternal; yet underlying that is a sexual tension, a longing for a relationship, a connection with Rodger’s father, John. She is the most interesting character to me, for her voice is complex. She is nurturing, yet aloof from the world, somewhat like Snoopy of Peanuts, who loves mankind but can’t stand people.

Madeline, his mother: Wouldn’t you love to hate Madeline? But if you are like me, I begrudgingly must admit that I understand her. For one thing, Rodger must have been a precocious child and difficult to manage, having all the attributes of her husband that she found hard to tolerate. And I can imagine a jealousy of the father/son connection that precluded her involvement, even if she had the capacity of understand it. But on the other hand, Madeline is a product of the times and conventions that dictated quite clearly the hows, whys and wherefores of womanhood. She could not transcend them because those very conventions defined her.

I still think about the characters and often consider how their lives are progressing. They are my virtual family and I care about each of them. I have other voices to answer to and am working on a new novel, The Eye of the Moon. But that’s another story.