About the Book
Author: Debra Coleman Jeter
Genre: Memoir
Release Date: August, 2020
A fly-on-the-wall account of making a television show, and a great examination of country
living in the first half of the twentieth century, The Past Ever Present revolves around the relationship between a boy and his grandfather. When Clay is cast as a regular in the TV series Christy, his grandfather Clifton serves as his on-set guardian. The series is set in a poor farm community, which is eerily similar to the one where Clifton grew up. Being on the set of the show provides a dramatic transformation for both, as Clay comes of age and Clifton comes to terms with his past.
Author Interview
Do you have a special writing area?
I am fortunate in that I can write almost anywhere anytime. I have a knack for shutting out distractions. I believe I think best and, consequently, write best early in the day. I prefer to scribble by hand in a spiral notebook (or whatever comes to hand, sometimes a legal pad) in my first draft. I aim for five pages a day. I usually write storyboards first; here I shoot for three storyboards a day prior to writing the scenes that I’ve storyboarded. I typically write either storyboards or five pages on a given day, not both. It takes me about a year to write the first draft.
How long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
It depends on the book. I typically spend at least ten to fourteen weeks laying the ground work before I write the first scene, even in a novel. In The Past Ever Present, I spent more time because I had a series of cassette tapes my dad made during the filming of the television series Christy. I spent hours and hours listening to those tapes, transcribing them, relating them to Clay’s story and to Catherine Marshall’s novel. I also spent hours talking to my father to clear up specific details from his memory of events.
Do you read much?
Yes, all the time. I had a creative writing professor long ago who stressed the importance for a writer to be a reader. I welcomed this advice. I told him I read because I love to read, not to learn the craft. He replied that I would subconsciously absorb what I need. I hope he’s right. Sometimes I worry that I spend more time reading than writing.
What is different about writing non-fiction vs fiction? Would you say one is easier than the other?
The Past Ever Present is non-fiction, probably the book closes to my heart because it’s about two people I love very much. However, most of my books are fictional. I believe I can sometimes convey a deeper truth through fiction, as I don’t feel compelled to stick to the facts. Facts, interesting as they are, may send conflicting signals and complicate the writing process and the character’s journey.
Anything else you'd like to share?
My protagonist, Clay Jeter, gets his start in showbiz in The Past Ever Present. On the set of Christy, he is introduced to--and fascinated by--all aspects of the business. He is now a filmmaker and director (Unsolved Mysteries, Chef’s Table, Home, and more).
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Debra Coleman Jeter has published in popular magazines, including Working Woman, New Woman, Self, Home Life, Savvy, Christian Woman, and American Baby. Her first novel, The Ticket, was a finalist for a Selah Award, and her most recent, Song of Sugar Sands, a finalist for a 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Award. Her short story, “Recovery,” won first prize in a competition sponsored by Christian Woman; and her book The Past Ever Present (originally published as Pshaw, It’s Me Grandson) was a finalist in the USA Book News Awards. She is a co-writer of the screenplay for Jess + Moss, a feature film which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, screened at nearly forty film festivals around the world, and captured several international awards.
As the mother of Clay Jeter and the daughter of Clifton Coleman, Debra Coleman Jeter is uniquely qualified to tell their story.
More from Debra
For those of you familiar with Catherine Marshall’s novel Christy or with the two-season CBS television series based on that novel, The Past Ever Present should feel like an old friend. For those of you not familiar with Christy, consider The Past Ever Present an introduction to something you are bound to love.
I remember the day my son Clay was invited to audition for a television show called Christy. I did not make the connection, though I had read Christy years earlier. Then he was invited for a call-back in Townsend, Tennessee. It was there we first realized Kellie Martin (star of Life Goes On) had been cast as Christy; she was there that day, and Clay recognized her. Then I had a chance to read a section of the script, and I recognized the story, to my delight.
If you haven’t read Christy, you should. It is simply wonderful. If you love it, or if you are interested in true tales about child actors (my son Clay), or about growing up during the Great Depression (my dad Cliff Coleman), I hope you’ll love The Past Ever Present. The book was a finalist in the USA Book News Awards.
Clay is cast as a regular in the series Christy, filmed in the hills of eastern Tennessee, at the age of nine. Much of the usual struggle for recognition and approval associated with the Hollywood industry finds its way to this isolated mountain community. Because both Clay’s parents are working full time, his grandfather Clifton serves as Clay’s guardian. The television series being filmed is set in a poor farm community, much like the one where Clifton grew up. The show brings back memories for Clifton and, while Clay is working, he watches and remembers. The book highlights parallels between Clay’s antics and Clifton’s memories of his own, in addition to the parallels between the characters and their adventures in Christy and those in Clifton’s past.
Blog Stops
Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 8
Inklings and notions, December 9
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 10
Blossoms and Blessings, December 11 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, December 11
For Him and My Family, December 12
deb’s Book Review, December 13
Sara Jane Jacobs, December 14
Stories By Gina, December 15 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 15
Artistic Nobody, December 16 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 17
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 18
Spoken from the Heart, December 19 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, December 20
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 21
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Debra is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card and a signed copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/10465/the-past-ever-present-celebration-tour-giveaway
3 comments:
Thanks for sharing this interview. I think reading more than you write is a good balance. Keeps you learning.
It's been so long since I read Christy -- forgot it was set in TN. (where I live)
Thanks so much for having me on your blog, and for everyone who visits or comments. Have a great Christmas!
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