I've known Janet a long time. We've written for the same publishing company, been online friends, been roommates at national conferences. Today I want you to get to know her.
There’s always a bit of me in each character—usually I draw their flaws from my own. Fortunately I have a lot to work with, LOL!
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Oh, wow. What a question! I’m either totally quirky or totally boring, and it’s scary that I can’t tell which.
Actually, I find you totally delightful, so maybe I'm totally quirky, too. When did you first discover that you were a writer?
When I was in high school, I wrote songs a lot, and when I began college, that moved nicely into poetry. But then my creative writing teacher told me that poets don’t make much money, and after thinking about that deeply for three seconds, I flung poetry to the winds and decided to try fiction instead, and it was a perfect fit right away. So from the worst of motives, I found my calling. Isn’t God great?
Yes, He certainly is. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I love mysteries, romance, chicklit, and children’s and young adult novels. You can keep me occupied for hours by putting a cookbook in my hands, too.
I love to read cookbooks, too. My husband laughs about that. Even though I used to love to cook a lot, I like things nice and easy now. What other books have you written, whether published or not?
I’ve had 3 Heartsong Presents: Rose Kelly, Candy Cane Calaboose, and Angel’s Roost. Plus I’ve had 7 novellas in anthologies.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
My family keeps me together, and prayer is the glue that holds my sanity in place. Of course, it could easily be that I’ve lost this battle already! Eek!
We've all prayed for Janet this year when she lost her beloved husband.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
Interesting question! Sometimes a character is named in recognition of someone I know, but usually one name just “fits.” With Rose Kelly, I was sitting in church one morning and the name just popped into my mind. I didn’t have a story for it at the time, but that came quickly.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
My family, of course! They mean everything to me. They’re my blood and my breath, and I can’t imagine life without them. God has truly blessed me!
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’d be a cat, and I’d be owned by me. She has the best life in the whole world. I feed her, I provide her a nice warm lap, and I tell her how beautiful she is. Sigh…
What is your favorite food?
Oh, a guilty pleasure! Cinnabon, of course! Get me to an airport! Fast!
I love Cinnabon, too. Did you know they have Cinnabon cheesecake at TGI Fridays? Janet, what fun to share this time with you. I look forward to the time we'll be together again.
Remember, Readers, leave a comment on the interview for a chance to win a copy of Rose Kelly. Also, there's still time to leave a comment on Richard Mabry's interview for a chance to win a copy of The Tender Scar.
14 comments:
Thank you for this interview. Janet sounds like a delightful person to know and be friends with. I'm excited to read some of her work now!
Is Janet's book Irish? Kelly Rose sounds like a great Irish name, and I LOVE the cover. It's beautiful!
As a big Janet Spaeth fan, I can tell you all her books are a treasure to read. I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every story and usually have to read them straight through in one sitting because I don't want to put them down. Of course being from North Dakota, too, I see many similarities in her writing. Keep up the good work! Can't wait for the next one!!!!!
Thanks for the comments! What fun this is!
Kathleen, Rose Kelly isn't set in Ireland. Rose's heritage is Irish, but she's in the Dakota Territory--as a Chicago journalist covering homesteading life. And there just happens to be one homesteader in particular....
Hope you all have a WONDERFUL Christmas season as we celebrate the Birth!!!!
Janet
What a delightful interview, and as a neighbor of Janet Spaeth's I can tell you that she is just as warm and friendly as she sounds. It has been a hard year for her, but I am so glad she is continuing to write. I have read most of her books/stories and have reviewed a few of them. She always leaves you feeling a whole lot better about life when you reach "The End."
Janet Elaine Smith, fellow author
http://www.janetelainesmith.com
This is a very nice interview, but knowing Janet, it only gives a small picture of who she is. She is a very wonderful, delightful person. I have only known Janet for a few years, and only see her occassionally, but feel that she is a very good friend, but I think that she is that to many, many people. Every minute spent with Janet is treasured.
Her writing reflects her personality. Reading her books makes you want more. In the short time spent reading the books, it is easy to become friends with her characters, and it is hard to say "good bye" when the story ends. I always want the story to continue, to find out what happens next. Like an earlier poster said, it is hard to put these books down, once I start, I can't quit and usually finish the book in one sitting.
My daughter has read Janet's works as did my mother, both of who join me in enjoying the stories. Janet's work is truely enjoyed by all ages.
I very much enjoy your work, Janet, and can't wait for the next one to be published!
PS. Sam says Hi!
Hey, my friends have been by, too! They're great people!
And Lori, tell Sam that last night I dreamed the three of us were shopping for an elephant! Hmmm. I think I'm about Christmas-shopped out!
Janet (PS: We didn't buy the elephant. We couldn't decide on what color the saddle thing should be....)
What fun to meet other people who know Janet!
Hmmmm, I'm not sure what happened to my last comment but here I go again.
I Love Janet!! She is a dear friend of mine and very special to me. Thanks Lena for having her on. It was nice getting to know her even more here.
Is Rose Kelly the wife of Aleister Crowley?
Rachelle, Aleister Crowley was indeed married to a woman named Rose Kelly (ah, Wikipedia!) but my Rose Kelly is most definitely *not* the same person. My Rose Kelly is totally a fictional woman and in no way connected with Crowley! Whew. Wouldn't THAT have made an odd story!
Janet
Thanks for this great interview, ladies. Hope i win this book since the heroine bears part of my name! LOL rose mccauley
yea, t'would have! i used to write songs too for our christian ministry and now i'm into poetry. I like to write fiction but fiction doesn't seem to like me. lol
raeshylle[at]yahoo.com
Thanks, everybody, for stopping by and leaving these great comments! You're all absolutely wonderful--those I've known and loved for years as well as those I've only just met now through Lena's blog.
I hope you all have a wonderful New Year, blessed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit!
As my dear friend Rhonda knows I like to say: Muchas Smoochas!
Janet
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