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Tuesday, September 29, 2015

WORTH HER WEIGHT - Janet K Brown - One Free Book

Welcome, Janet Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
My most recent release, Worth Her Weight, has a lot of me in the main character. Lacey, like me, was addicted to food, a people-pleaser, and suffered from a low self esteem. I nearly always have someone I know in mind with every character, with certain changes, of course.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I once did a four hour zumbathon. I loved it. It was for a good cause. But, I couldn’t move the rest of the day.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
In junior high, my English teacher seemed to pick on me. At the end of the year, I asked her why. She told me that she saw promise in my writing, so she wanted to push me to improve. I knew then that was something I wanted to do with my life. However, life intervened, and it was 2006 before I began to seriously study the craft and submit my work.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Fiction - Women’s fiction, romance, mysteries, suspense, young adult, new adult
Non-fiction – Devotion, self-help, writing-related, motivational

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I often don’t, but I know when I reach the point where I’m overwhelmed, I need to sit down, list everything I do, prioritize, and give up a few things. It happens about once a year. Also, my sweet hubby keeps me grounded with love.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
Sometimes, it’s just a name I like that fits, or a name that belongs to someone I admire. If I come up empty, I google the favorite girl or boy names for the year of the character’s birth. I try to limit names that start with the same letter to keep out confusion.

With my Young Adult novel Victoria and the Ghost, I used my granddaughter’s name, and in the sequel still to come out, I use my grandson, Colson’s, name.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Hands down, 53 years married to my soulmate, and second, the birth of our three daughters Other than that, I’m proud and grateful for God’s emotional healing in my life.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A bear – hibernating sounds wonderful and I’m cranky if you wake me up.

What is your favorite food?
Cheesecake or blackberry cobbler

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Adding more emotion to certain scenes. I went to a 3-day, fiction mentoring class by DiAnn Mills. She had us write about the saddest time in our lives. I wrote and cried, but it taught me a lesson.

 I need to think of a time when I experienced a similar emotion whether sadness, fear, or joy and the effect it had on me. When we allow ourselves to remember something, we relive it. When I do, I write how I feel.

Tell us about the featured book.
How can a woman who gives to everyone but herself accept God’s love and healing when she believes she’s fat, unworthy, and unfixable? Can she be Worth Her Weight?

It can be purchased through the publisher: http://www.pen-l.com/WorthHerWeight.html

Please give us the first page of the book.
The acid from Mom’s hurtful words burned. Only a gooey, cream-filled donut could neutralize the pain. That, and maybe a couple of Snickers. I’m not going crazy. The phone heated her hand. She wanted to drop it to the desk, but Mom’s prattle continued.

“You’re going nuts like your dad.” Her words sliced through Lacey like a tornado in a Texas cornfield.

 Mom droned on about her visit with Katie, Lacey’s kid sister. Lacey opened a desk drawer, lifting out her bottle of Prozac. She turned it over to read the directions. If she downed these pills, her disappointing life would end. Old thoughts resurfaced, bringing a longing for peace but a warning of hell fire.

Mom took a breath between words. Lacey’s office was quiet except for the phone-voice of condemnation.

As a person who has struggled with weight most of my adult life, just this much of the book brought tears to my eyes. Praise the Lord, He is helping me lose weight this year. How can readers find you on the Internet?
I’m also on Google+ and Linked In

Thank you, Janet, for sharing this book with us. I'm sure there are many readers who will connect with your heroine, and maybe it will help others who don't have an addiction to food better understand those who do.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

23 comments:

  1. I'm so honored to be your guest today, Lena. Praise God for helping you with weight loss this year. It can be a devastating problem.

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  2. Brenda Arrington10:14 AM

    I know I will enjoy this book. I have had some of the same weight related problems. I really enjoyed the interview. Thanks for the chance to win.


    Brenda in VA

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  3. I would love to read this book. I have struggled my whole adult life with weight issues.

    Melanie Backus, TX

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  4. The opening scene grabbed my attention and gave me insight into how food is used to ease the emotional pain. Your word choice is excellent and I can see and feel what Lacey is experiecing.

    Wendy Boston, NY

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  5. The opening scene grabbed my attention and gave me insight into how food is used to ease the emotional pain. Your word choice is excellent and I can see and feel what Lacey is experiecing.

    Wendy Boston, NY

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  6. This sounds like a wonderful story that I would enjoy.

    California

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  7. Thank you, Wendy C. Boston. Good luck to all 3 of you. Dealing with weight issues is something God cares about. I know, for myself, it almost ruined me. God chose not to take away the cravings, but to leave me with them and rescue me day by day, so that I would rely on Him.

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  8. Wish you well, Linda. God knows who needs this book, but I pray you also find an entertaining story.

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  9. Thank you for sharing this lovely interview and giveaway! Worth Her Weight sounds like a wonderful story!

    Britney Adams, TX

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  10. Good luck, Britney. Thanks for the comment.

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  11. Such an interesting beginning.

    Mary P

    QLD AUSTRALIA

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  12. I know this book will speak to me. I have battled my weight since I was eleven years old. Thank you for a chance to win a copy.

    I live in Indiana.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.

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  13. Thank you, Mary. Cindy, I love hearing from fellow weight warriors. God bless you both.

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  14. Sounds like a great story. kim North Platte Nebraska.

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  15. This sounds like a great book. By addressing that not everyone is a size 0 but can eat healthy to manage weight. I live in Oklahoma.

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  16. All God's children are "worth their weight". What man sees on the outside, God looks on the heart. We should care what God thinks and not man.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. I so agree, Janet E. God doesn't judge us by how much we weigh, by the color of our skin, or by the strength of our bodies. God looks on the heart. God provided lots of great food. For a food addict, it's not the food, it's the fix. When God heals the insides, sometimes he changes the outside. Either way, our focus must be on Him.

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  18. Good luck, Kim & Karen. I so appreciate your comment.

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  19. I'd love to win this for my wife!

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  20. Sharon Richmond Bryant7:26 PM

    Enter me in your amazing contest!!
    Conway, SC.

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  21. Oh, Edward, my husband could sure identify with your love & concern. God actually had to heal him at the same time He healed my emotions. Thanks for your comment. Thanks, also, Sharon. You are officially entered. God bless.

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  22. It is so sad that our culture puts so much emphasis on weight! As a young girl, I was considered skinny but motherhood took care of that. I have been several sizes during my adult years and I have dealt with some unkind remarks. I am now 30 pounds lighter due to total hip replacement and having temporary custody of a now 19 month old. I have received many compliments but inside, I am still the same person. My weight gain never was labeled total obesity so I hurt for those who have a bigger weight problem. I am sure this book will be such a help!
    Blessings, Janet and Lena!
    Connie from KY
    cps1950 at gmail dot com

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  23. Oh, thank you, Connie. You said it well. I hear your anguish. I remember the mean comments I heard when I walked thru stores with 100 extra lbs on my body, "Hey, Fat Mama," "Honey, are you expecting?," "Do you really think you should eat that?" It hurt. God was using me in many ways, but inside, I ached for peace. Time after time, I drowned my sorrow in donuts & fudge, when all God wanted was me to lean on Him. When I quit focusing on the food and submitted to whatever God wanted me to eat, He brought the healing inside & out. Praise His name. In this tale of Lacey's problems with her non-married state, a domineering boss, an angry mother, & having her drug-addicted sister leave her with a 4 year old niece to raise, she had to learn to turn to Jesus. He is always faithful.

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