Monday, May 20, 2013

Meet Author Janice Thompson

Congratulations to Carol from Alabama who won a book of her choice from Julie Lessman in the last author interview! There were 146 comments with 42 names in the drawing. Thanks to Julie for all her interaction with the readers and for telling others about my blog through her website.

Now I want you to meet Janice Thompson, who will talk with us about her writing and some of the many books she has written.

Hello, Janice, I’m excited to get to talk with you today about your books and writing. I have perused your information on Amazon.com and looked at many of your titles (and I have read several of them). How many years have you been writing and how many books have you written?

Janice: I’ve been writing about twenty years and have published 90 books.

Juanita: Wow, that’s a lot of books. You are quite a creative lady. Tell us about your faith and why you write Christian books.

Janice: I’ve been a Christian since age eleven and have a passionate faith. I feel very strongly about spreading the gospel and I’m thrilled to see the Lord using my stories to touch people’s lives. As I write, I ask the Holy Spirit to flow through the pages of the story in much the same way the Spirit of God flowed over the waters during creation. I’m always touched to hear from readers who’ve grown closer to the Lord as the result of one of my books.

Juanita: I notice a wide variety of subjects in your book titles, from romance and mystery to devotionals and dieting. What is your favorite type of book to write?

Janice: By far, my favorite type of book to write is romantic comedy. I enjoy the serious stuff, too, but comedy comes naturally to me. I started out as a playwright and all of my plays are funny. It just makes sense to let that same sense of humor spill over onto the page. These books are definitely easier to write (and most are written in first-person, which is my POV of choice).

Juanita: I suspected that, as I perused your earlier book titles, and thought maybe you had started in that venue. The e-book Fill These Empty Arms was one I downloaded on my Kindle, and could not put down. I appreciated your skill with characterization. I felt that I knew each of the characters, from a pregnant teen-ager to a middle-aged woman who still could not come to terms with her abortion experience many years prior to an older woman working in a Crisis Pregnancy Center because she needed something to make her life feel worthwhile. You wove the story together with great continuity and I felt no gaps in going from one character to another. I reviewed this book on Amazon and on my blog. As I read the book, I felt that these were people you had known. Do you use life experiences and memories when you write?

Janice: Definitely. At the front of Fill These Empty Arms I gave a nod to the many, many women whose stories had touched me and/or motivated me to write that book—people like my step-mom, who worked at a Crisis Pregnancy Center for years. People like a friend of mine named Shirley who runs a home for unwed mothers. People like ladies I’ve known who’ve received forgiveness after having an abortion. One of the most compelling life experiences happened about ten years ago when I was asked to go into a women’s prison with a post-abortion recovery ministry. On that day I watched women—dozens and dozens of women—place cloth dolls (to represent the babies they had aborted) on the altar. Lots of tears were shed that day, as you might imagine. God used it to touch my heart and open my eyes to the great need among women who have suffered in silence. Out of that, Fill These Empty Arms was born.

Juanita: I watched my younger daughter experience infertility and numerous miscarriages, then she was able to adopt and then to have a baby by natural means. So I’ve had some experience there, too. I was sorry to learn that this book is only available in e-book format and that I could not order a print copy. If I could, I'd give away several copies of this.

I hope many readers today will check it out, order it for a very small sum, and read it on their Kindles, Nooks, or even on their computers. Now, back to another of your books that I read--Hurricane.

I suppose you have to do a lot of study to write historical novels like Hurricane, based on an actual event. How do you go about researching for a historical novel and how much time does it take?

Janice: It really depends on the story. In the case of Hurricane, my research went all the way back to childhood. I vividly remember an incident in seventh grade where my history teacher shared the story of the Galveston hurricane of 1900. The story captivated me! As we approached the 100-year anniversary of the story, I felt a stirring to share (in particular) the story of several nuns at a Galveston-based orphanage who sacrificed their lives to try to save their young charges. Months and months of research took place on the web and at libraries, but the greatest information came from driving down to Galveston and visiting their historical museum and seeing “The Great Storm” (a film about the storm) at the Pier 21 theater.

Juanita: My husband and I visited that very same museum and were impressed by that film, too. Tell us about Picture Perfect, your new book that was just released in February of this year.

Janice: Here’s the official blurb:
She's trying to focus on her future. How can one man make everything feel so . . . fuzzy?

Hannah McDermott has a successful photography studio. She'll soon be featured in Texas Bride magazine. And she has a celebrity client whose Galveston ceremony will be her ticket to the top spot on wedding coordinator Bella Neeley's list of recommended photographers. But it could all come crashing down around her because of one man: archrival and photographer extraordinaire Drew Kincaid.

As the competition between Hannah and Drew heats up, Hannah is surprised to find that it's not the only thing getting more intense. She can't get the handsome man out of her thoughts--or even out of her line of sight--and the job of her dreams is turning into a nightmare. Will everything she's worked for slip out of her hands? And can she see past her pride to find a picture-perfect love?

With contagious humor and a cast of quirky characters, Janice Thompson gives you crazy bridal-business drama, sweet romance, and a satisfying dose of laughter.

Juanita: Is this a new series or a continuation of one you have already begun?

Janice: Picture Perfect is the start of a new series titled “Weddings by Design” but the whole series is a spin-off of my original “Weddings by Bella” series. I’ve also (loosely) linked the stories to my “Backstage Pass” series, which is set in Hollywood. Basically, I created a fun/quirky cast of character back in 2008 and am doing the best I can to keep them alive! My readers seem to love Bella and the gang, so I’ll stick with them as long as I’m able.

Juanita: What are three things you would tell a beginning writer, to help him or her start off on the right track?

Janice: 1). Stay on a learning curve at all times. Never think you know it all.
2). Write the story of your heart.
3). Don’t let the critique of others wound you.

Juanita: Please tell our readers how they can find you and your books on line.

Janice: I love to visit with my readers! They can find me on facebook at Janice Hanna Thompson or my website at www.janicehannathompson.com. My twitter handle is booksbyjanice.

Juanita: Thanks, Janice. I know you are a busy lady and really do appreciate the time you have given for the readers of my blog. I hope to read many more of the books you have created.

Janice: Thanks for having me!
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It’s your turn, now. If you’d like to win a copy of Picture Perfect, leave a comment along with your email address, so I can notify you if you win. Extra points are given for those who choose to follow me or subscribe to my blog. Just tell me that you’re following or have subscribed and I’ll add your name again for each of these things. Other ways to get on the list are to send me an email or post to me on facebook that you'd like to have a copy of this book.

If you wish to download Fill These Empty Arms, go to Amazon, then to e-books, then to the title. By far, this is my favorite, and it is only available in e-format. You can download an app on your computer to read it there, if you don't have a Kindle or Nook.



21 comments:

  1. I loved the Weddings by Bella series and would love to have this one! pat at ptbradley dot com

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  2. And I forgot to mention I follow your blog and am a subscriber!

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  3. Hello again, Pat. You're the very first commenter today and I'm so glad to welcome you back. Your name is in the drawing with THREE chances. Thanks so much for your support.

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  4. Some touching subjects Janice has written about - would love to read some of her books!

    Thanks for the giveaway opportunity! I follow your blog.

    bonnieroof60@yahoo.com

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  5. Yes, Bonnie, this book touched me very much. I wish it were in print, I'd buy a dozen and give them away. Thanks for your comment and for the contest entry!!

    I reviewed this book here, if you want to look it up, the title of the blog is "Infertility, Adoption, and Abortion." Janice dealt with all three of these in her wonderful book FILL THESE EMPTY ARMS.

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  6. Picture Perfect sounds like a fun read. Thank you for offering a copy. I just started following you.
    may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Well, Kay, Welcome back to my blog! I just started doing this in earnest last November after playing with it a bit. Took a blogging course and I don't know everything but hope I know just about enough. Got your name on the list...good luck to you! I haven't read this one, but I LOVED the one called FILL THESE EMPTY ARMS. Hope you'll consider downloading it for a small fee and reading it. I actually got it free, but don't know if it's still free or not.

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    2. I wish you the best with your blog! It does take dedication. I haven't been dedicated enough to keep mine going very well. I'm so sporadic at my writing.

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    3. Yes, I'm finding it's a real commitment to do this. It helps when people comment and I know somebody is actually reading what I wrote. Thanks.

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  7. I loved the Weddings by Bella series and I have been looking forward to reading this book! Thanks for the chance to win!
    I follow your blog through Feedly!
    gatorade635(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. Hello, Abbi-- your name is on the list with two chances to win! Thanks for coming back to my blog and I hope you enjoyed the interviews you read. I need to check at my library and see if any of the Bella books are there so I can read one during these two weeks. I just loved the e-book about the girl who became pregnant and what happened with her baby.

    Thanks for coming back to my blog-- hope to see you again. Have a glorious week. Enjoy the beautiful flowers!

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  9. Thanks for the chance to win this book. I have only recently found your blog and enjoy it very much.

    I am a subscriber.

    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  10. So I guess Ruby and Reba are your cats...from the picture I presumed this. Thanks for your comment. You are on the list.
    So glad you enjoy my blog.

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  11. I would love a copy of Picture Perfect. It would be my first book by Janice Thompson. Sounds like a great book. I am a subscriber but not sure about a follower. I check email through my Kindle and I don't see a follow button.

    Wanda Barefoot
    flghtlss1(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. Sorry. I mean I am an email follower. I just found the button so I am subscriber now too.

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  13. Yes, it sounds like a fun book. Don't you love books that make you laugh? Sounds like Janice Thompson writes of lot of them.
    Thanks for your entry and I have you down for TWO chances.

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  14. First time at your blog. Glad to be here! Look forward to your interviews and comments.

    josieringer(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Hi, Josie, Welcome to my blog site. I've entered your name in the drawing for the book and will look forward to seeing you here again. Glad to hear from a fellow book lover!

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  16. Good afternoon, Ms. Nobles & Ms. Thompson!! :)

    I was quite happy to read your email today alerting me that I hadn't missed this event! I wanted to participate in this interview and bookaway, but last week was a wrecking one for me, as I lost my dear tabby! :( Sorry I sort of disappeared, I needed time to sort through my grief so I took a leave of absence from my blog reading adventures!

    Meanwhile, let me get into this post,... I must confess, I'm a traditional reader, in the sense I only read books in print. I know there is a technologic shift to e-readers, but I am not joining the rush or the fad. I appreciate the tangible connection to the actual books, and my eyes appreciate the fact I'm not reading on a digital screen! I was saddened to hear that Fill These Empty Arms is only in digital format -- perhaps one day it will be in print. I've been reading a lot about how some authors/publishers are considering POD/EBM editions for e-books at some point, so perhaps there is still a kernal of hope!?

    I was thankful to read that the book focuses on women who have circumstances that tend to marginalize them in society yet they were reached out with love, grace, and faith. I truly believe that the more love and kindness we share with others, the more that will boomerang back and encircle the world in a kind embrace. We need more empathy, understanding, and acceptance, especially in situations that require mercy and forgiveness above all else.

    I am going to have to see if I can get Hurricane through my library's ILL service! You have perked my interest, because it revolves around nuns protecting the orphans in their care! That is such a powerful premise, that I cannot wait to see where the characters' lives go forward as the story progresses. I wonder, did you stay true to the real events as they unfolded, OR did you parlay a bit of creative liberty if the characters were speaking to you as you wrote the story, and decided a different ending was more fitting!? I always wonder about that,... especially when a writer focuses on historical events,...

    Wicked sweet interview! I have been attempting to follow Ms. Thompson whilst she's been featured on blogs or on blog tours, but I think I keep missing the opportunity to interact with her! I am thankful that I could show my support today, and I am hoping to make my way through *Weddings By Bella* this year, before tackling her other series! I love to read everything in order! Mind you, I do keep my librarians quite happy as my ILL lists are ever expanding! They do have a copy of *Fool's Rush In* as that is how I found her originally! :)

    Thank you for offering this lovely bookaway for a copy of Picture Perfect! I fell in step with Ms. Thompson's writings through *Fool's Rush In*, as I still remember kibitzing about it whilst walking to lunch one Summery day three years ago! I love the wit she put into her dialogue! And, she writes Italian families like Nia Vardalos writes Greek!

    inkand-bookaways(at)usa.net

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    1. {ps} I subscribe to your blog via RSS feeds! :)

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  17. Hi, Jorie. Well, I must admit, paper books are easier on the eyes. I have to use eye drops now that I'm reading so many digital books. Sometimes when I'm in a print book I find myself pushing the page to turn it because I forget I'm not on the kindle! Glad to get your name on the list. I'll be drawing for the winner next Sunday afternoon. Good luck. Janice said they are expecting a baby any minute so I suppose that's why she has not checked and responded to the posts here. Hope she will before the week is over.
    Thanks for stopping by.

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