AN INTERVIEW WITH JANICE THOMPSON

I’m so glad to have Janice Thompson with us today to talk about writing.

I hope you enjoy our chat...

Janice, tell us about a couple of your most recent releases.

I’m so excited to announce the release of my first-ever non-fiction book: I MUST DECREASE (Encouragement and Inspiration for Dieters)  This humorous devotional was birthed out of personal experience and should be an instrumental tool in the hands of people trying to lose weight.  It doesn’t advocate any particular plan, which is great.  Anyone on any plan can use it as a companion to their program.

I’m anticipating the October 15th release of my latest romance, SWEET CHARITY.  It’s a darling love story that involves a toddler named Charity who is anything but sweet.  I dedicated this book to my daughter Megan, who works as a private nanny.

Did you have a defining moment that made you want to start writing or did the desire build up over the years? Tell us about your journey.

I guess my “defining moment” came in the sixth grade, when I ran out of Bobbsey Twins books to read.  I sat down and wrote one of my own (taking the characters I loved on an adventure to the seashore).  I had no concept of plagiarism at the time (obviously) but knew in my heart I could craft a story people would want to read.  Pretty arrogant for a sixth-grader, right?

What author influenced you the most with your writing? And why.

Louisa May Alcott.  I love her stories, particularly LITTLE WOMEN.  There’s something about the character of Jo that has always rung true with me.  She was a dare-devil of a gal who used her ink-stained fingers to press her way into a man’s world.  I want to be just as tenacious and daring!

I loved your book, A Chorus of One. Where did you get the idea for that book?

The heroine from A CHORUS OF ONE (Jessica Chapman) was quite familiar to me already.  My first romance (A CLASS OF HER OWN) was centered around Jessica’s mother.  I decided to carry on with the story by writing this second book.  And what fun to be writing about the planning of a wedding while we planned weddings for our own daughters!  (Two of our girls married within five months of each other in 2004). I actually penned the words to A CHORUS OF ONE while planning two weddings.  I should also add that the “opera/theater” elements were also indicative of our family.  One of my daughters has a lovely operative voice and all four of my girls have been raised in Christian theater.

Do you enhance your creativity at the computer with any special music, scents, snack foods, or favorite beverages?

This is an interesting question to ask someone with A.D.H.D.  Some of those things are actually distractions to me, particularly the music.  Anything with a beat drives me mad while trying to write.  Candles are nice, and chocolate is always good, (refer to my dieting book comments above).  For the most part, I just sit with a Diet Dr. Pepper at my side at all times and get the job done.

Do you write every day? Be honest now.

I write most every day.  But I never have an “off” day, trust me.  I critique manuscripts for others and carry a heavy load of public speaking engagements.  I also direct the elementary department at my church, which takes a lot of time.  I’ve just set myself up on a schedule (as per my new agent) so that I can focus more time on my writing.

What was the first thing you did when you found out you sold your first novel? What were you thinking and feeling? How did you celebrate?

I still remember the day the editor phoned me.  I was stunned into silence and those who know me know I'm rarely silent.  I sat with my jaw hanging down, listening as she told me how much she loved my story, and then made an offer.  The advance wasn't large, but she might as well have said $1,000,000.  I was floored.  Floored!  Someone actually wanted to pay me for my story.  Not only that, she wanted to get the story out to people all over the country.  The whole thing was almost too much to take in.  Though I had convinced myself for years this would eventually happen, I went into shock when it did.

What is your average writing workday like?

I’m now pretty scheduled, and every day looks a little different from the one before it.  I’m not a morning person, so I rarely get up and going before 8:00.  I usually start by checking my email (which I’ve just learned is a huge mistake.  Supposedly when you start your day by looking at email the distractions set in immediately).  I tend to handle more business-related things in the late morning and “get cracking” on my writing in the afternoons.  I’m a late-night kind of girl, so some of my best writing actually happens in the wee hours of the night.

Is there a bit of you hiding in all your characters or are they compilations of people you meet?

Oh my goodness, yes.  The book I’m working on now (set in Spring, Texas) features a heroine who wants to save her town.  She’s got one of those “I can fix anything” personalities.  I was about four chapters into the book before I realized what I was doing.  I AM that character.  (Or, in this case I should say, “That character is me!”)  And this is not the first time.  I alluded to the role my family played in the development of some of my romances.  I suppose I/we show up in nearly every book!

When you start a new novel, what are the first three things you do?

I create a file on my computer, giving the piece a tentative title.

I develop a 12-step plot-line for the piece, then divide that into chapters.

I begin to write!

I know you write fiction as well as nonfiction books. What do you love to write the most and why?

I just had this conversation with my new agent last week!  Non-fiction comes so easily to me; I could do it in my sleep.  But I know (at least for now) that I’m supposed to be writing fiction.  Doing so really gives me an opportunity to stretch myself, to go deeper.  And because it’s hard work (trust me, it’s the equivalent of going to the dentist every day), I can’t get lazy or sloppy.  I have to study, study, study the craft!  And once I get “into” the story, I often find myself so caught up in the lives of my characters that it’s hard to lay the manuscript down and return to “the real world.”  If you don’t believe that, ask my husband and daughters.

What is your best piece of advice to new writers?

Don’t be intimidated or afraid of editors, agents or professionals in the business. They’re just people.  And they are looking for authors with great manuscripts.  Honestly, I think I could have shaved about a year off of my “getting published” journey by simply stopping my knees from knocking. 

Thanks Janice, for your insightful comments and your encouragement. Best wishes with your new books!

link - www.janiceathompson.com