Welcome, Janet. We’re
glad to have you back. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do
you see on the horizon?
You are so right. Tell
us a little about your family.
My husband and I are now empty-nesters during the university
year, with our youngest son studying out of province and our elder two sons out
on their own. We're pet-free due to allergies, although I do have a small flock
of stuffed sheep. My husband, because he's amazing and knew I might find the
empty nest hard, suggested we institute a weekly date night. It's a double
bonus during busy seasons like this one, because it keeps us from each being
too wrapped up in our own activities to spend time together.
Has your writing
changed your reading habits? If so, how?
Because I've connected with a lot of writers, I read more
outside my favourite genres (suspense and speculative). I like to see what my
friends are writing. I've also wound up with a much larger to-read stash, and
sometimes that starts to feel like work. That's often when I ignore what's next
and read something totally random. One other thing that's changed is my
understanding of the value of reviews. Even if I only have time for a few
sentences, I'm more conscientious about posting a review on Goodreads or an
online store, to support my fellow authors.
That’s wonderful. I
wish more people would do that. I’m not as conscientious about it as I should
be. What are you working on right now?
I'm at the beginning of discovering a new suspense series,
which will be set in Nova Scotia (East Coast Canada )
but not in the same location as Without Proof or Heaven's Prey. So far, the cast have
introduced themselves, and the main character is beginning to define herself. A
possible love interest is also taking shape. I love this stage!
What outside
interests do you have?
I enjoy knitting and cross-stitch, and would love to learn
to draw someday. Music is important to me, mostly worship music but some
classic rock and instrumentals as well. My husband's a fitness instructor and
he's shown me the value of regular group exercise classes at the gym.
Surprising to both of us, I've also started jogging. Best part of that? I get
to listen to my music J
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
With Heaven's Prey,
the plot required an isolated cottage setting, and I chose a spot I knew would
work. The setting for Secrets and Lies
grew logically from connected locations in that first book, and for Without
Proof, I decided I wanted to write somewhat locally again. That may be
because I didn't want to research my original, arbitrary choice of locale, but
I think it's also because there aren't many books set in Nova Scotia and it's a lovely place with
plenty of fiction potential.
If you could spend an
evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
Oooh... the good, Christian answer is Jesus, but He really
transcends history. I'd choose Brother Lawrence, the monk whose letters were
complied into the book, The Practice of
the Presence of God. His simple faith and trust inspire me, and I'd like to
listen to what he might have to say.
What is the one thing
you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
To avoid "head-hopping"! Seriously. I had to
rewrite the entire first draft to keep each scene's point of view inside a
single character's head.
I think almost all
authors start out “head-hopping.” I know I did, too. But my books are so much
better since I learned to keep to one POV per scene. What new lessons is the
Lord teaching you right now?
This has been a year of learning to rely more on His
presence (hence my choice of historical person) and about believing that
whatever "it" is in a particular situation, God's got it.
What are the three
best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
1. You're in this for the long haul, so persevere and enjoy
the journey.
2. Cultivate supportive relationships with other writers and
with non-writers.
3. Your identity is not in your books and/or sales.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Two years after the plane crash that killed her fiancé, Amy
Silver has fallen for his best friend, artist Michael Stratton. When a local
reporter claims the small aircraft may have been sabotaged, it reopens Amy's
grief.
Anonymous warnings and threats are Amy's only proof that the
tragedy was deliberate, and she has nowhere to turn. The authorities don't
believe her, God is not an option, and Michael's protection is starting to feel
like a cage.
Sounds interesting. Please
give us the first page of the book.
The doorbell echoed from the main floor. Amy dropped the
square of sandpaper onto the frame she'd been finishing and flexed her aching
fingers.
Overhead, light footsteps headed for the door. Michael's
aunt could sign for the delivery, but Amy wanted to check the boxes. She rolled
her shoulders to work out a kink, then slid from the stool and brushed a layer
of dust from her clothing.
Not the printer order after all. She, as in me? Amy took a few silent steps but stopped out of
sight.
"Please, I'm on a deadline." A male voice, light
and with a hint of a quiver.
Amy grinned. Aunt
Bay
The visitor took three quick steps inside before Michael's
aunt could change her mind. "Amy Silver?"
"Yes?"
He wasn't much bigger than Aunt Bay
"Okay." Amy nodded, waiting. Did he want to write
about the art studio? But why would Aunt
Bay
(Here's a link if readers want to see the rest of the scene:
Without
Proof Excerpt.)
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
My website: janetsketchley.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JanetSketchley
Twitter: twitter.com/JanetSketchley
Amazon Author Central: www.amazon.com/author/janetsketchley
Pinterest: pinterest.com/janetsketchley/
Goodreads: goodreads.com/janetsketchleyThank you, Janet, for sharing this new book with us. I can hardly wait until mine arrives. And I know my readers are eager to read it, too.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Without Proof: A Redemption's Edge Novel (Volume 3)
- PaperbackWithout Proof: A Redemption's Edge Novel - Kindle
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- paperback
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