Interview with Janice Hanna Thompson

~Tell us a little about yourself. [Or give your “author bio”]

Award-winning author Janice Thompson also writes under the pseudonym Janice Hanna. She got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. Janice has published nearly seventy books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more. In addition, she enjoys editing, ghost-writing, public speaking, and mentoring young writers. Janice formerly served as Vice-President of CAN (Christian Authors Network) and was named the 2008 Mentor of the year for ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).  She was thrilled to be named the 2010 Barbour/Heartsong Author of the Year, with three books on the top ten list for that house. Janice is active in her local writing group, where she regularly teaches on the craft of writing. Her online writing courses have been helpful to many who want to earn a living with their writing. Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. She does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all. You can find out more about Janice at www.janiceathompson.com or www.freelancewritingcourses.com.

~How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?

I try to laugh my way through every situation. It doesn’t always happen, but I try. When I went through a particularly difficult season several years ago (multiple deaths in the family, all in a row) I found myself turning to Robin Jones Gunn’s light-hearted books. There’s something about comedy (or light-hearted stories) that really lifts my spirits.

Is there something about you that readers might be surprised to learn?

I bake wedding cakes on the side. It’s true! I’m not the best decorator in the world, but I can bake a mean cake. Here’s a picture of one I did for my best friend, Kathleen Y’Barbo.

~What is one book that you recently read and would recommend to your readers?

I loved One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Her beautiful literary style blew me away, but the content of the book is really what sealed the deal. The book is a personal expose on living life with an attitude of gratitude, no matter what you’re going through.

~What is your favorite time of day to write?

I write all day long, but my best time of day is in the late hours of the night. I’m a night owl, so this just seems to work best for me.

~If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, how would you rate the romance in your books?

Hmm. I’ve been told my writing is a bit like Lisa Wingate’s. I think it could also be compared to Kristin Billerbeck and/or Robin Jones Gunn. I write light-hearted romance that’s definitely G rated!

~What are you working on now or going to write next?

I’m writing Love Finds You in Daisy Oklahoma, while marketing Love Finds You in Camelot, Tennessee, (which just released).

Which book are you offering as a free giveaway at this time?

I’m excited to give away a copy of Love Finds You in Camelot, Tennessee.

~Book’s back cover blurb please-

Steve Garrison is the newly elected mayor of the tiny town of Camelot, Tennessee. When his childhood friend Amy Hart comes up with a plan to revive the town’s economy, he jumps onboard. The townspeople will perform the musical “Camelot” in the city’s park, drawing in nightly crowds. While excitement is high, talent is lacking. Amy casts several of the parts but is stumped when it comes to the role of King Arthur. In desperation, she turns to Steve. Will he pull the sword from the stone and save the day? Steve reluctantly agrees—on one condition. In exchange for his willingness to wear tights, Amy must play the role of Guinevere. And when a handsome newcomer cast as Lancelot takes an interest in Amy, the stage is set for a little tension—and perhaps love.

~What research did you have to do for this book?

I went to college in East Tennessee, so I was pretty familiar with the Knoxville area. The story is close to my heart, because I performed in the musical “Camelot” while in college (less than two hours away from the area where this story takes place).

~Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie? 

I would choose Reese Witherspoon for Amy and Hugh Jackman for Steve.

~Is there anything you would like to add, or tell your readers?

I love writing romantic comedies and I love musical theater, so combining both of these elements in Love Finds You in Camelot Tennessee was such a blast. The story was especially dear to me since I attended college in Tennessee.

~How can readers get in contact with you?

Follow Janice at:

Website: www.janicehannathompson.com

Writing Courses Website: www.freelancewritingcourses.com

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/jhannathompson

Reader’s Page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Janice-Hanna-Thompsons-Readers-Page/303537684650

Blog: http://janiceathompson.com/blog/?cat=1

One more question: I see that you teach online writing courses. Can you tell my readers a little more about that, in case any of them want to become writers? 

Thanks for asking. I love to share about my writing courses. Your readers can check out my "Becoming a Successful Freelancer Writer" course here: http://www.freelancewritingcourses.com/becoming-a-successful-freelance-writer. My courses were created with one goal in mind – To help freelance writers hone their craft and learn how to make money with their writing. These unique courses will help you succeed as a freelance writer. In addition to writing professionals, our teachers also include marketing, public relations, and business professionals who are ready to help you learn how to organize your writing business, promote yourself, build your brand, and sell more books. New courses are being added to our website every month. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive library of courses, resources, and other learning materials that will help freelance writers succeed.

He Said, She Said

He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion

By Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles

Do you sense something vital missing from you relationship with your spouse, children and God?

Try He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion. This compilation of 54 devotions includes scripture verses, space for journaling, individual prayers and words of wisdom from two of today's funniest and insightful Christian authors. This heart-warming collection of stories will inspire you to reach for the true source of joy: a life lived for and through God. These deeply personal devotions offer biblical insights and spiritual truths from the perspective of one man and one woman.

Perfect for your quiet time. No matter if you are newlyweds or newly retired, this book of devotions will help you put the spark back into your love life and explore the precious relationships God desires for you. Begin this new year committed to spending a few moments each day connected to God. He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion touches the heart, tickles the funny bone and brings you to your knees in worship.

The concept of He Said, She Said devotions introduces the readers to looking at one scripture, from two perspectives—his and hers. The beauty in this unique type of devotion come when a man reads the perspective of a woman suddenly grasping a new outlook on the scripture; likewise the same for a woman to read the thoughts and views from a man’s perspective. The reader can then mesh the two together for a deeper and more intimate learning experience.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles have captured the essence of scripture through the heart of a man and a woman, addressing the passions of loving your spouse, your children and ultimately loving the Father deeper than ever before.

He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion is available on Amazon Kindle now!

The Highest

The Fort Stockton Critique Cafe was born last night.  We had our first meeting with an awesome guest speaker.  Lisa Hannon, who writes for our Pioneer and is the former 1st Vice President of the DFW Writer's group, gave us excellent tips and advice for running our group.  If you are 18 years of age or older and are interested in our critique group, leave me a message here.

We discussed the reasons we wanted to be a part of our group.  Accountability and improvement were some of the motives expressed.  The discussion reminded me of one of the reasons that I write and so I thought I would post a devotional I wrote about  it here:

The Highest


Matthew 5:14a (NIV) You are the light of the world.

The word ‘inspiration’ always makes me take a slow, deep breath. My eyes close and a smile warms my face. The word always reminds me of the reason I became a writer.

I am a great fan of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series. The third novel, Anne of the Island, finds Anne and her young adult friends facing life’s challenges. Ruby Gillis is a chum who had never given any thought but to her day to day pleasures. Unhappily, Ruby is now dying of consumption. Anne pays her a visit and finds Ruby terrified of death. Ruby’s “soul clung, in blind helplessness, to the only things she knew and loved”. Anne left that meeting a different young woman. I was changed as I read Montgomery’s prose of Anne’s thoughts: “The little things of life, sweet and excellent in their place, must not be the things lived for; the highest must be sought and followed; the life of heaven must be begun here on earth.”

That sentence first inspired me to “the highest” and reinforced my faith. Second, I was consumed with the desire to write in a way that would make people aspire the way I did at that moment. The notion began as a desire and has blossomed over the years into a full blown passion and calling. I will never forget it. Over time I have reread and highlighted many such inspirations in Montgomery’s work as well as many of the Masters and Christian authors.

Keeping that goal in my heart and mind has gotten me over many a writer’s block. I just close my eyes and remember that moment and then ask the Father to help me take my readers to that place of inspiration; the highest.

The Words I Did Not Say

I'm a fan of Lucy Maud Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables).  I like this poem that was posted somewhere today:

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Ps. 25:11

The Words I Did Not Say
Many a word my tongue has uttered
Has brought me sorrow at eventide,
And I have grieved with a grieving bitter
Over speech of anger and scorn and pride,
But never a word in my heart remembered
As I sit with myself at the close of day,
Has pierced with repentance more unavailing
Than have the words I did not say.

The word of cheer that I might have whispered
To a heart that was breaking with weight of woe,
The word of hope that I might have given
To one whose courage was ebbing low,
The word of warning I should have spoken
In the ear of one who walked astray.
Oh, how they come with a sad rebuking
Those helpful words that I did not say;

So many and sweet: If I had but said them
How glad my heart then would have been;
What a dew of blessing would fall upon it
As the day’s remembrances gather in;
But I said them not and the chance forever
Is gone with the moments of yesterday,
And I sit alone with a spirit burdened
By all the words that I did not say.

The morrow will come with its new beginning,
Glad and grand, through the morning’s gates –
Shall I not then with this thought beside me
Go bravely forth to the work that waits?
Giving a message of cheer and kindness
To all I meet on the world’s highway,
So that I never will grieve at twilight
Over the words that I did not say.

Source: The Poetry of Lucy Maud Montgomery

More thoughts on Pollyanna

 

I saw the movie years ago but decided I'd better read the book before posting much more about Pollyanna.  I was surprised at what a good read it is.  Our excellent director of acquisitions (thanks Debra) secured the sequel for me through inter-library loan and I started that yesterday; Pollyanna Grows Up.   


It is notable that in the sequel, the very unhappy Mrs. Carew did not want a 'dose' of Pollyanna, as her sister Della suggests.  She did not want a 'priggish' child preaching to her and telling her to "count my mercies".  Della knows that it is so much more than that.  The "Glad" game is nothing more than simple gratitude.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Pollyanna simply chooses to find something to be grateful for in every situation.  So simple, but a concept that literally changes the atmosphere. 


I found this lovely little page that has a list of scriptures about gratitude.  Have a wonderful day!


Gratitude Scriptures

Happy Valentine's Day

"For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3 16

Comment your favorite scripture about the Father's love...

I'm Gettin' Over It

I have made a huge decision today.  I am embracing the fact that I am a Pollyanna and proud of it.  Not familiar with the metaphor?  Pollyanna was a best selling novel in 1913 by Eleanor Porter and was later adapted for film; first starring Mary Pickford (1920) and later released by Disney (1960) starring Hayley Mills.  Granted, I am not an orphan and I do not have a rich Aunt Polly, but like the title character, I am just generally happy.  Not always, my kids can tell you, but most of the time. 

It has been said at times in my past that "if you are happy, then something is wrong.  You must not be living for the Lord or you would be having struggles. You cannot always be happy, but you can always have joy."  Uh huh, I bought that for a lot of years but guess what.  That is not scriptural.  Ok, if you want to argue that happiness and joy are two different things, go ahead.  Either way, most of the time it's a choice.

"Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me." John 14:1  Let = choice

I have looked up about 30 scriptures today that deal with the heart.  It is definitely a heart thing.  "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." Matt12:34.  It's true, isn't it?  Our church family has been working on making good deposits into our hearts, so that the overflow will reflect Jesus and not our flesh.  It's not easy, but it is such a blessing.

Where is it hardest?  At home and at work?  I'd love to hear your comments about how you handle negative speech and attitudes in yourself, your loved ones, and in the workplace.

Friday Fanfare October 22, 2010

 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord..." Psalm 33:12

I don't have a Bucket List, but I do have a list of dreams.  One of them came true on Saturday when I was asked to sing the National Anthem at the Permian Basin Fire Convention.  (I almost got to sing at a Maverick's game once, but that's another story.)

It was a tremendous honor to sing The Star Spangled Banner.  Normally, only the first verse of Francis Scott Key's masterpiece (which is a bear to sing by the way) is performed at public events.  I wish we could also sing the last verse:

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! 

I do believe that the success and freedom of our nation will be determined by God, and the extent upon which we trust Him.  I'm not going to start waxing political, but I'm just sayin'.  May we be heav'n rescued, and blest with victory and peace.  We praise you, Father, the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.  Have a blessed weekend!

Friday Fanfare

This work week is almost over.  I am looking across the street from the library and enjoying the late afternoon sun casting a golden fall wash on the green grass of the Bank.  The little twinkling leaves on the well kept trees don't change color here in west Texas, but they look gold in the sunshine just the same.  The 84th Psalm sings, "How lovely is Thy dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!" In the presence of the Lord, our hearts feel like that golden washed scene across from me; quiet, peaceful, joyful and full of expectation.  Shadows are moving across the lawn as the moments go by, reminding me that I'm about an hour away from rest, from seeing my husband and family.  How lovely to dwell in the peace of the Lord.

Verse 11 of that Psalm says "For the LORD God is a sun and shield..." and He was that today.  I was on the way to pick up Natalie from school at lunch when I heard a kathunk, kathunk - then I lost all power steering.  I managed to get Nat and then limped into Mobile One so Nathan could look at it.  It was only out of commission for a few hours and I am rejoicing that I was not stranded or hit by another car.  He takes care of us!  How lovely is Thy dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! Have a blessed weekend.

Daily Faithfulness

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

What in the world did Jesus do for thirty years before he started his ministry? Fully 10/11ths of His life on earth was spent in Nazareth. Possibly Joseph died when Jesus was young. He was not mentioned in the accounts of Jesus’ ministry or crucifixion. First-born Jews took care of their families. Jesus had a mother and siblings to look after and he was a carpenter. He knew the daily details of business, of working with customers, of supporting his family. When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and God said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”, Jesus had not yet done the first miracle. He had simply been faithful to his family and to God – for thirty years! What a tremendous motivation for us to persevere in our daily duties; to carry out with faithfulness and love those invisible tasks that make a life for those under our care.

We look forward to the day when He says to us, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Father, when I don’t want to go to work or do the cooking, cleaning, laundry, and bills, help me to remember the Lord Jesus laboring over a piece of wood, or seeing to the needs of his mother and siblings. Give me grace to work faithfully, diligently, and with love and grace. In the Name of the One who is Faithful and True, Amen.

Stepping Out

Randy began our service this Sunday with 2 Corinthians 2:14
"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him."

He further emphasized that the scripture says 'always'. I remember thinking, "Well, I don't think I am always triumphant. I fail quite a bit in certain areas." I heard the Lord speak to my spirit. He said, "That's because you step out of the Procession." Whoa.

We have been studying Duane Sheriff's teaching on Making Your Appointment With Destiny. We have also been talking about finding God's purpose in our lives. It is important to know what our gifts and strengths are and then step into the Procession where we are promised triumph. Sin and unbelief delay our accomplishments because they cause us to step out of the triumphant procession.

It is a comfort to know that confessing our sins and choosing to believe God are all that it takes to jump back in and head towards victory. What a mighty God we serve!

Be Still

Multi-tasking has just about fried my brain today. I took a deep breath as I drove to pick up Natalie from school. "Be still and know that I am God." I tried to just focus on where I was, be in the moment. A little melody came up from my spirit and I sang, "Look around and say where you are now." Literally I looked at and named the businesses and buildings that I passed. I thanked the Lord for the blue sky and cotton clouds. Another deep breath. Once again the precious Word of God has calmed my spirit and shown me the gift of today; a miracle with every breath.