Hello, welcome to ‘Writer’s Treasure Chest’
Please introduce yourself.
Hello! I’m June N. Foster and reside in Arizona. Currently, I spend the majority of the year in the yachting industry as a deckhand and yoga instructor. This affords me the amazing opportunity to discover new destinations, experience new cultures, and develop lasting friendships with diverse people from around the world. When I’m not working, I love to volunteer for a wide-variety of children’s non-profit organizations through writing, visiting orphanages, fund raising, and getting involved with conservation initiatives.
1. When did you start writing?
I have been writing through journal entries ever since I was “knee-high to a grasshopper,” as my Papa used to say. Reflected within these dusty journals are my deepest secrets, thoughts, fears, poems, hopes, dreams, questions, and observations regarding the world around me.
2. What motivates you to write, What is your goal in writing? Do you have dreams where your writing should take you?
After two years of quietly writing my story and keeping it close to my vest, I smiled. Strange really – – the journey I traveled – – the journey that led me to this moment. As I thought about these questions, I considered: How much do I share?
I navigated my cursor to YouTube and clicked on my “go-to” song, “Fly Me to the Moon,” written by Bart Howard, and beautifully sung by Frank Sinatra. This masterful rendition will always be held close to my heart as Papa’s and my song.
I listened carefully to each word, wishing he were beside me, providing me guidance to my question. As the song reached the end, these simple, yet powerful words floated in the air:
In other words, please be true,
In other words, In other words,
I love you
Hearing this answer; I smiled again.
I was born into a middle-class American family and we moved around the US seven times. I grew up loved and lucky to have had healthy food to eat, an early education, attend college, and follow my dreams. We attended Catholic mass every Sunday, prayed before every meal and before bedtime, and donated time and money towards those in need. Yet, for me, these acts were more of an obligation, perhaps even a tradition, similar to cooking the turkey or decorating the Christmas tree – something to look forward to, yet to shrug off until the following season. I was more concerned about what I would wear to school the next week, what others said about me on Facebook, or whether or not I had the latest cell phone. Admittedly, I lived in a tiny, one-dimensional bubble. Now at twenty-four-years old, I can honestly say that I was the poster child of the stereotypical mantra of the entitled millennial.
After we moved back to Arizona from Ohio, I started college. Through my studies in global sociology I became impassioned to help the hungry, poorest, and most vulnerable population in the world ¬ – our children in need. Learning about their living conditions and survival stories brought me to tears. I immersed myself further into research, study, and talking with non-profit organizations whose mission it is to help those in need. After graduating with an Associate of Arts Degree in Organizational Management, I enrolled in Film Production at Grand Canyon University. I was in the middle of a screenwriting course, when my Papa passed away. I emotionally collapsed and over the course of many months, I fell deeper and deeper into despair. My anger turned into hope after praying to our Lord and asking Him to guide me. Soon after, I picked up my yet to be completed screenplay and as I read it with fresh eyes, I felt my characters, plot, settings . . . well, everything lacked depth and substance. I was determined to bring the story to life, and in doing so, my screenplay evolved into my debut novel.
Truth be told, I lack the financial means and wide-spreading influence to make a large impact. I chose the best vehicle I could to bring awareness to others through suspense and adventure story telling. It is my hope that readers will love my stories, yet at the same time become more aware of the world around them through passive insertions of global issues. It would be ideal for one or more of my stories to transform into a screenplay and subsequently, a movie production. The hope would be to take any profits I receive and direct them to help those in need. This is my dream. The Girl and the Golden Leaf is the first book in a series dedicated to humanitarian efforts and the preservation of the world’s nature resources for future generations.
3. What genre do you write in and what made you chose this particular genre?
Perhaps it’s due to my age, but my characters, narrative, and perspectives are tailored to the younger adult. However, due to some horrific, (but not overly graphic) scenes in the story, the genre of The Girl and the Golden Leaf would be appropriate for 18-years-old and above. It is my goal for the following sequels in the series, to reach all young adults to 100+.
4. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block and if yes, how do you deal with it?
On occasion, I do suffer from writer’s block, but I believe my biggest obstacle is my predisposition that I need a dedicated “time slot” for creative writing. If I am distracted by other commitments on a given day, I lose that day completely. For me, I need to carve out a dedicated block of days for the words to flow. Perhaps this is why it took me two years to complete my first story, as life happens, and dedicated days are few and far between. I realize this is a major weakness that I need to overcome as I begin my next story.
5. What advice would you like to give new, hopeful authors?
As a twenty-four-year old new author, I hesitate to give advice as I have so much to learn, understand and experience. However, if I were to give one nugget, I would say, “Don’t be afraid — find your passion and write with love and conviction. Don’t overthink each word, or each step in the process as I did. And have faith that, “For the Lord will be your confidence and keep your foot from being caught.” Proverbs 3:26 (ESV)
6. Please, tell us about your work.
The Girl and the Golden Leaf will be published in January 2019. Please visit: www.junenfoster.com to learn more information about the book and to order your copy.
• 9781982216993 Softcover
• 9781982217006 E-Book
• 9781982216986 Hardcover
About the Book
As whitewater rafting guides down the New River in Fayetteville, West Virginia, sixteen-year-old Tia and her twin brother, Finn, hope to find a way to escape poverty after the recent deaths of their parents. When a Hollywood film producer offers the siblings acting roles in his movie, Tia sees the vision of her golden ticket she has prayed for God to provide. How can she refuse?
From Chile’s exotic Río Futaleufú, to her captivity in the Amazon Rainforest and the slums of Buenos Aires, Tia’s deep faith touches everyone she meets . . .
. . . but will her faith be enough to survive the darkest pits of humanity?
This heart-wrenching and suspenseful novel is unblinking in the horrors faced by children stolen from their lives — however, it does not sensationalize nor over-dramatize the truth. Vividly written, The Girl and the Golden Leaf examines the tormenting events in an emotional story filled with acts of extraordinary courage and survival.
Praise for The Girl and the Golden Leaf
“An unforgettable journey, full of adventure, suspense, mystery, and despair to triumph, The Girl and the Golden Leaf, will forever touch your heart.”
— CBM Christian Book Reviews (10/10 stars)
“Combining an intriguing, engrossing story with a salutary message of hope and charity for deprived innocents, The Girl and the Golden Leaf by June N. Foster is both riveting and revelatory.” — Chanticleer Reviews
“Foster’s deft writing can generate tension by mere suggestion.” “…rewarding tale of a kidnapped teenager’s resilience.” — Kirkus Reviews
Thank you June, it’s been a pleasure to have here as my guest.
Connect with June:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/junefoster/
https://www.instagram.com/june__foster/
http://www.junenfoster.com
Since the second book in the series is completed and only needs to return from the Copyright Lawyer, we had to get together and discuss the next cover.
You have? Well, you are probably very excited about the prospect of becoming a published author, and rightly so.
Well, after a great deal of time, effort and procrastination, I am happy to announce my new book, kongo.com, that will be released on
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